VATSIM Announces EuroScope

Posted: Friday, September 21, 2007 - 14:25
VATSIM, the Virtual Air Traffic Simulation Network, is proud to announce that its newest radar client, EuroScope is now available for the controller community. The long-awaited smart radar by Gergely Csernak simulates the functions of radar systems most common in Europe but also increasingly around the world. With inspiration and feedback from real-world controllers, EuroScope was developed to be as real as it gets. Discover the high degree of reality, user-friendliness (use of the mouse makes life easier) and flexibility (fully customizable styles and layouts) that makes online controlling a whole new experience!

EuroScope offers innovative solutions for handling aircraft, communicating with other ATC units and air traffic control management. By analyzing all flights' horizontal and vertical situation as well as flight plans, EuroScope can now actually allocate aircraft to sectors and predict movements. Find all information on a flight in or entering your sector using the customizable smart tags; explore the advanced integrated voice communication capabilities and easy-to-use voice ATIS; train your skills offline with the built-in ATC simulator. Further information and the software itself can be found at EuroScope Homepage.

VATSIM Goes Statistical!

Posted: Thursday, September 20, 2007 - 0:40
VATSIM has tried hard to keep this project under wraps, but AVSIM got a look at the new VATSIM Stats Page! With numerous search features, and abilities too numerous to list, head on over to VATAWARE and see for yourself!

From the site, "All VATSIM VFR & IFR flights that file a flight plan are tracked by vataware." In addition, the ability to track a person's stats is now available! So give it shot and bring some stats back into your life!

Have some free time? Why not join AVSIM!

Posted: Thursday, September 20, 2007 - 0:30
The AVSim File Library has two "Library Technician" (L.T.) volunteer openings. The typical job description of a L.T. is to review/approve/deny files, communicate with authors and library users via e-mail, and to openly communicate with the Library Director, Library Managers, and other L.T.s. Individuals interested must be able to check in at least six out of seven days a week. The selected individuals will be volunteer Library Managers after a ninety-day probation period. There is flexibility in this scheduling. All interested applicants, please be familiar with e-mail and with a web browser. Serious applicants, please e-mail Chase Kreznor, Library Executive Director, with some basic information about yourself, any questions you may have for us, and how you could help give back to this wonderful community!

Nominations Still Open!

Posted: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 3:17
Nominations are still open for the AVSIM Reader's Choice Awards which will be presented at the AVSIM FANCON at Seattle in November. In fact, we are extending the nomination deadline until 6:00 P.M. EDT on Friday, 22 September (that's this Friday)! If you haven't yet made a nomination for these prestegious awards, do so today! Voting for the best in each category will start on Sunday. So, if you want to see your favorites in the voting, submit your nomination now. In order to appear in the voting, a product must be nominated. To nominate your favorite commercial or freeware add-on, read the rules and enter your nomination here.

UIVER Team Release Douglas DC2

Posted: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 2:52
The "UIVER" team has announced the release of their Douglas DC2 for FS2004 and FSX. As their Press Release says, "After many years of hard work and thorough research, it's finally ready. The revenue from the sales will be donated to the Aviodrome, Dutch National Aviation Theme Park and Museum. Aviodrome has one of the worlds last two airworthy Douglas DC-2's in their collection. The real plane is maintained by volunteers and with the money raised from individual and corporate donations. By selling the DC-2 package we hope to contribute to keeping this unique, priceless and historic aircraft in flying condition. Your purchase will be a very welcome contribution!" The package will be sold through the Flight1 system.

For complete information on the features of this package and a link to download the Douglas DC2 for FS2004 and FSX please visit the DC2 UIVER site. Support issues and questions will be handled through their forum.

UIVER hope you will enjoy flying this unique, hands-on classic airplane!

Taildragger Collection from RealAir Simulations

Posted: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 - 7:07
Senior staff reviewer David Wilson-Okamura drags his butt with this review of RealAir Simulations Taildraggers, featuring the Citabria, Decathlon and Scout aircraft designed for FSX. "Like almost all third-party aircraft that are currently available for FSX, the planes in this package were originally made for FS2004. In this case, however, the developers have taken the opportunity, not just to keep the old package going in the new sim, but to make it better and push the envelope of what’s possible."

"All three aircraft share the same basic airframe, which has very simple, straightforward lines, such that you’d only notice them if something were wrong. Nothing is. The longer I look, the more I admire. Paint schemes are simple, too, but there are a lot of them: about fifty, not including third-party repaints."

