HeliTraffic 2009 from Flight 1

Posted: Monday, January 3, 2011 - 19:30
Staff reviewer Alan Bradbury adds more life to his airports with Flight 1's HeliTraffic 2009. "HeliTraffic 2009 offers itself up as the solution to the lack of realistic whirlybird participation in your Flight Simulator AI. It does this for both FS9 and FSX."

"HeliTraffic 2009 is extremely simple to use. In fact, if all you want to do is add realistic chopper flights to your airports as eye candy then it really could not be any simpler if it tried; just click a couple of options in the very simple interface which you get to from the FS menus, wait for it to do a bit of a read of your files for a minute or so and then a simple click to ‘enable’ it and you are in business. HeliTraffic 2009 will do all the rest of the work and you will then see whirlybirds using all of your airport helipads for both add-on and default scenery and choppers merrily making their way across your FS world at a typical altitude of around 3,000 feet or so."

"There is certainly no doubt HelTraffic could add a lot of realism to something like the wilderness scenery from companies such as Orbx, where choppers are likely to be flying around a lot. I recommend HeliTraffic 2009 because it’s an excellent little piece of software and it's a great little add-on."

EScape3D - Shawbury Fields Released

Posted: Monday, January 3, 2011 - 17:35
Never before has such an ambitious 3D project based on real world aerial photography been undertaken. Over 3500KM2 of extremely dense and exceptionally high detailed 3D for you to explore and practice your VFR navigation. This is the same scenery used by the UK Defence Helicopter Flying School to train their pilots.

Take a look at what is currently the most accurate & detailed large scale Flight Simulation scenery in the world. Both FSX and Generation X UK Photographic scenery volume 2 are required. For more information and screenshots visit the Earth Simulations website.

Airport Wizard from FlightSimTools

Posted: Saturday, January 1, 2011 - 20:47
Staff reviewer Roger Curtiss does some maintenance on his airport lighting with FightSimTools' Airport Wizard. "This is marketed to be the easiest way yet to add some much needed nuances to the airports in FSX and FS9."

"The allure of this product is that it can make these enhancements to default airports and even add-ons. It does so by creating a new scenery area called Airport Wizard and the improvements it generates for each airport are placed in a scenery file stored in that area. This allows for easy removal of the enhancements if desired without interfering or disturbing the underlying base airport scenery files."

"This is even more convenient than it might sound because enhancements must be performed on an individual basis, airport by airport, making this a rather painless way to make changes without having to worry about disturbing or distorting legacy scenery."

RealScenery Enhanced: Reno - Carson City For X-Plane

Posted: Saturday, January 1, 2011 - 17:35
X-Aviation is pleased to announce the release of Reno - Carson City for X-Plane, and it's the most advanced orthophoto scenery for X-Plane to date.

RealScenery Enhanced: Reno - Carson City comes complete with all of the bells and whistles to make your simming experience immersive and more enjoyable! Features include cars following the orthophoto imagery roads, utlra high resolution imagery, enhanced night lighting with rural and urban detection, hand crafted shorelines, and high resolution 3D terrain mesh! In addition to this, every airport and taxiway accurately lines up with the underlying imagery, allowing for a very seamless experience.

UIVER Team Update Douglas DC2 for FSX

Posted: Saturday, January 1, 2011 - 16:01
The Douglas DC2 for FSX produced by the UIVER team supporting the Aviodrome Museum in keeping their Douglas DC2 in flying condition has been updated with a number of fixes, improvements and new liveries is now ready for download. This update is free for existing customers of the FSX version. Just download the package again and re-install. Visit their Homepage for further details about the project.

Multi-crew Experience For iFly B737

Posted: Thursday, December 30, 2010 - 21:22
Multi Crew Experience, voice control add-on to FSX & FS9 has been updated to include total voice control for iFly B737. MCE tries to provide the total crew experience, from captain co-pilot voice interaction to ATC communication via speech recognition. Many complex aircraft add-ons are now supported, including PMDG 747X, Level-D 767, Ariane 737 just to name a few.

A fully working time limited Demo is available and no registration is required for download.

OpenVFR For North America Released

Posted: Thursday, December 30, 2010 - 17:21
OpenVFR has launched a new product line for North America using Openstreetmap source data to produce new Terrain & Object placement data for FSX. Geographical information like roads, rivers, forests is added to their FS experience.
OpenVFR North America is much more sophisticated in representing city areas, isles in rivers and lakes are added and freeway traffic on roads is optimized. OpenVFR Objects adds 3D elements like wind generators or towers. Compared to older versions of openVFR this new version is again optimized in frame performance, but you'll still need a modern CPU and a powerful video card.
The following Locations are ready for download: Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Colorado, Caribbean Area, (incl Bermuda) Connecticut & Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Missouri and Honduras .

