PMDG / AoA Productions Partner Project

Posted: Monday, May 7, 2007 - 2:21
Angle of Attack Productions, in cooperation with the Precision Manuals Development Group, are pleased to announce the newest of their training products: Angle of Attack - Queen of the Skies Training. This new product affiliation between PMDG and Angle of Attack is the first in a series of similar partnerships designed to help their customers get the most out of blending what AoA and PMDG has to offer for the ultimate in simulation realism.

"We are pleased to be working with AoA Productions in support of their new Queen of the Skies training video," said PMDG founder Robert S. Randazzo. "Most PMDG customers miss out on the true depth of the simulation we provide because it isn't possible to demonstrate every capability within the constraints of a written tutorial. AoA's innovative approach to producing DVD training for simulator pilots will help many more PMDG 747-400 Queen of the Skies owners to operate their 747 simulation more realistically while also gaining an appreciation for the complexity provided by this product."

Chris Palmer, Angle of Attack Productions founder added, "As we searched for our next training candidate, we never let our eyes travel past the PMDG 747-400. Once the work began on this 4 engine beauty, it wasn't long before we were awestruck by every detail PMDG had modeled in the simulation version of the real-world counterpart. Our excitement has been very hard to keep secret as we produce such a stellar training product for an equally as impressive add-on!

Effective with the release of PMDG's 747-400/400F for FSX, for a limited time, customers purchasing their PMDG 747-400/400F for FSX directly from PMDG's eCommerce system will be offered the opportunity to purchase the exciting new Angle of Attack-Queen of the Skies Training DVD at a special, discounted promotional price.

For detailed information regarding the Angle of Attack-Queen of the Skies Training DVD, please visit AoA's website or the PMDG website.

Capt Mike Ray's Articles Available

Posted: Sunday, May 6, 2007 - 17:46
Courtesy of Computer Pilot and Captain Mike Ray, his informative articles are published once a month. The first Sunday of each month, a new article in pdf format is available for download.

The fourth article is now available today. This current article is about the MCP. Like all other articles in this series, this one is written in English and has a lot of illustrations. Captain Ray has written these articles the same way he writes his famous Checkrides, so it's a pleasure to read and is very informative.

These articles have become available for free to all simmers in the world through FSVisions under a unique cooperation between Captain Mike Ray, Computer Pilot and FSVisions. You can look forward to the next article on Sunday June 3rd. So bookmark this site and collect all of Captain Mike's informative and entertaining articles.

HiFi Simulation Website Updated

Posted: Sunday, May 6, 2007 - 16:59
HiFi, developer of ActiveSky, announces that they have just launched their brand-new website! They have also made some key additions to their development team and have exicting new product plans in place. All the details are available at the new HiFi Simulation Software website.

SimTube.com Launched

Posted: Saturday, May 5, 2007 - 17:24
The flightsim community can now enjoy a growing array of flight simulation videos organized into categories. You can also freely create video groups, and create their own internal video "pow-wows".

SimTube.com would like to thank all of those who have shown their support through its development, as all of your dedication has finally paid off.

FScene Release FScene4X USA & Canada

Posted: Saturday, May 5, 2007 - 15:49
FScene have just announced the release of FScene4X USA&Canada for FSX. This scenery features new and rearranged textures specifically for FSX while leaving the important advantages of FSX intact, thus combining the best of both worlds. As a bonus to their customers, an updated FS9 version of the scenery is also included in the pack. For more information, visit the FScene Website

SimFlyer's SeriesX 'Bendix' GPS Released

Posted: Saturday, May 5, 2007 - 15:42
SimFlyer have just announced the release of their SeriesX GPX-SX "Bendix Series" GPS Systems for both FS2004 and FSX. This package boasts features such as 5 GPS units, a full Bendix radio stack with autopilot, replacement VOR Heads and over a dozen gauges. For more information visit the SimFlyer Website

