Angelique Goes To Paris

Posted: Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - 1:10
Senior staff reviewer Angelique van Campen hops into her car for a road trip to Paris to take in the 4th Annual Mondial of Simulation that was held 27-29 November at the Le Bourget Airport.

"There were a number of recognizable software and hardware vendors in attendance, but there were also some that I had never heard of. There were Virtual Airlines and flight clubs in attendance, as well. The main drawback was that the primary language for the show was French."

"I had a lot of fun being an invited guest to this French event. The museum where it is held is worth seeing. I sincerely hope that the 5th edition offers even more companies like hardware manufactures with their Boeing or Airbus related cockpit hardware. Enjoy the photographic report I made on this event."

P-38 Lightning - FSD International & SkyUnlimited

Posted: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 - 0:55
Senior staff reviewer David Wilson Okamura climbs aboard the "twin-forked devil" to look at 2 models of the P-38 Lightning as presented by FlightSim Developers and SkyUnlimited. "The Lightning has been available in Flight Simulator for some time. What we didn’t have, until this fall, was a P-38 model that was developed specifically for FSX, using FSX tools and features. Then, all of a sudden, there were two products, from two different publishers: FlightSim Developers (FSD) and SkyUnlimited (SU)."

"The exterior models for both products were both created by the same person, Kevin “Gibbage” Miller. Stephen “Stitz” Barstow recompiled the SU model for FSX, retagged the animations, converted the texture calls to use the more efficient DDS format, and added bump mapping. Miller learned new tools and honing his craft. The result is the FSD P-38. The differences can be summarized under two categories: 3D structures and textures."

"Both products also include a full range of animations. On the SU model, the wheels are chocked and pitot tubes are covered when you park; if you want, there’s also an oil pan for maintenance. On the FSD model, bombs can be dropped and rockets can be launched from under the wing; you can hear the rockets from the virtual cockpit and see them race ahead of you. Both products have red/green/amber recognition lights on the fuselage belly, but only the FSD version can turn them on individually."

"The SU product comes with a 2D cockpit; the FSD product doesn’t. FSD is assuming -- and I think they’re right -- that most of us fly exclusively from the virtual cockpit (VC). Both products have 3D gauges. Several of the plane’s important switches are hidden behind the yoke, so both products allow you to make the yoke disappear. Generally speaking, the FSD cockpits have more detailed 3D modeling and shinier textures. The SU cockpits are modeled with less precision; and the textures are matte green instead of glossy black."

"The FSD flight model was produced by the same David Copley who did the sounds; in 2000, Copley produced a freeware model of the P-38, and the flight model in this product has evolved from that. SU’s flight model, by Jerry Beckwith, also goes back a few years, to FS2004. Both products include the L variation, with the dive flaps, and both products simulate control failure in a steep dive (but minus the violent buffeting). In the FSD planes, you can always save yourself with elevator trim. Not so in the SU versions: trim has a more subtle effect there and, once established in a steep dive, you are probably cooked."

"The SU product, because it is less detailed, has better frame rates. The FSD product is more demanding. For one thing, it uses larger texture sheets: they look sharp, but they’re more work for your computer to manipulate. All products are not created equal. But in this case, both P-38's are good."

"If you like it shiny, or you need modern avionics, FSD is your obvious choice. If you want to save a few bucks, or you’re worried about frames, the safe choice is SkyUnlimited. FSD has more detail, SU has more repaints. Both products have the same, rich sounds; and both products feature 3D gauges in the virtual cockpit. It’s refreshing to have a real choice."

Reality XP 430XP & 530XP WAAS For XPlane 9

Posted: Monday, December 14, 2009 - 18:36
The award winning Reality XP GNS WAAS simulation is available for X-Plane 9, now featuring Class-B Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS) for an extra margin of safety in the air, is an all-in-one GPS/Nav/Comm solution. With built-in WAAS navigation capabilities, it is approved to fly LPV “glideslope” approaches without reference to ground-based navaids.

Leveraging the latest capabilities offered with X-Plane 9.41, the Reality XP GNS 430/530 WAAS can guide you to fly your aircraft through holding patterns, procedure turns and other position-critical IFR flight procedures, with full autopilot coupling for both lateral and vertical path guidance. The new integration also permits coupling HSI LCDI and VCDI for maximum awareness during any phase of the flight.

