FS2Crew For The Airbus from Wilco/feelThere

Posted: Saturday, September 8, 2007 - 22:39
Senior staff reviewer Paul Middleton continues his reviews of the Wilco/feelThere FS2Crew series. This time it's the Airbus A320. "For those still unfamiliar with this product series, it meets the need of virtual pilots who want to simulate the professional routine of life in that office at the front of the plane. So not only is there that important paperwork to deal with, and those little passenger emergencies that keep cropping up, but you have someone in the right-hand seat to share the workload and checklists with. So it's more "real as it gets" than flying a passenger jet in solitary splendour."

"FS2Crew simulates all those people that a real-life pilot normally interacts with. There's the Ground Crew, who do such things as bring you paperwork and push you back. There are the flight attendants who do such things as tell you when the cabin is ready and report on passengers needing assistance. And last but not least, there is your Flying Officer, who works many of the switches, runs through the checklists with you, and points out when you do something wrong. He does reduce your workload so that you, as the pilot, can do all the Captain's stuff, like hold the controls, set the autopilot, plan your descent, or just look out of the window."

Paul explains in detail what happens inside the cockpit while sitting at the gate, during the pushback, start and taxi phases, takeoff, clinb and cruise, and finally the approach and landing. "I have never noticed any additional performance overhead from using FS2Crew. I also find it to be completely reliable. As long as you know the Airbus and its systems, so you know what's going on and what your FO is up to; and as long as you work through the Tutorial Flight a couple of times to become familiar with it, it'll become your tried and trusted friend in the cockpit."

In summary Paul comments, "This is the fourth FS2Crew review I have done, and once again Bryan York has produced a little masterpiece. FS2Crew for the Wilco Feelthere Airbus is the latest in a series of excellent products from this stable. If you are a 'bus flyer, you shouldn't be without it!"

RATS Gets An Upgrade

Posted: Saturday, September 8, 2007 - 20:16
The Russian AI Traffic System has released a new package that includes 2 different versions of textures (full and optimized) and also flightplans. All regular and charter flights for Summer-07 season and more than 40 excellent repaints. Also, their Forum has 2 languages: Russian and English, so now you can join their discussions, create your own or ask questions. Check out the RATS website for the details.

SimFlyer Releases Series X SR2

Posted: Friday, September 7, 2007 - 16:04
SimFlyer has just announced that Service Release 2 of their new Series X product line is now available! This release includes a free TCAS update on all 3 packages. Current customers can update to this latest service release free of charge by simply downloading and re-installing the latest product version. See the SimFlyer website for more information.

The Pyrenees from FranceVFR

Posted: Friday, September 7, 2007 - 3:00
Staff reviewer Angelique van Campen takes us on a scenic tour of the Pyrenees mountain area as presented by FranceVFR. "The Pyrenees are a range of mountains in southwest Europe that form a natural border between France and Spain. They separate the Iberian peninsula from France and extend for about 430 kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea."

"It is indeed very, very photorealistic. It doesn’t make any difference if it's daylight, sunrise or sunset. Some screenshots look so unbelievably real, it’s scary! As with every photorealistic scenery, it shows you what is possible and with the additional autogen package, it makes it even more compatible with the real world."

Angelique taks you on a VFR tour of the area included in this add-on and words cannot describe the screenshots along the way. Although, Angelique does a very good job with her descriptive flight route. How does this add-on perform? "No frame drop at all. At least it was not noticeable by me if I had any frame rate drops."

Summing up FranceVFR's Pyrenees, Angelique says, "For this photorealistic scenery I can say, it is and it stays impressive. I think it’s mainly because of the reality. If France is your favorite country and you want to spend a little more money, I can recommend you to buy the Mediterranean Base and Autogen package and the Riviera packages as well. Based on these flight experiences, I can conclude that this package is definite a worthwhile investment."

