Update - Super Viking Collection

Posted: Sunday, September 23, 2007 - 16:34
Reborn from the studios of Lionheart Creations, (and now for FSX as well), is the second generation 'Super Viking Collection'.
This is a large package of the famed Bellanca Viking series, a single engine, four passenger aircraft capable of cruising at 250 MPH. These unique 'sports cars' of aviation were (and still are) available in fuel injected 'and' turbocharged models.

This package has been fully redeveloped from its original series, having many new features and modifications, such as a totally rebuilt virtual cockpit that now features four different, high resolution instrument panels (including a new wood veneer panel), that feature 3D gauge elements. The package contains dual airfiles; regular and turbocharged, and features new exterior and interior paint schemes, totalling eleven different texture packs. Graphics have been tuned for faster frame rates, a new high realism pilot is now featured, as well as the female pilot option, (both having scanning animations).

This is an update and is free to existing customers of the LHC Super Viking package. This is also a dual sim platform installer, being able to install into both FS2004 and FSX. For more information, go to Lionheart Creations webpage.

Reader Choice Vote Open Again!

Posted: Sunday, September 23, 2007 - 13:46
We have restarted the Reader Choice Voting and if voted yesterday, we ask that you do so again. Voting will remain open until October 1st at midnight. The Reader's Choice voting was reset as we realized that we had left some nominees out of yesterday's initial vote. We have now rectified that, all votes have been set to zero and we look forward to what the community has to say about the freeware and commercial add-ons that appeared over the last year. Winners of the Reader's Choice Awards will be announced following the prestigious AVSIM Bravo Zulu Awards at the Saturday night Banquet in Seattle this November. If you have not yet placed your vote, we urge you to do so today! And, if you have not yet registered for Flight Simulation's biggest event of the year, we encourage you to join us in Seattle!

3D Lights from Shockwave Productions

Posted: Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 21:58
Staff reviewer Alan Bradbury sheds some new light on our default aircraft with Shockwave's 3D Lights. "The 3D Lights effect was first seen on Shockwave’s Wings of Power 2 Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress commercial add-on, released earlier in 2007."

"For such a small add-on, it has a massive impact on how things look on your aircraft in FSX, and it seems to be able to do all this without impacting on frame rates. Flicking the landing light switch on, brightens things up big time with this add-on installed. There is no doubt that 3D Lights are more than just an eye-candy gimmick, as they genuinely introduce another element of realism into flight simulation."

"If you like piloting the heavies in FSX, where sweating out a tricky approach to a runway through bad weather is your idea of fun, you’re almost certainly going to like the atmospheric fashion in which 3D Lights cuts its way through those clouds and swirling raindrops. And if you’re into low level night missions with helicopters, or landing on the rooftops of skyscrapers, 3D Lights offers really practical benefits to that kind of flying too. Likewise, bush flying in tricky terrain at night with small prop aircraft is made more of a practical proposition with this effect lighting your way."

While there is some manual work to be done in the configuration files, Alan says of 3D Lights, "I’d have to say 3D Lights is a winner. It’s true that the effect it offers is not perfect in some circumstances, but most of the time it comes very close to that ideal. And in terms of innovative and a different add-on for Flight Simulator, it’s well deserving of praise. I’d recommend it."

Archer III by Dreamfleet / Flight 1

Posted: Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 19:53
Staff reviewer Roger Curtiss reflects on his own experiences while flying Dreamfleet's Archer III. "Represented is an actual Archer III registration N9277Q owned by Chuck Roberts of New Hampshire. The cockpit is even set up to include instrumentation that Roberts added to his aircraft to suit his needs."

"The flight model provides a variety of options to the operator for aircraft presentation. It can be loaded as ‘cold and dark’ with pilot out of the cockpit and wing tie downs in place. The pilot can then conduct a thorough preflight inspection; opening the engine oil panel, wing gas caps and baggage compartment. Once the walk around is complete, the service panels can be latched and tie downs removed."

"In addition to the expected dual comm radios, dual nav radios and ADF there is an S-TEC 55X autopilot which operates from two separate controls and a choice of two GPS units; the FS standard GPS500 or the more comprehensive Reality XP GN430. But in order to gain the full enjoyment of this very detailed model, there is no substitute for studying the aircraft manuals before flying. Another good reason to read the manuals is that this airplane is loaded with features that otherwise might go undetected."

