Simplates X is available at the Avsim store

Posted: Tuesday, March 3, 2009 - 14:12
Simplates X is a collection of over 30,000 approach plates. Simplates X is a standalone software and is a great complement to FS 2004 or FSX. For the USA, virtually all IFR plates are included. Simplates X also includes hundred of countries worldwide. For each airport you will get all the approach types. ILS, VOR, VOR/DME, NDB, LLZ and many more. Even includes SIDs and STARs.
Visit the Avsim Store today

Cielosim Gets A Make-over

Posted: Tuesday, March 3, 2009 - 1:56
Cielosim announces their new website. Along with a new website, Cielosim has released two new service packs, one for Live ATC Chatter, and one for Instant Enhancer. Go visit the new Cielosim today.

727 Captain Pro Pack (FSX) v2.1

Posted: Tuesday, March 3, 2009 - 1:20
Captain Sim is pleased to introduce a new product in 'CAPTAIN' series, the '727 Captain'. The '727 Captain' is a remake of the famous 'Legendary 727', rebuilt to meet modern Captain Sim quality standards and provide a full spectrum of FSX features. The '727 Captain' delivers brand new re-modeling and texturing, re-programming from a scratch of all systems and number of additional features.

Latest Releases From Aerosoft

Posted: Tuesday, March 3, 2009 - 1:02
German Airports 3 - Hamburg
- An up to date Hamburg Fuhlsbüttel airport was sorely missed in FS up to today. It's an important airport for the region and there just was no good coverage so far. But the German Airports developers done their magic again and Aerosoft now has started selling the download FS2004 version. The FSX (free for those who buy the FS2004 version) and boxed versions will follow soon. Looking at the images you know that German Airports 3 - Hamburg will be a sweet airport to start or end your flights.

F-16 Mission Pack -
The F-16 Fighting Falcon was just screaming for some good missions to keep the pilot occupied and Aerosoft now has one available with the F-16 Mission Pack. In ten very different missions you'll need to be able to use the full capabilities of the aircraft to complete these missions and get your awards. From low level attacks to putting a laser on a target for another attacker, you'll be busy for many hours.

Raw Grit: PNG Bushpilot Released

Posted: Monday, March 2, 2009 - 14:26
Pacific Islands Simulation, LLC is pleased to announce the long-awaited public release of its Papua New Guinea (PNG) FSX scenery titled Raw Grit: PNG Bushpilot.

Generally, Raw Grit: PNG Bushpilot is every bushpilot's dream mega-playground. And although the package is grounded on high altitude rough terrain and sea level short strip flying, there is also room for drivers who prefer international hops/stopovers with medium range aircrafts. For those seaplane and chopper operators, there are 10 sceneries in total that should keep everyone busy faring tourists and executives here and there. These include flying from village seaports to seaports, and heliports to super cruiseliners (yes there are helipads on them) with short to medium distances between.

Visit Pacific Islands Simulation's website for more information and pictures or head directly to SimMarket to purchase product.

B747-200/300/200F from Just Flight (CLS)

Posted: Saturday, February 28, 2009 - 19:38
Senior staff reviewer Angelique van Campen goes heavy with the Just Flight (CLS)Boeing 747-200/300 and -200F. "You need to start with the base package, also known as “747-200/300 Series”. For those who want to expand their 747 fleet even further, three upgrade packages are available. The available packages are: Classic Liveries Upgrade Pack; Cargo Upgrade Pack; and Passenger & Combi Upgrade Pack"

"In general, the external “clean” Aluminum is so realistic that CLS definitely used digitalized images to create this which isn’t a problem at all. Looking to some close-ups of the engines and it doesn’t matter if this is a General Electric, Pratt & Whitney or Rolls Royce, this is so real."

"The VC itself without the gauges is really awesome. It looks so real that it’s almost the same as when you’re sitting in a real 747-200/300. This is true since the cockpit creation is based on a real KLM 747-300. The 2D cockpit is not as impressive as the VC version and not all the sub panels are based on digitalized images. While looking to the captain's and additional co-pilot's panels, I must say that this artist did a nice job."

"When you choose to fly a FMS based model, there’s not too much to configure. The only thing you need to do is make a flight plan with, for example, the help of the default MSFS planner. When you plan to use an INS based airplane, then a little more must be done. The EZ dynamics gives the aircraft a more default MSFS character, but is indeed intended for those who really need to start flying these big jets."

"The external model of the Just Flight (CLS)Boeing 747-200/300 is really great. I’ve hardly seen external models with that many details as this JF/CLS aircraft. When you don’t want to dig into comprehensive manuals and want an easy to handle aircraft, I think this is a very good choice."

Editor's Note: We would like to clarify the situation with regards the unlocking procedure for Just Flight’s 747 200/300 Series.