Dispatch Planner 3.2 Update Released

Posted: Wednesday, September 5, 2007 - 16:45
Dispatch Planner have announced Update 3.2 to their product, with new features such as an interactive Dispatch Report, alternate capability, more accurate fuel calculation, improved weather retrieve engine, FSX and FS9 dual compatibilty, more aircraft profiles and many more tweaks, fixes and improvements.

Visit the Dispatch Planner website to find out more.

Attention Developers

Posted: Wednesday, September 5, 2007 - 2:31
Do you like to develop your own scenery, add-on or AI aircraft? Have you posted your work to the AVSIM Library and watched hundreds of fellow simmers download your efforts? Well, Microsoft is holding their Developer's Conference 7-9 Nov in conjunction with AVSIM's Fan Conference 9-11 Nov, and it may be just the thing for you.

If you are interested in learning new skills, advancing what you know to the next level and networking with the big boys of the simulation software world, then you may be interested in attending the 2007 Microsoft Developers Conference at the Bellevue Hilton (Seattle, Washington). When you combine this event with AVSIM's conference, you have a full 5 days of informational activities, events and invaluable one-on-one time with the Aces development team. Topics will range from Flight to Train to “other” simulation genres and opportunities.

If interested, please send a one-paragraph description of who you are, what your interests are in the Flight Simulator or Train Simulator Development Communities, and what you hope to get out of the conference, to the Conference Manager (please mark the subject “DevCon Request"). Once approved, you will be sent an official invitation and information on how to register. Please note that signing of a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and Technical Preview Agreement (TPA) will be required before entrance to the DevCon is allowed. This means that anything you learn at the DevCon portion of the event is confidential and cannot be discussed in any public fashion, as well as providing for any technical feedback to be potentially implemented in future Aces offerings.

Seats are limited, and it’s a first-come, first-served offering. If you've been sitting on the fence about attending, now you have 2 reasons for being there. Don’t delay – and we hope to see you there!

FlightSim Google Group

Posted: Wednesday, September 5, 2007 - 2:12
FSAdventureSky (Gera Godoy C), developer and editor of Freeware Adventure Flights(FS9/FSX) has opened a Google Group for all pilots flying his adventures as well as bush pilots that like to fly into very dangerous skies surrounded by mountains, jungles, rivers, lakes and all kinds of hard to get places. His adventures span the globe from Alaska to Nepal giving the rugged bush pilot very dangerous flights in his Sim. By joining the group you will be able to participate in flights full of danger "before" they are published as well as a friendly FBO to meet fellow pilots, ask questions about the adventures, place photos and just chat about our wonderful hobby.

Attention European Simmers

Posted: Wednesday, September 5, 2007 - 1:45
SimWare Simulations organises its SimWare Simulations Show ‘08 on November 2nd, 3rd and 4th 2007 at the Cinquantenaire down in the centre of Brussels. This exhibition provides everyone with a good opportunity to see, test and buy all latest developments and new software in the simulation field.

Among others, some important titles are:
- Microsoft to present their Flight Simulator X - Acceleration Pack, the latest addition to their Flight Simulator X.
- Electronic Arts/Kuju to present their Rail Simulator - New railroad simulation !
- VStep to present their Ship Simulator 2008 - Ship simulation published by VStep.
- Eagle Dynamics/Ubisoft to present their Black Shark - Long awaited Combat Helicopter simulation !
- Cimflightdeck to demonstrate their full motion platform.
- Saitek to present their brand new flight controls products "Pro Flight"

This event is co-organized with the Automobile Museum in Autoworld’s premises at the Cinquantenaire along with their "Icarus’s Dream" focusing on light and micro-light aviation. Entrance to the museum grants free access to the SimWare Simulations Show as well as to the “Icarus’s Dream” exhibition. Free parking available throughout the whole exhibition duration.

