FSBreak 53: FOUR PMDG Teases, Google Earth as an engine for MSFS, and who wants to built an airplane?

Hosted by Eric McClintock, Mark Stewart, Brendan Farmer, and Chris Palmer.

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Video:

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B-52 From Captain Sim Released

Update on Last week's mention, the "external only" model has now been released here for € 9.99.

Mark's Secret to Improving your FSX FPS... Compress!

Website Here!

Also: TileProxy Revisited

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

 Honolulu International From FSDreamTeam

Honolulu International is a scenery developed for Microsoft Flight Simulator X (FSX) and Flight Simulator 2004 (FS9). It's has been created with great attention to visual quality and performance, using the latest available programming techniques, both in FSX and FS9.

The product is sold as 2 Products in One. This means, by buying one version, you will automatically get the other for free, since activation and serial codes are shared between FSX and FS9.

Features:

• Fully customized ground and runways in high resolution, both in FSX and FS9
• Ground terrain seamlessly integrated with Flight Simulator.
• Native animated inverse-kinematics based jetways in FSX.
• AES support in FS9 planned
• Animated custom ground vehicles.
• Use of the advanced material properties in FSX, like bump and specular mapping.
• Fully 3d taxiways lighting.
• Intensive use of LOD techniques in order to offer the best possible performances.
• Improved Night Effects
• High resolution building textures.
• NEW YouControl™ feature: custom airport actions with easy on-screen menu to trigger animations, events,etc ( FSX only )
• RLG Automated Guide-In System docking.

Price: 22.90 EUR, download here.

Several "teases" from PMDG

PMDG 747-400X -8i/F Product Model Extension:

• Estimated Release: January 2010. (very firm)

PMDG 737-NGX:

• Estimated Release: Mid 2010. (not firm)

PMDG Bombardier Dash-8

• Estimated Release: Late 2010 (not firm)

PMDG 777:

• Estimated Release: Late 2010/Early 2011(not firm)

X-Plane 9.42 released

X-Plane 9.42 is now available for Windows, Mac and Linux.

• No extra drag for jet engine nacelles, as was always intended.
• Rain, hail damage, birdstrikes, sun glare on scratches on the windshield should now cover all of the monitor, no matter the screen res... let me know if you find a case where this does not happen!
• Control-s in Plane-Maker to save the plane... any time. Kind of convenient.
• Fixed: Mouse won't jump when fly-by-mouse is selected.
• Fixed: Draped lit orthophotos become lit all at once.
• Fixed: Idle speed dataref works on turboprops.
• Fixed: Landing lights start off - better for panels without lan-light switches.
• Fixed: Generic text instrument works with "mechanical" lighting now.
• Fixed: Key frame table works right with generic rotary push button.
• French translation improved.

X-Plane's Austin Meyer wants to build a REAL plane!

X-Plane is doing well, but I want to see if I can push the current state of the art in HARDWARE forward a little bit as well. IF I can come up with a new plane that can benefit the aviation community, then I want to. To do this, I give you the "Laminar Research X-1 Cavallo" ("Cavallo" is Italian for "Horse").

The Objectives:

• 1: Design the plane I want to build by flying models of the above in X-Plane, submitted by multiple learned sources.

• 2: Build it and fly it hither and yon across the country for personal, business, evaluation, and marketing purposes, documenting it and blogging about it like hell.

• 3: Present the plane to the public in as much detail as possible. As I use the plane for everyday travel, document this travel for the world to see, and demonstrate the aircraft performance to as many people as possible, I will decide whether it could profitable to make more of them. Interest from other people will help drive this decision. Full documentation on the plane and unfettered home-built flying of the plane will help drive this.

• 4: Build more of them as a home-built operation. I would establish a small factory at a little-used airport in South Carolina and bring people in to build their planes on-site. Professional staff would build 49% of the plane, the customer the other 51%. All parts, jigs, tools, and staff would be in-house the moment the customer shows up. He would live at the facility and work along an assembly-line to build his plane under guidance... and then fly it home when done.

More details and prototypes here.

A new Google Earth 3D engine for your sim

One of the projects we work on is called GEVision. In the past various attempts had been made to use Google Earth scenery instead of the one included in Microsoft Flight Simulator X. Yet due to limitations in the interface technology this has never been fully achieved. GEVision will enable the use of Google Earth as a full blown 3D scenery engine.

Eventually GEVision will be a server / client solution that can connect to a wide range of applications rendering Google Earth views to multiple monitors. GEVision is already working smoothly with Microsoft Flight Simulator X and we hope to be demonstrate it in all it's glory on the Google IO conference.

More Info here!

Why Fly – New Webzine About Flying

A brand new, on-line, commercial 'web-zine' has been born. Conceived, designed and ultimately produced and launched by some friends and people many of us know (Hal Bryan and Mike Singer, both fromer MSFS gurus)! It is called Why Fly and is all about WHY we/you love FLYING (and aviation).

