Traffic X from Just Flight

Posted: Thursday, January 22, 2009 - 3:31
Senior staff reviewer gene Davis adds to his AI sim world with Just Flight's Traffic X. "Traffic X includes worldwide AI coverage all in one little package. With it you will have access to over 80 different airplane models with over 1700 different liveries and variants. Besides including Commercial Aviation traffic, there is also General Aviation traffic, helicopter traffic and military traffic that is region specific to each individual aircraft, airplane and helicopter. Every aircraft that is included with Traffic X has been created to make full use of the FSX graphics engine."

"Traffic X offers the user several options when in Flight Simulator for enjoying the AI aircraft. The first is a tower that comes in several different models and functions, like an aircraft that can be placed at any airport using the slew commands; it does include a working radar and NAV screen. Traffic X also includes a couple of vehicles, a follow me car and a pushback vehicle that will allow you to tour the airports jetways and get up close and personal with the AI. Finally, there is Spotty and this is that guy that stands outside the fence of just about every airport armed with his camera and binoculars."

"Traffic X, for me, was a must have and it is a definite favorite of mine. Its overall ease of use and wide array of aircraft makes this product one of the more versatile AI products."

Airbus Series v1 & v2 Upgraded

Posted: Thursday, January 22, 2009 - 1:31
Wilco Publishing and feelThere have released a new UPGRADE for Airbus Series Volume 1 and Volume 2. With a new set of improvements and fixes, Airbus Series remain today's most advanced AIRBUS simulation for Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Noted improvements and fixes :
- Additional Keyboard Shortcuts for better hardware compatibility
- Improved Flight Management Computer simulation
- Optimized Navigraph database compatibility

"Aviation & Mission" For 737 Pilot in Command

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 1:10
Wilco announces the first title of the Aviation & Mission series has been designed specifically to work with their 737 Pilot in Command. Whatever your flying skills, Aviation & Mission has something for every pilot. These series of original missions will widen your Flight Simulator flying experience in a whole new way.

For novices, Aviation & Mission will guide you in a gentle and friendly manner through all aspects of general aircraft handling, from a ‘cold and dark’ cockpit through to the landing and engine shut down procedures.

Experienced Flight Simulator users will be challenged by exciting flights, undertaken in unusual circumstances or with sudden emergencies thrown at them. Your skills and ability to take split-second decisions will be the only way to succeed against unexpected events!

Those with pilot licenses will experience what it’s like to be a real commercial pilot... Get ready to face in-flight problems and challenging situations. Improve your virtual flying skills and gain proficiency by mastering them.

SkySim Releases The Mirage III

Posted: Monday, January 19, 2009 - 1:49
Undoubtably the most successful aircraft produced by the French aviation industry, the Dassault Mirage III entered service with the French air force in 1960. It has also been sold to, or been produced under license by, more than 20 countries and it has seen combat from the Middle East to southern Africa and South America. It was the principal fighter of the Israeli Air Force for many years, Israel enevtually developing their own version,, the IAI Dagger which was used by Argentina in the Falklands war. Argentina also used Mirage III interceptors during that campaign, but kept these for the defence of mainland. The Mirage III is seen by some as the Western worlds version of the Mig-21.

Now you can fly this fighter by downloading it from the SkySim website.

WingWare XB-70 Valkyrie Review

Posted: Sunday, January 18, 2009 - 16:02
Avsim Staff Reviewer Mark Kolo has taken a look at the XB-70 Valkyrie released by WingWare. The XB-70 was a prototype for the proposed B-70 bomber designed to penetrate Soviet air defenses and drop a nuclear payload on behalf of the Strategic Air Command. The XB-70 can trace its roots all the way back to “General Operation Requirement #38” that proposed a new bomber that embraced the best traits of the B-52 (Primarily Range) and the B-58 (Speed). The proposed aircraft would have to be capable of speeds between Mach 3.0 and Mach 3.2 with a ceiling at or above 70,000 feet and a range of over 10,000 miles.

