Las Vegas McCarran International Airport

Posted: Saturday, April 18, 2009 - 17:08
FSDreamTeam is pleased to announce the release of Las Vegas McCarran International Airport. Available for FSX and FS9, with a license valid for use in both simulators. Umberto says, "This is probably our best scenery to date, with great texture clarity and good performances too, that blends nicely with the surrounding city scenery."

As with previous sceneries, the FSX version comes with the new FSDreamTeam scripting engine, with realistic SafeGate docking system available for the ParkMe function, and YouControl features to control several scenery animations. The scenery is available in Trial version, and can be freely downloaded from the FsDreamTeam website.

PA28RT 201 Arrow IV for FS2004

Posted: Saturday, April 18, 2009 - 17:02
Carenado announces the FS2004 version of the PA28RT 201 Arrow IV. Three different paint scheemes are included plus a blank texture. The details and realistic textures includes: Interactive virtual cockpit; Full moving parts: Ailerons, elevators, rudders, flaps, rolling wheels and trim tab; Animated sections such as: doors, copilot seat, cabin air and sun visors; lights: Navigation lights, beacons, landing lights; Full dynamic effects (shines over the body and panel, nightlights); and a 3D modeled pilot and cockpit area.

Other details include: pitot tubes, antennas, chocks, baggage area; Realistic textures and original paint design; Custom VC panel and gauges with realistic light effects on gauges; Nightlight effects on panel; Separate switches for instruments lights and dome light; a full checklist and reference text about the Procedures with realistic performances that have a similar behavior compared to the real airplane. For complete details visit the Carenado website.

Cessna Citation Sovereign Panel

Posted: Saturday, April 18, 2009 - 1:04
SimScape announces the release of the Cessna Citation Sovereign Panel for the great freeware aircraft developed by Aryus Works. This panel uses the "Full Flight Gauges" technology developed by SimScape to provide high quality vector gauges for the modern glass cockpits. More information can be found on the SimScape website.

Sim-Giants Scenery -Now available at the Avsim store

Posted: Friday, April 17, 2009 - 16:51
Sim-Giants specializes in the creation of highly detailed airports and scenery for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Their latest release is Milan-Malpensa (Italy). The airport has been designed using real-life images, includes day and night textures, and numerous objects. Milan-Malpensa is a must-have for MSFS X.
Sim-Giants is also the developer of fun-to-fly exotic airports, such as Canary Islands Gold, Tenerife , El Hiero and Fuertventura
New: The Airbus A400 and the CRJ Jet are available at the store
Visit the Avsim store today.

Multi Crew Experience from F++ Simulations

Posted: Thursday, April 16, 2009 - 3:25
Staff reviewer Alan Bradbury passes off some of the routine cockpit duties to his co-pilot with Multi Crew Experience from F++ Simulations. "Voice-control computer applications are great when they work. Trouble is, they have a long history of not doing that very well at all. Thus it was with no small degree of hope that I installed Multi Crew Experience onto my hard drive; it being the latest stab at this tricky proposition. This time by it's developer FS++ Simulations."

"Needless to say, you’ll need some sort of microphone with full duplex sound capabilities (i.e. the ability to record and play sounds at the same time) and a good quality noise-canceling headset with a boom mike is obviously going to be a plus point for performance. Here’s the clever part though; instead of getting you to read ‘Mary had a little lamb’, or something equally irrelevant in order to calibrate your microphone and teach the software to recognize your voice, you read out a tutorial for the product. While you read, your mike calibrates. So you actually kill two birds with one stone when setting things up."

"I imagine that, like me, you’ve probably assumed the name Multi Crew Experience refers to the product attempting to emulate having multiple crew members on board your virtual aircraft that you can talk to. And you’re right, that’s certainly part of it.Multi Crew Experience can do a vast number of things, and I do mean vast. (See review for a detailed list). As impressive as being able to chat to your co-pilot and give him commands is, you’ll find it is by no means Multi Crew Experience’s only party trick, more like an overture to a huge repertoire."

"One of the best and most useful features is that you can control and respond to the default FS air traffic control via voice with Multi Crew Experience, but perhaps more importantly, there is the option to allow the co-pilot to handle ATC communications if you get too busy. This feature in particular, is especially useful if you are not great on correct nomenclature and phraseology for talking to ATC, because Multi Crew Experience can effectively teach you how to do all that."

