Another UK Open House

Posted: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 14:45
Brighton-based Flight1 Europe Ltd. is hosting its inaugural 'Open Day' at Shoreham Airport on Saturday October 3rd, from 10AM to 5PM. Entry is by advanced ticket only but there will be plenty to see and do and it's Free Of Charge.

This new event will bring together 'real' and 'virtual' pilots to learn from each other... regardless of experience. They will have flying instructors, airline and private pilots on hand to give hints, tips and tricks on how to get the best out of your flying - either in the virtual or real skies.

ATCSimulator now on Facebook

Posted: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 0:22
Facebook fans can now add the ATCsimulator brand to their friends list. Here you can find out behind the scenes information regarding current ATCsimulator products and future development. Just visit ATCSimulator on Facebook. ATCsimulator is a registered trademark of Russell B. Davis. ATCsimulator and ATCsimulator2 Copyright (C) 2000-2009 by Russell B. Davis

The Avsim Store has a few black GoFlight modules left

Posted: Monday, September 14, 2009 - 15:24
The Avsim store has a few GoFlight black modules left; some GF-T8 toggle switch modules , as well as some GF-P8 Pushbutton modules. We remind you that GoFlight is now shipping its modules in grey color. The black modules have the same features but in black. They are offered at a heavily discounted price, so they are a great opportunity for anyone who wants to start their own cockpit.

The Avsim store also added a new title to the list of downloadable products; the Piper PA28-181 Archer II by Carenado.

Visit the Avsim store today.

Super 80 Ultra High Definition Texture Set

Posted: Monday, September 14, 2009 - 14:32
McPhat Studio and Flight One Software announce their release of a special expansion to the Flight1/Coolsky Super 80 Professional product that brings you ten-special Ultra High Definition Texture sets. With a pixel per meter ratio of 253, these are possibly the most detailed aircraft textures in Flight Simulator. They are four times as detailed as the stock Super 80 Pro textures.

Making HD textures is not about blowing up the existing ones, times four. They are built from the ground up, not only for the diffuse map, but also for the specular and bump maps. This allows a rivet to look like a rivet, scratches look like scratches, soot that looks like soot, and decals are fully readable. The textures have to be meticulously designed with the tiniest details in mind.

They believe you will be amazed by these new textures. The product is available now for download from these vendors, and includes an automatic installer for the 10 new liveries.

FISD: Helsinki/Vantaa for FS2004

Posted: Sunday, September 13, 2009 - 18:36
FISD (Finnish Scenery Designers) have released a new version of EFHK (Helsinki/Vantaa) for FS2004. Version 1.6 is now available at FSNordic

F4U Corsair from Aircraft Factory (A2A Sim)

Posted: Saturday, September 12, 2009 - 18:53
Senior contributing reviewer Alexis Esguerra climbs aboard a WWII classic with Aircraft Factory's F4U Corsair. "The Corsair, one of the more advanced aircraft designs to be borne out of the hostilities in the Pacific, was an excellent combat machine in both the air-to-air and air-to-ground roles."

"The detailing is excellent, right down to the rivets and panel lines that provide the right amount of depth without going into overkill. The textures of the exterior model, from the 18-cylinder R2800 Wasp engine up front to the tip of the arrestor gear hook all the way aft, is extremely well done, crisp to where individual parts are easily identifiable from a distance. The cockpit, unmistakably circa-40 in its appearance, also deserves praise. The layout of the panel is very much correct, and the controls and switches present are excellent in their rendering. As for animations, we’ve got accurate gear movement (a ninety degree pivot of the mains before they fold up into the wings), engine smoke on startup, wing-fold, a tail hook that works (more than you realize; more on that later), and a pilot that seems to pay attention to his surroundings."

"Corsair flies as one would expect in terms of pure speed. At 20,000 ft with War Emergency Power engaged, I had 360-ish kts on the GPS groundspeed, which is very much in the ballpark of what is listed in the more reliable references for this plane. In a dive, 400 kts is easily attained with the over speed alarm finally kicking at approximately 450 kts. This is a plane that will leave many of its contemporaries struggling to keep up. Landings are pretty typical for this conventional gear plane. Fly the approach at about 95 kts, smoothly reduce throttle while pulling back on the stick once you’re over the threshold, and she’ll kiss the pavement in three-point posture; anything faster, and expect a float, a bounce, or both."

"For their first-time release, Aircraft Factory really has a great thing here in the Corsair. Its rendering does its namesake proud, and the flight model lives up to historical reference. Overall, this is perhaps the best Corsair out there for FSX."

