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FlightSim Developers YF-23 Update Released

Posted: Friday, July 3, 2009 - 19:00
The Northrop/McDonnell Douglas YF-23 Black Widow from FSD/MilViz has been updated to include a new version in the Thunderbird Aerobatics Team colors and is now available . The YF-23 was an unconventional-looking aircraft with trapezoidal wings, substantial area-ruling, and a V-tail designed to meet USAF requirements for survivability, supersonic cruise and ease of maintenance and with all-aspect stealth as a high priority, Northrop drew on the company's experience with the B-2 Spirit and F/A-18 Hornet. The FlightSim Developers YF-23 is a highly detailed rendition of this exceptional aircraft that has been updated to include multistage afterburners and all requested modifications . For details and download visit the FSD Hanger .

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San Jose Int'l Airport (KSJC) from ImagineSim

Posted: Friday, July 3, 2009 - 1:47
Staff reviewer Roger Curtiss flys in and out of ImagineSim's San Jose International Airport (KSJC). "ImagineSim has sought to show KSJC as it will be in the not so distant future. A new terminal is under construction and this scenery package depicts that terminal as completed and operational. The result is a good depiction of a busy commercial airport."

"This package greatly enhances the scenery of KSJC. In default configuration the airport is a rather bland place with two blocky terminal buildings. The ImagineSim offering changes all that by introducing a custom terminal treatment with an array of jet bridges, support personnel and equipment and a choice of parked aircraft and animated vehicles. Suddenly, the airport is alive with activity and feels vibrant."

"I was especially interested to experience what the airport would look like at night. Once the lighting came on, it was a joy to behold. The taxiway lights are crisp and the main taxiways feature bright green low visibility centerline guidance. The ramp areas are spot lit making it easy to move about the terminal areas and the interior lighting for the terminals and hangars is very well done."

"ImagineSim has a reputation for producing quality airport sceneries and this rendition of KSJC continues the trend. KSJC fits in seamlessly with the default scenery."

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PA-34 200T SENECA II for FSX

Posted: Thursday, July 2, 2009 - 14:29
Carenado has released its first twin engine aircraft ever; the classic PA-34 200T SENECA II for FSX. This aircraft is fully FSX and DX10 compatible with high resolution textures (and very friendly FPS). It was developed with all FSX features plus two new features: volumetric normal mapping and Original HQ digital stereo sounds (44100 HZ) recorded from the original aircraft. The Seneca began production in 1970 and 4500 have been constructed. It has six seats in a pretty large cabin, two turbocharged counter rotating engines producing 200hp. Certification for flights into known icing conditions and the nice single engine behaviour made the Seneca a popular multi engine trainer. For details head over to the Carenado hanger .

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767 Long Haul and ETOPS Guide

Posted: Thursday, July 2, 2009 - 14:19
LROPS has released 'The 767 Long Haul and ETOPS Guide', a 70 page mini-book which covers everything 75/767 specific on an Atlantic crossing from Kennedy to Heathrow. Topics covered include ETOPS and RVSM checks, how to use a plotting chart, how to calculate ETPs are just a few examples of the diversity of LROPS latest creation. The guide also contains lots of bonus information such as textual NAR data, worksheets and checklists which can be printed and also cockpit flow diagrams. For more information visit the product page at LROPS .

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P38-J lightning for X-Plane

Posted: Wednesday, July 1, 2009 - 21:11
My Virtual Hanger has released their P38-J lightning for X-Plane. The P38 Lightning is one of the most famous planes of WWII. This is an accurate rendition featuring a full virtual cockpit, several variants and several historic paints schemes. To learn more, visit My Virtual Hanger .

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FlightSim Commander Review

Posted: Wednesday, July 1, 2009 - 19:32
Staff reviewer Arjun Murthy goes behind the scenes of flight planning and navigation and checks out all of the buttons and windows in FlightSim Commander X (also for FS9). "Many people don�t want to purchase aircraft with FMC�s. Many people find Flight Planning slightly difficult. Many people find making an aircraft fly a particular flight plan difficult. With FlightSim Commander, many of these numerous �unknowns� can be erased with a program called FlightSim Commander. FlightSim Commander is an amazing program enabling you to perform many tasks that are very hard without it."

"FlightSim Commander is an absolutely fantastic program when it comes to the use of virtual pilots. I would recommend this program to anyone that flies non-FMC aircraft or default aircraft a lot. It has it all in one product and makes an absolutely great little tool with all the information. This will definitely be one of those products that I will use in almost ALL of my flights."

