Night Textures for FScene - Australia & New Zealand

Posted: Tuesday, November 9, 2010 - 14:52
Ruud Faber developer of the FScene replacement ground textures for MSFS is working on fine-tuning the Night Textures as used in FScene for FSX. The patches for FScene4X USA&Canada , South America and Africa have been obtainable for some time already. Today he released the fourth patch covering Australia and New Zealand with 170 revised textures, again as a free download. At this moment 4 patches have been released. Get the revised night textures for free at

If you are a user of TotalPack (covering all 6 continents) and you can't wait, you can safely install these patches now, although a bundled patch for the TotalPack will be available as soon as all continents have been covered.

FScene is widely acknowledged by flight sim enthusiasts as a captivating and subtle makeover for the default scenery of Flight Simulator. The latest version now incorporates replacement textures for Flight Simulator X and 2004. The software covers a huge swathe of the planet's surface and will transform your simulated flying in all four visual seasons. Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter (and a beautiful snowy 'hard Winter' season).

Because FScene4X simply replaces the default textures with a different set, it has no effect on frame rates and is fully compatible with updated mesh terrain and photographic scenery such as: Photoreal scenery, FSTerrain, FSGlobal, FSTerrain , FSGlobal, Real Scenery Airfields, World Airports, Myworld, Custom made airports, and all other addons for Autogen, Environment, Landclass etc.

Real Environment Xtreme SP4 for FS2004

Posted: Tuesday, November 9, 2010 - 14:48
Real Environment Simulations is pleased to announce the release of Service Pack 4 for the FS2004 version of REX.

Fixes include:
1. FIXED weather engine CAVOK issue.
2. FIXED Inland blue/brown water custom colorization and saving of user-created themes.
3. FIXED Ocean and Tropical water custom colorization and saving of user-created themes.
4. FIXED flight planner issue with waypoint not configuring correctly off of initial departure airport.
5. FIXED flight planner distance issue with only two waypoints.
6. FIXED flight planner plan file save and reload process.
7. FIXED code that handles xml file rebuilds.
8. ADDED feature to restore original Inland Blue/Brown/Ocean/Tropical status if files become corrupt - without requiring user to re-install.
9. MODIFIED the weather texture selection process.

News Portal Back Online

Posted: Tuesday, November 9, 2010 - 14:32
Developers/venders sending news related item can re-commence using the portal link on the left side of the Front Page. news@avsim.com or editors@avsim.com are always available for the purpose too.

FTX Pacific Fjords Released

Posted: Monday, November 8, 2010 - 14:45
Orbx has released Holger Sandmann's FTX Pacific Fjords which joins the gap between FTX Pacific Northwest and Tongass Fjords X. This is a majestic wilderness region with stunning fjordlands, glaciers, mountain peaks and hundreds of quiet inlets and passages. All the airports in the region have been given the FTX upgrade treatment and includes old favourites such as Ketchikan, Bella Coola and Stewart.

Featuring the same quality ground textures and hand-crafted landclass as Orbx's Pacific Northwest, the region also has accurate coastlines, rivers, marshes, glaciers and areas of photoreal imagery in certain alpine regions. Orbx has also added in many floatplane bases on ocean and lake shores where they exist in real life. Pacific Fjords now allows you to fly your favourite regional, GA or bush aircraft from south of Portland all the way into Tongass Fjords - a vast area to explore.

AvSimMap II Released

Posted: Monday, November 8, 2010 - 14:42
Stand-alone avionics Version 1.1.1213 integrates the X-Plane VORs and HSI's with their WAAS GPS. That means you get the correct horizontal and vertical deviations, to/from flag and Nav flag when the nav source is set to GPS. The STEC-55X now engages the autopilot correctly for aircraft with and without a flight director. More details of the product can be found at the FlyThisSim website.

QualityWings Ultimate 757 Collection SP2

Posted: Sunday, November 7, 2010 - 1:58
QualityWings is pleased to announce the availability of Service Pack 2 for the Ultimate 757 Collection. SP2 introduces FSX Native models for the FSX version of the product.

This upgrade allows for the following improvements:
- Improved Exterior Model performance in FSX;
- Improved Virtual Cockpit performance in FSX;
- Higher Quality bitmaps for the Virtual Cockpit;
- High Quality Exterior textures (QWHDT - QualityWings High Definition Textures);
- Bump and specular mapping for Exterior textures;
- Wingview and Virtual Cockpit combined in one model. No more choosing WV or VC prior to flight!;
- Improved Virtual Cockpit Lighting including independent control of the Text Backlighting and Flood lighting; and
- Improved Exterior Model Lighting including independent control of Cabin & Logo Lights.

Several other product improvements, fixes and modifications for both FS9 anf FSX versions are included in this SP. SP2 also introduces QWPAS, the QualityWings Pre-Recorded Announcement System which promises to take your flight experience to another level with the including of several commonly heard Announcements from Flight Attendants and Flightcrew. This feature is available for both FS9 and FSX versions of the 757.

