Historic Jetliners Group, today, posted two models of the BAe146 for download on their site; the -300 and the -300QT. Liveries include Northwest, flybe, Qantas, and British Airways to name a few. Each model has a blank white texture set that can be used as a paintkit. In addition, a detailed panel and sound pack are available for download. For more information, visit their forum. So, what are you waiting for, go get ‘em!
FSX models will be released separately.
Black Friday is traditionally the largest shopping day of the year. Retailers add to the hype with door buster offers and ridiculously early opening hours. This year it seems that a majority of the retailers will open at 4am! yes, 4am! If you are crazy enough to go shopping at that hour, there is definitely something wrong with you!! Then, to think that in the end, your car is crammed full of stuff that people probably already have and/or don’t need and your credit cards are maxed out, is just wrong.
But, this isn’t a post about crazy shoppers trying to get the last Pizza Elmo or save a few bucks at the expense of lost sleep. No, this is about the opposite; protesting materialism, consumerism, and insane marketing. Buy Nothing Day has been increasing in popularity, especially in the UK. It is very simple, on Black Friday (this year, its November 23rd), don’t buy anything. You can participate in this protest simply by not participating in the world’s busiest shopping day of the year.
AdBusters.org actually ask you to go one step further and consider a Buy Nothing Christmas. Before you freak out, read the following quote from their website:
“Buy Nothing Christmas is not really about refusing to spend a dime over the holiday season. It’s about taking a deep breath and deciding to opt out of the hype‚ the overcrowded malls‚ and the stressful to–do lists. It’s about reminding ourselves to really think about what we are buying‚ why we are buying it‚ and whether we really need it at all.”
Since every Christmas is a Buy Nothing Christmas for me, I will go one step further on Black Friday; not only will I not be buying anything, but I will also not start my car and consume any gas. If I need to go anywhere, I will walk or ride my bike.
Here are some links to get you started:
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe feast on this day of harvest celebration.
Since the creative bug bit me, I’ve been working on various artist endeavors. More recently completed is a color pencil sketch of the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse in Ilwaco, Washington. I got the inspiration from a lighthouse coloring book I got for free from the art store. Unfortunately, I did the sketch from memory, so the lighthouse itself is inaccurate. I kinda like my version better, but this is arealityofmyown. I have a version that I am working on, but with watercolor.
This is sketched on Strathmore Premium Recycled Sketh paper, 8×5 with #2 pencil and Prismacolor Premium colored pencils.
Today, Project Opensky (POSKY) began releasing version 4 (yes four) of their 747-400. As of the time of this writing, only Varig and ANA liveries are available. Future liveries with include Northwest, United, KLM (yes!), and Virgin Atlantic. While POSKY does not support FSX, I am sure it will work to some degree. For more information on this release, visit >here<.
The other big news over at the POSKY forum is the official announcement that a Boeing 777 is in the works. This would just about complete the Boeing family, except for the 787 of course. More info >here<.
Hi All,
A while back, I was in need of releasing some creative energy while stuck at work. I took it upon myself to make a sketch of somewhere I would much rather be. I have been thinking a lot about camping and how cool it would be to camp near the top of a mountain with a massive vista overlooking a river valley below. What I sketched was a rendering of this place. Since my brain and hands had a little communication problem, it isn’t quite what I had envisioned. Well, enough jibber jabber.. here it is:
pencil on 8×5 sketch paper
This is copyrighted, so please respect the artist.
Cheers!
Coming soon to Historic Jetliners Group (HJG) is the BAe146 series, a joint project between HJG, Jon Murchison, and Matthias Lieberecht. More information is available >here<. While there is not release date, the FS9 versions will be released through HJG’s website and the FSX versions will be released through Jon’s website. Let’s all be very patient and maybe they will release it a little quicker!
11/18 UPDATE: On the HJG download page, they posted a notice that the -300 model will be out within the next week.
11/24 UPDATE: The BAe146-300/QT has been released. Available at the links above.
Hi All,
I noticed in my stats recently that a number of people are looking for a FSX Cessna 177 Cardinal from the AOPA and Flight1 Software. If you are looking for it, its over >here< but is available only to AOPA members.
As a member of the AOPA, I had the chance to spend some time behind its yoke and see what the fuss is about. While the visual model looks good (killer paint job!), the fact that it lacks a virtual cockpit really hurts since I do all of my flying in virtual cockpit mode. An update that will include a VC will be released in the future to AOPA members. However, it does fly right and the sounds are quite good. I especially like all of the animation it has. But, there is just something about it that leaves me asking “that’s it?”
I already reviewed a Cessna 177 model back in July by Brett Henderson that would suit non-AOPA members and perhaps even the pickiest AOPA members. I love its virtual cockpit, somewhat realistic handling and the visual model is pretty good. >here<
Hi all,
I resurrected the Piper Saratoga II TC that I bought from FSD International a while back. I loaded the FS9 version and took off from SBA with no real destination in mind. I tuned in the Camarrillo VOR and headed southeast. After a few minutes, I decided to replicate a flight I took to Phoenix in a Mooney when I was younger. Once I passed Camarrillo, I turned toward Van Nuys and then toward Ontario.
It was approaching Ontario that I noticed some lights appearing in front of me through the clouds. Visibility was only a few miles so I was a little concerned. To make matters worse, it seemed to be moving quite fast and was clearly larger than a Cessna. I realized that it was a 737-type aircraft that was climbing out from KONT. Just when I was about to take evasive action, ATC notified me of the closing traffic. I snapped the following screenshot to show just how close we had come. I think “caution wake turbulence” should have been then next warning, but those pesky FS9 air traffic controllers aren’t that courteous.
After passing KONT, I stayed on course toward Banning and then Palm Springs. Visibility cleared just east of Ontario and I was treated to a beautiful night flight illuminated by the moon. At Palm Springs, I decided to take a diversion and visit Death Valley. Again the moonlight night was absolutely beautiful, which made me appreciate man’s ability to fly.
I turned south and tuned the Imperial VOR. Since it was getting late, I decided to land at Brawley Municipal airport. I started my descent and got a little confused as to which airport it was. Death Valley is wide open space and since visibility was clear, you can see for miles and miles. Consulting the GPS got me pointed the right direction and I made one of the best landings of my life. I had to wonder if I had touched the runway since I so lightly set it down on the tarmac.
Putting the Saratoga II TC to rest for the night gave me a chance to check out this model a little more. The crew at FSD International did a superb job of modelling this Piper. The animated prop pitch, the detailed Virtual Cockpit, the flap hinges, to the landing gear, all provide plenty of eye candy. I especially like the teddy bear and refreshments in the back (too bad I am not a passenger to enjoy them).
So, what is my opinion of the FSD Piper Saratoga II TC? Well, its a great airplane with a stunning visual model, inside and out. The sounds enhance the experience while the Load Manager let you customize the experience and tracks operating costs. With the FDE set to real world, it really does handle like a Saratoga, with a stable and heavy feel. The one drawback is that there are limited number of repaints available, perhaps because the Saratoga is not as common place as a Cessna 172.
Overall, two thumbs up. I look forward to putting the FSX version through its paces.
I took this sequence of photos about a year while walking on the pier at Goleta beach Park. In this case, an America West Express (AWE) CRJ-200 was leaving SBA on runway 7 and climbing out on the departure. Unfortunately, I only had a 200mm zoom lens and no tripod, so the quality isn’t what I usually get with my Canon Rebel XT. The fourth photo is my favorite with a little blue sky, the clouds, and the graceful roll of the CRJ.
Hope you have enjoyed them!
Cheers!
