One of my dearest hobby, flight simming, has not been in a role here at planegrazy as it should have been. When I started Planegrazy, I thought that I can write about both topics, flight simming and aviation itself. Obviously that couldn’t be done in one website.

So, here we are, new website is up, designed but not finished and even few posts are there already. The site will be full of flight simulator news, reviews, gossips and the best part, other fellow simmers stories. I’m also planning to do some sort of membership kind of stuff there in a longer run but let that happen in the future.

I also call you to take a look at the site here and contribute. If you want to write an article, just let me know and I’m sure there will be space for that. Or give me your comments to the posts, or just sit back and read some.

I have no intentions to competite with another flight sim websites, if you have a similar site, let’s hook up and change links.

Anyway, here’s the brand new product for you: Flight Sim Herald

Flight Sim Herald, our new sister site is a post from: Aviation news - Planegrazy

Hi folks, I had a chance to get a copy of Tower 2011! Simulator from Wilco Publishing, thanks to Fred Goldman. The game or actually it is a simulator, is extremely addictive and after few hours of controlling, it didn’t get bored at all. These usually are the ones that keep interesting only few hours but not this time. Developers from Feelthere made a huge job for all of us aviation geegs.

Installing the game was easy, even for me. Only thing to do was to follow simple steps, inserting the needed information like your name and serial code. While this being a new game in the market, you really don’t need a super computer to run it. It works in my laptop just fine, no lagging what so ever.

Here’s some highlights:

· 3 Photorealistic airports,  and that is what they really are. Only problem I have is that LAX is always shown as a night time airport.
· Full voice control. This is something I didn’t test, but regarding their forums, it works like a charm.
· Most FAA commands simulated. That is where the true simulation comes up.
· Full editor included. This is also a real advance. You can build your own airports!!
· Realistic ground traffic.
· Single or multi-player version.
· Immersive sound experience. The sound is stunning. Like being in airport myself

Program comes with a full manual, and the charts and quick commands are also included.

I can’t say much negative about the product, but if I need to find something, that is a lack of support if you run an operating system other than english. If you have your OS in some other language, you need to do some changes to get it in english. I have a Finnish OS, but it wasn’t hard to change.

Happy controlling all!!

Tower 2011 review is a post from: Aviation news - Planegrazy

FSWidgets announces the release of GMap Android edition. GMap turns your Android phone or Android tablet into a moving map for your favorite desktop flight simulator. The application can connect to FSX, FS2004 or X-Plane 9 (Windows, Mac and Linux), giving you a wireless hand-held moving map display to aid navigation, especially suitable for simulated VFR flights. GMap Android comes with six custom map styles providing world-wide coverage. It also includes aeronautical charts in the form of WAC (World Aeronautical Chart) data covering the entire contiguous US, Alaska, Cuba/Puerto Rico, and a set of detailed US TAC (Terminal Area Charts). GMap Android works with the three most popular desktop simulators on the market today, connecting to your simulator of choice via the free FSWidgets Network Pack which can be downloaded from the website.

For more information visit FSWidgets

FSWidgets GMap for Android! is a post from: Aviation news - Planegrazy

FSWidgets has released iGMapHD, a moving map display designed specifically for the Apple iPad. The iGMapHD app provides a large external moving map to aid navigation, especially designed for situational awareness during simulated VFR flights. It is compatible with the three most popular desktop flight simulators in use today.

iGMapHD Features:

1. Connects to FSX, FS2004 or X-Plane 9 (Windows, Mac and Linux editions).
2. Six custom map styles with world-wide coverage.
3. Seamless aeronautical charts (WAC and Sectionals) covering the entire contiguous US.
4. Seamless aeronautical charts (WAC) for Alaska, Cuba and Puerto Rico.
5. Set of detailed US TAC (Terminal Area Charts).
6. The flight plan display feature supports native FSX, FS2004 & X-Plane flight plans.
7. Flight plans can be easily copied to the iPad via USB on the Apps tab in iTunes.

A complete list of features, screenshots and the download link for the free FSWidgets Network Pack can be found at http://fswidgets.com/

iGMapHD for iPad Released is a post from: Aviation news - Planegrazy

Flight simulators consistently rank among the most popular reality-based computer games on the market today. With so many available with prices ranging from free to well over $20,000, a flight enthusiast can easily find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer number of possibilities. The following are four very different flight simulators for four very different types of users:

1. Free
(http://www.techmixer.com/flight-gear-free-flight-simulator-game/)
Flight Gear is the most commonly downloaded free simulator on the web today. Although it is designed to mimic Microsoft’s Flight Simulator, the flying experience is somewhat limited. Plane handling and other aspects of the simulation don’t change very much when you change planes. There are over 20,000 airports to choose from, all of which have been modeled off of existent airports. It will load onto a variety of OS’s including Linux and Mac OS X.

For the gamer with a casual interest in aviation or a tight budget, Flight Gear isn’t a bad option.

2. Combat
(http://www.microsoft.com/games/combatfs3/)
There is an almost unlimited supply of combat computer games, but one or two stand out from the crowd. Microsoft’s Combat Flight Simulator 3 allows the user to fly combat missions over 1943 Europe. The controls are designed to give the gamer a feel for flying different types of aircraft. Better still, the game has an open-ended outcome. Your level of success determines what will happen.

