The Enigma B-737-300 SP under test flights

Enigma simulations and Tom Koffeman are showing a pre-flight of the Boeing 737-300 SP. This aircraft has been initially designed for FS9 and will be released on this platform first but a "frontport" to a FSX native version is also planned.

Overland's sceneries projects unveiled / Exclusive !

Japanese designer Overland, from the voice of the chief executive officer, has confirmed three ongoing airports projects. The first one is a mythical airport of the capital city, Tokyo. Another one is 90 nautical miles in the south of Fukushima.

New amazing pictures from Marshall islands

Pacific Island Simulation, the american team designer (VFR Appalachia) has unveiled yesterday new screenshots of Marshall Islands project. We can watch several views from Majuro, from the Tinak airport and Utiki beach. The scenery is now fulfilled with an industrial area, harbour and some villages.

Wilco evolution vol. 2

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Wilcopub announced a major discount of 50 % on Airbus evolution 2, CD-DVD and download versions. This discount is available until march 23. These two versions are already available on Wilco publishing website.

Last minute. News from Asia, Overland Cie.

Yorihisa Kageyama, CEO of japanese designer Overland, has reply to my short questions this morning. Yorihisa explains about energy power rationing in the Capital city. New projects confirmed.

Airbus series compendium

The A-300F expansion package (CLS project)

I think it was two months ago, i started a "Boeing compendium" to take an inventory of all existing versions. Here is the same exercice with Airbus as things are quite moving. This presentation starts from 2007 and is focused on paywares. First Airbus for FS2004 is launched by Aerosoft in 2004.

San Diego slowly emerging

Flightdream has shown off a first serious image of San Diego Lindbergh, terminal 2.
Salgo, team leader, is also looking for an experienced developer skilled on Google Sketchup and photoreal imagery processing. flightdreamstudios@gmail.com
more infos here ; http://flightdream.weebly.com/news.html

Carenado Baron 58 ready for webshops

The Baron 58 includes several classical features from interactive virtual cockpit to optimised lights effects (night, shadow cast). Its neat, its Carenado but nothing more, no breakthrough.

http://www.carenado.com/CarSite/Portal/index.php?accion=product&correl=57

Fly to Guernsey and find Victor Hugo's house

We told you about Earth Simulations a couple of days ago, while they were working on the Isle of Man. Earth Sim already started a development project on Guernsey islands and in the meantime, first screenshots have been disclosed. These small islands, located about 50 km from the french coast have a certain autonomy although they strongly rely on United Kingdom by history and economy.

Are webshops selling products from bankrupt companies ?

This is a call for anonymous (or not) testimonies.

There is an (unbelievable) possibility that some webshops keep selling some old products from bankrupt designers. If this is true, where goes the money ? What is the actual policy regarding customer support ?

For any valid information, please send your info to airdailyx@gmail.com and help transparency on this market.
If there is sufficient and proven material, an article will be written next week.

(dont try to send anything to airdaileaks@gmail.com)

Mexico airport V.2. on final approach

On march 10, Taxi2gate has already announced an imminent release of his Mexico airport V.2. This upgrade shall be released this week with a special cheap price for MMMX V.1. buyers. This new version contains many changes ;

European airport waiting for a good bold designer

I ticked off the list of airports that are still not designed in FSX, among paywares. My little "study" is based on the 100 busiest airports in 2010, a list established by Wikipedia (this extensive list include Russia and Turkey). Some airports might have been done actually but are not in my list when the scenery doesn't reach average payware standard.

The small airport of Noshiro

JPetross, a very active simmer, gave an interesting link on Aerosoft forum, after someone opened a topic on Japan sceneries. Of course, dont ask Aerosoft to make a Japan scenery since they are - more than ever - focused on trains and "air battles" but this topic is a good opportunity to talk about good freeware stuff in Japan. 

Flightdream hit again by a tragedy

The american designer has written on his forum to inform us that the Denver airport will be temporary on pause, as a serious health problem occured among his staff. Denver project is replace until further notice by San Diego airport (FS9).

CLS MD-87 : 12 bucks for a 17 feet shorter aircraft ?

Commercial Level Simulations (CLS), has delivered a new expansion for his McDonnell Douglas MD 81/82, after the Komplettpaket with german language support. The new package gives us the opportunity to fly the MD-87 version of this jetliners family. This aircraft is one of the most recent one from this manufacturer, launched in 1985. It's a smaller version with a total length of  130 feet 5 inches, 17 feet shorter than its elder brother, the MD-80.

France Touristique Scenery : Corsica 2 on final approach

French designer France Touristique Scenery has just sent this morning (to his customers) a dozen of screenshots of his incoming Corse vol. 2. (Corsica full HD). The volume one was already an amazing first with 50 cm/pixel photoreal images and a 5 m (interpolated) mesh definition.

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