FlightSim Your Favorite,
WWW.FLIGHTSIMMAG.COM
magazine
WIN ME!
CARENADO’S MALIBU MIRAGE! X-PLANE 10: THE FUTURE OF FLIGHT SIM!
PMDG’S 777
WIN A COPY OF
CAPTAINSIM 707 REVIEWED!
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
FlightSim magazine
PMDG 777 Review.
Carenado Malibu Mirage Review.
7
12
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
FlightSim magazine
Aerosoft Airbus X Extended Review.
18
Virtual Airlines-Andrew Conley.
23
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
FlightSim magazine
Majestic Dash 8 Q400 Review.
25
The Future Of Flight Simulation: X-Plane 10.
29
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
FlightSim magazine
Captain Sim 707 Review.
37
Project Airbus A380 Review.
43
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
FlightSim magazine
LATEST FLIGHT SIM NEWS: PCFlightsimnews!
45
Editor’s Notes.
In this issue (issue 4) we have for the first time teamed up with PCFlightsimnews.com to bring you some of the best flight simulation news in world, also I would like to remind every one that although we edit the magazine 5 time with 5 different sets of eyes before release, mistakes do happen, we are very sorry for any mistakes, or wrong information you may find in this issue of FlightSim Magazine. Another exciting thing we’ve got for you in this issue, is we have been given the opportunity to give away 2 copies of X-Plane 10, for free, the winner(s) just have to pay shipping, you can enter at:
www.contest.flightsimmag.com Also please check us out online at:
www.flightsimmag.com and
facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
FlightSim magazine
PMDG 777 REVIEW. Bailey Jones
It’s not all just about looks on this FSX add-on aircraft! It’s about what I call the real definition of simulation. Introducing the PMDG 777! Precision Manuals Development Group did a huge job yet again with this product, extremely in-depth simulation you can only really get from PMDG truthfully. Lets get to the exterior! REPRINT FROM ISSUE 2 (NO LONGER AVAILABLE)
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
Exterior.
FlightSim magazine
Taking a look at the engines, we can see that the turbine running looks fantastic. It’s a new level of detail, it’s simply smooth which is something you don’t get all the time from other add-on companies. They implemented everything down to the screws that hold the engine together. The overall exterior looks like a brand new aircraft, with it’s glossy reflective finish and it’s flawless wings. Speaking of wings, the exterior model shows the realistic wing lift and even vibrations while taking off, taxiing, flying, and of course landing. The reverse thrust is always a joy to look at, PMDG offered us a smooth transition of the back engine housing reversing while engaging reverse thrust, along with spoilers engaging realistically upon landing. The night model is beautiful, lights are highly detailed. Taxi lights give the taxiway a real look along with landing lights making you feel more immersed in takeoff and landing. There’s A LOT more to talk about exterior wise, hopefully some of the photos will sum it up for you! Lets move on to my favorite part, the interior.
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
Interior.
FlightSim magazine
The interior upon loading up the aircraft can be intimidating. But that’s the fun of it. Every button in the aircraft works. Along with the real button sounds and movements. Giving you a lot of learning room with the tutorials and manuals provided when buying the aircraft! All the screens on the aircraft are highly detailed, especially while illuminated in the sun. We can see fingerprint smudges and dust, giving yet another immersed feel. Knobs turn/press according to the real world aircraft along with buttons as previously mentioned. Loading up the FMC, PMDG has seriously spent a large amount of time on this. Full functionality, and even at times, simplified functionality, and I mean that in a good way. If you’re new to the FMC, or really the PMDG aircraft, I seriously recommend reading the tutorial, this will bring your experience to your moneys worth, and you WILL enjoy this aircraft. The lighting in the 777 at night is fantastic, I almost prefer flying at night in this because of how realistic it seems. Fully adjustable lighting options within the cockpit add that little extra realism!
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
FlightSim magazine
Final Thoughts. PMDG did another great job as expected by the legendary flight sim community. I think we all look up to PMDG in this small market to create realistic add-ons in tough times to give us the best product they can. Thank you PMDG for this and great job on everything from the exterior model to the many, many features of this aircraft.
Get Past Issues Online!
Only At:
www.flightsimmag.com
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
FlightSim magazine
CARENADO MALIBU MIRAGE REVIEW. NICHOLAS ROUSELL
It’s no secret that I love Carenado add-ons, and the Malibu Mirage is no exception to that, if you aren’t familiar with Carenado add-ons, then this add-on will blow your mind, bringing a whole new level of realism to your simulation experience!
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
FlightSim magazine
Interior. I love the interior of the Carenado Malibu Mirage, it’s very clean, simple, and realistic! All gauges read accurately, and most switches work in the cockpit, the windows also work, the sounds even change when a window is opened from in the aircraft while in the air or on the ground. I am a true ‘cockpit flyer’ and do 100% of my flying from in the virtual cockpit, so the interior is very important to me, and let me tell you the Carenado Malibu Mirage is certainly no disappointment!
