Bear Studios Releases 2 Service Packs

Posted: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 - 1:27
Bear Studios' MiG-17 SP4 has been released as well as the MiG-15 SP4 and J10A/S V1.4 & J-10 ADT V1.2 updates. These are the newest updates since 2006 and are available from Flight 1 forum. Screenshots of these MiG 15 and MiG 17 are available.

FSX AI Spotter Update Released

Posted: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 - 1:13
FSX AI Spotter is a program that is able to schedule AI Aircraft flights (departure and arrivals) for a certain airport using both manual and "live" traffic information. In the manual mode, the user is able to populate the airport using a simple formatted text file while in the live mode, using geniXsoft "connector", is possible to connect to flightaware.com to get real-time information. FSXAIS then will automatically visualize aircraft and assigns them flightplans according to the schedule received from the Web.

This lastest release is able to assign - for the same aircraft type and airline - different aircraft variations if they are available from FSX (i.e. if more than one kind of B738 of Ryanair is available in FSX, each of them will be used for the schedule). A video for such situation is available. Downloads can be found here at the Avsim library or at genixsoft.com.

Electronic Flight Bag from AivlaSoft

Posted: Sunday, November 20, 2011 - 18:24
Avsim staff member Chase Kreznor had the opportunity to use AivlaSoft's Electronic Flight Bag during his time aboard PMDG's 737 NGX. Here's what he has to say about this utility program.

"What is Electronic Flight Bag (EFB)? As the name suggests, it’s a virtual flight bag filled with quick references which are purely electronic and paperless. No more printing out procedure plates, check lists, radio frequencies and ILS information. This program is an intuitive all-in-one utility for a pilot to use from flight briefing to shut down. EFB runs alongside FSX either on the same computer or on a networked computer. The EFB User Interface is truly of an intuitive design and easy to learn and engage in."

"Overall, I was very impressed with the features and functionality of the EFB. I feel like this is the type of add-on any flight simulator pilot should have in their collection to further supplement the realism of flight simulator and also to make a more efficient planning and reference experience within flight simulator."

iFLY 737NG from Flight 1

Posted: Sunday, November 20, 2011 - 17:35
Staff reviewer Roger Curtiss looks at another version of the 737NG, this time from Flight 1 with their release of iFLY 737NG. "The 737NG was more than a simple tweaking of the 737 Classic (-300/400/500) family, incorporating a 25% increase in wing area, 16’ greater span, 30% more fuel capacity, and upgraded CFM56-7B engines resulting in an increase of the aircraft’s range by 900nm and a larger cabin. iFLY chose to include seven models of the 737NG: the 737-600, 737-700, 737-800, 737-900, BBJ, BBJ2, and BBJ3."

"This is a most impressive product and it is apparent that the iFLY team has embarked upon a labor of love. This is a complex aircraft and serious aficionados of the 737 will enjoy the level of detail inherent in this rendering and the fact that proper operation of the aircraft and its systems is very much dependent on following the correct procedures."

"With seven different model variations it is a great value. Even if all you did was sit in the cockpit, program the FMC and flip switches on the various panels you would probably not be disappointed - but of course, there is the fact that you get to fly it too and I can tell you that I will be flying this one quite often."

KATL Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport For Tower 2011

Posted: Saturday, November 19, 2011 - 18:46
The world busiest airport Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is available for Tower! 2011. This airport will really show you how stressful it is to manage traffic at a busy international airport. The Airport is compatible with both single and multiplayer version of Tower! 2011 as well as with the Nyerges Real Traffic Add-on.

New for RailWorks - Class 67 Advanced & Car Carriers

Posted: Saturday, November 19, 2011 - 18:41
Now you can drive the Class 67 Advanced and haul the car carriers yourself. Class 67 Advanced & Car Carriers is now available by Download and as a Boxed edition. This new expansion for RailWorks 3 Train Simulator 2012 features the speedy Class 67 locomotive in six liveries along with IPA Car Carriers which can be hauled unloaded or loaded.

This is the first Advanced locomotive release from Just Trains and, thanks to their exclusive ActivScript technology, a host of accurate features and realistic systems are included in the package - there are too many to list here, so see them all on the Class 67 pages.

Free FSXPilot Service Update Released

Posted: Saturday, November 19, 2011 - 18:35
FSXPilot, the universal autopilot for fixed wing planes and helicopters, has become freeware for non-commercial use. Today a free service update has been released. The main benefits are better stability, on-spot autolandings and better use of FSXP in FSX time accelerations up to 32x.