In the review it was indicated that when purchasing the DVD boxed version of this product the user would be required unlock the product via an activation code online. We have now been informed that this is incorrect. Only the download version of the product requires online activation. The three additional model and livery packs that can be purchased online are indeed included on the DVD and they can be purchased and unlocked via the disc.

The Vote Begins!

Posted: Saturday, February 28, 2009 - 17:52
The nominations for the AVSIM Reader's Choice Awards (RCA's) are now closed and the voting begins! The RCA's are your opportunity to vote for the best add ons to our hobby and they cover ten categories. The winner of each category will be presented at the AVSIM 2009 FANCON in Dayton, Ohio this coming September. The RCA voting continues until midnight, July 31st. Cast your vote and ensure that your favorite add on wins! You can vote here.

Instant Mission Maker Update

Posted: Saturday, February 28, 2009 - 0:35
Flight1 is pleased to announce an update for Instant Mission Maker to version 1.02. The update allows easily creating mission rewards and includes several bugfixes.

Instant Mission Maker is an easy to use tool for making Flight Simulator X missions. It allows designing a wide range of missions using a very intuitive GUI and offers live preview and editing of many mission objects directly in FSX. For more details please visit the product webpage.

VR Insight Release Jet Pit

Posted: Friday, February 27, 2009 - 14:00
The JetPit panel from VRinsight is a control and screen system for JET aircraft, all gauges are synchronized with Microsoft Flight Simulator X and FS9 default or commercial aircraft. Features include 20.1” TFT LCD monitor, PFD, ND, MCP, EFIS, EICAS, CDU, push buttons and rotary knobs, full metal case, one year warranty. Full details can be found at Wilco Publishing .

AVSIM Is Looking For A Tech Manager

Posted: Friday, February 27, 2009 - 13:41
Are you an avid simmer? Do you know Linux - inside and out? Do you know MySQL and are conversant in building and maintaining databases? Do you work well under pressure? Do you have time? If so, this volunteer position may well be yours. AVSIM is looking for a tech guru who can run and manage our back end systems, who can take the pressure of managing servers that cater to millions of hits and serve tens of terabytes of information a month and whose reliability is of primary focus. This position sits at the heart of everything that AVSIM does. If you are imminently qualified to run a multiple server farm and can take the "heat" of the position, then we would like to talk with you. If you have the qualifications and the time, please send us an email to The AVSIM Board of Directors. Because of the sensitivity of this position, you will need to include at least three personal references.

AU Green from Orbx Simulations

Posted: Friday, February 27, 2009 - 1:42
Staff reviewer Jason McKee continues the Orbx series of sceneries with his look at AU Green - Tropical North. "The tropical north of Australia has a wide range of topographical features; from wild coastlines, sun soaked sand, native bush lands, wetlands and the top of the outback with its red soils. There are small settlements around the area, several larger cities and cattle stations that rival some countries for area covered."

"AU Green covers the top of Australia and blends in perfectly with AU Gold, AU Blue and the latest area, AU Red. Orbx includes custom tiles for the cities and towns. They also include tiles for mines, farms and general landscapes."

"AU Green is highly recommended and Orbx should be congratulated on producing another outstanding product."

Team Avsim Wins !

Posted: Thursday, February 26, 2009 - 20:09
The final results for what was possibly the most exciting Around-the-World race ever are in, Team Avsim Wins !!. All teams did an excellent job of flying and navigating and the margin of victory this time around was slimmer than ever before. The committee congratulates Team Avsim for a hard-fought and well-won victory, and all of the other teams for an especially well-run race. See you next year!

Orbx Releases SP1 for YMML

Posted: Thursday, February 26, 2009 - 14:24
Melbourne's Tullamarine International Airport is the second largest in size and traffic volume and a major gateway for trans Pacific, Tasman and Asian international flights. FTX AU YMML is the most detailed major Australian airport ever designed for FSX, combining 1m/pixel and 15cm/pixel ground textures for a truly remarkable experience.

YMML SP1 is almost a completely new scenery built from the ground up apart from the original modeling and photoreal ground textures. Here's a brief list of what you will find enhanced in this new version: Introduction of fully SDK compliant FSX Ground polygons, including custom environmental effects supporting rain effects and high resolution detail maps; Precision approach runway centre lights to closely replicate the actual lighting systems. All taxiway lights have been hand placed for more refined alignment; Update of airport layout to include the new taxiway V, and the dual taxiway system between concourse E and F; Addition of the new terminal structure in the International Terminal and the currently under construction new T2 Extension which extends out towards the main runway; and a much improved APX (AFCAD) with finer parking spot alignment. Complete details are available at the website.

Cargowaggon Flat IGA PlusPak For Rail Simulator

Posted: Thursday, February 26, 2009 - 1:45
This just released highly detailed PlusPak add-on for Rail Simulator features the popular Cargowaggon IGA flat-bed freight wagon. The Cargowaggon IGA is of the flat-bed type and is used to haul a massive variety of loads around the European rail system.

