Northrop T-38A Talon from MilViz

Posted: Saturday, September 17, 2011 - 19:11
Staff reviewer Peter Hayes straps on MilViz's T-38A Talon and puts himself through a test-flight, training program. "The T38-A is possibly one of the most evocative jet trainers used by the USAF, and it has been faithfully reproduced by Milviz. We have an historic aircraft well loved by all who trained in her and brought to the FSX table in vivid detail coupled with accurate flight characteristics, plus having the added bonus that real world Talon pilots had quite a lot of input."

"The POH contains a lovely diagram on how to carry out an exterior inspection, so I used this as my template to report on the external physical attributes on this fine model. An excellent exterior in all aspects."

"The VC, like the rest of the plane, is excellent befitting the description; " high quality 3D VC". All of the instruments are clear and suitably aged. The night lighting of the instruments is excellent and these can be dimmed or have the intensity increased using rotary switches in the VC."

"The MilVix T-38A Talon is an excellent, accurate, lovely reproduction of a two set jet trainer. It is very fast, it's fun and it isn’t too pricey and it gives you a thrill a minute. The detail is just outstanding and unlike many planes, the interior looks like they have been used and then used some more. The exteriors are crisp and clean and they look good from all angles. A nice jet to install in your virtual military hangar."

Narsarsuaq X (South Greenland) Released

Posted: Saturday, September 17, 2011 - 17:12
This area covers more than 13,000 Sq. miles. The mesh data is made from ASTER GDEM data. While ASTER GDEM data is not nearly refined as STRM source data, the data is the best data for Greenland. But it's not only the mesh which have been reworked. The coastline and islands are also reworked for this release. Like the lakes and rivers are. Custom made buildings have been included. Photo Scenery for BGBW area in all season variation. Narsarsuaq (BGBW) is moved to the correct geographical position, with added custom made buildings.

The following places are added to the scenery: - Qaqortoq Helistop (BGJH), and buildings. - Narsaq Helistop (BGNS), and buildings. - Nanortalik Helistop (BGNN), and buildings. - Qassimiut Helistop (BGQT), and buildings. - Eqalugaarsuit Helistop (BGET), and buildings. - Ammassivik Helistop (BGAS), and buildings. - Alluitsup Paa Helistop (BGAP), and buildings. - Tasiusaq Helistop (BGTQ), and buildings. - Narsarmijit Helistop (BGFD), and buildings. - Aappilattoq Helistop (BGAQ), and buildings. - Angissoq Loran Station Buildings have been added with helistop - no ICAO. - Nalunaq Guldmine Buildings and a helistop - no ICAO. - Saarloq buildings have been added - no helistop. - Igaliko buildings have been added - no helistop.

MISSIONS: They have made some missions aswell. You can find the missions under "Just for Fun". Visit FlightSim Greenland webpage and see screenshots, and to download the scenery.

Flight Crew Assistant 747 Edition

Posted: Saturday, September 17, 2011 - 12:35
A new iPhone/iPod Touch mobile app is available for the 747-400 series called Flight Crew Assistant 747 Edition. This is a stand-alone app that works in conjunction with any simulator, but will be of most interest to PMDG 747, PS1.3 and Default 747 pilots. Features include: - 747 audio checklists recorded by real-world airline pilots - Cabin PA's - Captains PA's - A list of flight crew "flow items" for each stage of flight. - Internet METAR/TAF display - The ability to import and play real-ATC recordings and assign them to ATC stations - Day/Night panel lighting Note that a version for the PMDG 737 NGX is also available.

FSDreamTeam Releases KLAX For FSX

Posted: Friday, September 16, 2011 - 23:24
After the successful DFW scenery, LAX again raises the bar in scenery design, by implementing even newer design methods, which allows for great textures clarity on ground, despite of the airport size. Fully FSX native Shader effects like Bump and Specular mapping on ground, allows DX10 compatibility, without using any default textures.

The Airport lighting is special, using new pre-rendered Volumetric Lighting methods, reproducing the effects of more than thousands lights, with no impact on fps. The LAX Kinetic Light Installation is reproduced with multiple choreography programs simulated.

Other features include elevated taxiways bridges fully compatible with AI, several custom animations, more than 120 working Jetways. With a manual including all charts and totaling 72 pages, the most awaited release of 2011 it's finally captured in extreme detail.

The scenery is available in Trial version, and can be freely downloaded from FsDreamTeam website.

CaptSim 737-200 Expansion

Posted: Friday, September 16, 2011 - 14:47
Captain Sim announces the release of their 737-200 Expansion Model. Complete details, Screenshots and videos can be found at the CaptSim website.

Eastern Airlines DC-7B DVD Released

Posted: Friday, September 16, 2011 - 14:37
In May of this year, N836D, an ex-Eastern Air Lines DC-7B restored by the Historical Flight Foundation, operated its first international flight from Miami to St Maarten with stops in Puerto Rico. Just Planes was there to cover this fantastic event and today is releasing the DVD.

