Ultimate Traffic For FS2004 Nears Completion

Posted: Tuesday, October 28, 2003 - 11:20
In a forum thread on the Flight1 website, Ultimate Traffic is in the final stages of testing. The release is subject to final beta testing, and is anticipated to be released this coming weekend. For more information head over to the Ultimate Traffic website here.

Russian Airport Sochi Released

Posted: Monday, October 27, 2003 - 19:07
Evgueni Protchoukhanov announces a new freeware scenery for MSFS 2002/2004. It's Sochi airport scenery. Sochi airport (Adler) is placed at the Black Sea coast on the South of Russia. To download this new airport, head over to their website here.

More Updates From Project AI

Posted: Monday, October 27, 2003 - 19:02
ProjectAI informs that a BIG package is ready to be released! AWE-America West Airlines Flightplans: MRAI Repaints: Olivier Junod Dial-up users be aware this is a BIG package, weighing in at 7mb. We were also informed that the link is now active as well! A new version of the installer is now available as well! Head on over to ProjectAI. to get the new package AND the new installer.

AFCAD 2 For FS2004 Released

Posted: Monday, October 27, 2003 - 18:25
Lee Swordy has released his latest utility for FS2004: "AFCAD 2" today. This is a CAD-style editor for FS2004 airports. Airports consist of visible scenery and invisible facility data used to control airport operations. AFCAD 2 can add or modify almost all facility elements and several visible elements. This includes runways, taxiways, parking and communications. More visible elements will be added in future upgrades. Note that this version is strictly for FS2004. Look for version 1.4 to work with FS2002. You can download it from the AVSIM Library here.

Icarus Golden Age Release Fiat CR-42

Posted: Monday, October 27, 2003 - 17:18
In a press release by Icarus Golden Age, they have announced their Fiat Cr-42 pack is now available. Arriving in 2 models, including the special Daimler Benz version, 8 liveries (includes Swedish and Hungarian version), CFS2/FS2004/FS2002, multiresolution, virtual cockpit, fully animated shock absorber movement, wheel rotation, dynamic VC gauges, moving rudder pedals and joystick. You can read more about this at their website here.

New AFCAD Files Roll in to PAI & Avsim

Posted: Monday, October 27, 2003 - 15:58
With the release of Lee Swordy's new AFCAD2 for FS2004 new AFCAD files are starting to roll in to the folks over at Project AI (PAI) as well as the Avsim Library. Among recently uploaded airports to PAI (with authors) are: KAUS - Austin, Bergstrom Intl, USA, Reggie Fields KCLE - Cleveland, Hopkins Intl, USA, Kevin Au KDAL - Dallas, Love Field, USA, Reggie Fields KEWR - Newark, Liberty Intl, USA, Kevin Au; KLGA-New York, LaGuardia USA, Kevin Au KMKE - Milwaukee, General Mitchell Intl. USA, Brian Doney KMSN - Madisan, Truax Field USA, Brian Doney KORD - Chicago, O'Hare Intl. USA, Kevin Au KSFO - San Francisco Intl. USA, Kevin Au KSHV - Shreveport Regl USA, Reggie Fields YSSY - Sydney, Kingsford Smith Intl, Australia, David White.

You can checkout and download these latest from the PAI AFCAD site here and be sure to check the latest uploads today at the Avsim Library which include an ever increasing number of new FS2004 AFCAD files. Recent arrivals include Phoenix Sky harbor (KPHX), Colorado Springs (KCOS), and Milan Linate (LIML).

MAAM-SIM Announces New Strafer B-25J, FS9 Updates

Posted: Sunday, October 26, 2003 - 20:57
MAAM-SIM, the Mid Atlantic Air Museum’s FS development team, announces a new solid-nose gunship model of the B-25J, based on their award-winning Briefing Time add-on aircraft package. The new model, the work of the team's celebrated aircraft designer Jan Visser uses many features of the original Briefing Time release. The new aircraft will be in the colors of the 498th "Falcons" Bomb Squadron, which served in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

The model will be released as a freeware addon within the next couple of weeks, and will depend on the full "Briefing Time" package. Furthermore, the free FS9 update for Briefing Time will be available soon, featuring new start-up and touchdown smoke effects, and also reworked flight dynamics by Rob Young to make BT fly to the book numbers in FS9’s changed FD environment, as she did in FS2002.

