T-37 "Tweet" Update 1 Available

Posted: Monday, November 3, 2003 - 13:23
In a message to Avsim this morning we have been informed that an update to the recently released T-37 MicroSimulator is now available. The T-37 "Tweet" is the primary trainer for undergraduate pilots in the USAF. Interested simmers can obtain Update 1 from the T-37 website here

Precision Flight Controls Announces 737MCP

Posted: Sunday, November 2, 2003 - 18:59
Precision Flight Controls today announced they are getting ready to release the 737MCP unit, which is in it's final stages of production. According to the release: "Modeled after the 737NG our MCP will exceed your expectations in both quality and functionality. Our full sized panel will feature high quality LEDs, high quality tactile switches, custom aluminum powder coated knobs and panel backlighting. The MCP has inputs for one or two EFIS panels and connects to our digital controller. The digital controller can plug into your US or Serial interface." You can check out full details, several pictures and technical specifications here.

Just Videos Releases fydba DVD

Posted: Sunday, November 2, 2003 - 18:51
In a press release Just Videos team announced the release of new DVD in their World Air Router collection - flydba. The latest release features 2nd largest scheduled airline in Germany dba who operates a fleet of Boeing 737s. Here's more from the press release:"On this program we join 11 flights in the cockpit of the 737 on flights to all of the airline's scheduled domestic destinations in addition to Nice. We learn about the operation of the aircraft as we witness the crews at work before, during and after the various flights." For full details check out www.worldairroutes.com.

New LOMAC Video

Posted: Sunday, November 2, 2003 - 15:14
For all of you LOMAC fans, here's a note about a new video that has been uploaded to the officlal LOMAC website. Created by one of their testers Mr. Mudd, this is first in a 4-part series captured with FRAPS 2.0 and Track-IR 2 exclusively. It features the whole combat sequence from carrier launch, dogfight with some heavy flying. You can download it here.

New Japan Scenery Announced

Posted: Sunday, November 2, 2003 - 10:38
A new Japan photorealistic scenery has been announced by the team of Japanscenery.com. While the final release date is not yet known, screenshots can tell you that it should be close. The first part to appear is Vol.1 Tokyo-Eastern Japan Photo Scenery. Here are more details as announced: "The first volume Tokyo-Eastern Japan Photo Scenery covers from metropolitan Tokyo and Yokohama bay area to Ibaraki, Saitama, Kanagawa, Hakone, Chiba, Izu islands and Ogasawara Islands (Iwo-Jima) with night and full-seasonal textures and 38m res mesh terrain. This goes more than 2GB size for brilliant scenery installation." You can read more, see screenshots and get other information at www.japanscenery.com.

AOPA Expo Wraps Up

Posted: Sunday, November 2, 2003 - 10:13
Here's an interesting news for those of you that are interested in the world of real aviation and events there. AOPA, the largest general aviation organization in the world, with more than 400.000 members wrapped up their yearly expo this weekend. The event was held, not far away from where AVSIM conference was, in Philadelphia and gathered thousands of attendees over 4 days.

Here's what AOPA newsletter reports: "With great weather and a strong turnout of 9,376 registrants–a showing on the level of what AOPA has come to expect in the Northeast–Expo 2003 was a success. Philadelphia International and Northeast Philadelphia airports hosted some 1,550 aircraft bringing people to the only GA event of its kind in the northeastern United States. The three-day event closed with a banquet Saturday evening where the crowd was entertained by Incredible Productions, a Dallas-based troupe known for witty musical takes on current events. They prepared original material especially for AOPA. Winners of AOPA's most prestigious awards, the Laurance P. Sharples Perpetual Award and the Hartranft Award, also were honored. Next year AOPA Expo returns to the West Coast; we'll see you in Long Beach, California, October 21 through 23." Check out their report here, you will notice on the pictures there were also some flight simulation attendees.

ATCsimulator2 Pre-Sales Begin

Posted: Saturday, November 1, 2003 - 21:48
Aerosoft announces the immediate commencement of pre-sales for the forthcoming product ATCsimulator2, scheduled to go gold December 1st. As an incentive to order early, Aerosoft offers the first 1,000 orders of ATCsimulator2 are to receive a free t-shirt.

Significant feature additions in the new version of this product include connectivity with Microsoft Flight Simulator, airspace editing capabilities and random scenario generation.

For more information, visit http://www.atcsimulator.com/.