Boeing 737 Flight Simulator Video

Posted: Wednesday, September 5, 2007 - 1:14
AviaFilms Production has announced the release of their new Boeing 737 Full Flight Simulator video. The film gives you a chance to witness what it is like to fly a full motion simulator of a 60 ton airline. The video is packed with both interesting and at the same time educational footage which was filmed from all kinds of view perspectives. In order to diversify the film they fly from several different airports and perform various traffic circuits. Explanatory subtitles have been added in order to explain the viewer the flying procedures and warnings which occur throughout the whole flying session. This should bring back some memories for those that attended the AVSIM conference in Denver.

XGraphics from HiFi Simulations Software

Posted: Monday, September 3, 2007 - 20:20
Staff reviewer Allen Lavigne completes his look at the second of 2 releases by HiFi Simulations Software, X Graphics. "You can buy Active Sky X and XGraphics separately, or as a bundle. Not that they are in any way uncomplimentary. Nor are they inseparable. You can completely enjoy one without the other."

"X Graphics is an application that is only used before launching FSX in order to pre-install appropriate weather-influenced or a user’s desired set of textures, and is no longer used once FSX has begun to load, it can then be closed. If you also have Active Sky X installed, the simplest way to use XG is to use its weather-influenced choice of textures."

"There are 52 themes in XG. Not every theme will alter each and every texture option from your previous theme selection. You may go from one theme to another without changing certain textures. However, quite a few are altered. You can tell just how many by fast switching between two selections of themes while observing one of the four sub-page categories of Cloud/Sky/Sun, Water, Airports/Roads, and Lights/Sounds. Surprisingly, frame rates using the highest quality were fine on my system. Personally, I always try for the best quality to the detriment of high fps."

Allen's review contains many screenshots to show examples of what is acheivable within XGraphics. Products of this nature are best seen with descriptive captions. In his summary he says, "there are two ways I like using X Graphics. First and best liked is the weather influenced selection available only through Active Sky X, which I find relevant and easy to use. Second, without ASX installed, the use of themes is very easy and most sets produce excellent results without much fuss. This is not just a bunch of textures made to look nice, it is a massive texture installation engine."

The Final Mike Ray Article

Posted: Monday, September 3, 2007 - 17:00
The 8th article is the final one in this series and in this article Mike is comparing the Boeing and Airbus cockpits. The articles are all available from the FSVisions website. The articles are free for download, thanks to a cooperation between Computer Pilot, Captain Mike Ray and FSVisions.

Google Earth Easter Egg: Flight Simulator

Posted: Sunday, September 2, 2007 - 18:54
Apparently, the latest version of Google Earth has an easter egg: a flight simulator. It's not quite like Microsoft Flight Simulator, but it's a promising start.

Pushback Frustrations

Posted: Saturday, September 1, 2007 - 20:08
AVSIM fan Joe Glasper has been frustrated with the lack of detailed instructions within MSFS with regards to the default Pushback Controls. He has asked AVSIM to post his contribution to the simming world with his detailed explanation of the pushback controls.

Cessna 441 Conquest II by Flight 1

Posted: Saturday, September 1, 2007 - 19:33
Staff reviewer Alan Bradbury looks at the updated Flight 1 Cessna 441 Conquest II. "In essence, the 441 is a pressurized Cessna 404 Titan with turboprop engines and slightly longer wings, although many think of it as the turboprop version of Cessna’s 421 Golden Eagle."

"Starting from the outside, what you have is a visually pleasing aeroplane that is well modeled and looks impressively shiny for a thirty year-old bus. There’s very little to choose in appearance between the FSX and FS9 model incarnations, and what differences there are, largely come down to the simulation’s display capabilities. Frame rates are good for this model in both FS9 and FSX. This may be because there is no over-the-top modeling of every single wire and tube in the undercarriage wheel wells and most of the fuselage detail is done with excellent texturing as opposed to polygons."

