Ingalls Field from Pacific Island Simulations

Posted: Thursday, October 14, 2010 - 6:55
Staff reviewer Mike Cameron heads to Hot Spring Virginia, to check out Ingalls Field from Pacific Islands Simulations. "The airports elevation is 3793 feet and is the highest public use airport east of the Mississippi. Ingalls Field has a single 5600 foot runway. Because the airport’s runway is located on a ridgeline with drop-offs on each end with unforgiving wind shears at times, Ingalls Field makes the perfect location for military aircraft testing and touch & go’s from all aircraft."

"I looked up Ingalls Field using Google Maps and the Pacific Island Simulations version is very accurate compared to the Google Maps image. As far as I can tell the airport buildings are also in their correct locations. I love this level of realism with the scenery."

"Everything that you would expect at an airport is there. The terminal building, the hanger, lots of parked vehicles in the parking lot, perimeter fencing, even some machinery at the opposite side of the airport indicating some construction is about to begin. The area surrounding Ingalls Field has also been upgraded with customized real world vegetation and there must be a ranch nearby because there are grazing horses along with a man riding a horse."

"Ingalls Field is very well designed and because it sits on top of a hillside with drop-offs on both ends of the runway, it should provide an approach challenge depending on the weather conditions. The runway is long enough to support medium sized aircraft or smaller ones without any issues."

Just Trains VGA/VKA Wagon Pack

Posted: Thursday, October 14, 2010 - 0:14
The VGA/VKA Wagon PlusPak - the latest in Just Train's series of downloadable add-on packs for RailWorks and Rail Simulator - is now available.

These multi-purpose freight wagons are supplied in exceptional detail with five liveries for both RailWorks and Rail Simulator; they are all finely painted, authentically weathered and are guaranteed to add realism and colour to your rail-sim environment. Also included are four custom scenarios and a unique static model of the VGA with an open door and exposed load that can be positioned to add character to scenarios.

The VGA/VKA Wagon PlusPak features the same innovative ActivWagon scripting that users have been enjoying in their Class 20 Collection. This exclusive feature (RailWorks only) gives you a flashing red tail lamp on the last wagon in the rake, with intelligent coding ensuring that it only appears in this position and not on any other wagons that you are pulling.

Take a look at the VGA/VKA Wagon PlusPak page for all the details and screenshots.

BN-2 Islander from Flight 1

Posted: Monday, October 11, 2010 - 21:11
Senior staff reviewer Bert Pieke checks out a mulit-purpose STOL aircraft with Flight 1's Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander. "Designed and originally manufactured by Britten-Norman of the United Kingdom, the BN-2 Islander is a light utility aircraft, mainline airliner and cargo aircraft with two engines, up to nine passengers and one pilot."

"The cockpit environment is just as one might expect a “workhorse” cockpit to look. Functional, everything within view, and with NAV radio, dual ADFs and a GPS, fully IFR capable. All the gauges and panels are 3D modeled. The KLN GPS is also very functional and can provide steering to the autopilot, so your flight can be fully automated."

"The airplane is nicely finished wherever you look. A click removes the yoke. The outside is lovely, with riveted skin and lots of detail. This is a very distinctive plane and it really looks just like its real world counterpart. The night lighting is close to perfect."

"If you like flying around the islands, pretty much anywhere in the world, this airplane is a great way to move half a dozen passengers with cargo. With its great flying characteristics it will get you in and out of small airstrips. The BN-2 Islander captures the feeling of a no-nonsense workhorse aircraft very well and really grows on you as you fly it more and more."

FS2Crew for Level D 767

Posted: Saturday, October 9, 2010 - 22:09
Staff reviewer David Smith continues the FS2Crew Voice Module series. This time the Level D 767 gets the FS2Crew treatment. "All in all FS2Crew is definitely a fun thing to have to break up the monotonous routine of simulated flight. Being greeted by your Co-Pilot or having to call operations for your zero fuel weight adds to the realism of a carefully planned, and executed trip. Being able to call for gear up or to have the flaps set is something that has improved the way I fly."

"The sounds are above average. There has been a lot of thought put into making crew responses as real as possible. I found FS2Crew for Level D 767 to be very worth the price. It is a well thought out package and is a joy to work with. The interfaces are great as well as the interaction with the crew. I would recommend the package"

FSWeekend in Lelystad

Posted: Saturday, October 9, 2010 - 6:13
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!

Long Beach Airport (Daugherty Field) KLGB Released

Posted: Saturday, October 9, 2010 - 6:11
Shehryar 'Shez' Ansari and Wil Morgan (FRF Studios) announce the release of a completely redesigned freeware Long Beach Airport scenery. The usual care has been taken to design this scenery to give simmers the immersion factor of actually being at the airport in real life. The scenery is available here at AVSIM and on the FRF Studios website.

Flight1 Releases Fokker 70/100 SP 2.5

Posted: Saturday, October 9, 2010 - 6:08
Flight One Software has released the V2.5 of the Fokker 70/100 Simulation for FSX and FS2004. This is primarily a maintenance release which addresses Windows 7 compatibility for the Load Editor, plus it includes improved font handling.

