The Corner #49: Foundering On The Shoals Of Reality
Is it possible that being more realistic actually results in a feeling that
things are less realistic? And that flight simulation is somehow related to
the Radio City Music Hall "Rockettes"? Somehow Chip Barber ties it all together...
Read all about it starting
here.
Gift Guide #5: Wilco/feelThere E-Jets Series
Pilots looking for a modern jetliner that is an alternative to the usual
Boeing and Airbus models will enjoy trying the Embraer ERJ190. Wilco and
feelThere have created an FS2004/FSX compatible version that reviewer
Gustavo Mercado finds much to his liking. Learn more by reading his
complete review
here.
Review: Carenado PA32R 301 Saratoga SP
Carenado continues to offer high quality light aircraft for FSX pilots, with their
latest being the Piper PA32R Saratoga. Reviewer Jude Bradley steps down from flying
the heavies and finds GA flying to be quite enjoyable in this well made, highly
detailed aircraft. Learn more by reading his complete review
here.
Gift Guide #4: Hong Kong City & Kai Tak Airport
Kai Tak is back! Thanks to FlyTampa and Aerosoft, FSX pilots can now fly
the famous checkboard approach though the airport is closed in the real
world. Hong Kong City & Kai Tak Airport provides dense and
colorful scenery of the airport and the city, plus fixing landclass and
waterclass errors that are so obvious in the default. Learn more by
reading Ashton Lawson's review
here.
Gift Guide #3: VRInsight - HAT-Track
Controlling your point of view when flight simming was awkward in the past;
using the keyboard or even a tophat switch was less than realistic. Simply
turning your head makes things so more better and more natural, and the
HAT-Track from VRInsight is the most economical system yet
for doing this. Learn more by reading Kevin Glover's complete review
here.
Review: Hawkeye Sim Midway Islands For FSX
Hawkeye Sim's FSX scenery of historic Midway Islands includes the main airport,
an army base, offshore fleet and much more. Bill Stack takes a look at the
scenery and finds it well done and fun to fly. Learn more by reading his
complete review
here.
Gift Guide #2: Wilco Airbus A380 v2
FSX pilots interested in flying the biggest and newest jet airliner will
surely be interested in Wilco's Airbus A380 v2. The aircraft
features a modern cockpit, detailed exterior and a full interior you can
explore. Learn more by reading Kevin Glover's complete review
here.
Review: Discus Glider X
Gliders are not often modeled for Flight Simulator, however Aerosoft now offers an
FSX add-on, Discus Glider X, that includes not just an aircraft
(actually three unique models) but a whole glider environment. Along with the
aircraft is a winching facility and cumulus cloud utility used for judging lift. The
actual gliders are quite well done too, as Nigel C. Martin reports in his review
here.
Gift Guide #1: Saitek Pro Flight Switch Panel
Over the past few years, Saitek has added a large number of control devices to
their product line, enough so you can create a quite realistic home cockpit with
components meant to work together. From about a year ago, here is a review by
Nigel Martin on their
Pro Flight Switch Panel.
However, if you don't even have the basics yet, check this review of their
Pro Flight Yoke System.
Also worth checking out are their
Pro Flight Multi Panel and
Pro Flight Instrument Panel / Radio Panel.
Op-Ed: A Virtual Airline With A Very Patriotic Title
Ron Snyder has been involved in virtual airline management for years but still
discovers new ideas from other VA's. In this article he shares a clever idea
and more about a recent find. Read more
here.
Review: CFB Cold Lake X From Team SDB
CFB Cold Lake is a significant military base located in Alberta, Canada. Now,
thanks to Team SDB, FSX pilots can visit this busy airport and experience a
busy military base in the far north. Learn more by reading Bill Stack's
complete review
here.
Review: SimFlight3D's Cessna 140 for FSX
SimFlight3D has created a marvelous add-on for FSX in their classic
1947 Cessna C140. It's a great old school light plane that is full of
details and is a nice easy flyer. Learn more by reading Bill Stack's
complete review
here.
Review: FSWidgets Electronic Flight Bag
The Electronic Flight Bag from FSwidgets is a system for
displaying a wide variety of information in the cockpit, including
charts, approach plates, checklists, weather and more. It's modeled
after the electronic gadgets that real world pilots now use. Learn more
by reading Bill Stack's complete review
here.
Review: Lotus Sim L-39 Albatros
The Aero Vodochody L-39C Albatros is one of the most popular jet trainers and
is also now available to civilian pilots. Lotus Sim has created an FSX version
for those of us who can't afford the real one. It's an amazing first product
from this new company and along with all the expected details it offers a
number of unique and innovative features that you'll just have to try. Learn
more by reading Kevin Glover's review
here.
Feature: Twenty Degrees (Or So) East
Ron Blehm celebrates his 10th year flying modern flight sims, and 9th year
writing for FlightSim.Com, with an inventive travel article. The idea: a
long distance trip in a turboprop--fast enough to make some distance but
still able to fly low enough to see the sights. The answer? Fly south
along 20° east longitude, from the cold of northern Norway all the
was to South Africa. Come along for the ride
here.
Where In The World #26?
Ron Blehm returns to present a new geography challenge for flightsimmers.
The last one proved easy for most participates, but this one won't be,
with not nearly as much information to go on.
Are you up to the challenge?
Read all about it
here.
Final Argosy 3: The Mercury Part 2
American Airlines captain Tony Vallillo continues the story of his
final flights in charge of the big jets. This story is one of a historic
flight, American Airlines flight One, "The Mercury", from JFK to LAX.