Mark says the summerises this aircraft by saying: "The plane was pleasant to fly in all flight regimes other than approach, though it was still fun in a challenging way that left you with a sense of accomplishment. WingsWare has impressed me with this first release, thanks to a realistic and frame rate friendly aircraft that provides a unique flight experience. I found that despite the default sounds, the package was of very high quality. I truly enjoyed the experience of learning to fly this amazing and unique aircraft" Have a read of the full review of the XB-70 Valkyrie is a something you would like to add to your own hanger.

XPOI from FSDreamteam

Posted: Saturday, January 17, 2009 - 8:11
Staff reviewer Jon Murchison goes world exploring with FSDreamteam's XPOI(Points of Interest). "XPOI is a geographical information tool that utilizes the "couatl" engine and claims 8 million points of interest across the globe; each one of these represented by a graphical icon and descriptive text."

"XPOI is a living utility. What does that mean? XPOI doesn’t access a pre-installed database but instead utilizes geographical information it downloads in real time from Geonames which it then displays visually within the FSX world. Where appropriate, and the information is available, it will also access details through Wikipedia to display in an on-screen browser, all within FSX."

"Because Geonames drives this information, the categories presented are the same as those that can be selected for display on the Geonames web page. It can point out such things as rivers, mountains, reefs, buildings, roads, bridges, famous places, parks, hospitals, oil wells, cemeteries and more."

"XPOI is a unique product. In a way, it’s like Google Earth on steroids but with the ability to fly. I am immensely impressed with XPOI and have learned a lot since I started to use it. It looks great in FSX and I found it incredibly interesting and lots of fun to explore. Integrating Wikipedia into the mix is brilliant. I can certainly recommend this add-on to anyone keen on learning more about what makes up the FSX world around them."

Just Flight Assists Media

Posted: Saturday, January 17, 2009 - 1:43
Just Flight was approached by BBC and ITN news agencies to replicate the US Airways A320 flight that "terminated" as a cruise on the Hudson River.

Scott Phillips of Just Flight reports, "BBC News contacted us to assist them with their report on the LaGuardia plane crash and so our team stepped up to the plate to oblige. In a very short space of time we were able to provide them with a simulated reconstruction of the flight, engine failure and subsequent ditching in the Hudson River. Having seen the flight in detail, with the full engine failure at 3000 feet, the dramatic turn over the George Washington Bridge at about 1000 feet with no engines and the final ditching opposite the 48th Street Pier, it is clear just what an amazing piece of flying was carried out by Captain Sullenberger. Our reconstruction used the A320 from Airbus Series and LaGuardia airport scenery from World Airports 3, all running in FSX. The BBC crew attended the office and the reporter did his piece to camera from the Just Flight office and at the aircraft controls was Martyn Northall from our tech support team.

We also had ITN, the other main broadcaster over here, on our case tonight, so we rushed back to the office to do this all again and provided them with footage. Watch The Video Here .

World Airports 3 Released

Posted: Saturday, January 17, 2009 - 1:38
Just Flight is pleased to announce the imminent release of five of the best for Flight Simulator! The latest instalment in the World Airports series brings five fantastic airports to Flight Simulator X and 2004.

As the title suggests, the airports in the pack are in the North American region - Atlanta International (KATL), Charlotte Douglas International (KCLT), Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International (KCVG), Nassau Lynden Pindling International (MYNN) and San Juan Luis Munoz Marin, Puerto Rico (TJSJ). In addition, owners of World Airports 3 will be able to expand their collection further with two upgrade packs, available exclusively to purchase direct from their World Airports 3 disc. The upgrades will add Kansas City International Airport (KMCI) and New York LaGuardia Airport (KLGA) to the World Airports 3 range.

