CYUL Montreal from Blueprint Simulations

Posted: Saturday, April 11, 2009 - 20:00
Staff reviewer Jason McKee visits Canada with his look at Blueprint Simulations' CYUL Montreal. "Montreal-Trudeau Airport is the busiest commercial airport in the Canadian province of Quebec and is the forth busiest airport in Canada."

"Starting out on the runway, the airport looks well laid out and well detailed. In fact looking on Google Earth, the simulated version looks very close to the real thing. Buildings look accurately placed and taxiways and runways are in the correct positions. The runway and taxiway textures look bang on and match the real pictures I have seen. There is no animated scenery with this airport add-on. Blueprint Simulations has done this as there is not enough room to have the animated scenery work correctly at the airport."

"The actual airport night lighting looks great. The approach lighting changes depending on where your aircraft is, and looks realistic. Taxiways and ramp areas are well lit, and the floodlights on the ramps light up the area well. Terminals are custom built along with the hangers and airport facilities. I could not find any texture issues or missing textures on the buildings or the ground."

"CYUL Montreal adds so much over the default scenery, but for a payware add-on, it could add so much more. It is hard not to recommend this scenery, but I could go either way. Overall, in my opinion it's a good scenery add-on."

FSD Commander 115 TC Service Pack

Posted: Saturday, April 11, 2009 - 17:40
FSD International announces a major service release for its popular Commander 115TC Version 2 for Flight Simulator X. This release contains a vastly improved visual model and texturing, along with fixes for previously reported problems. The Commander is a premium quality luxury single engine prop GA aircraft for Flight Simulator X, incorporating all of the features that Flight Simulator X has to offer. It is fully DX 10 compliant. Follow the links for full Product Details and Download .

FS2Crew Updates PMDG MD-11 For FS9 / FSX

Posted: Saturday, April 11, 2009 - 14:08
FS2Crew has just released two new Service Updates for its PMDG MD-11 Edition: * Service Update 1 for the FS9 version. * Service Update 3 for the FSX version. Both updates make improvements to the software and correct some minor bugs. As per customer request, a new option was added for on-line VATSIM and IVAO users who wanted the virtual FO to turn on the Transponder when taking the runway, not during pre-flight. FS2Crew would also like to remind its user base that a full British and European voice set is also available for download. Visit the FS2Crew Website for full details and download.

Apache Longbow from AlphaSim

Posted: Friday, April 10, 2009 - 18:04
Staff reviewer Arjun Murthy climbs aboard AlphaSim's Longbow Apache. "Alphasim has done an excellent job in recreating the virtual version of this wonderful aircraft. It flies through the skies like an eagle. The handling, realism of flight dynamics and gauges, exterior views are all overwhelming in this version of the Apache Longbow."

"The exterior model of the Apache looks absolutely fantastic. It gives the feel of a real military helicopter with all the weapons set up. Also, the unique shape of the Apache makes it something extraordinary to take to the skies in. The interior model of the Apache Longbow is something out of the ordinary. A gunner's seat up front with the pilot's seat in the rear situated higher, this is obviously something unique. The sounds for Alphasim’s Apache Longbow are powered by Turbine Sound Studios, and they are one of a kind."

"The flight dynamics of this aircraft are quite realistic. Ground dynamics on the Longbow is also interesting. Very little collective has to be used in order to get it to move without flying. Very small and precise movements have to be made for successful flight. Overall, AlphaSim's Apache Longbow is a very entertaining and ‘good feeling’ aircraft to fly."

VoxAtc Update

Posted: Thursday, April 9, 2009 - 20:28
Version 5.61 of VoxATC X is now available. This update includes the following: A first officer that can handle comms on IFR flights while you handle the aircraft, more realistic CRM. You can switch comms duties at any point in the flight. TGS (Taxi Guidance System) at larger airports, you can now 'follow the greens' to and from the runway. At the limit of the taxi clearance (usually the runway hold), a line of red lights is displayed until you receive an onward clearance. A recent comms panel that can display the last 10 ATC communications. This is a free update for existing users, visit the VoxAtc Website for details and download.

