Updates from FS2Crew

Posted: Friday, April 9, 2010 - 19:03
FS2Crew, a leading developer of advanced airline crew simulations for FSX and FS9, has released Service Pack 1 for FS2Crew PMDG 737 Voice Commander; FS2Crew 737 PIC Voice Commander; and, FS2Crew Default 737 Voice Commander.

Also, a small audio engine update for the Leonardo Maddog version of FS2Crew is available via the FS2Crew Support Forum.

FS2Crew is looking for new voice actors for its upcoming PMDG Jetstream Version.

For more info visit FSCrew's Website

Treasure Cay Scenery from FS-FreeFlow

Posted: Friday, April 9, 2010 - 12:28
FS-FREEflow is proud to announce the release of Treasure Cay, Abaco, Bahamas. This is an enhancement to the FREEflow Bahamas packaged released back in 2006. The airport has been completely redesigned using objects created in GMAX along with a new marina and extensive use of AI air traffic.

For more info visit Free Flow's Website

GMap for X-Plane

Posted: Friday, April 9, 2010 - 12:22
FSWidgets has released a Mac Version of their Google Maps powered freeware moving map system.

GMap for X-Plane (Mac Version) is not a part of the Windows Version, it has been re-built from the ground up in XCode using the native Objective-C language to ensure as tight an integration as possible with the Mac OS X operating system.

It comes in two versions, an EFB Edition using the EFB-style faceplate image and a Windowed Edition using a standard re-sizable window. Both editions can be run locally or remotely and the remote mode supports connecting to a copy of X-Plane running on a Windows machine.

For more info visit FSWidget's Website

World Airliners Livery Packs from Wilco/feelthere & McPhat Studios

Posted: Friday, April 9, 2010 - 2:17
Staff reviewer Mark Kolo looks at the exterior model of Wilco/feelThere's ERJ 135/145 and McPhat Studios World Airliners Livery Packs. "Wilco’s simulated ERJ is one of many modern regional aircraft in the Wilco Publishing hanger which also includes a CRJ-200/700 package as well as a highly praised E-Jets series simulation. The newest version which covers the ERJ-135/145/145XR for FSX includes Wilco’s “Call” program which provides you with a copilot to assist with procedures, along with the World Airliners 1 and 2 livery packs by McPhat Studios is the subject of this review."

Mark looks at the exterior of the ERJ in great detail and then goes into a description of McPhat Studios' World Airliners livery packs. "In addition to the Embraer house livery and a select few airline liveries provided by Wilco/feelThere, additional textures are available from McPhat studios. World Airliners 1 and 3 feature 13 liveries for the ERJs from airlines including Delta, Continental, AeroMexico, Air France, and United’s respective regional divisions to name a few. World Airliners 2 covers the extensive British Airways ERJ fleet, and the respective artistic Tails of each aircraft."

"For roughly one dollar per livery, you can be the proud owner of dozens of high quality textures for your new Wilco ERJ. Thanks to McPhat’s attention to detail, these liveries seem to mimic their real world counterparts nearly flawlessly. I feel that these livery packs will be popular with simmers, as it allows you to use your ERJ around the world using a proper livery."

FS Traffic Live 3 from AirNav Systems

Posted: Friday, April 9, 2010 - 1:22
Staff reviewer Roger Curtiss dons the headset and listens to AI traffic request clearances and watch them taxi around the various airports that he visited with AirNavSystems' FS Live Traffic 3. "Like any good airplane enthusiast I have spent my requisite time listening to a radio scanner and even tuned into the action on one of the live ATC computer channels available at www.liveatc.net. But these were just audio feeds and I had to use my imagination to visualize the actual aircraft movements. I was intrigued to learn of an offering called FS Live Traffic 3 by AirNav Systems Inc."

"FS Live Traffic 3 promises to provide the same real airline traffic as the earlier offerings but states that the traffic information is freshly loaded each time and will reflect actual aircraft movements from one minute before the download. AirNav Systems is primarily a provider of aircraft tracking hardware and software for the aviation community both professional flight organizations and home users. Real-time flight information is collected and then distributed to its users."

"For what it does; taking real world traffic and displaying it as dynamic features in the FSX environment, FS Live Traffic 3 performs brilliantly."

Massive Photoreal Scenery from Sim Savvy

Posted: Friday, April 9, 2010 - 0:43
Senior staff reviewer Angelique van Campen takes a scenic tour of the US West Coast with Sim Savvy's Massive Photoreal Scenery package. "TWO MILLION square miles of photoreal Scenery for FSX. First there’s the AMERICAN WEST with 11 STATES and over one million square miles. It covers the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Then there’s the AMERICAN EAST COAST with 23 States and over 750,000 square miles. The following states are included: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont and West Virginia."

