PMDG Announces PMDG 747-400X -8i Product Model Extension

Posted: Monday, January 18, 2010 - 5:03
PMDG has announced that in a few days they will be releasing a new product title designed to please fans of the 747: PMDG 747-400X -8i Product Model Extension

This product has been produced in conjunction with their partners at Boeing and will add the 747-8i/F airframes to your existing 747-400X installation, allowing you to ply the trade routes with Boeing's latest incarnation of the venerable 747!

Built using the latest modeling techniques with technical input from Boeing, the PMDG 747-400X -8i/F Product Model Extension will allow you to experience the 747-8i in incredibly vivid detail. HD texturing of the external model, transparent cabin windows, complex internal and external lighting, fully 3D turbofan and engine components, updated landing gear, wing flex, redesigned flight controls and flaps are just some of the details we have packed into this new visual model.

The PMDG 747-400X -8i/F Product Model Extension will be providing a new, ground-up sound set so that you can experience the amazing audio experience of the new GENX engines mounted under-wing.

You can catch the latest videos from PMDG's You Tube Channel

PMDG has also provided updates on its ongoing projects and also provided anticipated(not firm)dates for release of PMDG 737-NGX, PMDG Bombardier Dash-8 and PMDG 777 at Mid 2010, Late 2010 and Early 2011 respectively.

For more on this refer Avsim Forum

Cargo Operations from Just Planes

Posted: Sunday, January 17, 2010 - 20:52
Staff reviewer Marlon Carter continues his look at instructional flight DVDs from the Just Planes collection. Thisd time he rides along and explores the world of Cargo Operations. "There are many simmers who enjoy flying cargo aircraft and these DVDs will surely appeal to this crowd. Why cargo operations? Well, passenger operations have been seen and experienced by the vast majority. It is very uncommon to have a first hand look at the day to day operations of an all cargo airline."

"The first video is the Air Atlanta Icelandic 747-400 DVD. Air Atlanta Icelandic is the largest ACMI service provider in the world operating a wide fleet of A300s and B747s for airlines across the globe. Air Atlanta Icelandic is a charter and cargo airline based in Kópavogur, Iceland."

"The second video is the Everts Air Cargo DC-6. This program follows Everts Air Cargo DC6 flights to half a dozen destinations across Alaska and Canada. Everts Air Cargo is the last airline in the USA to operate scheduled flights with a rather large fleet of 60 years old piston-powered aircraft."

"Cargo operations offer new and exciting experiences each day and lets not forget the fact that there are no passengers to complain. I think these DVDs are a great buy and it would be great to start a collection of some of your favorite aircraft, airlines or types of flight operations. Whether you are a real world pilot or flightsim enthusiast, these videos will be very informative and instructive in helping you to understand the lifestyle of airline pilots, operations of a cargo airline and real world airline procedures that may enhance your own simulator experience."

Hong Kong VHHH from ImagineSim

Posted: Sunday, January 17, 2010 - 1:55
Staff reviewer Tim Capps looks at the "other" Hong Kong airport with ImagineSim's VHHH. "Kai Tak is history. Flying into Hong Kong now means a straight in approach to the luxuriously long, wide and comparatively boring runways of Hong Kong International Airport, known as Chek Lap Kok for the island upon which it was built."

"Chek Lap Kok seems to consist mostly of empty space. This contributes to the sense of newness: there just hasn’t been enough time for a lot of new growth, perhaps. Lights along the extended centerline of the runways march out into the surrounding sea on pylons. In addition to the buildings, numerous airport vehicles both static and in motion add to the ambiance. Long baggage trains and boarding busses are at the ready, and many of the vehicles have flashing lights. Jetways are modeled in detail, but are not animated."

"If your fleet includes a car, this is a fun airport to drive around. You can really appreciate the details from ground level, including fixtures like 3D lighting, parking areas with guidance systems, and lots and lots of moving vehicles of various types. Night lighting deserves special mention. The taxi lighting is beautifully subdued and pinpoint sharp."

"It may not be Kai Tak, but Hong Kong International at Chek Lap Kok is a big, interesting and beautiful airport with practically unlimited choice of carrier and equipment. By day or night, Imaginesim has a winner here."

A320 (Basic) from AirSimmer

Posted: Friday, January 15, 2010 - 21:58
Senior staff reviewer Angelique van Campen looks at AirSimmer's A320 Basic package including the V1.1 update. Be prepared for a long read as this is an extremely detailed review.

