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Get the view fro
microsoft flight simulator x: gold edition x-plane 9 (pc) AIRUTOPIA DVD: Cessna 172 sk
two titles In One Low-Priced Pack! Fly Anything! Ultimate Realism, Ultimate Versatility... introduction to flight
Take to the skies again as “Microsoft Flight Simulator X Gold” puts pilots back in the X-Plane is the most comprehensive and powerful flight simulator available for the Welcome aboard the Cessna 172 Skyhawk… o
cockpit for more than 80 missions set all over the world. Want more? Try the thrilling personal computer. X-Plane simulates anything that flies: from single-engine fixed wing all time! After a detailed introduction to this fa
multiplayer mode where you can race your friends for victory and bragging rights. props to multi-engine jets; gliders to dirigibles; helicopters to spacecraft to VTOLs such personal look inside a professional flight trainin
“Microsoft Flight Simulator X Gold” delivers that sense of immersive realism that only as the V-22 Osprey and AV8-B Harrier. involved in earning your very own pilot’s licens
the award-winning Flight Simulator series brings to flight sim from our popular Cessna 152 Cockpit DVD, you
fans. And with advanced DX10 graphics, heading into the X-Plane has the most realistic flight model available for involved in taking the step up to the larger Ces
wild blue yonder has never looked so good. personal computers. It comes with subsonic and supersonic in from classroom, to pre-flight aircraft inspect
flight dynamics, simulating aircraft from the Bell 206 Jet- actual in-flight training session!
“Flight Simulator X: Acceleration,” is the action-packed Ranger helicopter and Cessna 172 light plane to the
expansion for Flight Simulator X. With newly enhanced supersonic SR-71 and Mach-3 XB-70 Valkyrie. - Cessna 172 Skyhawk in detail!
DX10 graphics, “Flight Simulator X: Acceleration” gamers of - Instructor and pilot commentary
all ages, types and skill levels can race against friends in X-Plane comes with 29 aircraft spanning the aviation - A complete flight training experience!
amazing, highly detailed locations around the world, test industry (and history). X-Plane also has detailed failure- - Detailed info on systems/engines/airframe
their skills and heroism in many new missions, fly three modeling, with 35 systems that can be failed manually, - Playable on any DVD driver or DVD player
exciting new aircraft, and share rewards, photos and videos or randomly when you least expect it! You can fail - New Series from AirUtopia!
with friends and the broader flight community. Get your instruments, engines, flight controls, and landing gear at
hands on the world’s best selling PC flight simulator! any moment. Keep your eyes on those instruments! Running Time: 80 minutes
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constellation professional dcs: black shark just planes dvd: azul airlin
graceful giant from a bygone era of aviation digital combat simulator series embraer 190 and 195
With 11 aircraft supplied in three model types and a complete Flight Engineer’s DCS: Black Shark” is a PC game of the Russian Ka-50 attack helicopter and is the first Azul, Brazil’s new carrier, becomes the 216th a
station, radio station and Co-pilot’s station, Constellation Professional is the ultimate title in a new Eagle Dynamics and The Fighter Collection simulation series: and first program to feature the Embraer 195!
Constellation package. Models inlcuded are the C-69 Military Transport Prototype, the “Digital Combat Simulator” (DCS).
C-69/L-049A, and the L-049A first production type. This 4 hour DVD once again shows that Brazil i
Following Eagle Dynamics’ tradition of excellence, “DCS: around the world to fly around.
A complete Virtual Cockpit is modelled and the flight model Black Shark” will bring an even more realistic simulation
has been tested by real-world Constellation pilots. A replica experience than its predecessor “Flaming Cliffs”. “DCS: Azul’s great crews present this high tech aircra
of a typical cabin is included to provide a taste of what life Black Shark” offers an unprecedented level of realism All Azul aircraft are equipped with HUD (Head
was like aboard these great airliners. in regards to flight dynamics, instruments modeling, and for the 1st time ever you will actually see a
avionics systems, and weapon systems. through the HUD with pilot explanations! Also
To complete the period effect there is an appropriate period are 2 flights filmed from the cabin, a walkarou
cabin interior, complete with animated passenger (L049A A new Mission Editor includes a powerful electronic lot more...
civilian model only). mapping system that allows user to easily create missions
and campaigns. A new campaign system allows the front With the recent number of new Embraer type a
Constellation Professional has been developed exclusively line of the battlefield to move back and fourth according add-ons available for FS, this DVD is a must-ha
for FSX (SP2 & DX10 Preview compatible) and makes use to your mission success or failure.
of the all-new FSX graphics features to amazing effect. For Windows XP and Vista. Running Time: 231 minutes
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AIRUTOPIA DVD: Cessna 172 skyhawk cockpit AIRUTOPIA DVD: piper seneca cockpit
lism, Ultimate Versatility... introduction to flight introduction to flight
d powerful flight simulator available for the Welcome aboard the Cessna 172 Skyhawk… one of the most popular aircraft of Welcome aboard the Piper Seneca - one of the most popular twin engine aircraft in
anything that flies: from single-engine fixed wing all time! After a detailed introduction to this famous 4 seat aircraft, you’ll get a the world! After a detailed introduction to this sporty 6-seater, you’ll get a personal
dirigibles; helicopters to spacecraft to VTOLs such personal look inside a professional flight training center to witness some of the steps look inside a professional flight training center to witness some of the steps involved
involved in earning your very own pilot’s license! Following on to earn your very own pilot’s license!
from our popular Cessna 152 Cockpit DVD, you’ll see what’s Complementing our popular Cessna 152 & 172 and Mooney
odel available for involved in taking the step up to the larger Cessna 172. Join Cockpit DVDs, you’ll see the challenges that are involved in
bsonic and supersonic in from classroom, to pre-flight aircraft inspection, to an moving up to a complex high performance twin engine
m the Bell 206 Jet- actual in-flight training session! aircraft including a classroom session, pre-flight aircraft
ht plane to the inspection and an actual Seneca in-flight training session
Valkyrie. - Cessna 172 Skyhawk in detail! complete with engine out training!
- Instructor and pilot commentary
ng the aviation - A complete flight training experience! - Piper Seneca in detail!
s detailed failure- - Detailed info on systems/engines/airframe - Instructor and pilot commentary
e failed manually, - Playable on any DVD driver or DVD player - A complete flight training experience!
You can fail - New Series from AirUtopia! - Detailed info on systems/engines/airframe
and landing gear at
instruments! Running Time: 80 minutes Running Time: 80 minutes
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Just planes dvd: comair limited just planes dvd: air canada 777-300er
d scenery enhacement for FSX Featuring The BA 737-300 And The Kulula Air 737-400 tokyo - toronto - frankfurt
is the culmination of over five years of research This program features Comair of South Africa. The airline operates service of British Air Canada brings you the 1st program on the B777-300ER and also a rare
company, Orbx Simulation Systems. FTX will Airways within South Africa and to surrounding countries in Africa as well as the low opportunity to go along on a roundtrip over the Pacific Ocean as we fly nonstop
ountry of Australia looks like in Flight Simulator cost operate of Kulula Air. from Toronto to Tokyo Narita Airport and back.
ve space and performs equal and in some
This 4 hour program not only presents the 737 in detail but Our crew goes through all the flight preparations, briefings,
it takes a close look at aviation in Africa. Comair’s great checklists and take their time presenting the 777-300
ur FTX regions; crews take time to explain it all. Also included is a flight in cockpit in detail. They also go over how Trans Pacific routes
U GOLD, plus the the cabin and a lot more.... operate, where suitable diversion airports are located, the
d the latest SP3 flight bag that Air Canada equips its 777 with, the Date
All Just Planes DVDs are encoded region free off the Line and much more.
shelf. This means they can be played in any DVD player
, self-contained FSX worldwide without compatibility issues. Alternatively, you As a bonus the program continues with a Trans Atlantic
beautiful and can also play them on your computer via a regular flight from Toronto to Frankfurt. Be sure to check out the
d custom landclass DVD-ROM drive if you wish. So don’t delay. preview video from this title on the product page at the
, unique roads, trees Start your collection of Just Planes DVDs today! PC Aviator website!
brand new, accurate
cur in real life! Running Time: 249 minutes Running Time: 186 minutes
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Microsoft fsx for pilots: real world training fsx: tips, tricks and trips Trackir 5 head tracking dev
Master the Skills Of Flight With This Training Guide! Have Even More Fun with FSX... the ultimate head tracking cont
Strap in and ride along as certified flight instructors Kevin Lane-Cummings and Jeff Within FSX lies a huge variety of user controlled features that broaden the experience TrackIR Changes Everything! Hyper accurate, fu
Van West raise the landing gear on this guide to using Microsoft Flight Simulator X. even further than was previously possible. With this additional power comes some level inches in size—TrackIR 5 is the one piece of kit
This book takes you through the pilot ratings as it is done in the real world: You start of complexity. The aim of this new book is to put the complexity to rest so that you Take advantage of our 6 DOF head tracking tec
with Sport Pilot training, then Private Pilot, followed by the Instrument Rating, can enjoy the Flight Simulator experience rather than fight it. movement in three-dimensional space to your
Commercial Pilot, and Air Transport Pilot.
Adam Howe and Scott Slaughter, two flight sim experts Your increased situational awareness will make
Aspiring pilots will learn the skills of flight, how to who also have many years of writing experience, are most feared competitor around. In dogfights, y
master Flight Simulator, and how to utilize the putting their thoughts to pen for their new book Tips, impossible to shake. In white-knuckle races, yo
software as a learning tool towards their pilot’s licenses. Tricks & Trips for Flight Simulator X. impossible to pass. In tactical combat, you’ll be
Those who already have their real-world wings will benefit impossible to flank.
from guidance on how Flight Simulator X can be used as a This is not a users manual for Flight Simlulator X. Instead,
continuing learning tool, how to simulate real-world it’s a collection of “right to the point” articles that will Discover the TrackIR advantage. Put Your Head
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advanced certifications. a whole lot more fun! cable); TrackClip (reflective tracking clip); TrackI
Software (download); TrackIR Users Manual (vie
These 725 pages are packed with detailed information on This new 240-page book is written with minimal Quick Start Guide (view PDF) ; Clamshell retail
using Flight Simulator X for training! “technicalese” for easy reading. package; Awesome fun at no extra charge!
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Flying The Airbus A300 Series Simulators The Unofficial A320 Simulator Manual vrinsight JetPit
PC Simmer’s Guide To Flying A300 Airbus Series Sims the best read this side of the airbus factory! dedicated “touch the screen” ins
Now learn every single aspect of what you want and need to know about flying Airbus Captain Mike Ray has written another wonderful book, this time about the fabulous The JetPit panel of VRinsight is an instrument p
aircraft, particularly such highly detailed add ons such as Wilco’s Airbus Series Airbus A320 airplane. While the material is specifically intended for the professional synchronized with Microsoft Flight Simulator, s
Volume 1. This is the definitive Airbus manual for Flight Simulator pilots and again Airbus pilot community, it is something that should be in every serious Airbus Flight Flight Simulator, as well as most add-on jet airc
brought to you in the unique and entertaining style that entices you to actively learn Simmers library.
and absorb all aspects of flying these modern Fly-By-Wire JetPit panel displays the primary flight informat
aircraft. It’s applicable to all aircraft in the A300 series. It is fascinating to read, and written in a style that can be of PFD,ND, MCP, EFTS, EICAS and CDU with ful
characterized as humorous and yet technically challenging. functional rotary knobs and push buttons,
CHAPTERS IN THIS ULTIMATE A300 SERIES GUIDE INCLUDE: The document is filled with hundreds of pages in glorious allowing the users to experience the most
Setting Up The MCDU; Configuring The Cockpit for takeoff; color, each choked with a treasure trove of information. realistic flight ever.
