Airport Wizard v1.03 Released

Posted: Thursday, December 9, 2010 - 23:52
FlightSimTools.com has released a new version of Airport Wizard - a simple tool for easily improving the look of airports in FSX and FS9. With just a few mouse clicks, you can add incredibly realistic illuminated aprons. Add taxiway lines that are perfectly round at turns and intersections and taxiway lights that have a real 3D appearance both at day and night, instead of being just bright dots. No need to know anything about editing airports - with Airport Wizard, improving an airport just takes a few seconds! The new version 1.03 adds a choice of different taxiway edge lights.

Orbx Release YBUD Bundaberg Airport

Posted: Thursday, December 9, 2010 - 13:46
Orbx Is Proud To Release YBUD - Bundaberg Airport Home to the famous Queensland rum brewed in the township, and the popular Jabiru LSA aircraft, this rendition of YBUD is a feast for the eyes. Featuring licensed ultra crisp digitally sourced aerial imagery at 15cm and 60cm, and gmax poly aprons and runway with superb modeling and texturing by Ian Routley, the many visits to the airport by Orbx developers to source photos will result in an extremely realistic environment. We also include the complete township of Bundaberg with the beautiful Burnett River meandering through canefields and pastures. It's a delightful setting only a short flight from Orbx's YHBA Hervey Bay, and another jewel in the crown for our AU GOLD airports. You will really immerse yourself in this wonderful airport! Ground imagery at 15cm/60cm per pixel Buildings textured from actual onsite photos Expertly modeled in Gmax by Ian Routley Compatible with Orbx FTX Aero tool Includes over 100km sq of photoreal area The entire city of Bundaberg is included Canefields, crops, the brewery, industrial area Precision autogen annotation and objects Includes custom GA AI Traffic movements Full custom 3D night lighting included Only a short hop to YHBA Hervey Bay Full weather fx on runway and aprons For more information visit the YBUD product page.

PRE-Flight Avatar Scorpion Gunship

Posted: Thursday, December 9, 2010 - 13:41
PRE-Flight RC Simulator is pleased to announce the release of the Avatar Scorpion Gunship for free download. This is a super scale model of the AT-99 Scorpion Tiltrotor Gunship from James Cameron's blockbuster "Avatar". The Scorpion has fully functioning dual rotors which tilt and change speed in response to control inputs and is armed with missiles powerful enough to bring down even a Great Leonopteryx. The Scorpion features a realistic turbine whine and rotor blade sound. Small amounts of pure Unobtanium is also used in the high-performance, zero-friction bearings of this agile aircraft and also for a levitating effect which increases its load-carrying capacity and range.

Rise of Flight "Lite"

Posted: Wednesday, December 8, 2010 - 15:15
Aerosoft(Europe)is releasing a budget version of the popular aerial-combat simulator Rise of Flight. "Rise of Flight-Lite" contains high quality features such as a very detailed scenery, special effects and a realistic landscape. The campaigns and the individual four fighter planes guarantee lots of fun and action. More information and screenshots of Rise of Flight-Lite are available at the Aerosoft website.

Garmin GNS 430 from Elite Simulation Solutions

Posted: Wednesday, December 8, 2010 - 1:39
Senior staff reviewer Bert Pieke installs Elite Simulation Solutions' Garmin GNS 430 into his aircraft's dashboard and uses his hands to control the device instead of his mouse. "Elite is well known for their FAA approved simulation solutions which are used in flight training centers, as well as for their custom simulations software that runs on a PC. Less well known is that you can buy home cockpit components from Elite - everything from a complete Bendix-King radio stack, to a single control module, like the G430, and use these with FSX."

"Pushing the V-button caused the 430 on the screen to power up and a couple of Enter pushes later, I was in full command. At first, it seemed unnatural to have the G430 screen up on my monitor while the knobs and buttons were off to my right, but it did not take long for this to become second nature. The knobs are really nicely made and feel very professional with just the right amount of resistance and nice clicks for every increment. This is way better than having to position my mouse over the inner or outer knob on the screen and then using the mouse wheel to turn. Entering data with the right knob or selecting radio frequencies with the left knob was now a real pleasure."

"All in all, a nice piece of gear! At $549, not exactly inexpensive, but “welcome to the world of real avionics”. As a comparison, a real Garmin GNS430W costs $8,000 new, or about $6,000 refurbished. If you are building a GA home cockpit, you will certainly want to include a Garmin GPS unit of some sort. The Elite G430 fits into a standard radio stack and is manufactured with the mechanical precision that makes it feel like the real thing."