AST Tech Photo-Real Brussels

Posted: Thursday, December 30, 2010 - 17:07
AST Tech has released "Photo-Real Brussels", a scenery that covers the city and the wider, surrounding areas with high-resolution (0.59 metres per pixel, LOD16/15) photo-realistic day and night imagery, as a follow-up to the already released "Photo-Real Madrid" scenery. Please visit the product page for more information.

Sky Blue Radio's FSinFocus Show Features Jordan Moore

Posted: Thursday, December 30, 2010 - 4:46
Sky Blue Radio presents another edition of FSinFocus, when “JT” welcomes Jordan Moore, founder of Hovercontrol.com. On January 8th, 2011, at 1900 Zulu Hovercontrol the leading community dealing with helicopter operations within Flight Simulator will be discussed by JT and Jordan Moore. Jordan will discuss the history of Hovercontrol and his perspective on “community” within the flight simulation world. Jordan’s extensive knowledge of flight simulator has allowed him to develop highly detailed flight models of helicopters. His development of the Bell 420, a workhorse in world- wide helicopter operations, is a favorite of many helicopter enthusiasts. Jordan has also written white papers for Microsoft Flight Simulator, and was involved with the development FSX. Twenty-five thousand members of Hovercontrol, participate on their own network with customized scenery.

FSinFocus is a monthly talk show on Sky Blue Radio hosted by Jeff “JT” Turner. Sky Blue Radio broadcasts 24/7 around the world. Listeners can tune in to Sky Blue Radio by accessing their website Listeners may also tune in via their com 2 radios on 123.45 with our Wee Tune Beastie application available for download on their website

For more information visit Sky Blue Radio.

Gloster Gladiator from FSAddon

Posted: Wednesday, December 29, 2010 - 22:14
Staff reviewer Harold Zimmer looks at FSAddon's Gloster Gladiator, the last bi-plane fighter of WWII. "The Gladiator was used around the world in various conflicts. It also performed in many diverse environments…from the deserts of the Middle East to the snowy, freezing weather of Europe. For a biplane, it was fairly fast, kicking up her heels at around 250 MPH. Although it was a tough old bird, it just could not compete with the performance of the monoplane-type aircraft that was being developed and delivered into service."

"This package includes three models of the Gloster Gladiator and seven different liveries. All textures (this includes paint job, propeller textures, etc.) are created in a way that really reflects a note of realism to this model. The cockpit is loaded with detail. As you pan around in VC viewing mode, you may just get the feeling that you could feel comfortable sitting in a real world Gladiator."

"The various panel views will offer any user one that will satisfy his or her needs. It comes equipped with a radio and a compass. The compass to help you find your way, and the radio to call for help when you can’t! No ADF, VOR, or GPS with this bird!"

"The data used to configure the flight dynamics of this model were taken from original aircraft specifications and consultation with the staff at Shuttleworth Air Museum. She sure “feels” like a biplane, the way it rolls and handles."

"FSAddon's Gloster Gladiator is an excellent addition to the ranks of payware models representing yesterday’s glorious old warbirds. The model reflects the developer’s intent on getting it as close to looking and behaving like the real Gladiator as possible. All flight simmers will enjoy this add-on for its flight dynamics, a challenge for your navigational piloting skills, and also, just for its looks."

Real Environment Xtreme OverDrive for FS2004 Released

Posted: Wednesday, December 29, 2010 - 21:17
Real Environment Simulations is pleased to announce the release of REX OverDrive for FS2004. REX OverDrive is a 620MB FREE High Definition texture upgrade for REX FS2004 and is available to all current REX/FS2004 customers.

REX users will be able to expand their FS9 experience with hundreds of free high definition textures for all areas REX has made improvements in, and will be user-scalable for the FPS conscious pilot.

"Our team worked tirelessly for almost 8 months, with more than 1,300 man hours on this update and we're extremely confident users will enjoy the outcome" states Tim Fuchs.

All REX customers who wish to update to OverDrive will need to make sure they have REX Service Pack 4 installed prior to the OverDrive install process.

FSMP - Advanced FSX-2 Server.

Posted: Wednesday, December 29, 2010 - 21:15
FSMP is pleased to announce the official launch of their new enhanced "Multiplayer FSX-2 server". Online, 365/24/7, this new FSX-2 Multiplayer server is open to all with FSX SP2 or Acceleration, from early teens, to retirement.

