FSBreak - The Flight Simulator Podcast

Hosted by Eric McClintock, Chris Palmer, and Brendan Farmer.

Tony (MaxWaldorf)

Helicopter Total Realism ver. 1.0 - HTR is a physics library that replaces FSX helicopter physics. You can create your own configuration files for your favorite helicopters. Helicopter Total Realism (HTR) is a program that overrides FSX FS9 flight model with a more realistic model.

All the helicopter reactions are calculated using formulas taken from different aerodynamic books. Every helicopter can be configured using a .cfg file similar to the aircraft.cfg but with custom parameters used by the application to model the physics profile.

Enjoy the exciting Flight Sim Deals we’ll bring you through flightsimdealoftheday.com and the important thing to keep in mind when you visit is…. “Don’t Miss Out!”

Hosted by Eric McClintock, Mark Stewart, Brendan Farmer, and Chris Palmer.

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From John of Orbx:

After 14 months of development, the region will raise the bar yet again, and marks the Orbx debut region for North America.

The price will be AU$54.95 for the download edition.

The DVD edition will be available by the end of March for AU$64.95 - all our resellers will accept pre-orders for the DVD. FSS will accept pre-pay for the download edition from tomorrow morning which gives early buyers a 24 hour exclusive period.

Orbx will release 1S2 Darrington and 7S3 Twin Oaks airports soon after the release of PNW. Those airports will also be available on DVD by the end of March.

Thanks everyone for your enthusiasm and support for PNW - we know you will love flying there!

View all of our PNW shots here!

The Diamond Star is our first of a series of General Aviation aircraft from IRIS Flight Simulation Software and has been an enjoyable experience for the team from design & development, through to release.

I am also proud to announce that this is the debut design from Mr. Jose Valdez. Jose is a long time IRIS customer who has turned his talents to 3D modeling in FSDS and is responsible for the 3D mesh you see in this aircraft.

As usual, our flight modeling was contracted to the fantastic Jade Island Flight Test Center run by Pamela Brooker who has provided an enjoyable flight model which performs closely to the published specifications of the Diamond DA-40 AFM.

David Brice has been responsible for the product audio and the development of the gauges in the aircraft including providing a modified G-1000 unit developed specifically for this aircraft. Overall we?re very proud of the work done on our first G.A. aircraft and you can expect more of the same in the coming years.

This was originally posted on SimFlight, check out the entire article and all 5 flights here...

It’s a dilemma I face all the time. I need a place to fly and it needs to be quick. Like many flight simmers, I seem to always be pressed for time, or I sit down at my desk unsure of how long I’ll be able to devote to flying. I think that’s why VFR flights and GA aircraft appeal to me: they’re easy to get into the air without a lot of tinkering around. Load some fuel, passengers, cargo and maybe set up a failure or two and we’re flying. It’s also why I’m partial to flying in the Caribbean: there’s so much to see and the airports are rarely further than 30 minutes apart.

So, with that in mind, I bring you my top-five short flights (in no particular order)...

The De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter is one of the most versitile aircraft ever designed. Still Canada's most successful commercial aircraft program with more than 800 built, the Twin Otter remains popular for its rugged construction and useful STOL performance.

The De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter (aka Twotter) is one of those aircraft that should have been replaced by some new aircraft at least a decade ago. But it's not. The DHC-6 still flies and in fact the amount of registered is risen at this moment. The main reason for it is the fact it is just as much at home at the poles as it is in the tropics. It is used to maintain routes to airports up to 9000 feet and to ferry between islands. It will fly everywhere using wheels, floats or skis. It's a legend.

This STOL twin turboprop commuter airliner was in production between 1964 and 1988, with over 800 build it has been the most successful aircraft build in Canada. The model is currently been upgraded to a 400 version by Viking Air who holds the type certificate for the Twin Otter.

