Wow that looks real!

FSX/P3D. The McPhat guys are among the very best in the business in my opinion when it comes texturing work. I remember then this team got started all those years ago in FS9. Some of the most realistic repaints ever made. All aircraft in FS were so new looking. But to make them dirty... to make them actually look like workhorses, now that was unheard of. The team has taken to doing interior work these days and besides the Fokker50 in development, so is the A330. That looks real!

Payware&Freeware: An ADX reader article!

[Reader Article] “Why would a flight sim user ever use a freeware aircraft!?” “I only use payware.” “Oh, that addon is only "freeware" quality.” “Hey, that freeware addon is almost "payware" quality!”

As an avid user of both freeware and payware aircraft and scenery products for FSX, I am sometimes taken aback by the unique perceptions of flight simmers across the community. I have read statements identical or very similar to the above on innumerable occasions while observing addon development advance throughout the years, and these sentiments are definitely becoming more frequent as of late.

LHBP for FS9 first shots!

FS9. Yeah that's right folks. I still use FS9 and I am damn proud to say so. Is that gasps I hear? The bottom line is, I hate FSX. I always have. And I love P3D! But the sad thing is, in it's current state, P3D is not a fully suitable replacement for FS9. As a result, I continue to use the best of both worlds and I have been fairly pleased. But I am hopeful that P3D V2, will be the official platform that will push me over the threshold for good. But till then, if that day comes, I am taking all the FS9 addons I can get and LHBP from LHSim is at the top of my list. Here ya go fellow FS9ners!

EGTF FairOaks: My kinda place!

FSX/P3D. After my amazing discovery of Damyns Hall, I am happy to see that the Orbx England airfields are still in development. I am not much of a fan of grass airstrips and have made my thoughts quite known that what we really need in the UK are the paved aerodromes. It seems another is on the way and based on the recently released preview shots, looks like Fair Oaks is my kind of place indeed. It will be a very short flight over London from the east to the west. Is that Russ' new digital shrubnology in there? 2013 is not going down without a fight. Lots of new products coming in before years end. Do I dare say this has been the best year of FS addons ever? Think about it.

Carenado C208B EX. Our own screenshots!

FSX. Resident ADX Pilot: E.K. Hoffen is back! Please join me here in Alaska as I check out the new Cessna Caravan EX from Carendo. I'll be putting it through it's paces to see if it's a worthy stand alone addition to your fleet. Even if you have the previous Grand Caravan from Carenado you will still have to pony up full price for this bird. Is it worth it? Strap in to the copilot seat and ride along as I find out. Or die trying. Bandwidth Warning! This is my biggest review yet!

Taxi2Gate MCO update!

FSX/P3D. This team has come such a long way and they are clearly on a roll with no loss of quality! Taxi2Gate has been making a huge leap forward in the size and level of quality in their developments. The interesting thing is, between these big developments, we have been seeing smaller sceneries emerge such as the Caribbean airports. The next mega airport from Taxi2Gate is Orlando and the quality is remarkable. But by all means, have a looksie for yourself! Happy Saturday ADX people!

Orbx RV-4 update!

FSX/P3D. Here are the latest shots of the incoming RV-4 from Orbx developer Jared Charalambous. One nice feature will be the geometry based VC rain effect which is a new technique that they have been working on. Each droplet will be randomly generated and it's path across the canopy is never the same twice effected by all outside forces. Can't wait to see it in action!

Sim720 Caernarfon released!

FSX/P3D. Sim720 has released another top quality destination in Wales! Their Caernarfon project is now ready for purchase. If I am not mistaken, this is the first release from the group since launching their new site. This release came very quickly and I imagine Catalina is right around the corner. Hopefully I can get a FirstLook going soon.

ADX FirstLook: Voie Bleu Charleroi!

FSX. Greetings again from the Great Land. Contrary to any semblance of sound judgement, D'Andre has allowed me, Captain Hoffen, back here to scrutinize Voie Bleu's rendition of Charleroi Brussels South Airport. So grab a frosty coke as I bloviate for a few minutes about my look at this new airport.

LHSimulations announces Rijeka!

 

FS9/FSX. There are only so many airports in Hungary and LHSim has covered them all leaving no choice but to look onward. The next destination is Rijeka Airport on Krk Island in Croatia. This country had lots of love in FS9 but has been left mostly abandoned in FSX. LHSimulations delivers a level of quality equal to FlyTampa and FlightBeam with performance just as good. But performance won't be an issue here. The team has returned to their roots to developing a much smaller airport. No matter what this team chooses to develop, it's sure to be good!

ADX Exclusive: JennaSoft Lyon!

