Today's Headlines

The AVSIM Online News:

Radio Navigation Simulator 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

Friday's Files Ready To Taxi

Posted: Friday, February 3, 2012 - 12:47
Flight Simulator X - Aircraft Repaints, Textures and Modifications
"Te Manaia" Cessna Centurion C210T (ZK-MRI) by Richard Luycx
El Al Israel Airlines Boeing 747-458 "Tel Aviv Yafo 100" by Johnny Lawrence (Bozo) / PMDG
Cessna 172 T-41 HAF by Astrios Tso
EasternHops Cessna 172 Pack by Robert David
Republic F-105D Thunderchief "The Polish Glider" by Russel R. Smith & Alphasim
Republic P-47D Razorback Thunderbolt - Capt. Cameron Hart v1.08 by Thomas D. Weiss
Southwest Airlines "New Mexico One" Boeing 737-700WL by Chris Hicks, PMDG

Flight Simulator X - AFCAD Files
Berlin Brandenburg Airport - EDDB - Berlin, Germany by Ray Smith

Flight Simulator X - Miscellaneous Files
OpenCockpit EFIS drivers for Boeing 737 NGX by Roar Kristensen

Flight Simulator 2004 - Aircraft Repaints, Textures and Modifications
El Al Israel Airlines "Tel Aviv Yafo 100" Boeing B747-458 by Johnny Lawrence (Bozo) / PMDG
Air Tran Boeing 737-700 by Tony Cannon and KittyHawk
British Airways Airbus A320-200 (G-EYUH) by Gabriel McManus, Project Airbus
Air Transat Airbus A330-300 (C-GCTS) by Tim van Niklas | Overland

Flight Simulator 2004 - AI Aircraft
Finnair NC Airbus A321-200 by Federico Permutti, DJC
Passaredo Linhas Aereas Embraer ERJ-145 (PT-PSS) by Eduardo Mello, AI Malcontent

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.

B377 Captain Of The Ship from A2A Simulations

Posted: Sunday, January 29, 2012 - 23:38
Staff reviewer Ted Gold gives us a detailed review of A2A Simulations' B377 Captain of the Ship while taking it on a trans-Atlantic multi-leg flight. "Included in the package are liveries featuring Aero Spacelines for the “Guppy”, Pan Am, BOAC, Northwest, AOA, and a dedicated A2A paint job."

"The B377 navigation systems (or lack thereof!) assume the pilot is capable of handling basic VOR-VOR and NDB navigation principles. There is no GPS but not to worry….your navigator has a full chart suite at his disposal to assist you. The autopilot is incredibly simple - essentially you can turn right, left, pitch up, pitch down, and hold current altitude. No RNAV, no VNAV….the PIC needs to navigate via the instruments and map position (or ATC instruction) and this will take practice for those entirely too used to “flying the magenta line” and punching buttons on your FMS."

"I am pleased to report that regardless of the A2A B377 COTS complexity and immersive depth, the model has absolutely ZERO impact on frames. The performance is actually extraordinary and I can state unequivocally it is the best flying experience I have EVER had within FSX. Frankly, I am blown away. Every flight was a pleasure to make and a thoroughly enjoyable learning experience. The A2A B377 COTS is, simply put, the very definition of what flying in FSX should be all about. I loved it….and so will you."

Editor's Note: AVSIM contributing reviewer Ray Marshall is currently polishing a piece specifically regarding the A2A “Guppy” model of this title release.

FSFlyingSchool Pro Detail Pack For Carenado c152 II

Posted: Saturday, January 28, 2012 - 14:39
Want to fly a detailed flight in the ever popular c152?. This new add-on for FSFlyingSchool Pro offers extra detailed treatment when flying this marvelous airplane.
Your team of instructors know the details of this machine and will expect the same from you! The product has the instructors reading c152 checklists to you, but what's more important is that they'll be watching your performance and looking for those details that are so essential in a c152.
In addition to FSFlyingSchool Pro's detailed analysis of your flights, you'll hear extra advice and warnings all specific to the c152. Stall speeds, carburetor heat, use of engine primer, rate of climb, angle of climb, flap speeds, run up procedures, fuel, starting the engine, landing techniques, mixture control and much more.
Get ready to fly the c152 like you've never done before! To find out more, watch movies, download demo, etc, visit the FSFlyingSchool Website .

Republic RC-3 Seabee From The KC FlightShop

Posted: Saturday, January 28, 2012 - 4:41
KC FlightShop Introduces the Republic RC-3 Seabee, an all-metal amphibious sports aircraft designed by Percival Spencer. In 1944 the RC-1 made its first flight with Spencer at the controls, by the end of the year Republic had received 1,972 civilian orders for the $3,500 airplane. The Navy granted Republic Aviation the rights to use the name Seabee for the civilian version. Today, more than 60 years after production ended, the Seabee is still the most popular amphibian on the used-market.