"I can’t say anything else about the external model other then SUPER. Super this time means that a lot of work was put into the creation of the external model. Are you looking for some wires or hydraulic lines? I can tell you that almost every wire or hose is modeled, thus highly impressive. That’s the same with the wing surface and flaps and slats. Oops, I forget even the hydraulic actuators connected to the spoiler panels. It’s all handmade or handcrafted by the graphic designer and he or she did a perfect job."

Angelique explains all the details inside the cockpit and main cabin with the assistance and breakdown of her screenshots. The VC offers without any Airbus equipment switched ON while on the ground located at and in combination with a powerful add-on airport active, average FPS between 60-70 FPS and that’s high. When switching ON all the electrical power thus activating the PFDs, NDs and ECAM displays, the FPS drop is more or less imperceptible but let’s say then a drop of 1-2 FPS. Some like a 2D cockpit, some don’t like it! For those who like flying a 2D cockpit, this model still offers one."

Putting the aircraft through it's paces with version 1.0 and then with the updated version 1.1, Angelique goes into great depth when describing her test flights, including the various setting of the flight instruments during each phase. She concludes her review with a serious of questions and answers she posed to the developers at AirSimmer.

"This A320 has a well designed flight model that looks awesome including a well shaped VC and 2D cockpit, but that isn’t enough to be a success. A single aircraft model like this AirSimmer Airbus A320 with hardly any manuals included and a flight tutorial document with pure basic information and nothing more, asks for more. With the released Service Pack, I think the airplane is doing what it is supposed to do. It’s a shame and it must be said that the initial released version 1.00 package was full of bugs and hardly flyable. The fact that the Basic model is a stripped Advanced version disappoints me."

Scotflight Western Isles Airports & Landmarks

Posted: Friday, January 15, 2010 - 15:56
"Scotflight are pleased to announce the availability of their latest product, Western Isles and Landmarks. This VFR Scotflight product enhances Scotland's Western Isles with highly realistic, detailed airport and landmarks scenery. Also included, as an option, is customised local ferry traffic. The custom made Caledonian MacBrayne ferry models visit all the ferry ports in the area with daily car and freight scheduled services. You might also glimpse the Hebridean Princess cruising amongst the islands.

This product is specifically designed for use with, and is fully compatible with, Horizon Simulations Ultra High Definition GenerationX Photograhic Scenery - Scotland;Western Isles. Full details of the features of VFR Scotflight for Western Isles, together with a gallery of screenshots, can be found at ScotFlight Scenery website. Existing users of ScotflightFSX Scenery Volume2 should look for the free updated photo-compatible version to be released shortly."

OZx Releases Tuscany Upgrade And Full Version

Posted: Friday, January 15, 2010 - 14:16
OZx have released their upgrade of North Tuscany Italy photoreal, this upgrade improves the autogen of the already covered area, adding a new zone, Lucca and its environment.

The coast from Marina di Pisa to Lido di Camaiore has been fully covered with the autogen, along with the wonderful area of Puccini lake in the Apuan Alps (provided with mesh developed by Holger Sandmann), and lake Vagli.

Beautiful landmark 3d objects have been added, miracles square in Pisa and the castle of Malaspina, in Massa . The Isle of Elba and others are also available here. The territory is perfect to be flown at sunset or during the night, a real experience with the true nightlights system.

OZx has released the Upgrade and full version free of charge and complete details are available as well as the download on the OZx Forum.

FSWidgets Release AirView

Posted: Friday, January 15, 2010 - 13:43
FSWidgets release AirView MFD avionics for FSX and X-Plane 9. AirView technology provides the pilot with detailed awareness and environmental information, including industry first 3D Terrain Visualization with Dynamic Elevation Color Coding (DECC). Coupled with sophisticated 2D and Profile elevation contour display technologies, AirView literally allows the pilot to see in the dark.

Modelled on real world avionics and leveraging capability within both FSX and X-Plane, AirView graphically presents airport detail, runway and taxiway detail, frequency data, and live flightplan overlay. Combined with these critical pilot cues, situational awareness is further enhanced with aerodrome charting, tracking information and display of navigation data including airways, fixes and beacons.

AirView is available in a trial version and is compatible with FSX and X-Plane 9 running on Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. Detailed specifications and further information can be found on the FSWidgets website.