Aviation & Mission from Wilco Publishing

Posted: Wednesday, April 8, 2009 - 2:45
Staff reviewer Alan Bradbury climbs aboard his PIC 737 and flies various missions and profiles with Wilco Publishing's Aviation and Mission. "Wouldn’t it be great to have a mentor in the cockpit with you, helping you to learn how to do things properly as you conduct your airliner flight? Wilco Publishing thought that too, and so that’s exactly what they have created, but with a bit of a twist…"

"Aviation and Mission is a pretty bold attempt at creating a product which does more than one thing; a combination of on-the-job airline training and thrilling adventure. There was a real risk that it could have fallen between two stools by having too broad a focus, but fortunately, that’s not the case. It remains perfectly poised between the two, which I think is a remarkable achievement."

"Because of this, many people will discover at least one, and probably several reasons to like it. Inexperienced PIC 737 users will find it immensely helpful in increasing their familiarity with the aircraft’s systems, yet there’s enough of a challenge in there for users who already know all that stuff, so its appeal is not limited to newcomers. "

"The notion of having to complete the missions in order to even get hold of, let alone attempt, more challenging aspects of it also provides an excellent spur to improve one’s understanding of the PIC 737 and the operation of other aircraft too. But most of all, it’s just damn good fun. This planned series will definitely be one to watch, and while you’re watching, if you have the PIC 737, why not give Aviation and Mission a try? I think you’ll like it."

Air Hauler - The Boxed Version

Posted: Wednesday, April 8, 2009 - 1:24
Just Flight announces that Air Hauler is now available in traditional boxed format. This boxed version includes a full printed manual of almost 100 pages, which should help you with successful flying and the development of an all-conquering air freight empire. Users of both this boxed version and the previously released Download version of Air Hauler should install Service Pack 2 (6.6Mb). This update makes a host of new enhancements to the program and fixes a few small bugs - full details can be found in the Support section here.

Air Hauler puts you in complete control of your own freight company, and you'll be taking charge of operations both in the boardroom and in the cockpit. The limitless possibilities and flexibility of Air Hauler will let you immerse yourself totally in every operational detail of your freight company - each crucial flight you make will have an effect on the reputation and reach of your expanding freight empire.

The level of complexity is up to you , you can simply fly jobs between bases and buy or lease aircraft, or you can carve out a career in the air freight industry by hiring AI pilots, trading shares on the stock market with real-world NYSE/FTSE/DAX prices, and even take out loans and insurance - Air Hauler tracks all your financial activity. As the pilot charged with delivering the goods on time, you can decide to fly a job in multiple legs, or stop anywhere en route for refuelling or maintenance. Contend with real-world weather conditions if you want the extra challenge, and detailed Map views showing all the airports in Flight Simulator will help you keep tabs on available jobs and the locations of your bases and fleet.

Air Hauler puts you in charge every step of the way - from landings to leases, flight plans to finances, and repairs to recruitment. Anyone who enjoyed Cargo Pilot is going to love Air Hauler. You can find a feature list on the Air Hauler In Development page, along with a set of captioned screenshots showing some of the management features included in the program.

Just Flight's RAF-themed Add-ons

Posted: Wednesday, April 8, 2009 - 1:20
Are you interested in RAF-themed add-ons for your flight sim? Would you like to help the RAF Bomber Command Memorial Appeal. Just Flight, and you, can help the Heritage Foundation in raising funds to erect a permanent memorial in Central London to the 55,000 bomber aircrew killed in WW2.

Read the complete detail about Just Flight's RAF-themed add-ons and their involvement with the Heritage Foundation on the Just Flight website.

Cusco VFR

Posted: Monday, April 6, 2009 - 22:35
Cusco, located in the Andes mountains, is at an elevation above 10.860 feet. This airport has a visibility restriction and only operates during daylight due to the requirement of a visual approach to land. No pilot dares to land with an overcast sky into an airport completely surrounded by mountains and with no precision guidance navaid in order to assist in the landing. Therefore, all landings conducted here are SOLELY visual, and strict VFR rules apply.

The entire area of Cuzco is photorealistic with custom autogen and thousands of objects based on real aerial photos of Cusco. Does this sound like a challenge you would like to take on? For complete details check out the Cuzco photo scenery and airport for FS2004.

New Deals In The Avsim Store

Posted: Monday, April 6, 2009 - 14:43
Wilco's best sellers, such as the Boeing 777 (now less than $35) and Tower Simulator, are available at the Avsim store, all at newer lower prices. The Avsim store also added the new Wilco titles: Airbus A400M, and CRJ Regional Jet . These are also now available at a new lower price.
New: The Avsim store is also proud to be carrying sceneries now from Sim-Giants: Milan-Malpensa and Canary Islands Gold. Sim-Giants specializes in the creation of highly detailed airports.
Visit the Avsim store today.