The new FSX-2 server, which can easily handle 99 concurrent players, offers many advanced feature, not found on other dedicated FSX servers. These features include both Gamespy or Private Direct Connection, support for Multiple Controllers at Multiple Airports and Centers, extensive two-way communication with the Server's AI BOT via the chat box, private messaging, private and broadcast audio messages from the server, and chat box text and audio help for both pilots and controllers. "Line of Sight" Radio Range control, allows the use of real world frequencies, without interference between airports using the same ground or clearance frequencies. FSX's Shared Cockpit is also fully supported.

In addition, all advanced server features are "server side", which means that there is no additional software for players to download and install. The server supports its own website that is dynamically updated with information from the server, including a Google Map display of aircraft positions, filed flight plans, registered controllers and their Frequencies and positions, as well as information about all aircraft in the session.

AirSimmer A320 Update V1.3

Posted: Wednesday, December 29, 2010 - 14:33
The AirSimmer Team announces the release of the AirSimmer A320 Basic Edition Systems Update v1.3, available through the TabletPC. Issues fixed: AP/AT critical problem; many CTD's & sounds bugs. New feature added: Full Systems Cockpit Saving.

Flight1 Releases The Su-27 Flanker

Posted: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 - 17:52
After the USSR had learned of the American dedicated heavy fighter program via intelligence sources and the appearance of the Grumman F-14 Tomcat - Sukhoi set about designing a suitable answer. In the summer of 1985 initial operational capability was achieved and the type was code-named "Flanker - B" by NATO. With a range well in excess of 3,000 km, heavy armament, sophisticated avionics and high manoeuvrability the Su-27 is able to perform almost all combat operations, and now, thanks to the development team at ALS-SIM and Flight1 you too can take to the skies in this astonishing aircraft.

Based on the first production variants the Su-27 for FSX comes packed with features including the ability to select your own external weapons via the fuel and payload editor. Great care has been taken to ensure that the flight dynamics are true to life, including the ability to perform the "cobra" and "tail slide". In order to enjoy these flight dynamics to the full, each of the eleven textures are available as high or low resolution to assist low end systems.

A320 Jetliner from Just Flight

Posted: Monday, December 27, 2010 - 19:10
Staff reviewer Robert Mariani climbs aboard Just Flight's A320 Jetliner, another offering in their F-lite series of commercial airliners. "The real Airbus A320 is the Airbus Company’s second entry into the commercial airliner fleet, and so far the 318-321 family has been the most produced of any Airbus model. Designed in the 1980’s with production continuing today, the A320 is a direct competitor to Boeing’s most successful 737."

"The VC is made with sharp bitmaps and all autopilot and MCDU switches work well. One thing that you will notice is that the VC overhead is missing some sections that the 2D overhead provides, most importantly the working electrical switches. This will preclude you from flying from cold and dark to landing entirely in the VC mode. At night the cockpit light has only one panel switch and that one does the job wonderfully."

"The 2D panel is well made as well, and includes several sub-panels such as throttles, full overhead panel, primary instruments zoom panels (3), and several other pop-ups. This panel is very well put together and lives up to the promise of “visually impressive”. As far as the panels go this one is good, simple, and functional."

"This airplane is beautiful. The shape and size, as well as the two engine variations, detailed textures, the moving surfaces such as flaps and ailerons all combine to be one very pleasant visual experience. The A320 Jetliner comes in eleven CFM and nine IAE versions. Sounds are excellent. From start up to flap extension to spool-up, everything sounds realistic."

"Overall, Just Flight's A320 Jetliner is a pleasure to fly manually and on autopilot. It is docile at any speed, handles the low speeds well, climbs briskly, and ground handles fine. On rotation if you follow the speeds suggested by MCDU you will always have a perfect lift off. If you fit into that niche of people who like nice airplanes, but have no time for complex systems and very long pre-flights, then this A320 Jetliner is your ticket to fly."

Ultimate Terrain X - Europe from Flight 1

Posted: Saturday, December 25, 2010 - 20:38
Staff reviewer Robert Mariani flies over a new Europe after applying Flight 1's Ultimate Terrain X - Europe. "Ultimate Terrain X – Europe will “upgrade your Flight Simulator X world to a whole new level of reality. Commercial quality scenery data accurately places roads, coastlines, rivers, streams, parks, golf courses, cemeteries and much more in their real world locations and shapes.”"

"The coverage is limited to what used to be known politically as Western Europe. The areas that are covered are done extremely well, with properly placed roads, rivers, railroads, landclass, bridges and more. Along with excellent coastlines and many more roads that have FSX cars on them, you will also get the outstanding night lighting. Ultimate Terrain’s greatest feature for me is its scalability, or the flexibility to adjust not only the individual settings of this product, but many display settings of FSX itself."