JustPlane's SpiceJet DVD Released

Posted: Saturday, May 5, 2007 - 15:36
JustPlanes, The popular producer of over 500 aviation-related programs have just announced the release of their SpiceJet DVD. SpiceJet is fast becoming one of India's most popular low-cost airlines with a rapidly growing fleet of Next Generation Boeing 737-800s. Within the DVD, you get to take your seat in the cockpit for 12 flights to 7 destinations in India. Throughout the flights you will get information from the pilots during a walkaround, cockpit presentation, approach briefings to most airports and a lot more. For more information, visit the JustPlanes Website

New Caravan 675 Set For FSX

Posted: Friday, May 4, 2007 - 1:05
Friendly Panels have finished their work on a couple new Cessna Caravan planes. They are the Caravan 675 in both the land and amphibian models along with two different GPS's for each.

For screenshots and more details, visit Friendly Panels.

FSX US Landclass From FSGenesis

Posted: Friday, May 4, 2007 - 0:57
FSGenesis has released an upgrade to their US National Landclass Project for FSX, bringing it to 2.01. This is a new landclass made from 2001 source data.

For more details and to download, which is available for a free upgrade for current users, is located at the FSGenesis website.

AVSIM to Support Oz Flight Sim Expo!

Posted: Tuesday, May 1, 2007 - 23:00
AVSIM is pleased to report that we will be providing support for the Oz Flight Sim Expo, scheduled to take place on Saturday and Sunday, October 27th and 28th, at the Conrad Jupiters Convention Center, located on the Gold Coast, Australia. AVSIM has long recognized the importance of Flight Simulation in Australia and the number of active Australian members in our simming community. In providing our support to this great event, we do so with the hope that flight simulation will continue to grow in Australia and neighboring countries. AVSIM hopes to provide additional content for the Expo, and we look forward to possibly seeing our Australian readers there! For more information on the Oz Flight Simulation Expo, please visit the Oz Flight Sim Expo site!

Hahnweide Scenery For Condor Gliding Simulator

Posted: Tuesday, May 1, 2007 - 22:37
Hahnweide Southwest Germany 1.0 by Stefan Kessleris is now available to download for Condor the Competition Soaring Simulator enthusiasts.

The comprehensive flight zone features a realistic distribution of textures, nice custom airports, as well as major VFR landmarks. That scenery is of a new kind since it has been specifically designed to recreate during massive multiplayer flights the real Hahnweidewettbewerb 2007 soaring competition in conditions that are close to reality. To find out more details about this scenery, visit the Speedbattle Website.

Carenado Announce FSX Patch For Cherokee

Posted: Tuesday, May 1, 2007 - 22:32
Carenado have announced the release of the FSX patch for the Carenado’s Piper Cherokee. This patch, not only updates that aircraft for FSX, but also improves the quality of the instruments, increases the size of the tail (making it more real) and corrects some smaller issues like the design of the antenna. The patch is available for all the customers who have previously bought the aircraft at Carenado’s site and it is also available at distributor’s web pages. For more information about this press release, visit the Carenado Website.

New Update From Flight One Software

Posted: Tuesday, May 1, 2007 - 1:11
In a news submission sent to Avsim today,Flight One Software announces the release of the Instant Scenery Update 1.01 The latest update has some new features and options to make scenery management more accessible, the update includes a tool for making thumbnails for existing libraries, a Library Maker for new add-on libraries and several bug fixes,You can look over this update at. Flight One Software .

ImagineSim's KLGA La Guardia FS2004

Posted: Saturday, April 28, 2007 - 18:43
ImagineSim have released their latest airport add-on, KLGA New York, La Guardia for FS2004. LGA is a network hub for the four giant US airlines - American, United, Delta and US, and is the closest airport for breathtaking views toward the sprawling skyscrapers of Manhattan Island.

