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AVSIM Online - Simulation's Premier Web Site! http://www.avsim.com/pages/main_page.shtml Sun, 18 May 2008 04:08:16 GMT Feed43 Proxy/1.0 (www.feed43.com) 60 http://www.avsim.com Review - 2 Environment Add-ons from Flight 1

Posted: Sunday, May 18, 2008 - 4:10
Staff reviewer Angelique van Campen takes on a huge challenge as she looks at Flight 1's Ground Environment X - USA/Canada and Ultimate Terrain X - Europe/USA/Canada and layers them separately and in combination with each other on top of the default FSX environment.

"The main features of Ground Environment X - USA & Canada editions are:
- Complete coverage of the United States of America and Canada,
- 1m/pixel, 1024 x 1024 Texture Size - Hand Crafted To eXtreme Detail,
- High Performance, eXtreme Density and Perfectly Aligned Autogen,
- Realistic Custom Designed Accompanying Night Textures,
- All Seasons,
- Fine tuning add-ons and ongoing updates and enhancements will be made available through the built-in update feature, based on customer feedback."

"Ultimate Terrain X - Europe/USA/Canada changes and modifies:
- All the roads; every available road from the chosen commercial navigation data set, with each road accurately placed to match its real-world location,
- Enhanced railroads; greatly enhanced railroads, including rail-yards,
- Spectacular night lighting; a new night lighting environment unlike anything else on the market. It adds actual 3D points of light to simulate street lights and automobiles (a functionality seen only in professional flight simulators, until now),
- Detailed oceanic coastlines; plus islands, lakes, rivers and streams. No more roads over water,
- Accurate landclass; better representation of metropolitan areas,
- Detailed land polygons; parks, golf courses, and cemeteries are much better represented. Their boundaries will align with the road boundaries, just like you see them on high quality mapping services and GPS units."

Angelique's review of these products goes into great details of how they will affect your flying environment, how to gt the most from these products and tips and hints about their installation with help from the product developers themselves. It's not just a matter of purchasing all of these environmental add-ons and start loading them in in any order you choose. It is a long read, but highly recommended should you either own these products or are considering adding them to your FSX software collection.

Angelique wraps up her look at Flight 1's Ground Environment X - USA/Canada and Ultimate Terrain X - Europe/USA/Canada with, "My general impression about these products and their interaction gives a huge and impressive impact on the default FSX ground textures, landclass modifications and water textures. UTX and GEX work perfectly together, and apart of a view minor items they give us flight simmers a highly realistic VFR and IFR flight environment. These products altogether change the way how FSX looks, the change of the ground textures/scenery is really great."

]]> http://www.avsim.com Space Shuttle Mission 2007 - FREE add-on

Posted: Sunday, May 18, 2008 - 2:04
STS-27 began on December 2, 1988 with the launch of Atlantis, and was concluded on December 6, 1988 after a little more than 4 days in orbit, making it one of the shortest Space Shuttle missions. During launch, the Space Shuttle Atlantis was hit by the cone of the right SRB's which resulted in serious, but not fatal damage to the thermal tiles. The extent of the damage was discovered only after a successful landing and it was considered a miracle that the damage missed a few critical locations that would have ended the mission in a disaster similar to the STS-107.

The mission purpose and payload are still classified but it is speculated that the purpose was to deploy an extremely sophisticated spy sat with extreme surveillance capabilities, impressive even by today's standards. The Lacrosse 1 satellite was the first "dark" DoD sat and orbited Earth at an inclination of 57 deg and apogee/perigee of 426.28/408.26km respectively, with an orbital period of 93.4 minutes. Lacrosse 1 was deorbited around 1997 and replaced with more advanced versions launched from Vandenberg AFB and Cape Canaveral on Titan IV platforms.

The sat was deployed manually using the RMS in a procedure similar to the Hubble launch, a fact that earned Mission Specialist Astronaut Mike Mullane (who operated the RMS) and the crew, the National Intelligence Medal of Achievement.

In the best SSM2007 tradition, the STS-27 free add-on allows budding Virtual Astronauts to experience the launch, on-orbit including the deployment of the Lacrosse 1 spy sat, and return to Earth by manually landing the Atlantis at the Edwards AFB.
The Space Shuttle Mission 2007� is available online in downloadable format at the SSM2007 official website.

]]> http://www.avsim.com KATL Atlanta for FS2004 Released

Posted: Sunday, May 18, 2008 - 1:22
ImagineSim has just released their latest airport for FS2004 - Atlanta Intl. KATL is the world's busiest airport handling an incredible 90 million passengers each year. It also has more non-stop flights and serves more destinations than any other airport in the world.

This scenery add-on features custom made ground textures and runways, terminal, cargo and hanger buildings rendered to 5cm per pixel scale, smoothly operating jetways that dock with your aircraft's forward door with 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 hangers, cargo and airport auxiliary buildings are modeled, there is even a perimeter fence.

It's available now at the ImagineSim website along with screenshots and a demo version.

