Boeing B-40 from Golden Age Simulations

Posted: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 - 2:01
Staff reviewer Alan Bradbury takes us back to the age of wooden airplanes with a look at Golden Age Simulations' Boeing B-40. "The level of importance Mr Boeing placed on the B-40 was not mere nostalgia. The B-40 was instrumental in the company’s expansion and success; it was a stepping stone that put Pratt and Whitney at the forefront of aero engine manufacturing too. To put it bluntly, the B-40 was one of the most significant aircraft in the whole of aviation history, yet if you ask the average aviation buff about it, the chances are they will only be vaguely aware of it."

After a short history lesson, Alan describes this unique aircraft. "The external model on this particular add-on airliner has perhaps more significance than most other airliners in that you can see a lot of it even when you are sat in the cockpit. The 3D modeling itself is very good indeed and is indicative of what can be done with FSDS, which is the software used to make this model, as opposed to the more common G-Max you tend to find being used with commercial add-ons. Detail is not over the top, it is apparent that polygons have wisely been kept under control in order to provide some speedy frames per second, but not to any real visual detriment."

"Upon loading up the cockpit, you can see that this is a very different proposition from the average Boeing airliner. Whilst it is not as spartan as other aircraft of 1920’s vintage, navigational aids are at a minimum with what would nowadays be considered adequate only for VFR excursions in good weather. But it is an accurate representation of the equipment the first pioneering airline pilots found themselves using and is bound to instill a sense of admiration in those early flyers."

"The cockpit is not the only interior part of this aircraft – it was a passenger airliner after all – the passenger compartment is fully modeled too. I have read that B-40 cabins were lined with metal, although to be fair I have also seen pictures of them lined with wood. What we have here is the latter option which to be fair, seems more evocative of the period and it is all properly laid out with the staggered seating of the original."

"Cranking the thing up is a treat to the ears in either FS9 or FSX. The engine sounds and particularly the whine of the starter mechanism is one that will have you turning the volume up. There’s a fair old bit of smoke when you start with an impressive gout of flame out of the exhausts too, and it all promises a lot of fun in store. The sound is in fact one of the major plus points of this aircraft in FS; with performance similar to a Cessna or Piper in terms of speed - about 140 knots flat out - but the lovely burbling sound of that Wasp radial as opposed to the drone of a Lycoming flat four, the B-40’s soundtrack as you cruise over the countryside is one to savor."

"Like the real thing, it does need a steady hand to keep it on course and the turbulence of FSX makes this more work than is the case in FS9. All of the control surfaces seem believable in both sim versions though, with a ponderous roll rate in spite of the dual ailerons and it creates a good impression of inertia befitting its size. Notwithstanding the general ease with which it flies, if you take it for granted it can still jump up and bite you, especially where engine management is concerned on the C variant. Abuse or ignore the cylinder head temperatures and you’ll be looking at an engine fire."

"Beyond simply the challenge of getting there in one piece, the Golden Age Simulations B-40 boasts a good many things to recommend about it, not least of which are the sounds, the effects and the lovely modeling job. It’s true the textures could do with a little TLC but that is by no means an insurmountable issue and merely an observation of my own preferences more than anything else. I do recommend the B-40 because above all, it is great fun to fly."

Xtreme Prototypes Releases The X-1 For FSX

Posted: Sunday, August 9, 2009 - 19:50
The X-1 SG was an advanced version of the original Bell X-1, the first aircraft in history to have broken the sound barrier with Captain Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager, in October of 1947. The second generation X-1s were designed to double the speed of sound and set new altitude records in excess of 90,000 feet. The new X-1s were similar to the original aircraft, with the same XLR-11 rocket engine, but were longer, heavier and had a conventional glass canopy.

The Xtreme Prototypes X-1 Second Generation add-on package for FSX contains six variations of the four Bell X-1 SG rocket planes, with three different virtual cockpits and many other exciting features. As with all Xtreme Prototypes' addons, each X-1 SG aircraft is highly detailed and has been carefully modeled based on available archive material in order to conform as closely as possible to the real-world research aircraft. The fully functional 3D virtual cockpits contain over 800 parts and full 3D gauges and flight instruments. All X-1 rocket aircraft systems are reproduced.

