Other Flight Simulator News

XPax, a new multimedia passenger simulation add-on from HiFi Simulation, has been officially released! This add-on is compatible with both FSX AND FS9. A full multi-media passengers experience is provided, with included audio and video content (4 unique voices with over 12 total sets).

FlightGear is a free, open-source, flight simulator that runs on just about every major platform. The source code is licensed under the GPL.

Flight One Software has officially released Service Pack 1 for the FSX version of the ATR 72-500. This update fixes several minor issues with the aircraft, as well as a minor change for Vista users if your FSX installation is installed to the Program Files folder.

The Historic Jetliners Group has released updates to 16 of the B707/720/C135 TYPE panels for FS2004 & FSX. There have been no changes to any of the actual panel files. These do not need replacing. Again this is just a gauges/core files update only.

Beta Innovations, in collaboration with their technology partner, are pleased to announce the release of this limited run all-metal, fully realistic 737 Yoke. The 737 Yoke provides authentic functionality using the latest in USB technology for precision and stability. Manufactured using full metal and aluminum casting with specially powder-coated finish for realistic look and feel.

Ruud Faber of FScene Design Network informs us that they have released their first product. He reports, "Our first title "Central Florida GA Airfields, Volume 1" is an enhancement to a whole range of small Florida airfields that were left completely barren in FSX. The developer Joe Watson has added 'life' to the fields by placing many objects, as one would find in real life."

The EV97 is an ultralight, all-metal two-seater, and one of the most popular ultralights in Europe. The package includes a model with two different panel configurations, custom sounds and gauges and a fully functional virtual cockpit. The package is designed for FS2004, but is fully compatible with FSX (SP1).

Based on the real Piper Dakota N8086N owned by DreamFleet's founder Lou Betti the DreamFleet Dakota is the first ever FS GA aircraft to feature a complete set of Reality XP's new "Gauge XTreme". RXP's Garmin GNS430, GMA340 Audio Panel, and GTX327 Transponder are also included, these gauges feature completely dimmable gauge backlighting running Flight Line T and Flight Line N gauges in both the 2D panels and Virtual Cockpit.

Released today the Aces Team has gifted the Flight Sim Community with their hard work getting the latest improvements out in time for the holidays. Thanks to the entire team and Phil in particular for keeping us up to date in the forums and helping in to bridge the gap between Aces and its fanbase , Happy Holidays all and thanks for the gift !

Flight One Software announced the release of their Pilatus PC-12 for FSX. The new FSX package is a complete overhaul of thier FS2004 version, the package offers several different configurations that include: commuter, executive, cargo, and multimission surveillance.

Commercial Level Simulations is very pleased to announce the release of our first propellor aircraft! The Piper Arrow is a small, but very fun aircraft for flying in both FS9 and FSX. (including FSX acceleration DX9 mode).

The iconic Sabre has been recreated in stunning form for both FS2004 and FSX. The package contains a single variant, the famous F-86F. The textures in both sims are second to none - no mapped-on photos here, just hand-drawn craftmanship at its best (base model and textures by Wiek Luijken), every rivet is reproduced, even the drop tanks can be dropped and the pilot ejects.

France VFR is proud to announce its latest release in the Flight Alps Series : the second part for the Flight Alps South Basepack, the Flight Alps South AutogenPack. This pack has only been available under subscription until now on France VFR’s web-site and is now fully completed in its commercial version.

Skysim is a new UK company who are producing add-ons for FSX and FS2004. They are going to specialize in the jet heritage area with particular reference to the Cold-War aircraft of the USA, UK and USSR. Skysim have debuted by releasing the deHavilland Sea Vixen, a British carrier fighter from the 1960's.

The new generation of Mexican Airports for Flight Simulator X and 2004 have a new volume available, "Airports of MeXico North", with a huge coverage (20 high detailed airports, including Los Cabos, Tijuana, Mazatlan, Monterrey, Hermosillo and many more!)

Now you can download FREE scenery of the western Russian airport Kaliningrad - Khrabrovo (UMKK).

Flight One Software has released a new experience for Flight Simulator X pilots called Cockpit Chatter. Control aircraft systems, talk to a virtual copilot, interactively run aircraft checklists, and enhance your flight experience with just your voice, all with no training required.

TweakFS has released a new aircraft utility entitled FSX Aircraft ToolBox. This utility will appeal to developers, power-users or any "virtual aircraft engineers" who often need (or just want!) to delve into their FSX aircraft files and apply their "virtual wrench", but who also wish to do it safely with a one-click restore option.

FS2Crew, a developer of airline crew simulations for FS9 and FSX, is proud to announce the release of Flight Crew X. Flight Crew X is a compilation/bundle product that includes all version of FS2Crew released between 1 November 2004 and 1 November 2007.

Shockwave Productions is pleased to announce their 3D Lights Redux. Features include: Over 40 new lighting effects including strobes, beacons, navigation, and runway lights. Fully-realized 3D landing lights actually cast light into space. Microsoft Acceleration Expansion pack is also supported.