On The Horizon

Posted: Wednesday, December 8, 2010 - 0:03
Welcome to Colorado! Vertical Studios has a great weekend planned for you. Not only will you get to enjoy camping in the Rocky Mountains, but you will also experience some great Mountain Flying. During the next 4 days you will visit 5 airports, including Aspen and Leadville, which is the highest airport in the US. You will also fly over 6 mountain passes. Details of the Colorado Camping Weekend mission/adventure can be found at the Vertical Studios website.

Carenado Releases 2nd X-Plane Aircraft - PA32 Saratoga SP

Posted: Tuesday, December 7, 2010 - 23:56
The PA32 Saratoga SP is developed for X-PLANE 9.5 (or higher) using Windows 7, Vista, XP, MAC OS 10.3.9 (or higher) or Linux. It Features four different paints schemes remembering the past four decades: yellow (seventies), beige with red (eighties), navy blue (nineties) and light blue with black (contemporary) plus a blank texture.

Other features include:
-Polygon optimized model
-Internal dynamic reflexes and normal mapping effects
-IFR certification
-Includes: Interactive virtual cockpit
-Full moving parts: Ailerons, elevators, rudders, flaps and trim tab - Animated Cowl Flaps - Rolling wheels - Opening doors -Animated Sun Visor.
-Custom sounds
-Many details as: pitot pressure chamber, antennas, fuel caps, yoke, moving key ring and moving radio cable
-Documentation includes: VC operation, Autopilot Normal & Emergency checklist and reference.

DC-3 - Legends of Flight

Posted: Tuesday, December 7, 2010 - 23:52
The DC-3 was always the aircraft that manufacturers wanted to replace with something better and more modern but the DC-3 performed so well that a viable replacement wasn't easy to produce - hence the saying, “The only aircraft to replace a DC-3 is another DC-3.”

This fantastic package from Just Flight features the Douglas DC-3 in seven classic airline liveries, as well as two USAAF C-47 transports and an RAF Dakota. Also included are the AC-47 gunship, which saw service in the Vietnam war, and a fully flyable Waco CG-4A glider!

The aircraft exteriors and virtual cockpits are all modelled to the highest level of detail, and civilian passenger cabins and military cargo holds are modelled with appropriate animations - suitably dressed stewardesses and crew vehicles for the airliners, and cargo and troops in the military transports.

Iceland X Released

Posted: Tuesday, December 7, 2010 - 23:48
Iceland is one of the most amazing places on this globe. Created by volcanic eruptions it has not calmed down yet and the wild mix of water, ice and lava attracts hardy visitors from all over the world.

It also has a wide collection of smallish airports as air travel is often the only way to go from one end of the island to the other. But it’s also a magnificent way to travel as you get the best view of the amazing landscape from the air. In FSX as well, as you travel to far away airfields you see lava fields, glaciers, a stunning coastline and some of the most impressive volcanoes on this world. Add to that the weather that seems to change every half an hour and you get a great FSX product from Aerosoft, Iceland X.

New at the Avsim store: the Ultimate 757 Collection

Posted: Tuesday, December 7, 2010 - 15:40
The Ultimate 757 Collection is the most extensive 757 Package ever created for Microsoft Flight Simulator. There is truly something for everyone. Every 757 to come off the line from Boeing has been reproduced for your enjoyment. And with Mid-Level systems programming, we've simplified the simming experience while providing you the look and feel that makes the Boeing 757 such a special airplane to fly.

Visit the Avsim store today.

On The Horizon

Posted: Tuesday, December 7, 2010 - 14:43
Tower 2011 has been developed from scratch. feelThere has received feedback over the past few years concerning air traffic control sims and these suggestions have been implemented in this new simulation. The initial release includes three airports to challenge controllers of all skill levels. The smaller airport has been specifically selected to allow new controllers to learn the software and air traffic control procedures. After gaining experience the two major airports multiple runways and high traffic volumes will challenge experienced controllers.

