PilotEdge Network Launched

Posted: Monday, October 17, 2011 - 14:41
PilotEdge Server Network has been launched, PilotEdge is a new online flight sim network aimed at student pilots, instrument students, commercial flight schools, and anyone who could use a little more practice with ATC communication, navigation, or procedures.

PilotEdge provides professional, human ATC services with guaranteed staffing 15 hours a day, 7 days a week, for one low unlimited- use monthly fee, and works with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004, X, or X-Plane. As part of our launch celebration we're running a charter member program, these spots are limited, so act quickly to reserve yours at PilotEdge .

Accu-Sim Core Update v.1.1 Released

Posted: Sunday, October 16, 2011 - 15:38
A2A Simulations sent word that Accu-Sim Core Update v.1.1 has been released, for existing Accu-Sim Spitfire owners. The latest version is detailed for the Spitfire and other Aircraft on the A2A Forums.

The Reader's Choice Awards Presented

Posted: Sunday, October 16, 2011 - 14:23
The Avsim Social was held last night sponsored by PMDG, both new and long-time friends joined Avsim's Staff in a Soiree featuring presentation of the Bravo Zulu & Reader's Choice Awards. The Hilton's Staff kept the party going in fine style while the members enjoyed the presentations and joined fellow aviation enthusiasts in the annual post Board Meeting Get Together.

The Reader Choice Awards were presented in the following categories:

1. Commercial Aircraft: IFLY 737
2. Commercial Scenery: ORBX PNW
3. Commercial Utilities: REX OVERDRIVE
4. Commercial "Other": ORBX PEOPLE FLOW

5. Freeware Aircraft: ANT'S TIGER MOTH
6. Freeware Scenery: BLUESKY
7. Freeware Utilities: AIRPORT DESIGN EDITOR
8. Freeware "Other": TWEAKING AND TUNING TOOL FOR FSX & ESP

9: "Best" Forum Member: DAVID "OPA" MARSHALL
10: Lifetime Achievement Award: PETER DOWSON

Our congratulations to the finalists and gratitude to Pete Dowson who truly deserves the honour for his long efforts to provide enhancements to the FS Platform that would be unavailable without him, and to “OPA”, words are not enough to thank you and say how you are missed.

Full coverage of the Bravo Zulu and Reader Choice Awards will be available in the Forums once the Staff gets back to their Home Bases, many thanks for all who participated in the evening, PMDG for its support and to those who took a moment and voted.

Classics Hangar ME 108 Taifun Service Pack 1

Posted: Sunday, October 16, 2011 - 13:31
Classics Hangar releases Service Pack 1 for their FSX Messerschmitt 108 Taifun . Service Pack 1 includes, apart from a few minor bugfixes and cosmetic texture improvements, a number of new features and functions: The pilot now has company in the cockpit. New passenger figures on all seats are visible in exterior view, configurable using a new manager interface. The new real time manager provides quick access to fuel and payloads and to a number of commonly used simulation commands. In preparation for the comming cold season there is now a visible and audible preheating aggregate available that facilitates engine cold start and helps avoiding engine wear. To view screenshots and for a full description of all features please visit the Bf 108 product pages at www.classics-hangar.de and read the updated user manual. Existing customers can redownload and reinstall the updated product at no cost at their vendor's website.

Orbx Releases 74S Anacortes

Posted: Sunday, October 16, 2011 - 13:20
Never has the phrase "more than just an airport" held true. Acclaimed developer Jarrad Marshall has created something truly special with 74S Anacortes Airport, giving you not just a hyper-detailed airport as an FBO, but most of beautiful Fidalgo Island to explore. Additionally there are auxiliary landing areas including the Burrows Island Lighthouse Helipad, Allan Island private airstrip and the 21H Skyline water landing area. The entire city of Anacortes is represented, and also the Deception Pass Bridge (specifically for your low-flying adventures!), the detailed refinery area nearby and many other POIs. The scenery seamlessly integrates with KBVS Skagit Regional airport also from Orbx, and uses 7cm, 15cm and 60cm photoreal imagery. This is Jarrad Marshall's finest hour for sure!

FEATURES Ultra-detailed modelling and textures for Anacortes Airport (74S) All 3D models include baked ambient occlusion Six highly-detailed custom static aircraft 60cm coverage for city of Anacortes, Anacortes Refinery, Deception Pass State Park, Allan and Burrows Islands 15cm/custom ground poly (FSX native) for 74S Airport Auxiliary landing areas nearby: Burrows Island Lighthouse Helipad, Allan Island private airstrip, 21H Skyline water landing City of Anacortes and detailed refinery area included Ultra-detailed Deception Pass Bridge (specifically for your low-flying adventures!) Seamless integration with Hugh Johnston's upcoming Skagit Regional Airport (KBVS).Visit the 74S Anacortes Airport Homepage for further details.

