AVSIM Forum Membership 40,000 Strong

Posted: Friday, July 6, 2007 - 23:18
The AVSIM staff is proud to announce today that our forum membership set another milestone as we surpassed the 40,000 mark.

The AVSIM forum is the largest in the flight sim community with 85 different forum conferences from hardware support to swap meets, including eleven forums with an international flavor. Plain and simple, if the topic is of flight simulation, train simulation, or even radio controlled airplanes, you'll find someone discussing it at AVSIM Online!

Are you ready to join in the discussion or maybe looking for advice? You can get started here. It's fun and it's free!

B737NG Proline Pedestal Panel Available

Posted: Friday, July 6, 2007 - 2:57
CIM Flight Decks launches Boeing 737NG ProLine Pedestal Panel. CIM Flight Decks, the Dutch company engaged to supply the Flight Simulator hobbyist with affordable flight deck panels, is presenting with some pride its newest ProLine product. The 737NG ProLine pedestal panel, used to control radio traffic, is now available in the CIM Flight Decks Web shop. The 737NG ProLine pedestal panel, brought on the market before as BasicLine product, is now available for the virtual pilot in an even higher quality, extra sanded and coated with high-grade flat paint, giving a realistic and scratch proof result. The ProLine panels have rounded corners and are slightly thicker than the BasicLine. With this Boeing 737NG ProLine panel, CIM Flight Decks is giving you the opportunity to complete your cockpit even further. Like the BasicLine products, the ProLine panels can of course easily be integrated and installed in the (self-built) CIM Flight Decks cockpit. Complete details with pictures can be found at the CIM Flight Decks web shop.

Citation X from Wilco/Feelthere

Posted: Thursday, July 5, 2007 - 6:41
New staff reviewer Kevin Boydston looks at a 2nd release of the Cessna Citation X by Wilco/Feelthere. "The Feelthere team decided to revisit the Citation X, and introduce their in-depth system simulations into this one of a kind Bizjet."

"All the systems in the panel are modeled within the VC, including Flight Information displays throughout the cabin. Displays are very smooth and easy to read, the night lighting is also very good. All the MFD functions are modeled correctly."

"Two models are offered in the menu. One is the entire simulation with no cutbacks, and the second is a ‘no candy’ model offering better performance for lower end systems. The model looks fantastic, animations are smooth and the model is detailed and proportioned correctly. The aircraft is just fantastic in the air. It’s very easy to control, and offers a realistic experience."

Summing up Wilco/Feelthere's Citation X, Kevin says, "All around, this is an excellent simulation of the Citation X, with enjoyable flight dynamics and a jet-setting appearance, coupled with in-depth system simulations, weather radar, and wonderful sounds."

Eaglesoft FSX Citation SR1 Available

Posted: Tuesday, July 3, 2007 - 22:03
In a press release sent to us today, Eaglesoft have announced the release of FSX Citation II 1.5 Service Release 1.

The press release goes on to say: "This Service Release has been "rolled into" the current download and fixes all known issues and adds a new custom livery. Current owners may simply redownload and reinstall using the Reinstall Button on the Flight One wrapper to obtain this Service Release. As an added value, Eaglesoft includes the new Pulse Lighting System as well."

To find out more about this latest update, please visit the Eaglesoft website.

European Landclass Scenery Released For FSX

Posted: Tuesday, July 3, 2007 - 17:12
SceneryTech in partnership with Flight One Software have announced the release of Europe Landclass product.

This is the second in their landclass series following the previously released North America Landclass. SceneryTech’s landclass products, besides simply improving the realism over the default landclass, reduce the pervasive use of desert textures as found in the default and substantially increases the number of towns and cities. This product also features a revamped urban extents algorithm which is several times more accurate than their previously-used city data and hundreds of times more accurate than the default. More information can be found at the SceneryTech website.