Through the aid of screenshots, a road map and a descriptive narative of her cross-country flight path, Angelique comments, "The whole idea of this trip is just to cross a couple of Massive Scenery states and see how this works out. During this trip I’ve seen very good / realistic ground texture tiles, but also some which are overexposed, or with a wrong color balance while at some places the ground texture tile border was clearly visible between the two texture tiles. Overall, the VFR flight was fun."

"Although I didn’t cover every state and every corner including the high level detailed areas, my general impression of this Massive Scenery Western USA product from Sim Savvy is good. The quality of most of the textures equals 2 meters per pixel, with some areas being even higher."

C185F Skywagon Bush by Carenado now at the Avsim Store

Posted: Thursday, April 8, 2010 - 16:18
Carenado has just released one of the most popular Bush aircraft….the C185F SKYWAGON BUSH for FSX. This is a high quality designed aircraft, polygon optimized model, friendly FPS and a Control Windows controlling eye candies (Cargo Pod, Wheel chokes, boxes& packages, Pitot cover, Sights prop and Tiedown ropes). This is a standalone package (it doesn't require the C185F package)
Pop up Skywagon Owner Manual Supplement with performance charts and normal & emergency procedures.
Original HQ digital stereo sounds (44100 HZ) recorded from the original aircraft.
Four different models: Amphibian, Float, Ski and Tundra.
More information here

Visit the Avsim store today.

New Aéroports du Roussillon Missions

Posted: Thursday, April 8, 2010 - 14:48
3 new missions for the addon "Aéroports du Roussillon" are now available as freeware. All the details and screenshots are on the Roussillon AeroSimulation website.

SimFlight3D Releases '47 C140 For FS9

Posted: Thursday, April 8, 2010 - 0:34
The C140 tail-dragger is a two-seater, single-engine, light utility airplane with a maximum speed of 109 knots (125 mph), never to exceed 122 knots. Original models came equipped with 85-90 horsepower, 4-cylinder piston engines. The C140 was first introduced in 1946 at the end of World War II, and produced from 1946-50. More than 7,600 airplanes have been sold worldwide.

This aircraft features: a working, highly detailed virtual cockpit (with custom upgraded panel for IFR); Full 2D and 3D panels -- (day and night); High resolution, photo - realistic textures (interior/exterior), and is optimized for smooth frame rate. It is available in 4 paint schemes and includes a checklist and performance information.

Audio Environment from Flight1

Posted: Wednesday, April 7, 2010 - 16:57
Flight1 has announced the release of DVD edition of "Audio Environment: Airliner Edition" .

Audio Environment replaces the FSX airliner sounds with custom made, high quality stereo sounds. Product improves sounds irrespective of the aircraft addons used and brings in realism to the overall FSX experience.

For more info visit Product Page

Flight Simulation Manager from FSPS

Posted: Wednesday, April 7, 2010 - 8:25
Flight Simulator Platform Solutions(FSPS) team has announced the release of Flight Simulator Manager (FSM) for FS2004, FSX and ESP.

FSM is an utility software that combines many of the Flight Simulator ’settings’ on one screen and makes it easier to find and manipulate these settings.

For more info visit FSPS's Website

Follow Me Service from DBS

Posted: Wednesday, April 7, 2010 - 8:15
DBS Studio has released a new "FollowMe Service" for Flight Simulator X . Now if you are lost while taxiing in any airport, all you need is to request "FollowMe".

Users can choose any car from simulator list or from flightsimulator's internet resources which easily integrates into the simulator environment. The product also features transparent dialogs boxes like ATC and enables easy navigation from gate to runway, from parking to fuel station, from runway to cargo dock, etc

For more info visit DBS Website.

Garmin G1000 for X-Plane

Posted: Tuesday, April 6, 2010 - 5:04
FlythisSim, has released the FTS1000 Garmin Simulator. The FTS1000 simulates the Garmin G1000. Also, this is the only G1000 that can be used with X-Plane and is now available with 12 different aircraft. The new G1000 simulation also features PFD and MFD including up to date navigation data and detailed US airspace maps.

For more info visit FTS Website.

QualityWings Releases Update for 757

Posted: Tuesday, April 6, 2010 - 4:56
QualityWings Simulations has announced the release of Service Pack 1.1 for The Ultimate 757 Collection for FS9/FSX. A list of all SP1 Fixes and Enhancements can be found on their forums.

For more info visit QualityWings Website.