JustTrains' PlusPak package supplies you with a set of nine distinctive variations, ranging from a clean unloaded wagon and a weathered unloaded wagon to loads such as a massive diameter pipe and heavy reels of steel. These wagons can be used in any Rail Simulator route, and the PlusPak includes an interesting set of scenarios to drive on the default Rail Simulator routes. Authentic texturing includes realistic weathering, and eight versions are included to add variety to your train operations.

Avsim Store GoFlight black modules on sale - save 20%

Posted: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - 17:06
The Avsim store is having a big sale on selected black GoFlight modules. Recently, GoFlight did transition to a grey color on all its modules. Some black modules are still available and are now on sale. The modules available are the GoFlight P8 (8 pushbuttons and indicators), GoFlight T8 (8 Toggle switches and indicators, the GoFlight Throttle quadrant TQ6 and the Mini Rack. You can get these brand new modules at roughly 20% off the regular price. Hurry up, quantities are very limited.

Visit the Avsim store today.

Super Traffic Board Review

Posted: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - 2:09
Staff reviewer Jason McKee arrives at the airport and checks out the flights as presented by Flying W Simulations' Super Traffic Board. "Super Traffic Board can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. If you just want to watch your traffic come and go and let the program sort out problems, so be it, it will do that for you. But on the other hand, if you want to fully control the advanced features of the program and fiddle with your traffic, the program will suit this trait as well."

"here are two modes for viewing AI; Pilot mode and Spotter mode. Pilot Mode assumes that you are in an aircraft and that you will be moving. In Spotter Mode, it assumes that you will not be moving and as such cancellations and diversions are shown on the board, even though you cannot see them. The Super Traffic Board flight control is a built in feature the automatically monitors the traffic information being sent from flight simulator.I found this a good little program to use."

"I found Super Traffic Board to be a good little program to use. It works without a fuss and in reality you do not notice the program doing anything, but it is constantly monitoring and adjusting traffic in the background and as an added bonus, you can keep an eye on what is happening traffic-wise. You can also become a virtual plane spotter. I recommend this program if you want an easy to use and unobtrusive traffic board and control program."

RAF Waddington Freeware Now Available

Posted: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - 0:56
Many thousands have downloaded John Young's wonderful freeware scenery of RAF Coningsby from Just Flight's website, and now they're able to host another great RAF freeware scenery package for FSX and FS2004. John's latest scenery is RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire. The airfield is home to the RAF's Surveillance and Reconnaissance assets, including the E-3D Sentry, Nimrod R1 and the new Bombardier Astor R1, and is also home to the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.

The scenery not only features a present-day version of the airfield, but also a re-creation of the V-Force era airport complete with static Vulcans taken from our RAF Vulcan add-on. RAF Waddington - for FSX (26.9Mb). RAF Waddington - for FS2004 (23.3Mb)

Download Traffic X Tutorial

Posted: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - 0:52
Just Flight's first tutorial for Traffic X - Creating, Editing & Deleting Flight Plans' - is now available to download as a 4.94Mb PDF. It's a magnum opus - 60 pages, with everything clearly explained through diagrams and text!

It covers every aspect of creating, editing and removing flight plans in Traffic X. The creation of basic and complex IFR/VFR flights is also explained in illustrated step-by-step instructions. Other topics covered in this first tutorial include editing and deleting existing flight plans, creating circuit traffic and a detailed list of the errors you might come across and how to resolve them. Just Flight hopes owners of Traffic X will find this tutorial useful.

More new tutorials are in the pipeline. Each will focus on another important aspect of Traffic X such as importing new aircraft to use in your flight plans, creating new airlines and utilising the Chrono-Traffic features.

TropicalSim Releases Daytona Beach Int'l

Posted: Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - 1:21
An old airport becomes new. The second version of TropicalSim's Daytona Beach Int'l airport has been released and our users can see that the 2005 release has become an 2009 airport with our latest techniques in airport design. As usual, two installers are available, one for FS9 and another for FSX. TropicalSim has also updated it's FSX airport bundle to include Daytona, and the bundle now has 17 FSX airports.

Il-86 For AI Traffic

Posted: Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - 1:16
Russian AI Traffic System is proud to present the 2nd AI-model for your traffic - the Russian widebody passenger aircraft Ilyushin Il-86. Developed in 70s, this mighty airliner obtains recognition of profesionals and fanciers of aviation all over the world. Unfortunately, this bird will disappear from airline fleets soon, so we hope that these beautiful planes will have a second, longer life in your virtual skies. This model has three different variations, 4632 polygons, 10 LODs. All variations have xml flaps and lights, turning nose gear, optional exhaust and 3D Lights effects. On the web-site you will also find many repaints for this bird from their painters.Help bring Russia back to life in your sim!