P3-C Freeware Review Contributed

Posted: Sunday, June 5, 2005 - 3:46
Avsim Contributor Alexis Esguerra submits his first report on a new freeware aircraft. The Lockheed/Kawasaki P3-C Orion by FS KBT.

"For military aircraft, the P-3 Orion is one of those hard to improve upon types that continue to excel at what it was designed to do," says Alexis, "the Orion has served in many roles outside its original concept, including electronic warfare, hurricane hunting, and transport."

Some comments Alexis makes about this freeware product include, "KBT is well known for its stunning graphical representation of the aircraft it models, and the Orion is no exception. Those who have spent any amount of time with this bird will appreciate how well KBT did on the external model."

General comments about the aircraft, Alexis notes, "Those who have spent any amount of time with this bird will appreciate how well KBT did on the external model and the KBT Orion’s handling is excellent." "Overall, it is an outstanding piece of work, reflecting careful effort on the part of the developers to get things just right."

To read the complete review of this freeware version of the P3-C, click here.

San Diego Here We Come

Posted: Saturday, June 4, 2005 - 18:25
"Will you be joining the "movers and shakers" of the Flight Simulation industry this year? The AVSIM 2005 Conference and Exhibition in San Diego is now only three months away! Last year's conference in Denver was the event that Microsoft chose for the announcement of their FS2004 Update. Flight simulation enthusiasts were able to see previews of such products as the Flight 1 ATR 72-500 and the Level-D 767, and speak face-to-face with the developers of many others. The AVSIM Conference Awards Dinner continued to be the definitive annual event recognising those who have made significant contributions to the world of flight simulation. Will you be a part of the action this year?

This year's event in San Diego's spectacular Aerospace Museum promises to be even more successful. Hear Conference speakers on wide-ranging flight simulation topics, see current and future products at the Exhibition, mix and socialise with like-minded hobbyists at the Social Events. Take time off to relax with some high-g turns in an optional Warbird or Biplane Adventure. Do yourself a favor, don't just daydream about it, go ahead and Register today. You won't regret it!"

SimFlyer Releases GMXv1

Posted: Saturday, June 4, 2005 - 4:05
The SimFlyer team has announced the release of the GMXv1, its version of the Garmin GNS480/MX20 stack. Also included in the release is the PMA8000 Audio Panel from PS-Engineering and the Garmin SL40 transceiver. You can read more here.

Eaglesoft Development Group Releases Corporate Jet Series On CD

Posted: Saturday, June 4, 2005 - 4:02
Eaglesoft Development Group are pleased to announce that the first CD Version of their Corporate Jet Series is now available, featuring their acclaimed Cessna Citation X for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004! All four models described below are included in one package so a variety of computer system users will benefit and are selectable from your aircraft menu! Ultralight Frame Rate Friendly Model: The Cabin windows are dark tint, No visible Cabin from external view, No Virtual Cockpit or Cabin ! Light Frame Rate Friendly Model: The Cabin windows are dark tint, No visible Cabin from external view, Virtual Cockpit no Virtual Cabin ! Standard Rate Model: Full featured model including Virtual Cockpit, Virtual Cabin, minus Animated Female Passenger, and other Deluxe features! Deluxe Rate Model: The Standard Rate Model with Animated Female Passenger, and other deluxe features and eye candy! The Cessna Citation X CD Version includes Manuals in English and French, Checklists, User Modpack, and Fuselage and Wing Paint Templates. More information can be found here.