MAAM-SIM have provided a full press release, with screenshots and much more information on this new development, and we have no doubt that there will be much discussion of this on the MAAM-SIM Support Forum.

The Mid Atlantic Air Museum's website contains information about the museum, and you can find a link to MAAM-SIM's other projects by clicking Flight Simulators on the left hand side.

Lago Releases "The Crossings"

Posted: Sunday, October 26, 2003 - 16:58
Lago announce the release of The Crossings, their latest offering in the "Century of Aviation" series. The package features four classic Italian-built intercontinental aircraft: the SIAI S16ter, S55x, S79 and the FIAT CR32, plus their respective flightplans.

For more information on this product, click here, and you can find Lago's website here.

FlightGear v0.9.3 Released

Posted: Sunday, October 26, 2003 - 10:24
The FlightGear Project have released v0.9.3 of the FlightGear Flight Simulator, a freeware, open-source, cross-platform flight simulator.

Amongst the numerous improvements are an improved installer under Windows, updated airport and navaid databases, flight replays, chase camera views, updates to many bundled aircraft, and much more!

For more information and to download, visit FlightGear.

Pre-Flight RC Sim Adds New Aircraft

Posted: Sunday, October 26, 2003 - 10:19
Jose Pena contacted us announcing the availability of a model of the Rumpier Taube for the PRE-Flight RC Simulator, with animated control surfaces.

You can download the model and the freeware RC aircraft simulator, and find more information, here.

Amazing Water Textures For FS2004

Posted: Sunday, October 26, 2003 - 10:03
Every now and then, something is released for FS which really does take creativity to the limits. Most of you will have heard of Bill Lyons and the group he is part of The Golden Eagle Squadron. He is a character who has had a huge impact on the FS community over the past few years with many contributions and pioneering developments. Yet again, Bill and his Golden Eagle companions have surpassed themselves and given to us a superb set of replacement water textures for FS2004. These really have to be seen to be believed. You can read more about them here, and download them from here.

AVSIM Announces 2004 Conference!

Posted: Friday, October 24, 2003 - 23:26
AVSIM Publisher and CEO, Tom Allensworth, today made the following announcement; "AVSIM is pleased to announce the venue for the 2004 Flight Simulation Exhibition and Conference; the United Airlines Training Facility, in Denver, Colorado. United Airlines has graciously invited AVSIM to utilize the facility for next year's conference, and AVSIM is pleased to say that our Board of Directors have overwhelmingly voted yes. UAL will provide access to its numerous full motion trainers, including the 747, 777, 767, 757 and of course, Airbus simulators. The hotel which will be our "home base" will be the Hilton DoubleTree, just across the street from the Training Facility. The exhibition and conference will be held on September 25th and 26th, with our Social on Friday night, the 24th. Many details need to be worked out, and we will be announcing those over the coming months. In the meantime, set your calendars, save your pennies, pounds, euros, whatever, and plan on being at the largest simulation event in 2004!" AVSIM will shortly open the 2004 Exhibition forum for discussion of the event. Stay tuned!

POSKY Releases FS2004 757-200

Posted: Friday, October 24, 2003 - 21:07
Well the wait is over! In a message to Avsim this afternoon the crew at Project Opensky announced the release of their long awaited 757-200 for FS2004. Some of the features include: Dynamic shine - Wingview or Virtual Cockpit - Opening Doors & cargo doors - 3d Flight Attendantsin the cabine - All normal animations - realistic FDE - accurate dimensions - accurate specifications - accurate flight performance based on performance charts - accurate flight performance based on certified pilot input - full damage profiles for major body locations, flaps, struts, tires and engines - different engine variants - different engine performance, thrust maps, and fuel burn per different engine type - default and alternate gear points for aircraft look vs. performance feel - new detailed lighting effects for FS2004.