The Fokker 70/100 is an advanced simulation of the Fokker 70 and 100 jets. The goal of the product is to simulate every system in the Fokker cockpit.

SP1 for FS2Crew: Level-D 767 VC

Posted: Saturday, October 9, 2010 - 6:05
SP1 for FS2Crew: Level-D 767Voice Commander is now available via the FS2Crew website. The Level-D 767 Voice Commander version of FS2Crew adds an "voice controlled" airline crew to the Level-D 767.

Thrustmaster Launches the HOTAS WARTHOG™

Posted: Friday, October 8, 2010 - 4:09
Thrustmaster, the innovative PC and console accessory brand, unveils their new flagship flight sim product, the HOTAS WARTHOG™, a full replica of the joystick, dual throttle system and dual throttle control panel of the U.S. Air Force A-10C attack aircraft. Weighing in at more than 14 lbs, the joystick, throttle handles and bases are constructed of mostly metal. With 55 fully programmable action buttons and 2 four-direction hat switches, each with a built-in push button (the first joystick in the world to incorporate such a feature). Read the complete details about the HOTAS WARTHOG™, it's in a class of its own.

PRE-Flight B-25 Mitchell Released

Posted: Friday, October 8, 2010 - 3:46
PRE-Flight RC Simulator is pleased to announce the release of the PRE-Flight B-25 Mitchell Bomber for free download. This PRE-Flight model of the B-25 includes moving control surfaces, super-detail, operating landing gear, and paintball bombs.

The B-25 Mitchell by North American Aviation is most famous for the Doolittle Raid which was the first US attack on the Japanese mainland in WWII. The B-25 was typically heavily armed - one variant being the bomber with the most number of guns in the war. It was also able to carry a hefty bomb load and proved so versatile and easy to fly that it was in service for over 40 years.

Updates from DBS Studio

Posted: Thursday, October 7, 2010 - 17:15
DBS Studio has released updates for Airport GPS and FollowMe (for both FS2004 and FSX). This includes updated scanning AFCAD files and many more improvements from their previous updates.

More Aerosoft titles added to the Avsim store

Posted: Thursday, October 7, 2010 - 15:32
The Avsim store is pleased to provide a full line of FSX titles from Aerosoft. You will find planes like the Discuss X, the Airbus A300 or the PBY Catalina. On the scenery side you will find a full line of US Cities (San Francisco, Chicago, etc.) as well as many airports for FSX. Of course you will still find MyTraffic2010, one of the most popular title by Aerosoft.

To see all Aerosoft products at the store go there. Visit the Avsim Store today.

X65F HOTAS from Saitek

Posted: Thursday, October 7, 2010 - 1:34
Senior staff reviewer Angelique van Campen gets a firm grip on flying with Saitek's X65F HOTAS. "Using joysticks or this non-movable stick means you’ve entered a totally new flight simulator world. It first starts with the X-65F look. There’s no need to touch it since it expresses durability and has at the same time a professional look. This time professional means that it looks awesome. You could have your thoughts about a stick that’s not movable. On the other hand, why should it move? A stick that doesn’t move like the X-65F, feels in the very beginning very strange and you can hardly believe that the electronics are able to detect force sensing."

"The Control Panel and Profile Editor graphs confirm that it can detect your applied force and the flight simulation programs follow, without any hesitation, your steering commands. Even for me as a left handed person, using my right hand on the stick doesn’t give any problems. All the buttons, switches and trigger are directly accessible. I flew many hours with different airplanes and even some fighters and can come to only one conclusion; it flies like hell. It feels natural, it reacts directly and you have full control over the force to apply."

"Editing the buttons, which are available on the throttle unit, is fun and gives you full control over your flight simulator aircraft or helicopter. Not unimportant, split throttle movement is available when you wish and it works great with twin engine aircraft. You really feel the massive metal piece moving underneath your hand. When you’ve split the throttle (engine) control, you’re still able to move them without any stagger. That’s because your hand-palm covers both throttle halves."

"Is Saitek's X65F the ultimate HOTAS equipment? For me it is!"

On The Horizon

Posted: Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - 14:59
The Fighter Collection and Eagle Dynamics now offer "DCS: A-10C Warthog" as a digital download pre-purchase.

"DCS: A-10C Warthog" is a PC simulation of the U.S. premier Close Air Support attack aircraft. This is the second aircraft in the DCS series, following DCS: Black Shark, and raises the bar even higher in the DCS series. Warthog brings the most realistic PC simulation of a modern fixed wing combat aircraft in regards to flight dynamics, avionics, sensors, and weapon systems. You also have the option to play Warthog in "Game" mode for a casual game experience. Fly missions in the Caucuses region of the Black Sea against and with a wide array of air, land and sea forces with new and improved intelligence. Create your own missions and campaigns with the included Mission and Campaign Editors, and fly with and against friends online using the included online game browser.

There is also a Trailer and a Training Video.