]]> http://www.avsim.com Sunday's Library Selections

Posted: Sunday, May 18, 2008 - 1:17
It's the middle weekend of the month and we see that some of our regular contributors have been busy submitting multiple files to the library.

Flight Simulator X - Original Aircraft
Hellenic Air Force A-7E/H Corsair II by Thanasis Delizisis, Panagiotis Delizisis, Jason Sparkes

Flight Simulator X - Aircraft Repaints, Textures and Modifications
FSX Spitfire FR MKIX MK716 texture, for use with SPITPR.ZIP. by Grant MacLean
Kuwait Airways Boeing 747-469M by Ali Jassem
Convair F-106B 84th FIS by Hank Essers
Convair F-106A 84th FIS by Hank Essers
Convair F-106A 83rd FIS by Hank Essers
Aerolineas Argentinas Boeing 747-475 by Johnny Lawrence (Bozo) / PMDG

Flight Simulator X - AFCAD Files
Kuwait International Airport by Ali Jassem
Davis University Airport (0O5) by Phillip Coyle
NAS Whidbey Island - Oak Harbor, WA (KNUW) by Jim Cook
Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso, Brazil (SBAT/AFL) - Update by Eduardo Mello

Flight Simulator 2004 - Aircraft Repaints, Textures and Modifications
Fly Plymouth 737-300 by Dale Johnson
Austrian Airlines Boeing 737-700 OE-LNN by Roman Reiner
F-101 South-East Asia Camo by Richard Dorr / Alphasim
Delta Airlines Boeing 777-232ER N866DN by Brandon Henry | Aravinda Perera
Vorona Aviation Beechcraft Baron 58 by R�ni Bang Larsen
Vorona Aviation C-130 by R�ni Bang Larsen
Vorona Aviation Boeing 767-300 by R�ni Bang Larsen
Vorona Aviation Boeing 737-900 by R�ni Bang Larsen
Vorona Aviation Boeing 737-800 /Winglets by R�ni Bang Larsen
Vorona Aviation Boeing 737-800 by R�ni Bang Larsen
Vorona Aviation Boeing 737-700 /Winglets by R�ni Bang Larsen
Vorona Aviation Boeing 737-700 by R�ni Bang Larsen
Vorona Aviation Boeing 737-600 by R�ni Bang Larsen
Vorona Aviation Boeing 737-500 by R�ni Bang Larsen
Vorona Aviation Boeing 737-400 by R�ni Bang Larsen
Vorona Aviation Boeing 737-300 by R�ni Bang Larsen
KUVVETMIRA, Boeing 737-800 by Engin Karabacak
T28 4 Pack by John Smith
Mandala Airlines B737-400v2 'PK-RIT' for AI Aardvark by Dieter Barthelmeus
Convair F106 repaints pack by Plane by Alphasim - Repaints by Pierre Lheureux
Vorona Aviation Boeing 727-200F by R�ni Bang Larsen
RAAF Consolidated B24 Liberator A72-64 by matt levi /alphasim
Aerolineas Argentinas Boeing 747-475 by Johnny Lawrence (Bozo) / PMDG
Empora Air B737-700 ETOPS "Green Machine" by Patrick John | For Empora Air / Project Opensky - Panel by Rad James Yarjan
TAM Airbus A319 'PR-MBN' by Filipe Fonseca
CRUZEIRO EMBRAER ERJ-170 by Alexandre Alves
Helvetic Airways (Pink, old c/s) Digital Aviation Fokker 100 by Michel Hunziker
Portugalia Fokker 100 'CS-TPE' by Sylvain Coolsaet - Digital Aviation
Helvetic Airways Digital Aviation Fokker 100 by Michel Hunziker

Flight Simulator 2004 - AFCAD Files
Eyn Yahav landing field by Amit Doron
AFCAD SMOOTH for Major Airports! Dublin International( EIDW / DUB ) by Dave Sheffield
AFCAD SMOOTH for Major Airports! London Stansted( EGSS / STN ) by Dave Sheffield
AFCAD SMOOTH for Major Airports! D�sseldorf International( EDDL / DUS ) by Dave Sheffield

Flight Simulator 2004 - AI Aircraft
Korean Air "Passionate Wings to Art - Mona Lisa" Boeing 747-400 HL7402 by Zafer El-Khatib
Air Cairo Airbus A320-200 CFM by Andrew Arpagian / Ignite-AI
Air Austral - Boeing 737-300 v2 by Carlo Priori
LET L200D Morava 'OM-KML' by miloslav wolf
LET L200D Morava 'OK-RHH' by miloslav wolf
LET L200D Morava 'OK-OFL' by miloslav wolf
LET L200D Morava 'N696L' by miloslav wolf
LET L200D Morava 'HA-LDB' by miloslav wolf
LET L200A Morava 'VH-EMV' by miloslav wolf
LET L200A Morava 'OK-PHG' by miloslav wolf
JetLite Boeing 737-400 by Deepak Blassi

Flight Simulator 2004 - Scenery
SweScen Xpansion Skellefte� for FSX and FS2004 by SweScen/Project Skellefte�/Joakim Holmstr�m Zenk

]]> http://www.avsim.com Fokker 70-100 Released

Posted: Friday, May 16, 2008 - 22:43
Flight One Software, in partnership with Digital Aviation is excited to announce today the immediate availability of Digital Aviation�s Fokker 70-100 Simulation featuring the Fokker 70 and 100 Jet Airliners. This product is simultaneously released for both FSX and FS2004.

