Aerosoft/GAP Münster-Osnabrück Released

Posted: Thursday, April 5, 2007 - 2:46
Aerosoft has released Münster - Osnabrück which is the second airport after Hanover of the German Airports 2 series for FS9. Münster-Osnabrück is featured with its latest and up to date layouts, buildings, objects, runways, taxiways, lights and navigation aids. Also included is the Dynamic Airport Enhancement Services Lite Edition by Oliver Pabst, you will see numerous moving vehicles on the apron and the nearby `Autobahn´ creating a lively atmosphere. For more information please visit the Münster-Osnabrück product page.

New FSUIPC's Released

Posted: Tuesday, April 3, 2007 - 22:12
Peter Dowson has released new versions of his FSUIPC software for both FSX and FS9. For more information on the different versions and what has changed in the latest editions of both variants, please visit the FSUIPC homepage.

FScockpit Releases Book On Cockpit Building

Posted: Tuesday, April 3, 2007 - 22:06
FSCockpit has now released a book for easy off-line reading. It contains all the content of FSCockpit on cockpit building. For more information and how to order, please visit the FSCockpit website.

OmWings Releases Fokker 28

Posted: Tuesday, April 3, 2007 - 9:50
OmWings has released their Fokker 28. The model is highly detailed and was built in Gmax. Details like animated wing views and a functional virtual cockpit are included in the model. For more information please visit the OmWings website.

CLS Releases A340-500/600 Flight Tutorial

Posted: Monday, April 2, 2007 - 14:11
Commercial Level Simulations has released their first Flight Tutorial. This complete example flight for the A340-500/600 which will assist people in flying the aircraft in a proper fashion, is now available for free from the Commercial Level Simulations website.

VRoute Has Been Released

Posted: Sunday, April 1, 2007 - 0:16
VRoute includes information about other VATSIM online traffic, it also sports a route database with over 40000 flightplans and tools for easy access to flight and ATC booking. The route database provides you with navigation details, NOTAMS, charts, sceneries, weather data and the ability to export your flight progress card and much much more. For more information please visit VRoute

ProjectAI.com Major Web Site Upgrade

Posted: Saturday, March 31, 2007 - 17:31
ProjectAI are pleased to announce the new ProjectAI.com web site to all of their visitors and members. Together with the launch of their new web site and their volunteer staff, they look forward to providing you many wonderful add-ons for your flight simualtion experience.

ProjectAI has been around for several years. Their community was founded to provide the flight simulation enthusiast with realistic air traffic within the Microsoft versions of Flight Simulator. As years past, ProjectAI went through various stages, some good and some bad. However the one constant that has always remained is their dedicated members and staff. Many people have worked hard over the years to contribute to your enjoyment of Flight Simulator. ProjectAI are excited as to what the future holds for them and invite you to continue visiting ProjectAI.com!

Weather Maker RX for FSX

Posted: Saturday, March 31, 2007 - 17:10
Calibre Software Solutions is pleased to announce that Weather Maker RX (their intelligent weather engine for Microsoft’s Flight Simulator X) has been released.

Weather Maker RX is an advanced weather engine from Calibre Software Solutions and provides the virtual pilot not only challenging weather, but the tools to avoid the weather. Included in this package is the new DNX-50 data-link radar system, which gives the user a visual display of rain and snow, lightning, cloud turbulence avoidance, airport conditions, temperature, wind, pressure, visibility, and Airmet/ Sigmet alerts. Weather Maker RX also includes the ability to import any Flight Simulator X flight plan for a visual view of your departing and arriving weather. Use the new Weather Search tool to locate the various weather conditions anywhere in the world.

Weather Maker RX may sound complex, but with their new simplified technology, Calibre Software Solutions have put all the complex configuration settings into the background. With this technology the general user can focus on flying and not setting up complex configurations. The advanced weather engine uses realistic meteorological formulas to simulate real-time weather conditions. Weather Maker RX has been tested with WideFS and Radar Contact 4 and is compatible for users of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 and Flight Simulator X.

Previous owners of Weather Maker Pro will receive a discount with an e-Coupon. For additional features go to the Weather Maker website or contact them directly.

