AVSIM Forums Surpass 23,000 Members

Posted: Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 18:28
Today, the AVSIM forums achieved another milestone. As of 2:00 P.M. EST, the membership in the forums surpassed 23,000 members! That represents the largest and most prolific flight simulation community on the Internet, and we at AVSIM are very proud of the paricipation of our fellow enthusiasts from around the world. If you are not yet a member of flight simulation's largest community, join today and particpate with your fellow hobbyists in the largest forum system dedicated to our hobby. Click on the forums link above to join us! It's totally free, of course!

Just Flight Goes Hip

Posted: Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 12:45
At the recent E3 Expo in Los Angeles, UK-based sim specialist Just Flight signed a landmark contract with Hip Interactive for its US distribution. Hip Interactive is one of North America's largest providers of electronic entertainment products and Just Flight was very pleased to have such a strong US partner. Having ranged its products into retail the initial sell through results have been impressive.

James Cato, from Redback, the sales agency handling Just Flight's overseas sales said: "We knew that Hip would be able to deliver the goods for Just Flight and the early signs are that they're doing just that and more! The sales figures for May have exceeded expectations and with Just Flight software now available in the Fry's group of stores we're looking forward to a very successful year. Just Flight is the only European flight sim publisher with a presence in US retail and this is very much down to the strength of the brand and some top class products. Just Flight titles have always been popular with US mail order customers and now we're looking forward to similar popularity amongst retail customers."

Just Flight's managing director, Andy Payne, commented, "We have had a few forays into the US market in the past, but they have all ultimately been unsuccessful. This time round we have set our stall out to market our products stateside and work with retail - as a consequence we have seen excellent sell in and sell through of the initial range and will now roll out our full catalogue. This is great news for our consumers, retail and distribution partners and especially our development partners. Redback and Hip have worked very hard and the benefits are now for all to see."

We know US simmers will be happy to see Just Flight products on retail shelves.

Update For FDC

Posted: Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 12:44
The long awaited FREE update to FDC is now available from Aerosoft. CD users can get more information here . Users of the download version should go here. Full details about this update are available from here.

Fszone.org Releases Updated Video Gallery

Posted: Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 5:28
The new and improved Flight Simulator Video database now features more time for users to upload videos, no limit to the number of videos that can be uploaded or displayed, and many other improvements for dial-up users, and broadband users alike! Watch, Upload, and Enjoy right here

KwikPit Cockpit Kits

Posted: Monday, June 20, 2005 - 21:37
The KwikPit Company has released a new line of inexpensive mini flight simulator cockpit kits called the Eze-Pit series. The Eze-Pit kits come in two versions which mount on a desktop or tabletop and support a monitor, keyboard and a HOTAS system. They have also designed and sell plans for a larger version of the kits called the Kwik-Pit. The Kwik-Pit is a larger free standing version of the desktop models. The Kwik-Pit also supports a monitor, keyboard and HOTAS system and additionally a racing wheel for flight or racing simulations. For more information visit the website here.

TropicalSim New Site

Posted: Monday, June 20, 2005 - 21:36
TropicalSim has informed us that there is a new website where the biggest and most popular scenery coverage of Caribbean and Brazilian airports can be found. The old "Flightsim Brasil Sceneries (FSB)" no long exists, giving it's place to the brand new "TropicalSim". Now this is the place to know about their sceneries, new projects and updates. The well known "Fly To Caribe" series stills the same as before, but there are changes on "Fly To Brazil". TheyWe would like to invite all you to visit their new site here. By the way, they have released a major update for their recent Fly To Caribe #10, adding some missing objects and textures at San Salvador and Holguin airports besides other improvements.

Flight Sim News Shorts

Posted: Monday, June 20, 2005 - 21:36
Miguel Zafra is now offering new realistic textures for runways, Winter included. This set contains Asphalt and Concrete runways. Available now here.

Mitchs Panel Shop has announced the release of the requested and long over due panel for the Airbus A340. This panel is available here at AVSIM and here.

