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/images/notams/notams22/sam0401/sam0401.jpgAfter WorldJetways, AirportVehicles and FollowMe, the nextextension for SAM is ready to go. SAM GroundService XP places theapron vehicles in the X-Plane flight simulator. Let the passengers deboard, connect the GPU or refuel theplane. All processes on the ground around the aircraft are simulatedand displayed in 3D. From the chocks, loading or unloading of luggageor cargo, to the arrival of the cleaning staff. As with the previous extensions, all settings can be tuned via theSAM menu. From here you can also import your flight plan fromSimBrief, (as an example) or select a fast-loading option if you wantit to happen a little faster. /images/notams/notams22/sam0401/sam-ground-service-1.jpgLimitationsSome 3rd party aircraft don't allow us to control certain aspectslike real-time fueling or ground power support. Whenever this is thecase, the corresponding service will be hidden so the native aircraftservice can be used. Special cases will be noted in the Aircraft Compatibility list. /images/notams/notams22/sam0401/sam-ground-service-2.jpgHighly detailed animated ground service vehicles done by SFD (aka MisterX)3 different regional sets: North America, Europe, AsiaAnimation of Baggage/Cargo (un)loadingStatic 3D passengersIndividual ground service configurations for several 3rd party aircraft and XP default aircraftsAutomatic routing logic for vehicle driving including crash detection and cm-precise dockingInteractive services that control the aircraft load in real-timeSecuring Service (Chocks, Cones)Ground PowerPassenger (Stair, Bus)Baggage (Loader, Cart)CateringCargo (Loader, Cart)FuelingCrew ShuttleCleaningLoad planning via SAM menuSimBrief import availableInstant loading available (fast track)Loading and Unloading process feature different service flowsDependency logic for various servicesIntegration of SAM animated jetways including WorldJetwaysFeature-full 10min demo via content manager /images/notams/notams22/sam0401/sam-ground-service-3.jpg /images/notams/notams22/sam0401/sam-ground-service-4.jpgPurchase SAM GroundService for X-Plane 11 See other SAM products