Piper PA32 Saratoga from Carenado

Posted: Friday, January 15, 2010 - 1:13
Staff reviewer Jamie Whiting climbs aboard Carenado's Piper PA32 R-301SP Saratoga. "The Piper Saratoga, perhaps the ultimate single engined development of the basic Cherokee design of 1961. The Saratoga has been used for everything from being a fully equipped luxury touring machine that private pilots dream of, to a beaten up, worn out old work horse used in some of the most inhospitable parts of the world for its rugged reliability and versatility; carrying everything from desperately needed medical supplies to tropical fish from remote strips in South America and beyond."

"The first thing is that the proportions and overall shape of the model are bang on. The aircraft is festooned with numerous small details, including most interestingly for you rivet counters out there, an actual 3D oil cooler inlet, complete with oil cooler within. Carenado have gone with a timeline theme with the supplied liveries, with one in the 70s’ style with stripes to an ultra modern 2000 themed one, giving 4 liveries in all, plus a blank white one with no registration, presumably for repainters to use as a base."

"It is important to mention that this PA32 does not come with a 2D panel as such, instead it offers the user the ability to use pop-up instruments. The virtual cockpit itself is very well built, and features a host of animations in addition to the usual controls. There are no holes and the entire cabin is modeled from the flight deck to the rear baggage compartment. All of the texturing is of a very high resolution and creates the impression of an old PA32 that has been well used but looked after. The overall detail is exquisite and certainly represents the state of the art."

"All of the numbers and capacities of the PA32 are accurate to real world equivalents, and it is necessary to load the aircraft realistically to within its limits, that is to say that you cannot take a full passenger load as well as another 120 pounds of baggage and still expect full tanks. Ground handling is accurately depicted. The amount to thrust required to move is right, as is engine response to throttle input."

"Takeoff feel and performance is excellent. In the cruise phase the PA32 continues to impress. In the traffic circuit the Saratoga requires a firm control of airspeed to prevent things getting out of hand. All in all it has to be said that the Carenado PA32 is largely excellent when it comes to that most important area of flying."

"Carenado's Saratoga is a pleasing addition to my ever swelling hangar, and occupies a useful niche in the FS market. The visuals are superb and will provide users with a considerably upgraded and more realistic impression of what many GA pilots fly around in, as we do not all dart about in brand new glass cockpit machines. If you like a fun aircraft with useable performance and good visuals you will enjoy this immensely."

Flight Replicas Super Cub For FSX

Posted: Thursday, January 14, 2010 - 13:57
Flight Replicas is pleased to announce the release of its Super Cub for FSX, consisting of 18 aircraft from the early 95 hp models right on up to an Experimental 210 hp variant with 35" tundra tires and the military L-18 and L-21 models.

Among this collection are also a range of Extreme Super Cubs for off-airport flying, plus a line of classic Bushplanes for those interested in discovering why the Super Cub has remained such a successful workhorse for so many years.

The project had the assistance of a real Super Cub owner (and 747 pilot), who did much of the flight testing for the project. His own Super Cub is among the aircraft modeled, accurate inside and out.

The 18 Flight Replicas Super Cubs can be bought as one complete package, or smaller role-specific packages: Standard that includes early, standard, amphibious, military, and wheel-ski aircraft, Classic which includes two variants of the classic bushplane, on floats, wheels and skis and Extreme including five aircraft with tundra-tires up to 35" and many other modifications.

To complete the package a deluxe stand-alone IFR equipped Amphibious model, that allows substitution of the avionics pack with any high end third-party avionics you may own. For more information, please visit the Flight Replicas website.

DBS Studio Airport GPS for FSX

Posted: Wednesday, January 13, 2010 - 17:14
DBS Studio release a new product - Airport GPS for FSX - its the new way to navigate while taxiing at the airport, now driving in any airport is like driving your car on the streets with your favorite Car GPS. Run GPS Airport and follow the route from your gate to the runway. Touchdown and taxi by GPS Airport to any parking spot.
Visit DBS Studio for complete details and screenshots of this new product.

LLH Release Altiport Henri Giraud

Posted: Wednesday, January 13, 2010 - 14:06
LLH créations announce thier latest release for alpine flying, "LLH7 ALPE D'HUEZ, Altiport Henri Giraud" for FSX. A new chalenge for all mountain pilots with this new 15,5% sloped runway. And if this runway is too easy for advanced pilots, they will discover new sensations flying in winter and landing on the snow covered runway. This scenery represents a new approach in development by pushing the realism to the limits of the FSX SDK, using very high resolution textures (5cm/pixel) and bumpmaping technology. More info and screenshots on the LLH website .

