VOLUME 14 ISSUE 1 DECEMBER 2009/JANUARY 2010

USA $7.95 CANADA $9.95 AUSTRALIA $9.85 (INC. GST) A PC AVIATOR PUBLICATION

AIRCRAFT SPOTLIGHT
The McDonnell Douglas 11

COMMANDS AND DATAREFS

Inspiring Aviation History

THE KEY TO CONTROLLING X-PLANE 9.30

DOC WHITE OF THE DOOLITTLE RAID

AUSTRALIAN AIR ADVENTURES

Touring the Land Downunder

CPM. V14I1

Imagine.... being able to pick and choose any areas of the world that you want to fly in photo-real detail with Microsoft Flight Simulator X. Imagine.... being able order those parts of the world, here and now, for less than 1 cent per square mile. Imagine.... being able to download that area immediately after purchase, installing it and then flying that scenery within the hour. Imagine.... that technology being available right here and now.... Well, you no longer need to imagine... it is here and now... and its MegaSceneryEarth! Go To The MegaSceneryEarth Website Right Now To Start Choosing Your Favorite Places To Fly In HyperReal Detail!

Choose=>Buy=>Download=>Fly!

www.megasceneryearth.com
2009 PC Aviator Inc. Aerosoft Australia Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

new release products the latest flight simulator products in stock!

FS Global 2010
best-selling terrain enhancement that covers the globe!
FS Global 2010 represents the latest title in the FS Global series of terrain mesh enhancement for Microsoft Flight Simulator X and 2004. New, much better data sources have been discovered and used with FS Global 2010. So this is the first version of FS Global to offer a WHOLE world coverage including areas not covered by SRTM (the older data set) such as Antarctica, Greenland, Iceland, Russia and Scandinavia to name a few. This product will greatly improve the resolution of terrain over the default FS database, meaning mountains and georgraphy are more defined with more data points. Mountain peaks are more defined, ridges take better form, and gullys look more like they should! This is perhaps one of the best upgrades you can make to Flight Simulator,. It also offers excellent value for money!
code: FSG2010 price: US$79.95 AUD$109.95

Mytraffic 2010

populate your FSX world with real traffic

My Traffic 2010 is the latest version of the popular and longtime successful My Traffic series. Uncompromisingly optimized for the Microsoft Flight Simulator X this product provides realistic air traffic in the air and on the ground, which is controlled by artificial intelligence, for more than 8200 airports. More than 140 aircraft models were newly designed for FSX with in a never before seen detail for AI-planes and a with a minimal impact on the PC resources. Nearly all current airliners, most commuter aircraft and civil freighters are included. There are additional versions of many aircraft types featuring different engines. 1600 aircraft liveries are included as well as more than 4000 different types and associated flight plans. My Traffic generates more than 800,000 flight a day, worldwide. With the attached My Traffic editor you can program flight plans to your liking.
code: MYT2010 price: US$49.99 AUD$69.95

20 series business jets

six variations of the legendary Models 24, 25 and 28

The classic 20 Series aircraft, nicknamed fighters in civilian clothing because of their sleek design and amazing performance, were the first true executive jets and would forever redefine the way corporate America and the rest of the world did business. Each highly-detailed 3D model is inspired from the real world aircraft and features many movable parts and high resolution textures. The fully functional 3D virtual cockpit contains over 800 parts and more than 200 back and front-lit 3D gauges, lights, switches and flight instruments. The custom flight model has been designed to simulate the performance of a high-powered civilian jet aircraft. The package includes custom visual effects and sounds, multiple camera views and a detailed flight manual (PDF format, in English and French). Compatible with FSX SP2, FSX Acceleration, and FSX Gold.
code: xt-20ser price: US$39.95 AUD$59.95

vfr germany volume 4 - east

photo-real scenery for east germany

This scenery series will impress you like no other before: The fourth part (East) brings you thousands of VFR objects and millions (yes, millions!) of exactly placed buildings placed on 80,000 km of aerial images! 80,000 km of aerial images at a stunning resolution of 1 meter per pixel. Almost all lakes, rivers etc. with water masks (reflecting and landable for floaters). Thousands of important VFR reference points like transmission towers, factories and much more. New custom-made autogen replacing the default buildings with typical German looking buildings. Autogen buildings placed at their exact locations using a database of more than 4.5 Million objects! Airport runways adjusted to the aerial images. Additional glider and ultralight airfields, which were not included in FSX yet.
code: VFRGERM4 price: US$59.95 AUD$79.95

vrinsight micro jet-pit

portable instrument panel for jet aircraft

The Micro Jet-Pit from VRinsight is a portable jet panel for Microsoft Flight Simulator X and Flight Simulator 2004. It features a ND, PFD, EFIS and MCP, as well as real knobs. All the instruments, buttons and knobs are synchronized with default Flight Simulator jet aircraft and most aircraft add-ons. Fully interfaced with FSX/FS2004 through a USB port and SerialFP2 software (supplied). Requires USB 2.0 port, FSUIPC (free version) and a spare DVI or VGA port. Note: If you plan to connect the CDU II panel via a USB hub, the hub MUST be USB 2.0 compliant. Panel is easily portable for transportation...
code: vrmicjpit price: US$429.95 AUD$599.95

vrinsight micro pro-pit

control & display system for propeller aircraft

The u-ProPit is a portable hardware control and display system for Mcirosoft Flight Simulators propeller-driven aircraft. All the gauges on the display are synchronized with the Flight Simulator software, so what you see on your new micro pro-pit displays is what is happening in your flight sim aircraft at that very second! Real knobs and push buttons provide the user with a realistic flight experience with quick and easy setup. Plus, the micro pro-pit can be packed up and taken anywhere in no time at all. Great for flight simming on the move! Full metal case. 1 Year Warranty.
code: VRMICROPIT price: US$429.95 AUD$599.95

we service you wherever in the world you might be all from the one website and through our local offices in north america / toll free: 1800 664 0033 australia: (03) 9553 1955 international callers outside usa: +1 843 716 1616 outside australia: +61 +3 9553 1955

new release products the latest flight simulator products in stock!

PMDG md-11x
The PMDG MD-11 Now Boxed For FSX!
PMDG continues our lineage of fine airliner simulations with another popular heavy airliner, the PMDG MD-11! Born out of airline requirements for a modern new DC-10 the MD-11 is a superb example of aircraft engineering from the era when modern computer processing power was beginning to bring truly new ideas, safety and capability to the cockpit of transport airplanes. Highly automated and employing innovative new approaches to the pilot/airplane interface, the MD-11 took the McDonnell Douglas widebody line into the future with fully automated flight modes, aircraft system status pages, failure consequence displays and clearly thought out pilot controls. One of the most advanced airplanes ever produced by Douglas, the MD-11 has been largely missing from desktop simulation... Until Now In traditional PMDG style, no effort is being spared during development and we are sure the PMDG MD-11 will become another favorite of PMDG simulation customers!
code: pmdgmd11x price: US$74.95 AUD$99.95

FTX AUSTRALIA

Australia wide texture and scenery enhacement for FSX

FTX is the Full Terrain Experience, and is the culmination of over five years of research and development by local Melbourne company, Orbx Simulation Systems. FTX will completely transform how the entire country of Australia looks like in Flight Simulator X, and only occupies 12GB of hard drive space and performs equal and in some cases better than default FSX! This all-in-one package includes all four FTX regions; AU BLUE, AU RED, AU GREEN, and AU GOLD, plus the FTX Coffs Harbour scenery add-on and the latest SP3 service pack! Each FTX Region is a fully stand-alone, self-contained FSX product, with all seasonal variations, beautiful and immersive 3D night lighting, improved custom landclass and tile meshing, autogen annotation, unique roads, trees and other textures. Orbx even creates brand new, accurate coastlines with beaches where they occur in real life!
code: ftxaussp3 price: US$149.95 AUD$169.95

hawker heroes

The Fury, Hurricane, Tempest & Typhoon All In One Box!

First flown in 1931, the Hawker Fury set the template for all fighter aircraft that would follow. The first fighter aircraft to exceed 200 MPH in level flight, the Fury held the world in awe with its incredible handling. The Hawker Hurricane was the hero of the Battle of Britain, changing the course of World War 2 by being responsible for more enemy kills than any other aircraft. The Typhoon quickly became one of the most formidable ground attack aircraft of the war years. By the end of World War 2 the RAF were operating 18 Typhoon squadrons equipped with deadly rockets. Each aircraft has been painstakingly recreated to offer the ultimate in simulation. Accompanied by adrenalin charged missions for Flight Simulator X, would-be fighter aces can relive the Hawker experience where the best pilots truly became heroes! Hawker Heroes is also compatible with FS2004.
code: fchh price: US$34.95 AUD$47.95

flying club 2

Three quality aircraft in one great package

Flying Club 2 features three of the most popular General Aviation aircraft in the world - the PA28-181 Archer III, the twin-engined Beechcraft Duchess 76 and the R44 helicopter. All the aircraft have authentic and realistic avionics suites and an additional set of colour schemes as well as the default paint schemes. All the aircraft are modelled in very high detail, based on extensive research on the real-world aircraft featured in the pack. For FSX users we have included the ultra-detailed scenery for Denham airfield just to the west of London, so not only can you fly all these aircraft, but youll also have a new airfield at which to base them! All the aircraft in Flying Club 2 are fully updated to the latest Flight Simulator X SP2 and DX10 preview specifications.
code: flyclub2 price: US$44.95 AUD$59.95

b-17g flying fortress

quality b-17 bomber expansion

Francisco Sanchez-Castaer of the newly formed development team of FS-Cast has captured the B-17G Flying Fortress in all its glory. This package is loaded with all of the bells and whistles one would expect from a dedicated FSX aircraft. These features include bump maps, specular maps, self-shadows, working gun turrets, dropping bombs, and more. This is a true FSX aircraft, not a port-over from FS2004, and is designed for use with FSX Service Pack 2 and the Acceleration Expansion. Three Highly Detailed models of the B-17G, including armed and an unarmed variant. A true FSX aircraft with bump maps, specular maps, and self-shadows. Beautifully rendered virtual cockpits created in the most stunning detail, with virtually everything animated and labeled. Custom Gauges with Night-Lighting effects. Working and moveable gun turrets, and more!
code: skb17 price: US$27.95 AUD$39.95 code: 893458 price: US$33.33 AUD$44.44 sub price: US$33.34 AUD$44.44

hong kong city & Kai tak airport

Fly The Legendary Kai Tak IGS-13 Approach!

Discover one of the most challenging approaches in aviation history. This multiple awarded scenery of the Kai-Tak airport and the city of Hong Kong has been recreated by the famous FlyTampa developmet team and brings back the REAL Kait-Tak airport in stunning details for FSX and FS2004. Hong Kong city scenery consisting of mesh, landclass, photoground and Thousands of custom buildings. Kai-Tak International (VHHX, closed 1998) airport scenery. Highly detailed curved Checkerboard approach. 2 Heliports (Peninsula Hotel, Shun-Tak Ferry heliport). Animated AI-Ships including Hong Kongs Starferry, junkers, barges etc. Custom animated car traffic & FSX-traffic throughout. Includes both FS2004 and FSX-SP2 versions. FSX version is fully FSX-SP2 compliant. Unique night effects like animated Lightbeams, haze-glow and Fireworks display.
code: ASKAITAK price: US$39.95 AUD$54.95 code: 893458 price: US$33.33 AUD$44.44 sub price: US$33.34 AUD$44.44

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software we recommend enhance your flight SIMULATOR world!

microsoft flight simulator x: gold edition
two titles In One Low-Priced Pack!
Take to the skies again as Microsoft Flight Simulator X Gold puts pilots back in the cockpit for more than 80 missions set all over the world. Want more? Try the thrilling multiplayer mode where you can race your friends for victory and bragging rights. Microsoft Flight Simulator X Gold delivers that sense of immersive realism that only the award-winning Flight Simulator series brings to flight sim fans. And with advanced DX10 graphics, heading into the wild blue yonder has never looked so good. Flight Simulator X: Acceleration, is the action-packed expansion for Flight Simulator X. With newly enhanced DX10 graphics, Flight Simulator X: Acceleration gamers of all ages, types and skill levels can race against friends in amazing, highly detailed locations around the world, test their skills and heroism in many new missions, fly three exciting new aircraft, and share rewards, photos and videos with friends and the broader flight community. Get your hands on the worlds best selling PC flight simulator!
code: FSXgold price: US$49.95 AUD$94.95

x-plane 9 (pc)

Fly Anything! Ultimate Realism, Ultimate Versatility...

X-Plane is the most comprehensive and powerful flight simulator available for the personal computer. X-Plane simulates anything that flies: from single-engine fixed wing props to multi-engine jets; gliders to dirigibles; helicopters to spacecraft to VTOLs such as the V-22 Osprey and AV8-B Harrier. X-Plane has the most realistic flight model available for personal computers. It comes with subsonic and supersonic flight dynamics, simulating aircraft from the Bell 206 JetRanger helicopter and Cessna 172 light plane to the supersonic SR-71 and Mach-3 XB-70 Valkyrie. X-Plane comes with 29 aircraft spanning the aviation industry (and history). X-Plane also has detailed failuremodeling, with 35 systems that can be failed manually, or randomly when you least expect it! You can fail instruments, engines, flight controls, and landing gear at any moment. Keep your eyes on those instruments!
code: XPL9 price: US$29.95 AUD$49.95

747-400X queen of the skies

Award Winning Jumbo Add-on, now for FSX!

This add-on package is widely regarded as the best jumbo add-on currently available, and is the ultimate challenge in captaining a classic heavy jet airplane! Flight Performance Model - Developed from scratch by professionals, the flight characteristics operate within a narrow margin of operators specifications. Customizable Options - Change units, flight director styles, IRS alignment times, engine variants and more. Professional Features - Complete IRS system, Autopilot includes VNAV, LNAV, FL CHG and is capable of performing full autoland in the strongest of crosswinds. Flight Management Computer (FMC) - Functionality includes: SID/STAR Procedures / Two Independent FMCs Operative / IRS Position Interaction / Accurate Cost Index Functionality and more! Panel State Loading - The airplane can be loaded to be configured in different setups.
code: pmdg747fsx price: US$74.95 AUD$99.95

dcs: black shark

digital combat simulator series

DCS: Black Shark is a PC game of the Russian Ka-50 attack helicopter and is the first title in a new Eagle Dynamics and The Fighter Collection simulation series: Digital Combat Simulator (DCS). Following Eagle Dynamics tradition of excellence, DCS: Black Shark will bring an even more realistic simulation experience than its predecessor Flaming Cliffs. DCS: Black Shark offers an unprecedented level of realism in regards to flight dynamics, instruments modeling, avionics systems, and weapon systems. A new Mission Editor includes a powerful electronic mapping system that allows user to easily create missions and campaigns. A new campaign system allows the front line of the battlefield to move back and fourth according to your mission success or failure. For Windows XP and Vista.
code: DSCBS price: US$49.95 AUD$69.95

flight deck 5

experience awesome carrier operations in FSx/FS2004

The USS Gerald R Ford is your new base where youll perform launch and recovery until youre blue in the face. The powerful catapult gets you airborne in just a few hundred feet. And during recovery, youll want your tailhook to catch the steel cable to bring your muscular aircraft to a screeching halt. From the flight deck of the new USS Gerald R Ford, youll fly these 7 exciting aircraft: F/A-18C Hornet, F/A-18E Super Hornet, E-2C Hawkeye, S-3B Viking, SH-60 Seahawk, C-2A Greyhound, and the EA-6B Prowler. Flight Deck 5 incorporates brand new technology featuring an aircraft carrier that moves and a super accurate catapult launch and recovery system*. Youll experience the thrill of authentic deck operations with AI traffic on and above the carrier. Youll see why cable recovery on the short flight deck is both thrilling and nerve-wracking. Steam vents from the deck surface and the engine afterburners blast hot!
code: fltdeck5 price: US$29.95 AUD$44.95

757 captain

the captains choice in 757 add-ons!

This spectacular 757 expansion has been developed by the experts at Captain Sim and is a technical masterpiece. It comes in -200, -300 and freighter variants with an impressive selection of different airline liveries and different engine variants. If you want the finest 757 for your simulated fleet then look no further - this is the Captains choice! 757 Captain features literally hundreds of animations including control surfaces, wheels, engines and doors plus unique interior features such as internal doors, windows and even TV screens with animated pictures! Choose the -200, -300 or Freighter variants with RR or P&W engines and a wide selection of different liveries. High quality flight models and avionics include a custom designed Flight Management System, weather radar and much more.
code: 757CAPT price: US$39.95 AUD$64.95

we service you wherever in the world you might be all from the one website and through our local offices in north america / toll free: 1800 664 0033 australia: (03) 9553 1955 international callers outside usa: +1 843 716 1616 outside australia: +61 +3 9553 1955

just planes FLIGHT DECK DVDS Get the view from the jump seat of commercial airliners!
Just planes dvd: tuifly.com
Featuring The 737-700 and 737-800
TUIfly, the 217th airline to join the series, brings you the most complete Boeing 737 Next Generation program in the World Air Routes with a series of briefings, presentations, walkarounds... The program includes our first flight to the Cape Verdi Islands with landings at Boa Vista & Sal and the longest ever 737 flight in the series at over 6 hours! We fly to Venice with low visibility resulting in a missed approach followed by an autoland in near zero visibility! The next flight is into Calvi which also offers a difficult approach due to the mountains around the field and we complete with a flight to spectacular Innsbruck located right in the valley! Running Time: 249 minutes
code: Dvdtuifly price: US$29.95 AUD$39.95

just planes dvd: air canada 777-300er

tokyo - toronto - frankfurt
Air Canada brings you the 1st program on the B777-300ER and also a rare opportunity to go along on a roundtrip over the Pacific Ocean as we fly nonstop from Toronto to Tokyo Narita Airport and back. Our crew goes through all the flight preparations, briefings, checklists and take their time presenting the 777-300 cockpit in detail. They also go over how Trans Pacific routes operate, where suitable diversion airports are located, the flight bag that Air Canada equips its 777 with, the Date Line and much more. As a bonus the program continues with a Trans Atlantic flight from Toronto to Frankfurt. Be sure to check out the preview video from this title on the product page at the PC Aviator website! Running Time: 186 minutes
code: dvdac777300 price: US$29.95 AUD$39.95

just planes dvd: azul airlines

embraer 190 and 195
Azul, Brazils new carrier, becomes the 216th airline to join the World Air Routes series and first program to feature the Embraer 195! This 4 hour DVD once again shows that Brazil is one of the most beautiful places around the world to fly around. Azuls great crews present this high tech aircraft in details. All Azul aircraft are equipped with HUD (Head Up Display) and for the 1st time ever you will actually see an approach through the HUD with pilot explanations! Also included are 2 flights filmed from the cabin, a walkaround and a lot more... With the recent number of new Embraer type aircraft add-ons available for FS, this DVD is a must-have! Running Time: 231 minutes
code: dvdazul price: US$29.95 AUD$42.95

Just planes dvd: comair limited

Featuring The BA 737-300 And The Kulula Air 737-400

This program features Comair of South Africa. The airline operates service of British Airways within South Africa and to surrounding countries in Africa as well as the low cost operate of Kulula Air. This 4 hour program not only presents the 737 in details but it takes a close look at aviation in Africa. Comairs great crews take time to explain it all. Also included is a flight in the cabin and a lot more.... All Just Planes DVDs are encoded region free off the shelf. This means they can be played in any DVD player worldwide without compatibility issues. Alternatively, you can also play them on your computer via a regular DVD-ROM drive if you wish. So dont delay. Start your collection of Just Planes DVDs today! Running Time: 249 minutes
code: Dvdcomair price: US$29.95 AUD$44.95

just planes dvd: air canada

Over 3 Hours Of Video Content!
Air Canada becomes the 212th airline to join the World Air Routes series and 9th airline featured from the Star Alliance group. Air Canada is Canadas largest airline and the worlds 9th largest passenger airline by fleet size. Currently Air Canada operates 30 Boeing 767-300ERs. This program takes you in the cockpit for one of its longest routes from Toronto to Chile & Argentina and back. From the briefing at AC Operations you will follow the crew as they prepare and execute this flight and continuously keep you informed about what they are doing. Video previews of all Just Plane DVDs we stock are available for viewing from our Just planes product pages. Log on to the PC Aviator website to watch them! Running Time: 182 minutes
code: dvdac767 price: US$29.95 AUD$44.95 code: 893458 price: US$33.33 AUD$44.44 sub price: US$33.34 AUD$44.44