This extensive, detailed review goes into all (well almost all) of the features of Multi Crew Experience. Alan says, "only a fool would deny that Multi Crew Experience clearly owes a lot to the trail which products such as Vox ATC and FSHotseat have blazed before it, and, of course, the pioneering work which Microsoft have done as far as voice recognition goes. But inasmuch as those have illuminated the way forward, Multi Crew Experience has picked up the torch and run with it. If you go to the FS++ Simulations website to try the demo of this product, don’t go there out of idle curiosity. Because you will want to buy it once you’ve tried it, that I can promise you. Recommended? Damn straight it is."

Heli Traffic 2009 Now Supports FS2004

Posted: Thursday, April 16, 2009 - 1:30
Flight1 is pleased to announce the first update for their Heli Traffic 2009 product. The new version supports both FS2004 and FSX. It also includes several bug fixes and improvements. Heli Traffic 2009 is a Flight Simulator module that adds realistic AI helicopter traffic.

Alderney For FSX

Posted: Thursday, April 16, 2009 - 1:28
Alderney, by Earth Simulations, is quite possibly the highest specification photographic scenery created for a flight simulator. Including for the first time photographic terrain textures in FIVE ultra realistic seasonal variations all in hi-definition 30cm per pixel for unsurpassed clarity of detail. Highly detailed Nightlighting is also included.

Hand crafted 5m (min) terrain mesh accurately depicts the slightest change in elevation, Not only all that but Alderney comes with complete coverage of Earth Simulations own "Advanced Autogen". Offering a dense, variety filled landscape for you to explore up close. Tons of animated objects bring Alderney to life as you explore your simulated world closer than you ever dared before. Earth Simulations "Advanced Autogen" system is seasonal aware which means object types and locations change appropriatly with the season you are flying in, making it a long time before you discover everything the scenery has to offer. Moreover, Earth Simulations has crafted some extremely hi-detailed 3D scenes for you to enjoy. Alderney represents a truly ground breaking Flight Simulation product.

Perfect Flight Mission

Posted: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 - 14:19
Now available from Perfect Flight is Flight Service: San Josè to San Diego mission add-on for Microsoft Flight Simulator X. In this first mission of the new "Flight Service" series, you will experience a real gate-to-gate flight from San Josè Mineta Intl to San Diego Intl, covered by United Express on a Bombardier CRJ-700. The mission has been created to give you more realistic flight experience recreating a real word ambience with complete Ai/ATC interaction, speed restriction, cabin announcements, check lists (pre-start, taxi, before t/o, after t/o, descend, landing, parking). For more info visit Perfect Flight .

FSElemental For FS2004

Posted: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 - 14:09
FS Elemental is an extraordinary and complete environment enhancement dedicated to Flight Simulator 2004. With simply one click, you can now revive your current Microsoft flight simulator environment! Experience heavenly skyscapes, waterscapes, cloudscapes, airport environments and effects. This extraordinary and complete environment enhancement is designed specifically for Flight Simulator 2004 and allows you to revive your current environment with just one click.

All textures were developed to work synergistically WITH each other, with the implementation of newer technology and techniques. Sky colors change with the seasons accordingly and cloud formations are beautifully rendered with stunning lifelike realism. The sun actually appears brighter the more it's focused upon. At dawn and dusk, land masses and cloudscapes are blanketed by beautiful matching colors and the bottom of cloud formations appear darker as the sky darkens, and lightens accordingly in brighter atmospheric conditions.

AirTrafficFX V3.0 Released

Posted: Monday, April 13, 2009 - 21:33
Jerry Beckwith has updated the popular air traffic generator, AirTrafficFX to version 3.0. The latest version includes updated tools to include runway information from add-on scenery packages. The update is FREE to existing users.

AirTrafficFX is a powerful, yet simple-to-use air traffic generator for FSX. AirTrafficFX allows the user to add parked aircraft, local air traffic, enroute air traffic, and FSX ATC IFR air traffic. Formations can be added to local traffic, enroutetraffic, and even your own flight. AirTrafficFX operates in real-time, no airline schedule management is required, and any installed fixed-wing aircraft can be used for air traffic generation.

Cessna 172N from Carenado

Posted: Monday, April 13, 2009 - 19:12
Staff reviewer Jason McKee looks at a venerable workhorse of the flight training world with Carenado's Cessna C172N. "The 172N was introduced in 1977, it was also known as the 172 Skyhawk/100 by Cessna."

"With the 172N from Carenado you get two models, one with spats and one without. You also get three liveries with the two options and one livery which is a 50th anniversary special. The default 172 cannot compare to this add-on as it is night and day comparing the two. The default looks small and underdeveloped compared to Carenado's version."