La Guardia features custom made ground textures and runways, terminal, cargo and hanger buildings rendered to 5cm per pixel scale, smoothly operating jetways that dock with your aircraft's forward door with an interactive docking system to park you right on the mark, taxiways with realistic concrete textures, full airport taxiway and runway signage, 3D approach lighting and full ILS navigation. Also included are hundreds of airport vehicles and ground personnel, aircraft can be found parked at custom textured parking positions, all hangers, cargo and airport auxiliary buildings are also modeled, there is even a perimeter fence.

Complete details, screenshots and a demo version are available now at ImagineSim's website.

Bergen - Flesland by Cloud 9

Posted: Saturday, April 28, 2007 - 2:12
Senior staff reviewer Brian Fletcher goes Norwegian as he reviews Cloud 9's Bergen-Flesland airport. "Bergen-Flesland airport opened in 1955 as a joint civil and military airport and has since become the second largest airport in the country. In 2006, the airport provided service for over 4 ½ million passengers with flights to 16 domestic and numerous international locations by more than 15 airlines."

"There are a number of buildings, a new terminal with jetways, gates, static aircraft, and even areas under construction, but what really stuck out to me was how well each of these areas are textured. Despite the fact that the new ground textures are notably more defined, it does blend in fairly well where the airport connects to the default scenery east of the facility. One thing that caught my attention while flying over the airport during my evaluation is that the fading and discoloration of all pavement markings vary throughout the airport. The terminal is certainly hard to miss with the blue jetways and plethora of ground servicing equipment at the gates. But what I really enjoyed was how the terminal is textured to appear well weathered, something that is clear when parked at the gates."

"Each of the gates at Bergen include a visual docking system that will help you to guide your aircraft into the gate properly. If you happen to fly any of the Boeing aircraft from the 717 through the 757, an Airbus A319-321, MD80/90, MD-11, or an ATR 42, then the VDS will automatically recognize your aircraft. When you pull up to the gate you will see the visual docking system activate by displaying the aircraft type across the top, and a series of green lights vertically displayed on either side of the lower portion of the VDS."

"I have had the opportunity to examine the differences between the two add-ons via the included manual, and from my perspective the FSX version is the way to go…assuming your system can handle FSX. There are five major differences between the two versions as far as I can tell, the first being that the ground textures, runways, taxiways, aprons, and all airport textures are more detailed in the FSX version. Dynamic snow removal equipment is also available in the FSX version, as are flocks of birds that can be seen flying in the spring and summer months. All of these things combine to make the FSX version much more active and in many ways more authentic as well."

Wrapping up this Norweigen adventure, Brian concludes that he likes Bergen-Flesland, "I frequent there often, and it will likely remain in my FS9 virtual world for as long as the simulator is installed on my system. I especially enjoy the fact that this facility can accommodate all of the aircraft in my collection, and with little exception, the performance was perfectly fine for me. This particular offering has earned a special place in my virtual world for its remarkable detail and all-around authenticity."

FS2Crew Updates ATR Edition

Posted: Friday, April 27, 2007 - 22:57
A new update for the Flight1 ATR Edition of FS2Crew is now available at the FS2Crew website. This minor fix works to improve memory usage over long flights.

Flight1 ATR captains may download this 1MB file from the FS2Crew home page.

CIM Flight Decks Launches New Website

Posted: Friday, April 27, 2007 - 19:01
CIM Flight Decks, part of the Dutch company Cockpit in Motion, has recently launched its new website. Beginning in May, the web shop will be open for the flight simulator hobbyist to obtain what is needed to raise his or her hobby to a higher level in the field of ‘cockpit building’.

With its recent product line, CIM Flight Decks enables the flight simulator hobbyist to obtain various products and components to build a cockpit at competitive prices. These will be products such as panels (MIP, overhead etc.) of among others, the Boeing 737. In the near future CIM Flight Decks will offer two different versions of these panels. The Basic version for the user at home with a smaller budget and a Luxury version for the demanding flight simulator hobbyist.

Besides the Boeing 737 flight deck panels, CIM Flight Decks, located in Drachten, the Netherlands, will supply components and products to build F16 (for simulator hobbyists with military flight interests) and Airbus A320 cockpits. CIM Flight Decks will not only supply panels, seats will also be part of the product line in the future.