As a bonus, a light variation of a modified B-29 carrier aircraft (USAF serial number 52-1800) is included with the package to simulate high-altitude launches over the Mojave Desert, in addition to conventional takeoffs from the ground. The add-on package also includes spectacular visual effects and sounds, several camera definitions and a 75-page user manual (PDF format, in English and French) based on the original X-1 SG manual. The flight model allows the airplanes to accelerate up to Mach 2.5 and reach altitudes of 90,000 feet.

FTX Australia SP3.001 Released

Posted: Sunday, August 9, 2009 - 18:27
Orbx Simulation Systems announces the immediate availability of the FTX Australia SP3.001 service pack, which is free to all Orbx customers. SP3.001 will automatically upgrade all previous FTX Australia regions to full SP3 compatibility, and adds many new enhancements and features including a major upgrade to the entire country's landclass, the new FTX Central application to replace FTX Mode and allow seamless interoperability with other FSX addons which modify terrain.cfg, and hundreds of other bug fixes and enhancements based on two years of customer feedback.

Battleship Graf Spee From Deltasim Studio

Posted: Sunday, August 9, 2009 - 14:53
Deltasim Studio has released the battleship Graf Spee for FSX, the highly detailed model, compatible with SP1, SP2, Acceleration and ESP has working torpedo launchers with real effects, all turrets - 283 mm, 150 mm - synchronized with moving rangefinders, antiaircraft cannons with custom effects and sounds.

The model has many animated parts such as gangways, doors, flags, switches and triggers and it includes three virtual fire consoles. Captain's bridge with the possibility of walking on the entire ship, camera definitions for most important places. Two models are included with five liveries. For more information, please visit Deltasim Studio .

MegaSceneryEarth Louisiana State

Posted: Saturday, August 8, 2009 - 14:44
MegaSceneryEarth is pleased to announce a new area release for Flight Simulator X – 18,500 square miles of the state of Louisiana. This area offers a unique VFR experience with its myriad of bayous and waterways as well as regular cross country flying around just under half of the state, including famous cities and landmarks such as New Orleans, Baton Rouge, the Mississippi River, the Gulf of Mexico and more.

With MegaSceneryEarth scenery you can pick and choose the tiles you want to fly. Louisiana is available by instant download and you can also choose to have DVD Masters created and sent to you by mail. To order the order the entire Louisiana area. visit Entire Louisiana. Please note that these are large downloads so if you do not wish to download they offer a DVD Mastering service .

The Seamax M-22 For Xplane

Posted: Friday, August 7, 2009 - 23:48
X-Aviation, in partnership with JRollon.com, is proud to announce a new seaplane for X-Plane the Seamax M-22. The aircraft is modeled entirely as a 3D object model, with an accurate flight dynamics as well as detailed animations and liveries.

The aircraft includes a virtual cockpit, virtual cabin, and also offers the well known manipulator technology that has made our aircraft a more realistic experience to fly. The aircraft features an animated pilot, a mirror system installed on the wings to ensure you're gear are retracted or not, night time strobe reflection against the aircraft model, animated chocks, a retractable water rudder, and much more!

Visit the X-Aviation Homepage for complete details and to see the video.

More titles available in the Avsim Store

Posted: Wednesday, August 5, 2009 - 16:43
We are adding more titles to our download section. Recently, we've added more titles from Aerosoft. This includes titles such as VFR London, Manhattan X, Seahawk X,F16 Fighting Falcon,or DHC-2 Twin Otter. We keep adding new titles so please check back frequently.
Check out the 'New' Section to see what was recently added.
Also take a look at the bargain bin for great deals.
Support Avsim.com. Visit the Avsim Store today

Lotus Simulations L-39 Albatros

Posted: Wednesday, August 5, 2009 - 14:19
Lotus Simulations is pleased to announce the release of its L-39 Albatros for FSX. The Aero Vodochody L-39C Albatros is the most popular and successful jet trainer of all time. Designed and built in Czechoslovakia during the cold war, the L-39 was developed to train pilots transitioning from simple propeller driven aircraft to front line Soviet fighters. Over 4000 examples were produced, serving with over 25 air forces around the world.

The jet was built to be extremely agile, durable, self sufficient, and tolerant of student pilot error. After the breakup of the Soviet Union in the 1990s several hundred examples found their way into private hands and are now regular attractions at airshows of all sizes. The jet is also popular with formation teams, serving with the world famous Breitling Jet Team , and has its own competition class at the Reno Air Races.