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FS2Crew's PMDG MD-11

Posted: Wednesday, July 1, 2009 - 0:32
Senior staff reviewer Angelique van Campen gets joined in the cockpit with a virtual partner courtesy of FS2Crew's PMDG MD-11. "Do you like to fly alone without a First Officer next to you, helping you out with all kinds of things; or do you want to master the aircraft with the help of a virtual flight/cabin/ground/handling crew?"

"It all starts with the FS2Crew Start Center. Selecting the PMDG MD-11 tab allows the user to install different voice packs (UK, Europe or US) and assigns command to the RED and GREEN buttons. These RED and GREEN assignments are, by default, for default keyboard and joystick assignments. However, you are free to modify this. These assignments are important since you need these during your interaction with the MAIN panel."

"The MD-11 FS2C panel configuration is different than before and is very easy to follow. You only have two panels; the MAIN and SECONDARY. The manual doesn't offer you a separate chapter to explain every light, button or text window of either panel. Instead, it offers a huge but very informative tutorial and where and when needed, it explains the functions of each panel or a specific part of it."

Angelique then takes her PMDG MD-11 for a test flight utilizing all of the features of this software. She has chapter subtitles that include pre-flight; Pushback, engine start and taxi; Take off, climb, cruise; and Descent, approach, landing and termination. She conludes her reiview with, "FS2Crew's PMDG MD-11 is a great piece of software. Keeping in mind what I've seen and how interactive it works and how bustling with activities this product is, it's absolutely worth the investment."

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Reality XP: GNS WAAS Unlimited Expansion Pack

Posted: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - 21:16
Reality XP is announcing the release of the GNS WAAS Unlimited Expansion Pack for the Award Winning 430XP WAAS and 530XP WAAS for FSX and FS9. With the capability to run dual 430 WAAS or dual 530 WAAS, in addition to mixed 430 and 530 configuration, GNS WAAS Unlimited offers unlimited possibilities: navigate with one GNS and review your flight plans with the other one, get two different views around you at the same time, like Navigation and Terrain, or Navigation and Traffic. GNS WAAS Unlimited connects two GNS with a cross-fill link.

This permits exchanging flight plans, user waypoints and navigation data between the two units, either automatically or manually. When flying, you can keep an eye on your navigation pages, and modify the flight plans from the other unit. GNS WAAS Unlimited, is an expansion pack requiring the purchase of the GNS 430XP WAAS and/or the GNS 530XP WAAS and is available at the Reality XP online store. GNS WAAS Unlimited features a Ryan 9900BX TCAD interface to the GNS WAAS Simulation. The solution includes a TCASII Mark7 simulation configured in TA mode.

The Ryan TCAD (Traffic and Collision Alert Device) is an on-board air traffic display used to identify potential collision threats.
Now compatible with ASA OnTop, Elite Simulation, Flight Simulator 9, FSX, ESP and XPlane 9 for WinXP, Vista32 and Vista64, the new GNS 430/530 WAAS offering is the most widely available GNS WAAS Simulation product. Have a look for yourself at the RealityXP Website.

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Goflight Black Modules available in Avsim Store

Posted: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - 16:37
Many people still need black GoFlight modules to complete their cockpits (new color is grey). The Avsim store still has them in stock. We have the GF-P8 (pushbutton module), GF-T8 (toggle module), GF-TQ6 (throttle quadrant), mini racks, large racks and overhead racks.
The GoFlight black modules are a less expensive the the new grey ones, so they are a great deal if you want to add to your existing configuration or start a new one
Visit the Avsim store today

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EosBase for simulators & cockpits

Posted: Monday, June 29, 2009 - 23:35
Eos has developed a fully integrated platform for simulator builders as well as for flying schools, the ideal base to build GA cockpits as well as Jet simulators. The unit includes all double linked controls based on real aircraft mechanisms. The elevator and rudder trim are mechanical and center the controls (yokes and rudder pedals) for a Zero Force resistance when the aircraft is properly trimmed. Throttle quadrant, seats and fibreglass shell come as standard with the package and it connects to the computer through one USB port. For further information head to the EOS website.