This game is best suited for someone who wants an interactive video game with an ongoing storyline.

3. Affordably Priced
(http://www.microsoft.com/games/pc/flightsimulatorx.aspx)
Microsoft’s Flight Simulator X Deluxe offers great scenery, amazing graphics, and a very realistic flight experience. It retails for around $40.00. An add-on can be purchased that allows the user to fly combat planes. The only downside is that it is only designed to run on a Windows platform.

This is probably the best value for your money if you’re looking for a straightforward, no frills flight simulator.

4. Advanced/High Cost
(http://www.therealcockpit.com/)
Professional-grade flight simulators occupy this final category. Due to their prohibitive cost, these flight simulators are usually only found at flight schools. These are primarily used by pilots who want to keep their skills sharp, or for pilots in training. Every year, flight schools are relying more on simulators for training prospective pilots. While they may not be accessible to the average enthusiast, high-end flight simulators will continue to lead the market in both the military and private sector.

Bio: Alexis Bonari is a freelance writer and blog junkie. She is currently a resident blogger at onlinedegrees.org, researching areas of online college degrees. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.

The Best Flight Simulators for All Budgets and Tastes is a post from: Aviation news - Planegrazy

FSWidgets has released a Mac Version of its freeware moving map system powered by Google Maps. GMap for X-Plane (Mac Version) is not a port of the Windows Version, it has been re-built from the ground up in XCode using the native Objective-C language to ensure as tight an integration as possible with the Mac OS X operating system.

It comes in two flavours, an EFB Edition using the EFB-style faceplate image and a Windowed Edition using a standard resizable window. Both editions can be run locally or remotely and the remote mode supports connecting to a copy of X-Plane running on a Windows machine.

GMap is now available to X-Plane users running Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) with 10.5 (Leopard) support coming in the next update.

GMap for X-Plane (Mac Version) Released is a post from: Aviation news - Planegrazy

The world’s fastest civil airliner sadly flies no more. With this prestigious documentary programme you can fly this beautiful aircraft again. Take your privileged place with the pilots and crew on the actual flight deck of a scheduled British Airways return flight from London to New York.
Captain David Rowland and Senior Flight Engineer Roger Bricknell will take you on a full guided tour of this incredible aircraft, starting with an introduction outside the hangar at London Heathrow and a detailed ‘Walk Around’ including the nose and visor system which you see working.

During the two flights David and Roger guide you through the systems that enable this aircraft to fly at twice the speed of sound. You are shown in detail the procedures required to achieve and cruise at 1350mph. Find out about the special takeoff procedure that is required from JFK’s 31L runway, checklist procedures, fuel transfer, centre of gravity changes and many more details.

This programme was filmed using a total of 9 cameras to give you the best views of all phases of flight. Crystal clear audio utilises the aircraft’s audio system – so you can hear both the crew and ATC. Without doubt the most detailed look at Concorde that has ever been produced with unmissible footage.

Concorde is back!! is a post from: Aviation news - Planegrazy

Great news for all the flight simulator fanatics out there. ACES Studio will be alive again soon, only with the different name. Former Aces guys are building a new company for all of us to enjoy. Thrilling!!!!

Cascade Game Foundry, a new game development studio in Washington, today announced their entry into the simulation marketplace with an experienced team of industry pros poised to create a portfolio of innovative and engaging products which will appeal to both aficionados and people new to the genre.

The two founders, Creative Director Rick Selby and Managing Director Kathie Flood, are no strangers to simulations – both are former Microsoft Aces Studio leaders and industry veterans.  Not only will Cascade Game Foundry address the significant hole in the simulation market left by Microsoft’s recent departure, it will push new boundaries with the latest in cutting-edge graphics, simulation and web technology.

“The beauty of starting a new studio is that we get to reconsider all our preconceived notions,” comments Selby, a former Lead Product Designer at Microsoft.  “Our previous efforts focused on building traditional simulation titles. However, now we get to redefine what a simulation game can be.  As a designer, that is incredibly liberating.”  From a gameplay standpoint, Cascade Game Foundry is looking to broaden the market.  “The hardcore simulation fan is the critical foundation, but why stop there?” says Selby.  “We want to deliver unique experiences that appeal to diverse audiences around the world.”

Flood, a former Microsoft Senior Program Manager with 15 years of industry experience, is excited about the possibilities.  “We want to combine the naturally inquisitive nature of the human spirit with the stunning resources of the planet. The simulation market is known to be a strong, consistent performer, but our vision extends beyond flying and railroading,” she says. “Think of SCUBA diving off Hawaii, traversing the Andes, hiking the Great Wall of China … the possibilities are endless.”

Selby and Flood are joined by a number of other former Aces members and game industry veterans. “We have an incredible team lined up across all disciplines,” adds Flood.  “Every person has numerous years of professional experience and a proven track record of delivering multi-million-selling titles. “We see this as a wonderful opportunity to reinvigorate the simulation market with a quantum step forward and our products will convey that sense of passion, fun and excitement that we have always had for the genre.”

“If you love simulations, the news is going to get better and better,” hints Selby.

Cascade Game Foundry, LLC is hard at work on the design and demo for their first project.

http://CascadeGameFoundry.com

New Simulation Game Development Studio is a post from: Aviation news - Planegrazy