If like me you’re hanging out for the QualityWings 787 release this will probably get you even more hooped up. A sound pack preview of the Trent 1000s in a taxi and takeoff. Sounds great, apparently sampled from the real thing as you might expect. Realy looking forward to this release. Check out the video linked on the following facebook page:
The Pacific Islands Simulation guys have been hard at it lately, some real top notch releases and at a very reasonable price. Latest announcement is a new Japanese airport in the shape of Nagasaki. This one is definitely a long-haul option for Pacific simmers, and with a decent level of pay-ware either out or in the works for Japan it makes for a great simming base for a few legs. Check out the screenies and follow the action in the Pac Sim forums…
Folks, we are near the tail end of development and here’s just one shot from afar showing progress work. Note that once we complete RJFU, we will start work on the adjacent Omura (OMJ) airport. OMJ is by design, and from history, part of RJFU and was (and still is) in use before RJFU was built in 1975. In FSX, Omura is part of RJFU and has ATC services from RJFU. Runways 14/32 (RJFU) and 36/18 (OMJ) are serviced from RJFU tower. There is no ICAO code listing for Omura within FSX so don’t bother checking. In real life, Omura is currently used primarily by the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force helicopter squadro
see: http://islandsim.com
Pretty extensive looking service pack released this week by Orbx for their NZSI New Zealand South Island payware scenery. If you don’t own this or VLC as an alternative you really must check it out. The service pack has loads of goodies, key hilights an update to the Christchurch airport, and night lighting now using the FTX Global style 3d lights.
This third patch for FTX New Zealand South Island delivers new and updated content, most notably the new night lighting system, and fixes a number of issues posted by users or discovered by our team members. It is for both the DVD and download versions of the original retail release of ORBX FTX NZSI.
If you haven’t caught wind of Robin Corn’s awesome new project get on over to his website and check it out. Basically its a subscription based release of photo scenery + placed autogen for various parts of New Zealand. The initial release was for some south-central South Island and now there’s some preview shots following of his next region, Hawkes Bay, in the North Island. Looks fabulous…
Here’s some shots around Hawke’s Bay with FTX Oceania active, but with ‘use Orbx trees’ unticked. This gives a better appearance of the vegetation within the photoscenery area, while retaining Orbx vegetation outside the area. For those who have VLC installed, it will show the proper NZ bush textures, as well. I’m about half-way through the autogen placement for the first part of this scenery, and it really is looking nice…
AusScene have released an update for their Scenery addon for Adelaide Airport. Looks pretty tasty and a healthy list of changes in v2. For anyone in Oz or those doing trans-tasman legs this is another nice payware destination
Version 2.0 Now On Offer which includes these updates and improvements:
Redesigned detailed Terminal, Redesigned detailed Aerobridges, High Resolution textures for the Terminal and erobridges, Animated Runway Guard Lights, New VAS Friendly Option, PAPI (RW23 and RW05) accurate representation, Adjusted PAPI RW12 and RW30, Added displaced threshold RW05, Adjusted taxiway light size, Tower view changed to new tower, Various improved textures, Optimised VAS Performance, Adjusted Taxiway Signs, Updated AFCAD
see the product page at PCAviator
Any RAAF fans, and anyone hoping RNZAF would find a decent budget, must be looking forward to grabbing a copy of IRIS’s release last week of their updated for realism Pilatus PC9. A fabulous looking machine and will handle like its on rails if their previous PC9 release. Sold as separate FSX and P3D releases.
Our vision with the IRIS Pro Training Series – Pilatus PC-9/A was to create a desktop simulation product which could potentially be used as a real-world training aid. With access to an abundance of public information, we’ve been able to realise this vision and produce our most complex and rewarding product to date.
See the new listing at SimMarket and the official IRIS product page
As first seen by me at SimStop this week we see X-Plane is now available via Steam. This is a sensible move from the Laminar guys, the product has always been up against the popularity of the MS franchise and anything that gets X-Plane in front of new eye-balls is a good thing. Be interesting to see how DLC will work and if other 3rd party tools will continue to work with the Steam delivered version.
X-Plane 10, the modern 64-bit desktop flight simulator from Laminar Research, creators of the X-Plane franchise, has made its debut as a digital download on the popular Steam platform. On the first day of its release X-Plane skyrocketed to the number seven spot on the Top-Seller list in Steams USA store and to number five in the German Steam store. X-Plane 10 was recently green-lighted by Steam and also received top-ratings when voted on by Steam users for consideration for inclusion in their product offerings.
see the Simstop article
You can never have enough reviews of payware aircraft especially when they’re of models that are detailed, sophisticated, and as a result a little pricier than the average garden publication. Anything from a vendor like A2A however is a safe bet, it’s just a matter of how much pocket money you have. Nice review here this week then of their Piper Cherokee
It is hard to sum up this gem in few words but I can say that it is an experience to fly, fun and forgiving. A2A has carved out a niche in the high demanding flight sim world and the A2A Cherokee is a sure hit. The plane is easy on the frames (I averaged 30fps) and is certainly easy on the eyes. With a price of $49.99 US it is a great plane for the price. From budding aviator to armchair pilot, this plane has a lot to offer as well a giving an inside taste of getting the real aircraft off the ground and maintaining it’s day to day operations.
see: Review Page
Interesting looking tool release on avsim this week by Matthew King. A first officer GUI tool that performs check-list readings and various callouts. Looks to be nicely configurable, well worth a play, be very interesting to compare to some of the payware offerings.
Filename: fsfov2_2.zip
Flight Simulator First Officer is a generic virtual copilot for FSX and FS9. The primary function of FSFO is to assist the Pilot In Command (PIC) to fly the aircraft safely while adhering to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). This is accomplished via virtual checklist and sharing of cockpit duties/responsibilities. Specifically, the First Officer reads the following configurable checklist: Before Start, After Start, Before Takeoff, In-Range, After Landing and Shutdown. After reading the checklist items, the Copilot will wait to ensure you (i.e. the pilot) have configured the aircraft correctly before proceeding to the next item
If you’re running the awesome FSDreamTeam Los Angeles for your long haul trans Pacific destinations, you might want to take a look at this AFCAD tweak from Sebastian Szucs that he’s just posted at Avsim. Apparently corrects a few parking codes/locations.
Filename: fsdt_klaxv2_afcad.zip
This is an AFCAD update for FsDreamteam’s Los Angeles International Airport. I have reworked the original AFCAD, so that all airlines should use the appropriate gates now, especially at the TBIT.