Just planes dvd: kingfisher a320

fly five star!
Kingfisher has become the airline with the biggest market share in India and now operates more then 400 flights a day to 77 destinations. It is also Indias most awarded airline and one of only 6 in the world to have received a five-star rating from Skytrax. Captains Roy and Jhaveri will take you to half a dozen destinations in India in the cockpit of the Airbus A320 and will describe to you how the aircraft works, how they prepare and operate the flights and much more including a visit to the Mumbai Operations Center and Kingfisher House. Destinations on this program were carefully selected to bring you interesting routes and great scenery such as Goa and Port Blair. Also included is a flight in the cabin of the A320. Running Time: 185 minutes
code: Dvdkingfshr price: US$29.95 AUD$49.95 code: 893458 price: US$33.33 AUD$44.44 sub price: US$33.34 AUD$44.44

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books & magazines learn to fly like the professionals with these quality texts!
Microsoft fsx for pilots: real world training
Master the Skills Of Flight With This Training Guide!
Strap in and ride along as certified flight instructors Kevin Lane-Cummings and Jeff Van West raise the landing gear on this guide to using Microsoft Flight Simulator X. This book takes you through the pilot ratings as it is done in the real world: You start with Sport Pilot training, then Private Pilot, followed by the Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, and Air Transport Pilot. Aspiring pilots will learn the skills of flight, how to master Flight Simulator, and how to utilize the software as a learning tool towards their pilots licenses. Those who already have their real-world wings will benefit from guidance on how Flight Simulator X can be used as a continuing learning tool, how to simulate real-world emergencies, and how to use it for training towards advanced certifications. These 725 pages are packed with detailed information on using Flight Simulator X for training!
code: bkfsxrwt price: US$29.95 AUD$49.95

fsx: tips, tricks and trips

Have Even More Fun with FSX...
Within FSX lies a huge variety of user controlled features that broaden the experience even further than was previously possible. With this additional power comes some level of complexity. The aim of this new book is to put the complexity to rest so that you can enjoy the Flight Simulator experience rather than fight it. Adam Howe and Scott Slaughter, two flight sim experts who also have many years of writing experience, are putting their thoughts to pen for their new book Tips, Tricks & Trips for Flight Simulator X. This is not a users manual for Flight Simlulator X. Instead, its a collection of right to the point articles that will help you run FSX faster, better, easier. In short, youll have a whole lot more fun! This new 240-page book is written with minimal technicalese for easy reading.
code: bkttt price: US$26.95 AUD$44.95

Flying The Airbus A300 Series Simulators

PC Simmers Guide To Flying A300 Airbus Series Sims

Now learn every single aspect of what you want and need to know about flying Airbus aircraft, particularly such highly detailed add ons such as Wilcos Airbus Series Volume 1. This is the definitive Airbus manual for Flight Simulator pilots and again brought to you in the unique and entertaining style that entices you to actively learn and absorb all aspects of flying these modern Fly-By-Wire aircraft. Its applicable to all aircraft in the A300 series. CHAPTERS IN THIS ULTIMATE A300 SERIES GUIDE INCLUDE: Setting Up The MCDU; Configuring The Cockpit for takeoff; 26 Easy To Understand Yet Critical Individual Steps; Comprehensive Ground School; and much more! Then Partake In The Flight Tutorial From Paris To London stepby-step. Learn every aspect of every phase of the flight by actually flying it from filing the flight plan to programming the MCDU for the flight and a whole lot more including flying an actual approach.
code: bka300 price: US$49.95 AUD$79.95

The Unofficial A320 Simulator Manual

the best read this side of the airbus factory!

Captain Mike Ray has written another wonderful book, this time about the fabulous Airbus A320 airplane. While the material is specifically intended for the professional Airbus pilot community, it is something that should be in every serious Airbus Flight Simmers library. It is fascinating to read, and written in a style that can be characterized as humorous and yet technically challenging. The document is filled with hundreds of pages in glorious color, each choked with a treasure trove of information. The collection of actual flight techniques and technical data, which is intended to prepare the pro pilot for the airline style check-ride, will answer most every question simmers will have regarding the airplane and its operation. The beautiful document has been called a work of art by those professional pilots that have read it.
code: bka320man price: US$49.95 AUD$79.95

Sybex - FS2004 Official Strategies & Secrets

the official game guide for fs2004
This official strategy guide, written with the full cooperation of Microsoft Game Studios, will help you deepen your knowledge and enjoyment of every aspect of flight, whether youre trying to land that Comet in a crosswind or request take-off clearance from ATC so you can get that 737 full of passengers to Chicago on time. Inside youll find: Detailed specifications, statistics and flying tips for all the historical and modern aircraft. Exciting flight challenges so you can apply concepts and techniques, such as difficult navigation and approach procedures. Coverage of all flight aspects, from taxi and takeoff, to in-flight navigation, to approaches and landings. Fun role-playing scenarios that let you become a bush pilot, airline pilot, or aerobatic pilot. Details on the Flight Simulator community, with dozens of great add-ons and Internet resources.
code: bkfs2004oss price: AUD$32.95

glass simming: garmin 1000

Learn To use The Garmin 1000 avionics suite

Glass Simming tells everything you need for simulating flight with the latest technology. Its much more expansive and detailed than the short guideline included with FSX, and it omits information in the real-world Garmin 1000 manual thats useless for flight simulation. Learn from: Complete explanation of knobs, switches, buttons, dials, displays, and softkeys! Thorough description of screens, pages, page functions, and popup windows. Detailed step-by-step guide for every function. Easy-to-follow text that makes sense. Clear graphical depictions! Focused chapters, no uneccessary waffle. Quick-reference tables Full index for fast information access. Ideal for the new or intermediate simmer.
code: bkg1000 price: US$20.35 AUD$34.95

we service you wherever in the world you might be all from the one website and through our local offices in north america / toll free: 1800 664 0033 australia: (03) 9553 1955 international callers outside usa: +1 843 716 1616 outside australia: +61 +3 9553 1955

hardware & peripherals get the most from the sim experience with these quality products!
Trackir 5 head tracking device
the ultimate head tracking controller for simulations
TrackIR Changes Everything! Hyper accurate, fully adjustable, and only three square inches in sizeTrackIR 5 is the one piece of kit that discriminating gamers crave. Take advantage of our 6 DOF head tracking technology, which links your actual movement in three-dimensional space to your in-game view! Your increased situational awareness will make you the most feared competitor around. In dogfights, youll be impossible to shake. In white-knuckle races, youll be impossible to pass. In tactical combat, youll be impossible to flank. Discover the TrackIR advantage. Put Your Head in the Game! Package Includes: TrackIR 5 (with 6 ft. USB cable); TrackClip (reflective tracking clip); TrackIR Software (download); TrackIR Users Manual (view); Quick Start Guide (view PDF) ; Clamshell retail package; Awesome fun at no extra charge!
code: trackir5 price: US$149.95 AUD$249.95

ch products eclipse flight yoke usb

Get Ready To Soar With This New Yoke From CH Products

CH Products is proud to release the latest and greatest in Flight Simulation hardware with the release of its new yoke, the CH Eclipse! Built with the same high-end components you find in CH Products industrial products, the CH Eclipse brings value added functions to compliment all your favorite sims. The Eclipse Yoke includes the following new features: Fully programmable fingertip paddles, ideal for flight and racing sims. Programmable trim / scroll wheels with center push function. Two backlit push buttons and a third traditional push button. Two 8-way hat with rocker switch and trigger on both sides of handle. Configurable POV hat for either left or right hand use. Colored handles for throttle / prop / fuel mixture. LED selector dial offering up to 240 programmable functions. New, non-binding shaft design!
code: checl price: US$159.95 AUD$259.95

vrinsight radio stack panel

Add A Ready-To-Go Radio Panel To Your Flight Sim Setup

The VRinsight Radio Stack Panel is the perfect complement to your home flight sim setup. Its simple UBS connection makes installation simple and comes with everything needed to intergrate with Microsoft Flight Simulator. Stop clicking buttons with the mouse and start pressing buttons and turning knobs with your fingers! Features: Same functionality and externality with real Radio Stack. Implementing red color 7-segments and tact switches improves realism. Using luminous tact switches confirms the engagement. Integrated unit with all radio stack units; COM1/2, NAV1/2, ADF, DME, TRANSPONDER, AUTO-PILOT unit. Realistic concentric radio knobs. All metal cases (Metal rack included). One year warranty.
code: vrradpan price: US$499.95 AUD$729.95

vrinsight cdu panel ii

New Version CDU Panel For Flight Simulation!

The new CDU II Panel from VRinsight offers the flight sim pilot a hardware interface (Control Display Unit) for their Flight Management Computers within Flight Simulator 2004 and Flight Simulator X. The real shape and full functiuonality of the CDU II panel offers unparalleled realism for jet and airliner flight. It supports many of the best flight sim aircraft addons currently available, including aircraft from Level-D, PMDG, Wilco and PSS. It has a USB connection to your computer and requires FSUIPC software (available freely) and a spare DVI or VGA computer port. Note: If you plan to connect the CDU II panel via a USB hub, the hub MUST be USB 2.0 compliant.
code: vrcdu2 price: US$449.95 AUD$589.95

ch products pro pedals usb

The Real Swiss Army Knife Aircraft!

Your ailerons are only half of the picture. Complete your authentic flight control set-up with CH ProPedals USB, the ultimate choice in realistic rudder pedals! CH ProPedals give you realistic, fully articulating (back/forth) rudder motion and also pivot on the toes for differential toe brakes (just like a real aircraft) where supported by the simulator and hardware interface*. CH ProPedals USB also feature smooth gliding motion for precision rudder control input. With your feet sitting on a set of CH Pro Pedals youll be able to master crosswind landings, make properly balanced turns and control your aircraft during taxi, the way it is done in real life with your rudder pedals, and not your yoke. EXCLUSIVE 2 YEAR WARRANTY CH ProPedals are also backed by a quality CH Products 2 year warranty.
code: chpropedusb price: US$119.95 AUD$214.95 code: 893458 price: US$33.33 AUD$44.44 sub price: US$33.34 AUD$44.44

saitek proflight switch panel

realistic switches to mimic cockpit controls

As part of Saiteks continuing expansion of its Pro Flight range, this product adds value and realism your flight simulation setup with a set of commonly used swiches youll find in any light aircraft. A set of switches for use in controlling various aspects of a flight simulation. Includes: Engine on/off Landing Gear A large selection of cockpit controls Works with Flight Simulator X LEDs for Landing Gear match the status in the game if a landing gear strut fails, this is indicated on the panel. The Saitek Switch Panel is an economical alternative!
code: stkpfsp price: US$99.95 AUD$164.95 code: 893458 price: US$33.33 AUD$44.44 sub price: US$33.34 AUD$44.44

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pc aviators download store instant access to quality flight simulator downloads!

wings of silver: piper J-3 cub
the cub from leading aircraft designers - a2a!
Even if you have never actually seen a Cub in the flesh (and this is getting harder to do every year), if airplanes are your game, you have a good idea of what a Cub is all about. Virtually every pilot has flown or knows someone who has flown a Cub. Perhaps the most important thing this little airplane will bring to you is honest, true-to-life stick-and-rudder flying, and after just flying it for a very short while you will start to feel like a better pilot, and you will be. As with every A2A Simulations aircraft, it is gorgeously constructed, inside and out, down to the last rivet. Flying qualities built by pilots with unprecedented stall and spin realism. Includes standard J-3 Cub, Tundra tires, Floats, and Skis (nine liveries). 118 page, full-sized Pilots Manual written by Mitchell Glicksman.
SKU: DL-A2AJ3CUB simulator: fsx FiLeSiZe: 167Mb

accu-sim for the wings of silver piper J-3 cub

a must-have addition for the A2a piper cub!
Accu-Sim is a further enhancement package for owners of the Wings of Silver Piper J-3 Cub. What is Accu-Sim? If you start a simple engine that is cold, you expect that it will run rougher and less reliably than when it is warmed up. If you taxi on the grass, you expect your aircraft to buck and dip as it moves over bumps and depressions in the ground. Similarly, you would also expect to sway and rock if sitting on unsettled water in floats. All of this, and much more, will be experienced and brought to you more accurately and realistically by Accu-Sim. Accu-Sim physics creates an entirely new world including true wing, airframe, engine, ground, water, and internal systems behavior. Passenger On Board adds a new dimension of piloting realism with an intelligent passenger that is aware of the surroundings, talks when appropriate, including being able to spot and call out traffic.
SKU: DL-A2AJ3ACC simulator: fsx FiLeSiZe: 99Mb

Photoreal melbourne x

Scenery for FSX Crafted Using Real Aerial Imagery!

Photo Real Melbourne is a ground texture replacement package that overlays the default terrain with high quality, satellite image textures. This scenery covers the entire city of Melbourne, Australia and the surrounding suburban area FEATURES: Day, Night, Dusk, and Dawn satellite images. A water mask that displays photo real inland water (actual FSX water, not just a flat surface picture of water). Autogen-free satellite textures to ensure no impact on frame rates. A blend mask so that the Photo Real textures blend with the default scenery for a smooth transition back to default scenery (as seen in a screenshot). This is a must-have add-on scenery for any Australian flight simulation enthusiast!
SKU: DL-npmel simulator: fsx FiLeSiZe: 478Mb

C-5m super galaxy

super sized military transport for fsx & fs2004

The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is a large, military transport aircraft built by Lockheed. It was designed to provide strategic heavy airlift over intercontinental distances and to carry oversize cargo. The C-5 Galaxy has been operated by the United States Air Force since 1969 and is one of the largest military aircraft in the world. Now Area 51 simulations bring this beauty to your desktop simulators. Flight Simulator Specifications: Built for FSX engine. Very High Detail Exterior and Interior. Photoreal Textures. Detailed doors and Cargo bays. *When you purchase this title you will be eligible for a free copy of the FS2004 version when released.
SKU: DL-A51C5 simulator: fsx/FS2004* FiLeSiZe: 83Mb

mega airport: london heathrow

Heathrow International In True To Life Detail For FSX

Developed by the well-known Simwings-Team this package contains the Mega Airport London-Heathrow including the brand new Terminal 5. Discover a exquisitely true to original atmosphere! Simwings did have the BAA as an official partner for this project which makes it as realistic as can be with a foresight in to the future. Using up-to-date 3D files for many buildings according to BAA plans to include even the newest (and some still under construction) layout and buildings. There is no doubt this product is one of the most detailed and precise major airports scenery ever done (still with excellent frames), but as Simwings have shown in the past, it is not only these technical details that make a great scenery, it is also the fact that they make an airport come to life in the simulator. If you like big airports this is one you simply cant miss.
SKU: DL-ASMAHTW simulator: fsx FiLeSiZe: 61Mb

fsflyingschool 2009: cessna 172 detail pack

flying school for c-172 pilots!
This detail pack add on for FSFlyingSchool focuses on the Cessna 172 and provides flight instruction specific to the Cessna 172 in great detail enabling you to become a true pro with flying the Cessna 172. Highly recommended for all student pilots. Modeled on the Cessna 172 included with Flight Simulator - can be used with any Cessna 172. With the addition of the Cessna 172 Detail Pack, your instructors will be looking at your aircraft and your performance in your Cessna 172 in a lot more detail. Includes a number of Cessna 172 checklists you can request to be read by your chosen instructor. Note: The Cessna 172 Detail Pack requires a registered version of FSFlyingSchool2009 plus an FSFlyingSchool2009 Cessna 172 Detail Pack registration key.
SKU: DL-FSFSCH172 simulator: fsx/fs2004 FiLeSiZe: 33Mb

we service you wherever in the world you might be all from the one website and through our local offices in north america / toll free: 1800 664 0033 australia: (03) 9553 1955 international callers outside usa: +1 843 716 1616 outside australia: +61 +3 9553 1955

realize your dream to fly!

pby catalina
Fly the worlds most famous Flying Boat
The PBY Catalina is without a doubt one of the most famous flying boats ever built. After its first flight in 1935 it quickly transformed into the PBY-5A amphibian model that is best known. Despite its strange shape that is rather organic it became a true work horse of many air forces and navies and kept patrolling the oceans for decades. It had many roles, search and rescue, any shipping or anti submarine patrols or long range reconnaissance. To this day the Catalina is well known to millions and a guest of honor at many air shows. 11 different models based on the PBY-5, PBY 5A and PBY-6A. Impressive and powerful sound set, you actually will be able to tune the engines using your ears. Two different cockpits, one typical for the 1940s and 1950s and one as many Catalinas are flown today (with modern radio and GPS equipment). More realistic water operation by use of additional coding. Manual (400+ pages) with full detail.
SKU: DL-ASPBY simulator: fsx FiLeSiZe: 300Mb

megasceneryearth - grand canyon

This cameo release from the MegaSceneryEarth collection lets you fly the biggest sculpture nature has ever carved at a level of detail that will leave you simply stunned! This cameo add on gives you 7,000 square miles of Arizona scenery that features ALL of the Grand Canyon and Grand Canyon National Park featured at a hyper-real 1.19 meters per pixel and at a price that you cant say no to. Not much else is needed to say about this title - it speaks for itself and youll have to fly it to believe it! So grab the Piper Cub, strap on your seat belt, and prepare for some extreme canyon flying action!
SKU: DL-MSXGC simulator: fsx

fly the grand canyon in photo-real detail!

FiLeSiZe: 3.3Gb

quest kodiak

top selling aircraft add-on download!

This is the incredible new Quest Kodiak by Quest Aircraft Corporation in Sandpoint Idaho. This unique, high tech bush plane comes equipped with the state of the art Garmin G1000 panel system linked with the modern S-Tec Five-Fifty X Auto Pilot system. The Flight Sim version of the Kodiak features a low resources MFD GPS panel system that is designed to use less computer power to render the map, and also can be turned off into sleep mode for added frame rate performance. This package is a high detail Flight Sim addon and features 10 models and 7 different texture packs and liveries. This features a fully decked out Rescue Air-Ambulance version, passenger model, and a filled to the top Cargo plane. Each model comes with an optional Belly Pod, and also 3 versions of Amphibious float planes, one of each of the base models, (Rescue, Passenger, and Cargo). Only available from the PC Aviator download store!
SKU: DL-LHKOD simulator: fsx/fs2004 FiLeSiZe: 207Mb

dragon rapide

Vintage Short-Haul Passenger Airliner From The 1930s

Dragon Rapide was a British short-haul passenger airliner of the 1930s. It shared many common features with the larger aircraft including its tapered wings, streamlined fairings and the Gipsy Six engine, but it demonstrated none of the operational vices of the larger aircraft and went on to become perhaps the most successful British-built commercial passenger aircraft of the 1930s. PRODUCT FEATURES: FSX native SDK model. Stunning dynamic virtual cockpit, complete with standard FSX features. New fully animated vintage pilot. Mini panel and virtual cockpit with pop-ups for GPS, start procedure etc. 28 historical skins covering many countries. 1 Airfield. England WWII scenery with 50 new objects. Virtual cockpit fully clickable.
SKU: DL-IGDRAG simulator: fsx FiLeSiZe: 136Mb

u.s. cities x: san francisco

Hyper-Real 3D & PhotoScenery For The City By The Bay

US Cities X is a series of city scenery for FSX that covers US cities created by LimeSim. Based on an extensive aerial image it will haveall the major buildings and landmarks plus all the heliports and small airports that are inside the covered areas. FEATURES INCLUDE: Aerial image coverage. More than 2800 major buildings included. Thousands of Autogen buildings placed realistically around the city. All three heliports and one seaplane base rendered in good detail. Detailed ship in SFO bay with helipad. Sound effects near heliports and bridges. Traffic on most major raods. Includes new Eastern Span of the Bay Bridge! Low price, very good value for money.
SKU: DL-ASSFO simulator: fsx FiLeSiZe: 169Mb code: 893458 price: US$33.33 AUD$44.44 sub price: US$33.34 AUD$44.44

mustang vlj & pilatus adventures

6 Challenging Missions for citation and pilatus pilots

Mustang VLJ for the Flight1 Citation Mustang Very Light Jet adds six adventure flights for the Citation pilot. A series of six missions begins in Kelowna, BC, Canada and continues to the coast and then southward, ending up at SanLuis Obispo. Your virtual first officer handles the communications as you receive your departure clearance at CYLW in Kelowna, BC. You are carrying corporate passengers to the coast in style. After you reach your destination you are scheduled to continue south to Seattle, picking up passengers for Portland. In a variety of weather conditions you face predictable and unpredictable challenges to keeping on time and on track. Note: You must own either the Flight 1 Citation Mustang or PC-12 aircarft to use this add-on!
SKU: DL-CPMUPL simulator: fsx FiLeSiZe: 101Mb

e@ n i l n o r orde www.pcaviator.com

From the EDITOR

WELCOME TO THE DECEMBER/JANUARY ISSUE. Yes, yes this was supposed to be the special December 2009 issue as previously planned, but unfortunately things didnt pan out the way they were supposed to Such is life! Nothing has been lost in any way as a result really so we will press on through the merry journey that is magazine publishing This issue sees a bit of an Australian flavor hit the magazine with a full review of the new FTX Australia package, as well as the first episode of an air adventure downunder utilizing the new scenery the FTX software applies to the virtual FS world. And you may just choose to fly that adventure with a Dash 8 Q300 after reading the special article devoted to that particular aircraft. On another note, and a fairly major one at that, we welcome aboard one of the key figures in modern aviation, Mr Trevor Thom. For those of you who do not know, Trevor is not only a highly esteemed real world pilot who held pilot ranks pretty much as high as they go, but he also authored many of the quality aviation instruction manuals used by real pilot trainees across the globe. If you have ever undertaken real world flight training, chances are you have used one of Trevors books along the way! It is an honor to have Trevor on board. We are sure his knowledge and expertise will be of great value as he delivers it to you via many upcoming articles. We welcome your input and comments regarding anything relating to this publication. Please feel free to email me at editor@computerpilot.com with your comments and suggestions. I will do my best to respond to them all as time permits. They will certainly all be read and their content considered however! Enjoy this issue of Computer Pilot Magazine Now into our 14th Volume!

