FSclips, New Videos

Posted: Friday, July 14, 2006 - 17:37
Fsclips releases two new clips! Fsclips is back and has just released two brand new clips. The first one features Gary Summons Gatwick Pro scenery, the second one was made in conjunction with Austrian Airlines Virtual. For those who haven`t seen it yet, there is also a new PMDG 747 video available. Just go to the "General Clips" pages in the download section at FS Clips and take a seat in the fs-cinema.

Full Throttle Simulations Goes Live

Posted: Friday, July 14, 2006 - 3:20
Full Throttle Simulations is proud to anounce the opening of our new site, Full Throttle Sims. FTS is the creator of the great "Xtra Water" repacement water textures for Flight Simulator.

Captain Keith Update

Posted: Friday, July 14, 2006 - 3:17
Service Release Available for Captain Keith's Scenery Adventure Pack Volume 1. This service release fixes some autogen issues as well as adds an all new bonus adventure! Get more info at Captain Keith's.

B747-400 Full-motion Simulator Now At London Gatwick

Posted: Friday, July 14, 2006 - 3:16
If you fly the 747-400 on your PC, now you can test your skills on a real full-motion simulator! Virtual Aviation's unique Flight Simulator Experiences allow enthusiasts to take the controls of a real airline simulator, with hands-on guidance from an experienced airline pilot. They offer a wide variety of Airbus and Boeing simulators at Gatwick, Luton and Manchester. Their fleet has just been expanded to include Virgin Atlantic's new Boeing 747-400 simulator at London Gatwick.

To celebrate the launch of this new simulator, Virtual Aviation are running a free-to-enter competition. The prize is a 2-Hour Exclusive Experience (for 1 person plus up to 2 guests) on the B747-400, worth £1099.00! Enter here!

TinMouse II Boeing 737-200 Adds AVSIM Support Forum

Posted: Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 17:12
The creator of the TinMouse II Boeing 737-200 has added a support forum to help those with his add-on. The forum can be found right here on AVSIM by checking out the TinMouse II Boeing 737-200 Forum.

NZFF's The Long White Cloud Tour

Posted: Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 4:16
New Zealand flightsim websites and forums haven't always fared well, with many coming but most going over the years. It's great then to see the New Zealand Flightsim Forum doing so well after just a few weeks. I would definitely encourage everyone to visit the forum and have a look around, it's a great way to find out what's new, solve any flightsim problems or get some info to extend our flightsim skills. At the moment Trolly from NZFF is undertaking The Long White Cloud Tour, a virtual flight down the length of the country, stopping off at some interesting locations along the way. You can follow the tour by going to their website.

Bush Flying Unlimited Celebrates Its Fifth Anniversary

Posted: Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 6:30
Bush Flying Unlimited (BFU), a virtual bush flying club, freelance bush charter and AVSIM Partner, is pleased to announce it's Fifth Anniversary! From its early days of using Flight Unlimited to its evolution into an open-sim (MSFS, Flight Unlimited, X-Plane, FlightGear, etc.) operation, BFU has set up offices in many exciting wilderness areas and its members have produced numerous sceneries, aircraft and repaints for the bush flying enthusiast. The founders of BFU would like to especially thank AVSIM for being home to BFU for the past five years and all the BFU members both past and present for all their contributions to our hobby. If you've ever wanted to experience the freedom of flying where you want, when you want, come check us out at our website or in the AVSIM Forums

MAAM C-47 Free Expansion Pack

Posted: Monday, July 10, 2006 - 19:59
MAAM-Sim is proud to announce that their new C-47 'All-Theaters' Free Expansion Pack is now available, and it includes a great Virtual Cockpit upgrade too! For the details, head over to MAAM-SIM.

Online Airline Management Game At FSZone

Posted: Monday, July 10, 2006 - 19:21
Flight Sim Zone is proud to announce it's new online airline management game. This system will let you own and operate your own Airline, where YOU call the shots. You control your aircraft, staff, gates, finances, and you even make your own routes and flightplans. The game also features several unique features such as Dynamic Weather which directly affects your profits, a banking system to earn interest on your profits, and a user input system. You control all of this online, and best of all it is free! Your local airport not included? Not to worry, for a short time we will be accepting public airport submissions via our easy to use system available on our website.

To learn more, and see devlopment screenshots visit us here: FSZone Forums.

Flight One Releases Baron 58 Boxed Edition

Posted: Monday, July 10, 2006 - 19:16
Flight One Software and DreamFleet continue their Greatest Airplanes flight sim series with their latest release, the Baron 58 now available in a superb boxed package for Flight Simulator 2004.

For those who own the Beech A36, the Beech Baron 58 will feel like a comfortable shoe. Why? The Baron 58 is based on the Beech A36, and is known around aviation circles as the “Twin A36”. If you step inside a Baron, and do not notice the dual throttles and engine gauges, you might think you are in a Beech A36, or vice-versa; that is how similar (in most cases identical) they are on the inside.