You can find the website here: http://www.whyfly.aero/

Items marked "Complimentary Content" can be viewed without a subscription, a Monthly subscription costs $7.95 per month.

Sample of a great article: http://www.whyfly.aero/photo-munson-outer-banks/

New Project from listener Liam

We just want to give a quick mention to a program that a listener, Liam is working one. An "in flight entertainment" program for VA owners to offer to their pilots! Here is a sample of what to expect:

If you are interested, contact Liam here.

Recommendations

Eric: 7-Zip: FREE ZIP/RAR/7Zip/ISO Extractor/Creator.

Chris: One Six Right: Great Aviation Film, Free on Hulu. (Sorry Non-US Folks, find more information on how to get this movie from their website.)

E-Mails and Voicemails

A quick way to add monitors

love the show guys. I found this on tiger direct, thought it was worth a look. I did not order one yet but will soon I hope. I'll let you know if it works out well. I'm thinking of using it for a panel display for a home cockpit. Don't think it would be good for the main view, but for gauges I think it may work out.

Any way here is the link ---> http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3921559&CatId=467

Later, Steven

3D Monitors?

Hey guys -- quick question: I had a conversation with a person who recently tried playing half-life on a 3-D monitor. She said it was unbelievable. Has anyone tried this, and if so, does it make a significant difference for FS?

3D TV's were the big story at CES this year, and I wonder if it will be the next big thing in gaming.

Thanks, Dave in Raleigh

Gear Down FS Training Videos

My name is Mike, I go by the alias of NBGZerO. I'm part of the three man group known as GearDownFS that uploaded the FSX pattern video on youtube. We are great fans of your work, and enjoy listening to your episodes, since we are very interested in whats happening in the FS community. We'd like to thank you for your hard work, and wish you good luck for 2010.

For reasons, which are unknown to me, one of us checked your Website and found our video on it. You can guess how we both almost freaked out, since we never thought that one of our videos would be posted on an established FS website. We are in the process of creating a community based platform, dedicated to show interested FS newcomers how to fly "as real as it gets". We strive to create a video series that is straight forward and easy to understand.

Having our video on your website shows us, that we are going the right way, and encourages us to work even harder. Ironically, the third team member and creator of said video is unaware at this point in time - hes on a skiing vacation in Europe.

On behalf of the entire team, I'd like to thank you. Really, thank you very much :)

Regards, Michael

http://www.geardownfs.com

Landing with gear up!

Did you read the news paper story about the pilot that landed his plane but forgot to put down the landing gear. Perhaps Mark or Danton would like to critic that one. Actually I have done that in the SIMS... Thank goodness I'm not a real pilot.

The link is as follows:

http://calgarysun.com/news/canada/2010/01/10/12410996.html

By the way, as always, a good show.

I hope they put X-Plane on the Google Nexis 1.

Alan

Enclosure

FSBreak 52: We Welcome Chris Palmer, OZx Tuscany, Captain Sim B-52, and Much More!

Hosted by Eric McClintock, Mark Stewart, Brendan Farmer, and Chris Palmer.

Listen Here:

Download Audio Here

Video

Intro Chris Palmer & Aviator 90

Also, check out some of the recent announcements about Angle of Attack and Aviator 90 here.

Captain Sim – B-52 BUFF Exterior Announced

 

Expected Release: Jan 2010

Key Features:

• Unparalleled visual quality and realism
• Designed according to FSX standards
• DirectX 9/10 compatible

• Highly detailed and accurate Boeing B-52H Model
• 4x high resolution* textures of USAF Livery
• Hundreds of Custom Animations
• Wing Flex
• Wing Vortices
• Exhaust Smoke
• Custom Self-shade
• Custom Views
• Manual
• Repaint Kit (coming soon)
• Growing number of Free Liveries
• Exterior only**

Link with more screenshots: http://www.captainsim.com/products/b520/

OZx Tuscany Photoreal Updated

OZx is proud to release the expected upgrade to the version 1.1 of Tuscany!

As in the previous version, where people had a sensation of full immersion in this new concept of photoreal, this upgrade wants to improve the autogen of the already covered area, adding anyway a new zone, Lucca and its environment.

The coast from Marina di Pisa to Lido di Camaiore has been fully implemented with the autogen, along as the wonderful area of Puccini lake. Inside the Apuan Alps (provided with mesh developed by Holger Sandmann), another fantastic lake, the late of Vagli, with its little city.

Beautiful landmark 3d objects have been added, we speak about the famous miracles' square in Pisa (developed by Dario Bortot) and an ancient castle, the castle of Malaspina, in Massa (developed by Loreno Venanti). The Isle of Elba and other cute islands are also availables here (developed by Antonio C.)

All the territory is perfect to be flown also at the sunset or in the night, a real experience with the well experimented true nightlights system. Fluidity and hi graphic details, a project by Maurizio G.

