Xsimreviews

Well, XP10.10b1 is now out and about, but the release appears very buggy so far – at least as reported from some quarters. I’m recommending a “wait and see” approach for the time being, at least until a clear picture of the problems being experienced emerges, and as I’m definitely one of those having major issues I may not be too, well, enthusiastic about things as they stand. The steam coming out of my ears may be a dead give away, too. No doubt we’ll be hearing all about how these problems are Mac-centric, and no doubt the  soon to release Mac OS code named Mountain Lion will only make things worse.

There was a time, if memory serves, when XP was, like the Mac on which it was originally made, the SIM for the rest of us. Oh…how soon people forget.

Ya gots to dance with the one who brung ya, y’all.

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A few more WIP images from “UrbanMAXX John’s” latest – and as yet still un-named – “Clouds” enhancement add-on for XP10, and these come fresh on the heels of the latest v10 news. Let’s take a look:

It does indeed seem that clouds are much on people’s minds these days. Interesting too, as a lot of the discussion since XP10′s first release has focused on these perplexing demons, and we’re still waiting to see evidence that XP can catch up to programs like REX for MsFS/FsX. Ah, and don’t forget Simon’s post earlier today concerning Greg Sabach’s Clouds XPX REALISTIC 1.0 X-P10. I think there’s more to come from John, too. Could get exciting if REX decides to jump into the fray, wot?

So, howzabout some gnews?

• Hawker Beechcraft has announced a partnership for its business-jet and general-aviation operations with Superior Aviation Beijing. The Chinese firm agreed to pay $1.79 billion to Hawker for an “exclusivity agreement” and pledged to keep jobs in Kansas and Arkansas. Hawker Beechcraft, which filed for bankruptcy in May, will keep its defense unit as a separate business. The Washington Post/The Associated Press
• Several Kansas officials are promoting the state’s aviation industry across the pond during the Farnborough International Airshow in the U.K. Several representatives from Bombardier, Airbus, Boeing, Cessna Aircraft, Spirit AeroSystems and Hawker Beechcraft will be on hand at the show. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., Gov. Sam Brownback and Kansas Commerce Secretary Pat George will discuss Kansas companies and recruit more businesses to Wichita, Kan., this feature says. The Kansas City Star (Mo.)
• The Federal Aviation Administration estimates that by 2015, more than 30,000 unmanned aerial vehicles will be flying through U.S. skies. The vulnerability of UAVs to hacking can present many dangers, says Todd Humphreys, a professor at the University of Texas, Austin. “I’d like to see the problem solved at the source, at the GPS satellites themselves,” Humphreys said. “They’re transmitting an open civilian GPS signal that’s easily hackable.”National Public Radio
• While filming a ski documentary, Byron Wells took a fall that cost him his next season of competing: He tore his anterior cruciate ligament. During the 11 months off the slopes, Wells took to the skies and earned his helicopter certificate. “Just before I got injured I started my helicopter private pilot license so getting hurt gave me a lot of time to fly and study,” Wells said. “A few people around me told me I couldn’t become a pilot, that it would be too hard. All that did was give me more motivation.” ESPN.com/Trending blog
• Two new programs at Atlantic Cape Community College in New Jersey aim to prepare future pilots for a career in aviation. Instrument-pilot and commercial-pilot courses offer a program for aspiring pilots. Students can also earn an associate’s degree to build careers in airport management, aviation business administration, air traffic control or air transportation management. Cape May County (N.J.) Herald
• Many travelers may not be aware that the Transportation Security Administration for years has conducted random tests of travelers’ beverages at airport checkpoints. The test involves a TSA agent holding a test strip over the opening of the beverage. After moving the test strip away, the agent drops a solution on the strip. The TSA declined to elaborate on the purpose of the tests other than to say they are part of a plan to make travel safer. WFAA-TV (Dallas-Fort Worth)

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So, you want to take your flight simulator experience to the next level, but the whole multi-player milieu being presented by MsFlight doesn’t really grab you. What to do?

Well then, what about ATC? What about hooking up somehow and adding more “real world” complexity to your time in XP – by turning an Air Traffic Controller loose inside X-Plane?

Too intrusive?

Maybe…in that the skies would suddenly take on more complexity and XP would become less a solo free-form aerial circus, but you’d be learning a new, completely different way of flying, one that just happens to be totally relevant to developing “real world” piloting skills. Sounds interesting? But, you say, taking someone like a controller into the SIM with you can be a daunting, challenging affair in and of itself, and maybe it’s just a layer of complexity you never really wanted to fuss with.

Well, there are a few good options and VatSIM is certainly one of those, but VatSIM can be a challenging, somewhat unforgiving environment. But then there’s PilotEDGE.