Publisher: Robert Ferraro Editor: Dean Bielanowski Editorial Assistant: Roger Curtiss Layout & Design: Tony Liatos Contributors In This Issue: Dean Bielanowski, Rob Scott, Angelique Van Campen, Harold Zimmer, John Achor, Chuck Bodeen, Roger Curtiss, Al Pelletier, Dr John Lattanzio, Gene Davis, Tom Kurtz, Mike Ray, Trevor Thom. Subscription Managers: Australia: Adrian Lazzarotto USA: Mark Jakubowski Editorial Submissions: Please address editorial matter to The Editor at editor@computerpilot.com or to the ofce closest to you listed at the bottom of this page. Advertising Inquiries: PC Aviator Inc. Phone: 843-716-1616. Email: advertising@computerpilot.com Website: www.computerpilot.com

Dean Bielanowski Editor

by visiting the Computer Pilot web site at www.computerpilot.com

As well as features for first time visitors, the web site is designed with our readers in mind. For subscribers Renew your subscriptions on-line Notify us of address changes Join our electronic mailinglist SubscriberNews General services include: Direct links to web sites mentioned in our on-line article Free monthly desktop calendar wallpapers featuring both quality flight sim screenshots and real world aviation photographs! On-line competitions Computer Pilot Interactive Much more

Supplement your reading in Computer Pilot Magazine

General E-Mail: info@computerpilot.com US Distribution: Ingram Periodicals, International Periodical Distributors, Media Solutions Printed By: The RL Bryan Company (USA). Disclaimer: Any information, advice, maps, charts, tables and other information published in this magazine is exclusively for use with PC ight simulations. The publisher does not accept any liability for any accident or incident arising from any information conveyed or implied in this publication. Copyright: Copyright 2009 The PC Aviator Pty Ltd Incorporating PC Aviator Inc. All rights reserved. None of the information in this magazine may be reproduced in any form or stored via any electronic means without the express permission of the publisher. Cover Price: USA.: $7.95. Australia: $9.85*. Canada: $9.95. Subscriptions: Computer Pilot is published bi-monthly Australian Annual Subscriptions: AUD$39.95 Phone: 1-800-807-747 US Annual Subscriptions: USD$24.95 Phone: 1-800-664-0033 Other International Subscriptions Asia/Pacic Region: Ph: +61-3-9553-1955 Rest Of The World: Ph: +1-843-716-1616 or visit www.computerpilot.com ISSN: 1324-7336 Published by: PC Aviator The Flight Simulation Company Australian Office: The PC Aviator Pty Ltd Level 1. Suite 5, 539 Highett Road HIGHETT, VIC, 3190 Ph: 03 9553 1955 Fax: 03 9553 7155 U.S. Office: PC Aviator Inc 1485 Colts Neck Road, LORIS, SC 29569-6775 Ph: 843-716-1616 Fax: 1-843-716-1619 * Recommended Retail Price only Computer Pilot is an international magazine, proudly published in Australia. Printed in the United States of America.

Bookmark our web site and visit it frequently. It will enhance your reading of Computer Pilot Magazine.

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Publications Mail Agreement #: 40720082 Customer #: 7056038 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: PC Aviator, inc., PO Box 15907, Surfside Beach, SC 29587, U.S.A. Computer Pilot Volume 14 issue 1, December 2009/January 2010 (ISSN 1324-7336) is published bi-monthly by PC Aviator, inc., 1485 Colts Neck Road, Loris, SC 29569-6775. Periodicals postage is paid at Loris, SC and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to PO BOX 15907, Surfside Beach, SC 29587

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CONC T E O N CO T TT NN S E T EN N TS S
16. NEWS AND NEW RELEA SES
ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND 54 55 56 57 44 58 64 70 74

MINI REVIEWS

NEW RELEASES SINCE OUR

LAST ISSUE.

TEXANS AND HARVARDS VOL UME 1 CARENADO PIPER SENECA II WITTMAN TAILWIND AFRICAN AIRSTRIP ADVENTURE S

MAXI REVIEWS

34

THE ILYUSHIN IL14P BY FELIS FLIGHT 1 CESSNA CITATION MUSTANG ORBX SIMULATIONS FTX AUS TRALIA XTREME PROTOTYPES BELL X-1 SG AEROSOFTS PBY CATALINA X

20. AUSTRALIAN AIR ADVE NTURES PART I THE FOLLOWING TWO-PAR T ARTICLE

28. THE STORY OF MAJOR THOMAS ROBERT DOC WHITE

IS NOT A REVIEW OF THE SCENERY, NOR IS IT A COMPLET E TOUR OF AUSTRALIA AS THE LIMIT OF THE ARTICLE WON WORD T ALLOW FOR THAT! OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS IVE COM PLETED MANY FLIGHTS ARO UND AUSTRALIA AND INVITE YOU TO FOLLOW ME ON THIS JOU RNEY AS I WRITE ABOUT SOME OF MY FAVORITES.

DR. WHITE JOINED THE UNIT ED STATES ARMY AIR CORPS IN JUNE OF 1941. HIS DUTIES WERE PRIM ARILY MEDICAL AS A NEW LIEU TENANT SERVING IN THE AIR CORPS. DOC, AS I WILL REFER TO HIM , WITH RESPECT OF COURSE, HAD GOT TEN WIND OF AN OPERATION THAT WAS SEEKING VOLUNTEERS . IN HIS OWN WORDS, HE HA D A HABIT OF STICKING HIS NECK OUT

34. AIRCRAFT SPOTLIGHT: THE MD-11 IN THE EARLY 1980

40

S, MCDONNELL DOUGLAS CORPORATION REALIZED THAT A SUCCESSOR TO THE FAMOUS DC10 SERIES WAS NEEDED, AT LEAST FOR THE COMPANY TO STAY IN BUSINESS. DUE TO THE GLOBAL RECESSION NOTHING WAS PLANNED OR EXECUTED BAS ED ON THESE IDEAS AT THE TIME BUT ARO UND THE MID 80S, MCDONN ELL FINALLY DECIDED TO CONTINUE WITH HIS PLANS AND LAUNCHED, IN DECEMBER 1986, THE MD-11 PROGRAM.

40. FLYING THE DASH-8 Q3 00 THE UBIQ

80. WORLD WAR I COMB AT SIMS RISE OF FLIGHT MIKE RAY OFFERS A UNIQUE INSIGHT INTO 86. COMMANDS AND DA TAREFS DATAREFS
THE NEW WWI COMBAT FLIGHT SIM, RISE OF FLIGHT THE FIRST GREAT AIR WAR , WITH AN INFORMATIONAL-STYLE REVI EW AND LOOK AT THE HIST ORY OF AERIAL COMBAT IN THE EARLY YEA RS OF AVIATION.

UITOUS DEHAVILLAND DAS H-8 IS ONE OF THE FINEST AIRPLANES IN THE WORLD. THERE ARE MANY DESIGN VAR IATIONS OF THE DASH-8. WE WILL FLY THE Q300 VERSION FROM THE NET HERLAND ANTILLES STARTING FROM WILL EMSTAD HATO INTERNATION AL AIRPORT (TNCC) ON CURACAO ISLAND TO SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO LUIS MUNOZ MARIN INTERNATIONAL AIRP ORT (TJSJ).

89

89. I LEARNED ABOUT FLY ING FROM THAT THIS IS THE FIRST IN A CON TINU 92. PILOT & AUTHOR

AND COMMANDS ARE WAY S TO COMMUNICATE WITH OPERATION OF X-PLANE. THEY THE RESEMBLE EACH OTHER IN HIERARCHICAL ARRANGEMENT AND FORMAT , BUT NOT IN FUNCTION.

ING SERIES OF ARTICLES. WHI LE I PLAN TO TAKE A LIGHTER APPROAC H WITH THESE STORIES, THE LESSONS ARE MEANINGFUL AND SERI OUS. FOR MY INITIAL TOPIC, WHA APPROPRIATE THAN THE FIRS T IS MORE T AIRPLANE I FLEW?

REGULAR FEATURES: 27. INBOX

BOEING 727 AT KSFO

TREVOR THOM IS A RENOWN ED AND WELL-KNOWN FIGU RE IN AVIATION CIRCLES, HAVING REACHED THE PINNACLE OF AVIATION AS AN AIRLINE CAPTAIN, SENIOR AIRLINE INST RUCTOR AND AUTHOR OF REA L WORLD FLIGHT TRAINING MANUALS. HERE IS A BRIEF LOOK AT HIS LIFE STORY...

50. PULLOUT POSTER

YOUR LETTERS AND COMMEN TS.

WILCO OFFERS EMBRAER REGIONAL JETS

Wilco Publishing have again teamed up with developers FeelThere to offer another download/boxed version jet aircraft package, this time featuring several Embraer brand models the ERJ 135, ERJ 145 and ERJ 145XR. The title is compatible with both FSX and FS2004 and will be available in boxed form from major sim retailers early in 2010.

AEROSOFT RELEASES LUXEMBOURG AIRPORTS PACKAGE

More titles are streaming off Aerosoft Germanys production line than ever before it would seem, and this is certainly a good thing! Their latest release features scenery for the Luxembourg area. This package includes the three airports of Luxembourg in great detail and the complete country with all relevant landmarks and sightseeing objects. It has detailed mesh and aerial imagery covering the terrain. All buildings on and around the airport of ELLX are photorealistic. Through the support of the Cargolux simulation department, all ground marks and relevant signs were adopted to reflect reality. The status resembles the date of the inauguration of Terminal A, as of August 2008.

S W E N

FEATURES: Three highly detailed Embraer ERJ series, powered by rear-mounted Rolls-Royce turbofan engines. Load editor. CALL! for ERJ included ($17.99 value) - Complete First Officer simulation with checklists callouts and hostesses voices. Flight Simulator X Camera: Gear, Wing, Cabin etc. Airstairs passenger door for ERJ 135/145 and sliding type door for ERJ 145XR. Multiple liveries, including the official Embraer house colors. DirectX 10 native liveries included. Livery packs sold by McPhat Studio. Realistic flight dynamics created and tested by active Embraer pilot and based on manufacturer specifications. Truly immersive sound experience with the real plane digitized sounds: engine, APU, batteries, air conditioning, passenger signs, clicks etc. Numerous animations: windshield wipers, hydraulic suspension, flaps, spoilerons, speed brakes, thrust reversers, landing gear, passengers door, cargo hatches, stairs etc. Nose wheel steering limited over 40kts. Frame-rate friendly. Easy-to-use Paint Kit to create your own liveries (Photoshop required). Full information can be found on the Wilco website at www. wilcopub.com or check with your favorite sim retailer for availability. The asking price is currently 39.95 Euros.

FEATURES: Detailed transformation of Luxemburg-Findel Airport (ELLX), including its neighborhood. Photo realistic ground textures on the basis of aerial photographs. VFR-Airfields Noutrange (ELNT) and Useldange (ELUS) have been incorporated in the package. Obstacles and numerous places of interests in Luxembourg and Cattenom (France) were added. Detailed Mesh for all of Luxembourg. Landclasses were revised. Detailed handbook with relevant information is included. Configuration Tool for control of all seasons, as required; Activation/ Deactivation tool of static aircraft. Fully supported by AES (from version 2.04). The package will be available in boxed format as well as download, and retails for around the US$35 mark. While the area may not appeal to the majority of flight simmers, it does offer a chance to fly in the European region from a fairly central starting point. Surf on over to www.aerosoft.com for more details.

FLIGHT 1 P-51D MUSTANG

Developer, Aeroplane Heaven, makes a welcome return to the boxed product market via Flight 1s release of the P-51D Mustang. Specifically developed from the ground up for Flight Simulator X, Aeroplane Heaven has made no compromises with the modeling of this wonderful warbird, which represents the actual aircraft factory-fresh as in 1945. Real-life pilots have been involved from the start of the development to ensure accuracy inside and out. WWII-era flight manuals have been followed to ensure that everything works as it should, from start-up to shut down. Once in the air the help of restorer and experienced P51D owner-pilot Maurice Hammond has ensured this P51 flies just as good as she looks. Choose to fly Maurices own aircraft - Marinell and Janie - and youll even get to see Maurice in his distinctive helmet at the controls. Dont forget to give him a wave when he taxis past! There are multiple high fidelity paint schemes including: Marinell, Janie, Big Beautiful Doll, Old Crow, Jersey Jerk,Ferocious Frankie, RNZAF, Cripes a Mighty, LouIV and more. And if your favorite Mustang isnt included then the pro-standard paint-kit included for creating your own schemes will let you create your own (and no doubt ensure a plentiful supply to download soon).

MEGASCENERYEARTH EXPANDS INTO ARIZONA

The ongoing expansion of MegaSceneryEarth, a project to provide photo-real scenery for the USA and the world, has expanded into the state of Arizona, including the Grand Canyon. In a recent press release, publisher, Robert Ferraro, offered this information: Were pleased to announce the latest addition to the MegaSceneryEarth range - Arizona State. You get to fly 90,000+ Square miles of challenging and picturesque desert terrain where a VFR flight is a VFR flight. Itll challenge even the most experienced VFR pilot. That could be part of the reason that Arizona is the flight training capital of the world. Youll get to venture above and in the most amazing sculpture that nature has ever carved - the Grand Canyon. Not just a portion it but the entire canyon. You wont believe it until you fly it! Even if youre not interested in the rest of the Arizona area, you can purchase Grand Canyon on its own (7,000 square miles) for just US$14.95.

Theres the city of Phoenix which boasts the worlds 6th busiest international airport with over 36 million passengers. Numerous national forests, and lots and lots of fascinating terrain make adding Arizona to your MegaSceneryEarth collection a must. Weve giving you many ways to purchase Arizona according to your budget and level of interest. You can purchase via: 1. The usual tile-by-tile basis with direct download from the website 2. The entire state by instant download, Mini Hard drive or DVD. 3. State subsections - 3 sections around the same size of a typical MegaScenery release give you the entire area. 4. You can even purchase Special Interest Areas such as the Grand Canyon (Just $14.95). All ordering options except for Entire State by DVD or Mini Hard drive are Instantly downloadable. Arizona has been an often requested area from our customers. Were please to let you know that it is now available.

Whatever paint scheme you choose to fly, all models carry bumpmapping, specular shine and light-bloom effects. The P-51D Mustang boxed version will ship on CD-ROM and is expected to retail for around US$35-$40. Check your favorite flight simulation retailer for stock. Flight 1 can be found online at http://www.flight1.com/

The screenshots certainly look impressive! You can check out the new Arizona area release or any other MegaSceneryEarth area product by visiting the MSE website located at www.megasceneryearth.com

T S E T
17 1

NEW CHOPPER FOR X-PLANE FANS

A newly released helicopter package for X-plane users is on offer from developers, ND Art & Technology, that is sure to impress. In a recent press release, the group offered the following information on the new package: ND Art & Technology proudly presents the MBB/Kawasaki BK 117 medium twin engine utility and transport helicopter for X-Plane 9!

ATI LAUNCHES NEXT GENERATION VIDEO CARD LINE

Video card graphics chip developer, ATI, recently launched their latest generation video cards designed with the new Windows 7 in mind. The details are broad and expansive and too numerous to mention all of them here, but a recent press release highlights some of the features:

Boasting up to 2.72 TeraFLOPS of compute power, the ATI Radeon HD 5800 series effectively doubles the value consumers can expect of their graphics purchases, delivering twice the performance-per-dollar of previous generations of graphics products. AMD will initially release two cards: the ATI Radeon HD 5870 and the ATI Radeon HD 5850, each with 1GB GDDR5 memory. With the ATI Radeon HD 5800 series of graphics cards, PC users can expand their computing experience with ATI Eyefinity multi-display technology, accelerate their computing experience with ATI Stream technology, and dominate the competition with superior gaming performance and full support of Microsoft DirectX 11, making it a musthave consumer purchase just in time for Microsoft Windows 7 operating system. With the ATI Radeon HD 5800 series of graphics cards driven by the most powerful processor on the planet, AMD is changing the game, both in terms of performance and the experience, said Rick Bergman, senior vice president and general manager, Products Group, AMD. As the first to market with full DirectX 11 support, an unmatched experience made possible with ATI Eyefinity technology, and ATI Stream technology harnessing open standards designed to help make Windows 7 that much better, I can say with confidence that AMD is the undisputed leader in graphics once more.

S W E N

FEATURES INCLUDE: Super detailed fully functional 3D cockpit. Custom systems, including autopilot, trim, SAS, engine control, GPS and more... Realistic startup and shutdown. Unique dynamic cockpit lighting. Detailed interior and exterior. High resolution textures with normal and specular maps. Advanced animation of all moving parts, including rotor heads. Realistic flight model characteristics and performance. Flight tested by a real BK 117 crew member. In-depth documentation. Though used for a variety of missions worldwide, the BK 117 is best known in its Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) role, and it is in this configuration that youll be able to fly this helicopter in X-Plane with an unprecedented level of realism. No effort has been spared in making this the most realistic and immersive helicopter to fly in X-Plane. Along with an extremely detailed 3D environment, plug-in driven custom systems allow you to operate this helicopter exactly as its done in real life. The BK 117 looks to be one of the more detailed aircraft add-ons available for the X-Plane simulator. It is available to download/purchase from the x-plane.org store for US$24.95.

Naturally, the price tags will be high on these new cards as they enter the mass market, but the speed of these new generation video cards are above and beyond anything else that is more than 12-18 months old now. They would be certainly worth considering for your next graphics hardware upgrade. Check out www.ati.amd.com for the full details.

MIGMAN UPDATES FLIGHT SIM MUSEUM TO 3.0

Hot on the heels of Flight Sim Museum v2.x comes, yes, you guessed it: Flight Sim Museum v3.0! Version 1.0 was a static html website which started on 4 pages in 1998 and grew, and grew, and then grew a whole lot more. After a total reorganisation of the subject matter which, after 20 years of studying the topic, took about another 2 years, I moved the Museum to the Joomla Content Management System. The vastly better navigation was also appreciated by readers. Content Management doesnt do it justice actually. Joomla is a powerful open-ended suite of management tools which gives an unprecedented degree of control over the presentation of content, while maintaining a strict separation between presentation and content.

1. Comment directly onto the articles, adding your anecdotes, image galleries and videos with an absolute minimum of clicking and fuss. 2. Integrated forum: Any comment on an article automatically generates a new topic in the corresponding forum, thread, where the discussion may continue. Version 3.0 also sees integration of the latest in social networking technology with the site. You, the visitor, can now: 1. Embed your favourite videos from YouTube etc. 2. Share the good news with Facebook etc. 3. Add an RSS feed to your browser, from any page in the Museum. 4. This means you can read summaries of the latest headlines in whatever part of the site interestes you the most. 5. Instant Messaging can be linked to your profile... In these fast moving times people place a high premium on convenience and accessibility, and to better fulfil my mission to keep talking about what is often old technology, the Museum continues to embrace the new! You can check out MigMans ever-growing flight simulation museum online at www.migman.com

T S E T
19 1

Australian Air Adventures PART ONE

BY ROB SCOTT
f you were to ask someone living in the northern hemisphere the place they would most like to visit on holiday, more often than not Australia will come out on top. This is a region of the world which, by default, is very poorly represented in FS, but was given a makeover in FS9 thanks to the fantastic freeware VOZ package. Now for FSX the team at Orbx have created new scenery in the form of the Full Terrain Experience package (FTX).

Naturally, when asked to write an article exploring Australia using this add-on I jumped at the chance. The following two-part article is not a review of the scenery, nor is it a complete tour of Australia as the word limit of the article wont allow for that! Over the last couple of months Ive completed many ights around Australia and invite you to follow me on this journey as I write about some of my favourites. Some of the ight plans are available for download from the Computer Pilot website, so please download them and explore Australia. The rst ight departs from Coffs Harbour, which has its own scenery included in the FTX package, and then ies down the southeastern coast of Australia towards the capital, Canberra. This ight is approximately 400 miles long and will take us past Newcastle and Sydney along the way as we y alongside the Pacic Highway. I chose the Piper Seneca for this trip as it has a relatively quick cruise speed and I liked the security of having two engines in case one failed while we were over the New England National Park.

