PMDG 737NGX SP1 & 600/700 Expansion Pack Released

Posted: Saturday, November 5, 2011 - 14:09

The fourth quarter of 2011 is proving to be a big one for releases from PMDG Simulations. First up is the release of SP1 for the PMDG 737NGX. The SP1 release installs directly over top of any existing PMDG 737NGX installation and brings hundreds of tweaks, fixes, improvements and performance optimizations to users of the PMDG 737NGX. The SP1 can be downloaded directly from the link above.

Next up comes the release of the much anticipated PMDG 737-600/700 NGX Expansion. This package brings the short-bodied 737s to life in full and intimate detail. Available for a limited time at a special price, this package gives users the opportunity to experience just how different the performance and handling of the smaller 737NG variants can be. Lighter, more agile, and with blistering short field performance, the PMDG 737-600/700 NGX Expansion pack will open up a whole new simulation experience while providing the same, high quality and detailed simulation that PMDG customers have come to expect from the NGX product line!

Last up, PMDG Simulations will be releasing the PMDG 737NGX Software Developers Kit on 08NOV11. This kit is available **at no cost** to all users, and will allow experienced C++ programmers to control any switch, knob, lever or button on the flight deck of the PMDG 737NGX. Additionally, developers will be able to determine the status of switches, lights, indicators, buttons, knobs and levers by taking their state directly from the simulation. This will greatly enhance the ability of hardware producers to give their customers direct and complete interoperability between their hardware and the PMDG 737NGX. PMDG Simulations is making the SDK available to all customers so as not to lock anyone out of the opportunity to try their hand at creating exceptional after-market add-ons for PMDG's premier line of simulation products.

737 NGX from PMDG (The Full Look)

Posted: Saturday, November 5, 2011 - 2:11

Avsim senior staff member Chase Kreznor asked to take an in-depth look at PMDG's 737 NGX. After a preview report was posted, this aircraft deserved a complete look. "Precision Manuals Development Group (PMDG) released their Boeing 737-800/900 Next Generation (NGX) add-on models for Microsoft Flight Simulator X in early August 2011. The PMDG NGX took over three years of research, design, and coding to develop. Over the course of three years, PMDG received expert input from real NG crew, maintenance advisers and the Boeing Corporation."

"I have to admit this add-on made me a little nervous from the get-go on how it was going to handle on my aging computer equipment. I was very impressed to find the NGX isn’t as resource demanding as I anticipated. PMDG did a very good job keeping performance high up even with all the amazing visuals and systems simulations."

"In the virtual cockpit, every texture, gauge, placard, annunciator and switch comes to life in one big collage of realism. In my opinion, this high level of detail and precision is unprecedented in MSFS and its various add-ons that I’ve experienced. The exterior model boasts a ton of eye candy. Overall, the exterior model was highly presentable and textured just right. I was impressed by both the interior and exterior model and gave these area full points."

"I find PMDG's 737 NGX to be above any other that I’ve ever had the experience of flying in FSX. PMDG has not only exceeded past any other in visual quality, but also in their definition of simulation. It feels as though PMDG has built this plane piece by piece as the plane would have been constructed at the factory in real life."

Infinite Flight For iPhone/iPad

Posted: Saturday, November 5, 2011 - 1:03
Flying Development Studio LLC, the company behind Infinite Flight the flight simulator for Windows Phone 7, is pleased to announce Infinite Flight for iOS.

Infinite Flight for iOS will bring support to the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices in the next few months. All the features that are already present in Infinite Flight 2.0 will make it into this new release. These include 10+ aircrafts, realistic physics simulation, heads up display, autopilot, 2 regions with 140+ airports, time of day, configurable weather settings, tutorials, leaderboards, online logbook and more.

Twin Prop Vulcanair P68

Posted: Friday, November 4, 2011 - 15:11

The Vulcanair P68C is an Italian-made, six-seater, light utility aircraft that's been in production for over 25 years. This superbly detailed model includes a standard reciprocating version, a turbocharged version and the Observer 2 version with a glass nose.

Each of the 10 variations included with the Vulcanair P68C has beautiful flight characteristics, unique paint schemes and full virtual cockpits. There are also two panel types: standard panel version and a modernized panel with the Garmin 1000 making this a must-have aircraft for your collection. Visit Abacus for full details.