This simulation focuses on accuracy in systems simulation with very few system limitations. Due to high demand in Europe (this product has been in long term development there), currently this product is released only with the 2D panel configurations, so therefore Flight One considers this an �Early Adopters� version. There is no Virtual Cockpit in this release, as development over the years has focused highly on the aircraft and flight modeling systems. Also, the FSX version is not compatible with the DX10 preview setting. However, Digital Aviation understands the desire for Virtual Cockpits and DX10 preview compatibility, and they are working on an updated FSX DX10 compatible model now with VC, as well as a VC version for FS9. These would all be a free update to all Early Adopter purchasers should it become available.

The main goal for this product is to simulate every system in the Fokker 70 and 100 aircraft. 4 years of development so far have made this one of the most advanced simulations to date. This plane must be flown very much like the real world version that is flying with many airlines today.

Florian Praxmarer, lead developer and project manager, states �After 4 years of hard development we are proud to deliver this simulation to the community. We have gone to great lengths to make this a complete systems replication. We believe this is validated by the fact that real-world aviation training companies have even taken an interest in this product.�

Package Summary:
- Simulation of Fokker 100 and Fokker 70 airliners.
- Detailed panel systems simulation (2D only at this time) � includes Captain and F/O (First Officer) views.
- Precise Flight Dynamics with special interpretation of your computers joystick/yoke for the most accurate feel possible.
- Highly detailed exterior visual model.
- Custom sound set with many expanded sound features.
- Detailed documentation and tutorials.
- Load Manager and Fuel Planner.
- Compatible with Microsoft Flight Simulator 9.1 (installs FSUIPC)
- Compatible with Microsoft Flight Simulator X SP2 or ACC pack (installs FSUIPC4). The FSX version is not compatible with the DX10 preview at this time. The FS9 version will work with DX10.

A complete rundown of all the features and system specs can be found at the Flight One Fokker 70 / 100 Simulation webpage.

]]> http://www.avsim.com Livery Expansion Pack 1 for Tu-154M AI Project FSX

Posted: Friday, May 16, 2008 - 22:35
DBS AI/Simlandmarks announces that this expansion pack contains; livery DDS bitmap files, Aeroflot-Don summer 2008 flight plans, UTair summer 2008 flight plans, an updated aircraft.cfg, updated specular DDS bitmap files for Aeroflot and Rossiya livery and a panel.cfg file to allow user to load the AI model as a user flyable aircraft.

]]> http://www.avsim.com Avidyne Student for FSX Released

Posted: Friday, May 16, 2008 - 1:53
Flight1 Aviation Technologies is pleased to announce that their Avidyne Student Simulator is now available for Flight Simulator X users. The Avidyne Student Simulator emulates the Avidyne Entegra series flight deck system in detail and allows students and pilots to practice procedures and familiarize themselves with the system. The software allows you to maintain proficiency in the privacy of your home or flight school at a fraction of the cost of the real aircraft. The new CD version release contains both the FS2004 and FSX versions. For more information, visit Flight 1 Aviation Technologies.

]]> http://www.avsim.com 777 Flightdeck Avionics Suite Released

Posted: Friday, May 16, 2008 - 1:51
Sim-Avionics is proud to announce the release of their Boeing 777 Flightdeck Avionics Suite for home cockpit builders and Flight Simulator enthusiasts. Designed to run on multiple PC's in various configurations interfacing with FS2004 or FSX via FSUIPC or Wideclient the product offers a complete avionics solution.

A time limited demo version is available for download. Features include: Fully Integrated Solution; no additional avionic software needed, Complex Systems Modelling, easy I/O Interfacing with FSUIPC Offsets (Supported by most I/O hardware), panel Simulator for users without overhead hardware and much more. Visit Sim Avionics for more information.

]]> http://www.avsim.com New Staff Reviewers Wanted

Posted: Friday, May 16, 2008 - 0:08
Once again AVSIM is searching for new staff reviewers. We have had to let some of our review staff go due to their inability to meet their voluntary commitments. Yes, these positions are voluntary but they do have some perks. Firstly, you get to be a part of the #1 fan-based simming website.

If you feel that you can produce reviews that match the skills of Sr reviewers like Gene, Zane, Jeff and David; as well as staff reviewers Laurie, Robert, Etienne and Angelique, then we want you as part of our team.