26 Easy To Understand Yet Critical Individual Steps;
Comprehensive Ground School; and much more! The collection of actual flight techniques and technical It is completely interfaced with Microsoft
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Then Partake In The Flight Tutorial From Paris To London step- airline style check-ride, will answer most every question through the add-on software “SerialFP2”
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Sybex - FS2004 Official Strategies & Secrets glass simming: garmin 1000 ch products pro pedals usb
the official game guide for fs2004 Learn To use The Garmin 1000 avionics suite The Real “Swiss Army Knife” Airc
This official strategy guide, written with the full cooperation of Microsoft Game Glass Simming tells everything you need for simulating flight with the latest Your ailerons are only half of the picture. Comp
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flight, whether you’re trying to land that Comet in a crosswind or request take-off with FSX, and it omits information in the real-world Garmin 1000 manual that’s give you realistic, fully articulating (back/forth)
clearance from ATC so you can get that 737 full of passengers to Chicago on time. useless for flight simulation. toes for differential toe brakes (just like a real a
simulator and hardware interface*.
Inside you’ll find: Learn from:
• Detailed specifications, statistics and flying tips for all the • Complete explanation of knobs, switches, buttons, dials, CH ProPedals USB also feature smooth gliding
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• Exciting flight challenges so you can apply concepts and • Thorough description of screens, pages, page functions, Pedals you’ll be able to master crosswind
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• Coverage of all flight aspects, from taxi and takeoff, to • Easy-to-follow text that makes sense. it is done in real life… with your rudder
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• Fun role-playing scenarios that let you become a bush • Focused chapters, no uneccessary waffle.
pilot, airline pilot, or aerobatic pilot. • Quick-reference tables EXCLUSIVE 2 YEAR WARRANTY
• Details on the Flight Simulator community, with dozens • Full index for fast information access. CH ProPedals are also backed by a quality CH
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international callers outside usa: +1 843 716 1616 outside australia: +61 +3 9553 1955
m to fly
ality texts!
hardware & peripherals
get the most from the sim experience with these quality products!
rips Trackir 5 head tracking device ch products eclipse flight yoke usb
SX... the ultimate head tracking controller for simulations Get Ready To Soar With This New Yoke From CH Products
controlled features that broaden the experience TrackIR Changes Everything! Hyper accurate, fully adjustable, and only three square CH Products is proud to release the latest and greatest in Flight Simulation hardware
ble. With this additional power comes some level inches in size—TrackIR 5 is the one piece of kit that discriminating gamers crave. with the release of its new yoke, the CH Eclipse! Built with the same high-end
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nce rather than fight it. movement in three-dimensional space to your in-game view! added functions to compliment all your favorite sims.
flight sim experts Your increased situational awareness will make you the The Eclipse Yoke includes the following new features:
xperience, are most feared competitor around. In dogfights, you’ll be • Fully programmable fingertip paddles, ideal
new book Tips, impossible to shake. In white-knuckle races, you’ll be for flight and racing sims. • Programmable
impossible to pass. In tactical combat, you’ll be trim / scroll wheels with center push function.
impossible to flank. • Two backlit push buttons and a third
mlulator X. Instead, traditional push button. • Two 8-way hat
articles that will Discover the TrackIR advantage. Put Your Head in the with rocker switch and trigger on both sides
In short, you’ll have Game! Package Includes: TrackIR 5 (with 6 ft. USB of handle. • Configurable POV hat for either
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Software (download); TrackIR Users Manual (view); throttle / prop / fuel mixture. • LED selector
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package; Awesome fun at no extra charge! functions. • New, non-binding shaft design!
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instant access to quality flight simulator downloads!
ULTIMATE AIRPORT ENVIRONMENT wings of silver: piper J-3 cub airbus series volume 2
IMPROVES THE REALISM OF FSX AIRPORTS! the “cub” from leading aircraft designers - a2a! experience the A330 and A340 je
Ultimate Airport Environment X is a comprehensive texture booster that features Even if you have never actually seen a Cub in the flesh (and this is getting harder to do After the Award-winning Airbus Series Vol.1, 7
over 200 new textures that greatly enhance your entire Microsoft Flight Simulator every year), if airplanes are your game, you have a good idea of what a Cub is all and feelThere.com now bring fresh air in the A
X default airports throughout the world. Whether you are new to the hobby or a about. Virtually every pilot has flown or knows someone who has flown a Cub. Whether you’re a beginner or expert flight simm
seasoned veteran you will instantly appreciate how your airports take on a new and Airbus models.
more modern look. You will see more realistic and detailed runways, taxiways, tarmac Perhaps the most important thing this little airplane will bring to you is honest,
surfaces, airport buildings, hangars, terminals, warehouses, jetways, and much more! true-to-life stick-and-rudder flying, and after just flying it for a very short while you will • The A330-200
start to feel like a better pilot, and you will be. • A330-300
Your default FSX airports will no longer look dull • A340-300
and boring. This package instantly modernizes • As with every A2A Simulations aircraft, it • A330-600
all your small, medium and large airports is gorgeously constructed, inside and out, • A330-300 MRTT Tanker Transport
throughout the world! Plus with detailed night down to the last rivet.
lighting effects, your airports will come to life • Flying qualities built by pilots with This package includes liveries of a selection of o
even at night. unprecedented stall and spin realism. worldwide airlines that have commissioned the
• Includes standard J-3 Cub, Tundra tires, Whatever your skill level, this Airbus Series is de
This incredible package only updates your Floats, and Skis (nine liveries). Compatible with both Flight Simulator X and F
default airports and will not modify your • 118 page, full-sized Pilot’s Manual written 2004, this Airbus package is one of our best se
favorite 3rd party airports. • by Mitchell Glicksman. products at the PC Aviator Download Store!
SKU: DL-ZTULTAPX simulator: fsx FiLeSiZe: 47Mb SKU: DL-A2AJ3CUB simulator: fsx FiLeSiZe: 167Mb SKU: DL-WFABS2 simulator: fsx
SKU: DL-npmel simulator: fsx FiLeSiZe: 478Mb SKU: DL-A51C5 simulator: fsx/FS2004* FiLeSiZe: 83Mb SKU: DL-LHKOD simulator: fsx/fs
MyTRAFFIC 2010 fsflyingschool 2009: cessna 172 detail pack u.s. cities x: san francisco
POPULATE FSX SKIES WITH REAL WORLD TRAFFIC... flying school for c-172 pilots! Hyper-Real 3D & PhotoScenery Fo
My Traffic 2010 is the latest version of the popular and longtime successful My Traffic This detail pack add on for FSFlyingSchool focuses on the Cessna 172 and provides US Cities X is a series of city scenery for FSX tha
series. Uncompromisingly optimized for the Microsoft Flight Simulator X this product flight instruction specific to the Cessna 172 in great detail enabling you to become a Based on an extensive aerial image it will havea
provides realistic air traffic in the air and on the ground, which is controlled by artificial true pro with flying the Cessna 172. Highly recommended for all student pilots. plus all the heliports and small airports that are
intelligence, for more than 8200 airports.
Modeled on the Cessna 172 included with Flight Simulator FEATURES INCLUDE:
More than 140 aircraft models were newly designed for FSX - can be used with any Cessna 172. • Aerial image coverage.
with in a never before seen detail for AI-planes and a with • More than 2800 major buildings included.
a minimal impact on the PC resources. Nearly all current With the addition of the Cessna 172 Detail Pack, your • Thousands of Autogen buildings placed
airliners, most commuter aircraft and civil freighters are instructors will be looking at your aircraft and your realistically around the city.
included. There are additional versions of many aircraft performance in your Cessna 172 in a lot more detail. • All three heliports and one seaplane base
types featuring different engines. 1600 aircraft liveries are rendered in good detail.
included as well as more than 4000 different types and Includes a number of Cessna 172 checklists you can • Detailed ship in SFO bay with helipad.
associated flight plans. My Traffic generates more than request to be read by your chosen instructor. • Sound effects near heliports and bridges.
800,000 flight a day, worldwide. • Traffic on most major raods.
Note: The Cessna 172 Detail Pack requires a registered
With the attached My Traffic editor you can program version of FSFlyingSchool2009 plus an FSFlyingSchool2009 Includes new Eastern Span of the Bay Bridge!
flight plans to your liking. Cessna 172 Detail Pack registration key. • Low price, very good value for money.
SKU: DL-ASMYT2010 simulator: fsx FiLeSiZe: 1.1Gb SKU: DL-FSFSCH172 simulator: fsx/fs2004 FiLeSiZe: 33Mb SKU: DL-ASSFO simulator:
code: 893458 price: US$33.33 AUD$44.4
we service you wherever in the world you might be all from the one website and through our local offices in
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realize your dream to fly!
J-3 cub airbus series volume 2 megasceneryearth - grand canyon
rcraft designers - a2a! experience the A330 and A340 jetliners! fly the grand canyon in photo-real detail!
Cub in the flesh (and this is getting harder to do After the Award-winning Airbus Series Vol.1, 737 Pilot in Command... Wilco Publishing This cameo release from the MegaSceneryEarth
, you have a good idea of what a Cub is all and feelThere.com now bring fresh air in the Airbus aircraft simulation field. collection lets you fly the biggest sculpture
or knows someone who has flown a Cub. Whether you’re a beginner or expert flight simmer, here’s your chance to fly 5 different nature has ever carved at a level of detail that
Airbus models. will leave you simply “stunned”!
little airplane will bring to you is honest,
d after just flying it for a very short while you will • The A330-200 This cameo add on gives you 7,000 square
u will be. • A330-300 miles of Arizona scenery that features ALL of
• A340-300 the Grand Canyon and Grand Canyon
aft, it • A330-600 National Park featured at a hyper-real 1.19
nd out, • A330-300 MRTT Tanker Transport meters per pixel and at a price that you can’t
say no to.
This package includes liveries of a selection of over 25
m. worldwide airlines that have commissioned these jetliners. Not much else is needed to say about this
res, Whatever your skill level, this Airbus Series is definitely for you! title - it speaks for itself and you’ll have to
Compatible with both Flight Simulator X and Flight Simulator fly it to believe it! So grab the Piper Cub,
written 2004, this Airbus package is one of our best selling download strap on your seat belt, and prepare for
products at the PC Aviator Download Store! some extreme canyon flying action!
imulator: fsx FiLeSiZe: 167Mb SKU: DL-WFABS2 simulator: fsx/FS2004 FiLeSiZe: 235Mb SKU: DL-MSXGC simulator: fsx FiLeSiZe: 3.3Gb
tor: fsx/FS2004* FiLeSiZe: 83Mb SKU: DL-LHKOD simulator: fsx/fs2004 FiLeSiZe: 207Mb SKU: DL-ASFSCX simulator: fsx/FS2004 FiLeSiZe: 37Mb
cessna 172 detail pack u.s. cities x: san francisco B-17G FLYING FORTRESS
lots! Hyper-Real 3D & PhotoScenery For The “City By The Bay” SUPERB B-17 MODEL FROM THE TEAM AT SKYUNLIMITED
hool focuses on the Cessna 172 and provides US Cities X is a series of city scenery for FSX that covers US cities created by LimeSim. Francisco Sanchez-Castañer of the newly formed development team of FS-Cast has
a 172 in great detail enabling you to become a Based on an extensive aerial image it will haveall the major buildings and landmarks captured the B-17G Flying Fortress in all its glory. This package is loaded with all of the
ighly recommended for all student pilots. plus all the heliports and small airports that are inside the covered areas. bells and whistles one would expect from a dedicated FSX aircraft. These features
include bump maps, specular maps, self-shadows, working gun turrets, dropping
with Flight Simulator FEATURES INCLUDE: bombs, and more. This is a true FSX aircraft, not a port-over from FS2004, and
• Aerial image coverage. is designed for use with Flight Simulator X Service Pack 2 and the Acceleration
• More than 2800 major buildings included. Expansion Pack.