Yak 40 from DBS Studio

Posted: Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - 5:43
Staff reviewer Xavier Noche examines DBS Studio/SIM Landmarks' Yak 40. "This is an early small Eastern Europe civil airliner jet, with a capacity of 40 passengers, designed to replace the ageing thousands of prop liners Lisunov Li-2s (Soviet built DC-3s), Ilyushin Il-12s and Il-14s. It first flew in October 1966, entered production in 1967 and Aeroflot started flying it in 1968. It is now used both as a regional airliner and as a VIP transportation."

"Only a 2D panel is provided but it is beautiful, in daylight and at night, dark or illuminated. It features a pure Soviet style gauges, with the exceptions of the additional radio control sub-panel and GPS. The base of the model is an enhanced AI. It has been redesigned for FSX, while remaining compatible with the previous FS9 one, thus keeping the same .bmp layout. Overall the aircraft looks good. Some parts are highly animated and detailed, such as the gear and flaps. Gear compression, whether on front or on main gear, is very well rendered."

"At startup, the aircraft is some 1800 lbs above gross weight, so you first need to adjust the load or the fuel. Chock and covers for the engines and pitot tubes are in place when the parking brakes are on and all electrical systems are off. Stairs can be deployed as the main exit opens and closes. Taxi is easy; be advised the aircraft pitches sharply down upon brake action. The autopilot is very simple; and easy to learn. The sounds are aliased to the default Microsoft Learjet 45 ones. Straight from the speakers, it sounds realistic for this aircraft."

"The DBS Yak-40 makes a good AI, and a decent flyable aircraft, but with some imperfections on the exterior. The nicest part is the 2D panel; beautiful and, faithful to the Soviet 1960s style and nonetheless easy to operate and fly without reading tons of documentation or learning dozens of Cyrillic letters acronyms."

CLS Releases B767 (FS9 & FSX)

Posted: Sunday, January 10, 2010 - 18:40
Since early 2008 CLS has been working on their Boeing 767. Creating a high quality and highly detailed package for all flight sim fans to enjoy. The package is more then complete with both the 767-200 and 767-300 modelled. The base package includes 24 liveries! The base package consists of all regular passenger models. The expansion package will include the beautiful winglet version, AWACS, Tanker and the cargo variants. Obviously, these all come with detailed textures. For complete details, change your heading to the CLS website.

Juan Santamaria Int'l Airport from LatinVFR

Posted: Saturday, January 9, 2010 - 1:28
Staff reviewer Philip Wilson heads to Central America to fly at LatinVFR's Juan Santamaria International Airport. "Currently, Juan Santamaría is the second busiest airport in Central America after Tocumen International Airport in Panamá. The airport's major airlines are TACA/Lacsa with its international network and TACA's subsidiary Sansa for domestic flights. The airport's long runway allows for operations of large, wide body aircraft. Currently some scheduled flights are operated with Airbus A330, A340; Boeing 747 and 767, for both passengers and freight. A Concorde landed in the year 1999 for that year's air show."

"LatinVFR optimized the ground textures surrounding the airport for 2m in FSX and 10m for FS9. But MROC is more than just ground textures, and the textures on the custom scenery is good, and in some places, great. Topping the list are runway and most building textures. The runway detail is excellent with scuffing, fading, cracked paint and expansion joints clearly visible. The ramp area is modeled to include the concrete parking spaces imbedded in the asphalt ramp. The concrete slabs have visible oil stains and erosion from heavy use. In addition, many areas of the custom buildings definitely have the WOW affect. If there was one surprise here it was the night lighting. From the flood lights on the airport cargo ramp, to the entire valley, the night lighting was superb."

"When you load up MROC for the first time, you are greeted with flowing ground traffic. There are busses, cargo trucks, cars, airport vehicles and fire equipment. The commercial vehicles have authentic names and logos, and the busses have real ads on their sides. There are even taxi’s lined up in front of the airport to whisk your passengers to their destinations."

"The Juan Santamaría International Airport by LatinVFR is a great product. Overall, I believe the positives far outweigh the negatives and recommend this scenery to anyone with a dream of flying around Costa Rica."