Flight1/iFly 737 Home Cockpit Builders Edition

Posted: Friday, November 4, 2011 - 15:08
Flight1 and the iFly Development Team announce that the Home Cockpit Builders Edition of the award-winning iFly 737NG series will be launched at the Lelystad FS Weekend in Holland this weekend.

Come and witness the software in action at the Flight1 stand and see for yourself how easy this software is to configure across multiple networked computers and displays. This will transform your 737NG Cockpit build with a one-box solution.

The software seamlessly integrates with the current iFly 737NG for FSX, giving users the ultimate in flexibility in their choice of 737NG model and allows fitting out their cockpit with their choice of Boeing factory options. They have also worked with multiple hardware vendors to make sure the 737NG connects to a wide range of cockpit components. Making a home cockpit has never been so easy.

To celebrate the launch, home-cockpit builders will be able to purchase a special 'pre-release' edition of this software at the Lelystad show. The iFly 737 for FSX will be available in two formats, either complete with a copy of the iFly737NG FSX Edition so you have everything in one box, or if you already own a licensed copy of the iFly 737NG for FSX, a reduced price without the 'iFly737NG for FSX' disc in the box.

Flight 1 Open Day Lectures

Posted: Wednesday, November 2, 2011 - 18:54
Those that didn't have the opportunity to attend the September Open Day at Shoreham Airport in the UK hosted by Flight 1 can now enjoy their 6 informative flight lectures. Just click on the video link at each page... taking notes is optional. Below are the links to the first 3 lectures, the final 3 lectures will be announced as they are released/published.

The first lecture is Flying IFR, next up is Radio Navigation, and then VFR Navigation.

A Free Issue of "Computer Pilot" Magazine

Posted: Wednesday, November 2, 2011 - 18:30
PC Aviator is offering their latest issue of Computer Pilot Magazine as a downloadable PDF. Complete details and the PDF file can be located at their website.

Cambria Icefield Research Project (CIRP) Released

Posted: Wednesday, November 2, 2011 - 18:12
The team at Return to Misty Moorings hopes you'll like their new project and they think it keeps alive the tradition of sharing in the FSX community. Here are some specifics on the freeware project they hope you enjoy.

Similar to the FS2004 release by "The Amigos" called SIRP, which stood for "Stikine Icefield Research Project", Return to Misty Moorings is proud to bring you their version which centers on the Cambria Ice Field and other nearby ice fields in the Stewart, British Columbia area. This is to give their visitors several remote outposts which are situated up on the ice to go explore in FSX. Look for ice airstrips, glacier landing spots, outlying expeditions to re-supply and other challenging reasons to land on the ice.

This scenery package will bring users ten isolated research camps at various locations in the Cambria Ice field. This area has been beautifully rendered with glacial textures and accurate land class in the ORBX FTX scenery package "Pacific Fjords" which is required. This is a seldom visited piece of North America and pilots will find many scenic treasures up above the mountaintops. Having destinations with airstrips that will challenge even the most experienced aviator is part of the attraction. Weather conditions will never be the same and each visit will yield different results. Even if you only fly out to one location several times in a row, it's never going to be "Routine" up here. Visitors to CIRP should find many things to keep them busy on the ice.

The camps will range from small and hard to find, to large and easily approachable. But they are all situated on the ice and will present certain challenges you won't find on any other surface. Other unique features is that the team has not just focused on fixed wing aircraft up here. Helicopters will find many landable pads in difficult places to operate. And there is also several drivable land vehicles available that can traverse this terrain in FSX using hovercraft and high traction axle drive platforms.

E-Jets v2 175 & 195 by FeelThere in Avsim Store

Posted: Wednesday, November 2, 2011 - 17:34
The Embraer 175/195 range of airliners are an entirely new family of aircraft, with state-of-the-art avionics, fly-by-wire technology, superior cabin comfort and extraordinary and uncompromising performance. With more than 700 units built the E-Jet Series is quickly becoming one of the most popular airliner in service. This model by FeelThere includes everything for an enjoyable flight sim experience. This month the model is available at 25% off. Embraer 175/195 by FeelThere

Visit the Avsim store today.