Historic Airline Group Adds Canadian Pacific Airlines

Posted: Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - 14:46
The Historic Airline Group recently added Canadian Pacific Airline's 1953 domestic routes to their stable of classic airlines. Pilots can now fly aircraft, including the Merlin-powered Canadair DC-4M, to many locations throughout the vast Canadian wilderness. Also, with the recent expansion of BOAC routes to the Far East, Historic Airline Group is now a global operation. Pilots can fly internationally or local domestic routes in almost any region in the world in a variety of classic airliners.

2 New Instructional DVDs Released

Posted: Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - 14:42
World Air Routes, by Just Planes, has released 2 SAS Scandinavian Airlines DVDs. The first program featured the MD80 and B737-600 on domestic and international flights within Scandinavia and Europe.

The 2nd SAS program features the long haul A330 on a Transatlantic roundtrip from Stockholm's Arlanda Airport to Newark International Airport. The program is over 4 hours long and packed with information and presentations from the Cockpit and also includes a look at the Cabin service.

See everything from the preflight preparations, briefings, checklists, cockpit presentations, ETOPS information, weather avoidance, oceanic crossing procedures, ATC communications and lots more including a cabin presentation and cabin service.

Alicante Ultimate from EireSim

Posted: Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - 3:41
Staff reviewer Rick Desjardins heads to Spain to look at EireSim's Alicante Ultimate scenery. "The Spanish airport of Alicante, LEAL, was originally opened in 1967 and is sometimes referred to as El Altet. The airport is situated next to El Altet and 9 km from the city of Alicante in the province of Alicante which is on the Mediterranean coast."

"When I first loaded the airport I was impressed by what I saw. This is a large airport and you immediately get a sense that this is a very busy place. Comparing the Eiresim version to the FSX default is like night and day."

"To enhance the very detailed ground scenery textures they've added weathering and soiling as appropriate. Parking spots, runway touchdown zones and areas of high traffic all show the wear and tear and dirt stains you'd expect to see in such a busy place. The paint markings are also extremely well done and also very realistic."

"Static airport vehicles, cargo containers, tow bars, baggage carts, baggage tractors and assorted freight can be found around the apron. They also include some AI vehicles, mainly pushback tugs and buses that are predominantly found in and around the apron area as well. On the outside you had cars and trucks moving about the roadways that were near the terminal complex and around the perimeter of the airport. On the other side, adjacent to the apron and tarmac, you had everything from large passenger buses to small pushback tugs driving around."

"In addition to what I refer to as the major airport buildings, there are many other smaller buildings located on the north side of the terminal complex and comparing the scenery to aerial photographs, I saw that most were modeled. Night time brings in a whole new dimension to the scenery you are flying in. I found the night lighting at Alicante to be very well done."

"This is a busy airport with lots to see and is a major destination on the Mediterranean coast. If you are looking for an airport that can handle the heavies or somewhere new to check out than you should give Alicante serious consideration."

MAAM-SIM 10th Edition R4D/DC-3/C-47

Posted: Monday, October 4, 2010 - 16:09
Mid-Atlantic Air Museum Simulations, MAAM-SIM, is pleased to announce the release of the 10th Edition of it's legendary R4D/DC-3/C-47 Package. This edition, available in both CD and download versions, features a dedicated FSX installer for the first time.
The FSX package is a port-over version of the FS9 version of the package modified for Flight Simulator X. It is compatible with all editions of FSX, including Service Pack 2 and Accel. Essentially, what you get is the complete FS9 package with the FSX Basic Compatibility Upgrade and SP2 Transparency Fix already included in an automatic installer so that no further patching is required.

As with all MAAM-SIM products, 100% of the sales proceeds go to support the restoration programs of the non-profit Mid-Atlantic Air Museum in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Captain Sim 707-300 V 1.1

Posted: Monday, October 4, 2010 - 16:04
Captain Sim have released their Pro Line 707-300 V 1.1 , accurate replicas of the Boeing 707-320B and 707-320B Adv aircraft and the base pack of the 707 Captain family and deliver flight deck interior and systems to all 707 expansion models.
Key Features: High resolution Textures of 13 popular liveries, Highly detailed and functional Flight Deck, ACE - Aircraft Configuration Editor and Extensive Manuals in 3 parts (hundreds of pages in total).

Complete Passenger Cabin including galley and lavatories and a Stewardess model ( in various airline uniforms) are among the many elements that are included in this release , visit the Captain Sim Product Page for complete details.

IRIS Releases A-10A Warthog

Posted: Monday, October 4, 2010 - 15:47
IRIS has released the newest in their Platinum Series the A-10 Thunderbolt II , a single-seat, twin-engine, straight-wing jet designed exclusively for close air support by Fairchild-Republic in the early 1970s.
Features include a custom soundpack, next generation Landing Lights, AudioworX 3D Gauges and a wide variety of visual models covering the A-10A with various loadouts.
A variety of paintschemes are available in multiple resolutions to suit individual systems.
Other features of interest are custom in cockpit audio for the pilot, airborne warning controller, tanker operator and more, a working GAU-8 Avenger cannon with sound effects and mission capable for droppable ordnance in saved games.