"The interior model looks stunning. The cockpit is based on a base model 172N, with the standard fitment of radios and instruments. There is no texture issues inside the cockpit and all the panels fit together well with no gaps or texture differences in any of them. The virtual cockpit looks great and is nice and smooth to pan around in. All the gauges are smooth and fluid with no stutters or glitches. Flight yokes and throttle controls all move smoothly through their full range of movement. The 2D cockpit is good as well, almost as good as the virtual cockpit, but it doesn’t flow as well as the virtual cockpit."

"This aircraft performs as good, if not better, than the default 172. This aircraft also works flawlessly in Direct X 10. All the features of DX10, like the cockpit shadows and advanced bloom effects, make this model look simply stunning. The aircraft flies as per the numbers listed in the reference PDF. Overall, I enjoyed flying this aircraft. I highly recommend Carenado's Cessna 172N."

AVSIM Opens New Links System

Posted: Sunday, April 12, 2009 - 23:43
AVSIM is pleased to announce that we have opened our new Links System. Replacing our old DCLink based system, the new Links Database provides users a better user interface, intuitive operation, sites ratings, user comments, and much more. Unfortunately, we were unable to port the old links database into the new one. Over 1600 active links were left behind. We encourage you to enter the new Links System and add your favorite links. If you are a Virtual Airline owner/operator, a commercial publisher or reseller, a web site owner who has a simulation themed website, or just a reader that wants to make sure we have every airline's website in the database, then we encourage you to post your link today. You can do so at the Links link in the Top Menu above, or you can go directly to the Link System here.

AVSIM Surveys the State of the Hobby!

Posted: Sunday, April 12, 2009 - 23:42
The demise of the MS ACES Studio in January caused a shiver to run through the flight simulation hobby. Opinions of that event have ranged from very negative to very positive. So, what is the state of our hobby today? What does the future hold? How do you feel about the health and well-being of Flight Simulator? AVSIM has launched a 17 question survey to find out - The State of the Hobby Survey. Please take the State of Hobby Survey and let us know about you, your participation in Flight Simming, and how you feel about the future. You can take the survey here.

SSM 2007™ Anniversary SP 3.1 And Manuals

Posted: Sunday, April 12, 2009 - 20:20
With the occasion of the Anniversary of the first Space Shuttle Mission STS-1 launch on April 12, 1981, Exciting Simulations is proud to release today a new free Service Pack for the Space Shuttle Mission 2007 simulator.

The free Service Pack adds crosswinds during landing, Weather Report and Landing Guidance comms, enhanced HUD and a full Virtual 3D Mid-deck - now you can experience "blind" liftoffs just like those "unlucky" Mission Specialists who sit below the main flight deck during liftoff and landing. The new service pack comes with new manuals which reflect the latest additions and changes from previous versions.

The Space Shuttle Mission 2007™ is available for online purchase in downloadable format at the SSM2007 official website. The latest Demo and manuals can also be downloaded freely at the same website.

Quest Kodiak For FSX Released

Posted: Sunday, April 12, 2009 - 18:33
This is the incredible new Quest Kodiak by Quest Aircraft Corporation in Sandpoint Idaho. This is a turboprop powered 10 passenger, high endurance bush plane designed for all the elements of the world. Featuring STOL capabilities, a rugged landing gear and airframe, a new dual wingfoil design, and a large
clamshell style door for uploading cargo and passengers more easily.

This unique, high tech bush plane comes equipped with the state of the art Garmin G1000 panel system linked with the modern S-Tec Five-Fifty X Auto Pilot system. The Flight Sim version of the Kodiak features a low resources MFD GPS panel system that is designed to use less computer power to render the map, and also can be turned off into 'sleep mode' for added frame rate performance.

This package is a high detail Flight Sim add-on and features 10 models and 7 different texture packs and liveries. This features a fully decked out Rescue Air-Ambulance version, passenger model, and a 'filled to the top' Cargo plane. Each model comes with an optional Belly Pod, and also 3 versions of Amphibious float planes, one of each of the base models, (Rescue, Passenger, and Cargo).

This newest 'Build 2.00' has been totally rebuilt and features an all new instrument panel system, faster Garmin system, high resolution texture packs, more refined parts meshes, extreme detail with super small parts being shown, and now also includes a fully FSX 'pure' model version complete with DDS DXT5 format textures, FSX models, and 3 dimensional bump mapping, showing all rivets and panel lines in a 3D high realism view.

Lastly, this also features a 'High Performance Texture Pack' with an auto-installer that loads a set of textures that are all 'standard resolution'. This is for those who might have slower computers or less powerful laptop comptuers.

