Ellie Systems Releases Boeing-Style EADI

Posted: Friday, February 15, 2008 - 5:46
Ellie Systems releases it’s first of many Glass-Cockpit displays – the Boeing-Style EADI. Taking "Attitude" awareness to the next level, the new EADI features user-configurable options along with FSUIPC/WideFS compatibility to satisfy the casual user and purist alike.

“The glass flight deck market is ripe for a new player in the field” states Ray Sotkiewicz, co-owner of Ellie Systems. “Flight simmers are hungry for a high-fidelity, high-performance solution that is easy on the pocketbook and easy to work with.” The gauges are based on the rock-solid FreeFD codebase originally authored by Ellie Systems co-owner Don Lafontaine. They are surprisingly easy to install and configure, with fluid performance even on lower-end Windows 98 & Windows ME systems, up through Windows Vista.

2 New Patches from CLS

Posted: Friday, February 15, 2008 - 5:23
CLS is pleased to release 2 new patches for FSX Sp2 and Acceleration. Both the Business Jet and the A330/A340 are now compatible. For download information please have a look their website.

ARNZX Is Throwing A Party

Posted: Thursday, February 14, 2008 - 12:20
ARNZX, New Zealand's only forum community dedicated to FSX users, is celebrating reaching over 10,000 post. To get the party started, they are giving away two high detail aircraft models, the RNZAF 757 and the Pacific Blue 737-800 courtesy of SkyHigh Models, along with two copies of FSX Acceleration. So please join them in the celebration and perhaps pick up some great prizes while doing so.

Alpha India Group Grand Opening

Posted: Thursday, February 14, 2008 - 12:15
Valentine's Day brings us the grand opening of the Alpha India Group. They are a group of flight simulator enthusiat who share a common desire to put the fun back into AI traffic. They currently have several projects in the works and invite everyone to visit thier new website and check out the latest in their forums.

Flight1 Release Ground Environment X Enhanced - USA and Canada

Posted: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 - 20:56
Flight1 has released a new version of Ground Environment X - USA and Canada. This new version is the most refined version to date. Along with all the previous features, there these enhanced features:

- Textures have been enhanced to provide even more texture clarity.
- Enhancements to produce simulated 3D depth in texture foliage.
- New winter textures which display vegetation within the snow.
- Better season blend so seasons such as fall fade into winter and blend naturally.
- Enhanced color processing which upgrades all seasons.
- Enriched desert and flatland details, no more bland yellow deserts or flatlands.
- Structured texture layout to assist in covering all major landclass products.
- Special features for Ultimate Terrain X USA and Canada Customers.
- Completely redesigned night lighting environment.

This version is FREE to all previous Ground Environment X - USA and Canada customers, for more information, please visit Ground Environment X Enhanced - USA and Canada

The Library Team Needs You!

Posted: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 - 15:37
The strong and ever growing AVSIM family would like to thank you for allowing us to serve you. With the new and exciting server upgrades right around the corner, the library would like to mark the beginning of a new chapter with more staff. We are looking for one or two additional library managers that will work on a volunteer basis. An understanding of web operations and e-mail are a requirement. If you have applied for this position before in the past, please resubmit as your e-mail may have been lost in a system format. Please e-mail Chase Kreznor, Library Director, with some general background information of yourself and your experience. Thank you for your time and consideration.

CLS Release Sydney Scenery and Patches

Posted: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 - 12:41
Commercial Level Simulations have announced the release of Sydney (YSSY) for Flight Simulator 9 & Flight Simulator X. The scenery has been in development for over two years. In conjunction with the release of this scenery, you can buy the scenery and the Piper Arrow aircraft for a special discounted price. CLS have also released product patches to make the A340-500/-600 and F117A compatible with FSX-SP2. If you like the idea of flying down-under, or flying ultra-long-haul with an Airbus then head over to Commercial Level Simulations

FS Around-The-World Race

Posted: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 - 3:48
The 2008 FS Around-The-World Race is just around the corner, This Saturday to be exact.AVSIM's team has always faired well in this friendly competition in the past. The race is always fun as more people get involved. For specific information on the race, log onto the race website. Good Luck and Have Fun.