"The virtual cockpit is another work of art. In addition, the virtual cockpit eye point can be permanently changed without having to exit FS and then restart. The panel is outstanding. It can be displayed in a variety of configurations from full panel to landing view with just Airspeed Indicator, Artificial Horizon and Altimeter visible and even a right seat perspective."

Concluding his review of the Piper Archer III, Roger says he can't find anything negative about the aircraft, but reminds the simmer that studying the operations manual is a necessity to get the most out of this release.

Condor Competition Soaring Simulator Patch

Posted: Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 17:30
The Condor Team announces that Condor Patch 12 has been released. Patch 12's main features brings the new multi-lingual support for Condor the Competition Soaring Simulator. To download Condor Patch 12, please visit the Condor Soaring website.

Pitcairn PCA-2 Autogiro Package Released

Posted: Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 17:25
If any aircraft is associated with the Golden Age of Aviation, it is the Pitcairn PCA-2 Autogiro, it's dubbed the safest aircraft ever made. Golden Age Simulations is proud to bring to Flight Simulator this historic aircraft from the Golden Age. Their package, although designed for FS9, is completely compatible with FSX and both installers are included. In their package you will find the three variants of this unusual aircraft, The PCA-2 in three historical liveries; Steve Pitcairn's EAA Miss Champion, Johnny Millers Missing Link and The Detroit News, the US Navy XOP-1 and a PCA-2 Crop Duster.

Each model is fully detailed and animated with a fully outfitted VC and a 2D panel. The flight dynamics are historically accurate with the model being capable of engine off autorotation. No other autogiro for Flight Simulator has been capable of this ability, to the extent that the Pitcairn has been modeled. Both the main engine and the rotor may be independently controlled just as the real aircraft performs. Special features include a deployable banner tow and a crop duster effect. Scenery and missions from FSRealScenes adds to the immersive experience of this package. So relive the Golden Age with the Golden Age Simulations Pitcairn Autogiro Package!

Outskirts-Patch for FScene4X-Fall

Posted: Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 17:05
Ruud Faber of FScene reports, "Many Fscene users already adopted the new FScene4X replacement ground textures for Microsoft's Flight Simulator X (FSX). In our former press release of Aug. 24 we explained not only why this is an interesting option but also about our continuous work on improving the flightsimmer's joy in using FScene4X for FSX. Some repeats of former statements are in place here, thus giving new users some overview on what's going on.

1) FScene has reworked all the textures to make them better suited in FSX. Why? Because of the many changes in Microsoft's new FSX, the use of previous FScene versions was very disappointing. Ugly "gaps" appeared in the terrain, due to many FSX textures not being replaced by FScene ones. Moreover the difference in color between FSX and FScene showed very prominently. And after having released revised texture files for almost all world we reported the birth of the free Outskirts patches.
2) FScene announces a new pack of color-adapted textures which will enhance the pleasure of using world-wide FScene4X in FSX. This is why: When using FScene4X, we found the color mixing of cities vs. outskirts not quite satisfying. Especially in Spring and Summer. So we adapted the colors of several outskirt textures to fit the specific FScene gamma. By outskirts, we mean the urban rural fringe, also described as the "landscape interface between town and country".

This Outskirts Patch for the present FALL season is Free. Head on over to the FScene website Land at and look for the free Outskirts Patches.

TweakFS Updates Free Registry Utilities

Posted: Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 1:23
TweakFS has updated its freeware Registry Utilities for FS9 and FSX. These tools help to analyze and repair the Windows Registry entries that store the folder paths to the FS9 or FSX installations. This critical registry information is required by many add-ons and installers to "see" where the simulators are located on the system hard drive, which makes it very important to keep this data valid. The new versions add an "Auto-Check" feature to help FS add-on developers and users by providing an automatic switch to check the registry key and give feedback to the end-user on the status of their FS9/FSX registry entry. To download, see the "Freeware Files" banner at the TweakFS website.

Wings of Power II: P40 Released

Posted: Friday, September 21, 2007 - 17:34
Shockwave Productions has released their Wings of Power: P40 today. Exclusively developed for Microsoft Flight Simulator X, includes an almost exact replica of the cockpit.

Shockwave writes, "Extensive research goes into making an aircraft, and nothing quite replaces first-hand experience. This includes visiting the aircraft(s), speaking with pilots and mechanics, and flight-testing. We must first capture and verify how it looks, sounds, and performs to create a faithful Wings of Power aircraft. For the P40, we made two trips to the good people at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum in Dallas Texas and took their P40 up for various test flights to verify performance and capture live sound. Probably the best part of this research was taking a lot of time to just be around the aircraft and the people who take such good care of it." For more information on this release, visit the Shockwave P40 Site.