FSX. I have been getting many emails and messages on Facebook from readers asking about this Lyon project that we have been producing exclusives for over the past year. We have been keeping the name quiet while team has been working on the project. Today, I can finally reveal company name as JennaSoft and report that the project is in final beta and due for imminent release! Of all the lovely airports in France, they are just not getting the attention they deserve in FS, nice to see new teams rising up and accepting the challenges! Check out these latest exclusives and yes, the developer is planning for AES compatibility! A FS9 version will be considered after release via Simmarket.

Introducing TCAS Virtual Group!

[FS News] TCAS Virtual Group is a new membership setup that rewards pilots for the flights they complete. Given the fact that virtual pilots don't actually earn a salary, with TCAS, each flight you complete, points are earned toward the purchase of FS products on Simmarket regardless of  virtual airline you fly with. Keep in mind, TCAS group is not a VA, it's a membership where you can to fly any airline or schedule you want. Hey, you get points on groceries and gas, why not flying? Check them out, join now, and enjoy the rewards!

Sim720 Catalina preview!

FSX/P3D. Wednesday was Caernarfon, today it's Catalina! Sim720 is in the process of developing several projects and I am always glad to see something new on my neck of the woods. Catalina island features a very exciting and scenic elevated approach with the typical classic California mission style architecture. Have a look at the latest preview video! Fun!

Vidan Design Bornholm update!

FSX/P3D. Vidan Design is an independent developer I hold in very high regard. In all his projects, the photoreal texture and ground work are second to none. Vidan has released more preview images from the upcoming Bornholm X update which will feature new ground polygons with high resolution textures, new photoreal ground terrain, a new variant of autogen trees, a completely remodeled terminal building, more airport vehicles, updated volumetric grass and more. If you haven't discovered this developer yet, you are missing out! Be sure to check out our Sonderborg and Tuno reviews then go buy it! Highly recommended by me!

Mega Airport Oslo: Stylish!

FSX/P3D. The previews for the upcoming new build for Oslo are nothing short of impressive. Nice glass and wood work on the terminals, sharp texture baking on the objects, crisp and realistic concrete runway and taxiways, and good clean photo ground work. This is sure to be an instant hit once released. SimWings had Scandinavia thoroughly covered back in the early days of FS9, but not anymore these days so it's great to see other developers step up and pick up the slack for this region. And it's all being done so stylishly!

ADX FirstLook: Orbx Damyns Hall!

P3D. Now this is a very interesting product. It's very small and budget priced with few objects. There is just not much to see. At least, at first glance, that's the impression. The fact is, these UK grass strips were not meeting the sales expectations Orbx had set for the UK product line. As a result, we have seen a major price drop on these airfields and the institution of a new "budget" airfield series starting with Damyns Hall. So I made my way over to EGML aerodrome and the moment I stepped out of the parking lot and onto the airfield, I quickly realized my first impression was terribly flawed. As I looked around, I was reminded of why I was so desperate to get FSX working on my system. But when that venture failed, dejected me went back to FS9 till Lockheed Martin, like an angel, flew down and delivered P3D. Russ White's latest work represents every reason why I jumped into the advanced platform in the first place. Come with me and i'll explain why Damyns Hall is the hallmark of what we love about VFR flying.

Carenado C208B EX SP1 released!

FSX/P3D. The Carenado C208B Grand Caravan EX Service Pack 1 (20131016) is out. Fixes include, parameters difference between PDF and MFD, stall warning added torque limit corrected, first flap position angle corrected and others. Get your update and be sure to see our review by real world C208 pilot: E.K. Hoffen coming up soon!

Swiss Glacier Pilot 2 released!

FSX. Well looks like I have just discovered the perfect product for my brand new Twotter ski! This product has come out just in time as I have not flown the ski yet and it's pending my FirstLook! This is so much better than just looking around for the perfect slope to land on. So I suppose i'll be performing 2 demo's in one product! Great just great!

MSE 2.0 Ultra-Res Cities Philadelphia released!

FSX/P3D. MSE has just released the latest edition in it's Ultra-Res Cities project! With Philadelphia, you get around 3,600 square miles of the Philadelphia Terminal Control Area all displayed at 50 cm per pixel. As you fly, the scenery remains clear right down to lower altitudes of around 500 feet. Perfect for helicopters and large jets! Check it out!

Milviz Bell 407 update!

FSX/P3D. And it's about damn time. 2 helicopters I must have before years end are the Alabeo R22 and Milviz Bell 407. This project is a very long time in the making but based on the screens we have seen over the last 8 months, the quality and visual features are very impressive. If you are a fan of Eagle Rotorcraft, you should know this team also has a big hand in the 407's development. But enough of my rambling and on to the shots!