The Baron 58 continues the Flight 1 / DreamFleet tradition by providing users the latest in Flight Simulator technology. The aircraft is another DreamFleet Trendsetter; the first GA aircraft to feature Reality XP's new, ultra-realistic Sandel 3308 EHSI with Storm Scope! Also provided is Reality XP's latest Garmin GNS530 GPS system (GNS 530XP 2005 v 5.2™). The package also includes a fully interactive virtual cockpit & cabin, complete moving parts, accurate flight dynamics, high resolution instrument panels, plus much more.

Already in receipt of numerous awards for the quality of the software, this great value boxed edition also includes a quick start guide with checklists and performance data to get you up and flying this beautiful aircraft quickly.

Sim pilots can purchase directly from Flight1 or at their local aviation or flight sim outlet.

FS Newbies Opens

Posted: Monday, July 10, 2006 - 14:35
FS Newbies is now open for business. As the name suggests, we cater for the new online pilot who hasn't a clue, or who needs help with correct ATC/Pilot etiquette/terminlogy. FS Newbies is in it's infancy, but has enough information onboard to help the first time pilot into the online airways. We aren't an online file repository, however, we do include links to essential online software. Our link is FS Newbies.

Review of Flight 1's Re-released Islands of the West Indies

Posted: Sunday, July 9, 2006 - 20:53
Sr Staff reviewer Gene Davis takes us on a tropical vacation with his look at Flight 1's Islands of the West Indies. The original Islands Of The West Indies titles from Flight 1 was released some time ago as 4 individual volumes for each different region, Flight 1 has taken all of the individual volumes and compiled them into one great package, creating the new Islands Of The West Indies scenery package on CD.

So what do you get with the combined package? "Over 44 different airports covering the entire Island chain of the West Indies as well as graphically enhanced islands with their own textures and custom scenery objects. As you tour each island you will notice that a lot of care went into designing an accurate match for each island. Touring the islands is literally a visual treat as every island in the chain is modeled with accurate terrain textures and elevation data. The island chain covers almost 700,000 square miles of the Caribbean and not only covers the more popular islands of that region, but all of the lesser known ones as well," Gene reports.

Gene concludes this Island adventure by asking, "Is this package for me? Well, I have to tell you that it really does dress up this particular region of the world and makes for some nice island hopping adventures." His answer, "I would have to say "get this package". Very few titles can match the size and beauty of the Islands Of The West Indies package."

AVSIM Exhibition A380 Released

Posted: Sunday, July 9, 2006 - 17:53
AVSIM is pleased to announce the arrival of the 2006 Convention and Exhibition's mascot Airbus A380. The model is by Mike Stone and the special livery for the Convention is done by Garry Smith; both well known contributors to the flight simulation hobby. The idea of the AVSIM Convention mascot came from Ken Paulick of Transload Virtual Airlines. Thanks to all for their contribution to the AVSIM event! You can view the details and download the special edition A380 here.

AlphaSim Westland Merlin HC.3 Out Now

Posted: Sunday, July 9, 2006 - 8:31
AlphaSim has added the RAF variant of the hi-tech battlefield transport Westland Merlin HC.3 to its helicopter fleet. A high level of external detail is complimented by an equally busy cockpit, the six MFD screens provide switchable readouts with amazing fluidity and high FPS, thanks to a new modelling technique used for the first time here. The whole rear cabin is included in the v-c, complete with typical seating. Two texture sets represent a HC.3 as seen at a UK airshow in 2005, and a 'working' HC.3 as seen in Bosnia, 2003. The two variants also demonstrate the HC.3 with and without its refuelling probe. Animations include the rear ramp, crew entry and cargo door. Lifelike crew figures and a sound set complete the experience. If this sounds interesting you can visit the AlphaSim homepage for further informations and screenshots.

IMAGINESIM Releases KCLT Charlotte Scenery

Posted: Saturday, July 8, 2006 - 18:12
Released today is the fifth in the series of imaginesim's popular commercial add-on airports. For the first time ever, a fully specified recreation of KCLT Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the US Airways hub and home base.

Charlotte features custom made ground textures and runways, terminal, cargo and hanger buildings rendered to 10cm per pixel scale, smoothly operating jetways that dock with your aircraft's forward door with an interactive docking system to park you right on your mark, taxiways with highly realistic concrete textures, full airport taxiway and runway signage, 3D approach lighting and full ILS navigation.

Also included are hundreds of airport vehicles and ground personnel, aircraft can be found parked at custom textured parking positions, all hangers, cargo and airport auxiliary buildings are modelled, there is even a perimeter fence - all under the steady gaze of intermittently placed security cameras! In addition to all of this, KCLT looks stunning after dark with beautifully lit buildings and parking areas. Complete airport taxiway and runway lighting is also included.

Interested? Visit Imaginesim's website and get the info on their 'try before you buy' free demo version.