Virtual Sailor 6.7 Released

Posted: Saturday, November 1, 2003 - 21:44
While AVSIM is primarily a flight simulation site, we have also supported other forms of simulation. Train simulation is one of those forms, and the other is of nautical simulations, and particular the Virtual Sailor series by Ilan Papini.

Ilan contacted us earlier this evening announcing the release of Virtual Sailor 6.7, a version with significant improvements over its predecessors. Features of the software include accurate dynamics for waves, sailboats and motorboats, fully adjustable sea and weather conditions, photorealistic scenery, global coverage, wind shadow effects, and multiplayer facilities via the Internet, amongst much more.

For more information, you can visit Quality Simulations.

iFDG Announces MD11 Releases

Posted: Saturday, November 1, 2003 - 18:20
iFDG announces the immediate release of the GE Pax and Freighter variants of the MD-11, with other variants to follow at a later date. The aircraft features animated control surfaces, wingviews, flaps, flaperons, a full lighting configuration and reflective textures.

For more information, you can visit iFDG.

Lago Releases Honolulu Update, Budapest Release Soon

Posted: Saturday, November 1, 2003 - 12:10
Lago Online recently released an upgrade to its Honolulu International scenery, providing full compatibility with FS2004 and several other improvements, including new AI traffic. Given that the original release was worthy of an Honorable Mention in the AVSIM 2002 Bravo Zulu Awards, the update should be worth a look!

Also, Lago announces that this weekend should see the release of Budapest 2004 -- its new scenery covering the Budapest region and seven airports, including Ferihegy International.

You can view screenshots of the Budapest scenery here, and visit Lago's front page with information on the Honolulu upgrade here.

Freeware A-7B for Strike Fighters Released

Posted: Saturday, November 1, 2003 - 12:06
We've received word of the release of a keenly-awaited add-on for Strike Fighters: Project One. Just released to the AVSIM Library is a version of the A-7B Corsair II for the combat simulator, including a complete custom cockpit, drop tanks, and full pilot's manual.

To view screenshots, and download, view the file in the AVSIM Library here.

Forthcoming Antonov Project Previewed

Posted: Saturday, November 1, 2003 - 11:51
Dimitri Samborski posted in the AVSIM Forums previewing the forthcoming release of a freeware Antonov An-24RV for FS2004. Samborski, along with Nikolai Samsonov and Maxim Mysin, intend to make the release next week, including external features such as opening doors and nose, glass cleaners and engine auto-feathering. However, the most substantial new features are internal -- the project is to feature a full virtual cockpit and cabin, and 3D-panel.

For more information and some screenshots, view Dimitri's post to the AVSIM Forums here.

Allied FS Group Releases YS-11

Posted: Saturday, November 1, 2003 - 11:46
Tom Everitt of Allied FS Group announced in our forums the release of the group's YS-11 v2.5 to the AVSIM Library.

The new version is fully updated for FS2004, and features several upgrades to the aircraft's panel and model. Other improvements include a new installer.

You can visit the Allied FS Group's website here, and find the downloads here.

ACLoader v4.1 Released

Posted: Saturday, November 1, 2003 - 11:41
FlightSim Flight Deck announces v4.1 of ACLoader: Aircraft Loader & Revenue. The new version, compatible with FS2002 and FS2004, is used to load and balance any aircraft, and includes compatibility updates, more complete configuration of loading and balancing, and improved calculation algorithms for weight, balance and fuel. Other new features include an updated manual and a kneeboard interface. The update is free to owners of v4.0 of the software.

For more information, please visit the ACLoader page here.

Reality XP Jet Line 4 2.0 Released

Posted: Saturday, November 1, 2003 - 11:21
Reality XP announced the release of Jet Line 4 version 2.0 for FS2004. This product integrates an EFIS system from todays business jets and turbo props directly into FS2004. Here's more details as noted in the press release: "Jet Line Avionics is geared to retrofit any aircraft in the regional and trans-continental transport segment. Built with our unmatched avionics expertise and enhanced True Display XP™ v2.0, our unique display technology, you can rest assured that Jet Line Avionics is made for you!

The product line which is fully integrated with the default FS GPS, the Flight Line Avionics Apollo and the Flight Line 530XP, also feature a complete and accurate rendition of an industry standard GPWS Mark V and TCAS II with Resolution Advisories. Backed with a strong community of users and developers, a SDK and the quality of Reality XP products, the Jet Line will be your Modern Avionics Line of choice!" YOu can get all the details at www.reality-xp.com.

