The Samui project almost finished

On FSdeveloper.com, an amateur designer named Jtanabodee, explained his work on the airport of Ko Samui island. In january 8, the project was still at an early stage of 30 %. Two months later, everything looks pretty well finished, not only the runway and parking but also the terminals and surroundings.

Good news from Europe

Here are some news about UK 2000, greek team Live In FSX and french new team Sky Designers.

Aerosoft also announcing iFLY box release dates

After Simware, Aerosoft shop is announcing release dates of iFLY B-737 Box versions. FS9 box will be available around march 31 and FSX version shall be launched around 29 avril (Simware announced april 8.). But we still dont have any information about download version release date. Aerosoft is also announcing FTX Coffs Harbour (PA Bue PNW) addon around march 25.

A good base in South-west USA for ten dollars

These last days, my attention is focused on south-west region of United States. Orbx is still working on NA Blue Southern rockies, Flightdream is cooking Oakland and FSDreamteam has already unveiled incredible images of KLAX. This region is the place to be. I had already installed FSDT KLAS, Imagine KSJC, Flightbeam KSFO and Taxi2gate Tijuana.../..

Simware announcing iFLY (FSX) release date

The belgium reseller Simware has announced the commercial launch of the B-737 NG FSX on april 8. Chinese aircraft maker iFLY did not confirm the information yet but has just admitted he had previously sent informations about the FSX box version to all resellers.

Sincere condolences

This image merits some explanations. It has been taken from Steven Spielberg, Empire of the Sun, motion picture. We see young actor Christian Bale greeting three japanese officers. I am not suggesting any military intention. "Empire of the Sun" wanted to point out a certain brotherhood among aviation passionnate peoples. This is my way to express my condolences.

US Cities Cleveland : so what ?

Cleveland is the 7th city published by LimeSim and Aerosoft in the US Cities Serie range. This choice is interesting as the town is not too far from Buffalo (Fly Tampa KBUF) and Detroit (SunSkyJet is working on KDTW). Technically, this kind of product has been developed for VFR flight. That's why there are no night lights effects on buildings (Las Vegas will be an exception). Of course, from 5000 feets, the city is really breathless but eventually, US Cities is really suffering of its compromised.

LimeSim still working on Vegas night textures

Aerosoft has confirmed that the night textures (for US Cities Las Vegas) will be soon ready. Here is a first preview of what it shall look like once finished. Limesim has two other US Cities in production, at least. Boston is most likely to be done.

FSDT / GSX Utility

FS Dreamteam (Virtuali) has just released a new video showing a catering vehicule (Gate Gourmet) feature.../..

Ariane Design, hot potatoe

According to a post from Navigraph forum, today, Ariane "has sent" a beta "Navdata manager" to some testers yesterday. Navigraph has not react yet, but Richard, in charge of this account, has always requested some files conversion from Ariane in order to process the famous Airac.

Oh, by the way, it is still Chrismas at Ariane Design headquarter...(we are small potatoes).

More news tomorrow.

Taxi2gate releasing new screens of MMMX V.2.

Cesar, from mexican (?) team Taxi2gate, has released three new screens of their Mexico airport V.2. This new version will implemented new high definition textures and wil update some taxiways and gates. No release date announced and apparently, Taxi2gate dont like to tell too much. Too bad for us, despised customers...

Isle of Man project : new screens

Earth Sim., founded by Darren Vincent, has recently launched a new project ; VFR Isle of Man scenery in England. This payware is beeing developed with a "partner of talent". Four screenshots can now be watched on their website.

Orbx announcing Cushman meadows

Orbx is working on a new extension area for FTX Pacific Northwest (PNW). The covered area is in north-west of Olympia and 60 km from Tacoma airport. The scenery will include Cushman meadows, lake Cushman and the fictionnal small airfield of Cushman meadows (KCMW).

KLAX, now this is serious

New set of shots from FSDreamteam

More screenshots  http://www.fsdreamteam.com/forum/index.php?topic=4151.0

and analysis here :

How to optimize a yoke

I am not pretending anything in this post, except showing what are my yoke buttons settings. Maybe a good exchange of opinions of this topic will be profitable. Note that this yoke, from CH Products, is still perfectly working after seven years of  intensive use (i am flying everyday), except for the omnidirectional/8 positions button, still working but not as smooth as before.

How to pay 60 € - 82 $ for an old...

The more i read on the Airbus evolution features, the more i am shocked. What is it all about ? Paying 60 euros (82 dollars) for an aircraft developed more than 3 years ago, a 3 years old external model and a 11 months FMC update developed by a contractor.

iFLY in perilous beta tests

During its beta tests campaign, the iFLY B-737 FSX version has just been having a little virtual incident with its landing gear, unable to extend completely. John Goodwin told us about this small comic event. This is a nice way to tell us ; guys, at least see how the baby is flying nice.