This job is not for the younger crowd who spend a lot of time behind the stick, but doesn't quite have the writing skills of a seasoned technical writer (unless you're a journalism major). You should be able to write detailed, technical, well researched, unbiased reviews about the products that AVSIM provides you to review. You should be able to dedicate at least 15 hrs+ to flying the product and push every button to let your fellow simmer know what the product is all about. Afterall, many fellow simmers rely on your opinion as to whether this is the product they have been waiting for.

You will be expected to produce a review at least every 4-6 weeks, but if you want to do more, there are products just waiting for you. For further details or to have any of your questions answered, contact the Reviews Editor and/or submit a sample review of something in your inventory in the style you have seen here on the AVSIM website. (Word documents are fine, no editing on your part required)

]]> http://www.avsim.com Fly The Md-11 X Now Available.

Posted: Thursday, May 15, 2008 - 23:47
Perfect Flight announces the availability of the long waited Fly The MD-11 X. Product now includes both FS2004 and FSX Version and comes as download or Boxed version. Fly The Md-11 have been one of the FS2004's best seller and you have now the opportunity to add this amazing plane in your FSX fleet!

Product features includes
� 2 Gmax Model (Passengers and Cargo)
� Detailed 3d textures
� Full moving parts including: Flaps, Rudder, Ailerons, Spoilers, Gear, Passenger Doors, Cargo hatches, Reversers, Virtual Cockpit Controls
� Full night lighting inside and out � Strobes and beacons set to Boeing specifications
� MD-11 panel 3D Virtual Cockpit (passenger cabin included)
� Very realistic engines stereo sounds
� External views includes: Right and Left Side , Landing Gear, Tail, Right and Left Wing
� 35 Liveries: Aeroflot Cargo, Delta Airlines Old, World Airlines, Vasp Airlines, Varig Airlines, Thay Airlines, Swiss Airlines, Saudi Arabian Cargo, Perfect Flight, Martinair, WOW Lufthansa Cargo, Korean Air, KLM, JAL, House Color, Ghana, Gemini, Garuda, Finnair Old, Fedex, Eva Air Cargo, City Bird, China Airlines, Alitalia, American Airlines, Ups, Fedex Panda Express, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Delta Airlines New Colors, Finnair New Colors, Shanghai Airlines Cargo, Transmile, China Cargo, Martinair Cargo, Lufthansa Cargo
� Missions / Adventures - Product also includes 12 Missions / Adventures (for both FSX and FS2004 version).
Missions gives you more realistic flight experience recreating a real word ambience with Complete Ai/ATC interaction; Speed restriction; Complete Cabin Announcement; gear, flaps, parking brakes, warnings. Check Lists Procedures (pre-start, taxi, before t/o, after t/o, descend, landing, parking) Speeds Call, 80 Knt,V1, Vr, V2, flaps, gear, GPWS, Radar Altimeter, Flight Briefing and more. Missions gives you more realistic flight experience recreating a real word ambience.
� Charts Book - Pintable Chart Book have been included in the package with all Approach and Airport charts to use in the missions (also available in the Start Menu)
� Printed User Guide Boxed Version)

For more info, a video preview and screeshots visit the new Perfect Flight�s Simulshop Store.

]]> http://www.avsim.com Shockwave Productions Inc Now Air to Air Simulations Inc

Posted: Thursday, May 15, 2008 - 6:04
Air to Air Simulations states that its name change was triggered by reports of customer confusion between Shockwave Productions and a popular online gaming website known as Shockwave. In effort to better serve their customers and avoid any further confusion, a company name change was in order.

�Our reputation was built with a passion for flight. After many years of hard work and dedication, we now have a brand name, �Shockwave,� that is synonymous with quality throughout our flight simulation community. The other Shockwave preceded us and the larger we grow, the more likely customer confusion would occur between two different companies. Our team is excited to announce Air to Air Simulations as it better identifies who we are and what we do,� said Scott Gentile of Air to Air Simulations Inc.

Look for A2A at its new website. The company customers grew to rely on for quality flight simulation will continue without pause. A2A continues to use their own Merlin air combat engine to create the most authentic flight simulations. The Merlin Air Combat engine boasts authentic physics and the most advanced artificial intelligence in the industry. Additionally, A2A has a team that develops ground-breaking technology and aircraft for the latest and greatest Microsoft Flight Simulator X and 2004.

�Much of our team�s energy has been focused on the creation of a new line of aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator X called, �Wings of Silver.� This line is built with an all-new core simulation technology called �Accu-Sim� which boasts the type of realism we have only been able to wish for, until now. Accu-Sim comes with a long list of never before seen features for a flight simulation. Our Boeing Stratocriuser, which has been built using Accu-Sim technology, represents a quantum leap over anything we�ve done prior. This plane has to be seen, felt, and heard to be believed� commented Lewis Bloomfield of Air to Air Simulations Inc

During the last year, Shockwave Productions has released several products including two highly accurate aircraft native to Microsoft Flight Simulator X: the Wings of POWER II P40 and the B17 Flying Fortress. Air to Air Simulations will continue its standard, which is the pursuit of excellence. The change in name will not affect the quality its customers have come to expect from this flight simulation leader. Look for Air to Air to release some of its most ambitious products ever later this year.