"A 2D panel is available, but like all of RealAir’s current models, the Citabria and its cousins are all intended to be flown from the virtual cockpit (VC). What makes the model stand out, visually, are the cockpit gauges. New here for FSX are gauges modeled in three dimensions. Before, gauge makers would simulate three dimensions with painted shadows."

"Frame rates are as good as or better than default aircraft such as the Beaver or Maule. For the FSX version of the three taildraggers, Young has reinvented the flight models for each of the five aircraft types, including the pontoon and tundra tires."

Getting his butt off the ground, David says of this Taildragger Collection, "once you have owned a thing that is finely crafted - with no excuses, and no compromises - you know what it is worth. That is how I feel about these models here. Everything looks right and (what is more important) everything feels right: right away and for as long as you fly."

Level D 767-300 ER from Flight 1

Posted: Monday, September 17, 2007 - 2:44
Staff reviewer David Rogers continues on with another Level D installation with the 767-300 ER from Flight 1. "I think it is fair to say that this add-on needs little introduction. It is generally regarded as one of the most advanced and high quality releases to hit any version of Flight Simulator. Reviews across the internet universally praise the product and indeed AVSIM’s Maury Pratt awarded the FS2004 version of the Level D 767 with 5 stars in his review of May 2005."

"The Level D 767 for FSX offers several new features and improvements to the FS2004 version. It is clear that you are not simply paying for a ‘ported’ FS2004 aircraft. Level D has not rushed to release the FSX version. It has gone through the full testing schedule and has been released as a standalone product in its own right. The two things that excited me most about this 767 release for FSX were; The enhanced flight model (The FS2004 version is already regarded as having one of the best flight models in a commercial aircraft add-on), and the FSX Camera views, which I have learned were to include a new VC ‘co-pilot’ view, as well as some tasty new wing views."

"The exterior model is complemented by FSX’s “bright new world”. The supplied house livery is the only one supplied with the FSX 767. Fans of detailed models will not be disappointed with the Level D 767 for FSX. It is a treat to the eyes and is a wonderfully accurate representation of the real aircraft. As well as the level of detail, one thing that strikes me about the Level D 767 is that it appears to be perfectly in proportion. The exterior model of the LDS767 for FSX also seemed refreshingly frame rate friendly on my system, considering the level of complexity."

"The Virtual Cockpit of the Level D 767 is one of the nicest places to pass the time in the whole flight sim universe. If you sit in the VC and hit the ‘A’ key you will also see one of the new surprises that this version offers, a first officer seat position within the VC. All in all, I would say that the VC in the FSX version of Level D 767 is without a doubt the best virtual cockpit I have yet to see in any version of flight simulator."

There is a lot more information with regards to this release inside the review. Summarizing David's experience with it he says, "I can reveal that the Level D 767 is a truly outstanding simulation which raises the bar in terms of function, immersion and down right fun. Level D has done a great job at presenting their baby in the bright new world of FSX. This is the finest complex aircraft add-on released for any version of flight simulator!"

FS Approaches Vol. 3 Released

Posted: Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 17:37
FS2000 announces Fs Approaches Vol. 3 Worldwide Airports for FSX and FS9 is now available· This release features:
- Missions/Adventures covering major airports in the World: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Egypt, France, French Polynesia, Germany, India, Iran, Italy, Kenya, Korea, Jamaica, Japan, Libya, Mali, Madagascar ,Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Malaysia, Maldives, Martinique, New Zealand, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, The Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sri Lanka. Sudan, Thailand, Taiwan, Tonga, United Kingdom, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam.
- Charts & Maps (Approach Plates, Arrivals, Airport Diagrams)·
- Interactive Flight Briefing.
- Charts and Airport Facility are available and accessible during the flight, as in real life.
- Fs Approach Manager allows you to edit Time, Season and Weather themes (real weather included) before running a Mission in FSX·
- Detailed instructions to learn how to use the GPS to execute an Approach.

Fs Approaches Vol. 3 includes six new liveries: Boeing 737 American Airlines and Delta Airlines; Boeing 747 United Airlines and British Airways; Md-88 Aeromexico and Aerolinas Argentinas. There is also a promotional video available. For more information visit the FS2000 website.

Sandon Lyon's Real Sky Pro

Posted: Saturday, September 15, 2007 - 4:09
Staff reviewer Alan Bradbury reviews Sandon Lyon's latest release of his Real Sky series, Real Sky Pro. "Real Sky Pro is a nifty little utility which professes to add more realism to the sky textures in Microsoft’s Flight Simulator, without reducing frame rates, and in some cases, even threatening to increase them. Bold claims indeed, particularly in view of the fact that what one person considers realistic, might not be thought so by the next."