20

CPM. V14I1

FLIGHT 1: COFFS HARBOUR-CANBERRA

I opted for a dawn departure when the airport was quiet. I wanted to arrive at Canberra early so that I was able to get some breakfast before the cafe shut. ATC assigned me to take off from Runway 3, which meant that a gentle turn would be needed once I had cleared the harbour area to get me back on track. As I taxied to the runway the sun began to rise giving a spectacular display of colours and lit up the hills surrounding the area; it looked like this was going to be a good ight. After a few minutes I reached my cruise altitude of 6,500 feet, which was high enough to clear any terrain en route, but low enough to enable me to enjoy the scenery. After moving away from the urban landscape surrounding Coffs Harbour I decided to make a little detour and follow the river which runs from Urunga and winds its way deep into the New England National Park. After this detour I was a few miles off course, but as this was a VFR ight I wasnt incurring the wrath of ATC. Originally the route was going to take me close to Sydney, which I still wanted to do so I altered course and ew straight to it. As I crossed over Cunnawara National Park I was surprised to see some snow on the tops of the hills, I didnt think it was that cold when I set off. On the way to Sydney I passed over several more national parks, including the Barrington Tops National Park just north of Newcastle and the Yengo National Park. Approaching Sydney I dropped down to 2500 feet and made a few circuits around the harbour area taking in the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and the SCG. It was quite busy airspace as Kingsford Smith International was on the horizon so I had to keep an eye on the skies to make sure I didnt become involved in a game of chicken with a Qantas 747. The fantastic greenery which I had own over on my way to Sydney now gave way to lots of urban areas as I followed the Hume Highway towards Canberra. Eventually I ew over Lake George, but didnt notice any early morning wind-surfers out on the water. The airport was now in sight and all that was left to do was land and taxi to the terminal for breakfast.

PREPARING TO GO

SUNRISE OVER COFFS HARBOUR

URBAN AREAS SYDNEY

21

FLIGHT 2: AYERS ROCK TOUR

In my opinion, no adventure in Australia would be complete without a ight around the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, which is where you will nd Ayers Rock. My advice for this ight is to take off around an hour before sunset. Trust me, you wont be disappointed. Thankfully there is an airport close by, YAYE (you should be able to see Ayers Rock from the ramp). Taxi out to the runway. After departure take a look out of the window and y straight to Ayers Rock. It surprised me at how high it actually is, at nearly 3000 feet. Make a few circuits around the rock and then explore the surrounding area before the sun sets. If you have timed it right, the colours of the sunset and landscape combine to give an astonishing environment to y in. This was one of the shorter ights during my adventure, but it was one of the most enjoyable. I found that any ights which took me over the Australian Outback were much better when own at sunrise or sunset. If you are ying them at sunset make sure your destination airport has some landing lights or you will be lost in the wilderness.
DARK SIDE OF THE ROCK CAMERAS AT THE READY

THERE IT IS!

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CPM. V14I1

FLIGHT 3: HOBART-LAKE PEDDER

This is another short ight, just 70 miles. But it takes you twisting and turning over the lush landscape of Mt Field National Park, and through some difcult terrain on nal approach to this remote airstrip. After takeoff climb as quickly as possible to 8500 feet, or 6500 if you want to get even closer to nature, and head north over New Norfolk before arriving at the rst waypoint. If you are not at your cruise altitude by this point, remain in the area until you are. The route now turns west and roughly follows the Gordon River Road as you twist and turn over the green landscape below. The scenery is stunning, but all too soon you will pop out over Lake Gordon and the aireld will be at your 10 oclock. I waited until having the aireld in sight before beginning my descent. I made a few circuits over Lake Gordon until I was down to 1500 feet and then made a straight in landing to Runway 24. If you enjoy the ight, why not y it in reverse! Please note that I am ying with the OZx freeware airelds installed, the scenery for YLPR in the screenshots will not show unless you have these airelds installed.
UP, UP AND AWAY

TIME TO STOP FOR A WELL EARNING COFFEE BEFORE HEADING BACK FANTASTIC VIEW OVER LAKE

23

FLIGHT 4: MARGARET RIVER-BUNBURY

The next ight is another short one at 45 miles if ying direct. I used this ight as an opportunity to explore the coastline of Western Australia. The airstrip at Margaret River is situated between lots of trees with a small hill at the end of Runway 02, so make sure your aircraft is capable of clearing them. After departure from Runway 02 turn west and head towards the coast; you should pass over the Bussell Highway and Caves Road before reaching the coast by Gracetown. The rest of the ight is nice and easy, just follow the coastline as it heads northwards towards Eagle Bay and then turn back on yourself and pass over Peppermint Grove Beach. Bunbury Airport does not have any navaids, so you can either keep an eye out for the airport from your starboard window or y to the BLNND or BLNNE intersections, where a gentle right turn will line you up with the aireld. If youre heading in the right direction you will see a built up area on the left and racetrack at your 2 oclock when on nal.

NICE AIRPORT SCENERY ON ARRIVAL

KEEP THE SEA ON THE LEFT

WHAT A VIEW FIND THE COASTLINE AND FOLLOW IT

24

CPM. V14I1

FLIGHT 5: CANBERRA-BENDIGO
This next ight has a bit of everything in it; urban areas, forests and the Outback in the distance. Youll y away from Canberra, over Woomargama National Park and over Wangaratta before arriving in Bendigo. This was a longer ight at around 250nm, so I chose to use the Piper Seneca again. A mid-morning departure will ensure that the sun has already risen high into the sky, so you should have good visibility for this journey. After departing the airport, y north until Lake George is at your 5 oclock which should place you near Gunning and able to pick up the Hume Highway. Now turn west and skirt around the Brindabella National Park and head directly for Wangaratta. On your left will be the green landscape of the national parks and on your right elds and the occasional village. If visibility is good you may even be able to see the landscape beginning to change to the orange colors of the Outback. As you approach Wangaratta the landscape will change once again back to the lush green textures you will have experienced on the ight from Hobart earlier. Tune your ADF to 245.0 and once you have picked up the signal for the Bendigo NDB, head straight for the airport.

THOSE TREES ARE EVERYWHERE

I HOPE MY ENGINES DON'T FAIL

AWESOME LANDSCAPE

25

FLIGHT 6: DELISSAVILLE-JABIRU
The nal ight of this rst part of the adventure will take you over Darwin, along the coast past Point Stuart before turning south at Field Island following the river south until you pick up the aireld at Jabiru. This ight is a little different from the others as the terrain is relatively at, but with lots of rivers snaking their way through it. After departure from Delissaville y towards the DN VOR, which is at Darwin International Airport. Make sure you gain enough altitude to pass over the arriving and departing trafc. After passing over the airport y along the coastline where you will be able to see Bathhurst and Melville Island on the left (why not take a detour and explore them too?). Keep tight to the coastline and follow it past Point Stuart, by which time you should be able to see Field Island straight ahead. Once you have spotted the river mouth turn right and follow the course of the river as it snakes its way through the landscape. When you can see the end of the river this is the signal that you are close to Jabiru. Take a look out of the left window and you should see the aireld in the distance. If you y over Cooinda (YCOO) or are ying over rougher terrain then you have gone too far. I hope these rst few ights have gained your interest and have inspired you to explore the great country of Australia. Even if you do not own the FTX software for FSX you can still enjoy the Australian scenery by downloading the free GMap utility from the FS Widgets website (http://fswidgets.com/download/fsw_gmap_brw_11.zip). This utility connects to Google Maps and shows the terrain as you are ying over it via a moving map on your desktop.

VERY FLAT TERRAIN, FOLLOW THAT RIVER!

IT LOOKS A BIT ROUGH DOWN THERE

PASSING OVER DARWIN

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Subject:

Captain Mike Rays Screen Shot Sensation!

Dear Editor; Captain Mike Ray is a wonderful writer and of course I have several of his books on flying the Big Iron. I have been a subscriber to your quality magazine for a while now and used to buy it at Borders in Wichita, Kansas before that. The article in the Aug/Sept issue about How to make a nice Screen Shot has filled me with joy for not only is it a great reference for making screen shots but Captain Mike has just made my flying even more realistic than I thought it could be. The part about add the Haze Factor and setting visibility to 20 to 30 miles is absolutely stunning while flying the Carenado 182Q. Even after simming since the days of ATP by Sublogic and MSFS for DOS 5.0 you can still learn new stuff about this software! I run an Xjett 795 from Jetline Systems and Greg likes to kid me about how my computer is paying for that full back page ad in your magazine. I was the one that did get him to change the phone number from 1800 MyJetline to a real number that you do not have to decode on the touchtone pad. I hate these and he said he did too and he fixed it. When you run FSX on dual 22 inch monitors with cockpit on the left and spot plane on the right with a i7 950 liquid cooled and over clocked to 3.785 Ghz with 6Gb of Corsair Ram at 1585 Mhz and a EVGA GTX-285, it just takes ones breath away to see how far we have come since the days of green screens and pretty much wire frames for aircraft outlines and instruments on the monitors. I even dug out FS2002 and we have come a long way baby! Oh yes Windows 7 64 bit all the way. I used the release candidate when it first came out and knew that Microsoft had a hit again after the Vista problem child. If you are knowledgeable about ARC avionics, I was the Avionics Manager at Sigma-Tek for 21 years and graduated from Hawaii Air Academy in 1978 with a Private Pilots License. I have repaired just about every piece of gear in the Carenado 182Q over the years but spent most of my time when I was on the bench on Navcomms and Autopilots so I have more knowledge about Cessna

rich ER PILOT b l U . L Rick COMPUT TH SION! N N E O T M X /E 12 WINS BSCRIPTION SU

Aircraft than the average Private Pilot. Many, many thanks to Captain Mike for making my sky look so darn real, I can almost cut it with a knife now! Keep the great mag coming and wish you all years of success. Oh I have sent an email to my wife with a link to your MD11 boxed set for my birthday on Nov 24th; gonna be a whopping 52, time really flies when you are having so much fun! Rick L. Ulbrich Winfield, Kansas [Rick, thanks for the great letter. You manage to convey your excitement well in your words and that excitement for flight simulation is certainly infectious! Keep it up! Ed.]

Subject:

My Flight Simulator

Good morning. After reading Doug Hortons article this month, I thought he might be interested in my flight simulator. Im running MS Vista, An Intel Q6600 2.40 GHz CPU, 3 GB of RAM, and 2 Nvida GeForce 8800 GTS graphics cards . I have the Elite Pro SE yoke, CH rudder pedals, a 42 Acer monitor, with 3 x 21 NECs. After reading a past article on building a pilots seat, I visited the local junk yard and obtained a captains chair from a Dodge Caravan with head and arm rests. I mounted it onto a pedestal from an old computer swivel chair. I have uninstalled FSX for now and run 2004 loaded with all kinds of extras which I really enjoy. I found it very difficult to run a lot of programs with FSX. I can run everything to the max in 2004. I look forward every to every issue of Computer Pilot. Frank [Frank, that is a nice setup indeed. I am sure our readers will be either envious or inspired to create something similar for themselves! Ed.]

Write To Computer Pilot INBOX

If you have something you want to share with fellow ight simulator enthusiasts, then Computer Pilot INBOX is the place to be heard. Each issue, well choose the best letter as the letter of the month and reward that reader with a prize! The easiest and quickest way to submit your letters is by e-mail to: inbox@computerpilot.com

27

Major Thomas Robert Doc White

Doctor/Gunner, B-25 Mitchell TNT of the Doolittle Raid April 18, 1942
BY HAROLD FARMBOYZIM ZIMMER BASED ON DOC WHITES OWN MEMOIRS.

y Dad used to quote a saying, If is the biggest word in the dictionary! How can If be the biggest word? This was a little too deep for our young minds! I do believe he knew this and went on to tell us that the word itself is small, but the ramifications (Im sure he used a simpler word for us at the time!) of the word if are huge. I had found myself asking what if after having read the memoirs of Dr. /Major Thomas R. White, who found a way to be included amongst the volunteers for a Top Secret mission.

28

CPM. V14I1

 FROM EGLIN ROUTE OF TNT

A NAS AFB TO ALAMED

UNIQUE TAKE-OFF TECHNIQUE EMPLOYED

WATCH OUT FOR THAT COW!

Back when I could still remember where I put my keys, I would still have been hard pressed to remember all of the names of the crews that manned the B-25s on that April day in 1942. I remember the part of Doc in the movie 30 Seconds over Tokyo, written by Lt. Ted Lawson, the pilot of Ruptured Duck, one of the 16 B-25s that took part in the raid. The Doc character in the movie played a crucial role in saving Lawsons life, but his part, along with others, had to be shortened for the movie. Doctor Thomas Robert White left the military with the rank of Major. He was born in March of 1909 in Maui, Hawaii. He was home schooled, according to his daughter Vikki, until the family moved to California, where he enrolled in and graduated from Redlands High School, Redlands, CA. He then went on to the California Institute of Technology, where he graduated with a BS degree. White took on post graduate work at Harvard University and also at the University of Southern California. He was awarded his M.D. degree at Harvard Medical School in 1937 and went on to Johns Hopkins for his post graduate training, interning in Baltimore and Honolulu. Dr. White joined the United States Army Air Corps in June of 1941. His duties were primarily medical as a new Lieutenant serving in the Air Corps. Doc, as I will refer to him, with respect of course, had gotten wind of an operation that was seeking volunteers. In his own words, he had a habit of sticking his neck out. As a brand new Aviation Medical Examiner (AME), he was not sure how he

THE CREW

OF TNT ; SESSLER WILLIAMS, , SMITH, DOC W HITE, SAYLOR

was going to wring a spot on the mission crew list, but he contacted his commanding ofcer, Col. Jack Hilger, who at the time was a Major, and inquired if there was a way to possibly, repeat, possibly squeeze him in somewhere. The following day, Doc received his orders to report to Eglin Field, in Florida. Having been in the military, I nd the rapid response to his request was amazing! 29

COMING UP ON THE TEXAS

COAST

Known as Special Project Detachment 1, the crews were told that they would be ferrying aircraft to a foreign country with a chance of some action. Doc and the rest of the men were introduced to Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle, who quickly won over the hearts of the men. Known to them as Jimmy, his sincerity, enthusiasm, and friendliness were contagious. Doolittle never hesitated when it came to support for his crews, and ew to Washington D.C. himself, to acquire vaccines directly from the Surgeon General that were requested by Doc. In the memoirs of Doc White, he relates that the training the crews received was very similar to that depicted in the movie, 30 Seconds over Tokyo. Short takeoff runs were practiced, along with low level ying. Wed have to gain altitude to y over a cow! Doc White stated. Navigation, bombing and gunnery were taught as well to all crew members, in case of causalities encountered on the mission. Doc himself trained to bomb and navigate, and he could also pilot the aircraft as he had a private pilots license before the war. He proved to be a hot shot when it came to gunnery on the 50 caliber machine guns, coming in second in the detachment, a feat of which he was considerably proud. As far as his medical role within the detachment, Doc White prepared the crews with numerous vaccines. Most of the crews took the shots in stride, with Doc hearing the usual remarks of Im not a pin-cushion! Doc White states that one chap asked for latex injections so he could be self-sealing like the gas tanks! Medical kits were prepared and assembled for the crews, and Doc assembled a small surgical kit, having to bear in mind the weight considerations. Other than his usual medical duties, Doc was trained and prepared for the mission just like the rest of the crews. More were trained than were actually needed, so competition was keen amongst the men to be included in the crew listings. When Lt. (S.G.) Hank Miller of the U.S. Navy arrived as Liaison Ofcer, it dawned on Doc as well as other crew members, that something out of the ordinary was taking place, considering the scope of training they had been receiving. The crews were nally told that they were to bomb an enemy capital, nothing more. The men quickly surmised that there was to be a carrier launch to bomb Tokyo. Lt. Miller trained the men in naval customs and courtesies, along with how to get the plane off the ground in the shortest possible distance. He also pointed out another important Navy fact, and that was to never call a SHIP a BOAT! Boating throughout his life made Doc familiar with the nautical way of doing things, even before the military, and he had been on board many navy vessels, including the USS Lexington. The navy personnel were outstanding in their cooperation, and especially with their supplies. Getting supplies through the normal Army channels was very time consuming due to the nature and secrecy of the mission. Overall, the Army and Navy worked exceptionally well in this endeavor with respect being mutual amongst the men. The aircraft, B-25 Mitchell Medium Bombers, were inspected closely by not only the Air Corps personnel but engineers and other experts from the factories who gave them a thorough going over as well. Deicers and extra gas tanks were installed on all 16 aircraft, along with fake tail guns, to save weight. The Norden bombsights that were normally used were still unknown to the enemy, so one of the crew members, Ross Greening, rigged up a special low-level sight to be used. In my research, I had read that the sight used cost about $2.00 in parts, which, back in the 40s was a fair amount of cash, but compared to the approximately $10,000 Norden sight, it was said to have worked just as well! While still at Eglin, nose art was applied to some of the planes. The imagination ran wild when it came to the handiwork depicted on the aircraft. 30 CPM. V14I1

MAAM-SIMS B-25

CROSS IN

G THE

DESER TS OF

THE SO UTHWE ST

LEAVING MARCH FIELD FOR THE CA

CENTRAL VALLEY

SKIRTING THE TE HACHAPI MOUN TAINS

Doc was given his choice of two of the B-25s to crew, and he chose the aircraft that was piloted by Lt. D.G. Smith. TNT was her name, with the chemical formula for the explosive on the nose of the plane. Doc went with TNT, the chemical formula reminding him of his days at Cal Tech. He did not realize it at the time, but his decision was one that meant life or death for him, as the crew of the other aircraft, which was piloted by Lt. Bill Farrow, was captured by the enemy, and all were executed. After about six weeks of training at Eglin, all B-25s with their crews departed for the west coast, via Kelly Field, Texas, March Field, California, and then to Sacramento Air Depot, California. Doc had a chance to visit with his family for a few hours in California, and could not speak of the mission to come, even to them. His family thought that he was on a routine cross-country ight. The visit with his family meant the world to Doc, and reinforced his desire to make it back home after completing the mission. While in Sacramento, the aircraft were all outtted with new propeller blades and continued their training until March 31st, 1942, when they ew from Sacramento to the Alameda/Oakland Airport, California, where they saw the USS Hornet for the rst time. In Docs own words, She looked a lot bigger tied up at the dock than she did a few days later! The B-25s were hoisted up and onto the deck of the Hornet and parked together like a jig-saw puzzle. As the elevators could not accommodate the B-25, being tied down on the deck was the only option. The hanger deck of the Hornet was crammed full of its regular complement of aircraft, to make room for the bombers. The sight of Army bombers on board a Navy aircraft carrier was a hard sight to hide, so the Navy let go with some scuttlebutt, otherwise known as rumors, that the planes were being ferried to Hawaii. This plan worked so well that a civilian representative of one of the companies producing aircraft for the navy heard of this and thought that he could catch a free ride to Hawaii. He was refused of course, but with the inevitable strings that are there to be pulled, he wangled his way on board for the journey to Hawaii. Not until they were out of sight of land did Captain Mitscher go on the intercom to all hands announcing the real mission objective, a strike on Japan itself. Needless to say, the civilian was more than just unhappy! The Hornet sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge on the morning of April 2, 1942, with a convoy of escort cruisers and destroyers. The weather was rough and cold as the convoy zigzagged its way towards Japan. Some had seasickness, but all soon gained their sea legs. In the days that followed, Doc as well as the other crew members found that nding ones way around on board ships the size of these was truly an adventure! You wouldnt know half the time where you were going to end up when you made a turn, or went through a hatch. At dawn and dusk of each day at sea, the ships would go to General Quarters, as this was a time that the ships were most vulnerable to attack from submarine or air attack. The B-25 crews would man their planes, ready for a quick takeoff in case of attack. The navigators of the aircraft kept a constant vigil on their position relative to the nearest friendly land mass, and if there was no time to get the B-25s off the deck and into the air, the crews, along with navy personnel were to push them off the deck, into the sea, making room for the aircraft below deck to takeoff and defend the carrier. Doc said that afterward whenever he would hear the bugle call of General Quarters in a movie or on the radio, his blood pressure would rise 20 points! 31
SAN FR ANCIS CO BA Y

