GoFlight Announce New GA Modules

Posted: Saturday, May 19, 2007 - 15:33
GoFlight announced today two new modules for single engine home cockpit builders. Orders for the "GF-TPM" (Throttle-Pitch-Mixture) module and the "SECM" (Single Engine Control Module) are being taken and shipment of both products will start at the end of May. For more information, you're cleared direct to the GoFlight website.

SceneryTech Updates North American Landclass

Posted: Saturday, May 19, 2007 - 15:19
SceneryTech has released an update for their North America Landclass (version 1.1) which improves the appearance of mountains and canyons by utilizing rocky textures on steep slopes. This update is free for existing North America Landclass customers. This update and accompanying screenshots can be found at SceneryTech's website.

SkyUnlimited Returns To CFS 3

Posted: Saturday, May 19, 2007 - 7:25
SkyUnlimited is proud to announce its return to Combat Flight Simulator 3 with the release of Legacy of the Sky: Hurricane Fighters of WWII. Included in this package are nine variants of the Hurricane ranging from the early Mk.I through the Mk.IID. The feature the full range of CFS 3 features including bullet holes and breaking parts, as well as custom payloads. For more information, please set your course to the SkyUnlimited website.

Century Triden Autopilot from Flight 1

Posted: Saturday, May 19, 2007 - 2:34
Senior staff reviewer Bert Pieke becomes a cockpit mechanic as he replaces various gauges in his aircraft with Flight 1's Century Triden Autopilot flight control system. "The Century Triden AP system includes the Triden AP with vertical speed, alt hold, approach, nav, hdg, flight director and yaw damper modes. In addition to the Autopilot, the TRIDEN Automatic Flight Control System includes the Century NSD-1000 HSI, Century ADI w/FD and the Century GPSS/HDG switch, plus an Altitude Preselect and Alerter."

"You essentially pick those gauges you want removed from the panel (here the ADI, HSI, ADF, Alerter, and GPS switch) and after deleting them, you pick the gauges from the menu in the screen and drag them to the positions where you want them displayed. Then, while holding the Ctrl-key down, you can use the mouse to stretch the gauges to their final dimensions."

"Flying with the Triden autopilot is a treat. It feels like you’ve just spent a bundle to upgrade your GA avionics to a high-end set, costing 10’s of thousands of dollars more. The autopilot gauge has all the buttons conveniently located around a screen that indicates the “soft buttons” to push, and if you are used to having to switch to the radio stack to access the autopilot, you can now position the autopilot right on the main panel, in most cases."

"This is a high function gauge set that will appeal to real world pilots who are familiar with the Century product line (or those who would like to explore this set of gauges). It is professionally put together and is very satisfying when used as intended," say Bert about the Century Triden Autopilot, "if you carefully select your aircraft for this “avionics upgrade”, you can end up with a great looking and very satisfying result."

American Topgun Challenge

Posted: Saturday, May 19, 2007 - 1:41
Seeking to build the first multi-entertainment platform experience of its kind, Microsoft and ATG have created a unique partnership. Virtual pilots from around the world will have the opportunity to compete using Flight Simulator X to win a spot on a TV reality show code-named “American Topgun Challenge.”

Emmy Award-winning New Screen Concepts (producers of ABC’s highly successful “Extreme Makeover”series) and ATG recently announced that a deal has been reached between the two production companies to work together to produce the show. To find out more about this ground breaking event, visit the FSInsider Website.

Just Flight Mondays

Posted: Saturday, May 19, 2007 - 0:53
There's not much to celebrate about the average Monday, but Monday May 21st is something special. It's the day when Just Flight has something special for our readers from 09:00 UK time on Monday to 09:00 Tuesday. Be sure to check their website each Monday.

Win FS2Crew for the Airbus A320

Posted: Saturday, May 19, 2007 - 0:18
Airbus Captains please note, FS2Crew’s “A320 Challenge” is officially underway. Answer five skill testing questions for your chance to win one of 10 copies of FS2Crew’s latest crew simulation: FS2Crew for the Wilco FeelThere A320.

Custom engineered from scratch to accommodate the nuances of the Airbus series and designed to make your flight simulator experience more immersive, the Wilco FeelThere A320 Edition of FS2Crew allows you to simulate true airline style, multi-crew flying from the Captain’s perspective using real Airbus SOPs.

The contest closes on release day, which is scheduled for May 26th at 1700 Zulu. Airbus drivers are cleared via present position direct to the FS2Crew Airbus Page to enter the contest.

Eaglesoft Columbia 400 1.5 Goes Gold!