]]> http://www.avsim.com FTX AU Gold Released

Posted: Thursday, May 15, 2008 - 5:59
Orbx is proud to announce the release of the next installment of its FTX franchise for Flight Simulator X. The second of the FTX AU regions, GOLD Subtropical East, encompasses South East Queensland and is a VFR flyer's dream. AU GOLD sports some of the most enjoyable terrain to fly over in the simulator. Crammed full of small airfields and with a very diverse geography, you'll experience rainforests, the outback fringes, hinterland ranges, lush rural landscapes, spectacular tropical waters and offshore islands to explore, all with that typical Queensland look and feel with full custom autogen. Visit Brisbane International Airport, Brisbane city and northwards along to the Sunshine Coast and the city of Rockhampton. South you'll discover the vibrant Gold Coast, the hip metropolis of Surfers Paradise with its highrise skyline and home of the Indycar race and rich pastural farming areas, all superbly rendered with unique crops such as sugar cane. FTX BLUE and GOLD regions are available to purchase now from ftxnow.com - The website site has many screenshots, videos and technical data on the product range. The next region pack, FTX AU GREEN Tropical North, is due for release soon as well as a new V1.2 release of the FTX Freeware, with nearly 100 photoreal airports blended into AU BLUE and GOLD.

]]> http://www.avsim.com AlphaSim Tornado F.3 Released

Posted: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - 2:04
The awesome Tornado Air Defence Variant arrives in true state-of-the-art fashion for both FS9 and FSX. Over 12 months in development, the AlphaSim 'Tonka' has it all - spread over 2 separate packages (main and expansion), NINE unique models and NINE unique texture sets provide coverage of the F.3's many guises, even Saudi and Italian AF F.3's are included. FSX users get to fly in the rear and use the AlphaSim interceptor radar there. A 28-page .pdf manual and a paintkit are included. For FSX (SP1, SP2/Accel) and FS2004 only. Screenshots and details are available at the AlphaSim home page.

]]> http://www.avsim.com Latest Releases from Just Flight

Posted: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 - 19:09
In a Press Release from Just Flight announcing the release of the RAF Vulcan for Microsoft Flight Simulator X (SP2). The Avro Vulcan�s beautiful lines and distinctive shape make it an icon of cold-war aviation. The Vulcan first flew in 1952, entered RAF service in 1957 and the final Vulcan flight was back in 1993. Thankfully, the last of these milestones has changed - Vulcan XH558 is airborne again, courtesy of a Heritage Lottery Fund grant and the tireless work of its dedicated fans. Now updated for FSX compatibility, RAF Vulcan includes a faithful model from acclaimed developers PSS of XH558 as it appears currently, an additional eight all-new liveries from some of the aircraft involved in the Falklands conflict of 1982, and some of the preserved aircraft in the UK. Fully licensed by the Royal Air Force, RAF Vulcan contains a total of eighteen examples in different Squadron liveries and with different model variations, including the 2K air-to-air refuelling tanker variant and those carrying the Blue Steel British nuclear cruise missile, the Shrike anti-radar missile as used in the Falklands, and the �project cancelled� Skybolt missiles. The FS2004 version also includes scenery of RAF Cottesmore. Wolfgang Schwarz, who co-ordinated the FSX update, remarked: �We have responded to the huge demand from our customers and done what we think is an excellent job of upgrading RAF Vulcan for FSX. We have added eight new aircraft and given the whole package a complete tune-up. However, a couple of minor features from FS2004 have not been carried over to FSX. These are the one-button �quick start� function and autopilot, which only operate in FS2004.�

Just Flight is also pleased to announce that the first instalment of its regular newsletter will be winging its way by e-mail to Just Flight customers very soon. As well as the inside track on all the latest products in the Just Flight hangar and Just Trains shed, there is also going to be a super prize competition in each issue and ten lucky recipients, drawn at random, will win a free download product of their choice from the Just Flight or Just Trains range. Readers of the newsletter will also get links to exclusive offers on the Just Flight and Just Trains sites as well as exclusive previews, demos and videos of forthcoming products. If you already receive e-shots from Just Flight or Just Trains then you don�t need to do anything � just check your inbox! However, if you haven�t signed up to receive the newsletter then simply visit the Just Flight or Just Trains sites, follow the �subscribe� button, enter your e-mail address and you�re done. This, and a whole lot more at Just Flight

]]> http://www.avsim.com Space Shuttle Mission 2007 On Magazine CD

Posted: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 - 14:06
Exciting Simulations is proud to announce their Space Shuttle Mission 2007� simulator is featured on the BBC Sky at Night magazine cover CD. Exciting Simulations writes, "Beyond getting an exciting and leading Astronomy magazine, the BBC Sky at Night May issue subscribers and customers are also getting the Space Shuttle Mission 2007� simulator at a special, time-limited discounted price. We plan to make it a tradition to also offer the latest free updates and missions periodically on the BBC Sky at Night magazine cover CD."