Vendor's Note: Though Weather Maker RX has been tested for users of FS2004, it has been optimized specifically for Flight Simulator X and further development and enhancements will focus on these optimizations.

8 Freeware Aircraft from Simshed

Posted: Saturday, March 31, 2007 - 3:28
Staff reviewer and "freeware junkie" Trevor Clark has picked up the reins from Steve "Bear" Cartwright and has dedicated himself to reviewing the unlimited number of freeware titles available to us all in the FS community. His first submission in the genre is from Simshed in the UK.

"In the United Kingdom it is said that every man needs a shed, a small (usually wooden) structure where he can store his tools or attend to his hobbies. This haven of solitude, away from the burdens of work and family life, is, more often than not, being replaced by a few quite hours in front of a PC. Therefore, I find it very fitting that one of the most prolific design teams based in the UK is called the Simshed. Originally founded as a solo project by chief designer Brian Franklin in 2004, the Simshed has now been enhanced by the addition of a small team of texture artists and gauge gurus, each bringing an extra element of talent to Brian’s already established reputation. These team members are virtually all serving or retired Royal Air Force personnel, with many decades of service time between them."

"Trevor looks at 8 freeware offerings from Simshed, namely: the Aerospatiale/Westland Puma HC1, the BAE Nimrod MR2, the Folland Gnat TR1, the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, the Short Tucano T Mk. 1, the Westland Wessex HC2, the Wessex HCC4 and the HS 125 Dominie T Mk1. These freeware aircraft are available both at the Simshed website and in our own AVSIM library."

Thanks Trevor, the unsung heroes of the freeware world need a "godfather" to report on their behalf.

TrackIR Software Update Available

Posted: Friday, March 30, 2007 - 21:33
Track IR has officially released the beta 1 build of the TrackIR software containing full support for all versions of the Vista operating system, including 64 bit edition. Please check the downloads page for more information. If you are interested in helping the TrackIR community by translating the software to your language, please visit the Software Localization page for details.

FS2Crew LDS 767 Edition 1.3 Update

Posted: Friday, March 30, 2007 - 21:32
FS2Crew is pleased to announced that Update 1.3 is now available for owners of the Level-D 767 Edition of FS2Crew. Update 1.3 is a cumulative update that improves memory usage. The Level-D 767 Edition of FS2Crew was custom designed from scratch to work the LDS 767. It was designed in consultation with Capt. David Barrington and models the SOPs of a major 767 operator based in the UK. 767 Drivers are cleared via present position direct to FS2Crew Website to download the update.

France VFR Releases La Martinique Island

Posted: Friday, March 30, 2007 - 21:30
France VFR is proud to announce their new La Martinique Island scenery. The scenery covers the La Martinique island with photo realistic textures, including full and specific autogen coverage. The Fort-de-France, Le Lamentin (TFFF) airport, includes detailed buildings and a realistic AI traffic based on real aircraft and liveries. Full English documentation is provided with all France VFR products.

Scenery includes: Full photo scenery coverage, textures made from high quality aerial photography (NOT satellite imagery), reworked for an optimal rendition in Flight Simulator, customized autogen (houses and trees) for the whole scenery, custom high resolution mesh for the whole region (LOD11), water coastline faithfully represented and optimized with coast flattening (no water “climbing”), and much more!

Many screens and information available on the France VFR Website. Please note, this scenery is for FS2004 but a FSX patch is already provided on the France VFR web site.

B-25J Briefing Time Goes FSX

Posted: Friday, March 30, 2007 - 17:40
Mid-Atlantic Air Musem is pleased to announce the release of the FSX Basic Compatibility Update for their award-winning B-25 "Briefing Time" simulation. This update is only the first planned toward full FSX compatibility of thier packages.

MAAM writes, "Rather than further delay the release of our next project, the TBM Avenger, we have taken the decision to release this Basic Compatibility Update #1 to address the most vital issues, and postpone fixes for other aspects with later patches. This initial update primarily addresses some of the more vital issues in the aircraft and panel configuration files, and the gauge set."