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
Exterior.
FlightSim magazine
Although I don’t do much flying (if any at all) from the exterior view(s) of my add-ons, I still have a huge respect for the detail, and the realism of the exterior of the Carenado PA46. The texturing is great and the modeling is very detailed, the reflecting of sunlight on the aircraft is amazing, and makes the add-on all that more realistic!
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
FlightSim magazine
Final Thoughts. Overall the Carenado PA46 Malibu Mirage is an amazing add-on for your flight simulator, and truly adds an insane amount of realism to your game, I highly recommend that if you haven’t already, check out this add-on!
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
FlightSim magazine
WIN A CARENADO PIPER MALIBU MIRAGE! ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN @: CONTEST.FLIGHTSIMMAG.COM ENTER CODE: CA192MBM
Prize To Be Drawn January 21st 2014, Winner To Be Announced Same Day. New Entries Accepted Until January 15th 2014.
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
FlightSim magazine
AEROSOFT AIRBUS X EXTENDED REVIEW. NICHOLAS ROUSELL
The Aerosoft Airbus X Extended is one of those add-ons that once you have tried, you can never really forget, an instant classic sort of like PMDG’s NGX. I am a huge fan of the NGX, and a faithful lover of PMDG and their products, being the first Aerosoft product that I have ever had in my fleet, I am extremely pleased with the Airbus X Extended, it’s a lovely aircraft to fly! REPRINT FROM ISSUE 1 (NO LONGER AVAILABLE)
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
Exterior.
FlightSim magazine
The exterior of the Airbus X Extended is great, it features some amazing textures, and highly detailed animations. Even a hardcore cockpit guy like me fly’s on “Spot View” at least 20% of the time with the Airbus X Extended, because it’s just that beautiful, and just that realistic. My favorite part is the Sharklet’s.
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
FlightSim magazine
Interior.
The interior of the Aerosoft Airbus X Extended is almost as nice as the exterior, however it’s not as good as the NGX’s, as not every button, and switch works, but it does look nice, and the sounds from inside the virtual cockpit are really nice, bringing the add-on that extra level of detail, and of realism.
All of the instruments seem to work, and read correctly with no visible glitches, and the frame rates that you get from in the virtual cockpit of the Airbus X Extended are fairly good, both on high spec computers, and even on lower spec computers alike.
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
FlightSim magazine
Final Thoughts. Overall the Airbus X Extended is a nice add-on to fly, packing some seriously crazy good modeling, flight dynamics, textures, and sounds. As I mentioned earlier the Aerosoft Airbus X Extended is a true flight simulator classic, and I’m sure that at least in my books it will remain one of the best add-ons for flight simulation for a long time to come.
-Forums. -Downloads. -Reviews.
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
FlightSim magazine
Author Bio.
Andrew Conley is a Virtual Airline Chief Executive Officer of SkyWest Virtual. He has multiple years of experience in the Virtual Airline industry including starting his own Virtual Airline from scratch. He is also a Student Pilot at KCRQ.
The virtual airline industry has been thriving this month. With the following new virtual airlines coming into the market. - Pro Air Virtual - Illinois Valley Charter (GA) - East Coast Air Good luck to these virtual airlines! Hope you all succeed into the skies. Here is a recap of the VAFS and VACentral Stats for this month (November). VAFS: 1st Ranked Airline: FedEx Virtual Air Cargo 2: Eastern Airlines Virtual 3: Air France Virtual 4: Delta Virtual Airlines VACentral: 1: Phoenix Virtual Airways 2: Italiani Volanti 3: Virtual Norwegian 4: Virtual United Airlines
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
FlightSim magazine
These last few months have been picking up in virtual airlines, especially for European carriers. As we see the airlines starting to get back in business again, their pilots starting to get back on their flights as we head into the holiday season. As I said in my previous article, the industry has its ups and downs, just like the real airline industry. Usually, during the holidays, I see a growth period, and as we wind down, so do most operations, pilots start getting back into their normal schedules and start flying less. The key to operating a VA is focusing on the pilots, that should be your number one goal. Worry about the other operational things that come up only when you’ve created a premier community for the pilots. Pilots are what make your VA run smoothly, and without them, you would have a management team.
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
FlightSim magazine
MAJESTIC SOFTWARE DASH 8 Q400 REVIEW.
I love it. Simple as that, the add-on is beautiful and I can’t stop flying it, or take my eyes off of it, another classic right here!