The Albatros features fully detailed virtual cockpits, in both dual and single seat versions, as well as a Reno racing variant and a special stripped down and ultra high performance model for those who participate in online formation flight teams. All of the L-39's instruments are rendered in full 3D and feature extensive systems modeling.

For more information, screenshots, and videos, please visit Lotus Simulations .

FTX Releases YHBA - Hervey Bay

Posted: Tuesday, August 4, 2009 - 16:32
Orbx Simulation Systems is pleased to announce the release of FTX YHBA Hervey Bay Airport, its first scenery using new state-of-the-art digital imagery captured directly from the aircraft to hard disk. The scenery is the most detailed ever released by the Orbx team with 15cm/pixel imagery at the airport and marina and 60cm/pixel imagery for the overal township and surrounds.

Situated on the coast of Queensland, the town of Hervey Bay is serviced by a modern airport which has seen rapid growth recently to cater for the tourists visiting nearby Fraser Island or watching the whale migration out to sea. The scenery includes full GA AI traffic, GPS nav approach support, superbly detailed gmax modeled terminal, hangars, ground vehicles and gmax poly runways and aprons. YHBA caters for commercial airliners such as B737, Dash8, E90 plus all variants of GA and commuter aircraft.

The detail on the ground is such that you can drive a vehicle around on the roads and peek into shop windows, walk along the piers or boardwalks or even land a helicopter at the marina pontoon. Included with YHBA is the FTX Aero tool which provide spectacular bump mapping detail to ground textures. Full details are available at the FTX Homepage

Pilot In Command 2009 – Round-Trip Europe

Posted: Monday, August 3, 2009 - 14:45
Round-trip Europe is second Flight Simulator on-line race hosted by the Finnish Virtual Aviator’s Association. This year it will be a challenge of fortune, but only those who find the best strategy are able to compete for the victory!

The Race is held on-line on the VATSIM or IVAO networks, you complete the computer-raffled Competition Flights and make a Transfer Flight to suit your strategy. Collect ATC-points and enjoy the busy traffic on-line.

The best pilots of the race will get a flight in a real D-level simulator at Finnair Flight Training Center. Participating the race is completely free of charge, the race starts on August 5th 2009 at 12.00 UTC , Sign Up and check out the rules at the Pilot in Command 2009 Homepage .

Real Environment Xtreme 2.0

Posted: Monday, August 3, 2009 - 14:34
Real Environment Simulations is pleased to announce the release of Real Environment Xtreme 2.0 for Microsoft's Flight Simulator X, the long awaited update to the award-winning Real Environment Xtreme.

REX 2.0 is a powerful, hi-definition, photo real texture environment created from state-of-the-art photography and processes. This new technology is tightly integrated with an upgraded flight planner and newly developed weather engine to give the user the most realistic experience yet within flight simulation.

For more information visit the REX2 homepage to read about the latest versions details.

Rise of Flight Forum Now Open

Posted: Saturday, August 1, 2009 - 21:58
With the release of the Rise of Flight WWI flight simulator, AVSIM has opened a forum for discussions related to this sim. We are excited about the ROF release and look forward to users of the sim participating in our new ROF forums. You can access the General Forum in our forums system. Join in and share your experience with ROF.

Abacus Goes To Oshkosh

Posted: Saturday, August 1, 2009 - 5:46
Abacus has just completed their annual trek to Whitman Field in Wisconsin for the world's largest aviation event - Oshkosh. With cameras in hand they took lots of photos and would like to share their experience with the simming public. Visit their report on the Oshkosh event.

Flight1 Open Day at Shoreham Airport

Posted: Friday, July 31, 2009 - 23:46
Brighton based Flight1 is hosting its inaugural ‘Open Day’ at Shoreham Airport on Saturday October 3rd. Entry is by advanced ticket only but there will be plenty to see and do and it’s FREE OF CHARGE!

The Open Day will take place at Shoreham’s Terminal 3 building and visitors will have the opportunity to try out the latest in flight simulation products and developments. Flight1 staff and software developers will also be present to talk about the products and listen to feedback.

Admission to the Flight1 Open Day is FREE but you need to register in advance at the Open Day Home Page .

Places may be limited so register today to avoid disappointment. Many more exciting activities are in the works and once you’ve registered Flight1 will keep you up to date with activities as they take shape in the coming weeks.