IVAO Releases “IvAp 1.0.0” as GOLD

Posted: Saturday, June 4, 2005 - 3:57
IVAO, has released their new pilot client as “GOLD”. As many flight simulation enthusiasts know, this new pilot client has been in beta testing since August of 2004. With the assistance of IVAO’s Beta Testing team and subsequently several preview releases to all of the members in October of 2004, IVAO’s Software Development Team has now made available IvAp as a Full Release version. The release of IvAp today, is on the eve of IVAO’s Crowded Skies-North American Event on June 4th at 1700Z where they are expecting to surpass their previous record of over 1100 connections to the IVAN Network for Pilot’s and Controllers being online. With the additions of many new MTL library files, which represent many real world commercial carriers, the “Real as it Can Get” experience should be spectacular. For more information and to download the “Gold” release of IvAp, please go here

Airbus Holiday Destinations

Posted: Friday, June 3, 2005 - 15:44
Aerosoft GmbH has released their Airbus Holiday Destinations package. This package features a part of the Airbus-Fleet with 3 well equipped Airbus models as well as 3 well known and fascinating holiday destinations. Fly the Airbus A330-200, the A321 and the A320 with its detailed Cockpits (2D and 3D). Real sounds, original panels and instruments combined with flight dynamics are only a few of many highlights of these virtual aircraft. The cockpits are easy to use, in particular the Flight Management Computer (FMC) which will not require hours of studying manuals. The package also includes scenery for Kos Greece, Faro Portugal and Monastir Tunisia. The airports have dynamic objects such as moving cars on the apron to make the sceneries come to life. Hotels, ships, sail- and motorboats, will put you in the holiday mood while a visit to the famous mosque or the fortress in Monastir will allow some sightseeing. Discover the unique southern charm of every airport enhanced through the night textures. The Airbus-Fleet and every holiday destination is also available at their download shop here.

Flightdeck Technology Launches 2 New Products

Posted: Friday, June 3, 2005 - 15:43
Two new product ranges for the sim-builder world have recently been launched by new UK company Flightdeck Technology. According to the press release, "SIM-board "Simulator Interface Modules" offer a flexible way to interface with many different hardware items, and provide the perfect control solution for many types of home cockpit application. Easy stack'n'store design coupled with powerful point-and-click software functionality allow users to quickly wire up their hardware and get it working in their simulator using MSFS or Project Magenta in the shortest possible time. Advanced users will also appreciate the powerful SIM-board Scripting Language which allows interfacing to many other third-party programs as well as the possibility of advanced hardware/software interfacing. SIM-boards are available now for worldwide shipment at the Flightdeck Technology Online Shop at www.flightdecktechnology.com. Also being offered for sale are a new range of white-color 7-segment displays. These are the perfect display solution for any home cockpit allowing you to step away from fixed, harsh colors and make your autopilot and communication panels look authentic and real. The genuine white light is superbly crisp and clear and can be made into any color shade by overlaying color filters in front of the units if required. Using the SIM-board 7-Segment Display Module to control them you can even vary the brightness of the displays to suit your application and simulator mood!' These white 7-segment display units are available now at the Flightdeck Technology Online Shop here.

TweakFS Freeware Path Utility

Posted: Friday, June 3, 2005 - 15:41
FS2004 utility developer TweakFS has released a handy tool which helps to analyze and repair the FS9 entry in the Windows registry. Many FS applications and their installers depend on knowing the path to the FS9.exe as reported in the Windows Registry. But what if the registry entry has been corrupted or deleted when reinstalling Windows? Manually copying the FS9 folder to another folder or drive will also invalidate the registry entry. This may in some cases prevent an FS add-on from working correctly and require a reinstall of FS2004. The FS9 Path Utility was prepared especially for users who manually copied the FS2004 installation to another folder or drive and reformatted their drives, but want to retain their FS2004 installation with all its add-ons. Using this utility avoids the need to reinstall FS2004 and allows you to restore the path in the registry quickly and easily. To download this freeware application visit here.

FlightParis: Basepack Released

Posted: Friday, June 3, 2005 - 15:41
FlightScenery and France VFR have announced the release of FlightParis: BasePack The FlightParis BasePack covers the Ile-de-France region with photorealistic textures. The virtual pilot can experience both VFR and IFR flights within a very large zone. The first of the FlightParis series, the BasePack is an optimized package where all the default scenery elements have been reworked. Upcoming FlightZone products will further add to the realism of the region with high-resolution photorealistic airports and full custom autogen. For all the details click here or here.