Aerosoft Releases Mosastir X

Posted: Saturday, September 12, 2009 - 1:09
Tunesia is a proud Northern African nation and also a major tourist destination and well known to millions of sunseekers. Monastir is the centre of that tourist trade, with its beaches and fine hotels. Monastir H. Bourguiba Airport is a remake of the one Aerosoft had for FS2004 and updates the airport to the current status in full FSX glory.

Monastir X is designed to be very easy on the framerates and a perfect first add-on for people who have never bought an add-on online. Monastir is one of the most popular destination for Western Europe tourists and hundreds of thousands of our potential customers know this airport from their visits this summer.

Extreme Bush Trekker from Pacific Islands Simulation

Posted: Saturday, September 12, 2009 - 0:52
Staff reviewer Etienne Martin takes a light aircraft and heads to the South Pacific to take on several adventures throughout the various islands in Pacific Islands Simulation's Extreme Bush Trekker. "This is the second of two scenery products on Papua New Guinea from Pacific Island Simulation. Extreme Bush Trekker, which adds 15 new destinations, comes with all the trimmings for the aspiring adventure pilot: exotic beaches, remote areas, high altitude short fields, one way takeoff and landings, dirt and grass strips, and a few helicopter pads and float plane docks."

"The locations in the scenery make for a variety of exotic destinations from coastline and island strips to rugged mountain slopes – in fact quite similar to Lukla in Nepal, except with more opportunities for unwanted collisions. Fortunately, in addition to the mostly unpaved strips, we also get platforms for helicopters and if the locale happens to be near water, you’ll also find a place or two to dock your amphibian. The product recreates huts, small houses, smoking chimneys, aircraft undergoing repair, palm trees and other tropical plants dotted around the landscape near each landing strip."

"Extreme Bush Trekker makes good use of sound to add to the ambiance. The scenery contains several “nature” sounds from birds to gurgles in the rapids to whales hissing. Most of those are hard to hear when your engines are on, so the feature is best enjoyed when parked somewhere."

"Extreme Bush Trekker takes us to a wondrous area of the world that combines high mountain ranges and lush tropical islands, and one that definitely fits the adventure motif. This product comes with numerous visual rewards. Nearly all the approaches involved here are very difficult, especially if the weather does not cooperate. If you find it fun to land on narrow postage stamps in an exotic setting, this product is for you. Extreme Bush Trekker delivers high difficulty that is sure to challenge your flight skills."

LH Simulations Release Freeware Scenery for Sármellék

Posted: Friday, September 11, 2009 - 18:26
LH Simulations is proud to announce the release a freeware scenery of Sármellék FlyBalaton Airport (ICAO: LHSM) for FS2004. This airport is one of the five International Airports in Hungary and is located on the west side of Balaton, the biggest lake in Hungary. In past the airport served as a base for Soviet Military Operations and was a home to more than 50 MIG-21's. However, since 1980 this airport has been serving as an International Civil Airport. For more information visit the LM Simulations Home Page.

Attention Gliding Fans

Posted: Friday, September 11, 2009 - 0:47
A new gliding race is available on the Roussillon Aero Simulations website. It's the first stage of the new Australian challenge "Gliding across Australia". The first stage is a freeware download on the gliding competitions page. You will have to fly from Perth to Margaret River on the west coast of Australia.

Aerosoft Releases US Cities X: New Orleans

Posted: Friday, September 11, 2009 - 0:41
Aerosoft has released US Cities X: New Orleans, the third city after Indianapolis and San Francisco in this series. Not only does it cover the city with high resolution textures but it also includes all buildings in the center and thousands of correctly placed autogen buildings are included. The five heliports are all usable and the project also includes new high definition ground textures for the nearby airports. The scenery is complemented with sounds, road traffic and even animated paddle steamers.

By the way, Aerosoft has also upped their AES to version 2.04 which includes new airports covered (Aerosoft Monastir X, Nice X, Tegel, Luebeck and Luxembourg plus many airports by FranceVFR) there are also improvements in the gate menu so you can see what status all the services are in at that moment.

Abacus Releases Military Helicopters 2

Posted: Thursday, September 10, 2009 - 14:51
Military Helicopters 2 is a follow up to their popular collection released several years ago. With this add-on, you're at the controls of some of the most serious helicopters on the planet. They've been modeled with exacting detail and texturing to provide you, the pilot, with the most realistic experience possible. Are you a good chopper pilot? These are not your everyday 'News and Traffic' helicopters. Flying at top speed and landing it with precision takes a talent few possess.