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
FlightSim magazine
Interior. The interior of the Majestic Q400, now that’s something to see. The textures of the interior of the add-on are absolutely stunning, and from what I could see at least 99% of the switches work, and all of the instruments read accurately to what is happening to the aircraft. I love it.
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
Exterior.
FlightSim magazine
As for the exterior, it rivals any other payware add-on for any other flight simulator out there. I am a fan of the majestic beauty of the Dash 8 Q400’s exterior anyway, but when Majestic Software adds their special touch, there just isn’t much that could beat the end product, which is the Majestic Dash 8 Q400. The texturing work on Majestic’s Dash 8 is great, and the addon comes with many accurate real world liveries, from all around the globe, and the modeling of the aircraft is perfectly done, featuring every last detail that you could ever ask for.
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
FlightSim magazine
Final Thoughts. My thoughts Majestic’s Dash 8 Q400? PERFECT, absolutely perfect, you can’t really ask for anything better than this addon, featuring extremely high quality graphics, with next to no frame rate loss compared to default FSX aircrafts, a highly detailed interior, and amazingly realistic sounds! I highly recommend this add-on, a true classic aircraft, now a true classic addon for flight simulator!
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
FlightSim magazine
THE FUTURE OF FLIGHT SIMULATION: X-PLANE 10
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
Introduction.
FlightSim magazine
With Microsoft Flight Simulator(s) becoming old, and with standards for graphics changing flight simmers’ are being forced to need to look at different sim’s to experience the sensation of flying on, and no other sim can quite compare to X-Plane 10’s graphics, physics, or price.
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
Default Aircrafts.
FlightSim magazine
Right out of the box X-Plane 10 comes with a great selection of highly detailed aircrafts, anything from a Cessna, to a Boeing 747, to the space shuttle, it’s all included and they’re all very detailed. Or if you don’t see the plane that you’d love to be flying already in the game, there’s tons of freeware and great payware models available from well known Microsoft Flight Simulator publishers like Carenado, Aerosoft, and Alabeo, or there are some X-Plane only publishers such as FlyJSim with their highly detailed simulations of the classic Boeing 727, and the Bombardier Dash 8 Q400.
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
Default Sceneries.
FlightSim magazine
As for airport sceneries X-Plane hasn’t really been known for doing all that well, and default X-Plane 10 is a little better with some airports, but most are still pretty bare but, with X-Plane 10 you can easily create and edit airport sceneries all over the world on your own, with the included scenery editor. Although the airports aren’t the absolute greatest the rest of the X-Plane 10 world is pretty good, the weather and other scenery objects are very good quality, and blow FSX’s right out of the sky, although you can’t really compare the two as FSX is a very old sim. Just as with the aircrafts in X-Plane 10, if you are not happy with the default sceneries then there are plenty of high quality, highly detailed freeware, and payware sceneries available for X-Plane 10, so if your airport or city of choice isn’t as detailed as you’d like then there’s a good chance you can find a suitable add-on for your needs.
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
FlightSim magazine
Game Physics/Sound.
The default sounds that come with X-Plane 10 are really good, and beat any other flight simulator that I’ve played (FS 2004, FSX, P3D) by a long shot. As for the physics of X-Plane 10, I have never really seen anything so realistic in my life, honestly the way that the aircrafts fly is totally realistic, and everything about it is absolutely stunning, and ultra realistic, from the way the wind catches your aircraft to the way turbulence affect the aircraft, the realism that X-Plane 10 brings with it’s game physics, is amazing.
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
Final Thoughts.
FlightSim magazine
X-Plane 10 can’t be beat, even if you are happy flying an older, out dated sim such as FSX, then I highly recommend getting your hands on a copy of X-Plane 10, the realism that it brings to the table is amazing, and X-Plane 10 truly brings a new meaning to flight simulation, and raises the bar of realism to a whole new altitude.
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
FlightSim magazine
2 CHANCES TO WIN A COPY OF X-PLANE 10 FOR FREE!*
ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN @: CONTEST.FLIGHTSIMMAG.COM ENTER CODE: CA192MBM
*Get the game 100% free, just pay shipping. New entries accepted until January 20th. Winners to be announced January 21st
facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
FlightSim magazine
CAPTAIN SIM 707 REVIEW.
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
FlightSim magazine
Captain Sim’s simulation of the classic Boeing 707 for Microsoft Flight Simulator X is amazing, and really lives up to the Boeing 707 name, I mean who doesn’t love the 707, and who doesn’t love Captain Sim? Put the 707 and Captain Sim together, and you get one of the best add-ons FSX has ever seen!
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
Interior.
FlightSim magazine
As with all of Captain Sim’s add-ons the 707’s interior is highly detailed, and even features a highly detailed virtual cabin. The cockpit of the add-on is very realistic, and features the amount of wear and tear that you would expect from a working aircraft the age of the Boeing 707, this adds a lot of realism to your 707 experience.
