'VA Administrator 2002' Trial Version Released

Posted: Saturday, May 31, 2003 - 15:15
Ray Porteous reports that Admin Software, developer of the virtual airline management software The VA Administrator 2002 has released their Trial Version. Ray says, "Admin Software products have revolutionized the way CEOs and managers manage their virtual airlines.

"Ultimately every country is different, so virtual airlines around the globe are managed differently. This is why they have made it possible for you to set the pricing structure in the software. The software however is in English only. Added features include a virtual bank, a flight simulator supreme court, News Service, templates letters, the list goes on. ... You can take out loans to buy new aircraft, or to pay your pilots. ... This software was designed so webmasters on a small budget can have a web site that gathers information like PHP or ASP; although it’s not PHP nor is it ASP, it's just software and html—you do the reports on your machine and upload the pages.

"How easy is it to use? Very easy, you take one flight and break it down to cover every cost an airlines would face per flight; it then places the information in the right database. ... This software send the e-mails for you; you don’t even have to write it. Your pilots get e-mails all the time, giving them the idea that you have a very active virtual airline. So what's new? Admin Software has released a trial version, so you get to see some of the things this software can do. The trial version is free and available from our Admin Software website—while your're there get your free copy of our log book."

LOMAC Video from E3 Released

Posted: Friday, May 30, 2003 - 18:14
Those of you not being able to attend the E3 this year and see the latest from LOMAC team will be happy to hear that the E3 LOMAC video is now available for everyone to see any enjoy. There are many details of this upcoming product you'll be able to see, from scenery, weather effects, airplanes, and more. You can download the video www.lo-mac.com.

News From VATSIM

Posted: Friday, May 30, 2003 - 17:57
In a NOTAM message to VATSIM membership, Richard Jenkins of VATSIM announced several openings are now available within VATSIM Communications Section. Here's more: "We are currently looking for members that would like to be involved in writing articles for the VATSIM homepage and a future online magazine. Articles will be centered around VATSIM events, controller promotions, current VATSIM happenings, profiles of prominent FS individuals, and software. The successful candidate must be able to read and write English fluently, and have some experience writing for publication, or be willing to learn. We are also looking for individuals that have experience in html and graphics. Examples of work would be appreciated.

VATSIM Communications is also recruiting for translators. If you are multilingual we have a place for you. You must be able to read and write English fluently. All languages are being recruited for these positions. Successful candidates will be working in various departments of VATSIM such as Conflict Resolution, Membership, and Communications." For more details and contact head over to www.vatsim.net.

Weather Center 2.0 Announced

Posted: Friday, May 30, 2003 - 17:37
Simulation Widgets today announced the release of Weather Center 2.0, an advanced weather generation addon for FS2002. Here are the details from the press release: "Weather Center 2.0 features a completely re-engineered weather generation core that produces some of the most realistic, generated weather environments ever seen in Flight Simulator! The new, unique "I-Field" algorithm translates automatically downloaded Internet data into a dynamic weather environment based not only on the data from the nearest reporting airport (like Weather Center 1), but on all nearby airports, which all provide some piece of the overall weather scene generated around the aircraft! Weather Center 2.0 provides textual weather tracking information, weather forecasts for flight plans, and a vivid radar and situation display from inside any cockpit and any aircraft--at the press of a button! The radar display provides the "big picture" graphically, by rendering radar returns around the aircraft inside an avionics-style user interface, which fits naturally into any cockpit! What you see in the radar is what you'll get when you fly around--there is no disparity between radar imagery and generated weather! Weather Center 2.0 continues the design aims of the Weather Center series to make weather conditions as close to the real-world as possible. One of the stages in the weather generation pipeline applies a number of special effects components, which add complexity and realism to weather systems. Three notable special effects are severe thunderstorm/convection generation, fog simulation, and a cyclone/hurricane/typhoon simulation.

Weather Center 2.0 features over 40 configurable options and 5 primary display modes, providing flexibility for pilots at any aviation proficiency level. The Weather Center 2 mini-display reduces the display footprint in the cockpit by offering condensed weather tracking information and a smaller radar display--useful when cockpit space on the screen is a premium. Weather Center 2.0 has two editions, Novice and Expert. The Expert edition is an affordable retail product and includes all the possible features of Weather Center 2. The Novice edition includes a 15-minute demo period each time it is started, during which all the Expert features are enabled. After the demo period expires, the Novice edition continues to function indefinitely with an obsolete weather generation algorithm with most new core features disabled." For more check out www.simulationwidgets.com.