SAM Follow MePublisher: AerosoftReview Author: Joshua MooreSuggested Price: $19.99/images/fsc/wbicons/store-buy-now-button.pngIntroductionWhen looking to review an add-on forX-Plane 11, I must confess that using something to help me find my wayto an airport gate, would probably be way down on my list of potentialadd-ons. However, as it so happens, this is what I have recently foundmyself testing out, and strangely, it's slightly nostalgic, as itreminds me of my FS2004 days and Aerosoft's Enhancement Services, orAES for short. This add-on is an interesting one, which while I fullyenjoyed using it, did have a few small issues which I will discusslater in the review. Before I begin though, I must mention that I don't at present havethe entire X-Plane world installed on my laptop, due to the fact I amstuck on an Air Force Base without Wi-Fi, and that my main full-blownPC is over 1500nm away. So, with that said, I must apologize inadvance for not being able to explore the European, Asian, SouthAmerican, or African selection of cars, if they are modeled. The installation of the add-on was pretty simple, although I had abit of fun trying to get my key pasted into the installer, as youcan't type anything in, and for some reason, whatever I had copieddown, had some phantom text somewhere and wouldn't take the key. Afterfiddling around for a good ten minutes, I managed to get it to acceptthe key and it installed properly. /images/reviews/followme/t/SAM-follow-me-1.jpg /images/reviews/followme/t/SAM-follow-me-2.jpg /images/reviews/followme/t/SAM-follow-me-3.jpg /images/reviews/followme/t/SAM-follow-me-4.jpgBasic FunctionalityLocated in the Plugins menu under SAM (Scenery Animation Manager),the add-on works quite easily, using a departure and arrival ICAO. Youcan also choose to import your flight plan from Simbrief, making it avery simple process to get all the required info into the add-on. Theease of choosing a runway and getting a car is painless and easy tofollow, and I had no issues figuring out the process even with noincluded manual. The add-on not only includes the follow me caritself, but also a marshaller to align you with your gate, a veryhelpful and nice touch. The only complaint I have with this feature however, is the factthat at some airports, the follow me car drives straight into thebuilding, along with the marshaller, rendering himself useless to yourparking efforts. Perhaps Aerosoft can address this problem and keepthe marshaller outdoors, so as to be more visible. Apart from thisissue, when you can see him, he works quite well, and I enjoy having alittle bit of help getting parked at my gate. /images/reviews/followme/t/SAM-follow-me-5.jpg /images/reviews/followme/t/SAM-follow-me-6.jpg /images/reviews/followme/t/SAM-follow-me-7.jpg /images/reviews/followme/t/SAM-follow-me-8.jpg /images/reviews/followme/t/SAM-follow-me-9.jpg /images/reviews/followme/t/SAM-follow-me-10.jpgTextures and ModelingAerosoft are well known in the simming community for their highlydetailed models, and I think this add-on holds up reasonably well tothat standard. I really like the overall look and feel of thevehicles, and they look quite nice from the cockpit. In the region Iwas testing, the United States, there appears to be two vehiclemodels, one of an SUV, and the other of a pickup. My knowledge of carsis quite limited, so I can't say what make and model the vehicles are,but they are still reasonably detailed and have all the basicanimations expected. The movement of the vehicles look quite fluid andnatural, and I have only one complaint with the model itself, thatbeing the light feature on top of the car. It can be seen from theback, but not from the front, slightly concerning considering they arerotating lights. Again, perhaps Aerosoft could use a modified beaconlight effect to make the light a bit nicer to the eye, but it is asmall gripe. Texture wise, and I think both the vehicles and marshaller lookquite acceptable, though a little low resolution, relative to mostadd-ons I have seen recently. I think a small improvement in theoverall look of the textures could greatly improve their appearanceand would make the add-on look a little better when viewed closeup. It is not however to the point where I would purposely try toavoid having them in a screen shot, and I think for their purpose,they are quite decent. /images/reviews/followme/t/SAM-follow-me-11.jpg /images/reviews/followme/t/SAM-follow-me-12.jpg /images/reviews/followme/t/SAM-follow-me-13.jpg /images/reviews/followme/t/SAM-follow-me-14.jpg /images/reviews/followme/t/SAM-follow-me-15.jpg /images/reviews/followme/t/SAM-follow-me-16.jpgLightingThere is really not much to mention in terms of lighting, so I willleave the photos to speak for themselves. They are lit like any othercar and that is quite sufficient in my opinion. /images/reviews/followme/t/SAM-follow-me-17.jpg /images/reviews/followme/t/SAM-follow-me-18.jpg /images/reviews/followme/t/SAM-follow-me-19.jpg /images/reviews/followme/t/SAM-follow-me-20.jpgConclusionSo, the big question, is it worth it? Well at $19.99 USD itcertainly isn't a cheap add-on for what you get, so it would have tobe up to the user to decide this one. Personally, I really can't sayif I would buy this add-on or not. I do like the marshaller, and thevehicle helping you to your gate is quite nice in some cases, but Ihave charts I can use to find my way, and there is a high chance thatthe path the vehicle takes could be different than what ATC gives youif flying online with VATSIM or IVAO. That being said, if you are into taking screen shots and want tosnag that super cool photo from head on with a little car being chasedby a massive airliner, then I do recommend this add-on, as it allowsyou to take some very cool screen shots. /images/reviews/followme/t/SAM-follow-me-21.jpg /images/reviews/followme/t/SAM-follow-me-22.jpg /images/reviews/followme/t/SAM-follow-me-23.jpg /images/reviews/followme/t/SAM-follow-me-24.jpg /images/reviews/followme/t/SAM-follow-me-25.jpg /images/reviews/followme/t/SAM-follow-me-26.jpgAt the end of the day, it comes down to your own personalpreference, and whether or not you'll find it useful. For myself, Iwill most certainly use it in future flights, but it won't be forevery flight, rather just for occasional use. /images/reviews/followme/title3.jpgJoshua Moore Purchase Aerosoft - SAM Follow Me for X-Plane 11 Also available: SAM Airport Vehicles Also available: SAM World Jetways