More info on this on :

http://ifly.flight1.net/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=2282&title=fsx-protype-landing-accident

Oakland is back

Flightdream's  website has entirely recovered from a dumb hack attack. Yesterday, Salgo published a couple of new shots from Oakland KOAK. Something new, we know that the american designer expects a release in april or may at the latest. http://flightdream.weebly.com/

"La mayor resolucion de la historia de Flight Simulator" ?

While his Valencia LEVC freeware airport has reached more than 3000 downloads, the spanish team Akesoft is slowly unveiling its next project (after Lleida). I already told you about Foronda-X, the airport of Vitoria-Gasteiz (Basque country)../..

Working hand in hand in Liverpool

Kevin Firth's project of Liverpool surroundings has reached a new step, two months after its debut. His scenery files have been optimized and are now available for download at http://flightsimscenery.blogspot.com/. Kevin's project is to design a large area around Liverpool J. Lennon airport, beeing reworked by Gary Summons. What is astonishing me is the perfect match between Gary and Kevin's works.

V.C. Bird TAPA : not the scenery of the year

The airport of V.C. Bird Intl in Antigua and Barbuda island is an interesting choice. In Caribbean region, designers are usually diving on the same places ; St-Martin Princess Juliana, french islands. From my recollection, this is the first time in my simmer's life i can fly there ! Interesting choice but not an easy task to depict this declining airport that has nothing really signicative apart a decommissioned runway.

The Baron 58 in the departing lounge

Advance indications are not misleading us. 1. Carenado announced the Baron 58 around march. 2. On the website, all screenshots of the aircraft are available and we can see several liveries and the cockpit. Obviously, the Baron is ready to be launched in a couple of days. Here are two pictures.

FSDT / Flightbeam test campain

Framerate comparison between FSDT KLAS and Flightbeam KSFO.

 In a precedent post, i explained that Flightbeam primarily based its performance tests on I7 core processor. Does this mean that an "old" Quadcore can not cope with this kind of scenery ? Here are some figures. You to decide. Remember, not only Flightbeam did a great depiction of the airport but its position on San Francisco bay is framerate challenging with Oakland etc.

Denver for FS9, by Flightdream

After some screens of Oakland, FlightDream publishs first pictures of his second project, Denver for FS9. The main terminal is at an advanced stage and shows some beautifull photoreal glass reflection textures. More views ;

http://flightdream.weebly.com/news.html

Drzewiecki Design : the interview

Stanislaw Drzewiecki took some of his time at the worst moment to answer to our interview. No need to insist on how grateful i am.

Airdailyx : Stanislaw, your team is now working on 3,4 and even 5 different projects at a time (Polish airports vol2 FSX, Cracovia, Bornholm etc..). How do you organize your production accordingly?

D.D. : In fact, we are a group of designers working on various projects in the same time. Although we have never met each other we behave like friends and always try to help other members of our group. We are all enthusiasts so we try to develop best quality products. Reason ? We want to get a lot of satisfaction from it. Drzewiecki Design is growing step by step and we have recently started to expanse outside Poland.

Fly Tampa Test campaign

For those interested, as promised, a quick test campaign on Fly Tampa Rebooted, for further comparisons with my KSFO test. I will deliver more tests today with Flightbeam KSFO and FSDT Las Vegas. Test scores and protocol are described ;

And Flightbeam next destination is :

I let you guess the airport. Not really hard for United states of America citizens.

Now that San Francisco FSX is released, Amir is already working on a FS9 version.

Marshall islands : first real good shots

Pacific Islands Simulation, PIS, has published some good pics of its next project, Marshall islands. This will include some well known atolls (Majuro and its long airport, Tarawa etc), to complete precedent works ; Tuvalu atolls and Kosrae. Pacific Islands has very intimate and interesting relations with some of these strange pilots flying across the Pacific. This is still an early stage of the project.

Samui island... a runway " paved of flowers"

South east asian airports are RARE. But after Bangkok (Armi Project) and Singapour (Imagine sim), there is now an emerging Samui island project. Simflight, the "infomercial" website, unveiled early pictures about this project two months ago.

News from the eastern sky

Let's start this day on the right foot and on a scoop.

Japan designer Aerosim first. If Fukuoka airport is still under development, they told me that their next project will be Osaka Intl (RJOO), the second airport after Kansai (RJBB). I think they are talking about Osaka Itami international. It is really important that we still have at least one japan designer. For instance, there is no good payware of Narita Intl for FSX yet (and i am not shure about any good freeware...). The second news is about iFly.

