Today's Headlines

Tu-154M AI Project for FSX
FS2Crew A320 Updated
Fly Before You Buy Premier Collection Series
Fridays Files Rollout
Raildriver from P.I. Engineering
FMC-CDU Pack2 Released
Sky Blue Radio Turns One!

The AVSIM Online News:

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.

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.

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.

Fridays Files Rollout

Posted: Friday, May 9, 2008 - 11:53
The latest additions to the AVSIM Library are ready to roll into the Weekend, the "heat Shimmer" is dancing on the runway and your checkist complete, time to hit the throttle !

Flight Simulator X - Aircraft Repaints, Textures and Modifications
AB-315 P.R.Mk.IV Repaint & Historical Package for FSX RealAir Sptfire by Garett Schmidt
RAS2008 Spitfire PR.XIX PM631. by Grant MacLean
Aer Lingus Airbus A330-300 (EI-DUB) by Robert Halmich, Wilco-FeelThere
49th FIS, F-106B Delta Dart, Griffiss AFB, 1981 by Frank Safranek, Alphasim
49th FIS F-106A Delta Dart, Griffiss AFB, 1972 by Frank Safranek, Alphasim

Flight Simulator X - AFCAD Files
Gen Mitchell Intl - Milwaukee, Wisconsin ( KMKE) by Ray Smith

Flight Simulator X - Scenery
Robben Island near Cape Town,South Africa by Frits Beyer
Alf's UK airfields Vol.6 by Alf Denham

Flight Simulator X - Miscellaneous Files
Frame Rate Test General Aviation Props by Christian Muenier

Flight Simulator 2004 - Original Aircraft
Delta Air Lines Boeing 767-300V4 "2007 Colors" *Version 2* (ER) by Brandon D. Henry | Project Opensky

Flight Simulator 2004 - Aircraft Repaints, Textures and Modifications
TAM Linhas Aéreas (circa 2008) Airbus A330-200 (PT-MVG) by Gustavo Aguiar / Texturas Brasileiras
OceanAir Boeing 737-300 (PR-BRD) by Gustavo Aguiar / Texturas Brasileiras
Iberia Líneas Aéreas de España Airbus A340-600 (EC-INO) "Gaudí" by Gustavo Aguiar / Texturas Brasileiras
Swiftair Boeing 737-300 (EC-KDY) by Martin van Klink
Japan Airlines Boeing 777-300ER 'JA732J' by Joseph Tarigan
Redbull B24J Liberator by Thomas Schedl
Fly The Globe - Boeing 747-100 by Darrell Hyde
American Airlines B-727-023 Night Lighting by Joe DeGregorio / Vistaliners
Fly The Globe - Boeing 737-800 by Darrell Hyde
Fly The Globe - Boeing 737-700 FFX by Darrell Hyde
NHL "Columbus Blue Jackets" Beechcraft Twin Bonanza" by Chris Tuinstra
Fly The Globe - Boeing 737-300 by Darrell Hyde
Fly The Globe - Boeing 727-200 by Darrell Hyde
Cessna 208B Grand Caravan N279PM by Ralf Maylin
TAAG Angola Airlines Boeing 777-2M2/ER by Murilo Silva
RTL Bombardier CRJ-900 by Simulated Cargo Conversion Bureau
Thai Airways Boeing 747SP NC by Alejandro McGhee
Portuguese Air Force T-6G by José Leandro
Portuguese Air Force AT6-B by José Leandro
Portuguese Militar Aeronautic AT6-A by José Leandro
Portuguese Naval Aeronautic SNJ-4 by José Leandro
MW (Virtual) Air Boeing 737-500 by Michael White/FFX
MW (Virtual) Air Boeing 767-400ER by Michael White/Posky
MW (Virtual) Air Boeing 767-300ER by Michael White/Posky
Rheintalflug Embraer ERJ-145MP by Nick Botamer / Project OpenSky
Flybe Embraer ERJ-145EU by Nick Botamer / Project OpenSky
Polder Aviation Cessna 172 PH-PJL by Patrick Zonneveld