FSInventions announces a new version of its FSFlyingSchool add-on for FSX and FS2004. Version 1.8 introduces several new features which are free to existing customers and new users alike. Features include: Failure Events Reported in Log Book.

Commercial Level Simulations is pleased to announce that we have released Service Pack 2 for the A330/A340 product.

Just Flight is pleased to announce that they have now released, by download, the long-awaited 757 Professional for Flight Simulator 2004.

Just Flight is very pleased to announce that its eagerly-anticipated P-38 Lightning is now taking to the simulated skies. The full download package is available now exclusively from Just Flight's website and a boxed version on DVD-ROM will be released very soon.

This upgrade pack focuses on wind shifts and visibility depiction improvements, as well as fixing several bugs and adding some new enhanced functionality. In testing, an estimated 80% average reduction in wind shift frequency and intensity has been realized, with 100% wind shift reduction in many cases.

This is an interesting article posted on Avsim regarding a paper published by Nic D'Alessandro. The use of PC-based flight simulators in the entertainment and aviation industries continues to grow strongly. PC-based sims are being used more and more to support aspects of flight training. But is this a good thing? What are the issues, advantages and pitfalls of using $90 software to learn how to fly real aircraft?

Computer Pilot magazine, Captain Mike Ray and FSVisions have teamed up again to present two additional articles as a free download.

Jet around like James Bond, JetPakNG is now freeware THINGS-TO-COME have released their once payware product JetPakNG on an unprepared public

Flight 1 and Anthony Vos today have released the free Southwest USA/Grand Canyon plug-in for Ground Environment X USA-Canada. This modification is modeled after the desert colors of the Southwest USA. The plug-in includes coverage of the Grand Canyon also.

Venice X - Time for an add-on that is just beautiful, one that even your partner will enjoy watching. Venice X is hardly revolutionary, as this is the third version done by Andras Kozma, but like before this is a shining example of what the current sim, FSX, can do.

The Cambridgeshire USAF/RAF base is depicted in the 1980's, featuring busy AI operations with F-4C Phantoms, C-130E's and U-2R's are active around at the base and in the air, all are very high quality AI and fully animated. Static a/c include the C-5 Galaxy and the F-5E Tiger II 'Aggressor'. This is an all-new scenery, not an update and is for FSX and FS2004 only.

FS2Crew, in cooperation with the Precision Manuals Development Group, are happy to announce that they have reached a new partnership agreement on select FS2Crew products to help PMDG customers achieve the ultimate in desktop simulation realism. The first FS2Crew product to fall under this new agreement is the recently released FS2Crew: FSX PMDG 747 Edition.

Friendly Panels has released updates for their Boeing 737-400/800 2D PANEL PACK for FSX and FS9 v.4.0. Changes in this release include: improved frame rates, fixed the readings of DMEs in the RMI gauge, new Radios window added to the B737-400 main panel.

ScruffyDuck Software is delighted to announce the release of Airport Design Editor Home Edition. Airport Design Editor (ADE) is a graphical design tool to create and enhance airports for Microsoft Flight Simulator X. It takes it's inspiration from the excellent AFCAD2 developed for FS9 by Lee Swordy. ADE does for FSX what AFCAD does for FS9 and adds support for new FSX features such as fences and jetways.

AviaFilms Production has announced the release of their newest video - The General Aviation Special! The film is dedicated to flying 3 different general aviation aircraft; The Piper 28R-200 Arrow, The Eurostar EV-97 Ultralight, and the LET 13 Blanik Sailplane. The video is full of footage which is both interesting and at the same time educating. We will fly the Piper in very windy weather conditions, take the Eurostar for a circuit from a bumpy grass airstrip and perform an exciting aerobatic flight in the Blanik.

The "Big Secret" is out. HJG's virtual aviation workshops have been opened to unveil their newest addition, the BAe 146 regional jetliner. Included are FS9 models of the BAe 146-300 and the BAe 146-300QT complete with an authentic and highly functional custom panel, high quality soundpack and 15 new textures featuring both passenger and freight versions.

Imaginesim has released their fourth airport for FSX – KLGA New York La Guardia. Customers who already own the FS2004 version get the FSX version free. As always, you can try before you buy.

The AlphaSim EA-6B Prowler is out now. The unmistakable shape of the EA-6B has been reproduced in this AlphaSim package. The Prowler is depicted with 4 load outs and 6 stunning hi-res texture schemes, spanning three decades. The load outs include ECM pods, AGM-88 HARM missile and aux. fuel tanks. Just like the Intruder, the Prowler model includes a virtual cockpit.

Friendly Panels has announced the release of their Boeing 747-400 PACK v4.0 FOR FS9 AND FSX. This pack includes: two 2D panels for B747-400, for FSX and FS9, all gauges visible in one screen (except for FMC, that requires a separate window) keeping an excellent readability, aircraft virtual cockpits adapted as far as possible, anti-aliasing vectorial MFD/PFD which includes autopilot annunciators, IAS trend indication, radio height and ground speed readout.