The update will also install the thumbnail pictures required by the FSX Select Aircraft Menu. Finishing the TBM, which is scheduled for release on June 1 at MAAM's World War II Weekend, is MAAM's priority right now. MAAM writes, "Once we have that under control, we'll work on other updates to address some of the remaining compatibility issues, including flight dynamics and some cosmetic issues. Some of these known issues are discussed in this update's included documents."

The update includes illustrated installation instructions, Download the 4.8 MB FSX Update #1 directly from the MAAM-Sim Free Stuff Page.

Just Flight Releases VLJ - Business Jet

Posted: Thursday, March 29, 2007 - 14:22
Just Flight has released a boxed version of CLS's VLJ - Business Jet for FS9/FSX. Like the very popular download version, this product boasts high quality animations throughout the aircraft, and an extensively modelled instrument panel, virtual cockpit and cabin, Along with both 2D and 3D cockpits.

The VLJ Business Jet is one of the first of a new generation of small personal VLJs – Very Light Jets - designed to be operated by a single pilot. The aim is to bring business jet ownership and travel into a more affordable arena.

Head over to Just Flight and be one of the first to own your very own VLJ – Jump in and jet off!

Tu160 "Blackjack" from AlphaSim

Posted: Thursday, March 29, 2007 - 3:14
Sr staff reviewer Gene Davis goes supersonic with the TU160 "Blackjack" from AlphaSim. "The Tu-160 Blackjack from Alphasim is a monster and one can’t help but draw comparisons to that of the B-1B Lancer, in fact, if you put the two aircraft side by side their resemblance is almost uncanny."

"When you get into the plane in either FSX or FS9, you will be a pleasantly surprised at the attention to detail that the developers chose to adhere to when creating this plane. From the engines to the cockpit there is so much to see and the detail is very evident. Once installed you will find three different planes added to your virtual hanger, one being the prototype, another being a real life Russian military paint and the third being a fictional paint that is all in black."

"Climbing into the cockpit of the Tu-160 is a relative culture shock and requires a general understanding of the Russian language as everything is in Russian. This is not really a big issue if you know your way around a cockpit and this not being a complex simulation of the real thing helps immensely. The main 2D panel and its subsequent secondary panels are where you will spend a great deal of time while flying this plane. The virtual cockpit is impressive as all of the gauges have been totally reworked and give off a very authentic flare. Though many of the systems are not accessible from the VC, the critical ones are and it is possible to fly from the virtual view."

"This product comes with both versions for whatever version of Flight Simulator you wish to use. Performance wise the plane was great; I experienced decent frame rates and absolutely no blurry textures during my flight in FSX. In FS9 everything works fine, however with limitations of FS9 and the speed of this aircraft, you tend to notice more scenery blurriness when at the higher speeds and altitudes. The sound is incredible and really adds to the look and feel of this massive plane."

Bringing the Tu160 Blackjack back down to earth, Gene closes with, "I really enjoyed this plane as it adds something to FSX for me besides General Aviation aircraft. The TU160, did not disappoint. This plane has been totally reworked and upgraded to look and perform the part in FSX and even looks better in FS9."

Attn: Freeware Developers

Posted: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 - 1:20
Do you love developing freeware for FSX? Have you posted items to the AVSIM Library? Then we may have an adventure for you.

Our friends on the Flight Simulator Community team have too many ideas and not enough time to implement them! Want to share your passion? They’re looking for individuals interested in developing aircraft, scenery, and missions for non-profit organizations (such as museums) and for the community itself to enjoy. Ideas being kicked around include historic recreations, ill-fated flights (can you do better?), tests of skill, and plain old fun. Your reward will be your 15 minutes of fame.

If you’re interested in something like this, please forward your name, email address and a short list of items you have developed and published in the past to the Reviews Editor. If you have already submitted your name, I have you on the list and details will be forthcoming.

Civil Air Patrol: Search and Rescue from Abacus

Posted: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 6:14
New staff reviewer Adam Volcek answers the call of an ELT and takes us for a ride with Abacus' Civil Air Patrol: Search and Rescue. "Abacus has created Civil Air Patrol: Search and Rescue. It is an offshoot of CAP: Pilot released a while back. Civil Air Patrol: Search and Rescue takes the old CAP: Pilot and builds upon it a bit, creating two new aircraft and expanding upon the mission capability."