Detail Pack, your • Thousands of Autogen buildings placed
raft and your realistically around the city. • Three Highly Detailed models of the B-17G,
ot more detail. • All three heliports and one seaplane base including armed and an unarmed variant.
rendered in good detail. • A true FSX aircraft with bump maps, specular
cklists you can • Detailed ship in SFO bay with helipad. maps, and self-shadows
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uires a registered everything animated and labeled.
FSFlyingSchool2009 Includes new Eastern Span of the Bay Bridge! • Custom Gauges with Night-Lighting effects.
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ulator: fsx/fs2004 FiLeSiZe: 33Mb SKU: DL-ASSFO simulator: fsx FiLeSiZe: 169Mb SKU: DL-SKB17G simulator: fsx FiLeSiZe: 20Mb
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code: 893458 price: US$33.33 AUD$44.44 sub price: US$33.34 AUD$44.44
er o n l in @
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or www.pcaviator.com
55
tralia: +61 +3 9553 1955
From the EDITOR
WELCOME TO THE FEBRUARY/MARCH 2010 ISSUE!
I didn’t get a chance to say it earlier but Happy New Year to all! Hopefully there was some nice
holiday gifts in the form of flight sim gear or software that came your way?
I managed to upgrade my PC here in my usual two year cycle, although this time I think it was
more like 3 years, at least it felt like that. Flight Simulator X was struggling a little on my Pentium
D (the first dual core processor made) on an older motherboard with 2Gb DDR memory and a
9800GT video card.
The new system, which is still slowly coming together now has an Intel Core i5-750 CPU, a new
P55 chipset motherboard and 4Gb of DDR3 RAM. I still have the 9800GT video card in use while
the new Radeon 5850 is enroute. I must say that even with the processor, motherboard and
memory change alone, FSX is a totally new flight simulator. I can actually set most things to near
maximum and still get framerates well into the 40s and 50s in dense urban areas, with detailed
clouds and plenty of AI air, land and sea traffic enabled. I must admit I didn’t expect such a
large boost with a CPU and memory upgrade alone, but obviously FSX thrives on multi-core
processors, especially quad-core CPUs like the Core i5 and similar. And the Core i5 is not even the
fastest processor out there, with the Core i7 being top of the pops (at present). And all this for
well under $900 Australian Dollars (including the video card). Not bad.
Publisher: Robert Ferraro
Editor: Dean Bielanowski
Of course, now that I have this nice new system which runs FSX very well, I am putting many
more hours into the logbook and finally getting to some of those more detailed missions that Editorial Assistant: Roger Curtiss
couldn’t be easily flown before because of poor performance. It is amazing how a boost in
Layout & Design: Tony Liatos
system speed makes flight simming exponentially more fun and enjoyable.
Contributors In This Issue: Dean Bielanowski, John Achor,
Consider an upgrade if you are getting frustrated with FS performance on your older machine. It Chuck Bodeen, Rob Scott, Gene Davis, David Wilson-Okamura,
is well worth it. And to help with that, this issue we have another edition of Doug Horton’s FSX Roger Curtiss, Doug Horton, Mike Ray, Al Pelletier
Benchmarking series to help you decide what to look for and what to buy! Enjoy this issue… now
back to FSX missions for me – and figuring out why the Tokyo Executive Helo mission won’t seem
to kick start itself once loaded? Subscription Managers: Australia: Adrian Lazzarotto
USA: Mark Jakubowski
Editorial Submissions: Please address editorial matter
to The Editor at editor@computerpilot.com or to the office
closest to you listed at the bottom of this page.
Dean Bielanowski
Editor Advertising Inquiries: PC Aviator Inc.
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V14I2
MAXI REVIEWS
37 LOTUS SIM L-39 ALBATRO
S
46 JUST FLIGHT’S FLYING CLU
B2
58 FIRST CLASS SIMULATIONS
’ EUROFIGHTER & EUROCOPTER
20 FUN & CHALLENGING
54
FS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS MANY YEA
AGO, IT OCCURRED TO ME RS
THAT I WAS ONLY FLYING THE
ROUTES IN THE SAME AIRCRAFT SAME FEW
OVER AND OVER AGAIN. I NEE
SOMETHING NEW… I CAME DED
ACROSS PACIFIC AIRWAYS,
AS THEY SAY, WAS HISTORY AND THE REST,
!”
66 BENCHMARKING FSX
“WITH A VARIETY OF
- PART III
HARDWARE, SETTINGS, AND
INCLUDING MANY REPEATED FSX CONFIGURATIONS,
TESTS, DOUG HORTON CON
OVER 150 FSXMARK07 TEST DUCTED
RUNS TO FIND OUT WHAT HAR
COMBINATIONS GIVE THE BEST DWARE
RESULTS IN FSX.
74 HORTON’S HINTS FOR
IT’S ANOTHER “DAILY DOUBLE”
FSX DOUBLE FEATURE
AS DOU G HORTON SEARCHES OUT
BEST AND COOLEST TIPS, TRIC THE
KS AND HINTS FOR FLIGHT SIMU
X FANS. GET THE MOST OUT LATOR
YOUR SIMULATOR WITH THIS
EXTENDED FEATURE. HANDY
90
SPICE UP YOUR FLYING.
86 THE RADAR ALTIMETE
R
MIKE RAY OFFERS A UNIQUE
LOOK AT THE FUNCTION AND
RADAR ALTIMETER SYSTEM USE OF THE
AND GAUGE IN USE IN MAN
AIRCRAFT AND HELICOPTERS Y COMMERCIAL
.
90 ROUND ROBIN ADVENT
THIS URES
MONTH WE ARE FLYING FOR
DHL (OR ANY OTHER CARGO
WE ARE GOING TO TAKE SOM COMPANY).
E WINE FROM PORTUGAL TO
MADEIRA, THEN SOUTH TO THE ISLANDS OF
THE GRAND CANARIA ISLAND,
WITH A FULL LOAD OF FRUI AND COME BACK
T FROM THE CANARY ISLANDS
.
REGULAR FEATURES:
50 PULLOUT POSTER
“ANSETT B727 RETRO SCHEME
”
62 FREEWARE FRENZY
THE BEST FREEWARE, FOUND
AND REVIEWED!
73 INBOX
YOUR LETTERS AND COMMEN
TS.
FEATURES:
• Aerial imagery coverage.
• More than 2000 major buildings included.
• About 210,000 autogen buildings placed realistically.
• “Retro style” version of Meigs Field that was sadly demolished in 2003.
• Major airports in and around the city are covered with new high res
ground images (no new building structures added)
FEATURES: - Chicago O’Hare (including new runway layout).
• Full function G1000 Simulator. - Chicago Midway.
• Multiple function EICAS. - Chicago Executive (formerly known as Palwaukee Mun).
• Single and Twin Engine configurations. - Schaumburg Regional.
• Simple mounting. - Brookeridge Airpark (where homes are next to the runway).
• Includes LCD panel assembly. • 9 heliports as start locations.
• Full IFR training capabilities. • Sound effects like downtown- and highway traffic, gulls...
• Simple USB interface. • Traffic on most major roads.
• Includes custom software package. • Low price, very good value for money.
• Includes a separate Scenery Density tool.
The AV1000 has a retail price of US$1795, but you are getting a lot
of bang for your buck in this system. You can view more details and The package is available via download now from popular flight sim
images of the AV1000, plus other VR Aircraft hardware at download stores and retails for around US$18.50.
www.vraircraft.com Check www.aerosoft.com for further details.
Smart Technology
Imagine having a processor smart enough to know when your PC needs a
little more juice. Intel® Turbo Boost Technology gives you speed when you
need it and delivers energy efficiency when you don’t. Also available on
select models of the all new 2010 Intel® Core™ processor family, Intel®
HD Graphics provides superb visual performance for sharper images, richer
color, and life-like audio and video.
Smart Speed
We’re all multitaskers. We edit photos, send email, watch video, sync our
iPods*—and we want to do it all at once. Now we can. Intel® Hyper-
threading Technology lets your processor work on two tasks at the same time.
Smart Investment
A new PC today opens more doors tomorrow. The all new Intel® Core™
processors adapt to your needs now and down the road. So you won’t just
keep up. You’ll get ahead.
LAT E S
The Intel Core i3 desktop processors will retail starting at just
US$113. The Core i5 processors have a starting price of US$176 and
Core i7 embedded processors start at US$278.
It is quite amazing what speed boosts you can achieve in Flight
Simulator when upgrading from a single core processor to a multi-
core CPU and good quality memory. Check out more information
on the new Core i3, i5 and i7 lines at www.intel.com
17
“In the tradition of the five versions that preceded, the new Flight
Deck 6 once again delivers the challenge of aircraft carrier operations.
This new version comes with significant enhancements that keep the
Flight Deck series one of the most compelling add-ons for both Flight
Simulator FSX and FS2004.
You’ll begin your jockey training in the T-34 Mentor, a sprightly turbo-
prop at Pensacola. Learn via the in-built training feature, practice and then test your
flying skills against AI competitors on your PC or compete online
You’ll progress to the jet-powered T-45 Goshawk at Corpus Christi. with real Airshow Pilot competitors. Refine your flying skills during
a full calendar of events. Exclusive tracking software records your
Finally, you’ll climb into the F/A-18C Hornet as you meet the challenge flights for you to review and will evaluate and rate your skills. You
of aircraft carrier launches and recoveries from the deck of your new are also able to download other competitors’ flights and play them
home base, the modern carrier - USS Harry S Truman. back! Competition results are ranked throughout a season and every
pilot will receive a world ranking - trophies are reserved for only the
Another achievement is the inclusion of missions not only for FSX but best pilots in each category!
interactive, voice guided missions for FS2004 based on technology
from Matthias Schill. With its powerful catapults be airborne in just During competitions the airfield will be filled with air show crowds - people,
a few hundred feet. For recovery, the steel cable is set to catch your tents, booths, cars, display aircraft and much more. You can even hear the
tailhook to bring your aircraft to a screeching halt.” crowd noise! Airshow Pilot also includes the tools for you to design air show
aerobatic events, flight programs and even airport populations!”
Like previous releases, Flight Deck 6 promises to be a top seller and
it looks better than ever. Head to www.abacuspub.com or your Airshow Pilot is available now on DVD disc format from all good flight sim
favorite sim retailer and grab your copy today! retailers. It is priced at US$41.99.
Hot on the heels of Around the World in 80 Flights and Pole to Pole, the
team at First Class Simulations continue their series of highly popular
flight adventure packages with the announcement of Discover Europe.
S T
aviators the developers hope that there is something for everyone,
E
from challenging approaches to a leisurely Mediterranean descent
LAT
into the playground resorts of the rich and famous.
Discover Europe is compatible with FS2004 and FSX and retails for
around 25 Pounds. Check www.firstclass-simulations.com or your
favorite sim retailer for availability.
19
I
remember my first night flight during pilot and lonely up there. Internally lighted instruments
training. First, the instructors sat us down were years in the future. The basic instruments had
and drilled into our heads “it’s dangerous out a couple of posts which held red peanut bulbs per
there when the sun goes down.” They convinced us, instrument. Also available was a “flashlight” attached
especially about an electrical failure — the engine to the aircraft’s electrical system by a coiled cord.
would still be functioning, but little else would be, It was about two inches in diameter and four inches
and when the battery ran down, it would be dark long. That light remained in cockpits for decades.
20 CPM. V14I2
g
lif
life may not be. To this day, I believe there is no such thing as Night
V
VF
VFR. If you don’t have a basic understanding and the capability of
in
instrument flying, you have no business out there at night. If you
ddon’t believe this, watch my continuing column, “I learned about
do
flyying from that …” and I’ll include a war story that may change your
mmind.
With that out of the way, let’s check out a number of runways
around the world and how they look from the air in FS2004 at night.
I used default scenery throughout for this story so let’s hop into our FIGURE 3
Learjet 45 and get airborne.
Heading for the Strip, I turn to a northerly heading for a good look
at the casinos (Figure 5).
FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2 FIGURE 5
21
I finish my 180 turn to the south, and in Figure 7 I head back down
Las Vegas Boulevard with the Stratosphere off my left wing and the
casinos along the Strip stretching out ahead of me.