MegaSceneryX Las Vegas from PC Aviator

Posted: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 - 3:30
Staff reviewer Angelique van Campen buzzes the Strip and the outskirts of town in MegaScenery X Las Vegas. "MegaSceneryX does not add custom 3D buildings but instead adds photo scenery around the buildings. A great, impressive looking ultra realistic scenery of the surrounding area and of course all the highways, local roads, parks – as far as possible in this desert area – mountains, mountains and more mountains."

"Even though the covered area is limited, there’s still enough to see. 2100 square miles of Las Vegas and surrounding area (approx 45 x 45 miles) created from 1 foot per pixel aerial photos and displayed at 1.19 meters per pixel and includes 10 meter high resolution terrain mesh. Megascenery X provides as realistic a scenery display of the area as is possible by today’s standards. It includes an equally realistic night, dusk and dawn flying experience."

Angelique takes you on a descriptive day and dusk VFR tour of the area covered in this add-on. Summarizing her Las Vegas X review she says, "My overall impression is that it is awesome. The only thing you have to keep in mind is the fact that it doesn't cover a large area but a relatively small area of Nevada. The name says “Las Vegas” and nothing more, so in other words; you shouldn't expect anything else."

Ultimate Terrain X DVD Editions Released

Posted: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - 20:16
Flight One Software, in partnership with Scenery Solutions, has officially released the DVD Editions of Ultimate Terrain X USA & Ultimate Terrain X Canada for Flight Simulator X. Both DVD Editions have been designed from the ground up to take advantage of the new technologies in FSX, and provide you with the most superior and complete terrain environment to date. As with our download versions, we use only the highest quality commercial source data in our products. Roads, Rivers, Streams, Bridges, Land-class, Water-class, Night Lighting, Coastlines, and more are packed into these Ultimate Terrain X editions. The DVD Editions can be purchased through Flight 1

SimTube Contest Voting

Posted: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - 19:39
Just a short reminder folks, SimTube's 3rd video contest is still happening.

The winner of the video contest will receive a product of their choosing from CaptainSim.

Head over to SimTubes' Forums to vote for your favorite.

Dreamscenery Releases Indianapolis X

Posted: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - 17:58
Dreamscenery have today announced the release of Indianapolis X (KIND) for Microsoft Flight Simulator X. Gregory Sokratis said “Indianapolis X brings this forgotten airport in FSX to life, with new levels of realism for you to experience as never before. Not only the airport, but the surrounding area is included too, including; all the city skyscrapers (that means buildings of 12 and more floors) as well as lots of low-rises. All of them are custom-made with photo-real textures. Custom made monuments and landmarks all around the city; churches; hospitals; hotels; public buildings; sporting venues - like the famous Speedway or the Conseco Field to mention just a few. Major and minor custom made bridges that look like the real ones as much as possible and 1m/pixel aerial photo-textures for the areas of: Downtown and Center Township; Speedway and surroundings area; KIND airport and surroundings including night and winter versions.” If this is your home airport, or you fancy flying into a new terminal area, then you area cleared direct to Dreamscenery

Riviera Jet Set - Nice and Cannes

Posted: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - 0:52
This new add-on is the result of several months of hard work accomplished by France VFR’s Developing Team, aiming to add a new product-concept to the already existing France VFR’s product line: the Airport Packs. They complete the BasePacks and AutogenPacks with further elements like the main airports, airfields and helipads within the same Basepack. These Airport Packs are not stand-alone products but are to be used with their respective BasePack (required) and Autogen (strongly recommended).

This first Airport Pack, named FlightRiviera JetSet is conceived for the Flight Riviera Basepack and contains the airports of Nice and Cannes. The pack represents not only a simple assembly of air platforms in one product, but is developed as thematic scenery. It includes a great number of remarkable buildings and objects situated outside the airports (harbours, boats, seafront, marinas, hotels and malls) as well as varied animations and AI Traffic of Business Jets within a great realism providing real aeronautical environments adapted either to VFR Flights or to leisure flights.