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
Exterior.
FlightSim magazine
The exterior is usually the pride and joy of any Captain Sim product, and the 707 is no exception, the modeling of the addon is amazing, and almost every hatch you could image on the exterior of the aircraft opens and closes, anywhere from emergency exits, to the radar in the nose, it all works. Also as with the interior the texturing, and level of wear and tear on the exterior adds a whole lot of realism to the add-on.
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
FlightSim magazine
-300C Expansion Pack.
The Cargo variant of the Captain Sim 707 is great, and features a highly detailed virtual cabin, and highly detailed loading vehicles for when your on the ground and getting ready to fly, or just landed and ready to unload you cargo, making the expansion ultra realistic and well worth purchasing.
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
FlightSim magazine
Final Thoughts. I personally believe that there is no other Boeing 707 simulation that even comes close to Captain Sim’s, and personally I can’t help but to make it one of my top aircrafts in my FSX fleet, it’s just that good.
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
FlightSim magazine
PROJECT AIRBUS A380 REVIEW. Of all the freeware add-ons makers Project Airbus is by far one of my personal favorite’s and I’m sure that you’ll agree that they make some of the best add-ons for flight simulators, even better than some payware’s.
Volume 1 Issue 4 www.flightsimmag.com facebook.com/flightsimmagazine
FlightSim magazine
Some downloads you get with the Project Airbus A380 do come with fairly good quality virtual cockpit’s for both FS9, and FSX, even the ones without the virtual cockpit’s are well worth getting as the rest of the add-on is intensely good, however if you can get your hands on one with a virtual cockpit, then it will be much more enjoyable to fly, especially for those of you who enjoy a lot of realism. The aircraft fly’s believably and the sounds are good, and with the price tag of $0 you can’t go wrong with the Project Airbus A380, which rivals and beats the quality level of any payware A380 model currently available.
Latest Flight Sim News. PCFlightsimnews.com
A few more from Oslo
In the last week some very impressive preview screenshots were uploaded at the Aerosoft forum of the upcoming FSX and Prepar3D scenery of the Mega Airport Oslo project developed by Jo Erlend. The first two shots show the airport in FSX with the OpusFSX weather engine. Simply stunning!
Latest Flight Sim News. PCFlightsimnews.com
The 2 shots below were shot in Prepar3D V2 by Jo Erlend himself. Just have a look at the impressive job Lockheed did with the HDR lighting and clouds in this one!
Latest Flight Sim News. PCFlightsimnews.com
Aerosoft: Dublin by night The development of Mega Airport Dublin for FSX and Prepar3D has reached the point the developer has started to work on the night textures of the airport. Lots of work has been done lately and despite the developer started to turn on the lights at the field, there is no expected release date yet. Let’s have a look how Dublin walks into the night....
Latest Flight Sim News. PCFlightsimnews.com
Just Flight: More Canberra Just Flight released two more in-development preview screenshots of the cockpit of their upcoming English Electra Canberra for FSX. The new shots let us peek once more in the 3D cockpit. Looking great!
Latest Flight Sim News. PCFlightsimnews.com
Active Sky Next is coming... The new Active Sky NEXT for FSX and P3D by HiFi Technologies is on its way to take over the actual Active Sky 2012. HiFi Technologies next weather program is getting close to completion, although a release date has not been announced yet. Active Sky Next brings an entirely new level of realism to your simulation experience! Advanced technologies enable incredible levels of accuracy and smoothness. Realistic radar simulation, cloud position awareness and synchronized ambient effects, brand new air effects, brand new thunderstorm depictions, microbursts, thick overcast, smooth cloud transitions, variable cloud areas, voice weather briefings and forecast data integration are just some of the features that await you!
Latest Flight Sim News. PCFlightsimnews.com
Active Sky Next is in final beta testing as we speak. In development for 3 years, this new version of Active Sky has a completely new depiction system to enable enhanced visuals, accuracy and smoothness never before possible. More information and expected features can be found here at the HiFi Technologies website.
Latest Flight Sim News. PCFlightsimnews.com
Carenado: Phenom 100’s interior Carenado has added the first interior preview shots of their forthcoming Embraer Phenom 100 for FSX. The pictures speak for themselves, nothing more than wows and waws to add. Here they are.
Latest Flight Sim News. PCFlightsimnews.com
The Embraer Phenom 100 is a very light jet developed by Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer. It has been type certificated as the Embraer EMB-500, with 100 units delivered in 2010. It has a capacity for 4 passengers in its normal configuration, but it can carry up to 6 passengers with a single crew, with optional side facing seat and belted toilet. It has a maximum flying range of 1,178 nmi (2,182 km) with 4 occupants and NBAA IFR Reserves.