Today's Headlines

The AVSIM Online News:

Air Canada B777 Polar Operations from JustPlanes

Posted: Saturday, February 11, 2012 - 19:46
Another DVD documentary from staff reviewer Marlon Carter. This time he's off over the north pole enroute Hong Kong with Air Canada onboard a B777-200. "This is Just Planes first Blu-Ray release and it is also perhaps one of the very best releases you will come across from Just Planes. Captain Allen and the rest of his crew did a fine job in showing us the joys and challenges of being an airline pilot and it was really a trip to the top of this world looking at the polar flight operations of Air Canada."

737PIC EVOLUTION v1.1 Released

Posted: Saturday, February 11, 2012 - 16:23
Wilco Publishing's v1.1 upgrade is significant with many new additions and numerous "fixes", corrections and improvements. Apart from bug fixes and repairs there are many additional model features.

Exterior model:
Re-modeled wingflex effects with flaps and spoilers seamlessly following flex angles even when deployed.
Revised and improved Krueger leading edge flaps and slats. Kreugers now have correct secondary retractable segments.
Revised spoilers and ground spoilers with more details.
Revised flap animations more closely resemble the triple slotted flaps of the real 737 classics.
New "flatter" profile windows now with visible frames.
Numerous gtweaksh to shapes and profiles, all over the airframes.

The cockpit has received attention in the shape of many revised systems and improvements to
functionality:
Correct TOGA switches are now present and functional on the throttle levers.
3D Engine start/fuel levers now function to match 2D popup throttles.
It is now possible to follow procedures from "Cold & Dark" state to flight entirely in the 3D cockpit mode.
Perhaps the most significant upgrade to the 3D cockpits is the ability to change out from digital to analogue instrumentation "on the fly" to match your selection of 2D panel.

Close to 140 individual changes and upgrades have been made to this package making it a really worthwhile upgrade to 737PIC EVOLUTION.

Saturday's Files On Short Final

Posted: Saturday, February 11, 2012 - 5:03
Flight Simulator X - Original Aircraft
easyJet, Bombardier CSeries CS300 - V3 by Camil Valiquette
AtlasJet, Bombardier CSeries CS300 - V3 by Camil Valiquette

Flight Simulator X - Aircraft Repaints, Textures and Modifications
Southwest Airlines, Boeing 737-300 (N629SW) Silver One Canyon Blue by Mike Funk, Wilco
Southwest Airlines, Boeing 737-300 (N607SW) June Morris by Mike Funk, Wilco
Southwest Airlines, Boeing 737-300 (N601WN) Jack Vidal by Mike Funk, Wilco
Southwest Airlines, Boeing 737-300 (N340LV) Classic by Mike Funk, Wilco
BAe 146-300 / Avro RJ100 - Greece pack by Astrios Tso
Southwest Airlines, Boeing 737-300 (N633SW) by Mike Funk, WIlco
Southwest Airlines Base Kit by Mike Funk
Republic P-47D Razorback Thunderbolt, GC II-5 La Fayette Cigogne + Tete de Sioux v1.6 by Thomas D. Weiss
Republic P-47D Razorback Thunderbolt, Nice Kitty v1.03 by Thomas D. Weiss
Edelweiss Air Airbus A330-300 (HB-JHQ) by Ryan Gabuyo | Thomas Ruth

Flight Simulator X - Flight Plans
SID/STAR Collection for AIRAC Cycle 1202/1203 by Dan Downs

Flight Simulator X - Scenery
East Midlands Xtreme by Gary Summons/UK2000 Scenery

Flight Simulator 2004 - Original Aircraft
easyJet, Bombardier CSeries CS300 - V3 by Camil Valiquette
AtlasJet, Bombardier CSeries CS300 - V3 by Camil Valiquette
American Airlines Boeing 767-300ER WL Package v3 by Brandon D. Henry | Kyle Schurb | SkySpirit2010 Team

Flight Simulator 2004 - Aircraft Repaints, Textures and Modifications
Karadeniz VA Airbus A319 by Evren Ozbilen, Wilco/Feelthere
Virgin Australia Boeing777-300ER by Gabe Bierbach, Project Opensky
Virgin Australia "Rainbow Beach" Boeing 737-800 (VH-YID) by Gabe Bierbach, Project Opensky

Flight Simulator 2004 - AI Flight Plans
Four Star Air Cargo DC-3 - Beta by Duzgun Deniz
World Airways Winter 2011/2012 Revised by Steve Lewis & Alpha India Group

Flight Simulator 2004 - Scenery
East Midlands Xtreme by Gary Summons/UK2000 Scenery

IYP-Co-Pilot, Michelle, flies the Carenado P46T!