The scenery is conceived for FS9 and the patch FSX will be soon released free on France VFR’s website. In order to promote the new scenery of FlightRiviera JetSet, France VFR has set up the Collection of Riviera Basepack and Autogen's that will be indispensable for using the FlightRiviera JetSet. This New Bundle can be found on France VFR’s web-site and simflight dedicated commercial web-sites. There is also a selection of screenshots.

Library Back Online

Posted: Sunday, February 10, 2008 - 15:20
This morning on a conference call via skype, with several key AVSIM personnel, we have fixed the ongoing cookie issue. Please bear in mind that now means mass people will be trying to download at the same time and this could also cause slow downs.

Again, the library is up, but could be slowed due to the traffic we are sure is coming. As a follow up, on February 23, 2008, at around 2pm EST, AVSIM staff will be on-site at our operations center installing a new storage server. This will greatly increase our size, speed and efficiency of the library.

Thank you to all for your understanding as AVSIM continues our growth for now and the future!

Library Issues

Posted: Sunday, February 10, 2008 - 4:30
As most of you are aware, we have received the emails from you, AVSIM is having Library Cookie issues at present time. We are working dilgently with Network Administrators, the Network Operations Center, and internal staff to correct the issue.

On February 23rd, 2008, AVSIM will be upgrading the library server to ensure the largest, most available bandwidth for flight simulation in the world.

Until we can rectify this situation, we ask that enjoy the other sections of our site to include the largest forum, advertising, and news on the web for flight simulation. WE WILL be back shortly, bigger, faster, and better then ever.

--John Binner
Managing Editor
jbinner@avsim.com

Douglas DC-2 from Flight 1

Posted: Saturday, February 9, 2008 - 23:19
Staff reviewer Angelique van Campen reviews some aviation history with Flight 1's Douglas DC-2. This review is unique in that Angelique has used some artistic license to recreate the atmosphere of this era. You'll have to see the review to figure it out.

"Inspired by the technical success of the DC-1, the DC-2 was introduced less than a year after the DC-1's first flight. The new plane was similar in shape to the DC-1 but had more powerful engines, was faster and was capable of longer flights. More importantly, it was two feet longer and could carry two more passengers."

"I think they created a good looking 2D model with all its in's and out's. There are no separate sub-panels except then for the control steering wheel in view or out of view, a trim sheet and a GPS. Flying in the VC gives the user the best and most realistic experience. Except for a few items which are created by the developer, all the images of sidewalls, panels, overhead, ceiling blankets, and cargo area, all those are digitized images and thus results in a very realistic cockpit."

"My first impression of the external model and victual cabin was that it looks awesome and I really mean this. The external model is so extremely detailed has everything to do with the fact that Rob Cappers worked very closely with the Aviodrome employees. I can only come to one conclusion by observing this external model and virtual cabin and that is, this model – external look and virtual cabin - is an eye-catcher."

Angelique then proceeds to take the DC-2 out for a quick test ride and puts it through some simple manoeuvres to get a feel for the aircraft. "It does represent real flight dynamics, it reacts slowly when a flight control input is given and that’s enough to know. I could make more flights or a longer flight, but there’s not really a need to, since I know what this Douglas DC-2 can do."

There is an exclusive interview with Rob Cappers, the developer of this software. It goes into detail of his love of the real Douglas DC-2 locaed at the Dutch Aviodrome Museum. Angelique wraps up her nostalgic look at the Douglas DC-2 with, "… awesome, see all the screenshots for yourself and then you be the judge. Not only is the external model almost perfect but also the 2D and VC look good and above all, very realistic. The simulated cockpit is so unbelievably real.