For more information or to check out the magazine, check out Sky At Night Magazine.

]]> http://www.avsim.com German Airfields 3: Lower Saxony from Aerosoft

Posted: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 - 2:43
Senior staff reviewer David Wilson-Okamura continues looking at European scenery series with Aerosoft's German Airfields 3 - Lower Saxony. "German Airfields products (there will eventually be twelve of them) features about fifteen local and regional airports, plus their immediate environs."

"In this package there are fifteen airfields. The smaller airfields don�t usually have passenger terminals, but they are all detailed and all different. There are parked aircraft, parked cars, and parking lots. There are lamp posts, control towers (in some places), windsock carts, lots of gliders, glider cases, and signals squares (although the signals don�t get updated). Most of the airfields seem to some sort of eatery or outdoor caf�, and several have flight schools or repair hangars. Few of the fields, except Brunswick, have ILS facilities, or even PAPI and VASI lights. For on-site buildings, there is night lighting provided, but often not for runways, many of which are grass anyway; it depends on whether the real airfield is used at night, and many small ones are not."

"All of the airports have parking spaces (which hasn�t always been the case with these products), but so far as I noticed, none of the hangars could be parked in. Outside of the airfields proper, for about 2 km in every direction, there are also VFR landmarks such as would be marked on a real-world chart. For the full effect, Aerosoft recommends that you also get VFR Germany 1 and 2, which will fill all the intervening spaces between airfields with glorious aerial photography and custom-placed autogen."

"All of the airports are built on top of aerial photographs, which have then been overlaid with matching runways, taxiways, and aprons. To my eye, the effect is seamless. What�s more, all of the tiles have matching autogen: that�s unusual with photoscenery, because all of the placement usually has to be done by hand. Another feature worth noting is seasons. Most photoscenery (including VFR Germany) has only one season, spring or summer, because more seasons would consume too much disk space. In this case, however, the total coverage area is small enough that a second season, winter, can be included without breaking the disk bank. The result: airfields blend in with the surrounding default ground textures even in winter."

David says of German Airfields 3, "The question that I think many readers will be asking is, �Should I bother with it if I don�t live in Lower Saxony?� I�ve never set foot there (yet), but I�ve had a wonderful time flying there. With fifteen detailed airfields, there�s a lot of variety. It�s also possible, at GA speeds, to make longer flights, but often we don�t have time for a long flight, and for occasions like that, this type of package is ideal."

]]> http://www.avsim.com Jaggyroad Films Website Offically Open

Posted: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 - 0:45
Jaggyroad Films has announced that their website is offically open. Jaggyroad Films specializes in gaming media, specifically flight simulation commercial and non-commercial videos and is a leader in video production among numerous addon developers throughout the community. To see some of their commercial and non-commercial work, head to Jaggyroad Films to stream and download videos free of charge.

]]> http://www.avsim.com Dolomynum 1.2.0 for Windows Released

Posted: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 - 0:40
Are you a user of online ATC networks? Dolomynum 1.2.0 might just be the tool for you. Gergely Kosa has contacted us to announce the release of Dolomynum 1.2.0 (also known as DLMN or Don't Lose My Number) for online flying networks such as IVAO or VATSIM. Dolomynum 1.2.0 allows you to view traffic status on a three-dimensional OpenGL map with accurate geographical and aeronautical information, or organized in different lists. In addition, there is an always-on-top console able to display various kind of important information, and it can gather and store structured statistics about traffic status that can be analyzed later. Dolomynum 1.2.0 is Microsoft Windows-only, but there is a platform-independent re-implementation, named QuteScoop.

]]> http://www.avsim.com IVAO Real Flights Event: Mumbai

Posted: Monday, May 12, 2008 - 18:37
IVAO is pleased to announce a Real Flights Event on May 17th from 1230Z onwards. Mumbai Airport (VABB) was chosen as the host division by the IVAO membership from bids submitted by eligible divisions. Boasting a mix of flights, from short hops to long hauls, the event truly offers something for everyone. The popular Real Flights Events, now in its second year, is designed to reproduce real-world movements at the host airport during the given time slot. Of course, full air traffic control services will be provided at the host airport as well as select nearby airfields and nearby FIR's. The Indian Divison and IVAO Events Department invite you to join us for a flight in Mumbai airspace on May 17, 2008 - and more details about the event.

]]> http://www.avsim.com Mondays Files Have Arrived

Posted: Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 16:29
Cielosim is pleased to announce the release of Live ATC Chatter. Live ATC Chatter is program for Flight Simulator that allows you to listen to live real-time Air Traffic Control streams within the simulator. It connects via the internet to the ATC streams and then projects the audio in Flight Simulator. Live ATC enhances your Flight Simulator environment by adding real-time live ATC audio for the selected airports you fly at. If you don�t always have an active internet connection or you don�t want to connect to a stream while flying, Live ATC also offers the option to play either Mp3 or Wave sound chatter files. So whether you be online or offline you will be able to listen to Real ATC chatter in Flight Simulator. For more information the Cielosim website.