Imagine Simulation to update Denver

Cal Levin, Imagine Simulations, has just unveiled that he has planned today a Denver update of its old scenario. KDEN was one if its very first work for FS 2004 and FS 2002. The choice of this airport in Colorado, is far from innocent. Several designers, from Flightbeam and FSDT to freeware projects had shown serious interest in it. FlightBeam is even publishing a poll since last week.

KSFO test : In order to respond to last comments and requests about FSDT comparison, i will publish a test with Fly Tampa Rebooted and FSDT tomorrow and this week-end. Remember that to test framerates is very tricky and depends on many criteria. If you never open the external view, the FPS usually remain good. My next test will be fully detailed and argued.
Update : To Daniel, beta tester ->  Updated 2 to Daniel ; Thanks for the compliment Daniel, i really appreciate. Yes you are totally true about FPS. 14 is a bad score. But i remember of very bad Flight Simulators (maybe the FS 98 version), at that time people knew about jerks ! I think what trunked my test is the Matrox triple head. Maybe the card is reducing performance even on lower resolutions. Anyway, if i a uninstall UTX and tune the road traffic a little, Jee... i am shure i will be happy. I am not an expert. I launched the post with the idea of comparing each others our performances. If 8 people tonight drop a comment with their FPS and config, it will be a great step for everybody ! Thanks again Daniel ! 

KSFO : The full FPS test campaign

Flightbeam claims that his first airport has been optimized for good framerate. But be gently warned that in the documentation, it is written that KSFO has been best optimized for an I7 core processor. Too bad, this is not the usual standard processor in a lot of countries and not only in Europe. I will not enter in political consideration, money change politic etc. Here is a full test on my quadcore configuration.

More on taxi2gate MMM V.2.

I told you about David Aquino's project (who was also adviser on KSFO project). Now, Cesar from Taxi2gate, unveils some screenshots of Mexico Benito Juarez Version II.

A new version of Bangkok VTBS at work

After the Bangkok Suvarnabhumi VTBS from Armi Project, Inspire Simulation is showing very first screenshots of its own version. The purpose is to obtain this time a much better framerate than Armi's version. A first screen shows the ground base imagery.

What a shame to attack young designers

I have just seen a shameful thing on Flightdream website. Flightdream is working on Oakland airport KOAK, in California. Today their website has been a victim of a hideous hacking. Let's hope they will manage to recover their site and their work. Remember our post about spreading our bank datas around designers websites [in : Are simshops endangered] ; the question still stands.

An editor under pressure

Credit Did / Airdailyx / copy only for personal use

This is a work of fiction, any resemblance is not coincidental

KSFO X RELEASE !

Flightbeam has released its first project, San Francisco KSFO for FSX. This payware airport can be downloaded on his website http://www.flightbeam.net/  Note that a free trial is available if you wish to confront it with your PC configuration.
To read more about Amir's KSFO project ;

http://airdailyx.blogspot.com/2011/02/flightbeam-studios-recognition.html

http://airdailyx.blogspot.com/2011/02/who-is-flightbeam.html

The battle of the tiny yellow people

After PeopleFlow (Orbx), FSDreamteam strikes back with Ground Service X (GSX). FSDT, a couple of weeks ago, claimed that animated people was already mastered for a long time but this technology (consisting of synchronized virtual hundreds of bones) needed some precise purposes. GSX will offer marshallers, baggage loaders,  refueling, catering, follow-me cars and trucks. According to the american designer, "all these animated objects are perfectly integrated with YouControl and ParkMe features". Updated march 2.

New : The Billboard

A lot of us are trying to guess release dates of FS products. Since some designers dont like to waste their time giving these infos, we will establish our own list according to facts, screenshots and quotes. The billboard will be updated on daily base and we will judge ourself on our scores. Of course, you are kindly asked to participate and give your guess too : one rule : argue ! The Billboard is on the right row. http://airdailyx.blogspot.com/p/billboard.html

Jorge Chavez SPIM Intl under scanner

Not easy to make Lima Intl SPIM. This airport melts an up-to-date international terminal with all kind of dilapidated hangars. There is also this change of ground textures around the runway, green on one side, brown on the other one. On this heterogeneous place, LatinVFR almost made a miracle in less than a hundred days. Considering designing technology itself, i did not discover any breakthrough ; there are plenty of photoreal textures, some on ground, some on buildings and objects.../.

Need another preview on KLAX ?

Two more shots available on FS Dreamteam forum.
Released by FSDT today 3h PM

There's a new born baby on the market !

Disappointed by previous versions of Cancun ? Hold on, a new designer (from Mexico, again), is just presenting its first product, Cancun 2011 (MMUN). This new designer is A.V.S., Aviation Multimedia Studios. The team processed high resolution re-digitalized photoreal textures, modelized 95 % of the airport, they also managed to build aircrafts bridges. Unfortunately, they dont say if they developed it for FS9 and/or FSX (this is usually our very first question !). I will publish the answer as soon as possible but for a new company with ambitious projects, FSX must be mastered too.