Pilot Seat from Contact Sales

Posted: Monday, July 2, 2007 - 21:51
Reviews Editor Robert Whitwell gets comfy behind his desk as he reviews a new Pilot Seat by Contact-Sales. "This multi-functional seat allows you to fly, race or just use it as an everyday workseat"

"Contact-Sales’ quote of “easy to assemble” holds true once you know where everything goes. Within 30 minutes I had my new toy assembled. I now had a very comfortable Pilots Seat to fly from. I attached all of my CH Products flight hardware to the platforms with the Velcro that came with the seat. As I cozied the seat up to my computer desk, I made some final adjustments on the height of the yoke and its distance from the seat, as well as the height of the throttle platform. I was now ready to climb aboard and start flying."

While all the assembly details and the features are listed in the Pilot Seat review, Robert comments on the versatility of this piece of hardware, "this Corbeau Racing Seat is very comfortable. If I drop the yoke column down and move it forward, combined with removing the side “wings”, I can move right up to my computer desk and do other PC tasks. No real need to switch back and forth between my office chair and this one. Besides, this is a bucket seat, great for long hauls in front of the PC. If you should chose to use your office chair when not simming, this unit is easily transportable out of the way. I simply unplug my flight controls from my USB hub and place the Pilot Seat away from my desk and roll my office chair back in."

Sim Pilot Magazine

Posted: Monday, July 2, 2007 - 18:24
Sim Pilot Magazine, the free online magazine for flight simmers, is entering its second month online. They had a very successful launch with over 2000 simmers registering. Their first issue features lots of interesting articles, including the best Library finds at AVSIM (a regular feature). At Sim Pilot Magazine, you can learn how to create your own scenery in FSX with SBuilder and they teach you how to use such items as an altimeter and vertical speed indicator. Plus there is lots more educational material to be seen. To celebrate their second month online, they’re looking for the best aviation blog. Write a blog and have a chance of winning some great software. An alternate heading would be to Sim Pilot Magazine to find out what's new in a different type of way.

Cessna CitationX Released

Posted: Monday, July 2, 2007 - 17:25
Wilco Publishing and feelThere.com announce the release of the Cessna Citation X. With advanced functionalities such as Flight Simulator X viewpoints and contextual animations, the Cessna CitationX is set to be part of the best simulation software. Bearing a Pilot in Command label, the Cessna Citation X is developed for experts as well as beginners. On top of all systems simulation, the Cessna CitationX features a full glass cockpit equipped with the Honeywell Primus 2000 advanced digital avionics suite.

Among Cessna CitationX advanced features are : a vertical profile on the MFD, accurate AutoPilot features, colour weather radar with turbulence detection, and a traffic avoidance system with audio-visual Traffic Advisory. Cessna CitationX has a Luxury VIP/Executive interior with a welcoming flight attendant, as well as specific animations of VIP welcoming which can be triggered at several airports around the world.

Fly at nearly supersonic speed. The Cessna CitationX is now available for FSX or FS2004 in CD-ROM and download version. Information and screenshots can be seen at the Wilco Publishing website.

Small Update From Just Flight

Posted: Monday, July 2, 2007 - 4:27
A small (4.07Mb) update for Just Flight's VFR Real Scenery Isle of Wight and Volume 2 (Central and Southern England) add-ons for FSX is now available. Users of either package can intall this update free of charge. It turns the platform above the Needles Lighthouse (located on the western tip of the Isle of Wight) into a landable helipad.

Captain Mike Ray Article "High and Fast"

Posted: Sunday, July 1, 2007 - 13:32
Computer Pilot and FSVisions publishes 'High and Fast', a PDF document written by Captain Mike Ray explaining the proper procedure to descend from cruise to approach. Available from today, this file is part of a collection of articles published by Computer Pilot and presented online by FSVisions, helping pilots find the most realistic way of flying. You can read this and the other articles at the FSVisions Website.

Messerschmitt Bf 109 from Sky Unlimited

Posted: Sunday, July 1, 2007 - 2:43
Senior staff reviewer David Wilson-Okamura continues his look at WWII aircraft with the Messerschmitt Bf 109-G from Flight Replicas/Sky Unlimited. "This famous fighter was forever known by two names, both of them correct, and both of them in use throughout the war: Bf 109 and Me 109."