FIGURE 9
FIGURE 7
The nearest casino on the right in Figure 8 is the MGM Grand. It’s FIGURE 10
easy to tell this is from a few years ago — the sign in front of the
MGM says the headline show is Siegfried & Roy and their tiger act.
Roy was attacked by one of the tigers in the act in October 2003 and
only recently have they tried a comeback. The vertical searchlight just
left of the nose comes from the Luxor Casino.
FIGURE 11
22 CPM. V14I2
FIGURE 12
Another 300 miles along our flight path I’m swinging over
Washington Dulles (KIAD) just outside Washington D.C. (USA) in FIGURE 15
Figure 13. Wow, traveling at warp speed, I’ve got plenty of fuel to
make my next stop. I turn about forty-five degrees to the left and head
for New York City (USA).
FIGURE 16
FIGURE 13
FIGURE 14 FIGURE 17
23
We’ll swing right and take a closer look at the southern pair of
runways. I’ve lined up with Runway 08R and the terminal is visible
in Figure 20.
From Paris, we turn northeast and head into Germany and toward
Tempelhof Airport (EDDI). This will only be a trip of around 450
miles so warp speed won’t be required. As we arrive at the airport
you can see the terminal, the area just in front of a ninety-degree arc
of city lights at the top of Figure 23. We’d best not try to land here;
the airport was closed in October 2008. Tempelhof has its share of
history. One of the more famous events was being the terminus for the
Berlin Airlift when ground access was denied to the city of Berlin.
FIGURE 19
FIGURE 23
I head almost due north on the way to another Berlin airport. Five
miles away at Alexanderplatz, the Berlin (Fernsehturm) Tower is
FIGURE 20 clearly visible in Figure 24 bisecting the left wing. This 1200 foot
tower serves the TV industry.
24 CPM. V14I2
FIGURE 24
Another eight miles down the road; I fly over Tegel Airport
(EDDT). I wanted to see this unusual terminal. In Figure 25 you can
see it was built in a hexagonal shape to reduce the walking distance
from airplane to exit, etc. I thought I was correct, but used the internet
to confirm that a hexagon is a six-sided geometric figure (long time
since high school Geometry). FIGURE 27
FIGURE 25
FIGURE 28
FIGURE 26 FIGURE 29
25
FIGURE 33
FIGURE 31
FIGURE 34
FIGURE 32 FIGURE 35
26 CPM. V14I2
FIGURE 37
Whew! Under the bridge and didn’t scoop up any water from the
Harbour. I pop up to 1500 feet, turn to a southerly heading and aim
for the airport about five miles ahead (Figure 38). The runways at
Kingsford-Smith are just visible in the top left corner of the image.
27
I taxi back north to the west ramp and park our Learjet at the
Qantas Freight terminal (Figure 44). No authorities are there to greet
us, so I may escape any penalties for the bridge stunt.
FIGURE 38
FIGURE 42
FIGURE 39
FIGURE 43
FIGURE 40
FIGURE 44
A FINAL WORD
I’ve only scratched the surface looking at a few airports around the
world at night. I still enjoy night time scenery and often set the flight
simulator Time feature to hours of darkness. It’s also fun to set the time
just before sunset or just before sunrise and watch the scenery change.
Check out the views of stars and the moon when flying at night. Take a
FIGURE 41 look at the “spooky” night time hours and decide for yourself whether
you get satisfaction from hurtling through the pitch black. 4
28 CPM. V14I2
BY ROB SCOTT
L
isbon airport is one of the largest airports and vehicles are all photo-realistic. Scattered neither too bright not too dark. The advantage
in Southern Europe and serves as the around the airport are lots of additional objects of flying at night is that the frame rates are even
main base-hub of the national Portuguese such as baggage carts, vehicles and road signs. higher than during the day, but you don’t lose any
airline TAP-Air Portugal. In 2007 it handled These may not seem very significant but when of the detail. Owners of Ultimate Terrain Europe
over 13 million passengers and 80,000 tonnes they are all combined with the AI aircraft and Aerosoft’s AES will be pleased to know that
of cargo. Aerosoft have now brought this and static aircraft (which can be deactivated) the airport is fully compatible with both products.
airport to FSX in stunning high detail as a the airport really comes to life. Exploring the
200mb download (420mb installed). After airport will reveal details which may not be The one minor fault I encountered when using
downloading the scenery, installation is a noticed straight away; hiding away in the this scenery was that the aircraft sometimes
breeze and you will be up and running in a TAP-Air Portugal hangar is an aircraft being bounced around on the taxiway. Whilst not a
matter of minutes. The airport is the latest in serviced; on the outside of the airport are the major problem this is something that I have not
the ‘Mega Airport’ range and stands up well road signs leading up to the terminal entrance encountered with other Mega Airport titles.
against some of the other more detailed ‘Mega and the car parks are populated with vehicles.
Airport’s’ despite it being a smaller airport. All these small details add up to create a I enjoyed using this scenery and it is another
This is good news for simmers on a lower spec fantastic and atmospheric airport. fantastic addition to the Mega Airport range.
PC as frame rates are excellent, even when Aerosoft has set some high standards over the last
the airport is fully populated with AI traffic. If you enjoy the airport during the day, you are few months and this package continues that trend.
The airport ground textures are based upon a in for a treat at night. This is one of the few
high detail aerial image and all the buildings, airports which I prefer flying into at night; the FS9 users who own the download version of
taxiways, lighting, docking systems etc of lighting effects and textures are stunning. The Lisbon 2008 (via Aerosoft’s online shop) are
the real airport have been recreated with night lighting is spot on and creates that strange eligible for a free FSX download. Also available in
exacting detail. The textures on the buildings atmosphere that an airport gives off at night; its boxed DVD format for US$29.99.
29
W
elcome back to the final installment of along the way. If you have installed the OZx
my Aussie Adventure using the FTX freeware airfields then you will have already
scenery. As before, I will guide you discovered some fantastic places to fly in and out
through some flights that I think you will find of; why not send in some of your favorite flights to
enjoyable and will show off this scenery. I hope Computer Pilot? The majority of the population
that the time between the two installments has live along the coast, so it’s not surprising that these
given you ample time to complete the previous areas are the most built up, but the areas which
flights, and maybe even find a few of your own are not populated are fantastic to explore by air....
30 CPM. V14I2
BARRIER REEF
FLIGHT 1: THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
The Great Barrier Reef is a World Heritage listed site and one of the most famous
tourist attractions in Australia. The best way to explore the Barrier Reef is underwater,
but you can still have a lot of fun exploring it from above where you can appreciate
how large it is. This flight departs from Cooktown and arrives at Hamilton Island and
is just over 350 miles. The flight plan is not included in the downloads section and I
flew direct as this took me straight down the coast passing over Cairns and Townsville
along the way. I opted to use the Piper Seneca for this flight as its quick cruise speed
would cover the distance in just under two hours. Navigation for this flight is as easy
as it gets, after departing from Cooktown turn towards the coast and head south. Don’t
forget to pay attention to the other scenery along the way as soon after departure you
will be able to see the Black Mountain National Park as you fly down past Rossville,
Bloomfield and Wonga. Even though the main purpose of this flight is to explore the
Great Barrier Reef, don’t neglect the scenery on the other side of the aircraft and feel
free to make frequent detours to explore the beaches and ports along the coastline.
Before you know it, Cairns will pop up out of the greenery. If you are enjoying the
flight take time to fly a few circuits around the area and take some (virtual) snaps.
After Cairns, the coastline begins to curve a little and move away from the Barrier
Reef. The next decision is up to you; either follow the coastline or head out over the
sea to follow the Barrier Reef. If you take the coast road you’ll be able to view the
Hinchinbrook Island National Park as you follow the Bruce Highway south towards
Hamilton Island. Next up on the list of big cities to fly over is Townsville, try and pick
out the Dairy Farmers Stadium where the North Queensland Cowboys Rugby League
team play. After Townsville it’s not far until our destination comes into view. There are
a couple of ways to handle this approach. You can opt for the boring straight in or take
BATTLING THE ELEMENTS some more time to explore the little islands surrounding the airfield and pick your way
through them before you land. I’ll leave it up to you!
31
AMAZING LANDSCAPE
32 CPM. V14I2
FLIGHT 3: AVALON –
PHILLIP ISLAND
This flight was probably one of my
favorites. I departed just as the sun was
rising and zig-zagged my way through
the Melbourne airspace before making a
landing on the gravel strip at Phillip Island.
The flight is only 120 miles and I used
FEELS AS THOUGH IT'S GETTING COLDER
the Mooney Bravo just to make sure I had
enough speed to keep out of the way of
GREAT COLORS
the heavies flying into Melbourne. I would
strongly recommend flying this flight at
dawn so that you can enjoy the way the
colours of the scenery change as the sun
rises. The first part of the flight is nice and
easy; just follow the bay around until you
are near Tyabb airfield. If you get lost, tune
into the Cowes NDB on 275.0 which is very
close to your destination. Once you have
passed Tyabb you’ll be able to see the French
Island National Park. Fly around it and as
you turn back towards the sea, you should
be able to see the airport. Be careful that you
pick out the gravel strip to land on and not
the road which runs close to the airport.
33
INTENSE COLORS
FLIGHT 4: YARRAM – MANGALORE
This next flight departs a little further south than where you last
landed at Philip Island and will fly over most of the same terrain, but
that doesn’t mean it’s not an enjoyable flight. When you depart from
Yarram, assuming you have taken off from Runway 23, fly straight
ahead over Sunday Island and Le Trobe Island and make a slight left
turn and follow the coastline around the headland before picking up
the Meeniyan Promontory Road. Over the Corner Inlet Marine and
Coastal Park, you may even find another airstrip to land at if you keep
your eyes peeled. Once you have left the sea behind, tune into the
Melbourne VOR on 114.10 and fly straight to it. If you have flown
the previous flight some of this scenery will seem familiar! After
taking some time to explore the city of Melbourne, fly towards Eildon
and the Lake Eildon National Park which is easy to pick out as it is
surrounded by water, rather like a moat around a castle. The lake is
used for water activities such as power boating and water skiing, but
be careful around the park area as deer hunting is permitted in some
sections. Whilst you are exploring Lake Eildon tune in your ADF to
the Mangalore NDB on 254.0 and when you are ready, begin your
final approach. This flight is just under 240 miles so you may want to
consider using an aircraft which covers the ground a little quicker if
you are short on time.
34 CPM. V14I2
OFF WE GO
35
I hope that you have enjoyed reading this article as much as I have enjoyed writing it and
exploring Australia. I have always wanted to visit Australia, and whilst I cannot get there in
person just yet, FSX and FTX are the next best thing. If you want to explore Australia some
more, check out the FTX forums (http://orbxsystems.com/forums) where there are lots more
flight plans and even an adventure flying around Australia which stretches to nearly 200 flights
and 20,000 miles! (http://tinyurl.com/oolfvg).
36 CPM. V14I2
REVIEW
BY DAVID WILSON-OKAMURA
T
he L-39 Albatros, by Lotus Simulations, is one and the Warsaw Pact are both dissolved, but forty
of the most polished and innovative products years after the L-39 made its first test flight, in
I have seen yet for Flight Simulator X. First, 1968, there are almost three thousand still flying.
though, a few words about the real-world aircraft Most of these are in service as military trainers:
that it’s based on. The Albatros (spelled, as here, the L-39 is now used by thirty air forces around
with just one s) is a jet trainer designed in the late the world, not only in former Soviet-bloc countries
1960s by the Czech company Aero Vodochody, such as Georgia, but also in Africa, East Asia,
when Czech industry was still under Soviet and the Middle East. In civilian life, the Albatros
direction. Intended for use in all of the Warsaw competes at the annual Reno Air Races. In Europe,
Pact air forces, the L-39 became the most popular Breitling sponsors an L-39 aerobatics team, as
jet trainer ever produced. Today, the Soviet Union does Fry’s Electronics in America.