Inquisitive Graphics Latest Product NG Calc

Posted: Saturday, October 15, 2011 - 13:53
Inquisitive Graphics makers of FS Kneeboard, has released their newest app for flight simulation, NG Calc, a fuel planner designed for users of advanced payware 737 NGs. With NG Calc, enter your flight distance, altitude, cost index, weight as well as several other options and it will tell you exactly how much fuel to add for your flight. Program your alternate, anticipated taxi, holding or captains fuel and NG Calc automatically adds the necessary fuel to it's prediction. You can also optionally configure NG Calc to automatically add 45 minutes cruise time to the alternate. The iPad version includes the ability to calculate flight distance between airports as well as download live weather data. NG Calc is now available in the App Store on iTunes for both iPad and iPhone, or for more information see Inquisitive Graphics Homepage.

Orbx KBVS Skagit Regional Released

Posted: Thursday, October 13, 2011 - 16:19
Orbx is pleased to announce that KBVS Skagit Regional is now available, making it the center of the bush flyer zone near Seattle, and what an FBO to call home. Featuring exquisite details around the airport including custom modeled vehicles, tractors, refueling stations and much more, the scenery also offers a massive, tightly annotated, fully seasonal photoreal area which encompasses the mudflats to the west, tulip farms nearby, a freeway overpass and seamless integration with Jarrad Marshall's upcoming 74S Anacortes.

Features Include: Over 115sq km of fully annotated scenery, Samish and Pandilla Bay mudflats at 1m resolution, Fully seasoned trees and plants, TextureFlow for great performance, Includes PeopleFlow animated characters, Includes the brand new NatureFlow tech, Custom made ground poly including hard winter.
Bonus WN51 Bayview Farm Airstrip and the package seamlessly joins Orbx 74S Anacortes with Full five seasons color matched imagery Developed by Hugh Johnston (YCNK, YSCB).
Visit the KBVS Skagit Regional homepage for a look at the release in detail .

H J G TWO-IN-ONE Update

Posted: Wednesday, October 12, 2011 - 14:20
Historic Jetliners Group (HJG) has announced a "TWO-IN-ONE" website update ...featuring the latest texture and panel releases for its B707, B727, CV990, DC8, and DC9 flightline for FS2004/FSX. For further and more in-depth information relating to this latest HJG website update please read announcements on the "NEWS" page of the HJG website forum.

F S P S Dolby Cockpit Sounds For FS9 & FSX

Posted: Tuesday, October 11, 2011 - 14:29
Flight Simulator Platform Solutions has announced the release of Dolby Cockpit Sounds for FS9 and FSX. Dolby cockpit sounds software, produces real cockpit sounds that Flight Simulator engine can not do due to software limitations. All cockpit sounds production based to advanced mathematics and being calculated from the aircraft flight characteristics. Every sound can be split to pairs of speakers and supports mono, stereo, 5.1 and 7.1 surround systems. Visit the Flight Simulator Platform Solutions Homepage for further details.

Pacific Islands Simulation Release Tonga Domestic

Posted: Tuesday, October 11, 2011 - 14:23
Pacific Islands Simulation has released another product from the South Pacific, Tonga Domestic, comprising three islands airports. HA'APAI-LIFUKA AIRPORT (NFTL) and Vava'u International (NFTV).

VAVA'U INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (NFTV), also known as Lupepau'u International Airport, it is located 75nm north of Ha'apai-Lifuka (NFTL) and 173nm from Fua'amotu International Airport (NFTF). The airport is located 10 km (6.2 mi) north of the capital Neiafu.Vava’u is Tonga’s main tourism hub, with over 34 islands providing both dramatic scenery and a world renown center for water related activities; sailing, fishing, diving.
Vava'u is an international airport however scheduled international flights no longer operate with all such flights arriving in Tongatapu. Charters and private aircraft still use the International facilities at Vava'u. Domestic air services are operated by Chathams Pacific twice daily to and from Tongatapu. The company generally run a 50 seat Convair 580 on this route with an 18 seat Metroliner also used periodically. Flight time is 50 minutes to Tongatapu, 30 minutes to Ha’apai and a little over one hour to Niuatoputapu in the north.

NIUATOPUTAPU (NFTP), is one of the two Niuas (Niuafo’ou, being the other) situated farthest north of all the islands of Tonga. It is halfway between Vava’u and Samoa, it is remote and undeveloped, Tongatapu.
Pacific Islands Simulation had also released Fua'amotu International (v2). If you bought the original from all major vendors, then simply login to your customer account to upgrade.

Take On Helicopter BETA Version Now Available

Posted: Monday, October 10, 2011 - 22:08
SimWare Simulations and Bohemia interactive have teamed up to demonstrate Take On Helicopter during FSWeekend, Take On Helicopters is now available from SimWare Simulations, the BETA version is immediately available for everyone purchasing the download version.
The brand new helicopter game from Bohemia Interactive – creators of the award-winning mil-sim series Arma 2. Built upon over 10 years of experience in cutting-edge simulator development, Take On Helicopters immerses players within rich, expansive landscapes and authentic flight dynamics.