David comments about the model, "I’ve been pouring over photographs and paintings of the real thing. I haven’t noticed any errors. The contours are correct, even small structures are modeled with care, and the colors are well researched. Six subtypes have been reproduced in this package, some of them in more than one version, so that there are a total of thirteen visual models, and fourteen different liveries. By design, the Me 109 had a relatively small wing, to maximize performance at high speeds. For low speeds, the 109 had slats on the wing’s leading edge that would open and shut automatically, depending on whether the wing needed more or less surface area."

Inside the cockpit, "All models are flown from the virtual cockpit, of which there are two versions. What makes a good virtual cockpit? Here are some things I look for: a friendly panel layout, readability of individual gauges, and (if it’s a vintage aircraft) authenticity. This one scores well in all three categories. Pilots on both sides of the war commented on the intuitive way that gauges were arranged on the instrument panel, and Flight Replicas' has preserved that."

How about in FSX? "According to the product web page, the Flight Replicas Gustav “flies nicely in FSX.” That’s a good way of putting it. Almost all of my testing was in FSX, and I never noticed any anomalies. I would not recommend this model for pilots with low-end hardware. For mid-range hardware and above, frame rates are lower than one might wish for in a fighter, but still good."

A short, to the point conclusion about this rendition of the Messerschmitt Bf 109-G, "I’ve mentioned some things I would like to see fixed in an update, but what we have now is good-looking, serviceable, and authentic. I look forward to flying the next model from Flight Replicas."

FSWidgets Updates Its FSX Electronic Flight Bag

Posted: Saturday, June 30, 2007 - 22:30
Fermin Fernandez from FSWidgest announced today that they have issued a patch for their Electronic Flight Bag for FSX (EFBFSX), which makes it compatible with FSX SP1 and Windows Vista.

To download the update, or for more information regarding this product, please visit the FSWidgets website.

FS2Crew Releases “FSX” Level-D 767

Posted: Saturday, June 30, 2007 - 19:08
Level-D 767 drivers please note, FS2Crew has released an FSX Upgrade for the Level-D 767 Edition of FS2Crew. Designed in close consultation with Capt David Barrington, the 767 Edition of FS2Crew is an enhancement package for the Level-D 767 that allows users to fly with a flight, cabin and ground crew in a very realistic way. New features and functionality have been added the FSX Level-D 767 Edition of FS2Crew: new panel graphics; new functionality with the tiller and jetways; new DirectX interface; updated manual; and a new PA panel.

767 drivers are cleared via present position direct to the FS2Crew website to download the program and see what's available for FS9 owners.

TropicalSim Releases Rio de Janeiro Int'l Airport

Posted: Saturday, June 30, 2007 - 19:01
TropicalSim have just released their new scenery: Rio de Janeiro Int'l Airport (also known as Galeăo / SBGL) for both FS9 & FSX. The scenery comes with 2 independent installers, one for FS9 and another for FSX. Pictures of the scenery can be seen at the TropicalSim website, and complete details can be found at the ordering website.

Why Wait? Register Today

Posted: Saturday, June 30, 2007 - 18:53
There's just over 4 months until the annual AVSIM Conference in Seattle, Washington 9-11 November.
The registrations are continuing to come in and the vendors are now making their plans to attend.
There will be some surprises and unique displays at this year's conference, that haven't been seen at our previous events.
While the forum chatter indicates that there will be a lot of locals dropping in, a short email of your intent to attend to the Conference Manager would go a long way to help entice more vendors to attend with some number predictions. Don't miss out on this annual event.