The high end model presented by Aerosoft and partly designed by SibWings includes all versions, and advanced avionics set. It is perfectly suited for use on some of our most favorite scenery products such as Lukla X and German Airfields 1. The gauges include two high end Bendix King systems that provide near perfect navigation and communication capabilities. Of course the original panel is also an option. One of the main design goals was to keep the memory and CPU load of this aircraft as low as possible to ensure good framerates. By keeping the number of non essential items in the models low this was achieved. The Twin Otter is only just more demanding then the very basic default aircraft of FSX!

Eric: Microsoft Security Essentials

Mark: FSX Scenery--Gulf Island Research (GIR)

Brendan: Drop Box

I found your Podcast 2 days ago and I was trying to listen to all of your episodes before I even dare to write a comment, mainly so I don't ask about something that has already been discussed, but now after listening to all of your episodes until number 12 (I've have my earbuds stuck to my ears since yesterday morning to catch up with all of the episodes as quickly as possible), but now the reason why I break the silence in such an early stage is because you show after show continue to mention that FSX uses 4 cores when this is incorrect to my knowledge, FSX used only 1 core at first lunch and up to 2 cores with accelerator even with affinity set to 15, now I am a PC enthusiast and of course I overclock my PC and for that there are several tools that help me monitor my PC's performance and while running FSX Acceleration all my monitoring software shows only 1 core working at 100% and a secondary core working sporadicly up to 50% the other cores seem to be operating at a lesser intensity and this operating cycles seem to be caused by Win7's and various programs background applications, please correct me if I am wrong, since my own little research seems to corroborate my own computer behaviour.

Have you seen this video?

You should definitely check this out, it looks very promising. Maybe you could even have the guys on who are behind Outerra.

http://outerra.com/

Regards Lukas

Here are a couple screenshots from FS9. This is what I mean when I say that FS9's environment looks a bit more realistic looking than in FSX. I do agree with Mark about the PhysX in FSX thats it's alot better compared in FS9. But I am sure REX will be coming out with new updates for FS9 to try to simulate a more realistic flying experience in FS9. Also, these screenshots do not have HDR enabled. So keep that in mind. HDR plug-in is also compatible with FS9.

I love the show! keep up the great work!

http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.php?quickkey=jtlmzzmvgtn

http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.php?quickkey=nbrzvtkwjmm

When are you guys going to fly another online flight? Your podcast after the last online flight (Sept/09) was filled with "that was fun" "I'm going to fly more online" ect. But you guys haven't flown online since...(I checked). Except Brendan, but he's anti-social, flying out of Uzbekistan or god only knows.

So how about another online flight. Maybe a IFR flight (away from ZLA) I'm a brand new S1 controller at ZHU (Houston ARTCC) and I could possibly talk these guys into staffing whatever positions necessary to provide ATC.

Something like KDEN - KIAH or KMSY - KDEN...Brendan is a controller in Denver so he should be able to talk to them and get his airspace staffed.

or maybe have two flights, one a so called "newbie flight" and another a little more advanced for the rest of us who have been into flightsim for a number of years like me (25 years) and can handle the big iron, flying interstate.

Actions speak louder than words; so, come on guys. a flight a month isn't too much to bring all the listeners together.

After all this is the "All things flightsim" podcast, but seems more of a show about add-ons.

My 2 cents

Kevin

Alex

Thank you, Ilya

Flinty.

Mycockpit.org, the worlds largest community for home cockpit builders is proud to announce two new Podcasts, in association with FSBreak.net. 

Regards Alan 

I have flown on FSX and it looks too cartoon"ish" and unrealistic. So I disagree with Mark. With all of the add-on's that I have for FS9 on top of FS Global 2010, U.T, REX2004 and GE Pro; in my own opinion, FS9 looks alot better and realistic looking then FSX.

Hosted by Eric McClintock, Mark Stewart, Brendan Farmer, and Chris Palmer.