At this moment, CIM Flight Decks, part of Cockpit in Motion, (a company building simulators for the semi-professional market), is primarily known for its motion bases. These moving bases are now also available for the flight simulator hobbyist, making it possible to build a simulator on top of a moving base. The motion bases are not available through the web shop, as these are be custom made for each customer. If you are interested, you can contact CIM Flight Decks without obligation. The website is available in Nederlands and English languages.

Eaglesoft Announce Citation For FSX

Posted: Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 22:19
In a press release today, Eaglesoft is pleased to announce that their Cessna Citation V1.5 Package for FSX is now available. Eaglesoft FSX Cessna Citation CJ1 V1.5 retains all the great features of our FS9 CJ1 V1.0 and adds an FSX 3D Studio Max model with .dds textures, bump mapping, specular lighting, self shadowing, and other great FSX features! Customers and owners of original FS9 CJ1 1.0 may download a 30% Discount Coupon from their Coupon Page. To find out more about this latest release, visit the Eaglesoft Website.

Fly The Maddog - 2006 by Leonardo

Posted: Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 3:36
Staff reviewer David Rogers revisits the MD-80 with "Fly The Maddog - 2006". "Few aircraft attract as much of an individual following and fan base in the FS and real aviation worlds, as the McDonnell Douglas MD-80. Whether in its original 1979 “MD-81” form or a later variant, whether under the original MD banner or under Boeing’s wing, this is an aircraft with few peers."

"So what do you get for your pennies? Well, you obviously get the aircraft, you also get a user manual, and Flight Operations Manual, Landing Speed Charts, a Control Manager utility, and a Set-up Manager. In this respect you get a good package for your money. Now, I must say up front that what you don’t get, is a Virtual Cockpit."

"On first seeing the Maddog 2006 exterior model I was immediately impressed by the quality of the textures and features. This is the most stunning MD80 visual model I have seen to date and in my opinion, slightly surpasses the Flight 1 offering. On first sight of the 2D panel, my impressions were that the textures were perhaps not as sharp as those featured in the Maddog 2004 panel. I also felt they were slightly behind those of the panel in the Flight 1 product too. However, to dismiss this as a poor panel would be hugely unjust- there are a lot of positives."

"An excellent tutorial is included with the Maddog 2006 package, however, this review is based on a flight other than the included tutorial flight. The set-up utility allows 3 options for the starting state of your MD-82 flight – Dark & Cold, Ready to Start, and previous. Let me say absolutely up front that Maddog 2006 has the best flight dynamics I have come across in any FS add-on. In hand flying, aileron, elevator and rudder movements feel perfect and well balanced and reinforce the feeling of flying a ‘heavy’ piece of metal. The way the plane responds to changes in slat and flap movements is also stunningly realistic. Throughout all phases of flight, I observed excellent and realistic behaviours of the aircraft, whether using vertical speed mode, speed based climbing and descent modes, Altitude capture, Heading select, Nav Track arming and capturing, and of course Localizer and glideslope capture and progression."

"It is not possible to cover every angle of a package as complex as this one, especially in a review that needs to appeal to all simmers. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my 13 hours of flight testing with the MADDOG 2006. This is a highly complex simulation. It is designed to offer a high level of realism in the simulation of this popular and somewhat enigmatic aircraft. If, like me, you love complex airliner simulations, then I would highly recommend MADDOG 2006."

Georender Announce Yellowstone FSX Demo

Posted: Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - 19:26
Ponder the mysterious Yellowstone Lake. Explore the 'Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone' and look deep into the earth's interior. Marvel at the beautiful Absaroka and Gallatin mountain ranges. All 8,000 kilometers of Yellowstone National Park are yours to explore with the release of a 2.4M per pixel resolution demo of the popular Georender Yellowstone scenery for FSX.

For more information and to download the demo, hop over to the Georender website.