"Inside the cabin, the first thing you notice is that the point of view is just about perfect. With the advent of virtual cockpits, this is not always easy to achieve, but it has to be said that it most certainly has been managed here. The cockpit layout does vary slightly from the real thing, but this has been done sympathetically and with good sound reasoning behind the decision. Consequently, some things have been shifted around ever so slightly to compensate. In high-resolution flavour, the dials are crisp and work smoothly, but obviously there is more fluidity if you go with the lower resolution ones which in most instances do the job well enough. Staying in Flight Sim’s airless 3D realm for the moment, the 441 virtual cockpit is nicely done and well rendered in terms of texture placement and polygon counts, but it perhaps looks a little too crisp and clean for an aircraft of its supposed age."

"Anyone who can fly a default Cessna 172 would certainly not feel overwhelmed by the instrument layout of the 441, and this is perhaps the real beauty of this aircraft over and above everything else. It really does what Cessna originally intended, in that it provides the perfect link between pistons and jets. All of which means that jet fans are going to like it because it has the kind of performance they demand, and piston fans are going to be similarly disposed because they can drive it without going to night school for a year to learn how it all works."

"The FSX version definitely takes advantage of the newer sim’s improved flight modeling. And although the FS9 variant is no slouch in this department, you can tell the difference. Both variants have a pleasing flight model, and in both cases the flight model adheres faithfully to what the book says the 441 will do. With such benign handling characteristics, it should come as no surprise that the 441 should not be feared with an engine failure. Decent aileron and rudder authority, combined with nice trim controls for both, mean that it is quite possible to trim the thing to fly hands-off with an engine out, and the feathering procedure is mercifully simple too. With all that turbo power on tap, it can easily maintain height on one engine."

"The Cessna 441 Conquest II does not exactly push the envelope as far as hugely complex systems go, but what it does, it does well in FS9 and FSX. For anyone who is looking to get into complex flying as painlessly as possible, it is hard to beat, and yet it has enough capability not to disappoint even the most seasoned jet veteran. I think people will like the FSX 441. To quote the original Cessna 441 manual: ‘the propjet that is going to change a lot of travel plans’."

Historic Jetliners Group Update

Posted: Saturday, September 1, 2007 - 18:31
Presenting one of the largest updates by the Historic Jetliners Group (HJG). Rich in authentic classic jetliner nostalgia for FS this HJG website update comprises of a great selection of new textures covering the following world geographic regions and aircraft types :- Asia is represented by an extremly rare B707-120 from Thailand. The African states feature strongly with B707-320C's from Ethiopia, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia, along with B707-320B and B707-420 aircraft from Mauritius. South America is equally well represented with B707-320C, B720-B, and rare DC8-50F aircraft from Colombia, a spectacularly liveried Chillean B707-320B, a very rare B707-420 featuring the 1960 delivery scheme of a major Brazillian airline, and a selection of other interesting Brazillian B707-320C's of 1980's vintage. A B707-320C freighter and a rare short tail B707-420 aircraft operated by a major German carrier, along with an even more rare B707-420 operated by a lesser known tourist/charter company make up HJG's European selection within this update. North America is well represented by release of the first of a beautiful selection of period liveries featuring B707-320B, B707-320C, and B720-B aircraft operated by a major Mid West based US airline, some rare early model B707-320B's which flew for a major classic US international operator, and release of the first of a small selection of superb "FOTOREAL" natural metal textures for B707/720 aircraft operated a major US trancontinental carrier.

Among more unusual items featured within this update is the CV880 which became a private VIP transport for entertainer Elvis PRESLEY, released in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of "THE KING's" passing. All of HJG's civil B707/720 and military B707/C135 Aircraft Base Packs have been updated. HJG is also pleased to announce release of its updated B707 TYPE panels and gauges. All of these files have been further enhanced with 5 new panels (featuring a more modern 1970 era configuration) added .... for a total of some 16 individual/different B707 TYPE panels. HJG have released a brand new military E3-D SENTRY model (CFM56 turbofan powered version) supported by both panel, sounds, and a selection of high quality comemorative RAF liveries. All this and much more is now available for "FREE" download.