RAL CALIFORNIA OVER THE FERTILE VALLEYS OF CENT

AREA

LOW OVER THE BAY BRIDGE

COMING UP ON THE TEXAS

COAST

While proceeding to their launch area, each day was like the next, very routine. Lt. Hank Miller continued lectures and discussions, along with Lt. Cmdr. Stephen Jurika and Captain Apollo Soucek. Jurika had been assigned to the Naval Attach mission to Tokyo for several years and was able to tell the crews about the Japanese and their culture. Soucek instructed the B-25 crews in what to expect in the way of enemy ground and air defenses, and the best ways to deal with the situations. Target maps and photographs of the target areas were available for study. Doc White was able to recognize streets and buildings in and around Kobe, Japan, the information was so accurate. Doc found a few more vaccines through the generosity of the Navy doctors and corpsmen, much to the dismay of course of the B-25 crews! He also gave lectures to the crews on hygiene and sanitation while in primitive conditions. Germs can be as bad as a bullet, when it comes to a simple scratch or cut left unattended. He also put together personal medical kits for each of the crew members, containing a dose of morphine, eld dressing and sulfanilamide tablets in case of wounds sustained, as well as 60 grains of quinine for protection against malaria, tincture of iodine, caffeine tablets to help the crews stay alert for the long haul to China, and last but not least, a pint of whiskey for relaxation when it was over! On the twelfth of April, General Quarters was sounded as usual that morning, but everyone stood their posts, being relieved in shifts to go and eat breakfast. Shortly thereafter, alarm bells rang and word was passed that an aircraft had been picked up on radar. It was nally sighted in the distance, coming in fast and low. The crews did not know if it was friendly or enemy, and were preparing to open re, when at last the plane ashed a recognition signal to the Hornet. It was a fellow Navy plane, and ew low over the deck of the Hornet, dropping a message that the carrier USS Enterprise and her accompanying cruisers and destroyers would soon be linking up with the Hornet. Doc pointed out in his memoirs that he was most impressed with the navigational skill and timing that it had to have taken, to bring these two parts of the task force together considering there was absolute radio silence. Docs observation at the seamanship that was displayed during refueling operations for the ships was that of amazement. The US Navy developed the technique of refueling at sea, which enabled the US forces to operate in the waters of Japan, without direct access to a friendly port for refueling. The sea was very rough, and it took three tries to refuel the Hornet, Doc recalled. On the rst try, a line parted, (a dainty thing, 10 inches in diameter!), and a seaman was washed overboard, but recovered from the sea unharmed. On the second try, a hose line burst, and doused the tanker with thick, black oil before the pumps could be stopped. The third try was the charm though, and everything went well! At General Quarters on the morning of the thirteenth, the bullhorns on board ship came alive, startling everyone, but it was an announcement that they had just crossed the International Date Line. Being taken by surprise by the bullhorns was an amusing surprise, but another surprise awaited the crew of TNT. During a routine run-up of the aircrafts engines, a loud knock was detected in the right motor. Maintenance personnel took the engine off and below decks to nd that a pin had dropped out of one of the gears, and thankfully had not gotten itself caught in between the teeth of the gears. Here is just one of the many what if factors that I had mentioned earlier. IF that engine could not have been repaired, Doc would have been riding in Lt. Bill Farrows aircraft, which as I mentioned earlier, was captured and the crew executed. 32 CPM. V14I1

THE X ON RW) ON APPROACH TO ALAMEDA NAS (NOTE

READY

TO TAX I

LACKLAND AFB (KELLEY AF ANNEX)

MARCH FIELD, SO UTHERN CALIFOR NIA

At this point in the journey all of the B-25s had been gassed and loaded. Extra gas tanks were provided for the ight. Most of the planes carried three 500 pound demolition bombs, along with a cluster of 128 four pound thermite incendiary bombs. TNT however carried four of these clusters. Each of the planes had different types of targets that they were to attack, so the munitions had to be loaded accordingly. The original plan had been for Lt. Col. Doolittle and his crew to take off alone about three hours before dusk on the 18th of April, reaching Tokyo around dusk, with just enough light to see their targets. The rest of the B-25s were to takeoff at dusk, reaching the target area just after nightfall, but with the light of the res that were started by Doolittles earlier bombing run, they would be able to see, to some degree, their own objectives. They were to y on to China, reaching the coast about dawn, on April 19th, nd their visual landmarks, and y on to the bases that the Chinese had prepared for them. From those bases, after refueling, they were to y on to Chungking. Arrangements had been made for a plane to make the rounds of these various bases every few days, in the event of any crash landings, and crews making it into the bases on foot. As Doc pointed out, the best laid plans No one knew at the time just how much they would have to deviate from that plan! So ends the rst part of Doc Whites story. In the next issue, well take it up as the B-25s lumber down the deck of the USS Hornet and takeoff, ying into danger, as well as history! There were some excellent freeware scenery packages out there for this rst leg of the story. I used the le duke_d.zip to enhance the Duke Field Annex to Eglin Air Force Base. This scenery was put together by Gordon Perry, who states he used a bit of artistic license in creating the package. Lackland Air Force Base (Kelly Field Annex) San Antonio, TX, by Jim Donlin was also utilized (ksfk.zip). As for the Alameda NAS, the eld is closed in FS9; yellow Xs marking the runways, but thanks to Derek and Brendan Webb of DBWsim Design, the eld is open for business! The package is an outstanding scenery addition for this eld, and comes complete with ships docked at the ports, as well as naval vessels, including an aircraft carrier. Dont try landing on the deck of the carrier or youll wind up swimming! Its just there for looks! The aircraft used for this article is Mid-Atlantic Air Museums (MAAM-SIM) B-25 Mitchell Bomber, Brieng Time, with a repaint by yours truly depicting the aircraft TNT. This is not an exact replication of the livery, but a tribute to the men and the machine. The names of the crew are listed on the port side near the nose, with the nose art representing the chemical formula for TNT. Tail markings and other markings are accurate. The Brieng Time model is excellent, and if you dont have it in your virtual hanger, you should. Proceeds from the sale of the model go toward keeping the real Brieng Time in shape and yable. I also used FS Environment and Ground Environment Pro, from Flight1 for those outstanding textures you see on the ground and in the air! USA Roads from Abacus aided me in recognizing highways and roads, for the entire United States. This is an excellent VFR enhancement for your sim! CH Products are my gear of choice for my ights as well. I want to thank Victoria White-Hand, the daughter of Doc White, for sharing this information with me and allowing me to tell her fathers story. Meeting her and listening to the stories of her father has put a more personal feeling in the story for me, for which I am deeply grateful! 33

ALAMEDA NAS SCENERY ENHANCED

FLY-BY OVER

THE O AKLAN D/ALA MEDA

DOCKS

ALAMEDA NAVAL AIR STATION, CA

Aircraft Spotlight: The McDonnell Douglas MD-11

BY ANGELIQUE VAN CAMPEN
n the early 1980s, McDonnell Douglas Corporation realized that a successor to the famous DC10 Series was needed, at least for the company to stay in business. Due to the global recession nothing was planned or executed based on these ideas at the time but around the mid 80s, McDonnell nally decided to continue with his plans and launched, in December 1986, the MD-11 Program.

The MD-11, the worlds only modern, large, wide-cabin tri-jet, offers a highly sophisticated ight deck and advanced automatic system controls that substantially reduce pilot workload. She was produced in Long Beach (California) at the Douglas Products Division of the Boeing Commercial Airplanes company. The MD-11 was available in four models - passenger, all freighter, convertible freighter and a combi version, and on top of these models an extended-range (ER) feature was available.

34

CPM. V14I1

LH COCKPIT OVERVIEW MAIN PANEL PMDG MD-11

Seating capacities on the standard airplane vary from 285 in a three-class arrangement to 410 in an all-economy configuration. Below the main deck, the MD-11 provides more space for containerized or palletized cargo after passenger bags are loaded than any other jetliner, yielding important additional revenue for its operators. The MD-11 offers advanced aerodynamics, a choice of two different engine types (General Electric CF6-80C2 and the Pratt & Whitney PW446x Series), advanced flight deck features with six CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) displays, digital instrumentation, wind-shear detection and guidance devices, a dual flight management system and a dual digital automatic flight control system (AP) with fail-safe operational capability and much more. The aerodynamic improvements include winglets and a redesigned wing trailing edge, a smaller horizontal tail with integral fuel trim tank and an extended tail cone. These features reduce drag, saved fuel and gave the airplane a longer range. The non-stop range of the standard MD-11 operating at a maximum TO weight of 602,500 pounds (273,290 kg) is approximately 7,630 statute miles (12,270 km) with 285 passengers while the extended-range version equipped with an AUX fuel tank and operating at a MAX TO weight of 630,500 pounds (285,990 kg), has a range of approximately 8,225 statute miles, or equivalent to 13,230 km. Ok, as mentioned before, the MD-11 was launched on December 30, 1986. Assembly began on March 9, 1988 while her maiden ight was on January 10, 1990. Finally, the rst delivery was on December 7, 1990 to Finnair, which was already a known DC-10 series customer.

WORLD CARGO LH FUSELAGE CLOSE-UP PMDG MD-11F

History of Douglas Aircraft / McDonnell Aircraft

McDonnell Douglas Corporation was formed in 1967 through the merger of Douglas Aircraft Company with McDonnell Aircraft Corporation. Douglas Aircraft originated in 1921, when the American aircraft designer Donald Douglas established Douglas Company. Douglas built its early reputation with the World Cruiser, a single-engine biplane that, in 1924, became the first aircraft to fly around the world. The company was restructured in 1928 as Douglas Aircraft Company, and a few years later it began building its DC (Douglas Commercial) series of passenger planes. The famous DC-3 became the model for future commercial aircraft through its 35

unprecedented level of comfort, reliability, high speed, and, above all, low maintenance cost. Together with its military derivative the C-47 Skytrain, the DC-3 became the best-selling commercial airframe in history, with a production run of 10,300. After the war the company continued to dominate the commercial air routes with its piston-engine DC-6 (1946) and DC-7 (1953), whose range made possible non-stop coast-to-coast service. In 1965 Douglas rst ew its twin-engine DC-9 short-haul commercial jetliner, which became the companys most successful transport since the DC-3. McDonnell Aircraft was founded in 1939 by the American aeronautical engineer James Smith McDonnell. Although the company struggled during its rst year, it soon grew rapidly as a manufacturer of airplane parts. In the mid-1960s McDonnell sought to break into the commercial aircraft market. At the same time - despite the DC9 success from Douglas Aircraft - the overall nancial condition of Douglas Aircraft was bad and therefore in 1967 McDonnell purchased Douglas and took the name, McDonnell Douglas Corporation. McDonnell Douglas Corp. subsequently introduced several famous aircrafts like the Super 80, logically followed by the MD80 Series, the DC-10, which was as you now know proceeded by the MD-11. Whats missing in this story is the military market, where the company also dominated in many areas. Because of poor sales and a missed opportunity with the U.S. Armed forces, McDonnell Douglas Corp. merged with Boeing Commercial Aircraft the following year.

Oh yes, youre ready to re up Flight Simulator and start loading one of the MD-11s, but the simulated model is of that high quality with lots of systems that some study is needed and believe me, theres a lot to read. The boxed version comes with a printed manual, which offers you a lot of background information. The tutorial ight is a good start. If you cannot nd it on the disc for whatever reason, then it can be downloaded from the PMDG website. This tutorial covers ight SWR801 from London Heathrow to Zrich and I can tell you out of my own experience that its a very good and detailed tutorial with lots of information to get you going.

The simulated PMDG model

Wow! Thats the rst word I would like to express. While my MD11 is parked at EGLL, Im doing my walk-around check to see if everything is still attached while at the same time Im impressed by all the available details from the tail, wings, landing gears, fuselage and nose section. It seems I am gazing at a complete blueprint of the original real world model! It comes standard with many liveries for both passenger and freighter models so theres likely to be a paint scheme to please. If youre not happy with the default PMDG liveries which is hard to believe then its time to look at the AVSIM library for other possibilities. Looking to the nerve center of this aircraft I must admit that everything a serious ight simmer is looking for can be found and is simulated. As far as I can see, every ight related and navigation system are simulated and what do you think of two individual and thus independent working FMCs with completely separated MCDUs? This is just one example but the list of newly created features is much longer than and just as impressive as this FMS. In other words, both cockpits the old fashioned 2D and the VC look awesome. Flying like an angel is really true for this masterpiece from PMDG. These are all nice words, but what about the frame rates and the real sound? Lets rst start with the offered sound; were not only dealing with the General Electric or Pratt & Whitney engine sound, but also with environmental sounds, cockpit settings, movement of switches, warning, cautions, air conditioning and much more. I dont know the real MD-11 up close and personal in this way but I know the DC-10 and most sounds are very familiar to me. It seems a lot of work is put into the recording of the real sound. I almost forgot the frame rates. These are great, in one word. Theres a whole history behind it why the frame rates are so high compared to other full developed FSX airplanes. Ill leave that history part out but I can tell you that the MD-11 runs very nice on modern machines as well as on older ones.

MD-11 still alive!

Despite the fact that real MD-11s are rare to nd operating with passengers these days, freighter versions can easily be found still ying for companies like FedEx and UPS. On the simulation front the introduction of Sky Simulations MD-11/MD10, and later followed by PMDG with its magnicent replica, MD-11s are back! So lets go into detail and see what these MSFS developers have to offer for keen virtual MD-11 drivers.

PMDG MD-11
During the annual Aerosoft Flight Simulator show in Paderborn, Germany (October 2008), Robert Randazzo - CEO from PMDG showed the public some images of a nished MD-11 and thus ready for sale. Ok, it was already available via the PMDG website, but at the show he had the chance to display it in real life to the mainly European ight sim contingent. The PMDG model is available for both FSX and FS2004 and comes standard in a passenger conguration and with a full freighter version. Depending on your need or wish, you can now also buy a boxed version of this package for either FSX or FS2004. Although the boxed versions come from Aerosoft Germany, the installer is a typical PMDG one. Since the boxed software holds version 1.00, you need to add/download from the PMDG website service update v1.20.0055 and of course, install it. Ok, rst one step back; automatically after the main installer, a second installer pops-up asking you to conrm the installation of Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistribution. Whether you like it or not, you need to follow these steps since the MD-11 relies on this software and it must be added. Now were ready to go and its time to master the PMDG MD-11. By the way, I noticed that when you use a x64 OS, you also need to install the C++ 2008 x86 version, else some problems appear in the 2D and VC cockpits. 36

Sky Simulations MD-11/MD-10

Compared to the PMDG model, Sky Simulations offers, for the same price, both the FS2004 and FSX versions of the MD-11 and as a free bonus, the MD10 too. Ok, the MD10 is not really shocking since its no more than, in real life, a DC-10 with a modied cockpit equal to the MD-11. Installing the Sky Sim MD-11 needs to be done online and after receiving the necessary feedback, youre ready to install your aircraft. When you want, you can add the MD10 to it but theres no need to do it right now. Anyway, after all of this, youre ready to re one of the models in either FSX or FS2004. While the pilots are doing their work in the ight deck, weve got some time to check the external model. For some reason the aircraft is still in the maintenance conguration, which means engine CPM. V14I1

CLOSE-UP FEDEX MD-11 (SKY SIMULATIONS)

COCKPIT OVERVIEW SKY SIMULATIONS MD-11

COCKPIT SEATS OVERVIEW PMDG MD-11F

FLY-OVER AT KSFO AT FL210 (SKY SIMULATIONS)

MAIN INSTRUMENT PANEL PMDG MD-11

OVERHEAD PANEL PMDG MD-11F

PASSING SAN FRANCISCO AT FL250 (SKY SIMULATIONS)

PMDG MD-11 APPROACHING VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA

37

PMDG MD-11 PEDESTAL CLOSE-UP

PMDG MD-11 WORLD CARGO EXTERNAL OVERVIEW

PMDG MD-11 WORLD CARGO HEADING FOR VANCOUVER

PMDG SWISSAIR MD-11 LH ENGINE OVERVIEW

SEAT VC OVERVIEW SKY SIMULATIONS MD-11

SWISSAIR MD-11 PMDG FLY-OVER CANADA AT FL200

SWISSAIR MD-11 PMDG IN-FLIGHT OVERVIEW

38

CPM. V14I1

cowlings are open, aps down and gear doors open. It all looks very impressive and something which was not possible with the PMDG models. The overall external model with its tiny details looks good although not all those details are as good as I had hoped for. With the walk-around check complete its time to enter the ight deck. Compared to the PMDG ight deck, this version including its Virtual Cockpit is not of the same quality and it seems that not all the ight systems including those related to navigation and auto-ight are simulated in depth. This means theres no real simulated FMC and thus the MCDU is not of the same quality than the one on offer from PMDG. On the other hand, the ight deck is uncomplicated thus easy to control and to y, which could be great for those who are not interested in in-depth operation and control of the systems. Although it cant compete with the PMDG in system simulation, for some ight simmers who need an uncomplicated MD-11, this is the one they could and should look for. Keeping all of this in mind, its still a worthy model. Apart from these two MD-11 developers, there are two others in the race and those developers offer not only the MD-11, but many other aircraft models from Boeing and Airbus lines. One developer is Perfect Flight with their Fly The Heavies package, available in boxed format and the other is developer, Overland SMS, with the Fly into the Sky! World Airlines package. Unfortunately I dont own these so its not possible for me to add any comment to this section. However, looking at the Overland SMS MD-11 screenshots and keeping in mind that this package offers not only the FS2004/FSX MD-11 but also the B777 Series, B744, B737 Series and the B767 as well as some Airbus models, it misses indepth quality, but its likely easy to jump in and y around without too many complexities.

For the Perfect Flight Fly The Heavies package, which offers also the FS2004/FSX Airbus A380, B744, B777, MD-11 and the older Lockheed L1011 models, were dealing here as well as with the Overland package, with uncomplicated models which likely dont need any or as much in-depth study before you jump in the drivers seat.

Conclusion
These developers offer payware models and theres always that important question for every ight simmer what should I buy? When youre looking for an as real as it gets MD-11 where in-depth study is no problem for you, and where you really need to think fairly constantly during ight, then theres only one choice, the PMDG MD11. By the way, adding the FS2Crew MD-11 combo package to this, even more realism is realized to an already highly-realistic aircraft. If you want to opt for the easier go and y model, you can either search and check the Fly The Heavies package from Perfect Flight, or the package from Overland. Both offer uncomplicated aircraft which are especially for those who dont want to dig into the FMC, MCDU, Auto-Flight options etc. Last but not least theres the Sky Simulations MD-11 with the free MD10 update. A great external model is offered with (unfortunately) some imperfections, and it seems no more updates or service packs will be made. So there you go. A little history and some options for MD-11 models to use in Flight Simulator. The MD-11 is an interesting and challenging aircraft to y, particularly with a crew of just one. But it is an iconic early 90s era jet aircraft and well worth giving it a try in your virtual world. 39

Flying the

BY TOM KURTZ

he ubiquitous DeHavilland DASH-8 is one of the nest airplanes in the world. Airlines use these cost-effective aircraft for short haul regional routes. There are many design variations of the DASH-8. We will y the Q300 version from the Netherland Antilles starting from Willemstad Hato International Airport (TNCC) on Curacao Island to San Juan, Puerto Rico Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (TJSJ).

We are going to learn to properly y the DASH-8. Most of the simulation pilots reading this will say, What is he talking about? I can y any of the planes in FS2004 or FSX properly. My reply is well you may be surprised at what you may learn. If you want a real learning experience, y X-Plane aircraft. Since the unfortunate and fatal crash of a Colgan Q400 Airlines ight 3407 on February 12, 2009 the FAA and the NTSB learned that many pilots ying regional commuter ights were not sufciently trained in ying the DASH-8 and other small jets and twin turbo propeller aircraft. I think that many simpilots just like to kick the tires and light the res and y off. I thought this article would help those pilots get more realistic and have more fun doing so. Not to mention learning more about ying. CPM. V14I1

40

Reference Material
Lets take a look at some of the references and checklists for the DASH-8 before we push back and taxi to the active runway.

Takeoff Weight: Vr -

@37,000 lbs = 142 KIAS. @28,000 lbs = 132 KIAS. @37,000 lbs = 145 KIAS. @28,000 lbs = 135 KIAS. @37,000 lbs = 148 KIAS. @28,000 lbs = 142 KIAS. Landing Approach Speed - aps 35 gear down @37,000 lbs = 144 KIAS. @28,000 lbs = 138 KIAS.