Navigation Tutorials

Posted: Saturday, November 19, 2011 - 18:32
That you are a real pilot or that you want to dive 100 % into the flight simulation, Rousillon Aerosimulation has software for apprenticeships on VOR, NDB, GPS, HSI-RMI navigation. The apprenticeship of the rule on airports, runways incursions. The apprenticeship of the embarked radar and the flights in condition of difficult weather report. The METAR, TAF and pilot's report. All these tutorials are interactive. Demos are available on the website.Downloadable version or CD version. (The page is in French and English.)

GaugeMaster for iPad

Posted: Saturday, November 19, 2011 - 13:39
Designing dial gauges with generic drawing programs, bitmap or vector based, can be extremely time consuming. Instead use your iPad to sketch or draw your gauge ideas quickly and effortlessly. No maths or geometry calculations needed! Just concentrate on design. By using simple editing gestures common on the iOS environment (drag, pinch, tap) create beautiful rounded dial faces with three customizable objects types: Color Arcs, Tick Marks Arcs, and Text Arcs. GaugeMaster also features powerful functions such as unlimited layers, gradients, and colour opacity. If you need to design simulator indicators, custom car dial panels, or engineering meter dials, visit the GaugeMaster for iPad Product Page.

FS2Crew 737NG Audio Ground School

Posted: Saturday, November 19, 2011 - 13:32
FS2Crew have released a new 737NG Training Program. The new program is an audio-driven "Light and Switch Guide" that explains the 737NG and its systems in detail. This new training program was designed initially as a low-cost CBT solution for real-world pilots preparing for initial or recurrent 737NG training, FS2Crew is offering this product to the flight simulator hobbyist market as well. Features include over five hours of audio describing in detail 737NG flight deck lights, switches and associated systems at a professional pilot's level. Associated 737NG limitations, operations parameters, MEL items, optional equipment and QRH items also discussed. 737NG models covered: 600 through 900. Highly detailed on-screen 737NG cockpit panel posters. Posters can be zoomed in and out and the visible area can be resized for ease of viewing. Audio recorded by a current 737NG Captain with thousands of hours of actual line experience on this aircraft type.

Take On Helicopters Boxed Edition Released

Posted: Friday, November 18, 2011 - 14:02
Take On Helicopters a unique combination of accurate helicopter flight simulation and immersive game has been released in a boxed edition.
There are three different helicopter models to fly, and in-depth helicopter flight tuition is combined with authentic flight dynamics. You can choose from three Difficulty levels during Free Flight or while carrying out Single Player missions and challenges as well as online action.
The missions demand a variety of different helicopter flying skills and techniques, from aerial crane lifting and law enforcement support to air ambulance duties and military transport, and Take On Helicopters also includes military/shooter elements in the gameplay. See the screenshots on the Take On Helicopters Product Page.

Abacus Releases The Cessna 162 Skycatcher

Posted: Friday, November 18, 2011 - 0:48
The Cessna 162 SkyCatcher (for FS9/FSX) is Cessna's first Light Sport Aircraft (LSA). And it's more than just a trainer.
One of Cessna's goals is to make a very affordable aircraft for flyers. Its aluminum frame and fiberglass cowling provide a light weight fuselage. Replacing a conventional yoke is a control stick. The C162 also has an upward swinging door, fixed tricycle landing gear and Garmin 300 avionics suite. A Continental O-200D engine provides 100hp of power to its two-blade propeller.

Warbirdsim P-51D-5-NA Little Friends II Released

Posted: Friday, November 18, 2011 - 0:46
The P-51D Mustang Cadillac of the Skies Series - Little Friends II. Part 4 of their unique series of sets has been specially created for FSX P51-D Pilots who care about both detail and pure, riveting-accuracy! North American's Classic P-51D, features THE most accurate modeling and performance of this iconic aircraft ever made for simulation with this release of this, Little Friends II Project.

Little Friends II Is the finest representation of the first of the 'D' Model Mustang Escort Fighters as they flew alongside bomber crews on raids, deep into Germany. Some of the most familiar of the colour schemes for the P-51D are featured on this the P-51D-5-NA version. The N-9 reflector gun sight. The P-51B-style instrument panel. The fabric elevators. Afficiados will note how close the attention-to-detail comes with the removal of the dorsal fin fillet; one of many differences that set the P-51D-5-NA apart from later models. Extensively researched, these Mustangs are presented as they were then. Reproduced from original blueprint drawings and manuals and from thousands of modern and archival photographs while we shared discussions with the P-51 historians, pilots, restorers, and maintainers who helped us make this dream a reality.