/images/notams/notams22/stai0110/sam-groundservice-1.jpgIt has been quiet in the past weeks - for a good reason: We'reworking on a new SAM extension: SAM GroundService. All core functionalities are implemented as well as the first setof vehicles. Now it's about to create more variety by adding moreregional vehicle sets with the help of our partner ShortFinal Designand configuring all aircraft (a ton of work). /images/notams/notams22/stai0110/sam-groundservice-2.jpgThere is no official feature list yet but here is what you can expect: Custom animated ground service vehiclesCan be used at all airportsIs compatible with any SAM-driven jetway including WorldJetwaysVehicles have extended driving logic including collision protection, backup driving and cart trainsVehicles will control aircraft doors if the aircraft allows itLoading and unloading process will be handled automaticallyProper UI to set up all loading services (time depends on amount of load)Simbrief weights can be importedLoading affects aircraft weight in real time (instant loading available as well)p>Some screen shots of our art assets docked to the new ThresholdLevelUP 737-700NG. No release date yet but we'll let you know once weenter beta. /images/notams/notams22/stai0110/sam-groundservice-3.jpg /images/notams/notams22/stai0110/sam-groundservice-4.jpgSource

/images/notams/notams21/sam1027.jpgSAM 3.0.7 is now available. Due to some important changes please doNOT update through content manager but download the latest version andoverwrite the existing files. Download here ChangelogNew: Added ToLiss A346 supportNew: Added Felis B742 supportNew: Windows ContentManager now supports manual typing on activation formsFix: JARDesign A340 unable to connect to jetways Fix: Manual library link mode CTD at sim startup when a custom scenery folder that is listed in the scenery_packs.ini is removedFix: Clipping animation on FMT_1 VDGS objectsChange/Fix: Jetway external power influence on ground power availability dataref is now a one-shot event, this fixes strange noises that happen on some aircraftSource

/images/notams/notams21/sam0825.jpgPublisher Aerosoft announces that all "SAM" add-on products forX-Plane are now on sale for a limited time. Save 35% off the regular priceon "SAM World Jetways", "SAM FollowMe" and "SAM Airport Vehicles". All SAMproducts enhance the realism of your X-Plane airports by bringing moreairport features to life. Shop Aerosoft SAM Product at the FlightSim.Com Store

/images/notams/notams21/stai0426.jpgSAM has been updated to 2.2.5 fixing small VDGS issues. This isjust an incremental update while we're in full swing for SAM3. Here is a brief overview of the changes. The drawings shown herewere our initial draft, the final version will look better forsure. New UIWe will implement a new modern UI engine offering plenty ofpossibilities in- and outside X-Plane, especially when talking aboutcross-platform development. Not only for windos, linux and mac butalso android and ios. New CoreSAM has grown over the years and the backend is pretty much messedup. We will create a new cleaned core engine and introduce new fileformats in order to improve stability and performance. New FeaturesThere will be a handfull of new features like the "always connectjetway" option to overwrite jetway limits and more extensions willcome in the future. No Feature CutOf course we will migrate all existing SAM features and extensionsinto the new core. It will keep its compatibility to olderversions. Demo AirportsBased on the success of our shadeX free demo mode we would like tointroduce selected airports which run all SAM extensions in unlimiteddemo mode so you can test them out wihtout limits. ProgressSTAGE 1: New UI/New Core [done] STAGE 2: Migration of existing features/extensions [in progress] STAGE 3: Add new features [open] TimelineThis year (sorry, we can't be more precise at the moment). Source

/images/notams/notams20/sam1128/sam1128.jpgDon't get lost on any airport by using SAM FollowMe service toguide you to your parking position. Select your favorite parking spot and follow the vehicle in eitherrealistic or user-friendly driving mode to your destination. Using anintelligent routing logic, it will guide you along the default taxinetwork, even on default airports. Furthermore, a 3D marshaller will ensure that you will park at thecorrect spot. /images/notams/notams20/sam1128/sam-follow-me-1.jpgFeaturesFollowMe Guidance Service on all (even default) airports Compatible with any default or 3rd party aircraft 5 different animated vehicles, depending on the airport/region Realistic driving behavior (acceleration, braking etc.) along default taxiway network 2 different operation modestarget speed with automatic distance tracking, acceleration and deceleration (default) fixed distance according to user aircraft speed (user friendly)Intelligent routing + parking entry logic 3D Marshaller for final parking position guidance Custom scenery supportcustom vehicle objects can be included scenery marshaller will be overwritten automatically /images/notams/notams20/sam1128/sam-follow-me-2.jpg /images/notams/notams20/sam1128/sam-follow-me-3.jpgPurchase Aerosoft - SAM FollowMe for X-Plane 11 Also available: SAM Airport Vehicles Also available: SAM World Jetways