Multi Crew Experience V1.5 Released

Posted: Tuesday, June 2, 2009 - 14:46
FS++ Simulations announces the V1.5 upgrade to the AVSIM Gold Star Award winning Multi Crew Experience add-on for FSX and FS2004. There is also a fully working, time limited demo available on their website.

Captain Sim Weather Radar Released

Posted: Tuesday, June 2, 2009 - 14:41
Captain Sim announces their Weather Radar for FSX aircraft that is also compatible with Ultimate Weather FX and REX weather add-ons. This product comes with a WxR Editor Tool for one-click installation/removal. It is also DirectX 9/10 compatible. For complete details, the User's Manual and a video demo, head over to Capt Sim's Weather Radar page.

PLUNA - Bombardier CRJ-900

Posted: Tuesday, June 2, 2009 - 1:10
PLUNA becomes the 209th airline to join the World Air Routes series by Just Planes and the first to feature the Bombardier CRJ-900. Pluna, Uruguay's national airline, operates a fleet of brand new CRJ-900s from its base at Montevideo Airport.

This program takes you in the cockpit of the 900 for a dozen flights on international routes across South America as well as on a short domestic hop from Montevideo to Punta Del Este. You will get a detailed look and presentation of the cockpit as well as walkaround of the aircraft, 3 of the 13 flights are filmed from the cabin. Producer Michael Moskal says, "this DVD marks our 1st CRJ-900, 1st flight into Paraguay, 1st into Punta Del Este and 1st into the airport of Aeroparque. You will also discover some views filmed around the city of Montevideo."

Library System Update

Posted: Monday, June 1, 2009 - 3:11
We are busily working to restore the AVSIM File Library System to its legacy configuration. Of the files that we have recovered so far, the status, as of approximatly 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 31 was as follows:

a) 45163 files checked
b) 2256 files with known corruption (positively confirmed as bad MD5)
c) 389 files which may be corrupt (cannot match data in database)
d) 3828 files for which we do not have MD5 data (old files)
e) 39548 files which are definitely OK with matching valid MD5sums

The approximately 4,100 files in c) and d) are being unzipped and their contents checked for their internal CRC's. We suspect that most of those will be found to be okay. This effort is continuing, and we fully expect the legacy library system to be up and operational within the next 7 to 10 days. We will continue to keep you informed of its status as we walk through this process.

Reviews Status

Posted: Sunday, May 31, 2009 - 18:58
While the down time has allowed me to get caught up on editing the numerous reviews submitted by the AVSIM review staff, we are still awaiting the resurection of the server allowing me to upload the reviews to our site.

For the vendors who are waiting to see the results of our test runs, and the simmers waiting to make a decision on whether certain titles are next on their "got to have" list, please be patient while we continue to bring the site back to 100%.

As soon as I get the GO from our tech team, I'll start posting the reviews once again.

Robert Whitwell
Reviews Editor

New Partnership Announced

Posted: Saturday, May 30, 2009 - 23:40
X-Aviation is proud to announce a new partnership with RealScenery, and the release of the state of Tennessee for X-Plane!

The State of Tennessee scenery contains incredibly detailed imagery covering over 42,000 square miles / 109,000 square kilometers. This new scenery package contains over 17,700 images! Tennessee is home to the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Appalachian Plateau and the mighty Mississippi River. This is a beautiful state to fly over in X-Plane! The partnership with X-Aviation marks a new era for RealScenery, as we are now able to sell all scenery packages not only on DVD format, but through a newly setup download system. X-Aviation allows for the instant delivery of scenery for those that don't wish to wait for snail mail. RealScenery, for those unfamiliar, is the premier orthophoto scenery creator for the X-Plane world. To learn more about the product line, purchase products, view galleries, and watch movies, please visit the newly updated RealScenery website.

FS Altitude Australia Released

Posted: Saturday, May 30, 2009 - 3:09
The France VFR team is proud to announce you its third pane of FS Altitude representing more than 8 Millions kmē of the entire continent of Australia and New-Zealand . The scenery has been entirely realised with low resolution photo-realistic textures (14.25 m/pixel) that is perfect for replacing the default textures of FSX for IFR flights from 6 000 m (20 000 feet) altitude, rendering a realistic and reliable image of the given geographical zone or continent. As FS Altitude only displays when reaching a certain level of height, below this level all previously installed add-ons remain visible. IFR flight with FS Altitude provides you complete immersion due to the widespread view and the low resolution texture. For further information, please check the new screen-shots of Australia.