Tony delves into the history of early airplane travel, and this route
in particular, and then shares his own experience commanding the flight.
Read all about it
here.
It's back...the popular ButtKicker Gamer Bass Shaker is again
available, now in an improved version. The ButtKicker installs easily and then
lets you feel what's happening on your computer screen. For details,
read
this announcement.
30% Off the FSX Fleet from Carenado
For one week only, you can save a huge 30% on a fleet of the high quality
GA aircraft from acclaimed developer Carenado. Get the best selling Piper
Arrow, Cessna 182 and much more for as little as $9! You'll be amazed at the
quality and realism, now at an unbeatable price. Check them all out
including full details, screen shots, customer reviews and more
here.
UASO Constellation Satellite Launch Notification
UASO (United Aeronautics and Spaceflight Organization)
has announced plans for its Constellation-1 satellite mission.
For more information,
read
this press release.
Zinertek - Ultimate Airport Environment X Released
Ultimate Airport Environment X is a comprehensive texture booster
that features over 200 new textures that greatly enhance your entire Microsoft
Flight Simulator X default airports throughout the world. For details,
read
this announcement.
Sim Savvy - Massive Scenery for FSX: The American West
Now available from Sim Savvy is Massive Scenery for FSX: The American
West. This scenery really lives up to its name--so big it comes on a
500 GB USB hard drive! The scenery covers eleven U.S. states. For details,
read
this announcement.
Mycockpit.org Announces Podcast
Mycockpit.org, the community for home cockpit builders, announces that it
will be offering Podcasts in association with FSBreak.net. For details,
read
this announcement.
VATSIM Announces Online Event
VATSIM announces the "11 to 11" online event, twelve hours of Royal Bavarian
ATC at the fully staffed Franz Josef Strauss Airport (EDDM). For more
information,
read
this press release.
Abacus Releases Flight Deck 6
Carrier based flight is the ultimate challenge in aviation, and now FSX and FS2004
pilots can test their skills with a totally revised Flight Deck 6
from Abacus. The package includes missions, aircraft, carriers and everything
else you'll need. Learn more by reading the press release
here.
Announcing FSFlyingSchool2010
FSInventions announces the expansion of their product line with a new version
of their award winning FSFlyingSchool add-on for FSX and FS2004.
FSFlyingSchool2010 takes FSFlyingSchool to a higher level with a host of new features.
An upgrade is available to previous owners.
For all the details,
read
this press release.
Rise Of Flight Update 1.009 Released
Author Neoqb has released update 1.009 for
Rise Of Flight: The First Great Air War, the stand-alone
air combat sim that accurately depicts aviation during the Great War.
Included are important new features such as flight recording and playback.
For more information,
read
this press release.
Global-Air.Org Opens
Announcing the opening of Global-Air.Org, a new VA enterprise that
is truly global in nature, with eleven hubs spread world wide. For more
information,
read
this press release.
FlightSim.Com Forums Expand
By popular request, we've expanded our message forum offerings with two new
sections:
Flight Videos,
a place to promote and link to your sim and aviation related videos, and
Painter's Workshop,
a forum to discuss painting techniques and make requests/offers for repaints.
We hope you'll enjoy these, and if you've never visited our forums at all we
hope you do; the main forum index can be found
here.
Announcing Summer Sim 2010
Astrasim Expo Ltd. announces Summer Sim 2010, their big flightsim
show to be held at the Royal Air Force Museum at Cosford, UK. For details,
read
this press release.
VATSIM: Chilean ACCv Event Announced
The VATSIM ACCvirtual of Chile is organizing a fly-in event, namely the saturation
of the airspace of FIR Santiago. All pilots are invited to participate. For
details,
read
this press release.
Cr1-Software Ltd. Opens
Announcing the opening of the new Cr1-Software Ltd. web site for aircraft
add-ons. Cr1-Software now owns the rights to simTECH products and is now creating
new add-ons, starting with a Beech 18. For full details,
read
this press release.
Hawkeye Sim - Fallon City Scenery Released
Hawkeye Simulations proudly presents Fallon City Scenery for FSX.
Included are Fallon NAS, Fallon Municipal Airport and Fallon South West Airpark,
Nevada. For details,
read
this announcement.
City Bus Simulator 2010: New York Released
The world of vehicle simulators expands with the release of City Bus
Simulator 2010: New York. With this new sim you take on the role of a
New York City bus driver, dealing with the challenges of heavy traffic in a
highly detailed simulation of the big city. The M42 route travels 42nd Street
and passes such landmarks as Times Square, the Intrepid, Grand Central Terminal
and much more. For all the details,
read
this announcement.
Euroharmony VA Expands
In a a bold expansion to the east, EuroHarmony VA is basing eight aircraft
at Singapore Changi Airport in order to increase choice for our pilots and passengers.
For details,
read
this press release.
Canadian Xpress December Fly-In Announced
Canadian Xpress would like to invite all flightsim pilots to join them for a
special holiday season fly-in. The "Christmas Spirit" event will fly from
Alert to Iqaluit. For details,
read
this press release.
Hawkeye Sim - Somali Pirate & Anti Pirate Scenery Released
Probably the first flightsim scenery for this part of the world, Hawkeye Simulations
Somali Pirate & Anti Pirate Scenery includes three hand-made airports.
One is near Mogadishu, one a spawn point on a US Navy ship and the final is the
pirate base. For details,
read
this announcement.