Airshow Pilot from Just Flight

Posted: Saturday, November 6, 2010 - 18:43
Senior staff reviewer Angelique van Campen hits the show circuit with Just Flight's Airshow Pilot. "Airshow Pilot is all about aerobatics, and you’ll be testing your skills against other flight sim pilots in competitions around the world. This is against AI competitor’s generated offline on your home PC or against real flight sim competitors who will be flying in the same events throughout the year and comparing their results with yours online."

"Don’t expect that within 10 or 20 training hours you’re ready for the real competitions. Even highly experienced flight simmers will confirm this, but see it as a challenge. By the way; real aerobatic pilots didn’t learn these aerobatic figures within 10 hours."

"Although the program size is small, it offers you a lot of fun. No, there’s no scenery enhancer program added except for the Hawk T1 airplane. The manual also offers a kind of step-by-step procedure as well as detailed background information of all the symbols used in the Airshow Pilot program. Whenever you’re ready, you can create your own flight events with flight program and if you want, your own population for the air show. Together with those additional programs, comes a Tools manual."

"Just Flight’s Airshow Pilot is a great add-on it offers you FUN, FUN and even more FUN! See Airshow Pilot as your new Flight Simulation Challenge!"

2 New Train Sim Add-ons

Posted: Saturday, November 6, 2010 - 16:44
A4 Pacific Class LNER Add-on Pack - This new LNER-themed add-on provides fourteen top quality London and North Eastern Railway liveries, adorning a range of engines from pristine machines to highly weathered examples, including the black livery 'War' versions. Also included are six new scenarios, a set of custom 'Gresley' carriages in natural teak, and two sets of nine Coronation carriages in the two-tone blue livery and including the unique observation car.

Bristol to Exeter - This new route includes 85 all-new miles of track from Bristol Temple Meads to Exeter St Thomas, all painstakingly re-created brick by brick and mile by mile. Painstaking research of the route and its immediate environs ensure that this is one of the most realistic RailWorks expansions. Drive the climbs and descents; pass through the embankments and cuttings and under correctly placed bridges carrying animated road vehicles; look around and see the unique buildings that make this route so distinctive; stop and marvel at the exquisitely detailed stations. Bonus free ZZA Snowplough, featuring Just Trains ActivScript functionality which provides a visual snow clearing effect and flashing red tail lamp.

On The Horizon

Posted: Saturday, November 6, 2010 - 16:39
A2ASimulations has been working on a few new releases as requested by the flight sim community. Check out what they are up to.

FS2CREW Airline Pilot Xtreme In The Avsim Store

Posted: Saturday, November 6, 2010 - 9:02
Airline Pilot Xtreme is a great bundle package including all the current Voice Commander Editions. This is an awesome deal that doesn't come around very often! This product brings you highly 'customized', highly authentic, non-generic Voice Control for the best FSX and FS9 aircraft! If you've always wanted a realistic airline crew simulation at an unbeatable price, then Airline Pilot Xtreme is for you!

Visit the Avsim Store today

Embraer E-Jets SP Released

Posted: Friday, November 5, 2010 - 15:11
feelThere announces their latest version of the E-Jets product. This SP is free to all current owners.

Capt Sim's Next Project

Posted: Friday, November 5, 2010 - 14:41
Captain Sim would like to hear your opinion on what aircraft for FSX you would like to see them make next?
For details and input please visit this Captain Sim website.

Lelystad Weekend Is Here

Posted: Friday, November 5, 2010 - 14:38
AVSIM is pleased to announce that an AVSIM delegation (Dutch Reviewers Angelique van Campen and Benjamin van Soldt and AVSIM Store rep Marty Arant) will be present at the FSWeekend 2010 in Lelystad, the Netherlands. This Flight Simulator event is held on November 6 and 7th in the Aviodrome, situated at Lelystad Airport (EHLE). You'll find dozens of software- and hardware companies, Virtual Airline representatives, Flight Simulator clubs, individual scenery- and airplane developers, military squadrons, private cockpit builders as well as commercial builders. Furthermore, you'll find online network representatives from IVAO, VATSIM, OnlineSim and Flight Simulator magazines like PC Pilot and FS Magazin and many FS enthusiastic representatives. Their last event had 74 display/vendor booths. In other words; you should be there!

You should visit not only the event itself, but also for the gorgeous museum with lots of collector items like the Douglas DC-2 and the world famous DC-3 and not to forget the extraordinary Lockheed Constellation. The exhibition is held in the National Aviation Theme Park Aviodrome and apart of the flight simulator event, guests will experience 100 years of intriguing aviation. With not only a very large collection of historic planes, it also offers an ex-KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 747 Classic, registered PH-BUK.

So plan ahead now (November 6 and 7th) and while you're there visit our AVSIM stand and say hello to two outstanding staff reviewers and hopefully they will be able to help you with AVSIM related questions. The Dutch AVSIM team is looking forward to meeting you!