The Crew that Brought AVSIM Back

Posted: Friday, May 29, 2009 - 12:40

It is not often that we bring particular attention to AVSIM Volunteers (they normally get big BY LINES and a pay increase), but the events of the last 16 days demand that we do so. The AVSIM Editorial Staff would like to put the shine of the public spotlight on these hard working guys, so that you know the team that put the AVSIM Humpty Dumpty back together again. Matt Johnson: Matt joined AVSIM in 2000 and brought a technical genius to our team that we never dreamed we would ever have. Matt designed the AVSIM File Library system from scratch as there were no "off the shelf" library software available at the time that would either meet our needs or survive under the load that the community would put on it. Matt was AVSIM's Technical Manager up until the middle of 2008 when his real world job took all his attention and time away from AVSIM. On Wednesday, May 13th, the morning after the hack, Matt stepped up and volunteered to help us bring the AVSIM system back online. Living near London, England, Matt worked his magic in support of the other team members from afar and was critical to the system being back online today. John Binner: John is a former U.S. Marine Corps Air Traffic Controller and AVSIM's hardware guy. John had been very involved with the set up of the IPB forums back in November, 2008 and throughout the Christmas break. Before that, John spent countless hours making sure that the staff did not do a "FUBAR" on the system. John was the "go to guy" in all things related to the system and other critical management functions at AVSIM. John has also been a key contributor to the success of the AVSIM FANCONS, starting with our event in San Diego way back when. John left AVSIM earlier this year, but when the hack occurred, he stood up and volunteered to help us get the system back online. John volunteered to go and do whatever it took to get the AVSIM system back and in operation, including sacrificing the entire Memorial Day weekend. He spent the entire holiday camped out in Herndon, Virgina - a long way away from his family and home in South Carolina. Stanly Thompson-Harmon: What can we say? Stan is the consummate geek. Were pocket protectors still in vogue, Stan would probably own one for ever day of the week (we think he has a couple of dozen stashed in his desk but is afraid to show them). Stan is an engineer for a top two defense firm in the U.S., and breaths and speaks computer code. Stan has put in countless hours since before the hack, looking into the issues we were having with GREEN's bad partition. Stan sacrificed his memorial day weekend too to get AVSIM back in a condition that would allow us to get the system online this week. The Un-Named One: For security reasons, we are unable to name a special assist from a person or persons in recovering the data on GREEN, PURPLE and the NAS. With their special forensics talents, AVSIM was able to restore all of the web site, all of the forums and we anticipate 90% of the library including all FSX and FS9 files. We expect to be able to serve files dating back to FS98. Thank you UNKNOWN GUY for your assistance and skills. Matt, John and Stan came together and put humpty dumpty back together again. With the overwhelming help of the community, AVSIM is bigger, better, and faster than ever, and now armed with a system ready to tackle the future growth and expansion of the AVSIM community. From all of the AVSIM staff and a couple of thousand AVSIM Community members, thank you guys! Bravo Zulu!

BretagneVFR Scenery FS2004

Posted: Thursday, May 28, 2009 - 23:43
France VFR is proud to announce after long months of development the release of its latest scenery - the very first of its new product range (Regional VFR) - Bretagne VFR.

This scenery represents a new approach in development by pushing the realism even further than the Basepack: covering a more important geographical zone and providing more than 50% of specific autogen as well as all essential VFR landmarks within one product. For Bretagne VFR it means 31 000 kmē of full photo- real scenery with enhanced colours and contrast, native 38m Mesh, waterclass, many 3D objects and extremely detailed 3 'mini-scenery' of well-known areas (St-Malo inner city and harbour, Brest harbour and the Morbihan Bay). All water textures are navigable, 14 groups of windmills are placed, all lighthouses are represented with luminous effects giving a real life navigation experience to the scenery.

Take The Scenic Route

Posted: Thursday, May 28, 2009 - 23:38
Just Flight is pleased to announce the downlaod version of FScene X is now available to purchase from the Just Flight website. The boxed version is still scheduled for release on 29th May.