Posted: Saturday, May 19, 2007 - 0:13
In a news release received today Team Eaglesoft, is pleased to announce that their Columbia 400 V1.5 Package for FSX is now available for purchase! Eaglesoft FSX Columbia 400 V1.5 retains all the great features of our FS9 Columbia 400 V1.0 and adds an FSX 3D Studio Max model with .dds textures, bump mapping, specular lighting, self shadowing, and other great FSX features! Please taxi on over to Eaglesoft for screenshots and discount purchase coupons.

AlphaSim Tu-22 'Blinder' Released

Posted: Saturday, May 19, 2007 - 0:12
There's a new addition to the Russian section - the Tu-22KD 'Blinder'. The Tupolev Bureau's daring 1950's design was the catalyst for many of the now famous Cold War interceptors such as the F-102 and the Lightning. The supersonic bomber was highly advanced and complex for its day, the AlphaSim model package is likewise a technical heavyweight.

AlphaSim notes, "Much effort has gone into reproducing both the challenging flight dynamics and the complicated interface of the panel and cockpit, as well as the subtle sweeps and curves of the 'area rule' classic Blinder shape. A detailed, carefully illustrated procedures checklist helps the user find their way around the unfamiliar panel. Very detailed texturing adds a new dimension of realism with weathering, staining and of course bump-mapping in FSX. The multi-stage afterburner effects, coupled with the thunderous soundset, brings the Cold War to your desktop! The model has some neat tricks too - as a Tu-22KD, it carries a huge stand-off nuclear missile in its belly. The three crew have animated hatches which when opened, allowing the three ejection seats for crew mount / dismount. The afterburner petals are also animated, as are the ring-like intake modifiers. The cockpit is brimming with authenticity, including Russian text and numerous mousable features. The master textures are also made available so repainters can enjoy another dimension of the package and create their own schemes."

This release is for FS2004 and FSX. The filesize is 24MB (FS9) 35MB (FSX). Complete details and screenshots can be viewed on the AlphaSim News page.

Aerosoft Celebrates Canadian Long Weekend

Posted: Saturday, May 19, 2007 - 0:02
Aerosoft North America Ltd. wants to do something special for the AVSIM forum members/readers during this Canadian Long Weekend. Also to celebrate a great Service Pack 1 for Flight Sim X!

During the next three days Aerosoft has placed a very special page in the webshop, where only AVSIM forum members and readers can get to. This link ends on Tuesday morning at 6 AM EST. Canadian readers have a diferent link from the American readers. Please note that you can only get to those pages via these links, they do not show up via the Aerosoft home page.

Aerosoft would also like to offer a “wishlist option”. If the forum members send an email with one product listed in it that they would like to see appearing in the special offers, then the best hits will be placed in these sections on Sunday and Monday!

Hurricane Fighters of WWII for CFS 3

Posted: Friday, May 18, 2007 - 23:50
The Hawker Hurricane is a classic example of an overlooked hero. Few would say that the Hurricane won the war. Names such as Spitfire, Mustang, and Fortress fall into that discussion. However, this forgotten savior bore the brunt of the first few years of the war.

SkyUnlimited has developed each service variant of the Mk.II series as well as the earlier Mk.I’s with the utmost consideration towards detail and realism. Some of the new features include: 9 Highly detailed exterior models of the Hurricane ranging from the Mk.I through Mk.IID including Tropical Versions; Beautifully rendered Virtual Cockpits by Brandon Toomey; Stunning paint schemes by John Terrell; "By the Book" flight dynamics built with the latest in airfile design technology by the acclaimed Jerry Beckwith; Combat Flight Simulator 3 damage and bullet hole effects; Detailed Merlin Engine that can be viewed by opening the bomb bay; Custom Sound sets created by authentic recordings of the Merlin engines, with unique recordings inside and outside of the aircraft; and an original .PDF Flight Manual, as well as an appropriate checklist.

SkyUnlimited hopes you consider enjoying the legacy of one of the most important fighters of all time. For all the details of Legacy of the Sky: Hurricane Fighters of WWII for CFS 3, visit the SkyUnlimited website.

Two New Patches For FScene4X

Posted: Thursday, May 17, 2007 - 20:04
FScene has released two patches for FScene4X. Both the Europe and USA & Canada versions have been updated. If you use the FS9 version of FScene, you don't need them.

You can download these updates from the FScene website.

ATCsimulator®2 Updated

Posted: Thursday, May 17, 2007 - 7:06
ATCsimulator®2 (Build 3.3.0.14) Professional and Standard editions have been updated with current aircraft flight plans and airline schedules. This update is current as of April/May 2007 and involves more than 28,000+ aircraft callsigns across the entire 120 sectors included with the product. For more information, visit the ATCsimulator website.

FSFlyingSchool Version 1.6 Released

Posted: Thursday, May 17, 2007 - 1:00
FSInventions announces a new version of its FSFlyingSchool add-on for FSX and FS2004. Version 1.6 introduces several new features which are free to existing customers and new users alike. Instructors are now looking for pre-flight checks on rudder, elevator, ailerons, flaps and the main exit. What's more, they won't appreciate the exit being opened when unsafe and will be expecting spoilers and reversers to be used appropriately.