Flight Simulator 2004 - AI Aircraft
World of AI flyglobespan Complete AI Package by Mike Theisen, Peter van der Veen, Marten Weber / World of AI
Etihad Crystal Cargo Airbus A300-600 by Boris Le Veve, Denis Schranz and Fruttal B.
Air Austral ATR 72-500 by Symon Long
UPS Airbus A300-600 by David Rawlins
Thai Airways Airbus A300-600 by Boris Le Veve
Tunisair Airbus A300-600 by Federico Permutti
Sudan Airways Airbus A300-600 by Federico Permutti
Qatar Airways Airbus A300-600 by Heiko Schmidt
Qatar Airways Cargo Airbus A300-600 by Heiko Schmidt
Onur Air Airbus A300-600 by Heiko Schmidt
Olympic Airlines Airbus A300-600 by Jakob Tischler
Maximus Air Cargo Airbus A300-600 by Jakob Tischler
Egyptair Cargo Airbus A300-600 by Denis Schranz, Daniel D.
Monarch Airlines Airbus A300-600 by John Massey
Lufthansa Airbus A300-600 by Denis Schranz
Libyan Airlines Airbus A300-600 by Federico Permutti
Kuwait Airways 'State of Kuwait' Airbus A300-600 by Heiko Schmidt
Korean Air Airbus A300-600 by Denis Schranz
Kuwait Airways Airbus A300-600 by Heiko Schmidt
Japan Airlines Airbus A300-600 by Boris Le Veve
Fedex Airbus A300-600 by Tony Fosler
China Southern Airbus A300-600 by Boris Le Veve
China Cargo Airlines Airbus A300-600 by Boris Le Veve
China Eastern Airbus A300-600 by Boris Le Veve
Air Hong Kong Airbus A300-600 by Boris Le Veve
Air Atlanta Icelandic Airbus A300-600 by Jakob Tischler
Afriqiyah Airways Airbus A300-600 by Federico Permutti
American Airlines Airbus A300-600 by Boris Le Veve
Onur Air Airbus A300B by Heiko Schmidt
Yak 52 Texture Pack by Ray Blake
Tristar Air Cargo Airbus A300B by Federico Permutti
AeroUnion Airbus A300B by Jakob Tischler
TNT Airways Airbus A300B by Boris Le Veve
TNT 'Pan Air' Airbus A300B by Boris Le Veve
World of AI TNT Airways Complete AI Package by Mike Theisen, Peter van der Veen, Marten Weber / World of AI
Kuzu Airlines Cargo Airbus A300B by Jakob Tischler
Iraqi Government Airbus A300B by Jakob Tischler
Europe Airpost 'Old Colors' Airbus A300B by Jakob Tischler
Eastern Airlines Airbus A300B by David Rawlins
DHL 'Astar Air Cargo' Airbus A300B by Boris Le Veve
DHL 'European Air Transport' Airbus A300B by Boris Le Veve
Ariana Afghan Airbus A300B by Federico Permutti
Airbus A300 by Craig Ritchie
JetLite Canadair Regional Jet 200 (CRJ200) by Deepak Blassi
Air France Cargo Boeing 747-400BCF by Juergen Baumbusch
Pan American World Airways Dominicana British Aerospace Jetstream 31 by Omar Pineda

Flight Simulator 2004 - AI Flight Plans
AeroUnion (Mexico) - May 2008 by Tiago Besciaki - Grupo de Tráfego Aerovirtual
Estafeta Cargo (Mexico) - May 2008 by Tiago Besciaki - Grupo de Tráfego Aerovirtual
Finnair Group Summer 2008 by Harri Heliovaara
Transporte AeroPacifico (Mexico) - May 2008 by Tiago Besciaki - Grupo de Tráfego Aerovirtual
Air Austral Summer 2008 by Francois Massin
Maximus Air Cargo by Billy Rutherford
Interjet (Mexico) - May 2008 by Tiago Besciaki - Grupo de Tráfego Aerovirtual

Flight Simulator 2004 - Scenery
"City of Manila" Philippines by Nestor D'Angelo
Cape Verde by Toni Agramont
Salzwedel AB by Frithjof Koch, Volker Löw
Dannevirke Airfield , New Zealand. NZDV. by Lawrie Roache
Ray Community Airport (57D) by Matt Magner

Flight Simulator 2004 - Sounds
Grand China Express Air (China) and ItAli Airlines (Italy) Callsigns by Michiel Mak

Flight Simulator 2004 - Utilities
Citation X Perf Calculator by Marco Dias

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."

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.

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.

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.

Cockpit Chatter from Flight 1

Posted: Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - 4:43
Staff reviewer Angelique van Campen no longer flies alone now that she has Flight 1's Cockpit Chatter installed. "Cockpit Chatter is used to control FSX and your aircraft through the use of your voice by means of an advanced user independent speech recognition engine. You can control aircraft systems, talk to a virtual copilot, interactively run aircraft checklists, and enhance your flight experience with just your voice. With no training required, Cockpit Chatter represents the most advanced speech recognition platform for use with Flight Simulator."

"Flying in Flight Simulator X becomes a completely new experience with the wonders of your virtual copilot. Speak to your copilot just like you would on a real aircraft, telling him to set the flaps, raise the gear, tune the radios, or set the autopilot functions. Interactively run a checklist with command and response; just like a real aircraft captain. Natural speech phraseology and speaker independent technology will never leave you feeling alone in the cockpit again."

Angelique takes you through the various steps of the program through text and screenshots with descriptive windows as she shows you how Cockpit Chatter completely changes the way you can fly your aircraft. "There are many MSFS programs where one way or another you are able to control something with your voice, but this program really the pushes envelope. It's an awesome product."

Alphasim Release SR-71 Blackbird For FSX

Posted: Tuesday, May 6, 2008 - 10:24
Phil Perrott from Alphasim has e-mailed to say that Alphasim has released their SR-71 Blackbird for Flight Simulator X (SP1/SP2/Acceleration). The package features an all new model – complete with new textures with bump-mapping, self-shadowing, and bloom effect. You are cleared for a high-speed cruise to Alphasim.