You can now fly fully coupled LPV approaches with the autopilot and experience the extra capabilities of the GNS WAAS in mission rehearsal scenarios and personal self-paced learning environments, Reality XP’s next-gen solution takes advantage of the new capabilities of the Garmin GNS Trainer in 32bits and delivers an unprecedented level of functionality. Redesigned from scratch, the new offering is compatible with X-Plane 9 right out the box.

Now compatible with ASA OnTop, Elite Simulation, Flight Simulator 9, FSX, ESP and X-Plane 9 for Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7, the new GNS 430/530 WAAS offering is the most widely available GNS WAAS Simulation Software product, available in both simTainment™ retail version for personal use, and professional version for commercial use, details on the sofware can be found at Reality XP .

Just Flight Release Airshow Pilot

Posted: Monday, December 14, 2009 - 15:26
Airshow Pilot works with FSX to provide the full aerobatics experience, and is designed for both novices and seasoned aerobatics pilot. If you're not already well versed in the flight figures, terminology and techniques of aerobatic flying, Airshow Pilot will guide you through everything, from training and practice all the way to meeting opponents in competition and reviewing your flying in the Flight Data Recorder.

Those of you who can perform perfect loops, precise rolls and fly inverted as well as you can fly normally will enjoy the competition aspect of the program, whether you are measuring your skills against AI opponents or real ones online, full details at JustFlights Product Page.

Trieste/LIPQ For FS9 & FSX

Posted: Sunday, December 13, 2009 - 13:53
Tropicalsim releases Italian Trieste/LIPQ. This scenery has two independent installers in just one pack, as always: one for FS9 and another for FSX. Choose your version and fly to Trieste/LIPQ. Conveniently located 33 km / 21 miles north-west of Trieste and 110 km / 69 miles east of Venice, Trieste Friuli Venetia Giulia Airport (Aeroporto Friuli-Venezia Giulia) is a modern and increasingly popular transport hub, serving over 700,000 passengers a year. Situated close to the borders with Slovenia and Croatia, Trieste Airport (TRS) is also close to Begliano, Cassegliano, Redipuglia, Ronchi dei Legionari, San Pier d'Isonzo and Turriaco. Visit Tropicalsim for complete details

Dublin 2009 For FSX

Posted: Sunday, December 13, 2009 - 13:48
Eiresim's Dublin 2009 Scenery has been released for Fs X. It has been 2 years in development and includes all major developments including Pier D and Terminal 2. This is the first payware version of one the busiest airports in Europe to be developed. More information can be found at Eiresim .

The Richard Harvey Endowed Scholarship Update

Posted: Sunday, December 13, 2009 - 4:51
The staff at AVSIM are very pleased to give our community members an update on the Richard Harvey Endowed Scholarship. As of July 1, 2008, the endowment stood at $16,547.05. As of June 30, 2009, the endowment stood at $13,114.27. The amount awarded in scholarships for the 2008-2009 school year was $1,200.00. This scholarship was awarded to Josiah Butler from Ukiah, California, who is attending Embry Riddle at the Prescott, Arizona campus. A further award was made for the 2009-2010 school year, and we'll be announcing the recipient of that scholarship shortly.

If you are not familiar with the AVSIM sponsored Richard Harvey Endowed Scholarship, we will shortly be posting updated information on the scholarship and how you can participate.

Thank you to all who have contributed to the remembrance of Richard and to the future of outstanding pilots and aviation professionals!

Yak-52 from Alphasim

Posted: Saturday, December 12, 2009 - 19:17
New staff reviewer Eduardo Ocampo submits his first review with a look at AlphaSim's Yak-52. "AlphaSim decided to make something that is uncommon for MSFS: A Soviet era piston engine military trainer, the Yakovlev Yak-52. This would be the eastern counter-part of the Beechcraft Mentor."

"The visual aspect of the aircraft is remarkable. The animations included in this package such as gear and flaps (which are all pneumatic!), flight controls, feathering propeller, front and rear canopies, cowl flaps both below the aircraft fuselage and behind the propeller, are smooth and realistic. Bonus points for the properly simulated gear struts and shock dampers. Standing behind the aircraft will also reveal the gap between the engine cowling and the nose section of the fuselage, just as in the real Yak-52."