The latest version of the program slightly relaxes the demands of the instructors with regard to safe taxiing habits and given that the instructors now have more to say, background chatter is a little less frequent. In addition, the program user interface has been enhanced by the inclusion of detailed pop-up tool-tips for all buttons, prompts and input fields. FSFlyingSchool is now available on CD. To find out more, watch movies, download demo, etc, visit the FSFlyingSchool Website.

More New Files At HJG

Posted: Thursday, May 17, 2007 - 0:56
"It's been a relatively peaceful past 5 weeks at HJG ("HISTORIC JETLINERS GROUP") .... but .... I guess even these dedicated classic jetliner specialist occasionally need to take things easy. The past 3 weeks have seen an interesting selection of some 20 new files being added to the extensive variety of material which makes up the HJG inventory of classic civil jetliner models, panels, sounds, textures, and effects files for FS."

"These latest additions are comprised of some more extremly rare B707 subjects from Asian, African, European, Middle Eastern, North American, Scandinavian, and South American countries. Among which include a very rare Austrian B707-138B, and an even more rare, almost now forgotten, Canadian B707-320C."

"For the military affectionados HJG also has the pleasure of announcing availability of its brand new TC-135S & W models (with CFM turbofan engines) which are supported with a selection of USAF liveries, as well as an updated E-3C AWACS model, which features 2 impressive comemorative NATO liveries as well as updated USAF textures."

All are currently available for download "FREE" from the HJG website.

Piper Warrior 2 & 3

Posted: Thursday, May 17, 2007 - 0:55
Australian Simulation have released their version 2 of the Piper Warrior 2 & 3 for FS2004 and FSX. It comes with detailed models featuring an older "used and abused" plane as well as a brand new plane. For more information, check out the Australian Simulation web site.

Just Flight Releases VFR England Scenery

Posted: Thursday, May 17, 2007 - 0:49
Just Flight has released their Volume 2 of their VFR Real Scenery: Central and S. England. Featuring high resolution textures, you can fly over accurately depicted scenery. Sounds great.

For more information, screenshots or to order, check out the Just Flight product page.

Concensus of Opinion? SP1 Rocks!

Posted: Thursday, May 17, 2007 - 0:06
Okay... "Rocks" may be somewhat of an over statement, but the chatter in the AVSIM FSX forum seems to be indicating a very positive reception to the Microsoft FSX SP1 that was released last night. The inside scoop? The ACES team is reading the AVSIM FSX forum and are very pleased with the feedback occurring there. We are too! Thousands of readers have been participating in the FSX forum today, catching up with the release, issues, the good news, tweaks and more. Some postings have been read over 6,000 times in the less than 24 hours since the SP1 release. Want to join in the fun? Learn from your fellow enthusiasts, and share in the experience of the new FSX? If so, please join us in the FSX Forum!

Microsoft Releases Service Pack 1 for FSX

Posted: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 - 3:30
We have received word from the Microsoft ACES team that the long awaited Service Pack 1 for Flight Simulator X is to be released tonight. Hal Bryan, Flight Simulator Community Evangelist for the ACES team wrote us and had this to say; "FSX Service Pack 1 is going live as I type this, and should be available on the FSInsider site by about the time you read it. It’s currently released in English, French, German, Italian, Polish, and Spanish – Japanese will be available hopefully within 24 hours – just waiting for final signoff from Microsoft Japan.

Visitors to the site will also notice that we’re rolling out the very earliest phase of our FSInsider membership. Anyone who downloads SP1 will be asked to consider signing up for membership – it’s free, quick, and totally optional. We’re planning on offering a lot of fun stuff to members in the near future, and hoping, of course, that customers opt in."

You can download SP1 for FSX by going to the FSInsider site and clicking on Downloads. And read Phil Taylor's (of the ACES team) message on the AVSIM Forums about the SP1 release.

To stay on top of this developing story, share user's insight to the Service Pack release, hints and help, tweaks, install issues, and all things SP1 related, keep your eye on the AVSIM FSX forum - the most comprehensive forum related to FSX in our hobby! Join it here.

The Treasure Chest

Posted: Tuesday, May 15, 2007 - 3:13
Staff reviewer Trevor Clark contributes in the footsteps of Steve "Bearracing" Cartwright with his new monthly review of freeware products that are worthy of all of our readers attention.

He entitles his contribution "The Treasure Chest". We at AVSIM hope that you will enjoy reading his comments about worthy freeware downloads in the spirit of Steve's "Bear Cave". While this is his second actual freeware article, Trevor endeavours to contribute the "Treasure Chest" on a regular basis.