]]> http://www.avsim.com ASX Service Pack 3 Released

Posted: Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 5:38
HiFi Sim announces that ASX Service Pack 3 was officially released today! All known issues have been solved and several improvements have been made. This is a recommended update for all ASX users. Visit HiFi Sim's support page now to download this service pack! All new customers purchasing ASX will not be required to download the update as it is included in the new full download. ASX is a comprehensive weather simulation system for Flight Simulator X. For more information please visit the HiFi Sim website.

]]> http://www.avsim.com Historic Jetliners Group May Updates

Posted: Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 17:35
Mark Cranston from Historic Jetliners Group has e-mailed to announce the latest releases for May. The team has worked so hard, and produced so many updates that there are far too many to list here, but if you head over to Historic Jetliners Group there you will find a list, and links to download some virtual nostalgia.

]]> http://www.avsim.com FSDreamTeam Updates O'Hare Scenery

Posted: Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 3:40
Here's what Version 1.1, now available at the FSDreamTeam website, includes:
- De-Icing added in the Pad 28 Aerea, there are 4 vehicles, operating only in Winter with Snow
- Corrected some textures problems in the airport signs
- Corrected names for stands M1 to M6
- Night textures resolution doubled to fix the grid effect at night in FS9
- AFCAD - Fixed taxiways width
- AFCAD - Diamond technique used at runway intersections
- AFCAD - Added instrumental approaches in FS9

]]> http://www.avsim.com Aerosoft Releases and Updates

Posted: Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 3:18
Lisbon 2008 Released - "We did Madrid Barajas 2008 recently and we can add Lisbon 2008 for FS2004 to our download shop. Michael Kopatz recreated the airport up to the smallest detail for Aerosoft including all buildings and installations, docking systems and all the features you expected from a modern scenery development in FS2004. Customers of Lisbon 2008 will get the FSX version without charge in a few weeks.

The airport ground texture is based on a high detailed areal image. All buildings, lighting systems, navigation beacons and of course the layout of taxiways and runways have been recreated to perfection. Static aircraft can be de-activated to make room for the AI traffic. Runway 03/21 in Lisbon has two special Rapid Exit Taxiways, RET�s. These taxiways (HN and HS) allow the aircraft to leave the runway at high speed and are a nice new feature on this airport."

Update - DHC-6 Twin Otter X - "We found a problem with some of the textures of the Twin Otter and will upload a fix through the forum and the main page."

FREE - Flight Tales 1 - Demo Mission II - "If you got the FSX Acceleration Pack installed, we have a superb free mission for you. Very challenging and it would test your helicopter flying skills to the limit. There is a link to the mission on our main news page.

]]> http://www.avsim.com Tu-154M AI Project for FSX

Posted: Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 3:09
DBS Studio and Simlandmarks presents the Tu-154M AI Project for FSX. The Tupolev 154 is a remarkable aircraft and its FSX AI model incorporates the most advanced AI modelling up to date. The airframe is modelled with every small part as accurate as possible. Special XML coding is widely used to manage various animations and custom FXs. The package includes 'ready to go' real world, summer 08 AI flightplans for two major Tu-154M operators, Aeroflot - Russian Airlines and Rossiya - Russian Airlines(former Pulkovo) to ensure that you don't miss Tupolevs at some popular airports in Europe and Asia. Detailed description and screenshots can be found on the DBS Studio website.

]]> http://www.avsim.com FS2Crew A320 Updated

Posted: Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 3:03
FS2Crew announces that Service Update 2 is now available for the FS2Crew A320 Edition. This update transfers enhancements and fixes that were incorporated into the FS2Crew Airbus Special Edition into the FS2Crew A320 Edition. Important: This update should *not* be installed by FS2Crew Airbus Special Edition owners, so if you own an FS2Crew Airbus product double check which product you have first before installing. A320 Drivers may taxi to the FS2Crew website to obtain the update.

]]> http://www.avsim.com Fly Before You Buy Premier Collection Series

Posted: Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 2:58
Many years ago Abacus pioneered the first "fly before you buy" aircraft with their Premier Collection Series. The series has grown and now users can download and test fly free for up to 7 days any aircraft in their large fleet.

Abacus has been continuously adding new aircraft to the fleet. This week they have added three new aircraft to their already large selection available in the Premier Collection which has now grown to more than 75 aircraft. These aircraft are of all shapes, sizes and varieties - from the general aviation, military and commercial arenas. Here's some of the most recent planes:

Gippsland GA-8 Airvan
Adam 700 Jet
Cessna 185 Skywagon
Zenith CH801
B-2 Spirit
F16-C Fighting Falcon
Airbus A319
Beech 1900D

All of the aircraft in Abacus' Premier Collection Series are available immediately for free 7 day trial. The most recent additions are for both both FSX and FS2004 users. Simply go to their main website and click Download Now button.