TweakFS XML File ToolBox

Posted: Friday, July 31, 2009 - 14:45
TweakFS has added a new member to its growing collection of handy freeware tools. The FSX XML File ToolBox allows you to quickly and easily analyze/enable/disable/edit or create the four major XML files used by FSX: DLL.XML (Loads DLL files) EXE.XML (Loads EXE files) SimConnect.XML (Enables/Disables SimConnect clients) Standard.XML (Default KeyMapping File).

This is basically an in-house tool used by TweakFS to quickly make changes to the XML files during testing and has been reworked and released as a freeware tool for the benefit of all flight simmers.

You can pick up this utility on the Downloads - Free Tools page at TweakFS.

Rise of Flight, The First Great Air War

Posted: Friday, July 31, 2009 - 14:37
Aerosoft is happy to announce the boxed and download release of Rise of Flight, The First Great Air War. This is not FSX or FS2004 but any flight simulator that includes so many new features is important for any further development of our hobby .

Rise of Flight, The First Great Air War is the latest in a long list of standalone PC Flight Simulators featuring air combat over the Western Front during the First World War and is created by neoqb. The best pilots from both sides met in the sky, they were equally matched with machines and conditions not favouring either party.

Nothing but the pilot's skill determined the outcome. You will fly the SPAD XIII, Fokker D.VII, Nieuport 28 and Albatros D.V (with more aircraft to available online). Each one modelled in great detail and the simulation of the engines and weapons is highly realistic.

The world around you is far from a static backdrop to your flights. Over 100.000 km2 of highly realistic terrain (including Lille, Cambrai, Reims and Verdun) complemented with a sophisticated weather model creates a perfect stage where you will engage the enemy.

On the ground you will see the tanks rolling towards the enemy and the trains and trucks that supply the front line. The front line is marked with trenches and explosions and is a dangerous area because of the anti-aircraft guns.

Flight Simulator fans have always appreciated the simplicity of the aircraft and weapons of this period which allowed the pilots to focus on the dog fight and not on the systems. It is arguably the most advanced flight simulator around at this moment, well worth checking out.

Full details can be found with a visit to Rise Of Flight.

2 Items From Captain Sim

Posted: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 - 0:21
The staff at Captain Sim announce, "to meet the numerous requests of our customers we have decided to build and release one more update for the discontinued FS9 version of the 757 Captain. We hope the version 2.2 will address some more issues to suitably complete the FS9 line of the 757 products." They also announce there is a repaint kit available for the 767 Captain.

Project Open Sky E-4B Nightwatch

Posted: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 - 14:50
Project Open Sky released today another special variant of the great 747-200v4A series. The E-4B Nightwatch is derived from the Boeing 747-200B and was introduced on the height of the cold war in 1973 as E-4A . Complete details and download can be found at the Project Open Sky website.

Low 'n Slow - New York State.

Posted: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 - 14:41
This scenery add-on from BoyzToyz recreates the entire state of New York to a degree never before seen in Flight Sim X. It dramatically improves land class assignments for the entire state - not including New York City and Long Island which are already well done in FSX. Revamps hundreds of towns and cites both large and small to more accurately reflect their actual size, shape and position. Fixes waterclass assignments for many lakes and rivers. Fixes many of the poor blend masks included with FSX. Includes a set of improved Autogen files. Includes four comprehensive flight plans that will tour you around the breathtaking scenery found in upstate New York. Designed to work seamlessly with most third party software for FSX.

Flight1 At Oshkosh Airventure 2009

Posted: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 - 0:21
Flight1 Aviation Technologies is now displaying at the Oshkosh Airventure show (July 27 - August 2, 2009) and will be showcasing several of their most current products including the new Fligh1Tech/PFC G1000. Flight1's G1000 software solution paired with PFC's G1000 hardware / Bezel interface will provide you with real tactile feedback / functionality needed for proper operation and training, each button and knob is fully functional and performs identically to its real-world counterpart.

Flight1's G1000 software comes with built-in WAAS navigation capabilities, and is capable of flying LPV "glide slope" approaches, holds, procedure turns, and has many more features that are necessary for proper and proficient usage of the G1000 system. The Fligh1tech/PFC G1000 provides a very cost effective solution when compared with integrating real world units used for training; allowing smaller flight schools and training operations to provide affordable and proficient G1000 training with more manageable investments. It is designed to work with Microsoft's ESP, FSX and X-Plane.

Flight1 will also be showcasing their Citation Mustang simulation on Monday and Tuesday in Building "B" Booths 2106 - 2107.