The widescreen DVD, filmed in High Definition using 5 cameras, was filmed in the cockpit as well as in the cabin and includes a cockpit presentation, a presentation by 2 original Eastern flight attendants, cabin service, low level flights for spectacular scenery and a lot more. A special bonus on the DVD is a half hour spent at St Maarten Airport with some fantastic airplane action.

World Air Routes, produced by Just Planes since 1991, now features cockpit programs of 230 Airlines with flights on more than 150 types of aircraft to nearly 1000 destinations.

GMap Android V2.1 Metar And TAF

Posted: Friday, September 16, 2011 - 13:13
FSWidgets have just made available a minor but significant upgrade to their Android smartphone based GMap product line. Version 2.1 now includes Metar and TAF weather feeds for most stations worldwide. The provisioning of this weather information is entirely cloud based, no additional user downloads are required. Weather stations are visually displayed on the map and can be toggled as required. Stations may report just Metar or just TAF or both, all reports include UTC date and time. This is a free upgrade for all registered users.

Corfu X Now Available

Posted: Thursday, September 15, 2011 - 14:56
Land at the Ioannis Kapodistrias International Airport and be surprised by the diversity of the sunny island. The airport is a typical holiday airport running at full capacity in season. The runway is built in a small bay and the approach from the south is spectacular as some of the best known landmarks are only a few hundred meters away. So start your engines and discover the Mediterranean Island.

LiVEinFSX modeled this airport using the latest insights in scenery design. But what makes this a special project is not the technology but the keen eye for detail and obvious love for the Greek islands that is clearly visible.

London Underground Simulator

Posted: Thursday, September 15, 2011 - 14:47
Get in the driver's cab on the Circle Line. The London Underground Simulator has 35 beautifully re-created stations and both above and below ground sections, this new stand-alone simulation gives you the chance to take control of the world famous 'C Stock' tube trains as you follow a detailed timetable and a myriad of custom missions.

The entire Circle Line can be explored, including the new Hammersmith extension. See the light at the end of the tunnel with one of the most immersive and realistic rail simulations ever created. Visit JustTrains for full details, screenshots and video.

New Mobile FlightAware App

Posted: Thursday, September 15, 2011 - 14:43
Free download, completely free to use, Full-screen flight tracker maps (with NEXRAD weather). Track all airline flights, and check flight status. Use GPS position to find your location. Estimated departure time with flight route. View airport activity (arrivals and departures). Search by: Airline name and flight number or Route (city or airport pair).

Open VFR Goes Worldwide

Posted: Thursday, September 15, 2011 - 13:18
OPEN VFR have finished the development of their long-awaited, scenery covering Germany based on the new rendering technology used also for their American ones. One of the most exciting features of openVFR is not based on static data but built upon data of Opentreetmap. On the OPEN VFR website you can help develop an update for a specific region.

On The Horizon

Posted: Tuesday, September 13, 2011 - 14:46
A2A Simulations have released a Video highlighting their upcoming P-51D Mustang. They also give you a sneak peak at their Warhawk and Spitfire V that will follow.

AeroSystems 737 Avionics Update

Posted: Tuesday, September 13, 2011 - 0:01
Aerosoft Australia has updated its aeroSystems avionics suite for the 737. This version now has departure procedures, a new standby instrument, autoland and additional annunciators. It now interfaces with MCP/EFIS hardware from Cpflight as well as goFlight MCP/EFIS. It also supports Flight Deck Solutions' brilliant CDU hardware. Airports, runways, navaids, waypoints and procedures are installed with it and are supplied by Navigraph.

With super smooth graphics, realistic displays and a lot of aircraft systems, choose to fly on your desktop PC or build a flight deck with real hardware around it. Don't know how to fly a 737? View over 2 hours of free online videos explaining everything you need to know. Primary Flight Display, Navigation Display, Engine Displays, Mode Control Panel and much more is covered in detail, starting with the basics and progressing all the way up to programming the Flight Management Computer.

Cessna 162 Skycatcher Released

Posted: Monday, September 12, 2011 - 23:57
The Cessna 162 SkyCatcher is Cessna's first Light Sport Aircraft (LSA). And it's more than just a trainer. One of Cessna's goals is to make a very affordable aircraft for flyers. Its aluminum frame and fiberglass cowling provide a light weight fuselage. Replacing a conventional yoke is a control stick. The C162 also has an upward swinging door, fixed tricycle landing gear and Garmin 300 avionics suite. A Continental O-200D engine provides 100hp of power to its two-blade propeller. For more detailed information, visit Abacus.

