Add-ons

Aero Files has released Aeroshot, a screen capture program. The beauty of this application is that it allows you to capture in a number of different formats, so you don’t have to use the huge BMP files saved by default with FSX.

Aeroshot is not limited to flight simulators. It overrides the “Print Screen” key on your keyboard so can capture any screen.

Features

• GIF .PNG .BMP & JPG saving options.
• Sound plays after each successful capturing.
• Chose saving destination.
• Reset screenshot counter.
• Watermarking available
• FSX & FS 2004 compatible
• CFS, X Plane & Train Sim compatible
• Compatible with any PC game
• Take images of desktop programs
• Windows XP & Vista Support

FlightDeckSoftware has released the first version of their 737 Next Generation Suite. This could be ideal for anyone interested in cockpit building.

Good news for cockpit builders and other flight simmers. Flight Deck Software releases the first version of the Glass Flight Deck 737NG Suite.

At this moment the suite contains all displays seen in the B737 NG series. The software runs on multiple computers over network or on a single computer. The software doesn’t run inside FS, so at least two monitors or minimum 2 computers are needed to run the software.

All gauges are available. Not all functionality is yet available: VNAV and VOR/LOC is disabled and some FMC pages are missing. The main reason for release is testing out the software. Everything is easily configurable at your own wish.

Beta testers giving good testing feedback will have the opportunity to buy the software before the release and get a small discount on the price.

Larry Mudge has posted an extremely detailed review of It’s Your Plane - the voice control system for Flight Simulator X and Flight Simulator 9.

Larry was a beta tester of the product and therefore probably knows as much about it as anyone and this is reflected in the review.

It’s Your Plane puts a virtual co-pilot in the cockpit with you, a highly skilled assistant who can actually handle the entire flight for you (handy for beginners) or can just do whatever tasks you request. While it does not work with every plane, it works with plenty of them, and can be used as a learning tool or a cockpit resource.

AlphaSim have released their B-24 Liberator for Flight Simulator X and Flight Simulator 9.

New addition to the USA section - the B-24 Liberator!

This groundbreaking package features both the glazed-nose B-24D and the turret-nosed B-24G/J variants and five super-detailed texture sets which depict bare-metal, desert and olive drab schemes, all with carefully-drawn authentic nose art.

This model package also debuts the AlphaSim ‘Visual Load Editor’ (VLE), a unique in-game graphical user interface where you can toggle on and off parts of the model such as the crew and bombload (aircraft weight will be updated automatically as bombs are loaded or unloaded).

The package is for both FS9 and FSX, the FSX version is of course fully-featured with bump mapping, self-shadowing, bloom effect and v-c self shadowing for SP2/DX10 users. The FSX model beautifully demonstrates 2048-pixel texturing at its best, the sharpness has to be seen to be believed!

An amazing set of sounds by TSS are included with an FSX-specific version with ’soundcone’ tech. The superlative quality continues with the panel suite, amazing detail abounds with custom-made B-24 gauges and authentically-styled popups for fuel, throttles and electrical systems. The v-c has every switch and knob of the real machine, but will not need a high-spec PC to run it. The majority of the v-c switches are mousable, even the radios can be operated from the radio operator’s station in the rear.

The external model features many animations, including opening ’shutter’ bomb bay doors, crew figures who scan the skies for enemy fighters and a togglable waist gunner (and door), landing lights, retractable ventral ball turret, cowl flaps and sliding cockpit windows.

Special effects include custom startup smoke and engine exhaust, even a fluttering flag can be hoisted out of the cockpit window! The flight dynamics have been meticulously researched and efficiently beta-tested, even the turbosupercharger levers work and provide the exact effect stated in the published specs.

A .pdf manual detailing the cockpit and instrument panel comes with the package, as well as a useful Excel spreadsheet which calculates turbocharger and throttle power settings for you.

This is the package heavy bomber fans have been waiting for since flightsim was invented, a landmark model for flightsim and a must-have for ultra-realism fliers. A paintkit is also provided so new schemes will surely appear in due course.

For FSX (SP1, SP2/Accel) and FS2004 only.

Scotflight Scenery has issued the following press release regarding their new RAF Collection for FSX and FS9:

Announcing the latest scenery product from Scotflight, the RAF Collection features highly detailed scenery for the three currently active RAF Stations in Scotland, namely RAF Kinloss, RAF Leuchars and
RAF Lossiemouth.

Together with the scenery Scotflight already has made available for Scotland through its’ existing products for FS2004 and FSX, this new package further enhances your flying experience in a land of mountains, lochs, islands and rugged coastline. The airfields contain a large number of customised buildings, static aircraft and vehicles, and nearby landmarks are also included. Full details of the features and a gallery of screenshots are available at www.scotflightscenery.com

The product download includes seperate custom installers for FS2004 and FSX. The scenery is fully compatible with MS Flight Simulator and earlier Scotflight releases; the FSX version is also compatible with UTX Europe.

Current users of Scotflight’s Highlands and Islands scenery for FSX are advised that they will need to install an updated version ( version 1.2 ), which they can now download for free (with their current registration key) from Visual Flight.