We asked Tim Krajcar of PilotEDGE a few questions about his firm’s services, as we were wondering what they offer that differs from the VatSIM experience, and how these services might be accessed. Also, what might they offer less experienced SIM enthusiasts in X-Plane. Tutorials, classes, anything like that for people who’ve never, ever flown in a structured ATC environment? We had in mind an enthusiast who has zero real world flight experience but who is curious about ATC and who’d like to try something like this without feeling pressured and uncomfortable about the newness of the experience…what would be the first steps along the path to using a “real world” service such as PilotEDGE?

Finally, there’s a special promotion going on right now with a demo period available, and with just introduced hourly plans starting at 4.95USD/month also available it’s never been easier to take the plunge and take your flying on up to the next level!

Hm-m… Sounds like something to give some serious thought, doesn’t it? So. Ready to look at some gnew philes while you think this over? Okay, let’s do it!

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Well, I guess all good things must come to an end.

I was looking forward to seeing ‘frede’s’ KBTR being revised for months and months, but oh no…no such luck! Here we have the final – and I mean final version just posted – and truthfully all I could find were just a few small tweaks here and there, but once again the final results seem worth it.

Most of the latest work will be found on taxiways and ramps, clearing up a few ambiguous markings about the intersections, and you should now find OPS here spot on as a result. Again, a highly recommended, must have file.

And so, with no KBTR to work on now, the next best thing would be another airport by frede, and that’s just what we have for you today. KHZR + False River Regional – is located in New Roads, Louisiana, and is one of the oldest settlements in the vital, French speaking region of the southern colonies in the New World. New Roads is essentially now a part of the Baton Rouge area – so the tie-in to KBTR is obvious, and useful.

In the lower image (just above), that’s the new one, KHZR, located top left, while KBTR is to the SE. KHZR is a small GA field with a 5000 foot paved runway hard by the Mississippi River, so GA flyers can opt to follow along the river down to Baton Rouge, and perhaps even further along the waterway to New Orleans, and there are ample facilities at this airport for tie downs and overnight stays…should that be an issue for you.

Looks like mainly scenery library elements in use here, but once again all is well done.

I don’t know…the overall appearance is quiet…I guess in keeping with the real airport’s nature. Still, maybe a little more ramp lighting…some sort of action on the ramps? Visual chaos, anyone?

Still, recommended as is. Good news too. The developer appears to be starting a new series of airports in Louisiana. My vote for next? Armstrong International, in New Orleans. XP needs a crackin’ good version, frede. Take your time and make us a good one!

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JohnMD’s Canary Wharf project just keeps expanding! Covering the docklands area to Parliament, this collection is really useful when operating into or out of EGLL or EGLC, but I get system crashes if XPs settings are dialed up too high. I think EGLC my be the culprit too, but I’m still checking.

It’s been a while since I flew over this area, but notable additions include the SwissRE building (the pickle shaped one), the Thames Barrier, and the area around Big Ben. All well done, too.

At the rate JohnMD is going, we won’t ever need an AeroSOFT London!

Also useful in the same area, Swift’s EGSS makes a useful base for OPS into and out of London. Lot’s of RyanAir and EasyJet OPS here too, for short hops to the Continent. Not highly detailed but useful enough, it’s recommended for filling out your collection of London area airports.

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jomni revised his Philippine area airports this week too, and of the two I prefer this first one: RPVM + Mactan.

Nice ramps, interesting location, worth having.

His RPLC + Diosdado seems, on first glance, a bit bare…but look around a little as this is a huge, sprawling affair with all kinds of facilities.

I’d say this one is worth keeping in your CS folder as well, especially if you operate in SE Asia. Good framerates, too, in both.

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Mercedes released a nice new airport in the American southeast as well, this in Georgia. ‘frede’s’ two airports are highlighted below to show relative location.

His KAGS + Bush Field/Augusta Regional Airport is another scenery library effort, one that packs a lot of detail into a compact package and that works well enough, but the OSX lighting in v10 isn’t as vibrant as that found in WED object placements and the night lighting lacks punch. Ramp lighting is notably absent too.

Still, KAGS is a good RJ destination and ought to provide a nice new destination for your Q and CRJ, as well as GA OPS around the region. There is an animated baggage cart in operation as well, with the bags being tossed on and going up into the sky. Perhaps a 733 could be placed there?

Delta Air Lines	Atlanta
Delta Air Lines	Masters Week
Delta Connection operated by ExpressJet	Atlanta
US Airways Express operated by Air Wisconsin	Charlotte, Washington-National
US Airways Express operated by Piedmont Airlines	Charlotte
US Airways Express operated by PSA Airlines	Charlotte
US Airways Express operated by Chautauqua Airlines	Charlotte

Oh, Delta and USAirways are the players here. Augusta is home of the Master’s Golf Tournament as well, hence it’s popularity.

Anyway, nice enough file it is, indeed, and a recommended nod for now. Better ramp lighting would be a plus.

Oh, lot’s of vehicles seen above come from Chris K’s Vehicle Library Extension. You’ll need this one onboard to see all the traffic above. Just drop the file into your CS folder.

Well, that’s all for now. We’ll see you in a bit, and do check out PilotEDGE and let us know what you think. Hasta later – C