Some highlights of Tower 2011:
- Aircraft will follow inflight heading and turn commands.
- Runway racetrack pattern commands are simulated.
- Runway assignments for arriving and departing aircraft may be changed.
- After takeoff headings can be assigned to aircraft prior to departure.
- Runway intersection takeoffs are simulated
- Many of the newly issued FAA commands are simulated (such as line up and wait, taxi to ramp/apron).
- Taxiway routing to and from parking and terminal areas can be assigned and changed.
- Hold short commands may be issued for taxiways and runways.
- Airport, schedule and airplane editors will be released and supported. These are the same editors used during TOWER's development.
- Dynamic lighting and shadows provide a stimulating visual environment. If you control for 24 hours you will see a full sun cycle calculated from real world data.
- Full ground traffic (cars on freeways and major highways and streets)
- Stereo sound.
- Voice commands can be used using Microsoft's Speech voice recognition technology.

VoxATC X Version 6 released

Posted: Tuesday, December 7, 2010 - 14:08
VoxATC for FSX takes another leap forward. The new release includes several major new unique features: VoxATC now uses the SIDs and STARs in the Navdata Airac cycles. This adds a major component missing from FSX ATC (built in or add-on). SIDs and STARs are assigned in clearances based upon the flight plan and the runway in use. Procedures are referred to by their full name not just the code. Flights can be created with alternate routings as variations on the filed flight plan. ATC will then issue a clearance including a full routing for the variation from the original flight plan. After a missed approach, a diversion to an alternate can be chosen. Any SAPI voice available on your system can be used as a controller or pilot voice. The volume and speed of each can be set individually. VoxATC can also use the open source VoxPop Voices. As many voices as the resources of the system can support may be used with VoxATC.

PA32 Saratoga SP now on X-Plane

Posted: Tuesday, December 7, 2010 - 3:33
Carenado released the PA32 Saratoga SP for X-Plane. This features, four different paints schemes remembering the past four decades: yellow (seventies), beige with red (eighties), navy blue (nineties) and light blue with black (contemporary) plus a blank texture, some of the other key features are:

-Polygon optimized model
-Internal dynamic reflexes and normal mapping effects
-IFR certification
-Interactive virtual cockpit
-Full moving parts: Ailerons, elevators, rudders, flaps and trim tab – Animated Cowl Flaps - Rolling wheels – Opening doors –Animated Sun Visor.
-Custom sounds
-Many details as: pitot pressure chamber, antennas, fuel caps, yoke, moving key ring and moving radio cable
-Documentation included: VC operation, Autopilot Normal & Emergency checklist and reference.

For more information visit their Product Page

Active Sky Evolution SP2 Released

Posted: Tuesday, December 7, 2010 - 0:11
ASE-SP2 is a complete and comprehensive weather simulation engine for Microsoft Flight Simulator X and FS9. This new version provides dozens of improvements, fixes and enhancements over previous versions. Three different FSX weather depiction modes are now available, including Standard, Smooth Cloud Transitions and Direct Weather Control. The availability of three modes allows users to get the best experience possible given their needs and type of simming. New local range suppression and ceiling-based write suppression is now available for both FS9 and FSX Standard Depiction Modes. Improved high-performance depiction logic for FS9 minimizes visual cloud shifts and inconsistencies. A newly configurable visibility graduation ceiling allows more realistic and refined visibility smoothing (FS9 and FSX DWC Mode) in a variety of environments. Integration with FSUIPC v4 (FSX) now permits 3rd-party add-ons such as Radar Contact to receive proper localized weather information when using DWC mode.

These and many more enhancements have been made to provide the most refined and realistic weather experience possible. Active Sky Evolution SP2 includes all the realism-based weather simulation features you've come to expect including Private weather server access, historical weather database, realistic wake turbulence simulation, comprehensive flight and weather planning, graphical mapping, internal FS9/FSX weather gauge, universal graphics add-on integration and much, much more. SP2 is a free upgrade for all ASE customers. For more information or to download ASE SP2 today, please visit HiFi's website.

Sky Blue Radio - Special Holiday Edition

Posted: Tuesday, December 7, 2010 - 0:00
Sky Blue Radio presents a Special Holiday edition of FSinFocus, when "JT" welcomes Chip Barber, writer of the "The Corner", a well respected column at FlightSim.com and Shane "Archammer" Schmidt host of the critically acclaimed "10 Minute Taxi" hosted by You Tube. "JT" and his guests will be dishing out wish lists for the holiday season that every flight simmer would want. Payware, freeware, and hardware abound across the flight simulation community, and in the present economy, knowledge is power.