"Minor misgivings in the ability to revert textures and the somewhat frugal installation help aside, it has to be said Real Sky Pro is very quick and easy to use, and it does seem to work flawlessly once installed. Real Sky Pro is no more complicated than a set of replacement textures coupled to a graphical user interface to make previewing, selecting and installing them easier. It’s true the interface isn’t going to win any beauty contests, but it is very businesslike, and it does the job asked of it."

"There are so many choices available in Real Sky Pro, I was half-expecting to see an option for a Martian sky, but while RSP stops short of offering that, it doesn’t skimp on any sky options for our own planet. In fact, the breadth of choice borders on being overwhelming, so it is nice to see selections offered in logical groups and sub-groups. All replacement textures are accompanied by a representative thumbnail panorama of a large section of the horizon, giving you a good idea of how they will look in FS."

"Essentially, all the textures in Real Sky Pro are amendments or variations of the default FS textures, which have then been grouped into a logical sequence to make finding the perfect sky of your choice easy to implement. If creating these textures sounds like it might have been simple, my investigations proved otherwise, and it was apparent that a lot of care had gone into the various tweaks that have taken place to create this product."

Summing up Real Sky Pro, Alan asks, "Do I like Real Sky Pro?" His response, "Yes, I do. In fact with so many choices, frankly it would be impossible not to find something I didn’t prefer over the original FS textures, and choice is always a good thing. I think Real Sky Pro will certainly appeal to anyone who can appreciate how much of a genuine feeling of extreme distance these textures offer, instead of simply concentrating on ‘wow factor’ colours. There is some real subtle artistry and particularly astute implementation of what the sky does actually look like when viewed from an aircraft to be found within this package."

FS Design Studio for FSX

Posted: Saturday, September 15, 2007 - 0:39
It's been said time and time again that Louis Sinclair, the creator of FS Design Studio has done more than any other person to keep the Flight Simulation hobby alive when other design tools were no longer available. Introduced at the turn of the 21st century (in January, 2000), tens of thousands of hobbyists have relied on the user-friendly FS Design Studio to craft great aircraft and impressive 3D scenery. Just look around and you'll find that the overwhelming majority of aircraft of all sizes and shapes have been created with this remarkable tool owing to its long list of easy to use, yet powerful features. After ten months of intensive R&D, Louis has completed work on the new FSX edition of this essential program. FS Design Studio V3.5 is now available by download or on CD-ROM.

Version 3.5 includes these new features: enhanced texture handling - reflective, transparent, light maps supports FSX style animation using key frame primarily - XToMDL compiler for maximum future FS compatibility alternatively - MakeMDL compiler for maximum backward FS2004 compatibility new Help Files with extensive examples and tutorials sample projects for FSX and FS2004 improved boolean operations (e.g. for cutting holes) autosave, unlimited undo/redo, more compatible with both FSX and FS2004

Registered users of FS Design Studio V3 are eligible to for a FREE upgrade to Version 3.5 and registered users of FS Design Studio V2 are eligible to upgrade for a reduced price. For more information about FS Design Studio please visit Abacus' FS Design Studio webpage.

Attention Simmers, London Calling

Posted: Saturday, September 15, 2007 - 0:38
Aerosoft announced today the release of London-Heathrow 2008. This latest FS2004 scenery (customers will get a free copy of the soon to be released FSX version) covers one of the world’s busiest airports in detail. Designed with accuracy, with the help of the authorities who govern the airport, and developed by Simwings, this is one scenery title you cannot miss. Aerosoft also upgraded Airport Enhancement Services to include this airport. Get it all at Aerosoft.com.

Starship Enterprise Docked In FSX

Posted: Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 3:09
Boldly go over to Benchmark Avionics and download their freeware replica of the Starship Enterprise from the sixties series Star Trek. This FSX addon scenery is a highly accurate reproduction based on measurements and photos of the actual studio model on and off the set. The scenery is outside the gift shop of the National Air & Space Museum in Washington, D.C., a short helicopter flight from Ronald Regan National, where the actual studio model is currently on display. Be sure to check out the view at night, and notify the FAA and Secret Service before you enter the restricted airspace over the nation's capital.

Flight 1's Ultimate Traffic 2007

Posted: Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 1:48
Flight 1 is pleased to announce that one of their best loved titles is back and now flying in the Flight Simulator X and Vista skies! Ultimate Traffic was one of the first “AI” upgrades to Flight Simulator and has been widely regarded as the best, with 10,000s of satisfied flight simmers around the globe. What set’s Ultimate Traffic from any other similar program, is that it is still the only AI traffic expansion to provide realistic traffic in Flight Simulator, based on actual airline schedules!