Posted: Friday, February 10, 2012 - 12:36
When IYP co-pilot Michelle first heard about the new Carenado P46T Malibu Jetprop, she immediately informed her creator, Robert Cezar, that she just had to fly this Piper! Since Robert always obeys his co-pilot, he contacted Fernando at Carenado to obtain all necessary details and, much to Michelle's delight, integrated the P46T into the FSX fully supported aircraft in the IYP fleet !

Michelle immediately ran some test flights, gave a few pertinent suggestions to her software man, and she now conducts both ILS and Visual Approaches with this terrific aircraft. In fact it has been difficult to persuade her to fly anything else over the last few days! And, she highly recommends the P46T for Blind Pilots.

Visit the It's Your Plane Homepage to see the full selection of IYP compatible aircraft.

Service Pack 3 for Super Traffic Board V3

Posted: Friday, February 10, 2012 - 12:24
Flying-W Simulation is delighted to announce the availability of Service Pack 3 for Super Traffic Board V3, the leading add-on for displaying and interacting with your AI aircraft. Building on its ability to list flights as you would see on a real world airport information board, SP3 boasts several new functions in addition to the usual bug fixes, including: • Split screen showing both arrivals and departures at the same airport in a single window; • Automated jetway docking for the user aircraft at any airport that supports native FSX jetways; • Flap deployment on AI aircraft prior to take off; SP3 is a free update for all Super Traffic Board V3 customers.

G E X: Africa-Middle East Boxed Edition Released

Posted: Thursday, February 9, 2012 - 2:13
Flight One Software is proud to announce that the boxed version of Ground Environment X: Africa-Middle East is now available for Microsoft FSX users. Ground Environment X brings all-new ground textures to FSX, and it boasts an incredible 1 m/pixel texture resolution, using native 1024x1024 pixel images, and includes all seasons, meticulously designed night textures, and the latest techniques in autogen placement and alignment. All this delivers high-fidelity images without using excessive disk space or processor power. Our design allows a simulation pilot to enjoy clearly defined visuals from nearly ground level up to higher altitudes.

The easy-to-use interface will provide for easy installing the new textures, and is designed with Flight1's "keep-it-simple yet powerful" philosophy.

Whether you are flying over the savannas of Africa or the oasis-dotted desert sands of the Middle East, the entire area will now come to life with brighter colors, unique autogen, and so much more. Africa and the Middle East will work as a 'stand alone' product or seamlessly work with other GEX regions. Installation of Africa and the Middle East with GEX North America and/or Europe synchronizes all GEX products. No texture switching is required between any GEX covered region. Simply be sure the installed GEX North America product is v1.09 or above and GEX Europe is v2.0 or above before installing Africa and the Middle East.

GaugeMaster 1.2.4 Update Released

Posted: Wednesday, February 8, 2012 - 12:54
The dial design app GaugeMaster has released maintenance update version 1.2.4. This release contains a code that will allow current users to get all future additional layer types and features for free. This is a courtesy to all the current users that paid the full price . At a later date GaugeMaster will lower its price considerably and provide additional layer types as in-app purchases. This update should be downloaded by all current users within the next two months. After this period new updates may be released at any time which will not contain this special feature.

3 Aviation DVD's from JustPlanes/World Air Routes

Posted: Tuesday, February 7, 2012 - 1:42
Staff reviewer Marlon Carter once more introduces us to a set of documentary DVD's from Just Planes/World Air Routes. This time he looks at MK Airlines, Gabon Express and Air Nostrum.

"The MK Airlines DC-8 and 747 classic flights take us from Manston to Dubai, Kenya and Kyrgyzstan. MK Airlines, while no longer in existence, operated a fleet of classic aircrafts that any aviation enthusiast will enjoy learning about in greater detail. Gabon Express which began its operation around 2008, flew the Sud Aviation Caravelle and the BAE HS748. The Caravelle no longer flies our friendly skies but with this DVD you can experience the thrill of flying in this classic aircraft. We join Air Nostrum’s CRJ-900 and their brand new CRJ-1000 on flights to Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Pamplona, Granada and Porto, Portugal. While this aircraft isn’t different to the CRJ-900 in terms of cockpit layout, it was definitely an informative glimpse into the operation of this aircraft."