"Well…there isn’t any 2D panel; so that leaves us only with the virtual cockpit. The gauges are nicely done and animated, easy to see and read. The pneumatic system in this aircraft is a big one; flaps, gear and engine starting are some of the functions dependent on this system. The panel is easy on computer resources; flying around in the VC doesn’t seem to show a hard impact on performance. The night lighting is superb; just what you'd expect from a Soviet airplane. One of the things I love about this product is it’s sound; TSS sound set ladies and gentleman, you can’t do better than that."

"The flying experience with the AlphaSim’s Yak-52 is very nice and entertaining; the flight controls are just amazing and represent the agility of the real world Yak-52 that can roll 180º per second! The engine was designed to make the aircraft climb very steeply and to have a good vertical capability and may I say, this definitely is a faithful recreation of the Yak on those aspects. This aircraft is a military primary trainer and is also used in many air shows and competitions, so if you are a fan of aerobatic flight, this aircraft will become one of your favourites because of its handling characteristics."

"I think AlphaSim's Yak-52 is great to have if you’re looking for a good time flying aerobatic maneuvers and in formation with some friends and is a great training platform for these activities. Once you take a look at the cockpit and familiarize yourself with the controls and indications, you can expect some great flights with this aircraft."

HD Environment 2010© for FS2004 Released

Posted: Saturday, December 12, 2009 - 4:16
HD Environment 2010© by SceneryPRO Software greatly enhances the overall visual appearance of FS2004 by replacing the default environmental, autogen, airport and runway textures with ultra-sharp, ultra-realistic HD quality textures that drastically improve visual realism with no adverse frame-rate effects whatsoever.

HDE 2010© uses high definition textures and virtually lossless image compression to deliver an unprecedented balance of quality and performance that is sure to please any flight simmer. And best of all, it's a snap to install. Simply run the setup application, answer a few questions and that's it! You are ready to fly in your new HD Environment in just a few short minutes! FS2004 lives on with HD Environment 2010© by SceneryPRO Software. For more info please visit the HD Environment 2010© website.

Zinertek Releases Ultimate Airport Environment X.

Posted: Saturday, December 12, 2009 - 4:10
This package includes over 200 new textures that greatly enhance all your FSX default airports throughout the world. You will see new airport buildings, terminals, jetways, hangars, runways, taxiways, tarmac surfaces, warehouses, and much more! For more information regarding this product visit the Zinertek website.

PMDG 737 Voice Commander Edition for FS9

Posted: Saturday, December 12, 2009 - 3:44
The PMDG 737 is probably one of the most popular FS addons of all time. It is without a doubt the most accurate 737NG ever created for MSFS. But now you can make your PMDG 737 even better with FS2Crew's radically re-designed Voice Commander series.

With FS2Crew, you can fly like real-airline Captain in a real airline environment - now using Voice Control! This new Edition of FS2Crew was customized to work with the PMDG 737 (800/900/700 and 600 models) in both the 2D and Virtual Cockpit. The virtual First Officer can interact with all switches on the aircraft as per his flows. Just as good, you can even control the autopilot, among other systems, using voice commands in a totally seemless and natural way! For example, if you say "Speed 210", your MCP speed setting will change to 210.

For complete details of this new version of the 737 Voice Commander Edition, or the Wilco/feelThere PIC version, visit the FS2Crew website.

Flight Deck 6 For FSX & FS2004 Released

Posted: Saturday, December 12, 2009 - 3:36
Abacus is ending 2009 with the release of Flight Deck 6. For more than 12 years, their Flight Deck series has brought the challenge of aircraft carrier based aviation to flight simulation fans.

Their newest add-on takes the would-be aviator through the paces by first training in the turboprop T-34 Mentor, next in the jet-powered T-45 Goshawk at land-base Naval Air Stations before graduating to the muscular F/A-18C Hornet and F/A-18E Super Hornet off the deck of the USS Harry S Truman.