VFR Real Scenery III Released

Posted: Friday, September 21, 2007 - 17:29
Just Flight is pleased to announce the release of the third volume of its highly anticipated VFR Real Scenery series for Flight Simulator X. VFR Real Scenery; Wales & South-West England is now shipping from Just Flight. The latest volume in this set to transform Flight Simulator X with amazing photographic scenery that includes night lighting, coastlines and water effects.

The VFR Real Scenery series is designed exclusively for Flight Simulator X but it may be that you haven’t taken the plunge and bought FSX yet. Well, now’s the time! Just Flight has an amazing offer running at the moment – buy the first three volumes of the VFR Real Scenery series at the normal retail price and they will add a copy of Flight Simulator X for FREE!!! For more information and ordering information, visit Just Flight.

VATSIM Announces EuroScope

Posted: Friday, September 21, 2007 - 14:25
VATSIM, the Virtual Air Traffic Simulation Network, is proud to announce that its newest radar client, EuroScope is now available for the controller community. The long-awaited smart radar by Gergely Csernak simulates the functions of radar systems most common in Europe but also increasingly around the world. With inspiration and feedback from real-world controllers, EuroScope was developed to be as real as it gets. Discover the high degree of reality, user-friendliness (use of the mouse makes life easier) and flexibility (fully customizable styles and layouts) that makes online controlling a whole new experience!

EuroScope offers innovative solutions for handling aircraft, communicating with other ATC units and air traffic control management. By analyzing all flights' horizontal and vertical situation as well as flight plans, EuroScope can now actually allocate aircraft to sectors and predict movements. Find all information on a flight in or entering your sector using the customizable smart tags; explore the advanced integrated voice communication capabilities and easy-to-use voice ATIS; train your skills offline with the built-in ATC simulator. Further information and the software itself can be found at EuroScope Homepage.

VATSIM Goes Statistical!

Posted: Thursday, September 20, 2007 - 0:40
VATSIM has tried hard to keep this project under wraps, but AVSIM got a look at the new VATSIM Stats Page! With numerous search features, and abilities too numerous to list, head on over to VATAWARE and see for yourself!

From the site, "All VATSIM VFR & IFR flights that file a flight plan are tracked by vataware." In addition, the ability to track a person's stats is now available! So give it shot and bring some stats back into your life!

Have some free time? Why not join AVSIM!

Posted: Thursday, September 20, 2007 - 0:30
The AVSim File Library has two "Library Technician" (L.T.) volunteer openings. The typical job description of a L.T. is to review/approve/deny files, communicate with authors and library users via e-mail, and to openly communicate with the Library Director, Library Managers, and other L.T.s. Individuals interested must be able to check in at least six out of seven days a week. The selected individuals will be volunteer Library Managers after a ninety-day probation period. There is flexibility in this scheduling. All interested applicants, please be familiar with e-mail and with a web browser. Serious applicants, please e-mail Chase Kreznor, Library Executive Director, with some basic information about yourself, any questions you may have for us, and how you could help give back to this wonderful community!

Nominations Still Open!

Posted: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 3:17
Nominations are still open for the AVSIM Reader's Choice Awards which will be presented at the AVSIM FANCON at Seattle in November. In fact, we are extending the nomination deadline until 6:00 P.M. EDT on Friday, 22 September (that's this Friday)! If you haven't yet made a nomination for these prestegious awards, do so today! Voting for the best in each category will start on Sunday. So, if you want to see your favorites in the voting, submit your nomination now. In order to appear in the voting, a product must be nominated. To nominate your favorite commercial or freeware add-on, read the rules and enter your nomination here.

UIVER Team Release Douglas DC2

Posted: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 2:52
The "UIVER" team has announced the release of their Douglas DC2 for FS2004 and FSX. As their Press Release says, "After many years of hard work and thorough research, it's finally ready. The revenue from the sales will be donated to the Aviodrome, Dutch National Aviation Theme Park and Museum. Aviodrome has one of the worlds last two airworthy Douglas DC-2's in their collection. The real plane is maintained by volunteers and with the money raised from individual and corporate donations. By selling the DC-2 package we hope to contribute to keeping this unique, priceless and historic aircraft in flying condition. Your purchase will be a very welcome contribution!" The package will be sold through the Flight1 system.