Models included are: the UH-1H Huey, the VH-3D Marine One, the AH-64D Apache, the AH-64D Apache Longbown the Eurocopter Tiger, the SA-342 Gazelle, the CH-46 Sea Knight and the UH-60 Blackhawk. For complete details and a list of the 40+ liveries, visit the Abacus website.

World Air Routes DVDs

Posted: Wednesday, September 9, 2009 - 2:15
Staff reviewer Marlon Carter leaves the simulator and climbs aboard a couple of real world aircraft to take in some real world lessons while watching 2 "World Air Routes" DVDs. "These two DVDs cover Oasis Hong Kong Airlines Training and the Kingfisher A320."

"The standard of training and level of professionalism in the Oasis Hong Kong Airlines 747-400 DVD really shined through. Training mainly consisted of touch and goes at Manston which is not far from Gatwick. Since the aircraft was empty during these training flights, the amazing performance of the 747 can clearly be seen. One of the fun aspects of the video is how you train 3 or 4 pilots without stopping the aircraft!"

"Though Kingfisher has a large fleet consisting of A319/320/321/330s, this DVD focuses on the operations of the A320 throughout India. Captain Roy, who is a senior Captain at the company, provides most of the commentary for this DVD. Taking you through the aircraft systems, Kingfisher operational center, discussing future plans of the company all the way to his love for Airbus aircraft and why he thinks they are light years ahead of Boeing."

"I have always been skeptical about buying these types of DVDs but now I am convinced of their usefulness, not only to simmers but to anyone interested in aviation and the daily operations of an airline. For flight simmers who are more systems oriented, the World Air Routes series of DVDs give you everything you need and more to simulate all flying procedures (especially those that are airline specific)."

Fly-Wonderful-Islands Releases FSX: Canary Islands Spain

Posted: Wednesday, September 9, 2009 - 1:10
The Canary Islands Spain includes: Lanzarote airport (GCRR), Gran International Airport (GCLP), El Hierro Airport (GCHI), La Gomera Airport (GCGM), El Berriel Airport (GCLB).

These airports feature; fully customized ground and runways in high resolution, ground terrain seamlessly integrated with Flight Simulator, animated ground vehicles that use the advanced material properties in FSX, like bump and specular mapping. They have full 3D taxiways and lighting lighting, have an intensive use of LOD techniques in order to offer the best possible performances.

Complete details and screenshots can be seen at the Fly Wonderful Islands website and a short video is also available.

alfaFly Ostafyevo X Released

Posted: Wednesday, September 9, 2009 - 0:58
Ostafievo is a private, international business airport, the largest in its class in Russia, full attention to the most minute detail assured all the airport's contents are exactly in place like the real airport.

All communication and navigation equipment, runways, taxiways and aprons are arranged so they correspond to their real world counterparts by applying data presented in maps, AIPah, as well as technical documentation of the airfield, and a detailed study of photographs and satellite imagery. (Got the Russian Page? Use Google to translate)

Sky Simulations DC-9 For FS 2004

Posted: Tuesday, September 8, 2009 - 17:55
Sky Simulations announce the release of the DC-9 For Flight Simulator 2004, a replica of the real one with every part and detail of the real aircraft . It was made based on flight, maintenance and dispatch manuals with the collaboration of maintenance technicians of many important carriers using this aircraft.

Dual independent versions for FS9 & FSX (100% native models to it's respective flight simulator) Seven variations, covering the entire DC-9 family: DC-9 10's, 21, 30's, 41 and 51 with two cargo versions. 2D and 3d Panel with perfectly recreated and operational systems (Electric, Air Conditioning, Hydraulic, Pressurization, Pneumatic and fuel systems) that place you right away into the Captain's or First Officer's seat.

Dynamic and fully operational and clickeable Virtual Cockpit. HI-DEF photoreal digitalized textures all over the aircraft, full moving parts , main and service doors, front stairs, rear stairs, cargo bay doors, Captain's and First Officer's Windows, flight deck doors and landing lights, Ground services with independent controls, and a maintenance mode with endless number of details and features.

For more information visit the Sky Simulations Hanger.

The AVSIM Hack: An Update

Posted: Tuesday, September 8, 2009 - 0:40
The Publisher and CEO of AVSIM, Tom Allensworth, today issued the following statement; "Today, September 7th, 2009, AVSIM filed a criminal complaint with the Police Constabulary of London. We will not name any names, but have incontravertible evidence of the individual that performed the hack of AVSIM on May 12th this year. We have protected the forensic evidence and provided that evidence to the London police. We are committed to bringing justice to bear on this case.