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F/A-18E "Superbug" from Vertical Reality Simulations

Posted: Saturday, June 27, 2009 - 19:25
Staff reviewer Benjamin van Soldt checks out Vertical Reality Simulations' F/A-18E "Superbug". "Vertical Reality Simulations (hereafter to be called VRS) has modeled this multipurpose jetfighter, and I�ll be giving it a close inspection. More specifically, the model in the VRS �Superbug� package, is of the F/A-18E: the youngest of the F/A-18 series. It is a drastically redesigned aircraft with a 25% larger airframe, more CRT screens and generally updated systems."

"On first inspection, the amount of detail on the exterior model really is extraordinary. This plane�s exterior model, with its wide range of repaints of a lot of F/A-18E squadrons out there, truly is a remarkable piece of designing. It�s up there with PMDG�s MD11 and 747, it�s as great as Captain Sim�s 757 and recently released 727 for FSX."

"Inside, 90% of the buttons you see are 3D, and in this plane, when they are 3D, you can usually move them. This gives you a load of buttons to play with, all nicely textured, at the right size, at the right position. Heck, you can even use the ejector seat handle, and the handle to eject the canopy, if the need arises. The main panels show us multiple CRT displays: the UFCD (middle upper display), two DDIs (LDDI and RDDI) (The two big displays on the left and right), EFD (smaller screen in the lower left) and MPCD (The big screen, in the middle bottom). Then there are some switches to control these, some analog instruments, with the control yoke prominently placed in front of the pilot. Finally, we see the HUD. This aircraft also offers a 2D cockpit."

Benjamin goes into detail about the Navigation systems, Weapons and Radar, Failure Checking, Autopilot, Communications and Engine information and the HUD as it is displayed and utilized from the driver's seat. He then takes us through a tutorial flight which uses all of these available tools. There is also a section on air-to-air refuelling as well as carrier ops. Near the end of the review, Benjamin interviews the developers of this title.

"Let�s look back at the F/A-18E "Superbug": the beautiful exterior model, the very impressive interior, the absolutely great panel, carrier and air refueling operations and the tutorial flight. Besides that, we have a very versatile ACM to manage your aircraft, a lot of combinations of weapons to hang under it, the ability to shoot missiles and hit something, the ability to drop bombs and fuel tanks, the fact that you can eject from your plane, the incredible and comprehensive set of possible failures. My final opinion on this product and my advice: if you like military aircraft in any way, the F/A-18E "Superbug" is a must-have, like the Level-D 767 is a must-have for airliner fans and Carenado is a legend for turboprop fans."

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Quest Kodiak from Lionheart Creations

Posted: Saturday, June 27, 2009 - 2:15
Staff reviewer Jason McKee heads into some rough terrain to test fly Lionheart Creations' Quest Kodiak. "The Quest Kodiak is a new generation of bush aircraft, designed to get in and out of some of the most difficult strips around the world. The Kodiak is a tough, rugged and powerful aircraft. The beast of the aircraft is the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 turbine engine."

"First thing that you notice when you walk up to the aircraft is that it is not a small aircraft, it�s almost the same size as a Cessna Caravan. Firing up the PT-6 Turboprop is a simple affair, not as complex as some more advanced aircraft. Simply run through the pre-start checklists, ensure the prop is clear, turn the fuel on and crank the starter, the PT-6 will fire, add fuel via the condition lever and the engine will stabilize in its normal idle position."

"The layout depicted with this add-on is of a general three glass panel layout for two pilot operations. The real aircraft allows customization of the panel. There is a high definition texture pack for the cockpit. This gives you a higher resolution for the panel and allows for crisper writing and makes it easier to read. The interiors are well done and look the part."

"The outside model looks good, and if you have a machine that allows you to run light bloom and all the advanced features of FSX you can produce some stunningly realistic screenshots. You would be hard pressed to find issues with the model, it looks just like the real one, and with the FSX bump maps and lighting effects, you could be mistaken for looking at a picture of the real one."

"It would take a Kodiak pilot to confirm what I think, but the aircraft flies and handles like a modern turbo prop should, with realistic engine behavior and convincing flight characteristics. Going from the supplied numbers on the Quest website and figures included in the readme files, this aircraft flies exactly by the numbers published."

"The Quest Kodiak fills a niche in the market. There are no really good Caravan sized aircraft for FSX. If you like bush flying and have been craving something a little bigger that a PC-6, then this will fit the bill. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a good stable aircraft that flies as it should but gives you a lot of versatility."