'Junkers 'W' Fleet Collection'

Posted: Friday, August 31, 2007 - 19:31
New from the design studios of Lionheart Creations Ltd. is the 'Junkers 'W' Fleet Collection'. This is a high detail, comprehensive package based on the world renowned Junkers W-33 and W-34. Back in the late 1920's, these planes began to fill the skies of the world, setting new records in aviation and impressing the world with their reliability and durability. Being able to handle the extreme elements of both severe heat and extreme cold climate regions due to its 'Dura-Luminum' corrugated metal allow skins, these aircraft were soon seen all over Europe and the world, from Berlin to London, from Moscow to Stockholm, from Paris to Iran, and even the jungles of South America, and the vast territories of Canada.

This package comes with 17 model platforms, a large amount of various high resolution texture packs that yield 39 different, selectable model variations, 2 totally different instrument panels, a huge amount of various animations such as vent windows, appearing parts, appearing cargo, animated passengers, and many other neat features. The soundpacks that come with this package are extremely realistic and will truly enhance the flight experience. For more information and screenshots, please go to The Lionheart Creations website.

Reader Choice Awards

Posted: Friday, August 31, 2007 - 18:41
AVSIM is pleased to announce that we have opened up the nomination process for this year's Reader Choice Awards. The Reader Choice Awards are given to those freeware and commercial products and add-ons nominated for and voted on by the flight simulation community. Awards are given in a variety of categories, and the process starts with the sim community nominating those products or add-ons that will be voted on in prior to the FANCON in Seattle this year. Those who win the Reader Choice Award are presented a trophy at the event. But in order for a product to be voted on, it first needs to be nominated by you! If you would like to submit a nomination for this year's RCA, please post your nomination here. Please read the rules carefully before you submit your nomination!

AIRAC 0709 Now At Navigraph

Posted: Friday, August 31, 2007 - 17:57
AIRAC Cycle 0709 is now available in the FMS Data section of the Navigraph website. Each cycle costs subscribers 20 credits, independent on the number of addons/downloads you make during that cycle. According to Navigraph, the Project Magenta downloads are currently missing due to a compatibility issue and they will be uploaded as soon as it is resolved.

For more information, fly direct to the Navigraph website.

AlphaSim's Heinkel He-111 Released

Posted: Friday, August 31, 2007 - 17:44
The iconic Luftwaffe bomber has arrived at AlphaSim. The three models demonstrate some common payload setups with droppable bombs and torpedos, the four texture sets are magnificent artwork in their own right, depicting two green camo variants as well as a North Africa scheme and a beautifully-weathered Russian Campaign Winter scheme. The modelling continues on the inside with a captivating VC, complete with an amazing array of mousable levers and accurate period gauges. As usual, a full-FSX standard model is the best way to see this creation, all features (bumps, shads & blooms) are there. Custom effects provide lots of startup smoke (and VC rain & exhaust trails in FS9) and the custom-made Petersen soundset add the final touch. Flight dynamics are accurate, so expect realistic behaviour in all regimes. All in all, a 'Premier Range' model which belongs in the collection of any serious MSFS WW2 fan. For FSX and FS2004 only. Complete details and screenshots are available at the AlphaSim website.

Overland Finalizes Japanese Airports

Posted: Friday, August 31, 2007 - 16:33
Overland has released the final version in its Minna No Kukou Boxed Series for FS2002 and FS2004.

Minna No Kukou 4, the final volume in the series features newly built airports, Chubu International (RJGG) and Kobe (RJBE), which were omitted from FS2002 and FS2004. Other airports included in this package are New Chitose (RJCC), Sapporo (RJCO), Kushiro (RJCK), Obihiro (RJCB), Toyama (RJNT), Okayama (RJOB), Tokushima (RJOS), and Saga (RJFS).

According to Overland, this Gmax scenery package contains detailed airports with approximately four square miles of photo realistic ground textures around each field. The "All Japanese Airports Series" contains the PDF version of the Aeronautical Information Publication Japan (AIP Japan), instrument approach charts, visual landing charts, and standard instrument departure charts.

For more information and screenshots of this product, "follow me" to the Overland product page.