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Here are some new screenshots from a quick test in the French Alps. This uses very accurate vegetation data to cover the whole areas, with an optimized simplification algorithm to reduce the polys complexity without loosing too much precision. The .for files will be created and optimized later with our own trees textures.

Built with technical input from Boeing and using the latest modeling techniques for FSX, the PMDG 747-400X -8i/F Product Model Extension adds the majestic new Boeing 747-8 variant to your existing PMDG 747-400X installation.

This high definition visual model raises the bar on large airliner modeling by showing the 747-8i and 747-8F in exquisite detail. Transparent cabin windows, fully detailed flight controls, 3D engine cores, scalloped nacelles and the incredible 747-8 wing flex are all presented in vivid detail. The model is covered with high definition textures, giving an incredibly lifelike appearance to the model, right down to the finest details.

The PMDG 747-400X -8i/F Product Model Extension will also please your ears, as we have included a new GEnx based engine sound set so that you can experience the amazing audio experience of the new GEnx engines mounted under-wing.

Price: $24.99, More Informaton (Requires PMDG 747-400X)

Posted By: Robert S. Randazzo Jan 21 2010

Captains-

We have been reading some truly ridiculous statements in this forum during the past 72hrs regarding FS2004 vs. FSX development.

I have stated PMDG's position on FS2004 a number of times, but it appears that some folks are under the misguided impression that there is a debate to be had on the topic.

There isn't.

As I have stated many times, PMDG has at our fingertips a wealth of data on current market trends for the entertainment flight simulator market. These trends for some time have been making it increasingly clear that the market for FS2004 customers is shrinking at an astonishing rate.

When analyzing the sales data available to us, we are seeing trends that make it clear that the long-awaited migration from an FS2004 centric community to one centered on FSX started in May of 2009. This trend began to accelerate rapidly in September, and has continued during the fourth quarter of 2009 and the first two weeks of 2010, leading to year-over-year increases for FSX products, and very steep declines in demand for FS2004 products.

The reasons for these trends, in our opinion, have everything to do with the steady advancement of computer hardware during the past three years combined with the performance gains seen in the conversion to Win7. In fact, the release of Win7 coincides with the VERY dramatic shift in sales performance of FSX products and a VERY dramatic decline in the sales of FS2004 products.

With these trends in mind, let me be abundantly clear on two things:

1) The future of an FS2004 based 737NG2 is doubtful at best. We will make this decision while the FSX version is in beta testing. While we do not doubt that some of you would be very interested in this product under FS2004, we are less and less certain that such a development cycle would recoup its own costs, especially when compared to the growing strength in FSX sales. One of the most critical factors that we will consider in this decision will be the projected costs in dollars and TIME to product this product in FS2004. I will be candid and tell you that right now, I am not comfortable sustaining FS2004 development- and this is based upon my review of 4Q09 trends and our considerable experience with development of complex add-ons. We will make a decision when the FSX version of this product is in beta testing, as that will allow us to evaluate against data that is current at the decision making time.

2) Aside from the 737NG2.0, no other PMDG product announced or in development will be considered for the FS2004 platform. This means that the Dash-8, the 777 and the recently announced 747-8 Extension will be in FSX only. I am sorry if this was not clear in our announcement from Saturday- but this has been stated before in previous discussions, so we thought it was understood.

Now- some folks (on both sides of the argument) have taken to becoming extremely emotional about this conversation. There is nothing emotional about the decision. It is based upon mathematics and economics.

We have seen some folks write some really off-the-wall comments in this forum of late, accusing one another of being cheap, snobby, rich, poor, smart, stupid, etc. We have also seen some folks make up information and pretend to speak with some authority on our data-based decision making.

ENOUGH. This forum is not a venue for such behavior- so please take it off-line. We are not interested in a debate about the merits of one simulator versus another- nor are we interested in a debate about whether we are making the right choice or not in consideration of your own opinion.

When making decisions we must consider what is best for the long term vitality of PMDG, and this means evaluating information in a cold, detached manner.