1. Check your aircraft weight, fuel, and payload. If you read my article Why Bother with Weight and Balance in the August/ September issue of Computer Pilot you know how to do this. 2. When I set this ight up using the FSX ight planner I noticed a discrepancy between the estimated fuel burn and the weights given in the fuel load and payload, MTOW, etc gures of the chart in FSX. After some research I found the gures given were for the Q300 HGW variant aircraft and not the Q300 we will be ying. Here are the gures to use in loading your aircraft: (I will assume all you experienced pilots know the meaning of the acronyms. If not look them up online). MTOW = 18,842 Kg (41,098 lbs) MLW = 18,144 Kg(40,000 lbs) MZFW = 16,873 Kg (37198.5 lbs) Operational Weight Empty = 11,709 Kg (24,647 lbs) MAX Payload = 5,166 Kg Standard = 12,566 lbs. MAX Useable Fuel = 2,576 Kg (5,679 lbs/6.7 lbs/Gal = 848 US Gallons) Payload with Max Fuel = 5,138 Kg (11,327 lbs) Optional MAX Useable Fuel load = 4,647 Kg (10,245 lbs = 1529 Gallons) So with those stated values rst gure how many passengers you are going to carry (gure 175 lbs per passenger and crew), then calculate the distance to the destination and the amount of fuel used per hour. Here, Ill make it easy for you: 50 Passengers and a Crew of 2. MAX Cruising speed = 214 KIAS. Initial rate of Climb 1,800ft/min. Service ceiling: FL250. Fuel load: 848 Gallons (This gure includes fuel reserve of 45 minutes). Payload: 6,000 lbs. MAX Range in this conguration will be 878 nm. You may of course set up your own ight. Here are some important checklist items: Vmo - Maximum Operating Speed @ FL170 = 242KIAS. Vmo - Maximum Operating Speed @ FL200 = 232KIAS. Vmo - Maximum Operating Speed @ FL250 = 214KIAS. Mmo - Maximum Operating Speed Mach .50 Turbulent Air Penetration Speed: 190 KIAS. Va - Maneuvering Speed: 177 KIAS. Vmc - Minimum Control Speed: 103KIAS. Vx - Two-engine Best Angle-of-Climb: 135 KIAS. Vy - Two-engine Best Rate of Climb: 145 KIAS. Best Glide Speed both engines inoperative: 135 KIAS. VFE - Maximum Flaps Extended Speeds: Flaps 5 163 KIAS. Flaps 10 154 KIAS. Flaps 15 150 KIAS. Flaps 35 138 KIAS. V1 - Takeoff Decision Speed dry runway, Standard temperature, 500ft pressure altitude. If you arent familiar with the term pressure altitude its the reading shown on your altimeter. All speeds listed below are on the same runway condition as above. (Also, read my story on Mountain Flying, I explain pressure altitude)

V2 Vref -

Ok, now with all the above information use your checklist for startup, push-back, and taxi. Then when you are cleared for takeoff use your checklist for takeoff, then once airborne use your checklist for climb and cruise. The check lists are usually available in PDF with most simulation aircraft along with the POH (Pilots Operation Handbook); if not make your own!

Use Checklists!
Now to answer the question that is popping up in your minds as you read this, Why use a checklist? Heres why... Perhaps the one element of ying that ight simulation pilots often overlook is using checklists. We may use arguments such as Why do I need to use a checklist, why not just memorize the items and operate the aircraft without a checklist. This argument isnt without some merit because you dont use a checklist when starting your car or computer (and of course you never make an error... NOT!) But consider the following as an example on why you should use a checklist. Lets say your friend is an experienced pilot and he wants to take you on a ight. However, your pilot friend doesnt uses a checklist... he hasnt had an accident or incident yet so he gures why use these cumbersome checklists. Your pilot friend forgets a few things such as taxiing with the aps down, not turning on the beacon lights, and starting more than a few takeoff rolls with the mixture still leaned for taxi. Although these seem like little things, keep in mind its usually not a single little thing that will get you into trouble as a pilot but its all the little things combined together that could kill you. Read any accident report, read any analysis of an accident report, read any magazine article about an accident and youll be able to identify the chain of little things that could have prevented the accident. Change any of those little things and the accident never happens. Theyre not all, of course, the result of not using a checklist, but many are! So although you may be one of those virtual pilots who believe they dont need a checklist, after youve taxied around with the aps down for a while or forgotten to turn on the boost pump for takeoff, its pretty clear that you do need a checklist. Checklists break the chain of forgetting things that lead up to accidents. Speaking of accident reports, I am a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and I get e-mail reports very soon after an accident happens. Now you want to know if I use checklists. Ill be truthful and say not as often as I should. When ying a tail dragger I almost always forget to lock the tail wheel and I have made some spectacular ground loops! 41

CLEARED FOR TAKE-OFF AT HATO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TNCC

Time to Fly!
Ok, we are at the active runway and cleared for take-off to Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in Puerto Rico. All items on the checklist are checked! Break out the Climb and Cruise checklist. Landing gear up, aps retracted at 1,000 ft AGL, FD on, cruise altitude dialed in on the MCP (Mode Control Panel), Vertical Speed set, A/T speed set for Vx, GPS activated, Autopilot turned on. We are on our way.

CLIMBING TO CRUISE ALTITUDE DESTINATION SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO.

FINAL APPROACH TO TJSJ WING VIEW FROM THE DASH 8

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CPM. V14I1

LANDED AT SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO (TJSJ)

The ight is short only 444.6 nm, ETE 1:30 hours. We are beginning the descent which requires another checklist and one for landing. One of the most important things to check for is the proper landing weight. MLW is 40,000 lbs. We started with a full load of fuel 5681.6 lbs and have burned 633.3 which is 4243 lbs. Subtracting the weight of the fuel burn from the MLW of 40,000 lbs gives us 35757 lbs landing weight. We are OK. So after following the landing checklist we are a few minutes from touchdown.

Taxi to the terminal. Use the checklist, radio tuned to the ground frequency, engines at idle, aps retracted, notify passengers to remain seated with seat belts fastened until parked at the terminal. Park at the terminal and go through the shut down checklist. I hope you learned something from this article. I did. I am adding the tail wheel lock to the checklist of my tail dragger aircraft. Happy Landings!

43 PARKED AT SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO (TJSJ)

W E I V E R
The Ilyushin IL14P by Felis
BY CHUCK BODEEN

REVIEW

-14 XPlane 9.30. . 90. Windows, Linux Intel Mac. OR - Model IL-14P for simulators XPlane 9.30 with English cockpit version. File size ~90MB. Works with Windows, Linux and Intel Mac.
44

WOW!

This is by far the most elaborate and awesome X-Plane model that I have ever seen. Andrey Kozyaruk (also know as Felis) warrants that the plane ies as close to the real thing as possible in X-Plane, but there is much, much more.

Every X-Plane part created with Plane-Maker is rendered as invisible. The entire ship, with all the animations, has been created using Blender objects and built-in custom plugins. The extremely ne eye candy used in the texturing is surpassed only by the fact that every part of the model works. If you start with the engines not running, you must go through the complete startup process to get them working. Although the model would be virtually impossible to reverse engineer, it comes with a very impressive 43-page User Guide. CPM. V14I1

X-PLANE
The animations include most of the normal ying control functions in the real airplane plus more that were made purely to fascinate the users. Although the objects were constructed using Blender which, frankly, I do not understand - they were exported as X-Plane v8 objects. This means that they can be brought back into AC3D which is the 3D graphics program that I use - for examination.

THE SERVICE MENU IS USED TO OPEN/CLOSE OR PLACE/REMOVE OBJECTS. IT CAN BE REACHED FROM THE MAIN MENU. FAST PREPARE CLOSES OR REMOVES ALL PARTS MAKING THE PLANE READY FOR TAKEOFF.

PITOT TUBES ON EACH SIDE OF THE PLANE HAVE PROTECTIVE COVERS WHICH MUST BE REMOVED BEFORE FLYING BY USING THE SERVICE MENU.

THE SAME OBJECTS CAN BE VIEWED IN BLENDER (TOP) OF IN AC3D (BOTTOM). THE ENGINE CAP HAS NOT BEEN REMOVED IN THE AC3D SHOT. (MY THANKS TO TOM TYLER FOR THE BLENDER PICTURE)

Austin Meyer says that making the aircraft out of one animated object will auto-position the landing gear for you. This avoids building landing gear objects and attaching them to the Plane-Maker gear.

A BUTTON ON THE SERVICE MENU CONTROLS THE OPENING AND CLOSING OF THE PASSENGER DOOR.

ENGINE COVERS, PASSENGER DOOR, CARGO DOOR, AND NOSE HATCH ARE OPENED AND CLOSED USING THE SERVICE MENU. THE CUSTOM OBJECT MAIN GEAR DO NOT SHOW IN THIS SHOT FROM PLANE-MAKER, ALTHOUGH WITH THE ACTION OF THE PLUGINS THE TIRES ACTUALLY DEFORM DUE TO THE WEIGHT OF THE PLANE.

ONCE INSIDE THE CABIN, YOU CAN LOOK OUT THROUGH THE OPEN PASSENGER DOOR.

45

THE NOSE WHEEL IS MAGNIFICENTLY ANIMATED SHOWN HERE IN AC3D WHERE THE ANIMATION CAN BE CONTROLLED BY MOVING A SLIDER. WHEN THE WEIGHT ON THE NOSE GEAR CHANGES, THE OLEO (SHOCK ABSORBER) AND THE TORQUE LINKS (SCISSORS) MOVE AS THEY SHOULD.

Understanding the construction of this model is no easy task. When you view the 2D panel in Plane-Maker, you will notice that the instruments, buttons, and handles fall into two categories: real and fake. You can locate the real ones on the panel image but the custom plugins that come with the ship relocate many of these by the time you see the panel in X-Plane. The fake gauges dont show up at all in Plane-Maker and depend upon the plugins to be displayed while you are ying. They also serve the purpose of forcing X-Plane to consider them for possible failures and to set systems such as the APU and air bleed to default ON.

FAILURES INITIATED BY X-PLANE ARE SHOWN IN GRAPHIC DETAIL. INSTRUMENTS FAIL REALISTICALLY AS WELL.

SOME ITEMS ON THE PLANE-MAKER 2D PANEL ARE IN DIFFERENT PLACES BY THE TIME YOU ARE FLYING IN X-PLANE. THE FAKE GAUGES DONT SHOW IN PLANE-MAKER BUT THEY APPEAR IN X-PLANE.

THE INTERIOR IS AS WELL MODELED AS THE OUTSIDE.

THE RESTROOM IN THE BACK OF THE PLANE IS WELL STOCKED EVEN WITH READING MATERIAL. ILL LEAVE THE REST OF THE EQUIPMENT TO YOUR IMAGINATION.

THE IL-14P COMES WITH EIGHT LIVERIES. TOP TO BOTTOM LEFT TO RIGHT: DEFAULT CCCP-52036, CHINA AIRLINES, AEROFLOT, AEROFLOT POLAR, DEUTSCHE LUFTHANSA, POLSKIE LINJE LOTNICZE (LOT), INTERFLUG (EAST GERMAN AIRLINE FROM 1963 TO 1991), AND RUSSIAN AIR FORCE.

There is a fully functioning 3D panel accessed by the familiar ctrlo keyboard command. Once in that mode you can use keyboard or joystick commands to look over the outside and inside of the model. A system of translucent pop-ups can be accessed by clicking on Main Menu on the panel or using shift-F2 on the keyboard. There are oating and resizable 2D panels for overhead, center, autopilot, navigator, and radio-operator. A payload panel identical to the real IL-14 chart can be used for CG determination. Gauges and panel markings can be displayed in either English or Russian. CPM. V14I1

46

The instructions for the navigator panel say that one should create map images with binary (128, 256, 512) numbers of pixels as height and width and name them map_1.png, map_2.png.... map_5.png. Then save them in a catalog with airplane. At rst I did not understand catalog. Then in the custom avionics sub-folder under the aircraft folder I found map.lau, the rst lines of which read:

-- create new search path for maps addSearchPath(Aircraft/General Aviation/IL-14_930/maps) addSearchPath(Aircraft/Heavy Metal/IL-14_930/maps)

So if you want the navigator to see the maps, the answer is:
THE MAIN MENU GIVES ACCESS TO POP-UP WINDOWS THAT CAN BE MOVED TO ANY PLACE ON THE SCREEN AND DISPLAYED AT ANY SIZE. JUST CLICK ON ANY PART TO DISPLAY THE DESIRED WINDOW OR USE THE KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS.

Make sure the plane is named IL-14_930 even if you are using a higher version of X-Plane. Save the airplane in either General Aviation or Heavy Metal. Create a folder maps within the aircraft folder and save your maps there.

Shift-F2 Shift-F3 Shift-F4 Shift-F5 Shift-F6 Shift-F7 Shift-F8 Shift-F9

Show Main Menu Show Loading Window Show Overhead Panel Show Center Panel 1 Show Center Panel 2 Show Radio Operator Panel Show Navigator Panel Show Autopilot

KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS TO DISPLAY SOME OF THE POPUP WINDOWS YOU CAN CREATE AS MANY AS FIVE PNG FILES WHICH CAN BE USED AS MAPS AT THE NAVIGATOR STATION. THE MAPS CAN BE SELECTED, SCALED, AND EVEN MOUSE-DRAGGED IN EITHER THE POPUP (LEFT) OR THE 3D COCKPIT. (RIGHT)

Internal control of the custom instruments and other features is handled by a collection of LUA scripts in a plugins folder that is local to the airplane not the folder in X-Plane/Resources. LUA is a programming language designed for extending applications. It was designed in Brazil by the Department of Computer Science of PUCRio. LUA means moon in Portuguese and is pronounced LOO-ah. SASL (Scriptable Avionics Simulation Library) is used to model the avionics and the popup panels. There is a special networked connector and a plugin which can be used with any X-Plane model. At http://code.google.com/p/sasl/ you will nd:
THE REFUELING AND LOADING PANEL INTERACTIVELY ADJUSTS THE C.G. AS YOU DISTRIBUTE LOADS IN THE PLANE. THE FUEL CONSUMPTION GUIDE HELPS TO PLAN THE FLIGHT.

THE SERVICE MENU ALLOWS THE USER TO OPEN AND CLOSE DOORS AND COVERS.

1. XAP: X-Plane plugin for aircraft authors. If you are not an author it is not necessary to download it. 2. SLAVA: Stand-Alone Avionics Application. This connects to X-Plane and shows stand-alone panels. Presently, it lacks a graphical user interface, so users must edit launching scripts to specify parameters such as simulator host address and password. Example launch scripts for Windows and Linux as well as a sample navigator panel are provided. 3. Tu-104 example aircraft. This X-Plane aircraft shows some features of SASL. If you are just interested in ying the Tu-104 it is the only le you have to download. To activate the popup navigator panel just click the N button on the aircraft panel.

47

THE RUDDER PEDALS MOVE WITH YOUR YAW CONTROL AND THE TOE BRAKES MOVE INDEPENDENTLY IF YOU HAVE CONTROLS FOR THEM.

THIS MONTAGE MADE FROM THREE SCREENSHOTS SHOWS THE COMPLETE 3D PANEL. EVERY HANDLE, KNOB, AND SWITCH ACTUALLY WORKS. THE GAUGES ARE CONTROLLED BY CUSTOM PLUGINS THAT ARE INSTALLED AUTOMATICALLY WITH THE MODEL.

ANDREY KOZYARUK SENT ME THIS PHOTO OF AN ACTUAL IL-14 PANEL FROM WHICH THE MODEL WAS CONSTRUCTED.

THE 2D PANEL HAS THE SAME ANIMATED FUNCTIONALITY AS THE 3D PANEL. CLICK ON THE MAIN MENU (RED CIRCLE) AND YOU CAN BRING UP THE REST OF THE DETAILED VIEWS OF OTHER SECTIONS OF THE PANEL.

You can get more information by watching the videos at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XXoF880d2M and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyjAzDB-Ot4

Credits:
Model, physics and gauges - Andrey Kozyaruk (Felis) felisleopard@gmail.com Plugin and components using SASL - Alexaner Babichev (Asso) Liveries of China Airlines, Interug, Lufthansa, Polskie Linje Lotnicze - Falcon from X-Plane.org The plane is available for US$19.95 at x-plane.org/xpstore/ CPM. V14I1

THE YOKE MOVES BACK AND FORTH FOR PITCH AND TURNS FOR BANKING.

48

These instructions for getting around in the 3D airplane were included in the review of Tom Kylers MU-2 in the August/September 2009 issue of Computer Pilot. At the risk of repeating myself, let me remind you of the ways to control the camera in the different view modes: In the Shift-| view, the camera swings with the airplane c.g. as the center. In all three viewing modes, when you zoom in or move the camera, you will notice that the airplane is not solid the camera goes right though the ship as if it were not there. Thats an easy way to get inside without opening the door. 2D w view inside cockpit q rotate view 45 deg left e rotate view 45 deg right s rotate down 15 deg 4th hit returns to straight ahead left arrow do nothing right arrow do nothing up arrow shift panel up (single step only) down arrow shift panel back down + zoom in - zoom out 2D Shift-| view outside swing camera left swing camera right swing camera down and then zoom in swing camera left swing camera right swing camera up swing camera down zoom in zoom out 3D Ctrl-o mode inside or outside rotate view left rotate view right rotate view down move camera left move cameral right move camera up move camera down zoom in zoom out

THERE IS A CONSIDERABLE RESEMBLANCE BETWEEN THE IL-14 (TOP) AND THE CONVAIR CV-240 (BOTTOM).

THESE KEYBOARD COMMANDS WILL HELP YOU TO CONTROL THE CAMERA POSITION AND THE VIEW DIRECTION. THE IL-14 WAS USED IN COUNTRIES ALL OVER THE WORLD INCLUDING CUBA.

You will notice that there are no default key settings for some of the operations you would like to do like rotate view up in the 3D mode. To overcome this obstacle you can edit the Keys X-Plane.prf le in the /output/preferences/ folder, or you can go to Joystick & Equipment / Buttons: Adv and assign view or general functions to joystick buttons.

Year Introduced Number Produced Empty Wt Max Wt Span Length Wing Area Engines Type Cylinders Power Landing Gear Cruise Speed Max speed Service Ceiling Range Crew Max Passengers

Convair CV-240 1948 1180 29500 42500 92 75 820 2 PW R-2800 18 2500 Tricycle 280 315 24500 1200 3 48

Ilyushin IL-14 1954 ~4000 27800 39700 104 73 1100 2 Shvetsov Ash-82T 14 1900 Tricycle 224 259 24300 1250 4 24

feet feet sq ft each each mph mph feet miles

THESE SPECS VARY FROM ONE INTERNET SITE TO ANOTHER, BUT NOTE THE HIGHER WING LOADING ON THE CV-240.

USING THE BUTTONS: ADV SCREEN, YOU CAN PROGRAM BUTTONS ON YOUR JOYSTICK TO HELP MOVE THE CAMERA IN THE 3D MODE.

During World War II, Douglas Aircraft Company licensed a Russian company to build a modied version of the DC-3. It was called the Lisunov Li-2. The Ilyushin IL-12 was built to replace the Li-2 and then the IL-14 replaced the IL-12. In spite of the large numbers of relatively cheap DC-3s after the War, the Convair CV-240 came close to being a replacement for the Douglas plane. Knowing about this, I was curious about the relative specications of the IL-14 and the Convair CV-240. The CV-240 had several variants including the C-131, T-29, R4Y, and the Canadian CL-66. 49

50

CPM. V14I1

51

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MINI-REVIEW

TEXANS AND HARVARDS VOLUME 1

AIRBORNE, CLIMBING AND LOOKING OKAY-SO FAR

FAMILIAR SCENE IN THE 1940S

BY ROGER CURTISS

irst of all for the sake of this article the AT6 Texan and the Harvard are one and the same. There are subtle differences but the major distinction is that the Harvard was the export version. More WWII military pilots earned their wings in Texans than in any other trainer and no training aircraft was produced in greater numbers. Depending on the source at least 15,000 and up to 17,000 of them were built. This was not the basic training airplane-pilots who stepped into the Texans cockpit already knew (or thought they did anyway) how to fly. What the AT-6 did was to teach them how to fly big warplanes. It was not, nor was designed to be, an easy airplane to fly. But it took guys who knew the rudimentary fundamentals of flight and turned them into real pilots. The SkyUnlimited model of the AT-6 recreates that this was a no-nonsense airplane as is readily apparent by the cockpit. No cozy cabin and in fact there are no floorboards so anything loose poses a real threat of catching in the control cables. This is a heavy brute at 4158 lbs empty with a massive radial engine at the front. Being a tail dragger the first initiation a fledgling Texan pilot has to endure is taxiing the beast. Forward visibility over that big nose is non-existent and instructors regularly exhorted their charges to keep swiveling while taxiing to check the way ahead. Anyone who has ever heard a Texan start up knows the unmistakable sound that a Pratt & Whitney Wasp engine makes and the amount of smoke it belches until things get settled down. This

simulation does that engine justice as the engine can be heard to emit various pops and grunts until it gets warmed up and then is a thundering presence when the throttle is pushed forward. Whether by design or the fact that simulator flight controls are not quite as accurate as the real thing the difficulty of flying this trainer is quite accurately reproduced. It takes some effort to move it around but smoothness is the key. It can be twitchy and requires that the pilot pay constant attention and stay ahead of the airplane. Which is just you want a trainer to do. The instrumentation is rudimentary and typical 1940s white lettering on black backgrounds. It can take some to differentiate the various instruments and learn their positions and much of the flying is by feel. It would have been quite helpful to have a manual depicting the location of the instruments and other information but the only assistance is the checklist accessible by a click spot in the 2D panel. Which is another complaint- this is an airplane best flown from the virtual cockpit but the click spots are not accessible from that view. Otherwise, a fine model allowing one to gain considerable respect for the thousands of aviators who came of age in its cockpit. That is a lot of oomph for about US$21.00. Check out the PC Aviator download stores to purchase the SkyUnlimited Texan/Harvard package www.pcaviator.com/dlstore (USA) or www. pcaviator.com.au/dlstore (Australia). 4
TEXAN FRONT VIRTUAL COCKPIT CPM. V14I1

ITS PRETTY MUCH ALL ENGINE

SOLID PLATFORM TO HONE ONE'S PILOTING SKILLS

54

MINI-REVIEW

CARENADO PIPER SENECA

BY ROB SCOTT
he Piper Seneca is a popular GA aircraft which Carenado have now chosen to add to their hangar and bring to our desktop simulators via FSX. If you like flying the default GA aircraft included with FSX then this aircraft could well be of interest to you. The model features a fully interactive virtual cockpit (a 2D cockpit isnt included) which is very easy to use thanks to the gauges being ultra smooth and easy to read. If you do struggle to make out some of the numbers, the gauges will pop out for easier viewing. The cockpit itself is very easy to fly from as the visibility is fantastic and makes VFR flying very easy and hugely enjoyable. The Seneca will happily cruise along at 150kts eating up those miles on the longer cross country flights which makes it an excellent alternative to the default Cessna. The package ships with 2 models; including two and three blade propellers, with three liveries and a blank texture set to allow you to create your own

paint scheme. My main criticism of the package is that there arent many liveries included, but over time I would expect some to turn up on the major FS download sites. The external modelling of the aircraft is superb and I didnt notice any impact on my frame rates. I tested the aircraft flying around Australia using the FTX scenery and my frame rates were constantly above 25fps. Carenado have included a high quality sound package that has been recorded from the original aircraft and this adds to the immersion factor and is a massive improvement over the sounds of the default Cessna. Using sounds from the real aircraft is fast becoming the norm and it really improves the whole experience and gives each aircraft its own unique character. The flight handling has been made as realistic to the real aircraft as is possible within FSX and the Seneca is a joy to fly by hand because of this.