Northern Utah Scenery by Sim-Savy

Posted: Friday, January 8, 2010 - 23:38
Sim-Savvy announces Upgrade of its Northern Utah High Resolution Scenery. This upgrade features 7,500 sq miles of high resolution photoreal scenery of the Salt Lake City, Utah area. (KSLC). The upgrade includes coverage of the surrounding area in standard resolution as a sampling of the full West American Scenery product.

This product includes New Airspace Layer which is a Color-Coded scenery layer that gives visual reference to pilots concerning Class B, C, D, E, Restricted and MOA (military operational area) airspace.
The Utah Airspace Layer is also free for download.

For more information visit Sim-Savy webpage.

New Gliding Race

Posted: Friday, January 8, 2010 - 14:40
There is a new gliding race available where you have to fly fron Bowen to Mackay on the east coast of Australia. This race is an extract from the Australian Challenge part.2. This is a Freeware race, so all the files and information can be found on the Roussillon Aero Simulation webpage.

Wilco And McPhat Release Embraer Pack #3

Posted: Friday, January 8, 2010 - 14:02
World Airliners Pack #3 for Wilco Publishing's Embraer Regional Jets is now available.
Featuring 13 new real-world airlines liveries to compliment the ERJ135 and ERJ145 series for both Microsoft Flight Simulator X and 2004.
The latest features list and pictures of the McPhat Studios liveries are available from the Wilco Publishing Product Page .

Ibiza X from Aerosoft

Posted: Thursday, January 7, 2010 - 21:57
New staff reviewer Rick Desjardins kicks off the new year and his first review with Aerosoft's Ibiza X. "This scenery offering from Aerosoft gives you a chance to explore and appreciate not only the airport of Ibiza but also the Islands of Ibiza and Formentera. The airport of Ibiza, LEIB, located near the southern tip of the island of Ibiza, serves as the primary port of entry for anyone wishing to get to these islands. During the course of a year approximately 4.6 million passengers pass through its gates flying in and out on over 57,000 flights."

"Overall this airport blends in seamlessly with its surroundings but then I would expect nothing less as the entire island of Ibiza is included as part of this product. The ground surfaces are very crisp and detailed. They have really done a great job here. There are subtle differences in the coloring of the concrete, the runway markings are all there and not over stated, and you can clearly see the well worn paths where the majority of the aircraft traffic is concentrated and the tell tale signs of rubber skid marks in the landing zone on the runways. There are 3D lights and markings along the runways and taxiways. Everything about this airport screams details."

"The island of Ibiza is quite large with an area of about 571 sq km and a population around 114,000. With a topography that is a mixture of both low lands and hills there is plenty of variety and you are kept busy taking in all the sites. The northern half of the island is more rugged and secluded. The splendour of the island is everywhere. To bring the area to life there are lots of autogen buildings in this scenery and for the most part they are very well done. I was amazed at how breathtakingly this scenery is."

"The Island of Formentera located just to the south of Ibiza is much smaller. As you fly around exploring, you see the island's natural beauty. Just as with the Island of Ibiza they use photoreal textures and autogen throughout. Several of the more notable natural features of the island have been included."

"When you have islands, you have water and Aerosoft have clearly not forgotten this with Ibiza X. They have made good use of color to give you the perception of shallow versus deep; this is especially evident along the beaches and in the shallows."

Simplates X is available at the Avsim store

Posted: Thursday, January 7, 2010 - 19:00
SimPlates X is a collection of IFR approach, charts and a worldwide airport/facility directory aimed at the serious flight simulation enthusiast. This latest edition features over 30,000 REAL WORLD IFR PLATES .

Over 30,000 real-world IFR plates, including approach plates, SIDs/STARs, Airport Diagrams, and more. Approach types include ILS, VOR, VOR/DME, NDB, LLZ, SDF, GPS, TACAN, Helicopter, Visual, and more. Simplates X is compatible with FSX and FS2004.

Visit the Avsim Store today.

CLS Release SP1 For FS9 Boeing 767

Posted: Thursday, January 7, 2010 - 17:15
Commercial Level Simulations announce the release of Service Pack 1 for thier FS9 Boeing 767, also added was AeroMexico as a Boeing 767-200 livery and several others updated.

Visit the Commercial Level Simulations website for more information on how to get these updates, the entire CLS team would like to wish everyone a great 2010!