MS Announces Release Date of FLIGHT

Posted: Monday, February 6, 2012 - 20:39
Microsoft has published the release date of its FLIGHT flying game. That will be February 29th. You can read the announcement here: ww.microsoft.com/games/flight/. You can join us in the AVSIM Flight Forum here with your fellow flight simulation enthusiasts.

Fly! Legacy 0.6.8 Released

Posted: Monday, February 6, 2012 - 12:39
A new version of Fly! Legacy 0.6.8 , the free and opensource flight simulator, is available . This version fixes several bugs and improves performances. Visit the Fly! Legacy Homepage for details and download.

Cessna 337H Skymaster FSX Sound Pack

Posted: Sunday, February 5, 2012 - 6:29
Oovee Game Studio announces their first Flight Simulator X add-on in the form of a sound pack for the Cessna 337H Skymaster. Oovee has been developing add-ons for RailWorks: Train Simulator over the last 4 years and now they are turning their attention to the Flight Simulator community by providing us with this delightful pack which has the following features:
- Original internal and external engine sounds.
- Start-up and shut-down sounds.
- Cockpit vibrations, wind and ground rumbles.
- Propeller blade and non-combustion sounds.
- Faithful representation of Flaps, Gear, Gyro and Fuel pumps.
- Unprecedented audio quality sampled in-game at 16bit-48 KHz utilizing FSX sound cone technology.

Cibao Int'l Airport from TropicalSim

Posted: Saturday, February 4, 2012 - 19:44
Staff reviewer Daniel Martinez heads to the Dominican Republic to check out TropicalSim's Santiago Cibao International Airport. "One of the main carriers for the airport is tiny Aerolíneas Mas, which currently operates five aircraft within the Dominican Republic. You will also find JetBlue, American, and Delta Airlines with daily arrivals and departures throughout the Caribbean and the Americas."

"TropicalSim does a very nice job with their rendition of this terminal. There is a lot of intricate detail such as railings, awnings, and lights which really completes the area. You will also find the usual plethora of airport items such as baggage carts, trucks, and people that give life to Cibao. There are no static aircraft included with this package so you may find the ramps a little empty."

"Overall, I was very pleased with this scenery add-on from TropicalSim. The airport looks very good and it’s great to see these smaller airports get the love they so richly deserve."

FSFlyingSchool for X-Plane 10 Cessna 172 Edition

Posted: Saturday, February 4, 2012 - 11:59
FSInventions announces the expansion of their product line with a new version of their Award Winning FSFlyingSchool for X-Plane 10.
FSFlyingSchool has been helping thousands of both real and simulator pilots fly in simulated skies for the past 5 years. Now their team of virtual instructors are available to X-Plane 10 pilots.
Starting with the X-Plane Cessna 172, FSFlyingSchool for X-Plane 10 brings dozens of the acclaimed features that pilots have been enjoying and learning from to the X-Plane 10 platform.
This new version also contains FSFlyingSchool's popular new Flight Mapping feature which allows pilots to save and view their flights in X-Plane 10 using Google maps. They can even be shared with friends.
The product also contains a free demo of the new Voice Command Pack for FSFlyingSchool for X-Plane. To find out more, watch movies, download free demo, etc, visit the FSFlyingSchool Website.

Radio Navigation App For iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch

Posted: Saturday, February 4, 2012 - 1:00
Digital Aviation announces today that it has released a new mobile flight simulator for radio navigation training on iPhone, iPad or iPod touch devices.

Radio Navigation Simulator is a precision 2D Flight Simulator, designed for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, that enables pilots and students to practice, understand, and become proficient in the use and management of VOR, VOR-DME and ADF instruments, all displayed with a Directional Gyro on a realistic Flight Panel, with other Flight Panel functionality. Radio Navigation Simulator (RNS) is flown in a Synthetic Flight Environment, with real world derived aeronautical data, using latitude and longitude mapping, where realistic flight training can take place.