Multi-Crew Experience Upgraded To V2.1

Posted: Sunday, April 4, 2010 - 17:23
The FS++ team is pleased to announce the release of Version V2.1 of their award winning add-on to both FSX and FS2004 called Multi Crew Experience.

MCE is a speech recognition based add-on that allows the flight simulator enthusiast to fly the heavies in a simulated multi crew environment. Issue commands to co-pilot, go through the checklist, etc. A little known fact, is that it also allows voice interaction with the FS built-in ATC system, as well as Radar Contact.

The trial demo has been reset with this release, therefore anyone who tried it a while ago can have another go. This fully working, time limited demo, is available for download. A guaranteed week of free fun.

P-51D Mustang from Flight 1

Posted: Saturday, April 3, 2010 - 18:27
Staff reviewer Philip Wilson looks at a classic warbird with Flight 1's P-51D Mustang. "If there were ever an aircraft that didn’t need an introduction, it’s the legendary Mustang. The silhouette of a P-51 is iconic from any angle and its Packard built Rolls Royce Merlin 1,695 HP engine is soul stirring."

"Flight1 has been kind enough to provide you with not only 12 textures, but 7 payload variations to choose from and a paint kit. Flight1 has also included a few pieces of eye candy as well. When the engine is being checked, the engine cover comes off and leans against the fuselage. The wing covers open so you can inspect the ammunition and you can also eject the canopy if you feel the need to get out quick."

"The front office is all about business. No cushy leather captain’s chairs here; only total control over 1,695hp. The aircraft was designed to be flown from the VC. Although there is a minimal 2D instrument cluster, the virtual cockpit is nearly flawless and can easily be used for nearly every mission. The sound package is wonderful. Recorded from the actual aircraft, it is the unmistakable sound of the Merlin V12 engine."

"The Flight1 Mustang airfile is an area where only real Mustang pilots can comment on its accuracy. The Mustang air file has been closely critiqued, modified where applicable, and blessed the real pilots who fly the P-51. Keep in mind it’s as accurate as possible within the confines of FSX."

"The Flight1/Aeroplane Heaven P-51D Mustang is a truly fun to fly aircraft that will leave a huge smile on your face. From the first class documentation to the multiple high quality textures, weapon payload choices and realistic flight model, it is without a doubt a must have product."

Mexico City For FSX Released

Posted: Saturday, April 3, 2010 - 15:59
Mexico City International Airport, also called Benito Juárez International Airport (IATA: MEX, ICAO: MMMX) is a commercial airport that serves Mexico City, the capital of Mexico. It is Mexico's and Latin America's busiest. This airport is now available for FSX from Taxi2Gate.

Airport GPS from DBS Studio

Posted: Friday, April 2, 2010 - 19:15
Staff reviewer Robert Mariani never gets lost on the ground now that he's using DBS Studio's Airport GPS. "DBS Studios Airport GPS is a GPS simulator that works like a car GPS except that it shows only runways, taxiways and parking places of the airport you are currently sitting at."

"The first thing to keep in mind is that Airport GPS only works while you are on the ground at the airport. In other words, you cannot select the airport while you are flying and look up its layout. Next, in order to use the Airport GPS you must first install it on your airplane’s panel via the add-on’s drop down menu, and then reload the airplane to make it work. Finally, the ATC directions may sometimes be slightly different from the route you get from GPS, but as long as they end at the same gate, all is well."

"GPS can be undocked and placed anywhere on your desktop like an independent window, while still communicating with FS. You can also resize and place the GPS anywhere on your panel, and if you have a multiple monitor setup, the thing to do is to place it on another screen for use while on ground."

"DBS Airport GPS is a simple tool that truly simplifies the way to taxi at busy airports and provides another way to get progressive guidance to either the runway or your parking spot."

Dutch Airports: Rotterdam X Released

Posted: Friday, April 2, 2010 - 18:13
Aerosoft has released Dutch Airports: Rotterdam X. This regional airport, close to the port city of Rotterdam and the Dutch political capital The Hague is recreated for FSX by Limesim and is another highlight in our scenery collection. Created using the latest insight in scenery design it combines serious details with serious frame rates. It covers not only the airport but also the immediate surrounding with 40 cm photo textures and has some of the best animations ever done in FSX. This airport will fit perfectly with the upcoming Mega Airport Schiphol for FSX.

6 New Airports from Roussilloaerosimulation

Posted: Friday, April 2, 2010 - 9:53
Roussillon Aero Simulation, presents 6 new airports for FSX. These airports are not available in the default version of FSX and are located in the Roussillion region of South France. These highly detailed airports are an Air Trike base, mountain airports and helipads. This package also includes missions for every airport to enable you to discover them.

For more information visit Roussilloaerosimulation