As a follow-up to Warbirdsim’s first Little Friends product, Little Friends II provides much of the same features, including a fully modeled left gun-bay in complete authentic and very detailed form, removable exhaust shrouds, 75-gallon drop tanks that can be added/removed and released, removable exhaust shrouds, and a working automatic supercharger with engine damage effects (Acceleration only). A new feature included in Little Friends II, is a simulated collimated gun sight reticle, in conjunction with the new N-9 reflector gun sight, as installed on all early-model P-51D’s. Also featured within this product, is a “filleted P-51D-5-NA”, as all P-51D-5-NA’s were ordered to have a factory-produced dorsal fin fillet installed in the field, in August of 1944, thus all P-51D-5-NA’s still in operation after that point, were to have the fillets fitted. While most of the aircraft featured in this product are shown as they were before this time, one example does have this treatment, and you can literally feel the difference between flying an example with the dorsal fin fillet and those without.

3 New Airline DVD's Reviewed

Posted: Thursday, November 17, 2011 - 0:07
Staff reviewer Marlon Carter analyzes 3 more airline documentary DVDs from JustPlanes/World Air Routes. This time up: Eastern Airlines DC-7, Brussels Airlines, and Air Canada's A319/321.

Photoreal America Upgrade Completed

Posted: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - 23:56
Sim Savvy announces the completion of the Photoreal America high resolution upgrade. The entire continental United States is now completed in 1 meter resolution generated from 50cm aerials. Previous customers who purchased the 2 meter scenery can upgrade to the high resolution scenery with an additional upgrade purchase. They also now offer smaller regional sections of the full product which reduce the cost to less than half the full purchase price. The five new regional sections available for purchase are the Northwest, the Southwest, the South, the Northeast and the Northern Central US. These regional sections include a 500G USB 3.0 hard drive and the full product now includes a 2T USB drive. Additionally, current free samples include the entire states of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware.

Destination Madeira X Re-visited

Posted: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - 23:54
Madeira X has been completely overhauled and now offers new technical highlights and an optimized display of details and performance. The approach lights including the lead-in lighting system is now brighter, more realistic and implemented as 3D object. AES-Lite includes animated vehicle traffic on and around the airport for more realism. As always, customers can download the full version for FSX from their customer account. The separate update is available from their support data base.

Ben Gurion Airport Now For FS2004

Posted: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - 23:53
Ben Gurion is now available for FS2004 pilots too. The Airport is situated next to Tel Aviv, Israel, and is one of the largest airports of the Middle East region. This scenery is made specifically for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 and was built in order to replace the default Ben Gurion airport scenery provided by Microsoft.

'Real New Zealand' Nelson Airport and City Scenery Released

Posted: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - 23:43
This scenery release includes custom-modelled and photo-textured 'Real NZ' airport scenery detail, built on a 10cm aerial image of the airport, plus a high resolution (50cm) photo scenery of the city and Port. Nelson is the first Real NZ scenery to complement Vector Land Class, the New Zealand landclass and DEM upgrade, although VLC is not required. Visit the Godzone Store for details.

Ground Environment X Africa & Middle East

Posted: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - 12:06
Ground Environment X Africa & Middle East has been one of the most popular and ‘must have’ scenery expansions for Microsoft’s Flight Simulator franchise.

This incredible development again redefines the visual quality for flight simulator fans – with the release of the ‘Africa & Middle East’ region, this great range now comes in three great editions – with all including the ‘nHanced’ textures.

Ground Environment X brings all-new ground textures to Flight Simulator X, at an incredible 1m per pixel texture resolution, using native 1024x1024 images.

It replaces all seasons and adds meticulously designed night textures too. The latest techniques in autogen placement and alignment give maximum density and can even improve performance!

Each edition comes on DVD-ROM and upgrades vast swathes of scenery into something that now looks ‘right’, whatever the time or season. The 2D enhancements really do give a remarkable new depth and detail to your scenery.

de Havilland Comet Jetliner from Just Flight

Posted: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 - 1:41
New staff reviewer Aaron Graham looks at Just Flight's version of the de Havilland Comet Jetliner. "The de Havilland DH 106 Comet was the world's first commercial jet airliner to reach production. It featured an extremely aerodynamically clean design with its four de Havilland Ghost turbojet engines buried into the wings, a low-noise pressurized cabin, and large windows."

"The virtual cockpit would have been okay in FS2004 standards however compared to other FSX virtual cockpits this one was a little disappointing. The Comet Jetliner includes a virtual cabin. It is part of the virtual cockpit. The external model is rather clean for such an old airplane. The aircraft comes with all the major operators of the Comet."

"The flight dynamics for the Comet Jetliner are good. The aircraft behaves as expected during all phases of flight with no nasty surprises. Overall the air file is good. I'd have to say this Comet Jetliner is an average aircraft."