The World Airports series has been bringing flight simulation fans the best airport scenery for the last eight years. Now Flight Simulator X users can takeoff and land from some of the best destinations in North America. Developed by the highly experienced scenery design team at Imagine Simulations, the airports are re-created to an astonishing level of detail. Among the unique features are custom-made runways, airport vehicles, breathtaking night lighting, full ILS navigation and lots more.

Some of the features include:
- Terminal buildings are rendered to an incredible 5cm per pixel - get up close and personal with every airport!
- Airports look fantastic when darkness falls thanks to beautifully lit buildings and parking areas. Complete airport taxiway and runway lighting is also included.
- Hundreds of airport vehicles and ground personnel are featured and aircraft can be found parked at custom textured parking positions.
- Interactive docking system will help you to park you right on the mark.
- Runways and taxiways are individually modelled with realistic textures.
- Take a look round the airports in the driveable 'Follow Me' car.
- 3D approach lighting and full ILS navigation included.

A Little Help From Just Flight

Posted: Saturday, January 17, 2009 - 1:32
A PDF tutorial and tutorial flight from YBBN (Brisbane) to YSSY (Sydney) for 757 Captain is now available. It can be installed into both FS2004 and FSX. To install the tutorial (6.1 MB) you'll need your Just Flight 757 Captain DVD in the drive. The tutorial covers the programming and functionality of various aircraft systems including the FMC/CDU, Traffic and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS II), as well as the fully functioning autoland system.

VR-920 Head Mounted Display from Vuzix

Posted: Friday, January 16, 2009 - 3:10
Staff reviewer Jeremy Jeffreys straps on a pair of high tech goggles and flies in a total immersion environment with Vuzix's VR-920 Head Mounted Display.

"The Vuzix website states that the display is equivalent to a person seated 9 feet away from a 62” screen. The HMD includes a head tracker giving it the ability to provide three axis tracking, Yaw, Roll, and Pitch. The HMD is very light in weight but you must get the ear buds, nose pieces and head strap fit to your head to be comfortable."

"Does the iWear VR920 allow a user to interact with a computer-simulated environment, be it a real or imagined one? I would whole heartedly say yes, and iWear has really hit a home run with their VR920 HMD."

New VoxATC version now in Avsim Store

Posted: Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 16:12
VoxATC, the popular Air Traffic Control program , is now available in version 5.55. It includes more voices, more aircraft and more . You can get VoxATC from the Avsim store, or from any flight simulator distributor. The Avsim store is also carrying the Pro Flight Switch Panel from Saitek reviewed on this site.
Visit the new Avsim Store today.

GMap 1.1, With Chart Support

Posted: Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 6:39
FSWidgets has released an update to GMap for FSX, the freeware moving map system. Version 1.1 of all four GMap editions - EFB, Browser, Garmin and iPhone - adds a chart loading function with support for a new open format calibration system for aeronautical charts, overlaying them onto the Google Maps display. Sample TAC and Sectional charts are included and you can easily create your own charts as outlined in the GMap documentation. EFBFSX (Electronic Flight Bag for FSX) users also need to download the latest build (Version 1.3 - a free update) to use this new GMap release as a module under EFBFSX. Aside from the GMap 1.1 support, EFBFSX 1.3 now also accepts PNG image files on the WX page and includes the same customizable memory optimization feature included in the new GMap module.

FanCon 2009, Don't Miss It!

Posted: Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 6:35
We are pleased to announce that we have opened registrations for this year's AVSIM FANCON. The 2009 FANCON will be held in Dayton, Ohio on Friday, September 4th through Sunday, the 6th. The venue will be at the Hope Hotel, located on the Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Nearby is the Aviation Museum of the Air Force; the largest, most extensive display of aviation history in the world. At the FANCON you will visit dozens of displays related to flight simulation, have the option of attending our Friday Night Flight Simmer's Social and the Saturday night Awards Banquet. The Saturday Banquet will see the presentation of AVSIM's prestigious BRAVO ZULU AWARDS, and the community voted for READER CHOICE AWARDS. You can register here in our new RSVP System. We look forward to seeing you in Dayton!