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Approach Innsbruck (FS9) Released

Posted: Saturday, June 27, 2009 - 0:49
Experience Innsbruck airport, one of the most challenging airports in Europe. Every building is recreated with great attention to detail and realism and is placed on high definition areal images in the great Alpine landscape.

Innsbruck Kranebitten Airport (LOWI) is the main airport of Western Austria. In the winter months it is particularly busy because of the many tourists that come for the ski slopes of the region. As the airport is located in a deep valley the approaches and departures are far from standard and many of the procedures can only be flown by pilots who got authorisation of the federal office of civil aviation. Challenging in good weather conditions, potentially lethal in the less then ideal condition.

Complete details and screenshots can be found on the Aerosoft website. Buyers of this version will get the FSX version for free soon. The boxed release that will contain both versions will be available later this summer.

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Wilco Publishing (VR Insight) Multi-Hardware Review

Posted: Friday, June 26, 2009 - 2:21
Senior staff reviewer Angelique van Campen recreates a cockpit's instrumentation layout in her home as she completes a large, detailed review of Wilco Publishing (VR Insight)'s Combination MCP/CDU/M Panel, Instrument Radio Stack, ProPit and Hat-track. With her technical background, she meticulously goes through these instruments and their operations.

This review is so comprehensive, that trying to break it down and capture the highlights here wouldn't do Angelique's words justice. So we recommend that you have a read of this in-depth report. Yes, it's long, but there's a lot of equipment to check out. In the end I'm sure that you will agree that Angelique has put a lot of work into giving you a thorough report on this hardware from Wilco Publishing (VR Insight).

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Historic Jetliners Group

Posted: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 - 22:41
Historic Jetliners Group Great Summer Update , HJG today released a flight line full of new and upgraded files featuring high quality classic B727, DC8, DC9 textures, models, and panels/gauges for both FS2004 and FSX. The latest HJG B727 include 2 variations of livery for aircraft operated by a major US Midwest based carrier representing both the late 1960's and early 1970's era one of which also represents a hybrid scheme and the final version 1970's scheme for an aircraft operated by a major Australian domestic carrier all for early production B727-100's.There are a number of other versions as well to look over with a visit to the Historic Jetliners Group Hanger .

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FSBreak Interviews Austin Meyer of X-Plane

Posted: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 - 14:52
FSBreak is a weekly podcast dedicated to all Flight Simulation topics. This week Austin Meyer of X-Plane & Laminar Research joins them for about an hour to talk about X-Plane, the future of Flight Sim, and shares his tips & secrets about X-Plane. He also takes a listener question regarding Aerosoft's recently announced Flight Simulator. You can listen to the entire episode at the FSBreak website, or via Permalink or Direct Link.

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Trainz 2009 from Auran/Just Trains

Posted: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 - 2:26
Resident rail guru Gene Davis takes a look at Auran's new Rail Sim, Trainz 2009. "The box says that there are over a million copies sold and is adorned with a modern diesel engine on the cover and on the back, it goes into further detail about how the new version of Trainz offers more terrain and texture detail, higher resolution graphics, a new content manager and how it includes over 13,000 rail related items in one single package."

"In total there are 39 different routes to choose from along with multiple sessions for each. As I progressed through the different routes and explored some of them I found that many of the routes and their associated sessions are all in the language they were designed in."

"The first route I decided to try was that of the City and Country USA and found that particular route to be interesting because you are traversing over desert, then to desert mountainous, continuing on to that of urban terrain. The second route that I thought I would give some time to was that of the Dresden to Nuremberg route. My favorite route from the previous Trainz release was that of the Iberia Line as it offers a long and well traveled route that does take some time to traverse, and the good news is the session orders are mostly in English."

"The plus side of Trainz 2009 is that you can drive just about any type of train; whether it�s Steam, Diesel, Electric or even MAGLEV. They are all there for you to drive. There are a lot of different trains available in Trainz 2009 and odds are if it exists in the real world it will be available to drive in Trainz. The biggest change in 2009 is the addition of the high resolution textures and the increased resolution."

"I had some really high expectations, but with Railworks on the horizon, Trainz 2009 would have to offer a lot. From what I can tell, those expectations were only halfway met! If you really enjoy train simulation and are a fan of the Trainz product line, then you will probably want to get Trainz 2009. Functionality wise though, there is a big difference and I have to say that Trainz wins out overall on things like animations, especially when it comes to loading a train and how much more involved and realistic it is. This is where the Trainz product line shines!"

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