Instructor Station Version 1.60 Released

Posted: Monday, September 12, 2011 - 14:08
INSTRUCTOR STATION Version 1.60 for Flight Simulator is now available with the following new features: Aircraft positioning at airport gates. On ground functionality added to the Position tab, sets the parking brakes and enables Freeze mode. Flight events gear up/down, flaps position, etc are plotted in Google Earth in real time, Aircraft altitude and speed (IAS) are now shown in Google Earth in real time. Extended maximum data logging time to over 3 hrs. NAVCOM tab added with navaid database (frequencies and positions). Enables aircraft to be positioned at a certain navaid (VOR, NBD, etc.). Transferrs ILS of the selected runway/navaid to NAV1, etc. For details visit the Instructor Station Homepage.

Detroit Airport (KDTW) from Blueprint Simulations

Posted: Saturday, September 10, 2011 - 19:04
Staff reviewer Roger Curtiss lands at Blueprint Simulations' Detroit Wayne County Metro Airport (KDTW). "This Michigan airport is a major hub for Delta Airlines. The South Terminal, named the McNamara opened in 2002 and was a major expansion for the airport, with over 60 gates in the A Terminal and an additional 52 gates in the adjacent B/C Terminal that services the regional feeder aircraft for Delta."

"The usual BluePrint attention to detail is readily apparent. Everything is of top quality rendering. The surface areas with signs and pavement markings are crisp, clear and accurate and airport buildings appear to have been realistically reproduced. This scenery boasts a full complement of 142 gates in the terminal area along with general aviation hangars and buildings on the east side of the airport and cargo facilities to the west."

"Taxiway lighting is good and the green centerline lights are very well displayed. BluePrint has done a pretty good job with the night lighting given the limitations of the program."

"All in all, another solid effort from BluePrint and an airport package worthy of bearing their name. Aficionados of Detroit Wayne Metro will surely enjoy this homage to the airport."

San Jose del Cabo from BajaSim

Posted: Friday, September 9, 2011 - 17:36
Staff reviewer Benjamin van Soldt heads to Latin America to fly in and out of Bajasim's San Jose del Cabo International Airport (SJDX). "This is the most important beach resort/coastal town in Mexico, and for good reason: the place is praised as one of the most beautiful in Mexico, welcoming hordes of tourists every year."

"At SJD we find three terminals. Terminal 1 is the main terminal and handles most of the flights. Terminal 3 was built as a relief for the saturated terminal 1, but Delta and Alaska Airlines have decided to move their operations to terminal 3 for good. Terminal 2 is for GA, as the apron in front of terminal 2 will hint at."

"The ground textures are really nice. They are detailed and seem quite real to me. What I also like is that the concrete slabs have a very clear border on either side of the taxiway, where the concrete meets the black asphalt."

"Bajasim hasn’t stopped at the airport in this scenery. Bajasim has included buildings in the direct vicinity as well as many hotels along the coastline. Overall, I really like these additions. They add atmosphere, and they sport the right amount of detail, giving some nice stuff to look at without forming an FPS barrier."

"Bajasim’s San Jose del Cabo is a beautiful add-on and a very strong start for a new scenery developer."

Embraer Regional Jet 145-135 v2 by FeelThere

Posted: Friday, September 9, 2011 - 17:22
The ERJ145 is the ultimate regional jet for FSX and FS2004. With close to 1000 aircraft in service, it is the most popular regional jet in the world. This model by FeelThere includes everything for an enjoyable flight sim experience. This month the model is available at 35% off. Embraer Regional Jet v2 by FeelThere

Visit the Avsim store today.

Free FSX Hurricane from Just Flight

Posted: Friday, September 9, 2011 - 16:35
Smartphone user survey. If you use a smartphone and can spare five minutes of your time, Just Flight's Battle of Britain Hurricane for FSX is yours to download, completely FREE of charge!

There are no conditions attached to the offer and there's no catch. They're simply looking for feedback from you to help them with their plans for some future projects - all you need to do to get the FREE Hurricane is spend a few minutes completing this short survey for them about your smartphone preferences.

Aeroplane Heaven's Hurricane is a superb FSX aircraft, about which Avsim's reviewer commented: "There is nothing out there right now that can match the new Hurricane." Get it now - we're sure you'll enjoy flying this exceptional fighter!

The survey closes at midnight (UK time) on Sunday 18th September. Please note that you'll still have to create an account, as with all normal purchases.

GMap for X-Plane 2.0 (Mac Version) Released

Posted: Friday, September 9, 2011 - 16:28
Mac OS X users will be interested to know that FSWidgets has released the new Version 2.0 of GMap for X-Plane (free moving map powered by Google Maps), with a major update to both the EFB Edition and Windowed Edition. The update includes a complete rewrite of the mapping engine to Google Maps v3 API standards, with support for seamless Cloud Based aeronautical Charts and Nav Data. Both editions can be run locally or remotely on the Mac platform. While it is called "GMap for X-Plane (Mac)", Windows 7 and Vista users with a second Mac laptop or desktop can also connect it to FSX, FS2004 or X-Plane running on the Windows machine with the FSWidgets Network Pack utility. GMap for X-Plane runs on Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard), 10.6 (Snow Leopard) or 10.7 (Lion).