SamDim Releases Yak-42

Posted: Friday, April 6, 2007 - 6:21
SamDim has just released their Yak-42 as freeware. This add-on for FS9 is a complete package including a quality model, a super-realistic panel, a genuine soundset and has the proper flight dynamics. The 3D model was initially developed for a payware package, it contains all kinds of animations controlled by the panel. A virtual cockpit is not included due to possible payware plans for in the future. The panel and the flight dynamics were developed by a group of flightsim enthusiasts from Lvivin the Ukraine working for Lviv Airlines which uses the Yak-42. Most of the systems are implemented and there is a constant feedback from the real Yak-42 pilots. For more information please visit the SamDim product page.

Fighter Aircraft Cockpit FX

Posted: Thursday, April 5, 2007 - 19:43
Sim Cockpit System has announced that the new Fighter Aircraft Cockpit FX is now available. In addition, they now also have the Cockpit Seat available, complementing their cockpits. This seat is also usable with a computer desk. According to the press release, "The FIGHTER AIRCRAFT COCKPIT FX offers a realistic simulator cockpit environment accommodating a LCD monitor and a scenery projection image visible through the front, left and right side windows. The stunning scenery presentation gives the impression of being more in an aircraft as opposed to being in front of a computer monitor. The field of view allows the feel of speed and facilitates runway tracking on take off and flare on landing. The generic design feature for aircraft using a joystick will bring your flight simulation experience to a new level. At this time only Microsoft Flight Simulator offers operation of multiple monitors on one computer. The instruments are displayed on the main monitor and the scenery is generated by the projector." Other simulation software suitability has to be determined by the user.For more information, please visit the Sim Cockpit website.

FSUG For Southern Spain

Posted: Thursday, April 5, 2007 - 19:41
AVSIM Staff Reviewer Trev Clark recently re-located to the coast of Southern Spain and he is interested in starting a Flight Sim users group, based around the Costa del Sol. He proposes that if there is enough interest, the group could meet up about once a month, possibly for a social lunch somewhere in the Malaga Province area. An information network or forum would also be a possibility. The idea of the group would be to exchange tips and chat about all aspects of flight simulation or aviation in general. As the population of this area is very varied, he suggests that knowledge of spoken English would be useful for interested parties, but membership would be open to all simmers. If you are at all interested in helping form this group, please contact Trev at costaflightsim@yahoo.co.uk.

Blueprint Releases KRDU

Posted: Thursday, April 5, 2007 - 16:48
BluePrint Simulations has announced the release of KRDU2010 v.2. This scenery is a complete makeover of their previously released KRDU2010 freeware product. The staff at Blueprint Simulations report that "Every Gmax model was redesigned from scratch to significantly increase the level of detail and accuracy of the scenery. High resolution textures were added to all major buildings. All general aviation and cargo areas were updated to accurately represent recent improvements completed as part of the ongoing RDU re-development. The airport layout was modified to ensure the accurate location of all runways and taxiways. Custom-made, photo real ground textures depicting seasonal changes were added in and around the field." The scenery is available in two versions for maximum compatibility with FS9 (FS2004) and FSX. The scenery is available for purchase from the Blueprint Website.

T-6 Texan/Harvard from AlphaSim

Posted: Thursday, April 5, 2007 - 3:16
Contributing reviewer Chris Kiehl takes up for a training flight that is familiar to many vets in AlphaSim's T6 Texan/Harvard. "Many of the greatest pilots of America during the war learned to do advanced flying in a Texan. In addition, many British pilots would learn the same flying skills in what would become the Harvard."

"The aircraft portions, fuselage, empennage, and wings all look remarkably accurate. Alphasim’s lines and modeling do this plane justice and simply doesn’t fall short in the fine detail department. The R-1340 Wasp Radial engine is, as usual, my favorite part on any aircraft equipped with a radial. It’s modeling needs to be done well to make a complex yet simple engine believable. This radial engine modeling is beautifully done with enough detail to satisfy most, while still maintaining a simplicity of modeling to avoid harming frame rates. The Fuselage also captures very effectively, both from profile and other angles, that trademark appearance of the Texan. From a large, though still well proportioned forward area and engine cowling; through to the canopy section which seems to sit very high up from the wing; to the tail section which is very sleek and terminates at that Triangle Tail that you can’t miss."

"All crucial gauges in the 2D cockpit for VFR flying are present and very easily read, including a few switches. Several sub-panels, which match their VC counterparts, are also included. The VC does not disappoint. You can easily ‘grab’ all engine management controls, ‘flip’ any of the several switches, and even open the front canopy via a clickspot on the handle. You won’t even need to switch to a sub-panel, because everything needed is clickable. If you’re into Trainers, which I most certainly am, you’ll appreciate the realism of dual cockpits. Yes, Alphasim has decided to include a fully functional rear cockpit, and I mean everything back there is functional."

"The Texan was an Advanced Fighter Trainer. It doesn’t go the 400 MPH that a P-51 or Corsair can do, but this is what got a pilot ready for that. She can easily streak across the skies at almost 200 MPH, and up to 250 MPH in a dive. Having a tough and heavy airframe, the Texan is also capable of pulling G’s. Landing this plane is easily accomplished with little practice, once you have a feel for setting the approach up."

Wrapping up this training adventure in AlphaSim's T-6 Texan, Chris comments, "I have thoroughly enjoyed flying Alphasim’s top-notch rendition of the Texan. I believe this package is very well rounded, incorporating good things on every level. A very sharp model and virtual cockpit that have no noticeable effect on frame rates; and a very well done flight model that is challenging though very rewarding as well as a sound package that you will enjoy from startup to shutdown. I would easily recommend this package to anyone who enjoys World War II era tail draggers."

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."