RNS is the perfect mobile tool for instructors to demonstrate radio navigation techniques, and for students to consolidate and self test. Experienced pilots will find RNS valuable to prepare for an instrument rating or proficiency test.

Features include: Flight Environment mapped in Latitude and Longitude; RNS operates with a Synthetic Aeronautical Database; The Radio Navigation Facilites area is approx 300 x 200 nm; Unrestricted Lat & Long flight outside of Facilities area; Area Navigation Facilities are VOR, VOR-DME and NDB; Scaleable Chart with Facilities, Idents, and Aircraft symbols; Full Chart management with VOR Radials and Planned Routes; Aircraft Track Trail can be displayed, or suppressed; Flight Panel and Navigation Chart simultaneously displayed; Realistic Flight Panel with the following Instruments; VOR, DME, ADF (RMI or RBI) and Directional Gyro; Manageable Radios for ADF, NAV1 and NAV2 (with DME); Airspeed range 60 to 600 knots; Altitude management and display; Flight profile in Real or Compressed Time; Wind velocity, 0 to 99 kts, from any direction, steady or variable; Dead Reckoning Navigation Capability; Intuitive Multi-Gesture Operated User Interface; Touch Button Flying Controls; PopUp Toolbars & Annunciators to manage Flight Panel facilities; PopUp Toolbars and Icons to manage Chart facilities; Embedded - Getting Started Help; Printable Radio Navigation exercises with charts.A

Antarctica X from Aerosoft

Posted: Thursday, February 2, 2012 - 23:25
Staff reviewer Daniel Martinez heads south, but not to warner climbs. He's heading so far south that eventually he'll be heading north with Aerosoft's Antarctica X. "Antarctica. Cold. Barren. Desolate…. Well, it’s still cold but thanks to Aerosoft the continent is hardly barren or desolate anymore. Okay, it is pretty barren."

"The whole of the continent has been modeled and it is massive, especially in terms of an FSX add-on. Aerosoft uses a customized landclass in combination with Landsat satellite imagery and high definition terrain mesh to create a very realistic landscape. They claim to have used many different geographical databases in the creation of this product and that a more accurate depiction of the scenery does not exist, even in government circles. There are scores of research stations on the continent, from different countries, and many of these have been modeled in the package. Seven of these stations are listed as highly detailed."

"Antarctica X is beautifully rendered in every facet. The VFR flying experience is challenging and very different from other available options. The Antarctic continent is a very remote, distant land and even though the scenery does not change much, this package offers so much for the flight simulator enthusiast."

Ground Services X Released

Posted: Thursday, February 2, 2012 - 21:50
FsDreamTeam announces the release of their latest product, Ground Services X or GSX, their most ambitious project to date. After 2 years of development, this product will enable ground services like Follow Me, Marshalling, Baggage Loaders, Passenger Bus, Passenger Stairs, Catering vehicles and accurate Puhback with any FSX airport, both default and 3rd party.

GSX is a native FSX product, with Human animations and immersive 5.1 surround sound effects, featuring many different types of ground vehicles, selected depending on the user's airplane type and geographical location, with each vehicle available in multiple liveries, with an easy to use PaintKit to add custom liveries. A novel feature, Direct Airplane Interface, allows GSX to interact with several popular 3rd party airplanes that use custom controls for independent doors, keeping you busy operating your airplane while the ground crew does his job. GSX also recognizes airplanes with special features like Ground power units, Air starters, Wheel Chocks, APUs, and more.

New supported airplanes and improved custom support for 3rd party airports will be added regularly over time, and thanks to the powerful Live Update feature, users will get update notification automatically, with updates applied on the fly without having to restart FSX in most of the cases.

GSX is available for FREE at all FSDT Airports and a couple of default airports which will work for free even if the product is not purchased. Purchasing GSX will allow to use it at all default FSX airports and with any 3rd party airport, provided it uses a standard .BGL (AFCAD).

LHSimulations Freeware Scenery

Posted: Thursday, February 2, 2012 - 0:54
LHSimulations has released two freeware sceneries. Pécs-Pogány LHPP v2.0 FS2004 and FSX is available for download. A new version of Debrecen LHDC is also available. A few corrections have been made on the FS2004 and FSX version. Now all scenery will need a base pack which is called Library Base Pack. Complete instructions are available on their website.