Aircraft in a variety of liveries as well as the textures for the Virtual Cockpit (posky_757_vc.zip) are in today's uploads to the Avsim Library

Abacus Seaplane Adventures Released

Posted: Friday, October 24, 2003 - 15:04
In a message to Avsim last night publisher Abacus advised us of the release of their new "Seaplane Adventures" addon for FS2004 and FS2002. Simmers can fly a variety of floatplanes in water venues around the world including the Alaska wilderness, Florida Keys, and Greek isles. For more info, screenshots, and to get the new product ATC clears you for a visual approach and water landing at Abacus

Concorde Makes Final Commercial Flight

Posted: Friday, October 24, 2003 - 8:06
As lots of you will already know, Concorde will make its final commercial flight today into Heathrow Airport. After 27 years of supersonic passenger transport the graceful lines of British Airways flagship will land for the last time after its "faster than a bullet" flight from New York. An expected 250,000 are anticipated to desecend on Heathrow to witness this historic final flight. You read more about this sad day in the world of aviation here.

IFSD Releases Sligo Airport Scenery for FS2004

Posted: Friday, October 24, 2003 - 2:29
Avsim has received the following announcement from the good folks at Irish Flight Sim Design (IFSD)

"Irish Flight Sim Design would like to proudly announce the release of Sligo Airport as part of our Freeware scenery for Ireland package Version 1.11 Sligo was built for FS2004 (also supported in FS2002) using all the latest design techniques and features. We have worked in conjunction with the generous assistance of the airport itself to ensure this scenery is as accurate in every detail as possible. This release includes all our previous freeware FS2004 scenery for Ireland including Dublin, Cork, Galway and Waterford airports plus Dublin City scenery and smaller airfields such as Kilkenny. This release also encompasses a new professional quality automated installer. Many small bug fixes and improvements for other areas are included in this version so we recommend all previous users upgrade. To download and to see screen captures please visit our website: here."

Charity Flight and World Flight Nearing Take Off

Posted: Thursday, October 23, 2003 - 19:41
CharityFlight.com is an organization of aviation enthusiasts, gathering globally, to raise much need funds for the Toronto Hospital For Sick Children's Foundation. By using the VATSIM network, and a flight simulation software, the group simulates a flight around the world. And they're gearing up for their latest round the world trip, which takes off from Vancouver International Airport on the 6th of November using the Boeing 767-300. And on this year's roster are 29 airports. Donations are received through their website as well as through corporate and private sponsorship. All donations are 100% tax receipted and all funds go to the THSK Foundation. If you would like to be a part of this by flying the route or donating money, then check out their website by clicking here.

More PFC Visual Wrap Pictures

Posted: Thursday, October 23, 2003 - 19:03
Due to popular demand following the annoucement earlier this week of Precision Flight Control's (PFC) new wide view area Visual Wrap display system for sims PFC has provided us with some additional shots of this new widescreen application with MSFS displayed. You can check out the shape of things to come in the sim display world here

CH Products ME Throttle Quadrant Update

Posted: Wednesday, October 22, 2003 - 20:47
In a message to Avsim today CH Products announced that it has officially begun pre-production on the highly anticipated, multi-engine CH Throttle Quadrant. The new product is expected to be available in the Spring 2004 timeframe with a target price range of $200-250.

According to the message the functions will include, but are not limited to: Six fully programmable axis; Twelve separate button positions via six individual flipper switches;Programmable to 30 different functions / keystrokes or mouse emulation; and will be fully compatible with the latest Control Manager programming software

More information will be forthcoming as it develops. For general information on CH Products ATC clears you to proceed at pilot's discretion to CH Products.com

HJG Releases Bonanza of DC-8 Series 50s

Posted: Wednesday, October 22, 2003 - 14:37
In a mega release today the good folks over at Historic Jetliners Group (HJG) have uploaded 55 new DC-8 Series 50 aircraft in a variety of historic liveries. All aircraft are the Version 5.2 models optimized for FS2004. To see the list of new arrivals and download your favorites ATC clears you direct to HJG