German Airports 1 - Stuttgart from Aerosoft

Posted: Wednesday, November 2, 2011 - 2:03
Staff reviewer Arjun Murthy travels to Europe to visit Aerosoft's German Airports 1 - Stuttgart. "Stuttgart Airport was first developed in 1924 with the first passenger terminal uprising in 1939. Through the years, Stuttgart airport faced many developments including runway extension and the Cargo Terminal. Now, Stuttgart being Germany’s 6th largest city, it has an airport to cater. Aerosoft has grasped this opportunity in their German Airports series to develop Stuttgart Airport for virtual aviators. This scenery is available on both FS9 and FSX for a unique enjoyment through our Virtual Flight."

"This has been one of my favorite review products. The level of detail in Aerosoft’s scenery is just purely amazing. On top of this, the performance is just even more amazing. I would’ve never even had a whimsical of an imagination of having such good scenery for such performance."

Just Flight Release Vicount Legends Of Flight

Posted: Tuesday, November 1, 2011 - 13:46
The Vickers Viscount was a major success in Britain’s aviation industry, being the right aircraft at the right time. Viscounts were registered in over 70 countries; 445 aircraft were built and used in service around the world.

Viscount - Legends of Flight features the -800 series of the marque, with the longer and more elegant fuselage, and takes you back to the heady days of classic aviation with 12 liveries, many of which have long disappeared from the skies.

Designed and built exclusively for Flight Simulator X, Viscount - Legends of Flight features an authentic Virtual Cockpit which is shadow textured as appropriate. All switches, knobs and levers are animated, most with bespoke animations, and the Co-pilot/Engineer station has functional gauges, knobs, levers and switches.
Visit the Just Just Flight Hanger for a look at this new release.

DBS Panel Key Assign Tool for FSX

Posted: Tuesday, November 1, 2011 - 0:53
The free DBS Panel Key Assign Tool is dedicated for easy change of simulator's keyboard combination, assigned to every subpanel within aircraft panel (Shift-2, Shift-3 etc.).

Aerosoft Australia Update AeroSystems Avionics Suite

Posted: Sunday, October 30, 2011 - 15:23
Aerosoft Australia has updated its aeroSystems avionics suite for the 737 with 4 new instruments; the ND has a new full compass as well as expanded display, a new standby RMI, a new stabilizer trim display and a new hydraulic/brake temp/control position display. For those people looking at using opencockpits SIOC Aerosoft Australia will release a script shortly. There's also more on the Website with hardware from Flightdeck Solutions showing how far you can take your hardware set up.

Sky Blue Radio Official Radio Station Worldflight 2012

Posted: Sunday, October 30, 2011 - 15:12
Sky Blue Radio is supporting Worldflight charities by announcing that they are the Official Radio Station of Worldflight 2012. This will be the fourth year that Sky Blue Radio has been part of the annual event.

Worldflight will be conducting the eleventh edition of their virtual around the world flight, starting November 6th at 0900z at Sydney Australia. Six full cockpit simulators from four different countries will participate. Each simulator will fly legs 24 hours a day for the seven days, in tandem, to various destinations around the world, only stopping for crew changes.

The event will take place on the VATSIM network and conclude at 0930z in Sydney, Australia; right back where they started. Over 43,000 nautical miles will be covered during this year's flights and Sky Blue Radio will be providing updates along the way.

Said Terry Scanlan Worldflight Group Manager "We want to thank Sky Blue Radio for their continued support of Worldflight..." . Flight crew profiles will also be featured and maybe an interview or two will occur. Worldflight has raised over 180,000 Australian dollars to date as each simulator flies for their unique charity.

An exciting aspect of Worldflight, is that they welcome other pilots to join them on each leg of the around the world tour. Schedules are available at worldflight.com.au and tune into Sky Blue Radio for position reports from Worldflight 2012. Sky Blue Radio broadcasts 24/7 around the world.

Listeners can tune in to Sky Blue Radio by accessing our website at skyblueradio.com. Listeners may also tune in via their com 2 radios on 123.45 with our Wee Tune Beastie application available for download on our website. We are now available via Black Berry or iPhone through radiotuner.mobi/SkyBlueRadio; Android listeners can access Sky Blue Radio by downloading Retro Radio, then search for Sky Blue Radio. The station can also be streamed via vRoute and our facebook page.