37
INSTRU
ON THE GROUND
DORSAL VIEW
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The remaining gauges are all recreated in 3D, as part of the My favorite VC feature, apart from the smooth 3D gauges, is
cockpit model. That’s more work for the developer, but it looks canopy icing and animated raindrops. We had raindrops in FS2004,
better—the parts of each gauge are sharper and cast shadows—and, but they were supposed to be impossible in FSX. Apparently that’s
more importantly, it performs better. Frame rates are higher and not so, but to date this is the only model that has them.
gauge needles move more smoothly than 2D gauges. This is another
technique that was pioneered by RealAir and is now being adopted
more widely, especially for GA planes, military fighters, and some
helicopters. It’s not the only feature that I look for in a premium
model, but it’s near the top of my list.
INSTRUCTOR’S COCKPIT
ND
39
FINAL APPROACH
SPEED BRAKES OUT ON
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First, the model had to produce high frame rates. On my rig (an
Intel quad-core running at 2.4 GHz with four gigs of RAM and Nvidia
8800GT graphics card), it’s smoother than most of the payware I’ve
reviewed, but less smooth than the single-engine models produced
by RealAir, the Classics Hangar Fw-190, or the A2A P-47. If you need
more smoothness, there’s a special multiplayer model that will trade
visual detail for extra frame rates.
Conclusion
Lotus is a new developer and this product, its first at-bat, is a grand
slam. There’s nothing in the model that isn’t polished; and there are
several features that, so far as I know, are unique in FSX. Some, such as
raindrops on the canopy, are cosmetic; others, such as icing and dual
cockpits, have obvious and immediate applications for pilot training.
Don’t buy it for bush flying (the engine spools up too slowly) or for
long hauls (it burns through its fuel supply too quickly). But the model
G is a good balance of eye candy and frame rates, with speed for racing,
P MAPPIN
DETAIL AND BUM
TEXTURE nimbleness for aerobatics, and premium gauges for IFR. It’s also fun. 4
41
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GOOGLE EARTH IMAGE OF THE UNITED STATES ON THE DAY THAT I WAS
WRITING THIS ARTICLE SHOWS BAD WEATHER ACROSS MOST OF THE
SOUTHEAST. THE DAY BEFORE, THE SPACE SHUTTLE WAS FORCED TO
LAND AT EDWARDS AFB RATHER THAN AT THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER.
THE SECTIONAL FOR THE AREA AROUND KATL CLEARLY SHOWS THAT WITH AEROPLANNER, STEP (1) IS TO DESCRIBE THE ROUTE. HERE IT IS
THE FLOORS OF THE CONTROLLED AIRSPACE HAVE VARYING VALUES. FROM KJFK TO KMVY VIA TWO FIXES. IN STEP (2) THE ROUTE IS PLOTTED,
YET IN THE GOOGLE EARTH IMAGES, THE FLOORS OF ALL SECTIONS SHOWING THE SIX AREAS THAT WILL BE OVERLAID. THE RESULT (3) IN
ARE MARKED 10000 FEET. THIS IS ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE IN THAT THE GOOGLE EARTH SHOWS THE ORIGIN, DESTINATION, THE TWO FIXES,
CENTER SECTION OF EVERY CLASS B AIRSPACE SHOULD BE MARKED AND THE ROUTE. IN THIS CASE, I ALSO ASKED FOR ANY AIRPORT WITHIN
“SFC” FOR “SURFACE”. 10 NM OF THE ROUTE THAT HAS A RUNWAY LONGER THAN 5000 FEET.
43
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The San Diego “cake” looks as if someone dropped it. There are 11
layers with the same floors and ceilings, but 21 separate areas. Most
astonishing is the fact that none of the areas has any part of a circle
– they are all polygons with (mostly) straight sides.
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I loaded the contents into both FS9 and FSX to get a full feel
for what is offered. It was a matter of a series of clicks and each
version installed in less than 4 minutes. Interestingly, the R44 is the
biggest component of both installations and it is over twice the size
of the other two offerings in the FS9 version. The DVD includes the
FSX Service Packs 1 and 2 as well as a neat video from Just Flight
demonstrating the White-Waltham airfield that is available from them
for purchase and provides a grass airstrip with the same countryside
feel as the Denham aerodrome.
This is a beautiful rendition of the airplane with excellent external
I also went to the Just Flight website and found a 14.4 Mb service modeling and a well rendered instrument panel. All of the gauges
pack for the Duchess which I downloaded and installed as well. are clear and readable. Curiously, there is a GPS unit in the radio
stack that is modeled after the simplified unit that was first installed
in the airplane. Turning it on activates a self-test page followed by
Piper Archer III a 3 line information page. That is all this unit does- clicking on the
display calls up the default FS GPS in a separate window. I have flown
Archers and this one displays most of the good mannerisms of its full-
sized cousins. However, be prepared to use a healthy amount of nose
down elevator trim when adding flaps as there is a strong tendency
VC
ARCHER to balloon which can start to ruin a perfectly fine landing approach.
Beech Duchess
I have to say this is my favorite of the package and quite a sweet
airplane as well. It handles nicely, is very responsive to the control
inputs and is extremely stable. I was particularly impressed by the
instrument panel. When viewing the main instrument display clicking
on the glare shield cowling summons a small block dubbed the
Cockpit Navigator in the windshield that allows you to select 11 sub
panels to open for additional instruments and switches. Everything
functions as it should except the cockpit heater blower switch does
not actually do anything-but it can be flicked on and off if you so
desire. One oddity on the main instrument panel is what appear to
be adhesive bandages on two sides of the attitude indicator and
the ADF indicator. The only function I could surmise is that they
are velcro pieces to hold cover devices for partial panel instrument
training. Just Flight confirmed this and I suggested they consider
adding clickable covers if another update is issued.
47
DUCHESS NIGHT CO
CKPIT
Robinson R44
DUCHESS AT DENHAM
R44 AT DENHAM
DUCHESS
VC
TAKEOFF
ROBINSON R44 READY FOR
48 CPM. V14I2
49
51
** These orders are handled by PC Aviator’s Australian office. Pricing is in Australian Dollars.
++ These orders are handled by PC Aviator’s USA office. Pricing is in US Dollars
SUBSCRIPTION FORM
Title: First Name: Surname:
Street Address 1:
Street Address 2:
City: State/Province: Country:
ZIP/Postal Code: Phone: Email Address:
Amount To Charge: $
U R O RDER !
O R YO
TH ANK YOU F 53
A
fter flying around in FS for several months 3rd party add-ons and something which sounded very
many years ago, it occurred to me that I was interesting, a virtual airline. After much more reading
only flying the same few routes in the same and surfing the net I decided to give it a go, and was
aircraft over and over again. I tried to venture into a hugely disappointed as I was very restricted in how
different area of the world, but always found myself often I could fly (2 flights per day) and the lack of
coming back to flying in the default aircraft from my activity in the forums. So I left and then went back to
home airport (Leeds Bradford EGNM). After reading flying from Leeds Bradford in the default Cessna.
through an FS related book I discovered that there
was a whole new world out there on the internet with Then FS changed forever for me.
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55
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What happens when you want to take a break from flying in your
hub and fly from another one for a few weeks? Not a problem, just
head on over to that hub and fly their routes (either PAY or AFA)
then come back to your own hub when you are ready. If the grass
really is greener on the other side, you can transfer hubs. You can
easily see what routes are available from each hub before you
decide to fly from there thanks to the very easy to use flight database
system on the website. Just fill in where you want to fly from and
with which category or aircraft and it’s all displayed in a matter of
seconds for you.
57
A
ny time a software add-on touts two
products for the price of one I am usually What’s In the Box?
pretty quick about picking it up and this The Typhoon and Tiger package comes in boxed format and can
be had from just about any software outlet that sells MSFS add-
time around the guys over at First Class Simulations
ons. The package itself costs US$34.95 and if you do the math that
have brought us yet another interesting blend of is about 17 bucks and some cents per add-on which really is a good
aircraft in one add-on. This time we get to climb deal for each.
into the cockpits of the Eurofighter Typhoon and
the Eurocopter Tiger! Two unique military aircraft Installation is simple, as with all of the First Class Simulation titles.
Simply insert the disk and choose which simulation you want to install
that derive from a different part of the world and the add-on into and away you go. Being that this add-on will allow
myself, being mostly an American Plane flyer, itself to be installed into either FSX or FS9 I tend to question whether
welcome the change and the challenge of learning the Typhoon and the Tiger are true FSX models or whether they are
something new. actually FS9 models ported over to work in FSX? It would seem the
latter is true. If so, this is not always a bad thing, but I think the box
should be clear about what you are buying if this is indeed the case.
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59
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I found the chopper relatively easy to land and take off as well
as fly, but what amazed me the most is how it responded to other
forces like braking or windy conditions. For example, when sitting
on the tarmac and taxiing, once you apply the brakes you visually
see the effect of the brakes being applied and how it affects
the shocks in the wheel struts. From a dead stop hover I had to
counteract the wind forces by applying torque to keep it straight
and level to compensate for the drift.
61
B
y popular demand, Freeware Frenzy has returned to Computer Pilot magazine!
Every 2nd issue, we will track down the best freeware downloads available for a wide variety of civilian and combat
simulators. Every add-on mentioned in this column can be yours for FREE (Internet connection required) thanks to the
great community of freeware developers devoting their time to creating awesome simulation masterpieces. We salute you!
At least once every month, someone on the forums announces the death of flight sim
freeware. I’ve been writing the Frenzies for three years now, and I’ve never once been
stumped for new material. There’s always something new, and there’s often something
old that I’ve overlooked. “How did I miss these?” I ask myself. The PW Sceneries are
an example. Since January 2009, Paul Wheeler has been releasing freeware scenery
for the Caribbean islands. So far, he’s done Grenada (volume 1); the Grenadines, St.
Vincent and Barbados (volume 2); St. Lucia and Martinique (volume 3); Dominica
and Guadeloupe (volume 4). Next up, according to his forum, will be “all the islands
immediately north of Guadeloupe: Montserrat, Antigua, Redonda, St Kitts, Nevis,
Barbuda, St Eustatius, Saba, St Barthelemy, St Maarten, Scrub Island, Dog Island,
Sombrero and all the small islets in between.” Ten volumes are planned altogether,
with coverage for the whole Caribbean. Wheeler uses objects from the default scenery
library, so the downloads are very small. But each one features moving traffic, rivers and
streams, accurate land usage, and detailed coastlines. On my mid-range PC, frame rates
are good even in heavy cloud. (It helps that the islands are surrounded by water.) Even
PW SCENERIES if you don’t normally fly here—and I didn’t used to—give one of these a try, maybe
starting with volume 4, and see if you don’t get the whole set.
Since FSX came out three years ago, the sport of virtual soaring has been racing forward.
We’ve already featured a couple of gliders and a utility, CumulusX! by Peter Lürkens,
that produces thermals, marks them with clouds, and even generates ridge lift. This latest
offering, by a team in Poland, is a wooden glider from the mid-1960s. Unlike modern
gliders, which are made of synthetic materials, the Pirat isn’t certified for aerobatics, but
it’s a pleasure to fly. The model is FSX-native and comes with three paint schemes. The
wooden wings aren’t as supple as those of the modern default glider, though they do flex.
Where this model really stands out is in the cockpit, which has pin-sharp textures and
custom gauges, including a total energy variometer. The gauges are 3D, which means
they not only look better, but also move more smoothly than the 2D gauges in the default
SZD-30 PIRAT
glider. There is also a brand-new, easy-to-use winch gauge, which can launch the glider
without the use of slewing or a tow-plane.
