Avsim Slowly Returning to Normal

Just took a look at Avsim.com and quite impressed with the speed at which the site has been restored.  Following the May 13th hack of the entire sight, I thought it would be quite a while before the flight sim community welcomed back our friends.  Well, Avsim is up and running with news, forums, and plenty of ads.   I never thought I would be so happy to see ads!

Note that the file library is still under going restoration, with 39,548 files recovered.  They expect the process to take approximately another 7 to 10 days.   Great news!

Cheers!

POSKY Boeing P-8A Poseidon Released

Just learned that POSKY recently released their Boeing P-8A Poseidon model for FS2004. The Poseidon is the Boeing replacement for the aging P-3C fleet based on the popular 737-800 airframe.

POSKY Boeing P-8A

A well armed 737-800 it is!

This is a really exciting release for the flight simulator community. XML code edits can even provide firing missiles for that real video game effect. FSX compatibility is also good, but read the post below before importing to FSX.

Point Nagu Naval Air Station Sunset

Release Announcement: http://forum.projectopensky.com/index.php?showtopic=36922

Model Previews: http://forum.projectopensky.com/index.php?showtopic=36885

FSX Compatibility: http://forum.projectopensky.com/index.php?showtopic=36929

Have fun and don’t forget to drop POSKY a thank you once peal yourself away from the joystick.

Cheers!

It is a beauty!

edit 31may09 – added clickable links and images.

Avsim Offline – Hacked

Unfortunately, hackers brought Avsim to its knees and the damage is too great to restore the site. This includes the file library, email, store, and site. Do not expect the site to be back up for a while. There is more information available from Project Opensky. http://www.projectopensky.com/

update – there is a temporary forum available for users to stay up to date on their recovery status: http://linux.myalbemarle.org/forums/index.php

Douglas DC-9 Available From Historic Jetliners Group

DC-9 available from Historic Jetliners Group

The modelers at Historic Jetliners Group (HJG) have another spring time treat for us flight simulator fans. Available now from their website is an impeccable Douglas DC-9-50 model with liveries such as Alleghany, TWA, Eastern, and Delta. Enjoy!

HJG DC-9 wearing 1999 TWA livery

Historic Jetliners Group Great 727 Update

Following on the heels of their last update, Historic Jetliners Group (HJG) released updated 727-100 models and a variety of 727-200 models and paints, include the 727-200 RE Super 27. Check their website to download these superb models. HJG website

Shorts 360 Now Available for Flight Simulator

The hard working crew at Premier Aircraft Design (PAD) has released another stunning example of their talent, the Shorts SD3-60 regional airliner.  Popular on regional flights, the 36-seat aircraft first flew in June 1981.  While not the fastest turboprop available, the 360 offered a great value for its price and performance.

PAD’s model is highly detailed with a fully modeled interior cabin, virtual cockpit and engine nacelles that look too real to be in a simulator.  The model handles predictably and I found it to be a joy to fly from the virtual cockpit.  In addition to the detailed model, a custom soundset brings a new sense of realism to the experience.   The model is available for FS9 and FSX from the PAD website.

Look for a more detailed review soon!

Cheers!

Social Media Comes to A Reality of My Own

Jumping on the social media bandwagon, I am now a happy user of Twitter.  Anyone interested in following me or seeing what I have to can head on over to my “home” page at the link below.  I tweet things relating to social media market, triathlons, working out, daily activities as well as flight simulator releases.

A Reality of My Own on Twitter

Flight Simulator Goes Back Burner

ACES Studio laid off via FSInsider > Remarks

While layoffs are never easy to hear about, the layoff of the ACES studio, responsible for Flight Simulator, has taken us all by surprise.  Clearly this decision illustrates how Microsoft evolves with changing times. Economic slow downs force many companies to take a long hard look at resources, future opportunities and current product lines.  While Flight Simulator is a very successful Microsoft product, the resources required to keep it running must have been too great and without the revenue to back it up, leading to a redistribution of resources to other revenue generating projects.  The company I work for took this same action and it also took many of us by surprise.

I am saddened by this and feel bad for the third party developers that rely on Flight Simulator to grow their products.  However, I do not think the end of Flight Simulator is upon us. Developers will continue to develop new aircraft and other add-ons while consumers will continue to fly the friend virtual skies. Once the economy comes back around in five to ten years, Microsoft, I hope, will be redefining the virtual skies.  In the meantime, please buy some payware add-ons and keep the developers happy for just a bit longer.

Cheers!

FSX Helicopter: Hughes 269c

Bruce Fitzgerald released a Hughes 269c for FSX.  It is available via avsim, link below.   This light-weight, two-seat helicopter was also marketed by Schweizer in the 1980’s and proved to be a popular trainer.

Filename: hughes269c.zip (avsim)
Author: Bruce Fitzgerald
File Size: 6.5mb

Update 2/5/09 – Took the 269c out for a spin around the greater Santa Barbara area and learned to appreciate the forgiving dynamics of this helicopter.  It is quite easy to fly and responds well to control inputs.  I found myself having more fun than I expected during this test flight.  Thank you Bruce!

Papercraft: British Airways 747

Okay, this might make a great New Year’s Day project while trying to avoid the in-laws, but my track record for complex models is dismal. Anyway, when checking up on the Canon Papercraft site, I noticed a new 747 kit in British Airways livery.

With 14 pages of parts and some rather intricate cuts,  this is definitely not a beginner kit.  At the same site are links to their other “heavy metal” papercraft including an Airbus A320 and a Airbus A340.

Cheers!