Maddog 2008 Professional from Leonardo SH

Posted: Sunday, April 5, 2009 - 22:55
Senior staff reviewer Angelique van Campen, with the assistance of a real world MD-88 pilot, looks at Leonardo SH's Maddog 2008 Professional. "The Maddog 2008 Professional is based on the Maddog 2006 and that one on the Maddog 2004 but still there’s a lot what can’t be found with others."

"This Maddog version offers three different cockpits. Ok, they all offer the same EFIS instruments, but then you’ve got many possibilities. You like the ordinary FMS, you got it. No, you prefer the old style engine instruments with old fashioned annunciator panel, you the man. Oh no, you prefer the CMA900 with the PMS; no problem, it’s also available."

Angelique and her associate go into great detail as to what is included in the Maddog 2008 Professional package. In particular the external and internal model, the 2D and VC cockpits, flight characteristics, sounds and the tutorial flight. As mentioned in the review summary, "The fantastic flight model and perfect systems integration makes this an airplane that is worth it."

KSJC San Jose By Imaginesim

Posted: Saturday, April 4, 2009 - 14:32
San Jose International Airport, San Jose is the most populous city in the San Francisco Bay Area and SJC offers scheduled services to around 11 million passengers annually. The airport is situated as a 'downtown airport' and gives pilots an opportunity to land almost within the city center itself. This scenery add-on features custom made ground textures and runways, terminal, cargo and hangar buildings rendered to 5cm per pixel scale, 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. Built for FS9 this scenery is available as a demo version, for more information along with some screenshots visit ImagineSim

VRS Releases F/A-18E SP 2

Posted: Friday, April 3, 2009 - 14:57
Vertical Reality Simulations released Service Pack 2 for their F/A-18E. Service Pack 2 adds a livery import/export and browsing function to the Aircraft Manager, additional liveries including RAAF, CAF Swiss air forces, volumetric lighting effects and a host of other new features including some minor fixes. Current owners will receive this update automatically through their Aircraft Manager. For a complete list of changes, or to manually download SP2, please visit Vertical Reality Simulations.

FlightSim Commander V8.5

Posted: Friday, April 3, 2009 - 14:41
FlightSim Commander have released the new version 8.5 of their popular flight planning and navigation tool, the new version hosts a large number of new features and various bug fixes. The program can be downloaded either as an upgrade or a full-install version from the FlightSim Commander website

Plum Island from FSAddon

Posted: Friday, April 3, 2009 - 2:38
Senior staff reviewer Bert Pieke steps out for a $100 dollar hamburger as he explores a little part of Massachusetts called Plum Island. "Bill Womack is no stranger to most FS enthusiasts. His meticulously crafted airfields are a true work of art. Here then, is a new production, a tiny local airport on the Massachusetts coast which can serve as a great starting point for exploring the area. The scenery is only about 40 square miles, but for that, every little detail is lovingly colored and finished."

"Taxiing around the airfield shows all custom buildings, signs, and vehicles. Not a trace of default FSX scenery. Lots of detail and everything done really nicely. A notch of flaps and take off from the one and only runway. Once airborne, it is all pastoral scenery up and down the beach and over towards the town of Newburyport."

"I did not splurge for the “$100 hamburger”, but, given more time, there are lots more things to be seen up and down the coast, and the city of Boston is not far off! This is a great gateway to use if you have not spent much time flying in this part of the world. Plum Island is a real gem of a scenery package. The airport is pretty and sleepy and the surrounding area looks like a perfect summer beach vacation destination. The inland waterways look just right and the beaches are a great improvement over the FSX default shorelines."

Sim-Giants Releases 2 New FSX Products

Posted: Friday, April 3, 2009 - 1:07
Canary Islands FSX - With this package you get Tenerife North (GCXO);Fuerteventura Airport (GCFV); and El Hierro Airport (GCHI). These airfields are based on commercially available satellite imagery with high resolution ground and object textures. The highly detailed scenery of the airport and surrounding area includes all major roads with traffic. These airfileds have full night time textures and astounding night time effects.