The numbers dictate the rules in the game of business- and the numbers DRAMATICALLY favor us simplifying our development process and focusing on the platform where our customers are heading.

Does this mean that a percentage of you will not buy one or more future products? More than likely... But sentimentality will not keep the lights on, nor will it recover development costs for products that the market is communicating quite clearly that it does not want.

So- once again, we will evaluate the future of FS2004 development as it relates to the 737NG2 in a few months. The major factors in this decision cannot be controlled by any argument here in the forum- they are controlled by the numbers we see in our systems- and MOST IMPORTANTLY by our assessment of the time and monetary costs associated with converting a project this complex to the older platform.

A huge thanks to Chris for putting this out for people to enjoy, Aviator 90 Episode 1 and Episode 2 are now released! Interested in some great training material? Check it out! Check back every other day for a new one!

Still need to try it out? Click Here. Let us know what sort of improvement you saw!

A couple of weeks ago Mark recommended one of Nemeth Design's AS350 choppers in FSX format. Nemeth Designs released the chopper as Freeware in FS9 format, and a group called "Nor Cal Prop Club" converted the helicopter to FSX and re-released it as freeware, giving credit to the original developer.

Will, from our forum posted some links to other FS forums to our attention that shows some developers not happy with Nor Cal Prop Club re-releasing their work.

Link: http://www.cbfsim.org/cbfsim/cbfsBB/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=15989

Link: http://mainescenery.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=genav&action=display&thread=7332

Mark contacted Nemeth Designs, and asked their opinion on this practice, their response:

I have no problem with which Nor Cal is doing as long as they do it only with our freeware releases and they don't sell it as payware. We have no time to convert those old freeware stuffs to FSX so they just do favor to the FS community with taking the time to do that.

Carenado have released their C185F Skywagon for FSX, As always, high quality designed aircraft, polygon optimized model, friendly FPS and a Control Windows new feature for controlling eyes candies (wheel chokes, bag & package, pitot cover, sights prop and tiedown ropes). Pop up Skywagon manual with performance charts and normal & emergency procedures. It also has its original instruments.

Price: $25.95

Link: http://www.carenado.com/ecommerce/buscador.php3?id_producto=80

Multiple DualHead2Go and TripleHead2Go Graphics eXpansion Module (GXM) support to drive up to four or six monitors, respectively, from a single system. A second GXM can now be connected to the secondary output of a supported dual monitor graphics card so two DualHead2Go GXMs can power up to four outputs in 2×2 or 4×1 modes, while two TripleHead2Go units can be combined to connect six displays to produce either a 3×2 or 6×1 setup.

More Info.

Looking for a great series of FS related podcast just for home cockpit builders? Check out the latest releases from MyCockpit.org. One such release is an interview with Peter Dowson (Of FSUIPC), check it out here!

Eric: Freeware De Havilland Tiger Moth DH-82A, By Anthony Lynch

Brendan: http://www.avsim.su

Mark: PLANEMAKER / BLENDER TURTORIALS - x-plane 21 part series

There is a video on YouTube of the Arkview USB adapter in action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wfrl2wUxtmQ

What needs to be noted is that these are 1 to 1 devices. You can extend up to 6 monitors, but you need 1 for each monitor.

Ted

Hosted by Eric McClintock, Mark Stewart, Brendan Farmer, and Chris Palmer.

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Update on Last week's mention, the "external only" model has now been released here for € 9.99.

Website Here!

Honolulu International is a scenery developed for Microsoft Flight Simulator X (FSX) and Flight Simulator 2004 (FS9). It's has been created with great attention to visual quality and performance, using the latest available programming techniques, both in FSX and FS9.

The product is sold as 2 Products in One. This means, by buying one version, you will automatically get the other for free, since activation and serial codes are shared between FSX and FS9.

Features:

Price: 22.90 EUR, download here.