In addition, the panel will discuss what they think is in store for the flight simulation community. This is not an infomercial for specific companies, just an honest discussion with the audience and our guests. The listening audience is strongly encouraged to get their questions in early at fsinfocus@skyblueradio.com. Please join them December 11th, at 1900z for what promises to be a fun filled show.

Listeners can tune in to Sky Blue Radio by accessing their website at skyblueradio.com. 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. We are now available via Black Berry or iPhone through radiotuner.mobi.com/skyblueradio.

On The Horizon

Posted: Monday, December 6, 2010 - 23:47
ASDE-X™ provides a topnotch, top-down view of select airports when acting as the controller using the air traffic tower position in Microsoft® Flight Simulator X (FSX). This addon was inspired by real-world ASDE-X equipment used at 30+ select airports in the United States. ASDE-X equipment is used in support of the NEXTGEN directive of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). ASDE-X™ is a unique addon for FSX that can only be found on the ATC Simulator website.

New Version of FSFlyingSchool

Posted: Monday, December 6, 2010 - 17:04
FSInventions announces the expansion of their product line with a new version of FSFlyingSchool add-on for FSX and FS2004.

The major new features of FSFlyingSchool2011 are as follows:

a) You can now land anywhere you like and your instructors will know which runway you have chosen. You do not need to file a flight plan and you do not need to create the runway files that FSFlyingSchool used previously. Just get lined up with a runway ahead of you when you descend in landing mode. The instructor will look ahead, figure which runway you are heading for and announce where you are going to land. Easy!
b) No need to file a flight plan! Fly any route you wish with full evaluation of your performance.
c) Instructor knows which runway you are landing at. Even without a flight plan or ILS, and will give advice on how to land.
d) Instructor knows which runway you are taking off from. Instructor will comment and give advice on the runway you have selected.
e) No need to land on a fixed point on the runway. Any reasonable landing on a runway will get a reasonable score.
f) Auto-read FSX's current flight plan. Option so that FSFS2011 will always read FSX's current flight plan when you press the connect button in FSFS2011.
g) Spoken Teaching Tips. Option so that FSFS2011 will speak a series of helpful tips when you fly with FSFS2011. Tips are always in the same voice and are clearly different from a normal 'instructor' voice. These tips are like training wheels on a bicycle and are telling you how to use FSFS2011 and Flight Simulator itself. Once you have got the basics of these operations down, you may wish to turn these basic tips off.
h) Friendlier scoring system. Rewards all flights which were basically safe - higher scores require plenty of skill. If you can walk away from your landing - you will get a score. If you crash - you will not!
i) Numerical data added to log book. Shows details of flight performance, such as landing speed, distance from threshold, approach accuracy and more.
j) Runway length and threshold part of landing evaluation. Landings have never been easier - just land beyond the threshold (even when displaced), on the runway, and not too long, and you'll be looking at great scores.
k) Airfield cities and facility names added to log book. No longer just the ICAO code - now you get to see your full airfield names.

To find out more, watch movies, download demo, etc, visit FSFlyingSchool Website .

Next Space Shuttle Mission Simulator (SSMS2)

Posted: Monday, December 6, 2010 - 6:32
The next version of the Space Shuttle Mission Simulator has been revealed by Exciting Simulations at the I/ITSEC 2010 show, at the NASA STEM booth today at 09:00 ET. The official name of the next version is: Space Shuttle Mission Simulator 2...the legacy continues...

Among the main features listed during the announcement:
- New Earth engine: high resolution, photo-real Earth. 16 times higher than in current version.
- High resolution clouds
- High resolution Earth at night.
- ISS interior: seamlessly "float" between the docked Shuttle and the ISS, and inside the ISS.
- More, exciting and surprising missions.
- More "to do" in space
- Fully interactive 3D cockpit,
- More detailed GPC and gauges functionality
- Graphical enhancements

Present at the event was Mr. Tim Gagnon of Titusville, Florida, who is a graphic and portrait artist with a life-long passion for Space Exploration and who has been designing patches for many STS missions and ISS expeditions - including for the upcoming STS-133. His creations are displayed at the Kennedy Space Center and the International Space Station. He also created the Space Shuttle Mission Simulator 2 (AKA SSMS2) patch.

The current version of the Space Shuttle Mission Simulator™ is available as a CD box at PC games and computing retailers across North America and Europe, and for online purchase in downloadable format at the SSMS official website. The latest Demo can also be downloaded freely at the same website. Check the "About" page and the downloadable manuals for more information about the simulator's capabilities and scope.