Ultimate Traffic 2007 is a culmination of over a year of research and development, and takes advantage of the latest AI technology, in cooperation from our friends at Project AI. The goal of this project is to provide FSX users with the most complete and realistic real-world airline movements worldwide and offer new levels in AI Traffic design. This version ships with a new schedule that is current for the Spring/Summer 2007 period, bringing up to date traffic for both Flight Simulator 2004 and Flight Simulator X whether running in Windows XP or Vista.

Super 80 Available From Flight 1

Posted: Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 1:45
Flight 1 are pleased to announce that their classic airliner is back and now flying in the Flight Simulator X and Vista skies! Done in partnership with CoolSky, "Ultimate Airliners - The Super 80" brings back the classic modes of flying in the era where glass was just starting to appear. This rendition is based on the original Super 80, circa 1979. So with the combination of classic analogue and early electronic navigation, you have a product that requires a lot of attention, but also rewards proper cockpit management. For the uninitiated the Super 80 comes complete with the unique Integrated Cockpit Training System to guide you through the steps required in order to have a successful and accurate flight.

The training system will lead you though each checklist procedure and switch - live in the cockpit. You'll see just which switch you need to press, the relevant panels will open along with explanations on screen in Flight Simulator.
And for those who just want to jump in and fly, a configuration manager will automatically prepare the aircraft and panels for any stage of flight - all at the click of a button. A printed manual and a massive fold-out, double sided panel guide ensure you'll never get lost flying this airliner! There are so many details that make this Super 80 a next generation airliner expansion for the world's favourite flight sim - so visit the dedicated Super 80 website.

Listen to ATIS

Posted: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 2:26
OnCourse Software are pleased to announce the arrival of their fully integrated ATIS in PFE. Version 1.8 (just released) lets you listen to ATIS for any of the ATIS equipped airports in FS9 and FSX, simply by tuning to the correct frequency. In addition, by downloading and installing the optional Extended ATIS Voice Packs, you will hear the full airport name announced in the ATIS message for each of the 1200+ airports.

Project Open Sky Releases ERJ

Posted: Monday, September 10, 2007 - 1:46
Today, Project Open Sky proudly releases the beginning of the Embraer ERJ Family, with the introduction of the ERJ145LR and ERJ145XR. The model includes highly detailed and modeled exterior, exterior loading stairs on selected models; custom XML animation including wingflex, nose gear high-speed locking, thrust reversers that fully open on any reverser setting, high resolution textures, and accurate animation on all control surfaces and gear. This will be just the beginning of the ERJ Family series, with the ERJ140, ERJ135 and the Legacy 600 soon to follow. A highly detailed virtual cockpit is also nearing completion and will be available soon, as will a paint kit for the entire series. For more information and to download the aircraft, please visit Project Open Sky

Flight Enhancer from Cielosim

Posted: Sunday, September 9, 2007 - 19:00
Staff reviewer Josh Szkoda looks at Cielosim's Flight Enhancer for FS9. "Cielosim’s package contains replacement texture sets for water, skies and runway lights; each set of textures has been duplicated two more times to create the textures for day, dusk and night."

"Cielosim have produced 2,700 custom textures for this program, comprising of 30 day sets, 12 dawn sets, 11 dusk sets and six night sets. This is then combined with the “Extras”, comprising of 6 water sets, 4 cloud sets, 4 sun sets, 5 light sets and 3 environment sets. All these can easily be previewed and applied to the simulator with little or no fuss, as the fairly attractive looking user interface will do all the hard work."

"Choosing the sets can be a bit tricky. Some of them look fairly similar and the two little preview images that you’ll get to see are by no means sufficient, as all it displays is a picture of what the sky will look like depending on the position of the sun. But I suppose half of the fun is sorting through all the different sets and getting a feel for each. Flight Enhancer also has built-in weather from the Weather Channel website for nearly every continent on the planet."

Josh sums up Flight Enhancer by simply saying, "I think Flight Enhancer is a very useful and high-quality FS-tool. I like using it, as it makes my simulation more realistic."

Complete Australia - One Download

Posted: Sunday, September 9, 2007 - 15:39
The VOZ Team is pleased to announce that VOZ 1.5 Complete is now available for free download. For the first time since its launch two years ago, a single download is now available to provide for a simple and quick install of the entire VOZ series of scenery for Australia. The download weighs in at 400MB and installs to about 1.5GB on your hard drive. Included is a completely revised user manual covering all versions of VOZ and provides comprehensive installation instructions. Now there's just one installer to completely VOZ the entire country.

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.