BluePrint Releases KMSP Scenery

Posted: Thursday, November 8, 2007 - 16:48
BluePrint Scenery Simulations has released their Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (KMSP)scenery for FS9 and FSX.

Their web site states: "MSP has two terminals, the older Lindbergh terminal with its seven concourses, and the newer Humphrey terminal. The two terminals have been modeled with the highest level of detail allowed by the Flight Simulator. Special attention was paid to the accuracy of the airport layout, including runways, taxiways and ramps as well as the configuration and location of all airline gates. The FAA control tower, fire stations, general aviation, aircraft maintenance, cargo and military facilities have been depicted. The highest degree of detail was also applied to all major buildings in those areas. As a bonus, a model of the Mall of America (the US largest) is included to increase realism during approach to runway 35."

For many other features and to get your copy, head over to the BluePrint KMSP product page now!

The Gathering Has Begun!

Posted: Wednesday, November 7, 2007 - 23:58
The gathering for the AVSIM FANCON has begun! Today was the successful kick off of the Microsoft Developer's Conference and it is in full swing. The DEVCON goes through Friday at noon. After the concluding DEVCON events, registration will start for the AVSIM FANCON that kicks off that evening with the AVSIM Social! AVSIM Staffers have been on the ground in Bellevue, Washington since Saturday, preparing for both the DEVCON and FANCON events. And the hours are winging by! We are awaiting hundreds of registrants and looking forward to seeing you here! If you have not pre-registered, do so and save yourself time at the door!

Cockpitsonic Opens US Store

Posted: Wednesday, November 7, 2007 - 17:35
Cockpitsonic USA, "the exclusive representative of Cockpitsonic GmbH in United States, have started selling its high quality products to the Flight Simulator Community. Cockpitsonic USA is the only manufacturing offering plug and play solutions thanks to our exclusive Tempest Technology. The Tempest Technology allows people with no knowledge in electronics to make this parts work very quickly. For the cockpit builder, Cockpitsonic USA also offers the largest number of parts for a single aircraft type (B737) under one shop; therefore you will not spend more time looking around the world. Cockpitsonic USA also is the only manufacturer with a short lead time for part and components what translates into high customer satisfaction." If you want to stop dreaming and start flying visit Cockpitsonic USA.

FS Earth Version 5.1

Posted: Tuesday, November 6, 2007 - 19:11
That's right, FS Earth version 5.1 is now available. This unique program creates a real-time connection between Flight Simulator and Google Earth. It can be used to get a complete and detailed moving map based on the satellite images displayed in Google Earth. The latest release has a much more smooth output and several other improvements. For complete details, please visit their homepage.

Imaginesim TJSJ For FSX

Posted: Tuesday, November 6, 2007 - 16:04
IMAGINESIM announced today the release of their newest product, TJSJ San Juan for FSX. Featuring custom made runways, terminal buildings rendered to 5cm per pixel scale, operating jetways, and realistic concrete taxiways. There are also hundreds of airport vehicles and groud personnel for your enjoyment. To download the demo or for purchasing information visit them HERE.

Russian AI Traffic Available

Posted: Tuesday, November 6, 2007 - 11:04
Alexander Petrenko announced today the release of new russian traffic packages from Russian AI Traffic System. These packages include such airlines as KMV, Atlant-Soyuz, Aerobratsk and many more unique to the russian airwaves. To find out more, please visit their forums HERE.

Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche For FSX

Posted: Monday, November 5, 2007 - 17:30
Team Eaglesoft, is pleased to announce that their Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche Package for FSX has just been released. Eaglesoft has attempted, within simulator limitations, to model a faithful replica of Roy Wilbanks PA-30 Twin Comanche. From Roys beautiful N204WT livery to the included "retro" liveries, we've attempted to capture the essence of the aircraft known effectionately as the "Twinkie". More information can be found at the Eaglesoft website.

Fly Me To The Moon

Posted: Sunday, November 4, 2007 - 18:13
TerraBuilder, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of it's long anticipated Flight Simulator 2004 add-on, TerraBuilder:Moon. TerraBuilder has created an add-on unlike any other and literally out of this world. TerraBuilder Moon is a comprehensive expansion package that turns Flight Simulator's entire Earth scenery into a highly detailed world of craters, lava channels, riles and dusty regolith (lunar soil). This is not just a localized scenery that you can "fly out" of, or an enclosed arena with a roof for a sky that will simulate the lunar environment on a scale of a few square kilometers. The entire Flight Simulator environment, the whole Earth, is completely transformed from a diverse rainbow of landscape variations that our planet offers, to one of the "Magnificent Desolation" (Buzz Aldrin, Apollo 11).

It also includes an all-original LEV (Lunar Excursion Vehicle) "MoonHopper", a rocket-powered 2-seater open cockpit spacecraft with custom flight model, avionics, virtual cockpit and much more. Also included are concepts of lunar outposts with custom effects, texturing and animation. As an added bonus, the Learning Content has been included with an extensive encyclopedia on history of lunar exploration. TerraBuilder:Moon is now available for download. For more information, product details including a large collection of screenshots please visit TerraBuilder's website.