Sydney Professional from Commercial Level Simulations

Posted: Sunday, May 4, 2008 - 18:42
Staff reviewer Laurie Aston leaves Europe to head half way round the world to explore Commercial Level Simulations' Sydney (YSSY) Professional. "The airport's first runways were built in 1933. By the 1960s the need for a new international terminal had become apparent, and work commenced in late 1966. In the 1970s, the north-south runway was expanded to become one of the longest runways in the southern hemisphere. The international terminal was expanded in 1992 and has undergone several refurbishments since then."

"The Sydney YSSY scenery that is included in the default program is acceptable, but adding “Sydney Professional” makes a world of a difference. The terminal buildings are all in the right place, and are well placed. The taxi-ways are well defined and traffic within the airport is evident. Aircraft come and go and they are parked nicely in the right terminals and at the gates as well. The runways are detailed, all the runway crossing points are in evidence with marker boards just the way they should be, and the lighting is great."

Laurie comments, "CLS Sydney has a lot going for it, and I wish Aaron Clark all the success in continuing to improve Sydney YSSY, as a lot of his work does reflect a real difference from the default scenery. CLS Sydney is pretty good, but not nearly as good as it could be. However, the service pack will make it better."

Attention Cockpit Builders

Posted: Sunday, May 4, 2008 - 3:03
Good news for cockpit builders and other flight simmers. Flight Deck Software releases the first version of the Glass Flight Deck 737NG Suite. At this moment the suite contains all displays seen in the B737 NG series. The software runs on multiple computers over network or on a single computer. All gauges are available. Not all functionality is yet available: VNAV and VOR/LOC is disabled and some FMC pages are missing. The main reason for release is testing out the software. Everything is easily configurable at your own wish.

Frankfurt RealOps 2008 on VATSIM

Posted: Saturday, May 3, 2008 - 10:13
On the 10th of May, 2008 it is as real as it gets at Frankfurt Airport for 6 hours, with up to 20 controllers and more than 400 bookable flights. VACC-SAG simulates Frankfurt's real-world traffic on a busy Saturday afternoon. Pilots are invited to visit the newly designed RealOps 2008 event page and enjoy the great introduction trailer to put you in the mood for this major VATSIM event! Booking is open, and all participants are requested to read the procedures provided on the website very carefully.

AlphaSim B-24 Liberator

Posted: Friday, May 2, 2008 - 13:22
AlphaSim releases their B-24 Liberator: This package features both the glazed-nose B-24D and the turret-nosed B-24G/J and five texture sets which depict bare-metal, desert and olive drab schemes, all with carefully-drawn authentic nose art. This package debuts the AlphaSim 'Visual Load Editor' (VLE), an in-game graphical user interface where you can toggle on and off parts of the model such as the crew and bombload with the aircraft weight updated automatically as bombs are loaded or unloaded. The package is for both FS9 and FSX and a paintkit is also provided. For full details visit AlphaSim.

GMap for FSX

Posted: Friday, May 2, 2008 - 13:01
FSWidgets Releases GMap for FSX, a new freeware moving map. GMap for FSX displays your current position in Flight Simulator X on Google Maps,(Note: Google Maps should not be confused with Google Earth - the 3D virtual globe application). GMap is a stand-alone application, no additional files or software is required. It combines the existing technologies of Google Maps API, JavaScript, SimConnect and the Internet Explorer 7 plug-in to show your current FSX aircraft position, allowing you to also display FSX (and FS9) flight plans right on the map. To download this free moving map please visit FSWidgets .

XPax SP1 Released

Posted: Thursday, May 1, 2008 - 18:38
HiFi Simulation Software announces that XPax Service Pack 1 officially released today. All known issues have been solved and several improvements have been made. This is a recommended update for all XPax users. All new customers purchasing XPax will not be required to download the update as it is included in the new full download. XPax is a multimedia passenger simulation experience for Flight Simulator 9 and Flight Simulator X. For more information and to download the update visit HiFi Simulation.

Dead Sea Israel, Update

Posted: Thursday, May 1, 2008 - 18:36
A new version of the free FSX Dead-Sea Israel photo-real scenery is available. at In this new version the water texture at the northern part of the sea has been changed to be FSX water instead of static image. In-game video of the new version is available there by visiting Here.

Airport Design Editor Update To V1.25

Posted: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 12:49
ScruffyDuck Software and the ADE Development Team are delighted to announce a substantial update to Airport Design Editor. This brings either version 1.20 or 1.22 to version 1.25. In addition to a number of bug fixes and other enhancements version 1.25 provides several new functions including partial automation of the Cross Wind Runway technique pioneered by Jim Vile; Sloping Terrain Polygons that allow sloped flattens to be created; Change Airport Altitude that generates the required pre-load-bgl file and also updates all the necessary elements at the airport automatically; A 'wizard' to make designing taxi signs much easier; an enhanced tool tips feature for taxi-signs and library objects that show a visual of the sign or object(where available). The updater is available in the AVSIM Library or via the online updater at Airport Design Editor.