CH Products announces the ROCCA FORTE Command Center

Posted: Saturday, July 8, 2006 - 18:08
Joystick Techonologies, Inc., (CH Products) announces the next accessory for the flight sim and gaming markets. The ROCCA FORTE Command Center (by MSY Co.Ltd.), offering a sleek and comfortably placed multi-tiered design to fit all of your gaming peripherals.

Designed with the CH Products controllers in mind, the ROCCA FORTE’S beautifully crafted table, with its black enameled finish, offers three levels of tabletop real estate. This versatile desk gives you enough room to house a complete CH Products setup, up to three 21” LCD monitors, printer and MORE! Include your favorite software and a nice, comfy chair… and you’re all set for hours of enjoyment!

Available direct from CH Products through online ordering, all the details are at the CH Products online store.

Freeware Review - Aero Commander 520

Posted: Saturday, July 8, 2006 - 18:00
New reviewer Chris Kiehl brings us up-to-date on a freeware aircraft, the Aero Commander 520 by Milton Shupe and his team. "This team of great minds, has been bringing the Flight Simulator community, some truly great planes... For Free."

Chris reports, "The 2D Panels are done as nicely as the excellent Virtual Cockpits, providing all the functionality one could ask for. The update has changed everything; innovation is the key word here. The external model's lines are very crisp, including the wires running from the fuselage up to the top of the rudder. Everything is nicely animated, from all of the flight surfaces to the tires. The Commander 520 looks like a big, lumbering giant. However, in the air it floats along gracefully. This is another outstanding package, by an outstanding team. Whether you want to go from big city to big city, or want to bring it in amongst tall pine trees in a remote wilderness, the Aero Commander 520 is most certainly up to the task."

FSIM V2 I/O Interface Control Module released

Posted: Saturday, July 8, 2006 - 17:56
Beta Innovations has released the FSIM V2.0 module, which integrates with the MSFS menu system and allows cockpit builders to manage and program their I/O cards from within MSFS. New to version 2, the FSIM module adds support for Offsets, all FS Event Id's, Tokens and integrated keyboard emulation. This includes output capability for controlling individual LEDs, 7-Segment Displays and Direct Outputs. FSIM allows "programming" through direct access to MSFS internal functions providing real-time interfacing. Through the use of multithreading algorithms, I/O responsiveness has been dramatically improved with no impact on frame rates. Programming is achieved through a very simple, clear and comfortable point-and-click interface. FSIM V2 is available as a free download to all registered Beta Innovations customers.

New Scenery for RC Simulator

Posted: Saturday, July 8, 2006 - 17:52
Transcendental Technologies is pleased to announce a New Photoreal Scenery for PRE-Flight - Fitzsimmons Oval. This new type of Photoreal Panoramic Scenery features a full 360/360-degree field of view. Look straight up to view beautiful clouds and down to follow the shadow of your model on the image of actual grass.Scenery includes a photoreal runway for take-off and landings. Over 18 MB (unzipped) of high resolution photographic images of the actual flying field. Note: This download requires a large amount of Video memory. A lower resolution version of the scenery can also be downloaded. Stop on over at PRE-Flight

Aerosoft Releases Piper Cheyenne II

Posted: Saturday, July 8, 2006 - 10:16
The package contains no less than four versions of the most successful Turboprop family: Cheyenne II, I, IA and II XL. All four aircraft have been rebuilt and animated for the Flight simulator in 3-D fashion right down to the smallest of details.

In this way mechanical parts such as ailerons, rudders, flaps, engines and even windscreen wipers move just like in the original aircraft.

The excellent graphics of both the 2D- and 3D-Cockpits are equipped with all the avionic instruments usually to be found inside these models and the precise flight dynamics have been developed with the help of real Cheyenne pilots. Besides the accurate panels for the pilot and the co-pilot, the cabin of the Cheyenne has also been rebuilt to the highest level of detail with its opening doors for the passengers and the freight.

The sounds, which are being used, have all been recorded on the real thing.

Features at present:

Detailed gmax model of each aircraft
3 liveries for each model
Numerous animations and lighting effects
Extremely realistic flight dynamics
Soundest recorded from the real aircraft
Completely functional virtual cockpits
Three 2D cockpits for the Cheyenne I/IA, II, II XL in the following views: IFR normal view, IFR captains view and VFR view.
Realistic handmade night lighting
Detailed system simulation
Bendix Silver Crown Plus Avionics Suite
Trimble 2000 Approach Plus GPS
Bendix King KFC250 Autopilot for the Cheyenne I and IA
Bendix KFC300 Autopilot for the Cheyenne II and IIXL
Duke Pressurization Controller for the Cheyenne I and IA
Garrett Pressurization Controller for the Cheyenne II and IIXL

Numerous liveries for all the available versions and an extensive documentation round of a superb simulation for both VFR and IFR pilots. Visit Aerosoft's website to purchase and you can also visit Digital Aviation the developer of this wonderful package.