Lancair IV-P from Orbx

Posted: Friday, December 24, 2010 - 20:43
Senior staff reviewer Bert Pieke looks at Orbx's first venture into the add-on aircraft genre with their Lancair IV-P. "Orbx has faithfully recreated the flagship model of the Lancair range, the “LANCAIR IV-P” as an FSX add-on aircraft. The build is based on VH-LLW located in Albury NSW Australia and is a recreation of the sample aircraft’s systems, avionics, layout and paint."

"The virtual cockpit is nicely finished, with a small side stick to control the flying surfaces. This stick is removable to gain a better view of the engine instruments. All the gauges are custom made and 3D modeled and they are very good and legible. Panel lighting works nicely both in day and night time."

"The outside views are in one word: stunning. The composite design of the airplane means rounded curves everywhere instead of the riveted aluminum skin that we know well from most general aviation aircraft."

"With the great IFR instrumentation and high cruising speed, this is an aircraft to take on cross-country flights and hone your navigational skills. The sounds are well done and all the usual animations are there and work nicely. It really feels like you are sitting in the cockpit – the gauges look amazing when close up – all very crisp and life-like."

"The Lancair is a noteworthy achievement by Orbx for a “first release”! A true high performance touring aircraft which is challenging to fly. The cockpit instrumentation that is provided is complete and ambitious, especially the fully coded EHSI."

Vmax 737 NG Cockpit

Posted: Friday, December 24, 2010 - 15:28
Vmax Aero Systems is selling their in-house flight simulation 737 NG cockpit. The cockpit was utilized for years by Vmax to develop and test products, such as ProFlight 2000. They are moving their facilities and no longer have room for the simulator. Details on the simulator are available in the following YouTube Video Merry Christmas and Happy New Years from Vmax Aero Systems.

North American Aerospace Defence Command

Posted: Friday, December 24, 2010 - 14:47
Colorado Springs, Colorado has been the focal point of NORAD's mission to track the flight of the world’s fastest civil transport aircraft for another year. Since 1955 military personnel have invested countless hours refining their systems and communication network, it’s now capable of providing up to the minute information promoting a global effort to ensure the protocols of the distribution clause are respected, IE all recipients are in bed, with eyes closed.

Last year, NORAD's Santa tracking center answered 94,000 calls and responded to 10,000 e-mails and some 10.6 million visitors went to their WEB SITE .
NORAD's holiday tradition began when a Colorado Springs newspaper misprinted a Sears, Roebuck & Co. ad giving children a phone number to call to Santa. The number was one digit off, and the first child to get through reached Col. Harry W. Shoup of the Continental Air Defence Command, NORAD's predecessor.

Shoup now 91, was surprised to hear a little voice on the other end who thought he was Santa, a quick thinker he sounded a booming "Ho, ho, ho!" and pretended to be Santa Claus. Enough calls followed that Shoup assigned an officer to answer them while the problem was fixed, but Shoup and the staff he was directing to "locate" Santa on radar ended up embracing the idea and NORAD continued the tradition when it was formed 50 years ago.

The task began with no computers and used a 60-by-80-foot glass map of North America has grown by the Web site's 1997 launch to include two big screens on a wall showing the world and information on each country Santa Claus visits.

Now Google provides tracking with a two-dimensional map or in 3D using Google Earth where he can be seen flying through different landscapes, as well cellphone users can now log on to have precise location data anywhere.

On Behalf Of Avsim Our Best Wishes for the Holiday Season.

Buffalo from Fly Tampa

Posted: Friday, December 24, 2010 - 0:40
Staff reviewer Aidan Sandri heads to upper New York State to visit FlyTampa's Buffalo International Airport. "The airport serves Buffalo, New York and Ontario, Canada. Buffalo Intl Airport is the third busiest airport in the state of New York, with JFK being the busiest and LGA being the second in terms of boarding numbers."

"Everything during my taxi was detailed from the taxiway signs, to the taxiway lights (for use at night). Minor things like gas tanks, cars and even cracks in the taxiways are included in the scenery. When looking straight ahead at runway 05, to the right you will be able to see the terminals which we just taxied from and the nice crisp, clear runway straight ahead."

"The textures outside the airport all appear to be photoreal textures. Some of the textures seem to have autogen placed on top of them, but for a large majority of the product, I did notice that the autogen was 'sparse' and not as much as you would expect when having your sliders set to 'Very Dense.' The main roads/highways are all clearly shown, which makes for great VFR waypoints for the general simmer."

"FlyTampa have raised the bar again with FlyBuffalo. This airport package represents what all international airports can achieve, highly detailed sceneries yet at the same time still achieve fantastic performance rates. If you are considering getting this package, I seriously cannot see a reason why not to."