An exclusive new feature are missions for FS2004 complete with audio feedback. Missions for FS2004 and FSX are at Naval Air Stations and from the aircraft carrier deck using the catapult for takeoffs and cable traps for landing. Flight Deck 6 has these exciting aircraft and features: T-34 Turbo Mentor, T-45 Goshawk(TM), F/A-18C Hornet(TM), F/A-18E Super Hornet(TM), EA-6B Prowler, C-2A Greyhound, E-2C Hawkeye, SH-60B Seahawk , the USS Harry S Truman and NAS Custom Scenery.

Would you like to see Flight Deck 6 in action? To watch their Airbus A380 operate from the deck of the Harry S Truman. Complete details are available at the Abacus website.

DBS Studios Needs Beta Testers

Posted: Friday, December 11, 2009 - 14:57
DBS Studio open limited beta-testing of new DBS Studio tool: "DBS Airport GPS" and need 10-15 beta-testers. DBS Airport GPS dedicated for route arrived and departed aircraft, through taxiways and runways, to selected parking/gate or from parking/gate to selected runway. They are looking for testers, who have a large number of custom airports installed (if you are scenery developer and can test on your custom airport - this a big plus).

For beta-testers they will offer DBS Airport GPS free after releasing and for active testers, they offer any DBS Studio product free after finishing the beta-testing of Airport GPS. If you are interested in being a DBS Studio beta tester - email them and report on the amount of installed custom airports you have (range sample 10-50, 50-100, 100-500 etc.), if you have custom airports in development and your hardware configuration (processor, size of memory, graphics card, operating system (XP/Vista/Win7 32/64 bit).

New Gliding Competition

Posted: Friday, December 11, 2009 - 14:49
Australian challenge part 2. The first stage of this freeware based Australian challenge is now available. You will fly from Alice Springs to Jervois in the Australian desert. The stage is 134 Nm long. Once you have finish send your time to www.roussillonaerosimulation.com, i will be abble to put your pseudo and your time on the result board. For details and questions contact Mathieu O'Hare.

First-Class Simulations Releases Discover Europe

Posted: Friday, December 11, 2009 - 14:42
Hot on the heels of Around the World in 80 Flights and Pole to Pole, the team at First Class Simulations continue their series of highly popular flight adventure packages with the announcement of Discover Europe.

Included in the package is a detailed rendition of the Piper Pacer, which First Class Simulations states, "has been carefully crafted by a team of professional enthusiasts to be the ideal accompaniment to the journey. Offering both manoeuvrability and benign handling characteristics, the Pacer is a stable platform that is particularly well suited to the role of a sightseeing aircraft."

The package invites you to take an Alpine adventure, to put your piloting skills to the test over the Pyrenees. Following the tour it affords you the opportunity to visit Paris, Rome, Madrid, Venice, Prague, Warsaw, Vienna, and a whole host of countries and cities that reflect the multicultural tapestry of the continent. With a range of flights for both novice and seasoned aviators the developers hope that there is something for everyone, from challenging approaches to a leisurely Mediterranean descent into the playground resorts of the rich and famous.

The adventure is supported by lavish extras, including a tourists guide to all the destinations visited, detailed pilots notes, a comprehensive briefing, and a tutorial for the included Piper aircraft. Available for FS2004 and FSX.

Eaglesoft Releases Hotfix for Citation X Extreme 2.0

Posted: Friday, December 11, 2009 - 7:09
Eaglesoft releases Hotfix 1.82 for Citation X Extreme 2.0! for FS9 and FSX Versions. With this it completes the Custom Holds and Custom Waypoints, adds Keyboard shortcut support for Custom FSUIPC or Goflight Configurations, and more. For more information see Product Page.

MFD Cougar from ThrustMaster/SimWare

Posted: Friday, December 11, 2009 - 1:13
Senior staff reviewer Angelique van Campen adds some hardware to her cockpit with Thrustmasters MFD Cougar Pack. "The package consist of two MFD frames - let’s call them for now display units – made of plastic although due to the weight and the way it’s designed and casted, you get the impression it’s made of a metal so you’re off to a good start. Each display has its own USB cable, which can be connected to any USB port or hub."