This release will be the base to cover the entire area with the autogen, and to develop completely in 3D the town of Lucca too (already in progress).

Download for free here. Via SimFlight.

CLS releases FSX version of their 767

Features:

• The GMAX models are FS9 native, yet compatible with FSX
• Highly detailed exterior models
• High quality interactive 3D Virtual cockpit
• 2D panel with custom gauges
• Highly detailed liveries
• Easy to read Manual
• Option for showing the wings from the interior view (wingview)
• Pushback truck (can be switched on/off for FSX)
• Air stairs. For passenger models
• Dynamic wing-flex
• Detailed flight deck when seen from the exterior
• Animations abound; Passenger doors, lugage-cargo doors, flaps, rudder, elevators
• Animations abound; undercarriage, engine fans, thrust reversers and spoilers
• High quality sound sets for RR, GE and PW engines
• Rolls Royce, Pratt and Whitney and General Electric engines modelled
• Both 767-200 and 767-300 modeled

Price: € 23.95, More Information - Via FlightSimNetwork.

XP Jets B777 for X-Plane Preview

Also, check out the Internal and External gallery!!

FS2Crew Looking For Voices

FS2Crew’s new Mad Dog needs YOU! FS2Crew’s new “Voice Commander” for the Leonardo Mad Dog has entered beta testing and will be released very soon. However, FS2Crew wants to expand its Mad Dog voice set. We’re looking for men (and especially women) of all nationalities who can record their voice for the program. Please contact FS2Crew if you are interested in assisting with this project.

Do you think Mark can make the cut? Via SimFlight.

Flight Replica's Super Cub Released

Flight Replicas has produced 18 variants of this historic, hard-working and fun-to-fly aircraft. As you may have a specific interest in one type of flying rather than all of them, plus to keep prices low and tailored to needs, the Super Cub is available as one complete package or in smaller role-specific packages.

• One complete pack for $40, includes 18 variants.
• Standard Variants, including Early and Military ($19)
• Classic Bushplanes ($20)
• Extreme Bushplanes ($22)
• Deluxe IFR Amphibious ($9)

More information on Flight Replica's Super Cub. Via FlightSimulatorNetwork.

(Not So) Odd Addon: DBS Airport GPS for FSX

DBS Airport GPS is a new way to navigate on airports. Taxi at any airport like driving a car in the streets with your car GPS! Run the GPS and follow the indicated route from gate to runway. Touchdown and taxi the GPS route to any parking! The DBS Airport GPS shows a top-down view of the airport map which can be dragged by mouse and zoomed by mouse wheel.

Price: $15 US, More Info.

Eric's $100 Kilauea Volcano Burger

Reminder! Just 1 week left, fly it here!

Recommendations

Mark: Aerospatiale AS-350

Eric: Revo Uninstaller (Free)

Chris: IL-2 Sturmovik

Brendan: SamDim Design

E-Mails and Voicemails

US Air Flight 1549 Recreation

First of all, congratulations on achieving your 50th FS Break program milestone. I have been listening for almost a year and all of your programs have been a joy to listen to (and now watch). Most importantly you have greatly expanded my knowledge of flight simulator developments. I have been a devoted listener of FS Break since your 8th show as every week I download and listen to your Podcasts whether on the road or exercising in the Vicksburg Military Park. Also note that your efforts are pushing me towards many major hardware and software upgrades (FSX and X-Plane) in 2010 as you have conveyed many exciting products that have me drooling! Again congrats and thanks for your good work!

I thought FS Break listeners would be interested in the following You-Tube on the US Air Flight 1549 recreation:

(Alternative Video): 

Certainly this You Tube helps demonstrate the unique capabilities of flight simulators to clearly show such a dramatic event. Of interest in the video is what limited, or perhaps non-existing options to land at alternate airports that were available after the bird strike/fame out. Truly a miracle all survived.

As a side bar, my brother graduated the same year (1973) from the Air Force Academy as Captain Schullenburger. Presently my brother is a captain for Southwest, and as a result, I am a recipient of all of his out-dated charts and maps for use in my flightsimming. (However, that will soon end as it is my understanding that Southwest is migrating to a paper-less navigation chart flight deck.)

One fun thing I do with my flight simulator is to try and run SWA flights the same time on VATSIM while the actual SWA flight is occurring. The use of sites such as Flight Aware allows me to obtain the actual flight plans of SWA plus their actual departure. For example, SWA 1346 originates in KLAX and goes to KMDW, KMHT, KBWI, before ending in KTPA. You will find many times that when you try to keep pace in your flight simulator with the real flight, that you will start to lag behind. No doubt commercial pilots must bust butt to keep their schedules on time and to avoid delays. Anyway I highly recommend the fun exercise of trying to keep up with the real flights in your flight sim as you will find it to be a humbling experience.

In closing, many thanks for your great shows and keep up the great work,

Russ

Enclosure