Simbuilders Meeting Set To Go

Posted: Friday, May 30, 2003 - 17:25
Peter Cos of Flightdeck Solutions informs us that Amsterdam Simbuilders meeting is set to go as planned on June 7-8. As announced, the organizers are reporting that this years event is looking like it will easily surpass our attendance figures from the Frankfurt event last year as numerous presentation sessions are scheduled with the likes of Ron Wiens, Enrico Schiratti and Marc Teichtahl offering great insights to numerous aspects of building a home sim. More details on how to attend are available here.

Order your copy of FS-2004 at the Avsim Store Today

Posted: Friday, May 30, 2003 - 15:36
Get your copy of FS-2004 "A Century of Flight" on order for July delivery.

And not only can you purchase a pre-order copy of this ground-breaking product today... but you can get your own copy FREE OF CHARGE. Just check out our special offer on GoFlight Modular Systems... and be ready for the future when FS 2004 arrives this Summer. Now available on the Avsim Store

FS 2004 Press Kit Online at AVSIM

Posted: Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 22:42
AVSIM was a recipient of the Microsoft Press Kit CD release and we are pleased to announce that we have placed the entire CD online, and now it is available to you. Included in the CD are images, movies, box shots, and much much more. If you are interested in viewing the CD and viewing the contents, you can do so here.

HJG Previews DC-8-60 & -70 Panels

Posted: Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 14:56
If you haven't seen them yet all you classic jetliner fans will want to check out the preview screenshots of the Historic Jetliner Group's upcoming panels for the DC-8 -60 and -70 series aircraft. You can see these good looking shots here

VATSIM Launches Voice Technology Program

Posted: Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 20:44
Chris Doyle from VATSIM has advised us that VATSIM has launched a program to improve the reliability and ease of online voice communications. The new "Voice Technology Program" initiative will be headed by Richard Critz, VATSIM Vice President of Development. This program will, over the coming months, develop and deploy new voice software to be used by pilots and ATC on the VATSIM network. Interested online flyers can get a more detailed look at the VVT Program here

In a related announcement, VATSIM also advised of the beginning of the first beta test of AVC, their new stand-alone voice client for use by pilots on the network. According to Chris, "This client is one of the first deliveries from the VATSIM Voice Technology Program and features plug-and-play integration with SquawkBox, greater reliability, automatic volume control, automatic microphone gain control, and a number of other enhancements."

To get more information on AVC and find out how to register for the beta test lottery click here

ActiveSky weRE v1.8 Update Released

Posted: Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 20:33
In a message to Avsim this afternoon Damian Clark has announced that the ActiveSky wxRE v1.8 update has been officially released. According to Damian, "wxRE is the next-generation weather environment simulation for FS2002. This new update improves download performance and reliability and fixes a few remaining bugs." Damian recommends that all wxRE users install this update. You can get more info and download the update here

New RC Model Aircraft Sim Released

Posted: Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 15:34
In a message to Avsim today Ian Thatcher announced the release of "RC Plane Master." According to Ian RCPM "...is a new and exciting realistic 3D R/C Flight Simulator for model aircraft that runs on Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP."

Features included individually modelled aircraft parts, adjustable flight physics, realistic collision and damage model, multiplayer and dogfight modes. Model aircraft include electric, glow engine, jet and even rocket powered models.

Interested RC simmers can get more info at RealityCraft

PMDG Posts FMC Shots

Posted: Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 15:07
Precision Manuals Development Group (PMDG) has posted some new screenshots of the FMC to be included with the panel on their upcoming 737NG release for FS. You can check out these good looking shots at the Avsim PMDG Forum

LOMAC to Feature Playable Demo

Posted: Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 14:52
In a an annoucement on the "Lockon: Modern Air Combat" site Ubi Soft has revealed that a player flyable demo of LOMAC will be released shortly after the full sim becomes available in the Summer of 2003. The demo will allow players to fly the A-10 and MiG29A. To read the announcement and get the latest on this highly anticipated combat sim you are cleared to proceed at pilot's discretion to LOMAC

Lago's Turin Scenery Review

Posted: Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 18:15
"Turin is, without a doubt, one of the most important industrial and cultural cities of the Italian North. It is located at the southern fringes of the Alps, on the banks of the River Po and is home to the FIAT corporation, the best known Italian car manufacturer and of course to the world renowned Juventus Turin Football (or soccer for our American friends) Club. The city will also be host to the 2006 Winter Olympics" states Avsim Staff Reviewer Ralph Hummel in his latest offering. And he has all praise for Lago's latest offering. Check out his review here.