PMDG Releases 747-400X for FSX

Posted: Saturday, November 3, 2007 - 13:24
Robert Randazzo from PMDG writes to say that their long awaited 747-400X has taken to the FSX Skies!

"PMDG has released the long anticipated PMDG 747-400X! Built around the 747-400 passenger and 747-400F cargo variants, the PMDG 747-400X brings the 747-400 experience to the skies of FSX in grand style! Built from the ground up as a native FSX add-on, the PMDG 747-400X takes full advantage of the new features that are available only through FSX!

These features include sound coning, improved textures and lighting, emissive and bump mapped surfaces, vertex animation (allows the entire wing and leading/trailing edge devices to truly flex and warp!) full native use of the FSX simconnect engine, improved flight dynamics and much more! In addition to bringing the PMDG 747-400X into the FSX skies, the PMDG team has focused on providing a great value to customers by taking the opportunity to stuff plenty of new functionality into the product. From optimizations to new sounds and improved performance.

PMDG has also included as part of the product a free update for those FSX customers who also still fly their FS9 version and then topped it all off with a hefty, limited time 50% discount for previous download owners of the PMDG 747-400 Queen of the Skies! All of us at PMDG are thoroughly pleased with to bring this magnificent airliner simulation to FSX, and think that customers will truly enjoy the enhanced beauty and operation of the PMDG 747-400X that only FSX can deliver.

For details regarding eligibility for the 50% discount, please visit the PMDG forum here at AVSIM, or head right on over to PMDG before this generous discount offer expires!"

FSCheckride Now In French

Posted: Saturday, November 3, 2007 - 13:13
Brian York of CATIII Software announced today that a french language version of the FSCheckride manual is now availble and may be downloaded here.

Abacus Releases Flight Deck 5 for FSX

Posted: Friday, November 2, 2007 - 20:46
"To celebrate the worldwide launch of Flight Deck 5, we're on the road to introduce this new product. On October 27th and 28th, we had the first public unveiling of Flight Deck 5 at the OzFlight 2007 Show held in Gold Coast, Australia. On November 9, 10 and 11th, we'll have the first US showing at the Fancon Show in Seattle, Washington. On November 17th, we'll have the first European showing at the Flight & Train Simulator Show in Birmingham, UK.

From the deck of the USS Gerald R Ford, you'll fly these carrier-based aircraft:

F/A-18C HornetTM
F/A-18E Super HornetTM
E-2C Hawkeye
S-3B Viking
SH-60 Seahawk
C-2A Greyhound
EA-6B Prowler

Using our new 3WireX technology, you'll use the steam catapult to launch from the deck as you make your way to perform the challenging missions. Afterwards, you'll return to home base to set her down on the very short moving deck. The package includes 5 full and 60+ mini-missions. NOTE: Missions and 3WireX are for FSX only.

Flight Deck 5 is available immediately for FSX and FS2004 users. Shipments to hundreds of retailers throughout the US and Canada started last week."

For more information, visit the Flight Deck 5 product page.

Flight1 Software Releases FSAVIDYNE

Posted: Friday, November 2, 2007 - 18:08
Flight1 Software is proud to present the Avidyne Entegra flight deck display system gauge pack for Flight Simulator 2004 and Flight Simulator X. Based on Flight1 Aviation Technologies real world Avidyne Student training simulator, The Avidyne system integrates virtually all standard instruments and gauges into a pair of easy to manage, highly informational, color displays. View flight plan information; view traffic, receive traffic warnings, view airspace boundaries, fixes and runway / facility information, engine status plus much more using the high resolution displays; and customize the displays to your specific aircraft with the included settings manager.

The package includes a highly accurate S-TEC Fifty Five X Autopilot that seamlessly integrates with the Avidyne system and includes GPSS anticipated roll steering! Add the FSAvidyne gauges quickly to any aircraft within Flight Simulator using the easy-to-use console interface. Detailed manuals, Flight1's Gauge Config, a highly-customizable settings manager, and an FS Panel Studio demo round out the great features included with this Avidyne Entegra system gauge pack. Experience modern glass panel navigation with Flight1's FSAVIDYNE.

For more information, screenshots, and to download the product, please visit the FSAVIDYNE product page.

AlphaSim Launches An Intruder!

Posted: Friday, November 2, 2007 - 12:57
AlphaSim's A-6E Intruder package is out now. This set of FS models for FSX and FS9 features multiple weapons loadouts, multiple texture schemes, a panel suite, realistic sounds, detailed v-c and realistic flight dynamics. The FSX version further benefits from self-shadowing, bump mapping, reflection bloom and v-c self shadowing (this feature requires SP2/Vista).