FScene X is a unique program that transforms the default textures of Flight Simulator X and 2004 to something with far greater realism. Mountains, forests, jungles and deserts take on a new 3-dimensional feel; the countryside is subtly transformed and urban areas look more authentic. The software covers a huge swathe of the planet's surface and will transform your simulated flying in all four virtual seasons.

The Latezt And Greatezt Version Of Trainz

Posted: Thursday, May 28, 2009 - 23:35
Just Trains is pleased to announce that the download version of Trainz 2009 is now available. The Trainz series of standalone train simulators has now sold over a million copies and the latest version is set to break a few more box office records.

Developed by Auran, Trainz 2009 comes with a huge range of enhancements and new features and virtual rail fans are set to feel the power of five generations of rail simulation!

Just Trains' production director, Alex Ford, commented "We've published the last four instalments in the Trainz series and the combination of fantastic content and unique features has made it a winner for us. We are really looking forward to bringing Trainz 2009 to the world's virtual rail enthusiasts."

P47 Razorback Update v1.1 Released

Posted: Thursday, May 28, 2009 - 23:21
This multi-award-winning (AVSIM Gold Star) aircraft from A2A Simulations has just gotten a little bit better with the v1.1 update. Check out all the details at a2asimulations Wings of Power website or download the update directly.

C172N Skyhawk II With Float For FSX

Posted: Thursday, May 28, 2009 - 23:14
Carenado has released one of the most versatile aircraft for bush flying and for surveillance tasks with the C172N Skyhawk II with FLOAT for FSX.

This aircraft is a standalone package (It isn't an extension pack for our previously released C172N). This product was developed only for FSX taking advantages of all the FSX and DX10 features like cast shadows on VC, external dynamic cast shadows, normal mapping, specular mapping and bloom lights, resulting in a high quality aircraft.

BABOO Embraer 190 & Dash 8 Q-400

Posted: Thursday, May 28, 2009 - 23:07
BABOO becomes the 208th airline to join the World Air Routes series by Just Planes and the first to feature the Embraer 190. Baboo started operations in 2003 from its base at Geneva Airport. Today it operates a modern fleet of Dash 8 Q-400s and Embraer 190s on scheduled flights across Europe.

On this program you fly in the cockpit of the new EMB-190 to Greece with a very scenic approach to Athens followed by a flight to Sofia and the 1st every flight to Romania in the World Air Routes as you land in Bucharest. Included are various presentations by the pilots including the instrumentation, a walkaround and more, the E-190 concludes with a flight in the cockpit from Otopeni to Geneva. Following the Embraer you fly the Dash 8 Q-400 on our 1st ever flight to Zagreb and to Bordeaux. Also included are cockpit presentations and a walkaround.

Just Planes has been producing Aviation programs since 1991. Currently it produces 2 series : World Airports and World Air Routes which are distributed all across the world.
World Air Routes series of Cockpit DVDs now features more than 200 Airlines and takes viewers on flights to nearly 800 destinations across the globe.

FSFlyingSchool2009 V2.2 Released

Posted: Thursday, May 28, 2009 - 22:57
FSInventions announces a new version of its FSFlyingSchool2009 add-on for FSX and FS2004. Version 2.2 introduces new features which are free to existing owners of FSFlyingSchool2009.

Crashes recorded in Log Book - The findings of the the fictitious National Aeronautical Safety Board are now recorded in the pilot's log book. These record the summary details of the crash and data on vertical speed, IAS, ground speed, engine(s) status, and lots more. These are of great help to the pilot who wonders why an aircraft crashed in Flight Simulator. By popular request, the pilot also gets a record of how well the flight had proceeded up to that point.

New Hotkey - Pressing Ctrl Shift B provides handy data to the pilot who wants to know current: AGL (above ground level), ground altitude and also displays the count of errors (if any) that the instructor has noted in this flight. To the sharp eyes of these instructors, flying the wrong way for half a second counts as an error so these can add up fast!

Tips - The in-program tips have been greatly expanded to help pilots get the most from all of FSFlyingSchool's features.

To find out more, watch movies, download demo, etc, visit the FSFlyingSchool website.