As a result of this attempt to destroy and the subsequent rebuild of AVSIM, we have expended over $50,000 to bring AVSIM back online and that amount is still growing by the month. Numerous members of the community have contributed to the rebuilding of AVSIM, contributing over $25,000 dollars to get us back online. For that we are very, and eternally grateful. But be assured that once this action has seen its course, we fully intend to pursue this in the civil court to recoup those expenses, and as AVSIM always does, we will be putting those funds back into play, suppporting our bandwidth and system upgrade expenses.

Between the "hack" and the theft of over 60,000 email addresses from our forum system, considerable harm has been brought to AVSIM, not only to our reputation, but to our day to day operations, and at a minimum, we fully expect that the criminal complaint filed today will result in the perpatrator spending some time behind bars - under UK law. Those laws deal with unauthorized use of a computer, unauthorized and criminal theft of data, and numerous other violations of other computer and online laws violated by the acts of this person.

Finally, though we tried to resolve this over the last three months out of court, giving this person two opportunities to settle with us, the individual did not avail himself of the opportunity - in fact, he has ignored our proffers. We are now doing as we promised this person we would do; ratcheting this up to the next, criminal, level. To the extent that prudence allow, we will keep you informed of future developments."

Tupolev Tu-154M from FS ProTeam

Posted: Monday, September 7, 2009 - 19:30
Senior staff reviewer Angelique van Campen relates to her own personal experiences with a look at a freeware aircraft from FS ProTeam, the Tupolev Tu-154M. "While I worked for Lufthansa Technical Training, I traveled several times to Russia and Kazakhstan. Sometimes I flew in a Russian model with Siberia Airlines and that was the Tu-154M."

"The external model with all its details and I also mean “tiny” details, looks awesome. I must conclude that the overall quality of the model reflects the same or even a higher quality than some add-on payware models, so these guys did a great job!"

"The available cockpits are looking good and very realistic as far as I can judge, but there’s no virtual cabin, except for the very small cabin area related to the movable passenger doors. Normally a 2D cockpit doesn’t offer anything more then a few sub-panels however, this Pro Team Tupolev offers lots of panels. Certain instruments look familiar to me because of the instrument look and its lay-out, but others like light switches or even connecting APU or External Power, is suddenly more difficult since I don’t understand what’s written on the panel itself. Don’t compare this Tu-154M with an Airbus A320, 737NG, 777, 747-400, MD-11 or Fokker 100 or whatever. It’s basically an older model with old fashioned systems and instruments."

"Based on the available gauge programming, the Virtual Cockpit looks good! What’s a little less and without any depth are the flight engineer’s and third (behind the pedestal) seat supports. I’m very enthusiastic about the simulated aircraft systems." Angelique goes into the flight dynamics as she takes this bird on a routine flight. Her main comment about flying this aircraft is, "you really need to read the manual!"

"The offered quality, animations, eye for details and manuals and whatever else I’ve forgotten could be compared with payware models. I’m really impressed that many aircraft systems are simulated, even the flight engineer panel. The simulated Tupolev Tu-154M is a nice plane to fly, for short and longer distances and hopefully the Pro Team group comes out with a new model."

Aerosoft Releases German Airports 3 Berlin Tegel

Posted: Monday, September 7, 2009 - 17:36
Aerosoft has released German Airports 3 Berlin Tegel "Otto Lilienthal", the main airport for Berlin for another year (then it will be closed and replaced by a brand new airport) and handled 18 million visitors last year. Not a small airport by any measure! It has a long and distinguished history, with its main role during the Berlin Airlift standing out. The FS2004 version, and FSX version will be available soon, is currently available as a download. It now has full AESlite features (check out the cars that wait for traffic lights) and AES 2.04 will fully cover this airport.R

SP 4 Released for Space Shuttle Mission 2007

Posted: Monday, September 7, 2009 - 15:44
Exciting Simulations has released Service Pack 4.0 for the Space Shuttle Mission 2007 simulator. This significant development adds support for highly realistic R-BAR, TORVA, V-BAR and TORF procedures which are used for docking with the ISS.

This new Service Pack will test the skill, patience and perseverance of all virtual Astronauts as they are expected to dock the ISS using procedures very close to the ones used by the real NASA Astronauts, the updated “Commander’s Reference Manual” version 3.5, is available to assist the virtual Astronauts with the new features.

SSM2007 Official Website is your source for all updates and related downloads.