The KC FlightShop recreates the first production RC-3 Seabee with original equipment as released from the factory for a vintage flight experience, the fully interactive VC uses 3D gauges throughout with every system modeled.

 Features include HD quality textures (2048 x 2048).
 Authentic HQ digital stereo sounds.
 Fully animated pilot
 Kneeboard checklist with performance tables.
 Realistic night lights effect in the virtual cockpit..
 FSX features: external dynamic shadows, internal dynamic shadows on VC,volumetric normal mapping, specular mapping and bloom lights.
 FPS. friendly model
 Interactive virtual cockpit.
 Full moving parts: Ailerons, elevators, rudders, flaps, rolling wheels and trim tab
 Animated Doors
 Lights: Panel Lights, Navigation lights, landing and cabin lights.
 Fully normal mapped interior.
 Compatible with Addon Hardware and Shared Cockpit Functions
 Easy to use paintkit
 Realistic behaviour, pilot tested to match the real airplane.
 Help from many pilot and owners of real Seabee’s for accuracy and authenticity, Visit the KC FlightShop for a look at this new release!

Vertigo Studios Vans RV8 V1.2

Posted: Saturday, January 28, 2012 - 2:39
Vertigo Studios Released the Vans RV8 December 2011. A Service Release: V1.2 is available and contains the full set of updates to both the Vans RV8 & RV8A. Current owners are invited re-download the Vans RV8 from their original outlet.

Voice Commander For The Wilco 737 Evolution

Posted: Saturday, January 28, 2012 - 2:26
Voice Commander For The Wilco 737 Evolution Has been released ! FS2Crew is pleased to announce that it now supports the Wilco feelThere 737 "Evolution" series. This product adds a full 'Voice Controlled' flight, cabin and ground crew to the 737 Evolution who follow realistic airline procedures, Visit the Voice Commander Homepage for complete details.

FSCOCKPIT Mini Overhead Driver

Posted: Thursday, January 26, 2012 - 18:04
New Driver released for use with the FSCOCKPIT Mini Overhead panel for Wilco Airbus Series . This software is intended to make FSCOCKPIT`s Mini Overhead panel work seamlessly with the Wilco Airbus Series Volume 1 and Volume 2.
All Mini Overhead supported features function including Overhead Backlighting, configurable via UI.
Driver enabled ANN LT Test BRT and DIM option for test Mini Overhead Hardware lights and switch.
User can enable through a configuration window if automatically APU Bleed APU GEN pressing APU START when AVAILABLE label is GREEN.
Requirements: FSCOCKPIT Mini OVERHEAD Panel, FSX or 2004, a registered version of FSUIPC.

Class 67 Advanced & Car Carriers from Just Trains

Posted: Thursday, January 26, 2012 - 2:01
Resident Train Sim reviewer Gene Davis looks at Just Trains' Class 67 Advanced & Car Carriers. "This new package from Just Trains offers up yet another great engine and a set of cars for Train Simulator 2012. This time around you will be in control of the Class 67 Advanced engine hauling everything from freight and passengers to brand new cars using the new car carriers that are included with this add-on."

"The package includes six different liveries for the Class 67 Advanced and the IPA Car Carriers that both use ACTIV Train and ACTIV Wagon features and a full sound set. What is ACTIV you ask? ACTIV gives the virtual engineer a more realistic cab environment by allowing more features within the engine and ACTIV wagons add more interactive features to the carriers, such as the ability to load and un-load."

Class 153 DMU Advanced For RailWorks 3 Released

Posted: Thursday, January 26, 2012 - 1:06
Class 153 DMU Advanced is the second release in Just Trains' Advanced range. Thanks to Just Trains' exclusive ActivScript technology, this Advanced range provides immersive features such as advanced operating controls, realistic systems and authentic sounds.

If you have bought Class 153 DMU previously, either as a separate Download or as part of the Class 153 & Totham package, a FREE upgrade is available - see the News item on the Just Trains website for full details!

C185F Skywagon for X-Plane Released

Posted: Thursday, January 26, 2012 - 0:57
Carenado has released the Cessna Skywagon for X-Plane 9.5 (and higher). It comes with 4 liveries featuring a 300A Navomatic autopilot, hight lighting effects on the panel and the plane's exterior. This release has a relaistic behaviour compared to the real airplane and accurately reproduces the flight characteristics.

The documentation includes PDFs of the Normal and Emergency Procedures, Reference material, Recommended settings and the C185's history. Complete details details can be found on the Carenado website.