FlightProject International Releases Interim Version Of ICP

Posted: Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 16:29
The FPI software and network department have built a new and faster authentication server and made some changes to the ICP. Starting Wednesday, may, 28th 2003 the server will take over the duties of the current hash server. Because of a change of protocols, FPI urges all members to download the new INTERIM- Patch (Version 1.87)

Alternatively you can download the full version of ICP on the home page of FPI. Changes in ICP V1.87 1) Magnetic Variation Bug fixed 2) ATIS crash fixed when using an invalid ICAO Code 3) Handoff improved 4) protocol change for new authentication server Version 1.90 of ICP is in ongoing development and will be released together with the new pilot client IPI. 1.90 will then also enable all additional functions which are currently grayed out. Additional Information: FlightProject International (FPI) is a free of charge community where virtual pilots and controllers come together to have fun and to enjoy a realistic aviation environment utilizing the Microsoft Flightsimulator (TM) and an exclusive, cutting edge next generation radar controller client (ICP) and Voice-over-IP client (IVP).

IVP is the voice-over-IP client for voice communication between virtual controllers and pilots. Beside being very user friendly, IVP offers superb voice quality, two independent channels and it uses only minimal bandwidth. IPI is currently in development and will replace squawkbox on FPI. IPI will offer many innovative features like easy integration into the flight simulator and binary transfer of data to the FPI servers. If you are a current user of the FPI network or planning on joining, you can get the latest interim patch or download the full program here

New Update For Fs Sky World

Posted: Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 12:55
Most of us who are familier with Chris Willis's Fs Sky World program will be glad to know that the latest version V2.4 is now available. In a press release Chriss goes onto say: "No more files to install manually! -Help buttons in your main interface -All Previous Clouds Inside -Requesting Weather Report, by press Shift-R -8 New Cirrus Set -Jet Trail Fonction -8 Cumulus Overcast -8 new Cumulus -1 New Thunderstrom -Disabling V-Sky Option Set -Default fs2002 clouds Included -Moon, Sun, Raindrop, Runways lights -Easy Installation & Install Sheild -No More files In your fs2002 folder -Files Size even with the new files are 38 MB hard compressed ZIP files." If you want to download this file click here or click here to find out all that is new in V2.4

Summer AI Flight Plans In The Library

Posted: Monday, May 26, 2003 - 14:57
As the airlines gear up to roll out their summer schedules, so to are the groups that create the AI flight plans for FS2002. And in today's uploads, you will find the most comprehensive freeware package of AI flightplans ever made for FS2002. The Most Realistic AI Group's Arnt Helge Haaland has uploaded a package that has real life 2003 summer schedules for 228 airlines, including 30 of for the worlds major airlines. This gives a total of 374,649 single flights per week divided on 10,882 AI flightplans. All aircraft have their real life registration and use the RVSM altitude standard for eastbound and westbound flights. You can download the file by clicking on the File Library link above and then clicking on the What's New link in the Library.

Virtual Sailor 6.5 Ready to Set Sail

Posted: Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 22:12
Iian Papini has advised us that the latest version of his Virtual Sailor simulator has been released. The latest update includes a host of new features and upgrades, including a deep ocean waves model, fully functional GPS, Radar and Echosounder, along with a new contour map, improved submarines and autopilot, hydrofoil boat support, smoke support, and improved user interface, panel activation and joystick support. You can download a demo, as well as view screenshots, and get your update by visiting this Avsim Partner here.

BAe Panel Project Now Open

Posted: Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 22:04
Matthias Lieberecht has opened his new website The BAe Panel Project. The site contents include Matthias' previous panels, as well as information about his upcoming projects, especially for BAe and Avro aircraft. Most of the new panels are also procedural trainers containing hot-starts, wet-starts, hung-starts, engine stalls and many other typical turboprop characteristics. There is also a support forum for questions, problems and suggestions for every of the panels. You can access his website by clicking here.

Century of Aviation History Forum Now Open

Posted: Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 22:02
Are you a history buff? How about an aviation history buff? Do you have stories to share from your encounters in aviation? Or would you like to read other aviator's stories? Well, Avsim has created the place for you to share your stories as well as the stories of others. Check out our new Century of Aviation History forum, now open here.