Wings of Power - WWII Heavy Bombers and Jets Reviewed

Posted: Friday, June 3, 2005 - 2:15
Avsim Staff Reviewer David Swindle continues with another review of the Wings of Power series from Shockwave Productions.
This time he takes a look at WWII Heavy Bombers and Jets.

Heavy bombers and jets come with a multitude of aircraft. These include a B-17F, B-17G, B-29, B-24J, B-24D, PB4Y (the naval version of the B-24), two versions of the Lancaster, an AR-234, Ta-183 and He-162. "The Shockwave team has done an admirable job on the external models, and all of the models are very well shaped and generally look very realistic," reports David.

David explains how they look good both inside and out. He comments, "The 2d panels in Wings Of Power are about on par with the visual models in that they have a few issues, but for the most part, they are high quality. Just as there is an incredible variety in the aircraft and panels, so too is there a big variety of VC’s."

Flying a World War two bomber was no easy task. Bombers often took off in horrible weather at maximum overload weight and then proceeded to fly hundreds of miles over enemy territory while being shot at by flak and fighters alike. "The Shockwave team did an excellent job in the flight dynamics department, remarks Dave.

He sums up his review with, "Overall, I think that Shockwave has done a commendable job of producing a high quality multi-aircraft package and I think that most simmers would enjoy this product."

To read the complete review of this second contribution from Shockwave Productions, click here.

ATCsimulator2 Live Traffic Feed Update

Posted: Friday, June 3, 2005 - 0:34
Russell B. Davis Studios, Inc. (formerly AEROSOFT USA) announces that ATCsimulator2 LIVE TRAFFIC FEED is on its way. Here are 3 preview screens that were captured today by ATCsimulator2: DFW, MEM, and ORD. The LIVE TRAFFIC FEED! is scheduled to be released on Monday, June 6, 2005. This will be a free downloadable update for existing ATCsimulator2 users and will become part of the standard ATCsimulator2 product. For the latest news and information, visit here.

SimKits Now Supports Project Magenta

Posted: Thursday, June 2, 2005 - 21:24
Thanks to the support of Jonathan Richardson and Enrico Schiratti from Project Magenta, SimKits now includes the "Click-and-Play" codes for Project Magenta into the Multi Controller software. Now you choose from 468 different instruments (LED's, Switches or Gauges) to be controlled by one or more Multi Controllers without any programming knowledge. Just "click" the instrument you like to control and assign it to an I/O line of the Multi Controller. The user manual describes each possible instrument in clear non-technical language. Download the newest version of the user manual here.

Checkout the Simkits instruments, visit the SimKits website here.

Xp-Simulation Set to Release Montpellier Scenery

Posted: Thursday, June 2, 2005 - 21:17
Xp-Simulation is proud to announce that their Montpellier scenery is on final approach. This scenery will cover over 1000 square kilometers of area around Montpellier and will include two airports, photorealistic texture, special autogen scenery, AI Traffic and a special AI fleet. For more information, including videos, on this product, visit the Xp-Simulation website here.

No Delay 2005 Fly-in at Helsinki-Vantaa (EFHK)

Posted: Thursday, June 2, 2005 - 21:06
VACC Finland, Finnish Scenery Designers and Finnish Virtual Aviators' Association have organized a realistic and professional fly-in event for Helsinki-Vantaa Airport on the VATSIM Network for Thursday, June 16, 2005. The event begins at 1500 UTC and continues late into the night until 0000 UTC.

Construction work on the main runway, a high traffic volume and certain extra features will give pilots a unique online flying experience in Finland. One of the special features of this event is that most of the ATC service is organized from CAVOK 2005, a week-long virtual aviation meeting at Jämijärvi, Finland. At this location there are two tower positions with visual views, flight strips and accessories.