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V14I1
CARRIER TRACKS VOLUMES 1 AND 2 - FSX CARRIER TRAFFIC Author: David Wilson-Okamura Filename:
carriertracks1and2.zip File size: 4 Mb Available from: flightsim.com, sim-outhouse.com (under author “dswo”)
Here’s another party that I arrived late at; this one started in
2002. To date, the Aeroworx team has made airports, bush strips,
harbors, dams, terrain mesh, landclass, custom objects, roads,
railroads, power lines, rivers, waterfalls, game parks, resorts,
and realistic shorelines. The coverage area includes Namibia,
Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and South Africa. A complete
list of what’s available—and what’s obsolete—can be found
at aeroworxsa.co.za. One thing that’s still missing, for most of
the coverage area, is up-to-date landclass; for this, the team
recommends “Africa Landclass” by Jim Keir (afrilc.zip in the avsim.
com file library), which was made for FS2004, covers all of Africa,
SOUTHERN AFRICA
and still works in FSX.
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CPM. V14I2
I
f there is any one helicopter for FSX that I and D models of the Huey UH-1 and includes both First Time Out
would want, it would definitely have to be the M21 and M22 sub-systems for each, leaving Flying the UH-1 Huey for the first time out was a lot
the UH-1 Huey. The UH-1 Huey helicopter the pilot with two different paints for each model. of fun, mainly because I had to really test myself on
is probably best known for its military role in how to get going from a cold start. With a little cockpit
Vietnam, I mean as long as I can remember any The visual detail from the outside to the inside familiarization and a quick glance at the checklists I did
documentary or movie that involves the conflict of the chopper is quite good and represents the get her fired up the first time, but did I keep it running
in Vietnam usually includes this helicopter in one chopper well. The designers spared nothing when long enough to get in the air? No! Another quick check
way or another! creating the external model as every conceivable and realizing that I had not flipped the necessary switches
part is visible and moves correctly. to keep the engine running I was finally up and flying.
Well, the guys over at Nemeth Designs and MILVIZ
have since brought this magnificent chopper into Climbing into the cockpit you will be greeted by a I found the chopper to be quick and responsive and really
reality as a complete add-on for Flight Simulator X. relatively functional virtual cockpit and a complete a lot of fun to fly at low altitude. As I have always said
This package will let you hear that distinct sound 3D rendition of the rear compartment. The only with helicopters and any Flight Simulator, you really have
that only a UH-1 Huey can make and it will take thing missing are crew members! The panel is to have a “feel” for the chopper and I think the guys over
you on a virtual tour in a chopper that has been reasonable although there are one or two displays at MILVIZ have a done a great job with the UH-1 in that
designed from the ground up to model that of its that appear to do nothing, or very little. respect.
real world counterpart.
It wouldn’t be a Huey if it didn’t have that Wrap It Up Already!
The UH-1 Huey unmistakable “Whoop Whoop” sound they are If you are a helicopter nut like I am or if you are looking
The UH-1 modeled in this add-on is based on the famous for and I can say with a great deal of to get into helicopters with FSX than this one is for you.
Model 204 and 205 of the Huey design and are admiration for the developers that they have It is one of the most interesting helos I have seen to date
classified as UH-1C (Model 204) and the UH- definitely delivered on the sound department. Even for FSX. The Huey retails for US$35 and is available from
1D(Model 205). The package includes both the C interior warning sounds are modeled too. selected flight sim download stores online.
UH-1D
P
revious FSX benchmarking tests were
published in the January and October/
November 2009 issues of this magazine. The
results of these tests suggested that users wishing to
upgrade their Flight Simulator performance should
focus on upgrading the processor and associated
memory (and likely motherboard), as well as using
a recent generation graphics card. A new graphics
card is particularly important for providing the
“headroom” to run large or multiple monitors.
Fortunately for upgraders, new generations of
processors, memory, and graphics cards are being
produced with improved performance at prices no
higher and sometimes lower than costs of previous
hardware generations.
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67
Test System
With continued hardware support from NVIDIA and new hardware
support by Intel and Corsair, I built a new system for conducting the
tests reported in this article. My test system included the following
key components:
At this point, I studied the BIOS and reviewed key settings, such
as the processor multipliers and related parameters. Initial tests
were conducted with default BIOS settings for the i7-940 processor:
multiplier of 22 and host clock speed of 133 gHz, which provides a CPU-Z UTILITY SHOWING OVERCLOCKED OPERATION OF I7-975, WITH
nominal processor speed of 2.93 GHz with Turbo off and up to 3.07 A TURBO MULTIPLIER OF 31 AND PROCESSOR SPEED OF 4.13 GHZ.
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69
With the tested motherboard, I could not increase the host clock SETTINGS AND COMMENTS CORE SPEED, MAX. FPS
multiplier higher than the default setting of 22, nor could I change
the turbo multiplier higher than 24 for core 1 and 23 for cores 2- Default settings, except Turbo off, 3.33 40.2
4, so overclocking was accomplished by increasing the host clock memory at 1600, cpu multiplier at 25
frequency, along with a few other adjustments. For tests with
hyperthreading on, Turbo Boost on (23x), and memory at 1600, the Same except Turbo on, with turbo
accompanying graph shows framerate results versus core frequency. multiplier at 26 for all cores. 3.47 41.6
The test results are nearly linear, as expected.
Same, except increase turbo
multipliers to 28 3.73 44.2
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Conclusions
There was a significant framerate performance improvement (about
33%) in moving from the Core 2 Quad Q6600 processor to either
of two i7-900 series processors tested for this article at the same
processor clock rate. This “technology gain” is impressive, whether
credited to the i7-900 series processor architecture, socket 1366
motherboard efficiency, triple channel memory, improved caching, or
other features. This is good news for users thinking about upgrading
to i7 series processors.
71
Summary of Benchmarking Procedure Open and minimize the FRAPS interface, and note the framerate
Download FSXMark07.zip from www.avsim.com, read the display in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. Important: click
instructions, download FRAPS from www.fraps.com, install your mouse on the FSX screen to bring it “in focus,” wait about five
as directed, and make the FRAPS settings recommended in the seconds for the mouse cursor image to disappear, and then press the
FSXMark07 instructions. “P” keystroke to simultaneously start the benchmark flight and the
FRAPS framerate logging, after which the FRAPS framerate display
will display a green box and then disappear within a few seconds.
VIEW AT BEGINNING OF BENCHMARKING FLIGHT
During the flight, do not touch the mouse or keyboard, as doing so
will reduce the framerate. The flight runs a flight plan on autopilot and
auto throttle, which flies the CRJ700 past downtown Seattle, Boeing
Field, Sea-Tac International Airport, and then turns southeastward
toward Auburn Municipal Airport (S50), with Mt. Rainier in the
distance. Enjoy the scenery during 5-minute flight until you see the
framerate display reappear with a momentary red “stop” box around
the average framerate number. Not to worry if you miss seeing this
number, because FRAPS calculates and stores the framerate results
file in its /Benchmarks folder.
To set up for another run in FSX, without hitting the “P” key,
reload the flight from the FSX menu, or copy and use a shortcut on
your desktop to C:\Users\(username)\Documents\Flight Simulator
X Files\FSXMark07.FLT. This action should reload the flight while
keeping FSX and FRAPS coordinated, and if so, you’ll see the yellow
FRAPS display after the reload. The accompanying image shows
sample results from one run, from file FSX (date and time stamp)
minmaxavg.csv. If desired, you can copy results to a new spreadsheet
and plot results in relation to computer and FSX settings.
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I’ve been a subscriber to your great magazine for as long as I’ve known
about it... and look forward to receiving it, and reading the many
interesting articles about all kinds of things aviation ... and of course
buying all the various bits and pieces that appeal to me.
After reading the article of a home Flight Sim setup in the last magazine,
I’ve forwarded some pictures I’ve taken of my own setup. Doing an
Instrument rating at the moment, I find my flight sim an invaluable tool
to bring my skills up to the required standard as I progress through the
training. Also, if I’m going on a flight somewhere I’ve never been before,
I can do the flight plan, “fly the mission” on Flight Sim, and then do the
are” ILOT
real thing the next day.
“Phil W OMPUTER P !
I have three 19” screens of the 4 x 3 type, two have died already, and I’ve
M O N TH C XTENSION
12 /E
WINS BSCRIPTION
had them replaced under warranty, so I have a spare just in case it happens
again. They are a reputable brand too, so that was rather surprising.
Living in Brisbane Australia, I have a grandson, who can fly the Extra 300s
underneath our main city bridge upside down, do an outside loop, and fit
between two city buildings while so doing.
At our aero club, we have a new “Glass Cockpit G1000” Cessna 172, and
after flying it on FSX first, and becoming fully familiar with everything, the
actual Flight Check only needed to be quite short, so it saved me some
dollars!
Phil Ware
Queensland, Australia.
Congratulations to Al Pelletier on his article praising the new Cessna the two of them blending together, we have an amazing hobby which we
Citation (Mustang). will be able to take to our graves.
Many of us who have been with Flight Simulator for a few years are After reading about the Cessna Mustang, it is not hard to imagine
stimulated by the development of the new ‘Hi-Tech’ simulations which that one will get the same challenge from this aircraft which I am
are being produced today. It is another step up in our quest for reality looking forward to receiving soon. The Garmin 1000 GPS, alone,
and another step up from the old technology which has now become is enough of a challenge which I have gained some knowledge
‘Ho-Hum’ to those seeking expansion to our hobby. from past use and I look forward to sitting in the pilot’s seat of
the Mustang with all this new technology before me and to work
I have recently downloaded the VRS F18E Superbug for FS9 and have systematically through all its features.
been engrossed in the new technology in that simulation. It gets the
old grey matter stirred up (aged 72) and is a long term challenge to Bring it on!
achieve mastery over every aspect of this amazing fighting machine.
Not only are the new aircraft stirring the blood in our veins, but the new Mike Posford
scenery packages go hand in hand to bring reality even closer and with Coffs Harbour, Australia.
73
BY DOUG HORTON
T
his issue of Hints focuses on airport facilities
data (AFD) file editors – sometimes called
“AFCAD” programs after Lee Swordy’s
pioneering but no-longer-maintained AFD editor. Two
free or donation and one commercial editor allow
simple or complex modifications of default airports,
providing for extremely realistic scenery additions
or editing of airports in both FS2004 and FSX. I
offer this information in hopes of seeing more AFD
(AFCAD) files posted for favorite airports.
Airport Facilities Data (AFD) Editors
As a passenger on a United Airlines flight, I recently experienced
landing on the new northernmost runway 9L/27R at O’Hare
International Airport. Noting that several other construction projects
have been completed as part of an ongoing major expansion and
updating of O’Hare, I looked at how, for FSX, I might add the new
runway, redesignate the original east-west runways, extend the length
of newly designated 10/28 (old 9R/27L), plus add, modify, and
rename many new and revised taxiways.
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Two of the three editors are available to edit AFD files in both
FS2004 and FSX. AFD information is provided for all default airports
in FSX in a series of numbered folders in the \(your FSX folder)\
scenery\world\ folder, for FSX, with filenames of the form APX?????.
bgl. Though these files can be decompiled into *.xml files, manually
edited, and recompiled with BGLComp.exe, which is found in the
FSX SDK \Environment Kit\ BGL Compiler\ folder, the procedure is
quite tedious. Working with AFD editors provides visual editing and
is significantly easier!
The editors don’t actually edit the default AFD files, which remain
intact. Instead, the output of the three editors is a new *.bgl file that
is placed in a higher layer of your scenery.cfg file than the default
AFD files. Though these are commonly called AFCAD files, the more
appropriate term is AFD files. When FSX (or FS2004) starts, or you
move your aircraft to a particular airport, information in the new AFD
file produced by one of the editors will selectively use and/or replace
information in the related default AFD file.