PMDG 747-400X -8i/F Product Model Extension:

PMDG 737-NGX:

PMDG Bombardier Dash-8

PMDG 777:

X-Plane 9.42 is now available for Windows, Mac and Linux.

X-Plane is doing well, but I want to see if I can push the current state of the art in HARDWARE forward a little bit as well. IF I can come up with a new plane that can benefit the aviation community, then I want to. To do this, I give you the "Laminar Research X-1 Cavallo" ("Cavallo" is Italian for "Horse").

The Objectives:

More details and prototypes here.

One of the projects we work on is called GEVision. In the past various attempts had been made to use Google Earth scenery instead of the one included in Microsoft Flight Simulator X. Yet due to limitations in the interface technology this has never been fully achieved. GEVision will enable the use of Google Earth as a full blown 3D scenery engine.

Eventually GEVision will be a server / client solution that can connect to a wide range of applications rendering Google Earth views to multiple monitors. GEVision is already working smoothly with Microsoft Flight Simulator X and we hope to be demonstrate it in all it's glory on the Google IO conference.

More Info here!

A brand new, on-line, commercial 'web-zine' has been born. Conceived, designed and ultimately produced and launched by some friends and people many of us know (Hal Bryan and Mike Singer, both fromer MSFS gurus)! It is called Why Fly and is all about WHY we/you love FLYING (and aviation).

You can find the website here: http://www.whyfly.aero/

Items marked "Complimentary Content" can be viewed without a subscription, a Monthly subscription costs $7.95 per month.

Sample of a great article: http://www.whyfly.aero/photo-munson-outer-banks/

We just want to give a quick mention to a program that a listener, Liam is working one. An "in flight entertainment" program for VA owners to offer to their pilots! Here is a sample of what to expect:

If you are interested, contact Liam here.

Eric: 7-Zip: FREE ZIP/RAR/7Zip/ISO Extractor/Creator.

Chris: One Six Right: Great Aviation Film, Free on Hulu. (Sorry Non-US Folks, find more information on how to get this movie from their website.)

love the show guys. I found this on tiger direct, thought it was worth a look. I did not order one yet but will soon I hope. I'll let you know if it works out well. I'm thinking of using it for a panel display for a home cockpit. Don't think it would be good for the main view, but for gauges I think it may work out.

Any way here is the link ---> http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3921559&CatId=467

Later, Steven

Hey guys -- quick question: I had a conversation with a person who recently tried playing half-life on a 3-D monitor. She said it was unbelievable. Has anyone tried this, and if so, does it make a significant difference for FS?

3D TV's were the big story at CES this year, and I wonder if it will be the next big thing in gaming.

Thanks, Dave in Raleigh

My name is Mike, I go by the alias of NBGZerO. I'm part of the three man group known as GearDownFS that uploaded the FSX pattern video on youtube. We are great fans of your work, and enjoy listening to your episodes, since we are very interested in whats happening in the FS community. We'd like to thank you for your hard work, and wish you good luck for 2010.

For reasons, which are unknown to me, one of us checked your Website and found our video on it. You can guess how we both almost freaked out, since we never thought that one of our videos would be posted on an established FS website. We are in the process of creating a community based platform, dedicated to show interested FS newcomers how to fly "as real as it gets". We strive to create a video series that is straight forward and easy to understand.

Having our video on your website shows us, that we are going the right way, and encourages us to work even harder. Ironically, the third team member and creator of said video is unaware at this point in time - hes on a skiing vacation in Europe.

On behalf of the entire team, I'd like to thank you. Really, thank you very much :)

Regards, Michael

http://www.geardownfs.com

Did you read the news paper story about the pilot that landed his plane but forgot to put down the landing gear. Perhaps Mark or Danton would like to critic that one. Actually I have done that in the SIMS... Thank goodness I'm not a real pilot.

The link is as follows:

http://calgarysun.com/news/canada/2010/01/10/12410996.html

By the way, as always, a good show.

I hope they put X-Plane on the Google Nexis 1.

Alan