More information, flight plans, charts, sceneries and a detailed description are available at the No Delay event website here.

Thirdwire Issues Combat Sim Updates

Posted: Wednesday, June 1, 2005 - 12:59
Combat simmers flying any of Thirdwire Productions' combat sims ("Strike Fighters; Project 1", "Strike Fighters Gold" or "Wings Over Vietnam") will want to check out the recently issued updates to all 3 of these 60's era fighter sims. You can read about and get the updates here

Online Simulations Previews EMB-120 Panel

Posted: Wednesday, June 1, 2005 - 12:41
Online Simulation Solutions has just released some initital screen captures of their upcoming EMB-120 panel for FS2004. You can check out these great looking shots by cancelling IFR and proceeding direct to Online Simulation Solutions"

Crossing Italy Scenery Package Released

Posted: Wednesday, June 1, 2005 - 12:35
In a message to Avsim today Perfect Flight announced the release of "Crossing Italy." According to the release message Crossing Italy "...is a game add-on for Microsoft Flight Simulator that lets you fly in Italy using real Airline liveries and routes. You can manage your flight before compiling an adventure and [then] select it from 500 pre-saved flights. Additionally, you can use more than 400 navigation charts and maps, all accessible during the flight."

Interested simmers can get more more info and see screenshots by proceeding at pilot's discretion to Perfect Flight

Famous Dakota Added To MAAM-SIM Pack

Posted: Tuesday, May 31, 2005 - 16:04
The free C-47 expansion pack for owners of MAAM-SIM's R4D/DC-3 CD, scheduled for release on June 6, the 61st Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion, will include both cargo and paratrooper configured USAAF 'Skytrains' as previewed in their previous announcement. MAAM-SIM has just announced the addition of two British Dakota Mk III transports, one of which is arguably the most famous RAF Dakota of the war. For all of the details check out the full press release here.

Aerosoft Presents Airbus Holiday Destinations

Posted: Tuesday, May 31, 2005 - 12:39
This add-on for the Microsoft Flight Simulator contains part of the Airbus fleet with 3 well-equipped Airbus models as well as 3 superbly detailed European holiday destinations.

The aircraft models, an Airbus A330-200, A321 and A320 all have highly detailed cockpits (2D and 3D). Real sounds, original instruments and a realistic flight model are only some of the highlights of these fabulous virtual aircraft which come in more than 40 different liveries.

In addition the user can fly these aircraft to the fantastic and highly detailed holiday destinations of Kos,Greece Faro, Portugal and Monastir, Tunisia.

All three sceneries have an exact elevation model with many objects surrounding the airports, i.e. hotels, ships, boats, a fortress in Monastir, etc. Dynamic objects such as vehicles on the apron or swaying palm trees create this special holiday feeling.

Airbus Holiday Destinations is currently available in an English and German (LTU 2005) version. In the near future a Spanish boxed version will be released. Each version includes a printed manual with charts.

Screenshots and even a special video of this package can be found
Here.

WorldSceneries Announces Two X-Plane Products

Posted: Monday, May 30, 2005 - 21:16
Rio de Janeiro is one of the most beautiful places in the world. X-plane users can now fly to the "Wonderful City" and land at any of its six airports. Santos Dumont and Galeao Int'l are both highly detailed. Some important reference points such as Sugar Loaf, Urca, Corcovado, Rio Niteroi Bridge and major buildings provide you total immersion during your approaches. A new scenery mesh and more than 17,000 square miles of realistic texture make Rio a fantastic scenery to have for X-Plane.

Beginning in 1962, Neiva Aeronautics Industry developed the highly sucessful T-25 Universal, a substitute for the North American T-6, specifically for military training. WorldSceneries' model is friendly to fly and was developed with assistance from the Flight Instruction Subdivision of the Brazilian Air force Academy. The Academy's flight instructors were involved in the project to check all aircraft parameters and helped to guarantee maximum realism.

To check out both of these exciting new products, visit WorldSceneries here.