AIRPORT DIAGRAM OF O’HARE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (KORD)
Airport Design Editor
Airport Design Editor (ADE) is a complete editor for airport
facilities data, and beginning with version 1.45, ADE supports both
FS2004 (FS9) and FSX. Author Jon “Scruffyduck” Masterson says
this new functionality means that FS9 airport developers now have
access to most of the ADE functionality that has been available to
FSX airport designers. In particular, this includes the Approach
Designer and all the other tools that allow users to work with
buildings, signs, etc. The only area not currently supported for FS9
is terrain elements such as land class, roads, etc. Work has also been
accomplished to make importing of existing AFCAD files into ADE
as easy as possible. Current features of ADE include:
75
EDITING SCREEN FOR FSXP, WITH PROPERTIES FOR ONE PARKING SPOT
DISPLAY ON LEFT SIDE FSX PLANNER MAP VIEW WITH AERIAL PHOTO BACKGROUND IMAGE BELOW
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Airport Facilitator X One of the most interesting features of AFX is the FS Preview
Airport Facilitator X (AFX) is a commercial product by Flight1, function, which enables seeing the airport being edited, along with
which currently sells for $29.95 US. Program look and operation facilities data “live” and AI traffic in FS. If top-down view is selected
is very similar to the freeware AFCAD program authored by Lee in FS, the view will closely resemble the AFX map view, and it will
Swordy for FS2002 and FS2004, so AFX will be very familiar in show parking spots, apron taxi paths, and all other features projected
operation to those who worked with AFCAD. onto the FS scenery. After starting AFX, then FS, this feature is started
by selecting View, and then “Preview in FS.” The accompanying image
AFX features are fully explained at http://www.flight1.com/products. shows an elevated 2D cockpit view, without the control panel. Note the
asp?product=afxv1 and include the capability to add or edit: AI aircraft in parking spots that are color-coded by airline.
• Airport reference point
• Tower viewpoint An issue with AFX (in all versions through 1.08) is that it does not
• Runways – with markings and runway lights support all FSX AFD features. Consequently, when opening an AFD file
• Taxiways with designators, apron paths, and nodes generated another program, such as ADE or FSXP, it will notify the user
• Parking spots – with optional airline assignments that it is stripping out the unsupported features and advise saving the
• Apron polygons and edge lights resulting AFX-generated file with another name and placing it in a layer
• Start locations above the other file. In operation, FSX will first read the default AFD
• Helipads information, replace default features with features in the first AFD file, if
• Taxiway signs any – the one initially opened in AFX – and then it will replace features
• Comm frequencies in that file with those in the newly saved AFX file. Hopefully, AFX will
• Navaids (VOR, NDB, ILS components) someday support all FSX AFD features (at least those supported by AFX
• Exclusion rectangles – can also exclude autogen scenery and FSXP) and this extra-step procedure will be unnecessary.
AFX’S FS PREVIEW FEATURE SHOWN AT FSDREAMTEAM’S O’HARE INT’L AIRPORT, WITH AI AIRCRAFT FROM ULTIMATE TRAFFIC 2
77
BY DOUG HORTON
H
ere’s another collection of hints for FSX,
gathered from various sources, including
my own trials and discoveries in “flying” the
program. The first hint deals with the surprising and
important fact that at least with Intel® Core i7™
series processors and Vista Home Premium, it’s easy
to accidentally degrade the processor performance
(and FSX framerate) by about half! You’ll also learn
how easy it is to find by date and flight number the
flight plans of commercial airlines flying to, from, or
within the U.S., which makes it easy to recreate these
flights in Flight Simulator.
Accidentally Degrading Processor
Performance
During the benchmarking exercises described elsewhere in
this issue, I learned that a simple change Windows settings can
inconspicuously degrade Intel Core i7 and perhaps other processor
performance by 50%. In terms of FSX performance, this results in a
nearly 50% reduction in framerates, and this could be one reason for
many users experiencing low FSX framerates.
78 CPM. V14I2
Users can adjust the processor multiplier and other settings in the
BIOS, as well as with the Intel Desktop Control Center software. I spent
hours adjusting BIOS settings, and I even reloaded the BIOS. Though the
BIOS continued to show the multiplier set at 22 and Turbo multiplier at
23, RealTemp continued to show the multiplier at 12. I then called Intel
Technical Support to find a solution, though this issue was apparently not
in the support knowledge base, and the recommended solution did not
fix the problem. Finally, I found the solution by searching the Internet
and recalling actions I’d taken the previous day, before the downward
performance change.
One of my actions the previous day was opening the Power Options
feature in the Windows Vista Home Premium Control Panel to adjust
REALTEMP UTILITY SHOWING PROCESSOR SPEED OF 3066.77 MHZ WITH
the sleep times of my monitor and system. Being conscious of computer
MULTIPLIER OF 23 TIMES BASE CLOCK RATE OF 133.34 energy use, and the reduced fan speeds and noise I might experience,
I’d changed the power profile setting from the default Balanced plan
to the Power Saver plan. Quite inconspicuously, this set the maximum
During several days of testing FSX performance with various processor state to 50%. This was what caused the i7-940 processor to
settings, I’d noticed that the i7-940 processor multiplier usually hold a multiplier of 12 instead of cycling between 12 and 23. The default
cycled between a low of 12 and Turbo setting of 23. The nominal settings for the three default power plans for Vista Home Premium are
multiplier is 22 for this processor, which increases to 23 with the shown in the accompanying images.
Turbo feature enabled in the BIOS. To observe this behavior, I used
RealTemp 3.40 to track processor performance and temperatures, I’d seen these minimum and maximum percentages when editing
as well as Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) temperature. This Power Options in the system I’ve been running for several years,
freeware utility is available at http://www.techpowerup.com/ though I incorrectly presumed these settings are related only to when
downloads/1691/Real_Temp_3.40.html. the computer automatically powers down in the Sleep mode. To fix the
problem, I simply changed the power plan back to Balanced, which
After a midday break and adjustment of a few Windows settings changed the maximum processor power state setting to 100%. Thereafter,
related to the Sleep feature, I noticed that the processor multiplier the processor resumed its normal behavior of varying the multiplier with
seemed to be locked at 12, regardless of processor load. In turn, this load, moving up to 23 under significant load with Turbo enabled. Note
resulted in FSX framerates that were nearly 50% below what I’d been that I could also have selected either Balanced or High Performance,
seeing during several days of previous testing. I wondered if something both of which default to 100% maximum processor state, or I could have
had gone wrong with the processor or motherboard BIOS settings. manually adjusted the maximum to 100% in the Power Saver plan.
79
The simple answer is that the flight had been cleared for a
Departure Procedure, and neither courses nor altitudes needed to
be directed by Tower and Departure. To verify this the morning
after I arrived home in the Chicago area, I browsed to www.
flightaware.com, entered information for United flight 417, and a
list of recent flight dates was provided, including the date of our
flight. The filed route for our flight was shown as STAAV4 BCE
J100 EKR CYS FOD J94 DBQ JVL JVL5. Notice that the route
begins with STAAV4 and BCE. To see this Departure Procedure, I
browsed to www.airnav.com, selected the Airports tab, and then I
entered KLAS. After the page for KLAS displayed, I was able to
VISTA HOME PREMIUM PROCESSOR STATES FOR find download link for the STAAV4 departure, and I downloaded
HIGH PERFORMANCE POWER PLAN both pages 1 and 2, as displayed in the accompanying images.
80 CPM. V14I2
With takeoff from runway 25R, the aircraft was flown, on the You can use www.flightaware.com and www.airnav.com to replay
STAAV Four departure, with transition to BCE, on initial heading of the details of any commercial flight in the USA, including a view of
255° to LEELN, 332° to TOMIS, 032° to BATIS, 054° to MEDOE, the track, and you can see the filed flight plan for any fight departing
074° to STAAV, 076° to TRALR, and then 031° to the Bryce Canyon from or arriving in the USA, though the track may not be complete or
(BCE) VOR, with altitudes as shown in the accompanying diagram accurate for international flights. 4
and route description. After BCE, the filed route was via J100 to
EKR, direct to the CYS and FOD VORs, via J94 to the DBQ VOR,
and then direct to the JVL VOR for transition to the JVL5 Standard
Terminal Arrival Route (STAR).
UNITED FLIGHT 417 TRACK WITH STAAV4 DEPARTURE AND JVL5 ARRIVAL
STANDARD DEPARTURE STAAV FOUR, PAGE 2 – FROM WWW.FLIGHTAWARE.COM
81
BY ROGER CURTISS
L
et’s face it, after a while flying to the same
airports can become a bit tiresome. Perhaps
there is too much predictability to the whole Breaking it down, there are three adjustable components to a flight:
thing. One way to perk things up for those who have
an internet connection is to enable the simulator 1. Location
2. Weather
to use real world weather. That adds a dose of
3. Aircraft
unpredictability but actually, the weather in most
places is simply not all that bad most of the time Altering any of these can generate an experience that takes you just
so even this will not consistently get you conditions beyond your comfort level. Making adjustments to more than one of
to make your palms sweat… No, in order to shake these variables in a single flight can keep you very busy and eliminate
any humdrum notions you may have about flying (as if!).
things up a bit you may need to put forth some effort
and work at it a bit. My intent is to give you some A studied look at each component in turn will explore the
ideas to spice up your flying. possibilities they offer.
82 CPM. V14I2
• I recently read a brief news item that the Russian aircraft One such challenge can be found in the Netherland Antilles.
manufacturer Sukhoi was taking its new Superjet 100 regional jet This island chain is a popular destination for pilots and airplane
to the Shirak Airport in Gyumri, Armenia for high-altitude trials. watchers as the well known approach to the St. Maarten Princess
The explanation was that the airport is at 5000’ elevation, tucked Juliana airport lies directly over a beach just outside the airport
between mountains with takeoffs and landings only permitted fence. However, if you head 25 miles south of St. Maarten there
from the south to the 10,500 foot runway. This sounded intriguing is the Juancho E Yrausquin airport (SABA). This is reported to
so I checked and found Shirak airport (UGEL). As I departed be the shortest commercial runway in the world with a length of
from UGEL I could not help but notice how nicely detailed were only 1300’. In order to operate on it in flight sim you will have to
the buildings of Gyumri. Quite a neat setting. cheat a little as the runway is closed and marked with a yellow X
at each end.
• Mike Ray, the “Guru of Boeing Jets” (my appellation for him-
not his) in his “Flying the Boeing 700 Series” book describes But one need not visit an exotic location in order to test the
the VOR/DME Rwy 1 approach into Guatemala City Airport limits. That same 5000’ runway from which I learned was a
(MGGT). It requires tight airspeed and altitude control in seemingly endless expanse of concrete for a C152 but try landing
mountainous terrain and at the initial visual acquisition of the a lightly loaded 727 or 737 there and suddenly the pucker factor
runway the aircraft may be below the proper approach angle. has been increased greatly. Also be aware that at some airports
The pilot must maintain altitude until the PAPI lights change there might be enough room to land but insufficient runway to
to the desired 2 white/2 red configuration before continuing the depart- in which case you might have to dismantle the airplane to
descent. The runway is relatively short (for the airport elevation) move it somewhere else.
so the landing must be precise. Sure enough, MGGT is also
displayed in FS9 with a big airport and scenic surroundings. It is also not just aircraft size vs. airport size that can make things
challenging. Try operating a basic trainer from Leadville Colorado
• It was reported in Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine (KLXV) or San Rafael in Peru (SPRF). What do these airports have
in 2008 that Air China had begun 757 service to Linzhi Airport in common? Leadville, at 9925’ MSL is the highest elevation airport
(ZUNZ) in Tibet. This airport is situated at 9760’ elevation in a in the USA. San Rafael at 14422’ has the distinction of being the
mountain valley only 1 mile wide surrounded by 25,000’+ peaks world’s highest-even though it is an 8700’ dirt runway.