Eaglesoft and Payne Aviation Announce Flight Deck

Posted: Monday, June 20, 2005 - 18:54
Eaglesoft Development Group, in partnership with PAS Software, is pleased to announce the first of many panel offerings by Lonny Payne of Payne Aviation Software. Flight Deck: MD-80 for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 is the first commercial offering by Lonny Payne and promises to be a welcome addition to any MD80 enthusiast’s hanger. The MD-80 series has been one of the most popular aircraft since the early 80’s. During its service, the MD-80 cockpit has evolved from a completely Analog Panel, to a Majority Glass Panel. The PAS Flight Deck: MD-80 Panel Package includes all three versions of the MD-80 Panel including a 1)Totally Analog Panel, 2)a Combination Glass Panel with Primary Flight and Navigation Displays, and included Analog Engine Instruments, and 3) finally a Majority Glass Panel. Each PAS Flight Deck: MD-80 panel is a completely unique panel with all its own instruments and annunciator panels. Fly one leg in the old school configuration and then jump in the glass panel. There is a configuration for every simmer. Another very exciting feature of this addon package is the cooperation of SGA and their superb MD-80 model. A direct link to download the SGA MD-80 will soon be available! This PAS Flight Deck: MD-80 Panel Package has been specifically designed for use with the SGA MD-80. This partnership will allow Payne Aviation Software to provide a realistic panel package with three totally separate configurations and tons of features at a great price. For more information and screen shots visit us here

Just Flight Announces VFR Airfields

Posted: Monday, June 20, 2005 - 13:49
VFR Airfields is a series of three highly detailed airport scenery collections that are extremely popular in their native Germany. Just Flight is pleased to have acquired distribution rights for these high quality airfields and will be making them available on June 24 to a much wider audience.

The three volumes cover the Bavaria and Black Forest regions, one of the most scenic areas on the European continent, and a part of Germany that has much to offer the sightseeing pilot - real or virtual!

These airports are rendered in the highest detail right down to fences, trees, static vehicles and even people. They also include a number of dynamic aircraft and vehicles that add new levels of realism and life to the airport experience.

Some of the highlights include:
- To assist in VFR flying the airport environs contain notable local features where appropriate. Local churches, electricity pylons and other real-world identifiers are placed at their actual locations to help you navigate to a particular airport.
- The printed manuals contain airport and approach charts for all the airfields.
- Each volume contains between ten and twelve airfields and the printed manuals contain airport and approach charts for each one.

All the details are available at Just Flight's website.

Carenado Release Cessna 182 Patch

Posted: Monday, June 20, 2005 - 9:36
Carenado have released a service pack for its Cessna 182 RG fixing some minor reported bugs:

VOR, ILS, NAV receiver and COM radios.
Sounds at high RPM in cockpit.
New toggle Icon in Panel Manager for Autopilot and Throttle
Flaps (not in accordance with the standard 182 RG model).

The service pack is available for every customer who has previously bought the model at Carenado. This service pack should be applied only if you bought the product before June 19th.

Customer can get the update from the Carenado Website.

Carenado's T34B Mentor Reviewed

Posted: Monday, June 20, 2005 - 6:21
Avsim Staff Reviewer Sam Needs flys a few training mission in an old favourite of those who have been through the military flight training system.

"The Beechcraft Mentor T34B was originally seen as a less expensive and easier to fly trainer," reports Sam, "and Carenado have re-created this aircraft in all its glory. After a quick circuit in the T-34, I can see that Carenado have really outdone themselves with this one. It’s perfect for VFR flights and never bores."

"According to the pilots who’ve flown the Mentor, they say that because of its "easy to control" behaviour, it’s an extremely suitable aircraft for training and “joy rides”. After flying it for sometime, I can clearly see that Carenado has achieved the correct feel for this type of aircraft," comments Sam.

To read the complete review and perhaps re-live some of those fond memories, check out the complete version here.

OSS Previews Dornier Panel

Posted: Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 18:25
Online Simulation Software have released development screenshots of their forthcoming Dornier 228 Panel. You can find the screenshots on the OSS Forum.

Pilatus Endorses Flight1 PC-12

Posted: Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 10:55
Flight1 Software has announced that its Pilatus PC-12 for FS2004 has been endorsed by the manufacturers of the real-life aircraft, Pilatus Business Aircraft, Ltd.

In a press release from Flight1, Tom Aniello, Vice President and CMO, Pilatus Business Aircraft, Ltd. said: "We'd been looking for a high-quality Pilatus PC-12 plug-in for Microsoft Flight Simulator for several years, and as soon as we heard Flight One had one available we browsed their website to look at what they'd created. We were simply blown away by what we saw. After downloading the model, we were even more impressed with its extremely accurate rendition of the PC-12's details -- right down to the British-accented voice callouts of the CAWS, and our 2001 Oshkosh demonstrator's paint scheme! The flight model is a lot of fun and it's a great way for Pilatus enthusiasts to get an introduction to a fantastic pilot's aircraft."

Jim Rhoads of Flight1 Software added: “It brings me great pleasure to see Pilatus Business Aircraft recognize our efforts. The Flight1 PC-12 team members have worked very hard to deliver an accurate and highly detailed representation of the PC-12. To have Pilatus give us a thumbs up and endorse our product, reinforces our position and our commitment to offer the highest level of realism and integration possible for the Microsoft Flight Simulator platform.”

You can find more information on the Pilatus at the Flight1 website.