Fly Tampa AFCAD Updates Ready

Posted: Saturday, November 1, 2003 - 11:00
Martin Brunken of Fly Tampa sent us the following update about Fly Tampa FS2004 upgrades: "Please note that AFCAD2 updates are already available for both TPA and MIA. Sets of static aircraft addons have also been released, adding realistic airliner and cargo aircraft in the corresponding liveries for each airport." You can download those updates here.

World-Flight UK Starts November 3rd

Posted: Saturday, November 1, 2003 - 0:51
Here's a press release from the World-Flight team: "November brings the start of the annual World-Flight charity event. This year three teams from the UK, Australia and Canada will be doing their global challenge. The UK World-Flight team leave London on the 3rd November bound for Newark U.S. A gruelling 7 days of flying faces the team as they make their way round the world to arrive back in London on the 9th November. This year’s event is in aid of Dreamflight. This UK organisation sends seriously ill children to Disney Land in Orlando Florida." Check out here for full details.

FS Force Adds Force Feedback to MSFS

Posted: Friday, October 31, 2003 - 19:40
In a message to Avsim Dirks Software announced today the upcoming release of FS Force, an add-on module for MSFS that provides dynamic force feedback effects in response to changing flight conditions.

According to the release, "On the ground, you'll feel bumps, dips, pavement grooves, sharp cornering, braking forces, hard landings and more. In the air, you'll feel realistic trim forces, and a centering force that varies with airspeed. You can also add friction and damping to the flight controls to further enhance realism. Each airplane can have it's own force feedback profile, and all forces are optional and fully customizable. Your force feedback experience can be as subtle or intensive as you like."

Interested simmers can get more info at FS Force

UAL Flight Operations Update Released

Posted: Friday, October 31, 2003 - 15:16
In a news release today Perfect Flight announced the availability of a new version of their "United Flight Operations" MSFS add-on. According to the release the update makes the product work with Flight Simulator 2004 and is free for previous users of the product. The new version (which works in both FS2002 or FS2004) contains timetables, adventures, planes, and an original software interface that allows users to replicate [the most common] airline operations, such as [rating] checkrides that earn promotions. The release notes that the software has been completely rewritten and optimized to be used with FS2004 or FS2002

Interested simmers can get more info, download the free update, and get all the details of this new release by proceeding at pilot's discretion to Perfect Flight

Enhanced LOMAC User Manual Announced

Posted: Friday, October 31, 2003 - 13:43
In a move sure to be welcomed by hard core combat simmers Ubisoft UK and Digital Aspirin Ltd today announced via press release that they have joined forces to provide an enhanced manual and game guide for the upcoming "Lock On: Modern Air Combat (LOMAC)." LOMAC is currently slated for a Winter 2003 release.

According to the release, "Flight simulation fans are a demanding crowd. Immersion is the key to their world of high powered jets and mid air dueling. They want outstanding Artificial Intelligence, true-to-life physics, immersive missions all wrapped up in beautiful dynamic graphics and sound. Lock On: Modern Air Combat will deliver all of these over a large dynamic theatre with 7 flyable jets. With this in mind, Ubisoft are supporting a 3rd party production of a manual created for the hard core simulation fan. Digital Aspirin are producing a leather type triple fold ring binder with over 300 pages of information for the Lock On: Modern Air Combat fan. In addition to the 136 page full colour manual that will be shipped with the game, the paper manual will also contain a 70 page additional training section, plus 120 pages of technical data concerning each of the air, ground and naval units in the game. On top of these a section will be created with quick reference in mind, such as a key reference guide, landing / take-off and engagement checklists and mission planning sheets. Digital Aspirin also plans to produce a large fold out map that tvirtual pilots can use to plan and execute missions. The manual (photos are available on the website) is A5 is size and will contain A debossed logo on the front [as well as] a CD Sleeve in the back to store the LOMAC CD. Each manual is numbered and a few will be signed by the development team."

Charles Barrett, OEM and Business Development Manager of Ubisoft UK, added, "... with total immersion in mind, Digital Aspirin have created a superb product that will satisfy the needs of even the hardest flight simulator fan. This 3rd party add-on has been built with full consultation with the flight simulation community and Ubisoft are more than happy to aid its development to market."

Interested simmers can get more information on LOMAC here and the new manual, including pdf file samples of pages from the Manual, here. According to the announcement the manual will be available to ship worldwide in early December 2003.