Milan Malpensa - Malpensa Airport (IATA: MXP, ICAO: LIMC) is located in the province of Varese, about 50 km from central Milan, Italy. It is one of 3 international airports in the Milan area. This highly detailed scenery of the airport and surrounding area includes hundreds of taxiway signs and runway details. It is AI-traffic compatable and the AFCAD file contains every possible gate. The product also includes winter textures.

ORBX Releases YPEC Aeropelican Airport

Posted: Friday, April 3, 2009 - 0:54
The sister airport to Orbx's YWVA Warnervale, YPEC Aeropelican is made by the same team of Andreas Hegi and John Venema and perfectly times the re-opening of YPEC in June 2009. This is a large photoreal scenery area, covering well over 100 km in high resolution licensed 60cm, 30cm and 15cm imagery with the precision modelling you've come to expect from Andreas and includes a major power station, the now disused YCOB airfield, a major stretch of beautiful coastline, Milano's marina and restaurant and many more 'little' details which Andreas and Orbx are famous for.

SSM 2007™ New Manuals Released

Posted: Thursday, April 2, 2009 - 2:22
Exciting Simulations has released an updated set of manuals for the Space Shuttle Mission 2007 simulator.

The Quick Start and Commander's Reference Manual reflect the latest additions and changes for the Approach, TAEM and landing procedures, key command additions, a whole new chapter explaining the Deorbit Trajectory displays and new hints and clarifications. This grows the Commander's Reference Manual to 112 pages full of information and tips. A new Landing Video Tutorial is also in the works, to be released shortly.

The Space Shuttle Mission 2007™ is available for online purchase in downloadable format at the SSM2007 official website. Both manuals and the latest Demo can also be downloaded freely at the same website.

New Rail Sim Route Released

Posted: Thursday, April 2, 2009 - 2:02
Expand your Rail Simulator world with this fantastic fictional route set in the heart of North America. The Rascal & Cottonwood route is a fictional representation of a coal-carrying branch line in North America. The route runs for almost 20 miles and is based around the town of Tri-City, the Cottonwood foundry and the Rascal mine. The package features eleven different scenarios, including Free Roam which allows users to travel to any part of the route.

Also included are a version of the excellent 3dtrains Rural Landscapes Foliage Pack add-on and parts of the RSDL Foliage Pack, providing a rich package of many different foliage types with which you can enhance the appearance of the Rascal & Cottonwood line and include in your own routes as well.

The route features a detailed Union Pacific SD40-2 locomotive, 10 USA rolling stock wagons, authentic terrain mapping and track placement, and AI train operations, not to mention spectacular scenery with four towns, a whole landscape of vegetation, rivers, bridges and more! Eleven scenarios give you tasks to be completed, and one special scenario turns the Rascal & Cottonwood route into your own personal model railway! Any Rail Simulator rolling stock, including add-ons, can be used on the Rascal & Cottonwood route, and the printed manual includes full route schematics.

Hawker Heroes For FS 2004/FSX

Posted: Thursday, April 2, 2009 - 1:46
Assembled in one package for the first time, Hawker Heroes from FirstClass Simulations, offers you the chance to fly four of the most iconic aircraft ever to take to the skies.

First flown in 1931, the Hawker Fury set the template for all fighter aircraft that would follow. The first fighter aircraft to exceed 200 MPH in level flight, the Fury held the world in awe with its incredible handling. With a climb rate in excess of 2400ft per minute and manoeuvrability that was the scourge of enemy aircraft, the Hawker Fury defined a standard in military aviation.

The Hawker Hurricane was the hero of the Battle of Britain, changing the course of World War 2 by being responsible for more enemy kills than any other aircraft. Beloved by her pilots and feared by her adversaries, to this day many believe that the Hurricane is the finest fighter aircraft ever built. With our breathtakingly realistic simulation, now is your chance to confirm that assessment.

The Hawker Tempest entered service in 1944. Developed by Hawker to have incredible performance characteristics, the Tempest had outstanding acceleration with excellent climb and dive performance. Its introduction was fortuitous, being one of the few aircraft able to intercept and shoot down the V1 flying bomb. Sortie after sortie was flown to keep the rocket powered marauder at bay.

Each aircraft has been painstakingly recreated to offer the ultimate in simulation. Accompanied by adrenalin charged missions for Flight Simulator X, would-be fighter aces can relive the Hawker experience where the best pilots truly became heroes!