]]> http://www.avsim.com Raildriver from P.I. Engineering

Posted: Friday, May 9, 2008 - 4:04
Senior staff reviewer Gene Davis travels IFR, I Follow Rails, as he looks at P.I. Engineering's Raildriver in concert with Microsoft's Train Simulator and a few add-ons. "A controller designed specifically for the use with train simulation. "How cool could this be?" I thought."

"The Raildriver unit looks a lot bigger in its pictures than it actually is, as it is only a little over half the length of a keyboard. That is probably a good thing though because it doesn�t end up taking a lot of desk space and can be tucked away neatly when not used. The unit is shipped with instructions and a drivers disc that includes drivers for Microsoft Train Simulator and the Trainz series along with a couple other train sims that are quite a few years old."

"Setting up the unit is easy. Simply plug in the USB cable into a USB port and install the necessary drivers. There is also a DC plug that drives the sound amplifier built into the unit and if you want to use it you must divert your main sound line into the unit and then run a second line to your sound system. Once the product drivers are installed, you will need to configure the unit for whatever sim you are going to use it with. This is just like setting up a joystick and takes about 10-15 minutes. The good news is once it is done, it is done."

Gene's review guides us through his trips through Switzerland and Germany using the Raildriver. "The realization is this, MSTS is old but it is good and offers a lot of replay ability with each new route that is released for it, especially with the Rail Driver unit. Had it not been for the Rail Driver unit I probably would not have gone back to MSTS, but it did make me realize how good it actually was."

]]> http://www.avsim.com FMC-CDU Pack2 Released

Posted: Thursday, May 8, 2008 - 20:52
FriendlyPanels announces the release of their FMC-CDU Pack2 for FS9 AND FSX. A jetliner FMC style navigation system collection, this FMC pack 2 contains six FMC gauges (three for FS9 and three for FSX), all of them imitating the look of real aircraft FMCs, as Bombardier CRJ, DASH or ATR.

These gauges are general purpose FMC gauges and they don�t contain specific aircraft data pages as APPROACH, IDENT, TAKE OFF... so they can be used with ANY aircraft. The purpose of these gauges is to implement the FMC style you can find in many modern jetliners or business jets, using the flight plans created with Microsoft Flight Simulator FS9 or FSX, or any add-on which can export flight plans in the FS format. FriendlyPanels has eliminated the complex way in which you have to plan your flight in current commercial FMCs.

Some features of these gauges are; Follow a flight plan, fly direct to a FLP waypoint (by passing some of them) and continue from there, choose any waypoint in Microsoft's database to fly direct to without a flight plan loaded, select an arrival procedure for destination airport (if it�s implemented in Microsoft FS), follow the vertical navigation and IAS desired, display information concerning airports and navaids, display information concerning fuel and winds and much more! To see the user manual and for more inforamtion, visit FriendlyPanels.

]]> http://www.avsim.com Sky Blue Radio Turns One!

Posted: Thursday, May 8, 2008 - 14:12
The volunteer staff at Sky Blue Radio are celebrating their first birthday as a dedicated broadcaster for the flight simulation and aviation communities and you are invited to come and enjoy a great weekend of entertainment.

As part of the celebrations SkyBlue will be having a weekend cram packed with live shows with over 60 hours of live DJ�s throughout the weekend and a great series of free prize giveaways and competitions from the simulation industries leading companies, such as Horizon Simulations, Captain Sim, Just Flight, Angle of Attack, Flight1, Vroute, France VFR, Space Shuttle Mission 2007 and World Flight Scotland.

With a great mix of music, FS and real world aviation news, great prizes to be won and live DJ�s, this all sums up into a weekend not to be missed.

Join them online at SkyBlueRadio and on your cockpit com2 radio (123.45) with Wee Tune Beastie, FS Inn, FS Co-pilot and now available through Vroute.

]]> http://www.avsim.com IRIS Releases F-20 Tigershark for FSX

Posted: Thursday, May 8, 2008 - 14:09
So you sit down at the computer and start up FSX. Next thing you know your in the virtual seat of the new Iris Simulations F20 Tigershark. You've been briefed for a standard testflight which you feel will be anything but 'standard'. Opening the F-20's unique Ordnance Manager, you customise your F-20C to carry the ordnance YOU select, pylon by pylon and finally you're set. In the cockpit you busy yourself going through the detailed pre-flight procedures ensuring all the required systems are online and functional prior to starting the F-20C's Jet Fuel Starter and powering up the General Electric F404 Engine capable of supplying 18,000 lbs of thrust on your command!

Features include: 2048x2048 pixel bitmap masters resized to 1024x1024 pixels for all the paint schemes providing super sharp bumpmaps and amazing visuals across ALL graphics cards capable of running FSX, a unique ordnance manager allowing you to choose exactly what ordnance you wish to carry at your command, a soundset from Turbine Sound Studios with 360 degree sound panning customised specifically for FSX, a choice of over twelve paint schemes making use of the best art techniques available allowing for weathering and visual clarity on five specialised visual models and much more!

For more information or to tame the tiger yourself, head over to IRIS Simulations.

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