Baja Sim La Paz Intl Airport MMPL

Posted: Sunday, October 9, 2011 - 15:14
Baja Sim have released La Paz Intl Airport MMPL for FSX. Features include: FSX native scenery, Airport area modeled with great detail and with realistic buildings placement, Advanced texture render techniques, High resolution textures.
Main buildings with detailed 3D interiors and detail map on exterior walls for spectacular closeups, Smooth taxiway lines every where, Realistic night textures, Reworked Landclass, Reworked shore, Custom vehicles, vegetation, signs, etc, Animated vehicles and road traffic, Texture & poly optimization, High detail with low FPS impact.
For complete details visit Baja Sim .

KC Flight Shop Evektor Sport Star SP1 Released

Posted: Saturday, October 8, 2011 - 15:00
The KC Flight Shop has updated their Evektor SportStar for Flight Simulator X. Five new HD liveries, additional cockpit details and product enhancements have been bundled into this Service Release.
Features include: HD quality textures throughout , 3D gauges, GNS430 and KA155 installed, Animated Checklist and kneeboard with performance tables, Realistic behavior , pilot tested to match the real airplane.
Addon GPS & Nav System compatibility in the fully functional VC, all systems designed to operate with custom hardware controllers.
Evektor SportsStar Owners can download the SP1 release from the KC Flight Shop .

Flightbeam Studios Announce KSFO For FS9

Posted: Saturday, October 8, 2011 - 14:18
Flightbeam Studios is pleased to announce KSFO for FS9. Every effort went into producing a direct port resulting in the most realistic simulation of San Francisco International Airport. By purchasing KSFO FS9, customers will also have full access to KSFOX. Likewise, FSX customers owning KSFOX can download and use KSFO FS9 for no charge using their registration information.

UK2000 Cumbernauld Xtreme For FSX & FS2004

Posted: Saturday, October 8, 2011 - 14:14
Cumbernauld is a General aviation airport located between Glasgow and Edinburgh. The airport offers facilities and services including flying and helicopter training. There are 2 large hangers, several smaller hangers, a control center and airport cafe. The scenery is made with new hi-detailed surface textures that produce 3D crack and edge effects. It also has thousands of 3D grass 'blands' and shrubs around the airfield to give a realistic feeling of the scottish landscape. In addition to the main airport you also get the nearby industrial estate compleate with 3D cars and trucks, some of which are animated.
Like all UK2000 Xtreme range products you can try this scenery for FREE by downloading the no time limit DEMO version from UK2000.

Electronic Flight Bag Service Pack 5

Posted: Saturday, October 8, 2011 - 13:58
EFB Service Pack 5 includes several fixes, as well as improvements to the SimConnect interface, and the ability for each user to custom exclude scenery areas from needless scanning .
Also included with SP5 are the long-awaited Export Modules for Level-D and for PMDG aircraft!! Now EFB routes can be saved and then loaded directly into all Level-D and PMDG aircraft's Flight Management Computers.

Visit Aivlasoft to download the free Service Pack. If you haven't tried AivlaSoft's EFB, take advantage of the fully-featured 30 day trial mode.

Instant Mission Maker Update

Posted: Saturday, October 8, 2011 - 13:48
Flight1 has released Instant Mission Maker version 1.04. The new version allows importing flight plan waypoints and offers several other improvements.
Instant Mission Maker is an easy to use tool for making Flight Simulator X missions. It offers a very intuitive GUI, live preview and editing of many mission objects directly in FSX, and can also instantly generate random missions. For more details, please visit the Product Page .

iGMap and iGMapHD V2.1 Add Metar/TAF Data

Posted: Friday, October 7, 2011 - 13:17
iGMap (for iPhone/iPod touch) and iGMapHD (for iPad) have been updated to Version 2.1 with live Metar/TAF weather feeds for most stations worldwide. The weather stations are displayed directly on the map in the form of an optional icon layer that can be toggled on or off as required. The weather station icons can be tapped to reveal the associated weather observation (Metar), forecast (TAF) or both if applicable. This is a free update for all users, to download it simply open the Updates page of the App Store on your device. For full details and screenshots of the 2.1 releases please visit the FS Widgets Homepage.

Carenado Release The A36 Bonanza For FSX

Posted: Thursday, October 6, 2011 - 13:21
Carenado has released the Bonanza A36 for FSX. Features include : Original Aspen EFD1000 installed, KFC225 Autopilot installed, 3D gauges, Reality XP integration with 3D Gauges.
Fresnel shader maps allow realistic reflections and lighting, Original HQ digital stereo sounds recorded directly from the real aircraft. Two original Carenado GNS430 installed.

Included in the package: 4 liveries, 1 white livery, 2 models (one pilot and two pilots). Normal and Emergency Procedures - Performance tables PDF, Quick reference table PDF, Operations Tips and Reality XP Integration PDF, Carenado GNS430 Users Guide PDF, Autopilot KFC224 PDF
EFD100 Manual PDF, Recommended Settings PDF.

Sim Savvy Photoreal America Package Upgrade

Posted: Wednesday, October 5, 2011 - 13:14
Sim Savvy announce the completion of the third high resolution upgrade batch for Photoreal America. This third batch includes Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. This batch will ship to upgrade customers about mid month when the batch two drives return. Samples of Texas, Florida and California are available for download at the Sim Savvy upgrade page.