Extra Pack I For C-130 X-perience

Posted: Saturday, February 9, 2008 - 17:45
Captain Sim's popular 'Legendary C-130' series originally developed for FS2004, have been rebuilt improved and expanded to provide a full spectrum of FSX features. Captain Sim is pleased to announce the 'C-130 X-perience' for FSX: the most advanced, complete and accurate C-130 available. The C-130 series for FSX consist of the following four separate products: Base Pack; Extra Pack I; Extra Pack II; and Pro Pack. Visit the Captain Sim website for screenshots and details.

A Giant Has Passed

Posted: Saturday, February 9, 2008 - 13:06
The staff of AVSIM is sad to report that Mel Ott, also known as "Captain Tarmac", passed away on Thursday at his home in Florida. Mel was a well known member of our community and as a retired 747 Pilot for Northwest Airlines, shared his experience, insight and humor for many years here on AVSIM and around the flight simulation community. Rob Howard, another long standing member of our hobby, sent us the following; "Since writing to you previously Curtiss and I have had the opportunity to visit and chat with Mel several times, and can report that he was able to spend most of his final two weeks at home; fairly comfortably. (Just a footnote for those that do not know; Curtiss, the wonder dog, was Mel's long time canine companion of 9 years, who Rob inherited during Mel's long illness.)

Many of our discussions have been about flight simulation and the many interesting characters and situations Mel has been involved with over the years; and as you know since his retirement from NWA this community has been a big part of his life.

Mel is going to be remembered in a small and private ceremony; and his previously stated wish for no 'fuss', or cards, flowers, etc. did not change. I do know however that Shirley, Mel's wife is keeping a binder of letters received recently from friends and colleagues; so if you happen to receive any especially appropriate messages from the community I would be pleased to forward them on.

Mel is survived by his son Randy, a pilot with United Airlines, and two daughters and two grandsons."

We are confident that Mel's last approach into Kai Tak was a perfect one.

If you would like to post a remembrance of Mel, you can do so here: Mel Ott's Passing.

FS Dreamscapes and Intermap Technologies™ Join Forces

Posted: Saturday, February 9, 2008 - 0:52
Intermap's 3D terrain data takes Flight Simulator X scenery to a new level. FS Dreamscapes today announced an agreement with Intermap Technologies, a world leader in high resolution terrain mapping, currently mapping the United States and Europe with highly accurate five-meter elevation data. The partnership will bring highly detailed terrain for the United States and Europe called "NEXTMap® ProMesh™" at eight times the resolution of the default elevation mesh. The ProMesh series is built upon terrain data collected as part of Intermap's country-wide NEXTMap 3D digital mapping program. With a vertical accuracy of one-meter or better, the data will provide flight simulator users with a uniquely realistic flying experience.

"FS Dreamscapes has done an outstanding job creating a product that provides the most realistic viewing experience possible for Microsoft Flight Simulator X users," commented Kevin Thomas, vice president of marketing for Intermap Technologies. "Taking our high-resolution 3D digital elevation data and using it to enhance a consumer application in the gaming industry is an amazing use of our data."

"We are thrilled to incorporate Intermap's uniformly accurate NEXTMap data in our Microsoft Flight Simulator X application," said Dean Mountford, FS Dreamscape's president and CEO. "The terrain detail we're able to achieve on such a large scale is unprecedented," he continued. "For the user, it will be like looking out the window of an actual aircraft in flight."

FS Dreamscapes will first release "NEXTMap® ProMesh™ - Hawaii", quickly followed by California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Mississippi, and Florida. Data for Germany, Italy, and France is scheduled for delivery by the end of 2008. The remainder of the contiguous United States will be available in 2009. FS Dreamscapes' NEXTMap ProMesh products will be featured on their website and soon through distributors worldwide.

FSX SP2 Updates For ImagineSim Airports

Posted: Saturday, February 9, 2008 - 0:48
Imaginesim has released FSX SP2 updates for their KCLT Charlotte, KCVG Cincinnati and KLGA La Guardia airport products. If you are using FSX with the Acceleration Pack and/or SP2 then you will need these patches to correct display errors at the airports.