MiG-15 and MiG-17 Updated With SP 3

Posted: Thursday, May 28, 2009 - 22:47
Bear Studios, in partnership with Flight One Software, has released Service Pack 3 for both the MiG-15 and MiG-17 products. This service pack is free to all previous purchasers. These updates include various fixes and improved DX10 preview compatibility.

Flight1's Ultimate Traffic 2 Released

Posted: Thursday, May 28, 2009 - 22:45
Flight One Software is excited to announce Ultimate Traffic 2 exclusively for FSX. Redeveloped from the ground up, Ultimate Traffic 2 provides FSX users the definitive answer to their AI Traffic needs. The project is a culmination of over three years of research and development, and uses an all new technology developed by Flight1 to create the most realistic skies in FSX. Starting with core real-world airline timetables, Flight1 was determined to leverage their understanding of AI traffic to make something truly amazing. To get to this point, Flight1 worked in cooperation from our friends at Flag Mountain Software, AI Aardvark, The Fruit Stand, and other top developers to build a team to make this all new version possible.

The product features over 550,000 real-world scheduled flights, 1.3 Million general aviation flights, and provides AI traffic at more then 6,000 airports. Over 95 fully compatible DX10 aircraft types recreate unique airport environments. Plus the action is not only at the airports! A key to our new technology is the fact that aircraft follow proper and customizable flight plans, making the skies organized just like in the real world. Aircraft will follow jet routes, and cross waypoints similar to how they do it in real life, bringing you that "highways in the sky" experience. The completely redesigned and fully featured interface contains many options that cannot be found anywhere else to help you leverage many of the Ultimate Traffic 2 features including printable timetables, flight plan assignments, status boards, and a beautiful flight view map that depict the activity of the 550,000 flights that Ultimate Traffic 2 uses.

Ultimate Traffic 2 is also designed with the virtual airline in mind, with special features included to allow Virtual Airline fans the ability to have custom schedules and aircraft displayed in FSX with just a couple of mouse clicks. For screenshots, video downloads, product information , and to purchase Ultimate Traffic 2, please visit their dedicated website.

SimFlight3D Releases 1958 C172 For FS9

Posted: Thursday, May 28, 2009 - 22:32
SimFlight3D launches the FS 2004 version of the 1958 C172 (straight tail) in four paint schemes, complete with real manual flaps, fully operational cockpit and panels. Other features include: chart for map screen use, mike button for ATC window, animated pilot (head turn), oil check door and dipstick.

The C172 is a four-seat, single-engine, high-wing airplane, capable of cruising at 131 knots. Original models shipped with 0-300, 145 horsepower, 6-cylinder engines. The Skyhawk is considered the most popular flight training airplane in the world and is still being produced today. More than 35,000 aircraft have been built.

With over 15 years of 3D modeling, graphic design/conceptualization and animation in the video game industry plus actual flying experience, SimFlight3D was created to promote sophisticated, accurate aircraft models.

757 Captain V4.3 (FSX) Released

Posted: Thursday, May 28, 2009 - 22:21
Captain Sim announces their latest release to the "757 Captain" series. If you purchased 757 Captain Pro prior to 18 May or 757-300 or 757 Freighter prior to 20 May, then you'll want to get this upgrade. The list of new features, fixes and enhancements are numerous, so check them out at Capt Sim's "757 Captain" website.

KSJC San Jose For FSX

Posted: Thursday, May 28, 2009 - 22:10
Imaginesim's KSJC San Jose is now available for FSX. SJC is the most populous city in the San Francisco Bay Area, famous for Silicon Valley, a wonderful laidback Californian lifestyle, and offers scheduled services to around 11 million passengers annually. The airport is situated as a 'downtown airport' and gives pilots an opportunity to land almost within the city center itself, a pleasant change from those mega-hubs located miles out into the countryside.

This scenery add-on features custom made ground textures and runways, terminal, cargo and hangar buildings rendered to 5cm per pixel scale, an interactive docking system to park you right on your mark, taxiways with highly realistic concrete textures, full airport taxiway and runway signage, 3D approach lighting and full ILS navigation. Also included are hundreds of airport vehicles and ground personnel, aircraft can be found parked at custom textured parking positions, all hangars, cargo and airport auxiliary buildings are modeled. KSJC requires the SP2 update for FSX. For a look at the screenshots and to download the demo, vector to the ImagineSim website.