Reviews

While the latest add-ons are tempting, many flightsimmers are still running older computers that cannot keep up. But there's still plenty of flying fun to be had if you pick the right simulator and add-ons. This series is for you, as author Kenneth J. Kerr explores the realities of user an older computer and offers suggestions. Future articles in the series will look at specific add-ons that work great on slower machines.

Miami City XP is not one of the newer products from Drzewiecki Design but is still a lot of fun for X-Plane pilots who want explore that area. The scenery emphasis is on the city and region itself, with only "lite" versions of the three included airports. Reviewer Paul Mort found the area covered impressive and generally liked the ortho imagery but wished for full featured airports.

The island of Rhodos - Island of Knights makes a great flying destination. Reviewer MrYorkiesWorld has been there many times and now takes a look at the version for FSX and Prepar3D published by Aerosoft. In FSDG Rhodes you'll find the island's two airports in great detail, along with the rest of the island. "A big win" was the review verdict.

Many people think X-Plane's world has a dull and washed out look, but it does not have to. With the right tools, shaders, colors and sharpness can be changed, and xVision is a tool that does a fine job. Reviewer Rohan Nair found that it greatly enhanced the aesthetics of X-Plane 11 and nicely allowed a high degree of customization.

There are so many freeware add-ons you cannot possibly try them all. But of those you have tried you no doubt have favorites. In this Freeware Focus, Nirosan Pragash presents three very diverse favorites, the world's smallest plane, a large airport and an icebreaker. Read about them and then tell us your favorites in the comments.

Taburet offers a wide range of low-cost scenery add-ons for X-Plane. In this review, Patrick Putlend looks at his scenery of the Telluride region in Colorado's Rocky Mountains. While the airport itself is not changed, the town and region get very accurate mesh, which is so important in a mountain region like this, plus ortho, vegetation and more. While not perfect, the reviewer found it a really fun place to fly into.

A basic trainer is good for sightseeing or for...training! The PA-38 Tomahawk fits that role well, and has long been a favorite of reviewer Shawn Weigelt. He was pleased to find that Just Flight has created a highly realistic Tomahawk that perfectly fits the bill, with high definition visuals, realistic sound file and an accurately reproduced flight model.

Orbx has a long history of creating highly detailed sceneries of rather obscure but scenic and colorful airports, and their recent additions for X-Plane 11 are no exception. Reviewer Shawn Weigelt enjoyed his visits to Darrington, Anacortes and Israel's Farm and finds having the set in a close area gives some nice places to fly between.

Prepar3D pilots wanting a destination in the heart of Germany will surely enjoy Berlin-Tegel Professional from Aerosoft. Our reviewer MrYorkiesWorld, wanting to visit the area in real life has settle for the virtual version and found his visit most enjoyable. The scenery is very detailed, looks great and feels immersive.