Wilco's Tilt Rotor is based on a real Bell/Agusta Aerospace
aircraft that is under development. This amazing craft takes off and lands
like a helicopter then tilts the rotors and flys like an airplane. It makes
for a great flight experience, as reviewer William Nonya describes in his
article
here.
Where In The World #27?
Ron Blehm returns to present a new geography challenge for flightsimmers.
The last one was in a little known part of the world, but still most people
managed to get it right! Now it's time to try a different region.
Are you up to the challenge?
Read all about it
here.
Gift Guide #8: Sky Unlimited - Texans and Harvards
Sky Unlimited's add-on lets
FS2004 and FSX pilots fly the T-6 and their Harvard counterparts,
some of the most important aircraft of WWII and the cornerstones of
allied pilot training. Reviewer Bill Stack takes the planes up for a
spin and reports his findings
here.
Gift Guide #7: ButtKicker Gamer
It's not often that a product comes along that adds a whole new dimension
to flight simulation, no matter what sim you are using,
but that's exactly what the ButtKicker
Gamer did when it came out.
While similar to an audio subwoofer, it actually operates
in complete silence while providing the feel of all the action that is
going on around you while you fly. If you don't have one yet, learn
more
here.
Review: WSSimulation Piper PA-44 Seminole
The Piper Seminole is a light twin that is popular for training and after many
years is still in production. WSSimulation's version gives FSX pilots a
realistic model of this plane, with attractive texture and realistic handling.
Learn more by reading Bill Stack's review
here.
Gift Guide #6: Just Flight/Captain Sim 757 Captain
Captain Sim's multi-part Boeing 757 for FS2004 and FSX is now available
in a single boxed version from Just Flight. The visual model is highly
detailed and the actual flying of the plane is modeled very accurately
as well. Learn more by reading Gustavo Mercado's complete review
here.
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.
Flight1 Aviation Technologies Licenses Microsoft ESP
Flight1 Aviation Technologies (Flight1 Tech) have entered into an intellectual
property license agreement for the Microsoft ESP v1.0 object code PC-based
visual simulation software development platform. First use with be in their
Vispro instructor station. For more information,
read
this press release.
New Embraer 145 Tutorial
Flytutorial.com has just released a new tutorial for the Embraer 145 version 2
from Wilco/feelThere. This is a very detailed document that describes all the
advanced features of the aircraft. It can be freely downloaded from the web site
here.
Eastern Airlines Virtual - The Silver Cup Challenge
Eastern Airlines Virtual announces The Silver Cup Challenge, with great prizes
in store for a winner takes all competition that begins January 1st. For
more information,
read
this press release.
Orbx FTX Scenery Now At The Pilot Shop
Orbx FTX is an exciting new way to enjoy FSX. See the world the way it was meant
to be seen, like a living, breathing vibrant place you can almost reach out and
touch from the cockpit. The FS Pilot Shop now offers five additional FTX
sceneries: YCNK Cessnock, YHBA Hervey Bay, YPEC Aeropelican, YSTW Tamworth and
YWVA Warnervale. For details, visit the Pilot Shop
here.
Free FScene "Beagle" Missions
FScene seeks help for the next "Beagle" mission - Galapagos Islands. Developers
are needed to create scenery covering the islands that are part of the mission.
For more information,
read
this press release.
Space Shuttle Mission 2007 Launches YouTube Channel
Exciting Simulations has opened a YouTube channel for
Space Shuttle Mission 2007.
The channel will be used for posting training videos, trailers of specific
features and maneuvers and even full-mission movies.
For details,
read
this press release.
Team SDB - Dijon AB France Released
Team SDB's latest scenery release is Dijon Air Base in France. The base has a long
history and is currently a front line base with NATO. For more information,
read
this announcement.
UASO Constellation Mission Addendum
UASO (United Aeronautics and Spaceflight Organization)
issued a supplemental document for their upcoming Constellation-1 mission.
For more information,
read
this press release.
First Class Sim - Pole to Pole Now Available
Anyone can fly the world east and west, but flying north to south provides a whole
new set of challenges. Pole To Pole offers a challenging set of
flights all the way from North Pole to the South Pole and across North and
South America. For details,
read
this announcement.
First Class Sim - Avro Lancaster Bomber Now Available
One of the great planes of WWII, the Avro Lancaster is now available for FSX
and FS2004 from First Class Simulations. Included are many variants and
liveries of the Lanc from throughout its operational life. For details,
read
this announcement.
TSS - Boeing 747 RR Sound Pack Released
The latest jetliner sound pack from TSS is for the Boeing 747 with Rolls Royce
engines. The pack is compatible with FSX and FS2004 and features soundcones in
FSX so you can enjoy the sound from any angle. For more information,
read
this announcement.
20% Off Newport Scenery
The FS Pilot Shops continue its streak of exclusive holiday special offers
with big savings on Photo Real scenery from popular developer Newport! For
a limited time, save on the entire line of scenery covering popular cities
around the world, from Paris to Hawaii to Melbourne and much more. Save 20%
on over 20 downloadable scenery packs
here.
Space Shuttle Mission 2007 New Trailer Released
Exciting Simulations has released a new trailer for
Space Shuttle Mission 2007.
The trailer shows new FX, new launch sequence, approach to the ISS and more.
For details,
read
this press release.
25% Off Friendly Panels
Over 20 panels and gauges for a wide variety of FS2004 and FSX aircraft are
now 25% off for a limited time, exclusively at the Pilot Shop. From Boeings
to Cessnas, you'll find a big selection for as little as $7! Check out the
complete collection of add-ons from FriendlyPanels
here.
X-Plane Product News From X-Aviation
X-Aviation has announced the release of a second video to showcase their
work on their upcoming CRJ-200 aircraft for use with X-Plane. For more information,
read
this announcement.
Butt Kicker II Gamer Bass Shaker Now Available
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.
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.
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.