Airbus X from Aerosoft

Posted: Sunday, December 5, 2010 - 21:57
Staff reviewer Aidan Sandri looks at Aerosoft's Airbus X. "The Airbus A320 is the European response to the widely popular American Boeing 737. The A320 family consists of four members, the A318, A319, A320 and the A321 all similar, though they are different sizes."

"The Airbus A320 is the first in a series to represent a unique way in which the pilot flies; this is called Fly-By-Wire (FBW). You do not fly the aircraft; you fly the computer, which will fly the aircraft. The flight dynamics created by Aerosoft into this aircraft are very accurate to what and how the real Airbus would operate, in my opinion."

"The Airbus X has one the best looking Virtual Cockpits on the market. Every little detail has been taken care of and represents what can be done with a Virtual Cockpit in terms of FSX details. Airbus X has custom night lighting included, which looks fantastic and brings your cockpit to life at night."

"Aerosoft have included a fine looking exterior model of an aircraft that many will not hesitate to look at. For repainters, Aerosoft has included a large (over 700 MB) paint kit which can be downloaded to your account where you purchased Airbus X."

"Although Airbus X is a simplified version, it is an easy aircraft for any simmer to operate and this aircraft has amazing graphics in the Virtual Cockpit, Exterior Model and the Night Lighting."

5 JustPlanes/World Air Routes DVDs

Posted: Sunday, December 5, 2010 - 0:32
Staff reviewer Marlon Carter looks at a few more instructional DVDs from Just Planes and World Air Routes. First up Laudair and Winair.

"Lauda Air is a leisure airline that was founded in 1979 by former Formula One world champion Niki Lauda. This is the first time I have ever seen the operations of an airline that uses the 737NGs and it was quite a treat to see just how far the 737 has come in terms of technology. One of the highlights on this DVD for me was the opportunity to see the operations of the 737-600 which is not quite common."

"Windward Islands Airways, more commonly known as Winair, is a government-owned airline based in the Netherlands Antilles. The segment of this video which undoubtedly is the most captivating is the takeoffs and landings at Saba airport. Other portions of this DVD that are of interest is the footage that highlights the Twin Otter in action at St.Barth and St.Maarten. Also you will find a detailed cockpit presentation of the Twin Otter along with breathtaking clips from the island of St.Maarten and Princess Juliana from the famous Maho Beach which is directly under the final approach path."

Marlon then contines with another pair of videos Iberia's A340 and SAS' A330. "Iberia is the flag ship airline of Spain based in Madrid. Scandinavian Airlines also known as SAS operates from its Stockholm hub."

"The Iberia DVD is by far one of the most enjoyable DVD’s I have looked at in a while. One of the highlights of this DVD is a segment which features clips from Ecuador itself. I am sure the team at JustPlanes had a lot of fun travelling to the equator and witnessing some of the phenomena that is associated with being on either side of the equator. The next highlight of this DVD was the stunning smooth landing by the First Officer on the return flight to Madrid."

"The SAS DVD is also very informative as it features various aspects of preparing an aircraft for an international flight. The approach into Newark airport was a highlight due to the fact that the crew had to contend with some very bad weather on their approach. It also shows just how busy the skies of NY can be at times with a view of aircraft lined up one after the other to land at Newark Airport."

Then Review's Editor Robert Whitwell takes a look at his homeland carrier Air Canada with 3 JustPlanes/World Air Routes flights onboard a 777.

"This DVD covers 3 flights; Toronto to Tokyo and return and Toronto to Frankfurt. The first leg is a 13 hour flight with a 12 hour return haul. The YYZ-FRA leg is a quick 7 hours."

"As you strap yourself into the jump seat to observe first hand what happens on the flight deck, the Captain and First Officer start their pre-flight checks and continue on with their emergency takeoff brief. They continue with the procedures prior to takeoff and after V1 is achieved. They also discuss an engine fire scenario."

"During the flight the autopilot and FMS are explained, along with the flight computer and the why various waypoints are entered into the system. We also get introduced to the air route charts, comminications and radios and fuel management systems. On the return leg the co-pilot goes through the STAR and ILS procedures as well as what to expect for taxi instructions once on the ground."

"The main difference on the Toronto-Frankfurt flight is that we are introduced to Oceanic Clearances and these are explained in detail."