Hal Bryan Joins Bravo 369

Posted: Saturday, April 11, 2009 - 20:20
Hal Bryan formerly with Microsoft's Flight Simulator development team (ACES Studios) & Flight Simulator Community Evangelist has joined the BRAVO 369 Flight for Education project. The "Flight for Education" introduces a whole new world of real time flight simulation and virtual flying experiences where students and teachers everywhere can actively participate in a historic flight from Bellingham, Washington to Provideniya, Russia. Flying a 1941 Boeing Stearman equipped with a revolutionary avionics package, anyone with flight simulator software will be able to fly in virtual formation, or ride along as a front seat passenger with the ability to see exactly what the pilot is seeing during our winged journey over some of the most rugged and beautiful country in North America. We're very fortunate to have Hal on the team , Hal will be working with us as we begin development of the avionics interface in the Stearman with Flight Simulator and He will be giving a shout out to the AVSIM developer community for assistance with this project. To read up on the project visit our Bravo 369 Forum. Welcome aboard Hal !!!

CYUL Montreal from Blueprint Simulations

Posted: Saturday, April 11, 2009 - 20:00
Staff reviewer Jason McKee visits Canada with his look at Blueprint Simulations' CYUL Montreal. "Montreal-Trudeau Airport is the busiest commercial airport in the Canadian province of Quebec and is the forth busiest airport in Canada."

"Starting out on the runway, the airport looks well laid out and well detailed. In fact looking on Google Earth, the simulated version looks very close to the real thing. Buildings look accurately placed and taxiways and runways are in the correct positions. The runway and taxiway textures look bang on and match the real pictures I have seen. There is no animated scenery with this airport add-on. Blueprint Simulations has done this as there is not enough room to have the animated scenery work correctly at the airport."

"The actual airport night lighting looks great. The approach lighting changes depending on where your aircraft is, and looks realistic. Taxiways and ramp areas are well lit, and the floodlights on the ramps light up the area well. Terminals are custom built along with the hangers and airport facilities. I could not find any texture issues or missing textures on the buildings or the ground."

"CYUL Montreal adds so much over the default scenery, but for a payware add-on, it could add so much more. It is hard not to recommend this scenery, but I could go either way. Overall, in my opinion it's a good scenery add-on."

FSD Commander 115 TC Service Pack

Posted: Saturday, April 11, 2009 - 17:40
FSD International announces a major service release for its popular Commander 115TC Version 2 for Flight Simulator X. This release contains a vastly improved visual model and texturing, along with fixes for previously reported problems. The Commander is a premium quality luxury single engine prop GA aircraft for Flight Simulator X, incorporating all of the features that Flight Simulator X has to offer. It is fully DX 10 compliant. Follow the links for full Product Details and Download .

FS2Crew Updates PMDG MD-11 For FS9 / FSX

Posted: Saturday, April 11, 2009 - 14:08
FS2Crew has just released two new Service Updates for its PMDG MD-11 Edition: * Service Update 1 for the FS9 version. * Service Update 3 for the FSX version. Both updates make improvements to the software and correct some minor bugs. As per customer request, a new option was added for on-line VATSIM and IVAO users who wanted the virtual FO to turn on the Transponder when taking the runway, not during pre-flight. FS2Crew would also like to remind its user base that a full British and European voice set is also available for download. Visit the FS2Crew Website for full details and download.

Apache Longbow from AlphaSim

Posted: Friday, April 10, 2009 - 18:04
Staff reviewer Arjun Murthy climbs aboard AlphaSim's Longbow Apache. "Alphasim has done an excellent job in recreating the virtual version of this wonderful aircraft. It flies through the skies like an eagle. The handling, realism of flight dynamics and gauges, exterior views are all overwhelming in this version of the Apache Longbow."

"The exterior model of the Apache looks absolutely fantastic. It gives the feel of a real military helicopter with all the weapons set up. Also, the unique shape of the Apache makes it something extraordinary to take to the skies in. The interior model of the Apache Longbow is something out of the ordinary. A gunner's seat up front with the pilot's seat in the rear situated higher, this is obviously something unique. The sounds for Alphasim’s Apache Longbow are powered by Turbine Sound Studios, and they are one of a kind."

"The flight dynamics of this aircraft are quite realistic. Ground dynamics on the Longbow is also interesting. Very little collective has to be used in order to get it to move without flying. Very small and precise movements have to be made for successful flight. Overall, AlphaSim's Apache Longbow is a very entertaining and ‘good feeling’ aircraft to fly."