RealAir Simulations Releases Tail Dragger Package

Posted: Saturday, June 30, 2007 - 18:26
RealAir Simulations announces the release of its Tail Dragger package: the Scout, Citabria and Decathlon for FSX. Built from scratch and fully compatible with FSX Sp1, the package features five distinct tail draggers including fully aerobatic, amphibian and tundra versions, all with individual virtual cockpits and RealAir's updated ultra-smooth gauge technology. There is a total of 50 individual liveries. Each of the 5 variants has an individually designed flight model, with spinning and side slip improvements over the FS9 version. Gauge backlighting can now function at all times of the day. Each variant has one-click fully customisable panel configurations. The package includes updated scenery for Bear Gulch specially made for FSX. The complete and upgraded packages along with detailed information is available now at the RealAir Simulations website.

CLS Turns 2

Posted: Saturday, June 30, 2007 - 17:02
Commercial Level Simulations is celebrating its official second birthday! With this, they would like to thank all people who have supported them in the last two years. CLS has made an amazing growth within those two years and they are happy to inform us that the upcoming year will be one of many new releases. Visit the CLS website and check out their celebrations.

Capt Keith Releases Scenery Adventures "ValuePak!"

Posted: Saturday, June 30, 2007 - 6:35
This version includes Volumes 1, 2 and 3 of the previously released individual titles rolled into one bundle... with a few added bonus items. This package includes over a dozen adventures, 9 highly detailed airfields spanning over 800 miles through South America plus many custom weather themes. Missions include everything from a simple cargo run to emergency medical transports and rescue missions. Forest fires, airplane crashes, volcano eruptions, drug lords, typhoons and ship wrecks only add to the sense of adventure. Read all the details at the Captain Keith wewbsite.

Aerosoft Releases Dornier Do-27 For FSX

Posted: Saturday, June 30, 2007 - 6:03
According to Aerosoft, "The Digital Aviation Dornier Do-27 was the most advanced light aircraft done for FS2004. However, it's release was a bit overshadowed by all the attention to FSX at the time." Well now Aerosoft announces the release of the FSX version of the Do-27 and after some serious work (and over 5000 lines of animation code) the FSX version maintained all the features of the FS2004 version. Of course, standard FSX features as additional camera definitions are included. Check out the product page and see the screenshots and features.

3 Helicopters from AlphaSim

Posted: Friday, June 29, 2007 - 2:45
Senior staff reviewer Gene Davis goes into the hover as he looks at 3 offerings from AlphaSim; The AH-1W Super Cobra, the CH-46 Sea Knight and the Sikorsky S-55. "If there is one constant in the universe, it is that of AlphaSim and its wide array of Flight Simulator add-ons. It doesn’t matter what you want to fly, there just seems to be an outlet there for it."

"AH1-W Super Cobra - All I can say about this chopper is - Wow! If you had a chance to fly the Apache Gunship from AlphaSim, then you will more than likely want this one. Done with the same attention to detail, the Cobra is a real beauty. You will find that there is a lot of extra eye candy, such as an opening canopy, animated crew, animated TADS and chin gun."

"CH-46 Sea Knight - If you have ever seen a CH-46 in flight, it is a site that you will never forget. The exterior modeling of this chopper is again on the same level as that of the Cobra, it has a very realistic look to it right down to the textures used to make the windshield. Along with a beautiful exterior model, you will find all of the added extra features; working ramp, functioning winch and cable (FS9 only), as well as highly detailed crewman. I really liked the lighting effects from both inside and outside the aircraft, especially the night lighting."

"Sikorksy S-55/ Westland Whirlwind - I have got to tell you, when I first saw this helicopter I was really surprised. It just stood out as being ugly to me, but I found this particular chopper to be one of the easiest to fly. It also makes for an excellent training chopper. The AlphaSim model is totally accurate and represents an age of Choppers that helped muster in a new generation of helicopters like the Merlin or the Cobra for that matter. Climbing into the cockpit is almost a culture shock. Only one side of the cockpit has instruments and because the cockpit sits at the top of the frame, it sits high above the ground."

Summing up this AlphaSim trio Gene states, "Do I like these choppers? Yes I do! If you have been looking at getting into the world of flying helicopters, I suggest you try out at least one of these, or better yet, all three. You won’t regret it!"