"The supplied FSX related cards can be inserted in-between the Plexiglas plates. Via button programming and of course the supplied software, a card can be used in combination with either a “Generic profile”, “Light Aviation profile”, “Airline profile” or “own made”. Own made by the way means you’re able to program special functions and print them on the card itself."

"You have the following choices of profile files:
- Light Aviation profile for Flight Simulator X (or FS9)
This profile is specifically designed to meet the requirements of light and leisure aircraft.
It comprises a basic autopilot feature as well as landing gear and flaps controls, electric systems management features, engine mixture, propeller pitch and engine cooling system controls, etc.
- Airliner profile for Flight Simulator X (or FS9)
While offering a number of features available in the Light Aviation Profile, this profile also accounts for more specific aspects inherent to airliners and professional aviation, while also providing an advanced autopilot feature.
- Generic profile for Flight Simulator X (or FS9)
This profile covers the most frequent requirements for both civil and military aircraft."

"The two MFD Cougar panels suggest that those come from a military airplane and yes, they are mounted in a General Dynamics F-16, but how do they respond in combination with a simulated F-16? Before doing anything, I prepared myself by first inserting the Generic Profile cards in the left and right MFD panels, loaded the Generic Profile via the plug-in for FSX software, fired up FSX and loaded the F-16 Fighting Falcon, ready to go from a American AFB. I can tell you already that the Generic profile isn’t well integrated with this modern piece of simulation. Does this mean nothing works or that the Generic Profile can’t be used in combination with this F-16? No, that’s not true since many other buttons and switches are working."

"Although the Thrustmaster MFDs don’t offer real TFTs, I still liked the hardware that I reviewed. The software installation is perfect and the integration with the hardware is even more stunning. The Control Panel software allows the user to check and test the individual MFD, including buttons or switches testing. Using the different profiles – Light Aviation, Airliner and Generic – gives, as far as I’ve seen, no problems with the default FSX airplanes. Altogether it’s nice looking hardware and well designed, great backlighting options, great basic software, however I do miss dedicated profiles for the most known add-on aircraft models."

Rail Sim Add-on - Behind The Scenes

Posted: Wednesday, December 9, 2009 - 5:49
The team from Just Trains have recently released a modern version of the Newcastle to York run with an expansion pack for RailSim and Railworks. Since the release, there's been a lot of positive chatter amongst Rail Sim enthusiasts. So the team decided to sit down with its developer and conduct a short interview about the product.

Berlin Tegel from Aerosoft

Posted: Tuesday, December 8, 2009 - 3:34
Staff reviewer Benjamin van Soldt visits Germany to look at Aerosoft's Berlin Tegel airport. "Berlin has three airports: Schönefeld, Tempelhof and Tegel, also known as Otto Lilienthal. Of these three, Tegel is the most important. Tempelhof is closed, and Schönefeld is a lot smaller. Tegel airport doesn’t lie in Berlin, though: like most airports, it’s outside of Berlin."

"The level of detail of this airport is rather uniform, and in my opinion you can see the same from the air as from the ground. I’m happy with what I’ve seen: neat texturing and professionally done modeling. The amount of detail in FS9 isn’t really expanded upon in FSX. Moreover, I noticed that some of the blurriness that was present in FS9 is also in FSX, which is a pity. I’m happy to report that AES works for the FSX and FS9 version of Berlin Tegel."

"The buildings and objects in Berlin Tegel are all very nicely done, with great attention to detail and a complexity that we have come to expect from Aerosoft products. The vehicles on the airport grounds and the roads outside of the airport are a very nice touch, and stuff like a vehicle crossing where vehicles stop for aircraft is something that I greatly value. Overall, I think this airport scenery is quite good and represents the real airport in a realistic way, and I can recommend its use to whomever fancies flying into Berlin regularly."

Mycockpit.org Podcast

Posted: Monday, December 7, 2009 - 14:12
Mycockpit.org, the worlds largest community for home cockpit builders is proud to announce its very own Podcast, in association with FSBreak.net. This podcast is a trial edition and talks about some features of mycockpit.org and an exclusive interview with a renowned home cockpit builder. The future editions of mycockpit.org podcast will carry some exclusive discussions on home cockpit building, including discussions with the experts, some vendors and much much more. You can listen to the podcast at the MyCockpit Homepage .