For complete information on the features of this package and a link to download the Douglas DC2 for FS2004 and FSX please visit the DC2 UIVER site. Support issues and questions will be handled through their forum.

UIVER hope you will enjoy flying this unique, hands-on classic airplane!

Taildragger Collection from RealAir Simulations

Posted: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 - 7:07
Senior staff reviewer David Wilson-Okamura drags his butt with this review of RealAir Simulations Taildraggers, featuring the Citabria, Decathlon and Scout aircraft designed for FSX. "Like almost all third-party aircraft that are currently available for FSX, the planes in this package were originally made for FS2004. In this case, however, the developers have taken the opportunity, not just to keep the old package going in the new sim, but to make it better and push the envelope of what’s possible."

"All three aircraft share the same basic airframe, which has very simple, straightforward lines, such that you’d only notice them if something were wrong. Nothing is. The longer I look, the more I admire. Paint schemes are simple, too, but there are a lot of them: about fifty, not including third-party repaints."

"A 2D panel is available, but like all of RealAir’s current models, the Citabria and its cousins are all intended to be flown from the virtual cockpit (VC). What makes the model stand out, visually, are the cockpit gauges. New here for FSX are gauges modeled in three dimensions. Before, gauge makers would simulate three dimensions with painted shadows."

"Frame rates are as good as or better than default aircraft such as the Beaver or Maule. For the FSX version of the three taildraggers, Young has reinvented the flight models for each of the five aircraft types, including the pontoon and tundra tires."

Getting his butt off the ground, David says of this Taildragger Collection, "once you have owned a thing that is finely crafted - with no excuses, and no compromises - you know what it is worth. That is how I feel about these models here. Everything looks right and (what is more important) everything feels right: right away and for as long as you fly."

Level D 767-300 ER from Flight 1

Posted: Monday, September 17, 2007 - 2:44
Staff reviewer David Rogers continues on with another Level D installation with the 767-300 ER from Flight 1. "I think it is fair to say that this add-on needs little introduction. It is generally regarded as one of the most advanced and high quality releases to hit any version of Flight Simulator. Reviews across the internet universally praise the product and indeed AVSIM’s Maury Pratt awarded the FS2004 version of the Level D 767 with 5 stars in his review of May 2005."

"The Level D 767 for FSX offers several new features and improvements to the FS2004 version. It is clear that you are not simply paying for a ‘ported’ FS2004 aircraft. Level D has not rushed to release the FSX version. It has gone through the full testing schedule and has been released as a standalone product in its own right. The two things that excited me most about this 767 release for FSX were; The enhanced flight model (The FS2004 version is already regarded as having one of the best flight models in a commercial aircraft add-on), and the FSX Camera views, which I have learned were to include a new VC ‘co-pilot’ view, as well as some tasty new wing views."

"The exterior model is complemented by FSX’s “bright new world”. The supplied house livery is the only one supplied with the FSX 767. Fans of detailed models will not be disappointed with the Level D 767 for FSX. It is a treat to the eyes and is a wonderfully accurate representation of the real aircraft. As well as the level of detail, one thing that strikes me about the Level D 767 is that it appears to be perfectly in proportion. The exterior model of the LDS767 for FSX also seemed refreshingly frame rate friendly on my system, considering the level of complexity."

"The Virtual Cockpit of the Level D 767 is one of the nicest places to pass the time in the whole flight sim universe. If you sit in the VC and hit the ‘A’ key you will also see one of the new surprises that this version offers, a first officer seat position within the VC. All in all, I would say that the VC in the FSX version of Level D 767 is without a doubt the best virtual cockpit I have yet to see in any version of flight simulator."

There is a lot more information with regards to this release inside the review. Summarizing David's experience with it he says, "I can reveal that the Level D 767 is a truly outstanding simulation which raises the bar in terms of function, immersion and down right fun. Level D has done a great job at presenting their baby in the bright new world of FSX. This is the finest complex aircraft add-on released for any version of flight simulator!"