There is an autopilot included to help reduce some of the workload but I only used it on longer flights, it was far more fun to fly by hand. The included manuals are concise and to the point. Everything you need to know about operating this aircraft is included in a well presented format and doesnt require you to search through endless pages to get the information you require. You have the option of viewing the checklist from the kneeboard within FSX so you dont need to print everything out for reference. This add-on comes as a 56mb download which seems relatively small considering the amount of detail included. The price is US$29.95 and is well worth splashing out on if VFR flying is your thing. I have flown many hours over the last few weeks in this aircraft and have no hesitation recommending it to you. Check good flight sim download stores for availability.

GREAT VIRTUAL COCKPIT

LOOKS NICE AND COMFORTABLE FOR THE PASSENGERS

SHE SURE DOES LOOK NICE

55

MINI-REVIEW

WITTMAN TAILWIND

BEAUTY IS ONLY SKIN DEEP

IT CAN PROBABLY GET RATHER WARM IN THERE

BY ROGER CURTISS

ntil I received this airplane to review I did not even know it existed, which is a shame because it is an awesome machine. The Tailwind is a homebuilt aircraft designed by EAA legend Steve Wittman (the Oshkosh, WI airport is named after him) in the 1950s to be easy to build, affordable and fast. The frame is steel tubing with fabric covering which is simple to construct but quite strong. This is another ugly duckling of an airplane when viewed from the nose but if you look from the side it becomes apparent that the fuselage is a lifting body shape which allows the wings to be smaller and those wings are very smooth, having no seams or rivets to disrupt the airflow. All of these design decisions combine to make a very versatile aircraft with a top speed of 180-200 mph, landing speed of 55 mph, 600 mile range and a construction then of about $12,000. Even today a Tailwind can be had for approximately $40,000 which is a true bargain but you can own it for only $24.95 which is a steal. The flight sim version of this airplane comes from LionHeart Creations and you get two models of the Tailwind, the W-8 and W-10 with compatibility in both FS9 and FSX (the FSX version offers some extra visuals when the aircraft is parked). The models come in 8 exterior paints and 2 interiors. This airplane is nothing less than an absolute joy to fly. It may look odd but its performance cannot

be matched. I would say it is an ideal platform to practice some basic aerobatics. The handling is crisp and control response is immediate. The stall characteristics are benign with a slight fall off to the side but then recovery is almost immediate. I managed to coax the Tailwind into a spin and its good manners allowed me to achieve a textbook spin recovery. The instrument panel is nicely laid out even if a bit on the simple side as far as dials and such but every switch and dial that is present is easily identifiable. Visibility is outstanding as the airplane sports lots of glass and even a windowed roof. There is even an option to remove the struts in the windscreen area- although I did not find them to be a hindrance. I dont want to give away all the nuggets the Tailwind has to offer but suffice it to say that if during a flight you get hungry or thirsty not to worry- those are covered. By the way- did I mention the iphone? I didnt think so. It plays music. So lets see, we have an inexpensive airplane that flies like magic, is very attractively assembled and costs relatively little. Why have you not bought one yet? Only one reason I can think of- you have not yet visited www.lionheartcreations.com The Wittman Tailwind is also available globally through popular flight sim download stores.

LOOKS GOOD INSIDE AND IT IS EASY TO SEE OUT

NOTE THE WING SHAPED FUSELAGE

56

PACK UP AND LET'SCPM. GET GOING! V14I1

MINI-REVIEW

AFRICAN AIRSTRIP ADVENTURES

BY ROB SCOTT
he ability to fly missions within FSX has led to a new area of development for 3rd party developers. Aerosoft is one of those developers and has created this new add-on based around the FSX mission engine. The package combines FSX missions with high definition scenery covering approximately 40,000 square kilometers around Mt Kenya. This addon allows you to finally experience the wildlife which MS promised us in FSX. Many of the places included in the scenery are fictional but dont let that put you off. The environment has been created to suit the missions, so there will never be a dull moment. The add-on includes more than 20 airstrips, each one being unique. When arriving at the airstrips you will need to check the landing area prior to landing, I didnt on one occasion and almost had a collision with a giraffe! For the first time in FSX you are able to start a career as a pilot for the fictional charter company

African Safari Charter. Jobs will constantly be popping up and its up to you to decide if you want to accept the job, and if your current aircraft will be able to land safely at the destination. Even whilst you are en-route the dispatcher may come over the radio offering you another job, or you can request a new one. I did find that the dispatcher was a little hard to understand, I had to keep referring to the kneeboard to see what she had said. After completing each mission you will be paid and can then either wait at the airstrip for another job to come up or head back to the base in the hope something will crop up along the way. You dont have to stick to the mission side of things though; the scenery and animals are all included in the free flight scenery. Included with the add-on are lots of flights to and from the airstrips, with a little narrative telling you what to expect. You could go searching for flamingos or buffalo, its up to you. For owners of Aerosofts Twin Otter and Bush Hawk XP you are given a new livery and the opportunity

to fly these aircraft on the missions. I quickly located the Twotter and switched from the default Cessna Caravan as the short strips are more suited to it. The add-on also ships with a fantastic manual which gives detailed information about each airstrip and how to tackle landing there, along with advice on how to set up your system to get the most from the package. Because of the detailed nature of the scenery there is some impact on frame rates but its well worth it. If you enjoy flying the missions in FSX then this add-on is right up your street. There is never a dull moment flying around the scenery area. It will provide hours and hours of fun and youll keep coming back for more. African Airstrip Adventures is currently available via download from popular flight sim download stores. It retails for a little over US$30.

WATCH OUT FOR BIRD STRIKES AT BUFFALO

LOTS OF STATIC SCENERY AT THE AIRSTRIPS

57

N A T S U MMUSTAN MUSTANG
Cessna Citation
BY AL PELLETIER

X S F r o F

C
58

essna first announced plans for the Citation Mustang in 2002 and the aircraft was in design until the first flight in April 2005, with initial customer delivery taking place in April 2007. In Cessnas own words, The Mustang is an entirely new kind of business jet. One thats designed to bring the dream of jet ownership comfortably within reach of a whole new class of upwardly eager operators.

The Cessna Citation Mustang is a VLJ (Very Light Jet) class business jet. In the standard configuration, the Citation Mustang has room and is certified for 4 passenger seating in the aft cabin and for a crew of 2 in the cockpit. It is certified to be flown without a co-pilot if so desired, which is a first for a business jet. When it received its full certification on September 8, 2006, the Citation Mustang became the first of its class to receive full type certification. It was also the first to receive certification to fly in known-icing conditions, the first VLJ delivered to a customer and was granted the first FAA Production Certificate for a VLJ.
CPM. V14I1

Once I received this review assignment and started getting details on this airplane for FSX (I wish there was a FS9 version), I first noticed a couple of familiar names, Terry Gaff and Jim Rhoads. I immediately knew that I was in for something exciting to write about. And was I ever right! Another detail released to me was that this FSX project was done in partnership with the Cessna Aircraft Company. I believe this is a first for Flight Sim; that of having the actual airplanes manufacturer working as partner to design a Flight Simulation version. You can check this out at Cessnas main web site: http://www.cessna.com/citation/mustang.html This further raised my anticipation level, and I was not to be disappointed. The writing of this article required a fair amount of training on the Citation Mustang; along with reading the manual time and again (I kept it handy all the time while flying). Since we dont have the leisure of a formal course, the pilot manuals, along with the products associated Forums, are usually the only available tools to help one learn new aircraft systems, and it was certainly the case here. I couldnt have done it without either. Setting to work learning the Mustangs flight dynamics and the Garmin 1000 based avionic systems was interesting, challenging and enjoyable at the same time. This is a very advanced simulator and the more I learned the more I wanted to fly this aircraft.

Citation Mustang for Flight Sim

My version of Flight1s Citation Mustang came via download and included the manual in the .EXE file. The E-Commerce enabled download executable is about 194 MB in size and came in quickly on my cable internet. Being blessed with a good color laser printer and having the need to have the manual handy at all times, I printed all 96 pages of it. Well worth it if you can do it. The manual can be described as well laid out, easy to read and understand, with superb graphics. It is one of the most complete Flight-Sim manuals I have seen to date. The graphics are bright and sharp, pointing out every possible menu, sub-menus, and clickable areas, and also includes a complete checklist and detailed performance data sheets. The printing of the manual isnt totally necessary as you can view the entire manual in a PDF file format. The install was flawless, with the usual menus to which we are all accustomed. The Flight1 Cessna Citation Mustang requires Microsoft Flight Simulator FSX SP2 (Service Pack 2) or the MS Acceleration pack. It is not compatible with just the FSX SP1. Good customer support links are also included in the manual. The install menu included a Reinstall option which could be very helpful for future installation. There is also a Computer Performance tutorial in the install part of the manual. Being that my system is at the high end of the recommended system specifications, I was able to run the Mustang without making any changes. This tutorial would really benefit those in the middle to the lower end of the needed minimum specifications. I like the fact that Flight1 has left it to each individual to make their own changes, without messing with your current settings. Basically, I didnt find that much of a frame rate hit. The only thing that I noticed is that my FSX takes longer to load. Other than that, I didnt experience any performance problems. (I tested the Mustang on an Intel Dual Core 3.06, XP Pro, 4GB Memory, ASUS NVIDIA 9800GTX512, Dual monitor with a CH Yoke, Pedals and Throttle).

Program/Install/Manual

AUXILIARY CONTROL PANEL POP-UP

CITATION MUSTANG HEAD ON

CITATION MUSTANG IN WHITE BLACK AND BLUE 59 LIVERY-4

DETAILED REAR ENGINE AND RIVETS

HEAD ON WITH 2 PILOTS

Ill go over some of the basic Aircraft Data. There are 3 pages of these but I will just touch on the primaries. The Citation Mustang: Length ............................... 40 Feet 7 Inches (12.37 Meters) Height ............................... 13 Feet 5 inches (4.09 Meters) Wing Span ........................ 43 Feet 2 inches (13.16 Meters) Landing Gear Wheelbase .. 14 Feet 4 inches (4.37 Meters) Engines.............................. Pratt & Whitney Canada PW615F turbofan engines Altitude Certified Ceiling ... 41,000 feet Cruise ................................ 320 KTAS 345 KTAS The first time I took the Citation Mustang out for a flight (after having gone over the manual 3 or 4 times, and flying out of Comox BC), I climbed to 25,000 feet and set up a holding pattern over the Georgia Strait between Vancouver Island and the mainland of the British Columbia coast. I then selected an exterior view and panned around and up/down in amazement, thinking that it cant get much better than this. What I was looking at was a very accurate and highly detailed exterior. It is all there; the glass reflection on the windows, the rivets, the perfectly rounded curves. Totally awesome! One of the best quality exterior graphics I have ever seen. It was almost like watching a movie of the real airplane, it is that good. The base install came with 6 custom paint schemes, including a green primer certification test flight version (my favorite). I have heard of extra liveries being available at the Flight1 web site forum. Everything is animated including the main rudder, elevators, flaps, and ailerons. The two PW615F engines are mounted on pods on the aft fuselage, including a beautiful polished aluminum front casing with animated turning fans when the engines are on. The landing gear is fully retractable and is equipped with a fully workable anti-skid system for landing on wet runways. (That worked well by the way). The exterior aircraft lighting and animations are numerous and very well done. The normal beacon, anti-collision, landing, taxi, cabin and cockpit lights work as they should in the real airplane and are all visible from an outside view. The forward and aft baggage doors are also operable, as is the main cabin door.

The Exterior

CLOSE UP

This avionics package was designed by Garmin specifically for the Mustang. It includes multi-page user interfaces on both the PFD (Primary Flight Display) and the MFD (Multifunction Display Controller). A new system incorporated in this is the WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) instrument approach system that allows you to perform ILS-like approach accuracy for non-ILS equipped airports within the US. I wont explain the WAAS system as it would be a full review of its own, but lets just say that it is GPS on steroids! You can learn about it here: http://www.gpscentral.ca/ whatiswaas.htm

Garmin G1000 Glass Avionics package and cockpit

Other notables included in the G1000, some of which I have seen in flight sim for the first time: Advanced FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) engine power management system with virtual Takeoff, Climb, and Cruise detents. Autopilot supports ROL, HDG, VOR, LOC, and GPS lateral modes. Autopilot supports ALT HOLD, ALTS, PIT, VS, and FLC vertical modes. Flight planner can be operated independently from the FSX planner - add/delete waypoints, etc. on the fly (cool feature). Flight planner automatically imports FSX flight plan if one is loaded (cool feature). CAS (Crew Alert System) indicators (More about this further on). Audio panel music player comes with an original song, Here and Now, performed by Dave BlevinsYes! You guessed it. It will play music. The Cessna Citation Mustang allows you to play music tracks and control the volume level directly from the audio panel. All you need to do is copy your favorite music in .WAV file format to an assigned directory and away you go. Cool!!

60

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The Citation Mustang has no overhead panel (actual plane and simulator). All of the switches and gauges are located on or just below the main PFD/MFD as well as on the center console. The thrust levers, pitch trim wheel, flap lever, an alphanumeric keypad for the Flight Management System (FMS) and the switches for aileron and rudder trim are also located on the center console. The instrument panel is dominated by the huge, centrally mounted MFD and each pilot has a large PFD. The 2D panel set includes six main instrument panel views, three on either side for the Pilot and Co-Pilot. You can also click on either MFD or PFD and pop them up in a zoom format. A fully functional Virtual Cockpit is also available. I am not a big fan of Virtual Cockpits but I really like this one, with its sharpness, clarity and brightness and the, not to be forgotten, animated shade visors. The 3D panel can also be zoomed in and out and sideways to move around the entire cockpit. Being from the old school, I found my way to displaying the HSI in the VOR mode on the Primary Flight Display. It took some research and practice to learn how to navigate around the PFDs Softkey system. But like everything else new, I needed to go back to the manual a few times, and after a while it all started to come together. After about 20 hours of flight, I am flying ILS and NDB approaches with ease. I still need to brush up on the WAAS and GPS approaches but that will come. The challenge will be to become proficient on all the systems incorporated on the Mustang and I plan on doing just that. Unless you are already experienced on a similar Garmin avionics system, I doubt that one can become proficient on this airplane after just a few flights. This wouldnt happen in the real airplane and it wont here either, and that really impresses me. This is Fight Sim at its best!

Four standby flight instruments are provided, including an airspeed indicator, an attitude indicator, an altitude indicator and a compass. They are powered by rechargeable batteries and must be turned on by a switch on the Left Switch Panel. If the DC electrical system goes off-line the standby instruments can be powered for approximately 30 minutes before the stand-alone battery is depleted. The extra pop up panels a. A neat and very useful panel manager with a click to open and close pop up option that lets you open windows including the Audio Panels, Autopilot, Left Switch Panel, Gear and Lighting Panel, Throttle Quadrant and lastly an Auxiliary panel pop up. The latter one gives you choices in whether you want a co-pilot, settings for the exterior (Exits, Pitot covers, Engine intakes, cones etc), Avionics, fuel services and a very useful Quick Reference such as weight limits, takeoff speeds etc. It is movable and can be closed. b. Throttle quadrant. c. MFD Controller (kind of a mini-FMC used to input the MFD screen). d. Autopilot (with support as described earlier in the article). e. Left and right switch panels. f. Gear and lighting. All popup panels are sharp, bright, and easy to read. They can also all be undocked and moved to a second or third monitor.

Standby Instruments

THROTTLE QUADRANT POP-UP

THE FULL COCKPIT

CITATION MUSTANG SEATS 4 PASSENGERS

WAITING FOR YOUR PASSENGERS

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CITATION MUSTANG IN CERTIFICTION COLORS

CITATION MUSTANG IN CERTIFICTION COLORS UNDER VIEW CITATION MUSTANG COCKPIT

LEFT SWITCH PANEL

All gauges and switches are fully functional and clickable, including sounds when you click or turn them. The aircraft also comes with a working Cabin pressurization system, and dimmable panel lighting including independent reading and cabin lights. I was very surprised to see some systems working that you normally dont see. Some that comes to mind are; Flight Hour Meter, ELT, Air Conditioning, Oxygen Control Valve and more. There is also an AUDIO panel to the left of the main PFD with several clickable push buttons (Com1/ Com2/Mic/Nav1/DME/Aux/Nav2/Music/and more. The Ice Protection System is by itself quite a feat for a Flight Sim aircraft. Anti-Icing is provided for both engine inlets, external instrument sensors, and both windshields and side windows. It is also provided to the wings, and the horizontal and vertical stabilizers. You can actually see the ice accumulation on the surfaces and the removal of ice when flying through icing conditions. The above mentioned surfaces will ice up when the RAT (Ram Air Temperature) is 10C or below and the following conditions exist: 1. In a cloud with rain or snow. 2. In rain or snow, but not in a cloud. I could write a full article on this system alone (and maybe I will). It is just that amazing! How it functions is well explained in the manual and it worked just as advertised in the simulator. For a test, I did set up the conditions to be in rime icing (which is as bad as it can get) with the switches in the off position. It only took a few seconds for the Master Warning System (discussed further on) to let me know I was icing up and I found myself in a lot of trouble in a hurry. One quick look outside and I noticed that the wing and elevators leading edges were covered in ice, totally disturbing lift and, in the process, I began to lose airspeed rapidly. Exactly what a simulator should do.
MFD CONTROLLER

Switches/Anti-Icing/Master Warning System

The Master Warning System provides warnings of system malfunctions and unsafe operating conditions. This is a fully integrated CAS (Crew Alerting System) display. Again, one of the best I have ever seen. I knew that I was starting to fly the airplane correctly when this system became a little less busy. Kind of a quieter cockpit if you know what I mean! It is comprised of Master Caution light, Master Warning light, CAS message window with RED/AMBER/WHITE advisories depending on the seriousness of the message, and the CAS Softkeys that can display up to 14 messages. The Pilot manual has all the details pertaining to the CAS systems and I found it very well explained and easy to understand and implement.

The cabin is a fully modeled 3D type that incorporates multiple 3D camera views with many vantage points. Multiple animated features include fold-down tables, cabinets and window shades just to mention a few. Very well done!

The Passenger Cabin

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WOW! Sorry but I cant find a better word to pass on to you the experience of flying this on my computer. It is smooth, responsive, and agile. Yet you have to treat it with respect. I got myself in trouble (stall) a few times. After looking at the performance charts and sticking to the numbers I did better and better each flight. You are almost tempted to do aerobatics with this airplane and who could stop you? Just turn the overstress off and go for it. Of course I have never experienced the real flight dynamics of the actual Mustang but I can bet that with Cessna as a partner, it must be pretty darn accurate. There are 25 pages of Performance charts in the manual covering every possible situation. I tested a few of them and, of course, the numbers were right on. Pilot training and shooting approaches with this aircraft is a dream.