"The visual model of the Cessna C182T overall isn’t too bad, but it does have some quirks. Some attention was given to detail and many of the antennae and other various protrusions found on the C182T are modeled and look good. As a whole the textures aren’t too bad. Each aircraft comes in two different flavors of CAP paint, one old style that you probably won’t see in very many places, and the new current style that will really catch your eye if you ever see one on your ramp. Each style is done nicely and includes some good detail like the many rivet lines and inspection plates that are found on the real bird. The main panel bitmap has a crude, untextured look to it, with a lot of empty space that could have been better utilized. To get at the rest of the instruments, multiple panels can be brought up with the use of mini-icons. In order to fully enjoy the aircraft you’ll have to fly it in the virtual cockpit that is done a lot better than it’s 2D counterpart."

"The Maule aircraft is famous for it’s STOL capability and the CAP currently has 7 in its inventory. I became very confused as to exactly what aircraft Abacus was trying to simulate. As it stands there is not an MX-260, as Abacus advertises as the model made by Maule, but there is a 260HP version but goes under one of three types. A M-7-260 and M-7-260C, both tail-draggers with the difference being spring aluminum or oleo strut gear, or the tricycle MT-7-260. Looking at the textures, like the model comparison of the C182T and MX-260, the MX-260’s textures are lacking the detail that I observed with the C182T. Unlike the Cessna, the Maule 2D panel is actually flyable for me. It is still far from what I expect from something that I pay for, but after the Cessna panel, you really can only get better."

"If this package has a bright spot, it is with the mission builder and four custom gauges included in the aircraft. One quick disclaimer, which Abacus explains as well, the mission builder does not create missions for use with the built-in mission capability of FSX. It is a WYSIWYG editor that I found to be very intuitive. When you finish up creating the mission you have options to view and print a summary and worksheet to take with you in the simulator, save the flight plan for use with the included GPS and set the conditions for completing the mission. Click the “Fly Now!” button and off you go to find what you just created."

Wrapping up Civil Air Patrol: Search and Rescue, Adam notes, "The only thing that really caused a hit on frame rates was the use of the G1000 Cessna 182T, of which numbers were cut in half. Everything else was right near default aircraft rates, but considering the lack of detail and extensive use of default material this wasn’t a surprise at all. The nicest thing I can seem to say about this product is that it has potential. Fix the small things with the mission editor, renovate the aircraft, and you would have a completely different package that would be worthy of purchase. It wouldn’t hurt to try and integrate the FSX style missions into the product as well."

SimTube.com Announced

Posted: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 1:01
For the past several months now, a small dedicated team of individuals have been working feverishly on a new conceptual project for the flight simulation community.

SimTube.com is the brainchild of Cason Farmer, and Alexander Barrett, and is a hub for flight simulation videos, video producers, and video enthusiasts, providing a central meeting place to host, showcase, and discuss their niche hobby. The best part? Its free!

Join Cason and Alexander in the excitement over at the SimTube forums. SimTube.com "Where Your Media Takes Flight!"

Wings Of Power B17 Released

Posted: Monday, March 26, 2007 - 21:53
Shockwave Productions has released their latest aircraft, the Wings of POWER II: B17. This model is exclusively for Microsoft Flight Simulator X. Scott Gentile of Shockwave productions goes on to say: "We’ve been looking at this aircraft since last year, and we can’t stop looking at it. The Wings of POWER II: B17 is the result of a hard working, team effort."

To find out more about this latest release, visit the Wings of Power website.

Flight Ontario Release Oakville Freeware Scenery

Posted: Saturday, March 24, 2007 - 18:23
Flight Ontario has announced the release of Oakville Terrain. Oakville terrain is a photo real scenery that covers the most of this Town near the North-West end of Lake Ontario. Some landmarks found in the scenery include the Ford Assembly Plant toward the North-East and the Petro Canada oil refinery in the South-West. Both landmarks are easily noticed as you make a North-East approach to landing at CYYZ. It can be used as a stand alone scenery, or, can be used as an enhancement to our Hamilton and Greater Toronto Area sceneries.

This is a freeware release and can be downloaded from the Avsim File Library. You can also find what else Flight Ontario have available from their own website.