FS Approaches Vol. 3 Released

Posted: Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 17:37
FS2000 announces Fs Approaches Vol. 3 Worldwide Airports for FSX and FS9 is now available· This release features:
- Missions/Adventures covering major airports in the World: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Egypt, France, French Polynesia, Germany, India, Iran, Italy, Kenya, Korea, Jamaica, Japan, Libya, Mali, Madagascar ,Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Malaysia, Maldives, Martinique, New Zealand, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, The Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sri Lanka. Sudan, Thailand, Taiwan, Tonga, United Kingdom, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam.
- Charts & Maps (Approach Plates, Arrivals, Airport Diagrams)·
- Interactive Flight Briefing.
- Charts and Airport Facility are available and accessible during the flight, as in real life.
- Fs Approach Manager allows you to edit Time, Season and Weather themes (real weather included) before running a Mission in FSX·
- Detailed instructions to learn how to use the GPS to execute an Approach.

Fs Approaches Vol. 3 includes six new liveries: Boeing 737 American Airlines and Delta Airlines; Boeing 747 United Airlines and British Airways; Md-88 Aeromexico and Aerolinas Argentinas. There is also a promotional video available. For more information visit the FS2000 website.

Sandon Lyon's Real Sky Pro

Posted: Saturday, September 15, 2007 - 4:09
Staff reviewer Alan Bradbury reviews Sandon Lyon's latest release of his Real Sky series, Real Sky Pro. "Real Sky Pro is a nifty little utility which professes to add more realism to the sky textures in Microsoft’s Flight Simulator, without reducing frame rates, and in some cases, even threatening to increase them. Bold claims indeed, particularly in view of the fact that what one person considers realistic, might not be thought so by the next."

"Minor misgivings in the ability to revert textures and the somewhat frugal installation help aside, it has to be said Real Sky Pro is very quick and easy to use, and it does seem to work flawlessly once installed. Real Sky Pro is no more complicated than a set of replacement textures coupled to a graphical user interface to make previewing, selecting and installing them easier. It’s true the interface isn’t going to win any beauty contests, but it is very businesslike, and it does the job asked of it."

"There are so many choices available in Real Sky Pro, I was half-expecting to see an option for a Martian sky, but while RSP stops short of offering that, it doesn’t skimp on any sky options for our own planet. In fact, the breadth of choice borders on being overwhelming, so it is nice to see selections offered in logical groups and sub-groups. All replacement textures are accompanied by a representative thumbnail panorama of a large section of the horizon, giving you a good idea of how they will look in FS."

"Essentially, all the textures in Real Sky Pro are amendments or variations of the default FS textures, which have then been grouped into a logical sequence to make finding the perfect sky of your choice easy to implement. If creating these textures sounds like it might have been simple, my investigations proved otherwise, and it was apparent that a lot of care had gone into the various tweaks that have taken place to create this product."

Summing up Real Sky Pro, Alan asks, "Do I like Real Sky Pro?" His response, "Yes, I do. In fact with so many choices, frankly it would be impossible not to find something I didn’t prefer over the original FS textures, and choice is always a good thing. I think Real Sky Pro will certainly appeal to anyone who can appreciate how much of a genuine feeling of extreme distance these textures offer, instead of simply concentrating on ‘wow factor’ colours. There is some real subtle artistry and particularly astute implementation of what the sky does actually look like when viewed from an aircraft to be found within this package."

FS Design Studio for FSX

Posted: Saturday, September 15, 2007 - 0:39
It's been said time and time again that Louis Sinclair, the creator of FS Design Studio has done more than any other person to keep the Flight Simulation hobby alive when other design tools were no longer available. Introduced at the turn of the 21st century (in January, 2000), tens of thousands of hobbyists have relied on the user-friendly FS Design Studio to craft great aircraft and impressive 3D scenery. Just look around and you'll find that the overwhelming majority of aircraft of all sizes and shapes have been created with this remarkable tool owing to its long list of easy to use, yet powerful features. After ten months of intensive R&D, Louis has completed work on the new FSX edition of this essential program. FS Design Studio V3.5 is now available by download or on CD-ROM.

Version 3.5 includes these new features: enhanced texture handling - reflective, transparent, light maps supports FSX style animation using key frame primarily - XToMDL compiler for maximum future FS compatibility alternatively - MakeMDL compiler for maximum backward FS2004 compatibility new Help Files with extensive examples and tutorials sample projects for FSX and FS2004 improved boolean operations (e.g. for cutting holes) autosave, unlimited undo/redo, more compatible with both FSX and FS2004

Registered users of FS Design Studio V3 are eligible to for a FREE upgrade to Version 3.5 and registered users of FS Design Studio V2 are eligible to upgrade for a reduced price. For more information about FS Design Studio please visit Abacus' FS Design Studio webpage.