Bristol to Exeter Scenario Pack from Just Trains

Posted: Saturday, October 29, 2011 - 20:18
Senior staff reviewer and train sim enthusiast Gene Davis looks at Just Trains latest add-on, the Bristol to Exeter Scenario Pack. "The Bristol to Exeter Scenario pack is exactly as the title suggests, it is an additional set of scenarios designed to work with Rail Works, the Voyager add-on and the Bristol to Exeter route."

"The biggest thing to remember when it comes to scenarios built into a train simulator is that a train’s schedule is what is most important and whether or not that train makes it to its destination on time or not, because ultimately that is what a scenario is for a program like Railworks. So like most of these scenarios, you will find yourself trying to make up time at stops and pushing the train a little faster to pick up some of those lost minutes from being delayed."

"If you have already invested in the Voyager and the Bristol to Exeter route then this package becomes a must have."

Hawaiian Airports Vol 2 from FSDreamTeam

Posted: Saturday, October 29, 2011 - 3:47
Staff reviewer Aidan Sandri heads to the tropical Hawaiian Islands to look at the 2nd Volume of airports released by FSDreamTeam. "This product includes two airports, in the state of Hawaii; Kahului (PHOG) and Kona (PHKO)."

"ParkMe and YouControl are also included in this package and are pretty cool features. YouControl allows you to open hangars at both airports and park your aircraft in them, and ParkMe is a navigation system that you open and select which gate you want to park at. When you are lining up, it will correctly tell you when to stop - this is only available at PHKO, but I believe that it is because you have jetways there near a terminal building."

"Hawaiian Airports 2 by FSDT is one that will not disappoint a simmer who loves to fly their 737NGX around 5 different airports in a single day. Well done to FSDT on a quality release.

On The Horizon - Free F-Lite 757 Jetliner For FSX

Posted: Friday, October 28, 2011 - 15:07
Just Flight is taking a bold step into the Freemium arena. Freemium is a revolutionary way of doing business that has taken the world of computer games by storm. They're supplying 757 Jetliner - a fully fledged 757 simulation completely free. There are no catches.

Then, when you want to expand your 757 fleet, you can pick and choose from a range of 30 additional models and liveries that are available to download in pairs for next to nothing each.

RC Simulations D I Y Cockpit Modules

Posted: Friday, October 28, 2011 - 14:45
SimCAT5 Modules provide a simple and inexpensive way to tune radios and set altimeter pressure settings in FSX or X-Plane. You simply plug the main board into a USB socket and plug up to 6 individual control knobs into the board, via CAT 5 network cables. You can fit multiple boards without conflict.

You can plug up to six rotary knobs into any one SimCAT board. As you turn a knob, a small window appears above Microsoft Flight Simulator that shows the value that you have selected. If you are selecting a frequency, for example you will see it displayed. You can even push the Knob to change radio selections from standby to active. You can connect up to 18 switches of your choice via breakout boards that require no soldering. Setting up is done via a simple graphic window, you select a function and it works immediately.

A flight sim pilot can easily make a trim wheel as shown in the video below and attach it to the side of the yoke. This makes an enormous difference when you need to fly accurately when not using the Autopilot.

A video demonstration of SimCAT5 components, making your very own trim wheel and a detailed short VFR flight using SimCAT5 that includes real world footage are available and all the above videos have links from www.rcsimulations.com.

TropicalSimTirana International Airport SHPK

Posted: Friday, October 28, 2011 - 14:27
TropicalSim has released it's 10th European airport in the month that celebrates its 10th year of business.

Tirana Intl' Airport, the capital of Albania is the chosen location this time around with a modern glass terminal and a beautiful countryside approach. The location of the airport is very close to other well known locations such as Rome, Athens making it a great choice for your stops. Visit the TropicalSim Hompage for a look at their latest release.

The Latest Pictures Of X-Plane 10 Now In Our Forums

Posted: Thursday, October 27, 2011 - 20:57
Avsim has a new series of in game pictures from the upcoming X-plane 10, some outstanding details are on display. Visit the Avsim X-Plane Forum to get a look at the latest set from X-Plane10 and the growing series.