Effects include automatic turbine glow and exhaust smoke, wingtip vortices and wing root flashover. The weapons loadouts are extensive; Mk.82's or Snakeyes adorn the TERs, two types of Paveway II guided bombs, Walleye, Harpoon, SLAM, HARM and Maverick as well as various aux fuel tank arrangements.

The release consists of two packages; the Main Package (Pack 1) includes 6 loadout options and 4 texture sets. The more affordable Expansion Pack (Pack 2) consists of 5 new loadout models and 4 new texture sets. This 2-package setup keeps the main package less expensive and downloadable. At the same time provides a wider experience for the true A-6 fans. The Expansion Pack will be 'expanded' with new loadout models as time goes on and requests come in (no additional cost for those). The A-6 has also been tested on the default FSX moving carriers (SP2) and is able to trap. Screenshots can be viewed on the AlphaSim News page.

Perfect Flight Freeware

Posted: Friday, November 2, 2007 - 12:51
Perfect Flight has announced new free FSX missions section on their website. The first work is Live ATC - LFPG Approach. Mission features real ATC recorded in the cockpit of a MD-80 Alitalia. You will fly an approach to Paris Charles De Gaulle International Airport. Package includes Charts, maps, Flight Briefing and adds a new Mission in the “Airline Pilot” Category of FSX Missions Menu. Visit Perfect Flight for more info and free download.

Charity Flight Releases Schedule

Posted: Friday, November 2, 2007 - 12:47
Charity Flight has released it's flight schedule for FanCon 2007! Visit the site to check out if one of your favorite simmers is flying in this event! You can catch all the action LIVE from the FanCon 2007 floor! Visit the Flight Schedule for more information.

FSDreamTeam Releases Zurich 1.1

Posted: Thursday, November 1, 2007 - 16:00
FSDreamTeam announced it has released Zurich 1.1 for FSX and FS9. According to the team, the newest version features higher resolution ground textures from 1.36 m/pixel to 68 cm/pixel, enhanced runways textures and better compatibility with high resolution meshes. Among other enhancements, the update also corrects DME position for RWY 14 ILS and adds ILS RWY 28.

For further details, please visit the FSDreamTeam website.

Good News for Cockpit Builders

Posted: Thursday, November 1, 2007 - 1:43
FlightDeck Solutions has recently added the A320 PRO-M Series MCDU w/ Built in LCD and B777 PRO-M Series CDU w/ Built in LCD to their ever expanding product line for the builder who wants fully assembled professional quality and fully functioning hardware for their flight decks.

You're cleared direct to FlightDeck Solutions for more info.

SimBucket Open For Business

Posted: Wednesday, October 31, 2007 - 16:29
SimBucket.com has officially opened its doors to the public. Their free service is a website dedicated to Flight Simulation Screenshots for the Flight Sim community to upload and share their pieces of Flight Sim art. Registered members will be able to receive feedback from other members with comments and take advantage of their unique "Diggs" system that is used to rate an image. They have many addtional features available along with monthly contest. Visit their site today to learn more, SimBucket.com.

Calling All Simulation News Writers!!

Posted: Wednesday, October 31, 2007 - 15:46
AVSIM Online is once again recruiting! Ever wanted to be a part of the news we write here on AVSIM? Have a keen interest in writing news and hunting down that killer story? Then AVSIM wants you! We are currently looking for two to three News Editors to join our team. Typical "duty" is three or four days a month of checking news, posting new files stories, and generally seeking out the news!

If interested, please submit a sample story in either MS Word or text format to John Binner, Assistant Managing Editor. Some minor HTML programming knowledge is required to post stories, but we can train!

And for those of you that have news stories for us, don't forget you can always email news stories to us! Just Email the Editors!

Register by Today for the Banquet and Social!

Posted: Wednesday, October 31, 2007 - 15:40
Special Notice!!! Time is running out to register for all the events at the 2007 AVSIM Conference and Exhibition . If you want to attend either the Friday night Social or the Saturday night Awards Banquet at the AVSIM FANCON in Seattle, you must register online by no later than 2400 EDT, TODAY!! After today, all openings for the Social and Banquet will be closed! You will not be able to gain access to these events after the 31st; you will not be able to gain access at the door! So, make your reservations now, and join us for two of the most popular events at the FANCON!

Meet your fellow flight sim enthusiasts from around the world, put faces to names, and partake in great food, drink and company! Register today! You can still attend the Exhibition and Paper Sessions by registering at the door! Join hundreds of your fellow enthusiasts in this year's largest flight sim event!

After today you will only be able to register at conference for access to the exhibits and the papers. We hate to close registration but we have to let the hotel know how many attendees we will have for the night events. So if you are planning to attend the Social or the Banquet make sure you register today.

The web site has been updated with a map of the Conference floor and new options for purchasing your tickets. This is your chance to see who will be there and where! Don't miss out! Time is running out! Click here for more information and to register.