New Weather Scapes

Posted: Saturday, June 18, 2005 - 13:37
Calibre Software Solutions has released a few new custom weather scape packages for WMPRO. These are pre-created weather scapes that provide a variety of weather situations across the US and Western Europe. Be ready to face some of the most dangerous weather across the world. You may face anything from fog to crazy thermals, to a developing hurricane in the tropics with 100+ winds. Requirements include WMPRO. Instructions are included on how to install the packages. Just go here and click on the "Weather Scapes" link to download the latest. More will be coming by June 30, 2005.

SkyFilm Channel Opens

Posted: Saturday, June 18, 2005 - 13:36
SkyFilm Channel has opened its doors. It is a subsidiary website of SkyFilm Productions and is dedicated to publishing and creation of interesting aviation clips for people who like airplanes and everything related to them. According to the Press Release, "We are taking you to attractive places with us, to places where you maybe do not normally go and showing aviation from all sides including flying at home with a simulator. Currently the library consists of 13 video clips which include Cessna and Piper landings and take-offs, aviation events and flight simulator related videos. We are adding new clips as frequently as possible and some new ones can already be expected within the next few days. The watching is completely free and all you need is a computer with Windows Media Player installed and preferrably a broadband internet connection. To watch the videos, you will simply have to click on the appropriate links and a pop-up player window will begin playing the clip." For more information go here.

New Developement Tools

Posted: Saturday, June 18, 2005 - 13:35
3DevNet.org has announced the release of 3DevNet Outsourcing products, a software packages for the Game & Mod developer community. 3DFworld is a true next-generation toolset designed for game development. The task was to offer today software technology aimed for 2006 - 2007 market, which is still beeing pushed forward by
progressive feature updates. To check out the software visit 3DevNet web site here where you can find all the info you need including tech specifications, media, tutorials and community forum.

Danur Computerflight Systems releases Upgrades

Posted: Friday, June 17, 2005 - 17:31
Danur Computerflight Systems have released their long awaited Navigational Data Upgrades for it’s Flight Operation Center (v.1.24) software. The navigational data are licensed through one of the large data providers and are released in accordance with ARINC Cycles. Unlike most other such data available to the flight simulation world, the data provided for Flight Operation Center are of the same quality as real life data used to feed professional flight plan systems, the major difference being that they are especially released for “flight simulation use only.” This means a huge improvement in terms of accuracy and completeness. Navigational Data are available in subscriptions of 1, 2, 4, 6 and 12 yearly upgrades. FOC Version 1.24 features an updated North Atlantic Track System editor which reflects the changes undergone recently in the publications of these tracks. Danur Weather Station will be upgraded in the near future to be available for real world operations. This major step will include several new features and give you the possibility to check the latest METAR and TAF information at the click of a button. The new release will be announced within the next few weeks. Please visit our website Here for further information.

VATSIM Pays Tribute to "Papa Golf"

Posted: Friday, June 17, 2005 - 17:27
Dear friends, you won't hear a landing clearance given by Pawel 'Pawko' Grzadkowski any more. After a long struggle with illness, he was cleared for his last eternal flight.

Pawko was well known as a pilot in Poland and abroad. He joined the team of controllers just a few months ago. Because of this disease, despite being 21 years old, he has had a voice that at the beginning we have all mistaken for a child. No one has realized that Pawko was suffering from Cystic Fibrosis, and how difficult it was for him to spell the clearances for VATSIM pilots.

Only a few weeks after he become STU controller we were contacted by members of his family and learned that he has died. Fellow PL-VACC members have decided to name one of the periodic fly-ins that organized in EPWW FIR 'The PapaGolf' after Pawko 'PG' initials. Please join us at Krakow Balice (EPKK) airport, with 24 hours non-stop service from 2200 UTC on Saturday June 18th until 2200 UTC on the following day.

To read more about Pawko and the true spirit of aviation, please visit Here.

geniX Software Releases AI Timetable Patch

Posted: Friday, June 17, 2005 - 16:00
geniX has released a new patch for their AI TimeTable program. The shareware software, upon registration, will display a real time information list of scheduled (and user) flights at your airport! Please visit us Here.

Cloud9 Releases Updates

Posted: Friday, June 17, 2005 - 15:56
Fly the Lakes!
While all users who bought this software are exploring the scenery to find the hidden Easter eggs, a new service pack has been released which improves the scenery and the aircraft and also includes the repaint kit.

F104
A second additional liveries pack has been released for this product which adds another 26 liveries and two new configurations. Further, SP2 will be released Monday June 20, 2005 which increases the functions for fuel and the electrical systems. Also included is an enhancement to the autopilot. Visit the Cloud9 website Here.