The jewel of Idaho taking shape

Jim Robinson has shown a new screen from its McCall airport (KMYL). Buildings are designed under Google Sketchup. If Jim sticks to his first idea, this is going to be released someday on FS 2004 and maybe as freeware. I published another post a couple of days ago on Jim Robinson's work under the title "Orbx for FS9" and i think Jim still deserves this.

Initial screens on :
http://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22902

Tampa Dubai Rebooted next project

Two days ago, Airdailyx published the very first information about a Dubai project. Since then, Fly Tampa did not send us any denial nor wrote any one. But leaking new scoops is an ungrateful business...(see comments).
 This scoop has not been denied and there will be a new Dubai from Fly Tampa. Remember though, that they often work on two projects at a time and Montreal Trudeau (for instance) might be released eventually first.

Good luck and good night.

PS : others good news tomorrow !

Are simshops an endangered specie ? 2/2

François "Navman" Dumas made a smart comment about the precedent post on simshops. Brian Sommers also gave a good comment yesterday. So i am publishing the whole text from  Francois, hoping that will interest every simmer and not only designers and developers.

"I fully agree with Brian [Sommers]. The 'distributors', the shops that add little or nothing of value to the actual products', are getting way too expensive in comparison to their services. With simMarket taking 35%, Aerosoft even 40%, and others not far away, it makes an already bad income on add-on development just about worthless.

Scoop ! news from Denmark

We have the pleasure to announce one of the next Drzewiecki Design project :
The Bornholm island in Denmark.

Are simshops endangered ?

Flightsimstore, FlighSimPilotShop, Simmarket, Alfafly... Are these stores endangered species ? More and more designers are selling their products on their own. Not only FSdreamtream anymore, Wilcopub has its webstore, Sim-Wings is going to, Carenado has now his own. Even the newcomer, Flightbeam (KSFO) has signed for FSDT (eSellerate).

The good old days of Mega airports

While Mathij Kok shows off its best adolescence memories (too much, though), a lot of people are still wondering what sceneries Aerosoft is still ready to develop this year. Oh, i will not start again with my old story on Aerosoft strategy (every company has to shift more quickly to growth) but i am worried about the wonderful Mega airports saga.

First screen of iFLY NG for FSX !

iFLY has just released today the very first image of its incoming B-737 NG for FSX. The aircraft is seen bare metal on one of its first test flights.

PMDG & ORBX : total symbiosis

 A new video from Orbx and PMDG has been published yesterday, showing perfect interaction between PeopleFlow and the B-737 NGX. Behind this video, a message : you are seeing what is the summum of the art in FSX. Anyway, a big leap for simmers. Updated / Responding to a question on his forum, John Venema (Orbx) said something important : until now, PeopleFlow are not able to interact with any users aircrafts. The frames we have been showing on videos need specific development each time. I suppose that Orbx will develop some basics operations for gate arrival and pushback. PeopleFlow can also be used around static aircrafts. 

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1802061981788

Zones of conflict : the outcome

Junior Puente (Intersim studios) took the time to comment the article "Zone of conflicts". Find here the full transcribtion and short answer.

Luton airport : from the casus belli to the waste

Of course its difficult to criticize a man's good will. Terry Smith has designed very great airports, from Dublin, Cork and Shannon to Alicante. When he started Luton, he was in his right. Luton was not really claimed at that moment. But four months later, things have changed. Terry is now studying for a master diploma and the Luton project is on hold (almost finished by the way).
The thing is Gary Summons (UK 2000) planned a Luton a long time ago as well but he was pretty busy everywhere with its new Xtreme serie. So, now, who is loosing ?  Not Terry, not really Gary (Summons) but us, simmers, as usual... Too bad.
Ricardo (Latin VFR) has just put a useful comment about my post.

Santa Catalina Avalon airfield : our test

I was looking in vain for a canadian designer and here he is, OshkoshSim, ex MikeMax in Toronto, Ontario. I also applaude when a designer choose mid or small size airports like Appleton Outagamie (too expensive though) or, today, Santa Catalina Avalon. Updated / Three others airports have already been published for FS9 ; Salina Gunnison in Colorado and Homestead GA in Florida, Lock Haven Piper memorial in New York state, under the name of MikeMax.

Fly Tampa next project confirmed : DUBAI rebooted

The question has been asked twice (with a positive answer) and the team has requested new pictures of the airport, so, yes, Fly Tampa is cooking a Dubai rebooted for FSX (& probably for FS9 as well). While the anglo-american team is finishing Athens LGAV, they have already started a huge program, Dubai OMDB total reboot from scratch.