FlightSim Commander V. 9.0

Posted: Friday, November 5, 2010 - 14:30
The new version 9.0 of FlightSim Commander , moving map and navigational tool for Flight Simulator 2004 and FSX is now available . Version 9.0 presents a host of new features including transitions, approaches and missed approach, connection to GoogleEarth(c), buddy list for IVAO and VATSIM, improved GPS functions and many more.

Wilco Releases Avanti II on CD

Posted: Wednesday, November 3, 2010 - 14:43
Wilco Publishing has released the Piaggio P180 Avanti II on CD as well as the download option. Need more info? Check out our review.

San Francisco Bay from Vero Hi-Fi

Posted: Wednesday, November 3, 2010 - 1:28
Staff reviewer Allen Lavigne tours around Vero Hi-Fi's San Francisco Bay area. "This is an exciting new development in the optimization of ortho-photo imaging for photographic terrain textures in FSX. VERO-FS reveals some of the best scenery available in FSX with added digitization to balance the luminosity, color, and contrast."

"I also have UTX USA installed which will load road traffic in the exact places for roads, no mismatching at all. It adds a lot to the otherwise at times barren looking roads."

"Vero's San Franscisco Bay calls for VFR flights, not because it needs a slow moving aircraft but because you will want to look out the window and admire the passing scenery. Also it is not a huge coverage area, so a long IFR flight would be mostly FSX default which could lessen the sense of realistic immersion. The value added to this product in terms of well matched packets of scenery, seasonal variations, high resolution airports, annotated airfields, night lighting, and some autogen make it a good deal in my opinion."

Free Capt Sim 707 Demo

Posted: Monday, November 1, 2010 - 23:46
The 707 Captain Free Demo is now available to help you make a more informed decision.

A-7D/E Corsair II from Razbam

Posted: Sunday, October 31, 2010 - 19:06
Senior staff reviewer David Wilson Okamura looks at the Vietnam-era A-7D and A-7E Corsair II from Razbam. "Early this fall the Razbam team, which specializes in naval aviation, released the first volume of an A-7 model for Flight Simulator X. It includes the A-7D, as used by the US Air Force; the A-7H, which was exported to Greece; and the A-7E, which was launched from carriers by the US Navy."

"There’s lots of very fine modeling, especially around the undercarriage, and some notable animations: a massive speed break (that has to be retracted for the wheels to come down), a refueling probe, a retractable step for the pilot, leading as well as trailing edge flaps, and a small windmill that emerges from the fuselage to generate emergency power. Perhaps the notable animations are the fuel and weapons stores that can be mounted under each wing."

"The virtual cockpit (VC) is just as impressive as the exterior model. The D and E versions have different layouts, but largely identical functions. Textures are detailed and sharp, not only for the gauge labels but also for the leather padding around the canopy frame. Steam gauges are modeled in 3D, not only for good looks, but also for smooth operation and higher FPS."

"What I like about this model is the challenge of managing the engine. When you’re close to the water, you have to keep your speed up or you will fall into the drink. The engine spools up slowly and there’s no afterburner, so don’t count on a sudden throttle surge to get out of trouble. At the same time, you can’t run the engine at full power for more than a few seconds at a time. If you do, you’ll overheat and lose power altogether."

"Razbam's A-7 Corsair II shows the craftsmanship of the external model, the in-depth systems modeling of the virtual cockpit, and the challenging realism of the flight dynamics. There is a lot here to learn about and explore, and almost all of it is fun."

PRE-Flight A-10 Warthog Released

Posted: Sunday, October 31, 2010 - 16:42
PRE-Flight RC Simulator is pleased to announce the release of the PRE-Flight A-10 Warthog for free download. The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt is commonly known as the "Warthog" or simply "Hog" due to its not-very-pretty looks and the sound of its heavy gun. The Warthog is almost exclusively used for close ground support and is designed for high survivabily even in the face of heavy ground fire. The Warthog's main armament is the GAU-9 Avenger cannon plus ground attack weapons like the Maverick air-to-surface missile. With triple-redundant systems, "bathtub" titanium pilot armor, foam-protected fuel tanks, and specially designed landing gear, the Warthog has proven itself as the most durable aircraft in the US arsenal.

This PRE-Flight model of the Warthog has very high detail, fully working landing gear, camouflage "Hog" paint scheme, and operational Maverick missiles (fire and reload using the action channel).

Boeing 737 Hardware from FSC

Posted: Sunday, October 31, 2010 - 5:47
FSC, an italian hardware company dedicated to flight enthusiasts has announced the release of their fully built MIP for the Boeing 737. This 737 cockpit solutions has been built in various formats in collaboration with companies such as CpFlight and Poldragonet and strived to achieve a perfect cockpit for private and training purposes. In addition to full simulators, FSC also manufactures and sells motorized throttles, overheads and much more. Their products are compatible with FSX and XPLANE.

For more information and pictures vist their website.