in an area that receives rain an average of 300 days a year. Air
China utilizes a customized Required Navigation Performance Making a visit to SPRF in flight sim can be quite intimidating,
(RNP) approach that starts at FL300 and requires the aircraft to to say the least. There is a terrain mesh error as the airport sits
execute a series of precise turns in the descent for a short straight- at the bottom of a rather steep and very narrow bowl. Takeoffs,
in final. Unfortunately, this airport was opened in 2004 and is while tricky can be made. There is a small notch taking off to the
not depicted in either FS9 or FSX but my point is that you may northwest that allows enough altitude gain flying straight ahead to
hear about airports and then check them out. None of these are clear the valley walls and it can be nerve wracking to do so while
airports to which I would even attempt to fly had I not been made watching the altimeter needle approach 16,000’. Landings are
aware of them. another matter altogether. I tried approaching the valley as low and
slow as I could but it is not possible to dive into the bowl and keep
There are many other airports whose geographical location requires the airspeed from climbing. Once in the bowl there is simply not
a precise approach with little room for deviation due to terrain. enough room to lose the airspeed by circling. Working within the
Innsbruck, Austria (LOWI) comes to mind as well as the approach limitations of high altitude airports is hard enough and it is a shame
to Aspen Colorado’s Pitkin County airport (KASE). The famous this anomaly spoils the effect.
checkerboard approach to Hong Kong’s Kai Tak airport (VHHX) also
requires very careful piloting. Weather
In ’real life’ flying a pilot can control what airplane to fly and
Planning a flight to these or any other location is also made where to fly it but weather is the big unknown and uncontrollable
relatively easy by utilizing the flight planning feature of the simulator variable. In that regard, flight simmers have a distinct advantage in
program or a variety of third party offerings such as FS Navigator that in addition to the first two, the weather is also something we
and FS Flight Keeper. Additionally there are a wide number of can dictate. And with that power comes the ability to do all sorts
commercial flight planners available. Also online are various free of interesting things (We also have the advantage of being able to
resources including www.flightaware.com and www.vroute.net. These hit pause -or not- and take a restroom break, but I digress) with
sites offer access to actual flight routes filed and flown by commercial just a few limitations due to the ability of the computer to generate
flights or in the case of vroute, submitted by contributors. weather phenomena.
83
CLIMBING OUT OF THE HOLE SVAS SHOULD CLEAR THE WALL AS LONG AS THE LANDING GEAR IS UP
84 CPM. V14I2
LEFT BASE TO SABA YIKES
As you can see, this incremental application of increasing While searching the Avsim files for Doherty’s approaches I found
complexity of weather can take quite a few flights to master. Then, a 3 part series of files as well by Steve Cartwright. These are called
once you can fly in a strong crosswind in minimum visibility try the “Crossing North America Flight Adventures” and together provide
whole thing again but with a different aircraft. This is all part of the VFR flight plans and links to freeware aircraft to fly a series of
lifetime of learning that is flying. scenic flights from Pt. Hope, Alaska via the Western US mountain
states to Cancun, Mexico. The three file sets contain 30 flights and
Been There-Done That covered over 3700 miles. It does not appear that Cartwright finished
So- you are a true commander of the skies able to land anything the project and I do not know where the last flight ended but it does
from a glider to an A380 in any weather condition. OK Captain, cover some very scenic land areas. Cartwright’s description notes
now go back to each aircraft, start disabling one system at a time state that his inspiration was part Doherty and part David Dossiere
and do it all again. Things will be a bit different if you are operating who created “Hopping Round the World”.
on one less engine than you started with, or without flaps or with
that fancy FMS or autopilot on the fritz. That series was produced from 2003 to 2005 and ultimately
consisted of 79 adventure pack downloads utilizing a wide variety
All of a sudden you have gone from “same old, same old” to of aircraft (with sources for them listed in his readme notes) that
“there will never be enough time to fly all the possibilities” and amounted to a total of 796 takeoffs and landings and 150,314
that is certainly a good position to be in. And even if you somehow miles traveled.
managed to put aside everything else in your life and devote
yourself strictly to flight simulation by the time you achieved As this list makes clear there are many ways to fly to new places
absolute proficiency some developer will have come up with a new and discovering them is simply a matter of paying attention to
idea to add to the mix. information readily available. There simply is no way anyone could
ever get bored in flight simulation. So what are you waiting for?
Not a Do-it-Yourselfer? Get going and visit some new places in some different airplanes and
For those who simply cannot or do not want to make their own keep the cobwebs from forming on your computer or in your mind.
adventures there is the work of Michael Doherty. In 2004, Doherty
began compiling adventures consisting of approaches into some of ** As if these were not enough ways to stimulate your interest I
the trickiest and nastiest airports he could find in FS9 and posting have two more suggestions before concluding:
them on Avsim and Flightsim.com. He calls them Doherty’s
Difficult and Dangerous Approaches and there are 71 volumes of • Fly online. The presence of live ATC and other traffic can spice
them. With each file containing at least 10 approaches that amounts things up a bit. If you want to make it even more interesting
to over 700 interesting approaches. While some will have you join the throngs at an online event (there are at least one or two
tightening your seat belt others are more basic, but all are designed of them every week) where you must listen for your callsign in
to add to the diversity of the simming experience and help you hone the midst of rapid fire communications by ATC while headed
your skills. somewhere you may never have previously been.
The flights are installed in the Select Flight menu of FS9 with • Trust your Computer Pilot writers. This magazine
a brief description of each exercise stating the runway length occasionally publishes articles on dangerous approaches and
and elevation and each file consists of a video segment that takes offers airports that feature them. 4
85
BY AL PELLETIER
R
If you have undertaken previous Round Robins, skip the next ound Robin adventure “Madeira and Grand Canaria”:
paragraph, jump right in, and have fun. For those who are new to This month we are flying for DHL (or any other cargo
this, Round Robins are published with the intent of having flight company). We are going to take some wine from
simmers fly, look at the scenery, refresh our geography, practice our Portugal to the islands of Madeira, then south to the Grand
cross country navigation, perform approaches at different airports Canaria island, and come back with a full load of fruit from
all over the world, and have some FUN. In the message, you will be the Canary Islands. Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago in
receiving info like: airport departure and runway number, VORs and the mid Atlantic Ocean approximately 540nm S/W of Lisbon.
NDBs enroute, two or three middle airport destinations, for VFR or Madeira is part of Portugal and the European Union. The
INST approach, and back to your point of departure (Round Robin). “Islas Canarias” or “Canary Islands” are a Spanish archipelago
You will also be given ILS and LOM freq., minimums, procedures located between 50 to 260nm due west of Morocco. The
etc. and a little background on the geography of the area. After Islands are a Spanish Autonomous Community with over
you fly a few of these, you will have a much better command and two million people. Grand Canaria, itself, is one of the most
understanding of the different types of published procedures. You populated islands of the “Gran Canarias” or Great Canary
will learn to handle a lot of information in a very short time, while islands. The Island’s economy is based on tourism and tropical
still maintaining control of your aircraft. agriculture, primarily bananas and tobacco. Now you know
what your cargo will be on the way back!
I have uploaded some great charts at the Computer Pilot’s web site, so
don’t miss out and download them. “Again, some very rare and special
charts are included for this one. Don’t miss them”
90 CPM. V14I2
Scenery (Payware):
I was fortunate to receive the very impressive scenery addon:
“The Wonderful Madeira’s” from Aerosoft Germany.
You can find it at www.aerosoft.com. If you do purchase this
software package, download the Madeira Islands Improvement
pack by Pedro Oliveira at flightsim.com. Do a search for
“Madeira”.
Land Class and textures addons from FS Genesis located at:
http://www.fsgenesis.com/ Flight Sim just isn’t the same without
these. They are available for both FS9 and FSX
Scenery (Freeware):
I also found another superb freeware scenery package of the Grand
Canaria Airport at www.flightsim.com Do a search for “Canarias”. This
scenery was done by the CanarySim team.
I found some scenery for Lisbon by Sergio Jorge at
www.flightsim.com Look for “libonapt.zip”
May I suggest, that you READ the route a couple of times before
starting out, so that you’ll have the flight plan fairly clear in your mind.
Especially in a fast medium or large jet aircraft, there isn’t much time to
spare and definitely no room for errors.
The scenario and tasking for this exercise: We are flying for DHL cargo
and we have been tasked to take a full load of wine to the Madeira
Islands and then on to Grand Canaria to ferry a load of tropical fruit
back to Lisbon on our return trip. I flew a Boeing 757-200F for my
flight. It could also be flown with the default Boeing 737.This route can MADEIRA ROUND ROBIN MAP WITH ROUTE
also be flown in FS2002/FS2004/FSX or any other flight simulator with
the necessary NAVAIDS and scenery.
One more note. If you are using ATC for take off, taxi and landings,
you might be given different RWY or taxi way, depending on the
weather. You might even input the whole trip in a FS flight plan and fly
it that way.
BEGIN
91
Land at Madeira and take first available left to terminal. (I used the
farthest building to the west for the Cargo ramp)
92
OFF AT MADEIRA RUNWAY
CPM. V14I2
93
Land at LISBON airport and take first available right to cargo ramp
located at the far North East area of the airport.
END
94 CPM. V14I2
1. Quotes and photos from Airways magazine are courtesy of and with
permission of the Editor. Many thanks!
2. Chris Squire for test flying the route. Chris is a retired military pilot with
over 12,000 hours of flying time.
3. I used a combination of FSNavigator (sadly no longer available), Abacus
Co-Pilot (for FSX) and FlightSim
Commander for my flight planning and maps. Courtesy of Simmarket.
com and Abacuspub.com.
4. Justin Tyme (FSGENESIS.NET) terrain textures that make my writing so
MADEIRA TO GRAND CANARIA FLIGHT PLAN much more enjoyable.
FLIGHT SIM COMMANDER 5. Miguel Blaufuks of SIMMARKET.COM for the copy of Flight Sim
Commander 8.5 flight planning program.
(www.simmarket.com) Thanks Miguel!!
6. The CanarySim team for the freeware version of Grand Canarias
7. PCAviator for the great selection of Flight Sim software addons.
(www.pcaviator.com)
8. Thanks to Tanya, and the Captain Sim team, for providing me with the
great Boeing 757-200F airplane. www.captainsim.com
Al 4
95
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LearJet Around the World Have something to say about the flight simulation hobby? The flight
Following on from Lane Kolbly’s 2009 article on the 10,000 mile wide simulation community, or just a rant or rave about anything simulation
Cessna trip and learning to fly, Lane is back documenting his recent trip or aviation related?
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Operating the PMDG JS4100
sion if you already subscribe – to Computer Pilot. Each issue we will
PMDG’s newest aircraft offering is the JS4100 twin turboprop passenger
choose the best letters with the best angle/take on a flight simulation
liner, and it is already a best-selling package. The aircraft is quite detailed
topic and publish them in our Inbox column.
and can be tricky for the newer pilot to master. Rob Scott offers an in depth
look and tutorial on operating the JS4100 in the next issue.
Have Your Say!
Aircraft Spotlight: The F-16 Falcon Many articles appearing in Computer Pilot magazine are a direct result
Several developers/publishers offer the F-16 Falcon as add-on packages for of your emails and feedback. If you have a topic you would like us to
Microsoft Flight Simulator. David Wilson-Okamura has found several of the cover, or just have some general constructive magazine feedback, let us
best available and offers an informational-style comparison on the best F-16 know and we will do our best to address your request/feedback. Send
offerings currently available. your comments, article ideas or suggestions to...
I Learned About Flying From That… editor@computerpilot.com
“Bartow Air Base (Florida, USA) became our main operating base after
surviving the Bamboo Bomber (Piper, PA-18 Super Cub). The North While we may not be able to personally answer them all, we do read
American, T-6G Texan at Bartow was to be our “home” for the next five every email and take your feedback onboard for planning of future
or so months.” John Achor continues his series on learning to fly various issues. It’s your way to make an impact on the content and direction of
aircraft next issue. the magazine!
Trevor Thom Is Back!
Last issue we featured Trevor Thom as one of our new contributors. Next
issue he is serving up another article to tickle your interest and enhance your
knowledge in aviation and flight simulation. The problem is that even we do
not know yet what it will be about… Oh the anticipation!
Reviews
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96 CPM. V14I2
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98 CPM. V14I2
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