Flight Dynamics

Every detail inside and out, everything about the airframe, animations, the power plant, the avionics package, the handling and flight dynamics, the manual and more, are some of the best I have encountered in my Flight Simming experience. Flight1 and Cessna have probably raised the bar another notch for others to follow when it comes to quality and precision in a Flight Sim aircraft and its avionic systems. I have often written reviews on airplanes and different add-ons that I never used again after writing the article. Not that they were bad, but we all get into our own little niche in Flight Sim and its hard to leave. That is just life. But the Mustang is staying on my FSX and I cant wait to spend the winter learning more and more about this aircraft. I have joined the Mustang Forum and my goal is to become very proficient on all of the Mustangs Garmin G1000 systems and to learn the full functionality integrated in the Mustangs MFD and PFD. So, in closing, if you like buying an add-on airplane for your simulator, then just jumping in and knowing it all in a couple of hours, this isnt for you. But if you like the challenge of learning new systems and flying an airplane simulator that was designed with the help of the manufacturer, than this is a must. I usually have a What I liked and what I disliked about the product at the end of my articles, but not this time, because all I have to say is: I like the entire package and havent found anything I wasnt impressed with. Now, if I could only arrange for a flight on the real thing. Note: Joining the forum is always a good idea after purchasing and installing such a sophisticated product like the Cessna Mustang (that goes for anything you buy). I got a tremendous amount of help there http://mustang.flight1.net/forums. No need to be a member to check out the General discussion forum. Have a look. The Cessna Citation Mustang is available from www.flight1.com in a download or box version and from www.pcaviator.com. Price is around US$56. I would like to thank Jim Rhoads and Todd Nicholson for their help and patience. 4

Depending on what skill level you are in your flying, you might have to (as I had to) upgrade your skill level to learn all of the systems incorporated in the Mustang, and to feel at ease in the cockpit. But that is the case with any new business jet or airliner that you might fly for the first time. Learning the systems wasnt that particularly hard to do. It just took some reading, pilot training and taking it step by step. It is my opinion that the Cessna Citation Mustang is at the very top of airplanes available for FSX. If I could compare, quality-wise, it is in the class of the PMDG MD-11, or the Captain Sims 757, both of which have won many awards. In my opinion, the Mustang is at the very high end of the add-on aircraft spectrum.

Conclusions

CITATION MUSTANG IN LANDING CONFIGURATION

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W E I V E Australia RFTX
REVIEW
BY DR JOHN LATTANZIO

SX is a rather ambitious product, trying to cover the whole world in an acceptable way. And it largely succeeds, if we are honest. It includes major airports worldwide in a way that enables you to at least convince yourself that you are somewhere foreign. To get the best out of FSX you should use it as an engine to drive specialty add-ons. In my view you need add-on planes, add-on scenery, add-on textures and addon weather! Today we deal with the scenery part, and a product that brings you spectacular scenery for all of Australia.

Australia is one of the regions in which FSX fails rather badly. The land, vegetation and even the houses and cities, just do not look like FSXs offerings. I remember my first visit to Ireland. I was sitting in a bar talking with some people and said I was not prepared for how green everything was. And they said Oh yes, but Australia is just spectacular. All those different shades of brown! I had never realized this before, but its true. And FSX gets this wrong, although it seems better than FS9 and earlier incarnations. But the trees are wrong. The autogen is wrong. It just does not look like Australia. On top of that, Australia is a big place and despite having many shades of brown, it has a unique red center, rain forests, tropical regions, and is overall a very demanding area with lots of requirements if you want to model it realistically. And the variation with seasons is quite different to that found in other countries. So overall, including a realistic looking Australia is difficult and Microsoft has failed to achieve this goal.
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Some locals decided to fix this. They got together and produced an excellent freeware package called Vista Australis for FS9. It is freeware, and is still available. If you use FS9, then you should get this. It is a seriously high quality scenery package for the entire continent. But with the arrival of FSX the same team, led by John Venema, decided to take full advantage of the improvements in FSX and develop a complete scenery package for Australia for FSX. Hence Orbx Simulation Systems was born, and their flagship product FTX, or Full Terrain Experience. Initially released as four distinct regions covering all of Australia, and available as payware for download, here I am reviewing the latest boxed DVD package which contains all four regions and the latest Service Pack (SP3) of improvements.

The Mission

CONVINCING PANORAMA OF BROWN BEFORE US

So what do we get in FTX Australia? Well, first things first. You probably know how FSX builds its scenery. At the bottom is the mesh, the chicken-wire frame that tells the height of the terrain. The default for FSX is to provide data every 600m worldwide, with 76m resolution for Europe, the US, Japan and Australia. You may want to purchase a global replacement, such as FS Global, to give you a minimum of 76m resolution worldwide (down to 19m in some places). In any event, you can download a freeware mesh for Australia produced by Holger Sandman, at 76m, that covers all of Australia and some nearby islands. This is freeware available from the FTX website, and is nicknamed Holgermesh. It was included on the earlier versions of the DVD, but there was not enough space on the latest disc (the SP3 version). Although HolgerMesh is given at the same resolution as FS Global and the default FSX mesh, care has been taken to ensure that the mesh is as realistic as possible. It is simply a better version. And its free, so go get it! The next layer is the landclass, which tells FSX whether the land is bush, forest, city, urban, desert, sea, etc. You get the idea. Its the class of the landhence its name of landclass! And finally, for a given landclass, there are specific textures that are used. Its these steps that are usually wrong for Australia urban Australia does not look like urban US or urban Europe. Ditto for pastoral land, deserts etc. Finally we add autogen trees and houses. These are also different from the FSX defaults. Remember that Australia has been a separate continent for millions of years, leading to separate histories in the evolution of its flora and fauna. Its for this reason that we have kangaroos, but it also means that we have different trees, too.

The FTX Upgrade

JUST SO REALISTIC! MORE BROWNS WITH A DASH OF DARK GREEN

RUGGED COASTLINES IN QUEENSLAND

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THE BEAUTIFUL RED CENTER OF AUSTRALIA

PORT MACQUARIE AIR PORT

BRISBANE - EAST OF THE YBBN

With FTX you get 100% hand-made landclass for every square kilometer of Australia. I believe this is a world first! Further, for these custom landclasses there are new textures made from licensed aerial photos of each region, not satellite imagery. There is a custom vector-based road system which shows all the major roads from the real world. You also get new autogen building textures, unique for each region, so that the color of the roof matches your location (more white roofs up north). We get custom Aussie trees and vegetation, and various other library objects. These usually have their own shadows included, so you do not need to waste graphics time drawing shadows for ground objects. Further, you get specific textures for each of the five seasons. Yes, five: Summer, Spring, Autumn/Fall, Winter and Hard Winter (when snowfall in the alpine regions is included). There is also a very nice 3D night lighting system with various light colors that truly adds depth to dusk flying (I have tried to include a couple of these pics, if they are not too dark for the magazine). As if that was not enough, you get complete vertical obstructions for the whole country, including lighthouses, power stations, TV/ Radio masts, wind farms and more. All major roads are included, including full metropolitan road systems and freeways. There are hand-drawn coastlines for the whole country, plus most major river systems. I have seen flocks of birds leisurely enjoying the scenery too, so keep your eyes open. There may be other wildlife I have not yet spotted! Phew! That is a lot of improvement over the default. And its all on the DVD. This installs easily, but takes a while as we are installing many Gb of data! Note that there is also a bonus. Orbx are also producing some small airports in extreme detail and high resolution. I have reviewed the fantastic Coffs Harbor offering before in this magazine. Well the good news is that Coffs Harbour (YSCH) is included on the DVD so you get that for free!

APPROACHING BRISBANE CBD

So how am I to review all of this? What I tried to do was fly around the country, in various regions, where I hoped to at least sample the different kinds of terrain. I took lots of pictures, and hopefully they will capture some of the fantastic scenery. It is just great to get into the virtual cockpit and take off and see what looks like Australia outside the window! Frequently my breath was taken away by the stunning views and the simple fact that the scenery outside was so totally convincing! This is the way to discover VFR flying again. If you have had your nose up at 30,000 feet for a long time, come down and get dirty with the ground my friend! Not too close, of course ha ha! But take off from your favorite city airport and head out into the country for a regional strip somewhere. You will see the landscape change so realistically that you will be immersed. And isnt that the whole idea?

Flight Test

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But wait, theres more as if the offering on the DVD was not enough, Orbx also make available a number of very nice airports for free download! Go to their website, and to the freeware section, and you can get additional airports as listed in the Table below. Dont be fooled these are high quality add-ons and they are available to anyone, whether you have the FTX scenery or not. Of course they are designed to fit seamlessly into the FTX scenery so if you get the DVD, you really ought to download these regional airports as well to give yourself some real treats in flying around the regions. NAME CODE YBLN YMLT YLIL YRED YCUN YPLC YMAV Busselton Launceston Lilydale Redcliffe Cunderdin Port Lincoln Avalon DESCRIPTION Near Geographe Bay, south of Perth in WA Busy regional Tasmanian airport Near Melbourne and at the foot of the Dandenong hills Coastal airport north of Brisbane, among the mangroves Former WWII airbase, in a town 150 km east of Perth On the Eyre Peninsula, in South Australia Melbournes new low-cost airport and home to the annual Avalon Air Show included in the scenery!

And as if that was not enough, theres more. There are developers over at OzX (aussiex.org) that have produced lots of small airstrips and airports for Australia and these fit just beautifully within FTX. They are up to V3.0 now so go and download that as well and install it. You get over 300 airports and scenery extensions, all fitting beautifully within the FTX scenery on the DVD. And now you are really ready for some flying! You now find airstrips not listed in the FSX index, and you will genuinely discover natural looking scenery with country strips in unexpected places. At one stage I was flying over Tasmania and it was getting dark. I decided to look for one of the nearby OzX regional strips and I found it just before nightfall there was no lighting at the little strip of course so I had to get there before dark. It all adds to the fun! One of the things that I loved about using this scenery was that you genuinely discover things while flying. You may be heading between two regional airports or just doing some sightseeing, when suddenly something unexpected appears. It might be an isolated town in the middle of nowhere. These are done so realistically that you are drawn to the town to look it over. You might find a small airstrip in some cases. Once I found an open-cut mine, unexpectedly! The OzX airstrips are usually so well integrated into the scenery that it can be very hard to find them, just as it is in real life. The OzX manual tells you how to find each of these, by giving you the closest airport in the FSX database, a heading and a distance. It takes some good dead reckoning to find some of these, I can assure you. Its a test of your skill and also heaps of fun. The FTX scenery may at first seem a little expensive, but remember that you are getting a huge amount of scenery for the money. And it covers the full gamut from cities to deserts and everything in between rainforests and mountain ranges, the red center and jagged coastlines. It includes a beautifully detailed regional airport (Coffs Harbour YSCH) which is a bonus as this is also payware. Add in the free airports that Orbx make available, together with the 300 from OzX and you have an absolutely fantastic (and huge!) area to fly around and discover all the details that have been included. I found flocks of birds a few times and I am sure there are more surprises. Go looking for the lighthouses too.

YPMQ Port Macquarie Popular destination on the northern coast of NSW

FARMLAND ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF MELBOURNE

TRY ER COUN MING OV O O Z ND DIRTY DOWN A

A! AUSTRALI

TYPICAL COUNTRY FARMING REGION

DETAIL OF COFFS HARBOUR MARINA

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THE CITY OF PERTH

THE CAPITAL CITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The whole thing looks brilliant in all seasons and at dawn and dusk it can look just spectacular. When the lights start coming on in the country areas, the lights along the roads and the cars head and tail lights all make for a beautiful scene. And even as you zoom down low over interesting regions, the autogen is appropriate and placed correctly and is still very impressive. Usually flying down really low ruins the fantasy, but not here. The DVD installs a controller called FTX Central and places a shortcut on the desktop for you. This enables you to control all the Orbx software you have installed by giving you access to the manuals and the control panels which handle settings for the airports. This enables you, for example, to turn off 3D grass (!) if you wish, to increase frame rates. It also allows you to return to the default FSX coverage for Australia, at the press of a button. Very convenient, but I can see no reason why you would ever want to go back to the FSX default! Orbx are working on similar scenery for other countries, and FTX Central will handle all new scenery regions as well so that you can control everything from the one place. It also allows access to a lights tweaker, and you can check and view all installed Orbx products etc.

So to the summary. I would advise every Australian with FSX to buy this DVD immediately. It will enable you to fly in the sort of stuff you see outside your window, and not the very fake world that FSX thinks is Australia. If you are unlucky enough to be forced to live elsewhere (!) then what is in this for you? Well, its a very accurate representation of the geographical variety of Australia. It is a cheap way to get to know the colors and moods of the continent. The product is first class, the scenery is excellent, the forum is full of information, the support is excellent, the freeware expansions are generous in the extreme (and still more are planned) so its hard to find fault. I used to rarely fly in Australia because FSX (and FS9 before it) did such a lousy job. Now I spend lots of time in the skies above the FTX version of Australia. You will too. The FTX Australia SP3 DVD package is available in boxed format from PC Aviator Australia for AUD$174.95 or from PC Aviator USA for US$149.95 www.pcaviator.com (then select country). The FTX website can be found at www.ftxnow.com 4

In Summary

EVEN DOWN LOW THE SCENERY IS VERY CONVINCING

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69

W E I V RE
REVIEW
BY GENE DAVIS
remember the first time I laid eyes on FSX and I couldnt help but wonder what it would be like to fly an aircraft like the X-1 over the Mojave Desert given all of its newly added features. I remember going out on the web looking for something that would give me that rush, but I was never really able to find such an aircraft that would give me that sense of history and thrill until now!

Bell X-1 Second Generation

Xtreme Prototypes has made that wish a reality with their latest release, the X-1 Second Generation add-on for FSX, and for a few fleeting minutes in FSX I am reliving history and getting a small taste of what Chuck Yeager got to experience in those early days of jet flight.

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READY FOR LAUNCH

The X-1 package can be purchased at just about any software outlet that carries Flight Simulator add-ons and can be ordered either by download or in boxed format on CD. The add-on comes with four different versions of the Bell X-1 aircraft, each with their own liveries based on actual X-1s, as well as three different cockpits for each of the different rockets. The package includes a version of the B-29 aircraft that was used to launch the X-1, which is referred to as a light version of that aircraft. The X-1s included in this package are as follows; the Bell X-1A, X-1B, X-1C, and the X-1D. Each model includes its own markings and virtual cockpit based on the actual design for each particular model, so no two really look alike. Its also an interesting note that the C model was going to be built for armament testing and that is something you can simulate in FSX that was never done in real life. Each model includes accurate markings and an animated pilot. Externally the X-1 aircraft are beautifully rendered to incorporate all of the current FSX-enabled features. Most impressive, at least for me, was the inclusion of Chuck Yeagers orange X-1 as this is the one I have wanted to fly since FSX was released. All models also incorporate a slew of external effects and extra eye candy such as rocket engine flames, turbo pump exhaust, and propellant jettison effects. An 85-page manual is included that goes into extensive detail about each model and how to get the most out of the add-on. I would have really liked to have seen this manual in printed form in the boxed product because it would have made for much easier reference during flight.

The X-1 Package

THE BELLY

-29 OF THE B

Several months back I downloaded some free photo-real scenery that covered both Edwards AFB and a portion of the Mojave Desert; this is the area in which the X-1s were flown and tested in real life. It made test flying the X-1 even more realistic. Of note, the X-1s included in this add-on are the Second Generation designs and they are all designed to fly at faster speeds and higher altitudes than the original X-1s that were first flown by guys like Chuck Yeager when he broke the sound barrier. The add-on and each of the X-1s allows the user to simulate and experience not only what it might have been like to ride atop a four stage rocket, but also allows the user to fully activate and fire that rocket from within the virtual cockpit. Granted, Flight Simulator could never come close to what it must have been like for Yeager and others, but I have to say that the guys over at Xtreme Prototypes have done an excellent job bringing the Bell X-1 to life in FSX. Although FSX does not really allow for the simulation of rocket engines, the X-1 package does an excellent job at bringing it to the FSX world.

Test Flying the Bell X-1

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The X-1 package has several different pre-loaded flights that are accessible via the load flights menu in FSX and will put you at the correct drop altitudes and speeds for your test flights, but the addon does allow for the user to just jump in and fly if you want to as it will allow you to fly the X-1 from the runway rather than using the simulated drop option. This is kind of fun because you can do some low level flight at extremely fast speeds, just dont expect a lot in maneuverability! The most realistic way to experience the X-1 is to fly it from the drop plane, as it was done those many years ago. The only problem I found was that due to the limitations in FSX the only way to launch the X-1A or D models from the B-29 carrier is to start your flight out at the desired altitude and speed with either of the A or D models that utilize the B-29. Once this is achieved you must flick the drop switch in the cockpit to standby and this will allow you to see the B-29 externally. So, you dont get to enjoy the ride from the runway on up to the drop altitude, but that is due to FSX and not this add-on. I spent a lot of time here and for some reason kept skipping over that portion of the manual that explains this and came out thinking something was wrong with my installation of the X-1 because I couldnt get the B-29 to show up, when in reality it was just a flick of a switch.

Flying and controlling the four stage rocket can be done one of two ways. The first is you simply push a red button on the dash of your cockpit and the engine starts; this would be the easy start button. The other and most realistic way is to start each stage of the rocket manually. This is all done through the virtual cockpit and is pretty simple, once you learn where everything is located, to achieve a successful engine start. The manual is extremely helpful here and I strongly recommend looking it over before attempting a fully simulated flight. Another interesting feature is the inclusion of the fire suppression system, the emergency fuel dump and the simulated pilot ejection. If you start the engines incorrectly it can result in an engine fire and if you are not able to suppress that fire you might find yourself ejecting from the aircraft. This makes the add-on all the more interesting and adds to its historical value.

HIGH ABOVE THE DESERT!

BELL X-1A

DETAILED MODEL

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THE BELL COCKPIT

S BEST! FLIGHT AT IT HIGH SPEED

The other fascinating element of this add-on is the added fictional C model which was to be used for armament testing, though the actual design never came to be because of other advances in aircraft design. The C model included in this package comes with functional guns and allows the user to test fire them at higher altitudes. This is just an added feature and gives the user something a little different to try. You can also attempt to take the X-1 Second Generation to higher altitudes and fly twice as fast as the speed of sound. I spent some time breaking through the atmosphere and doing some star gazing from my X-1 as well as some short hops from Edwards AFB out over the Pacific and back again. This was interesting because the flight back was pretty much a glider ride at high altitude and usually ended up in having to pick an alternative landing site.

For an add-on like this to work you need to have a good sound package and I must admit this add-on does not disappoint in the sound department. The rocket sound and each stage of the rocket firing is simulated during flight. The startup phase before the rocket is fired does include some sound effects and provides a nice addition to this product. You can hear the fuel being fed into the rocket and when the rocket fires the sound increases as the virtual pilot is pushed back into the seat of the jet thus simulating the G-Forces of each rocket being fired. It is really quite effective and does give you the illusion of extreme flight. In fact, I have found myself pushing back into my desk chair as the individual rockets fire!

The Sound

If you are an aviation history buff than this add-on will definitely be a welcomed addition to your flight simulator hangar, and even if you are not, you will still relish in this generation of flight and experience what only a few men got to experience in real life all from the safety of your desktop computer. The X-1 Second Generation package offers the flight simulation enthusiast a trip back in history with a good quality simulation of the Bell X-1 aircraft complete with a relatively complex cockpit environment along with a highly detailed (almost museum piece) external model of the X-1 family. It is priced at US$39.95 for both boxed or download versions. 4

Conclusion

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W E I V E Catalina PBY-X RPB

REVIEW
BY ROGER CURTISS

W
74

hile it may not be true that the PBY in PBY Catalina stands for Positively Buttugly Yes it sure would not be surprising to learn that it does. Airplanes are supposed to be beautiful. The PBY Catalina is definitely an exception to that rule.

This contraption looks like an aeronautical engineers worst nightmare yet when debuted in 1935 it was a revolutionary design and became the most popular amphibious aircraft ever to be produced. So obviously this airplane must have something to offer that is more than skin-deep.

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Amphibious or water landing airplanes have been a desire of aircraft manufacturers since the beginning of powered flight. In 1903 Samuel Langley outfitted his ill-fated pioneering so-called aerodrome with pontoons instead of wheels reasoning that it would be easier to find a suitable wet place to land than a level dry one. Even Wilbur Wright fitted a canoe to the bottom of his demonstrator as a precaution when he flew down New Yorks Hudson River in October, 1909. Aerosoft felt that the combination of an airplane this homely combined with its stellar reputation and history just begged to be reproduced and thus the Consolidated PBY Catalina for FSX was created. I was eager to find out what the allure of this aircraft might be. But in this particular instance, be forewarned, such eagerness must be tempered with prior study. I do not believe that anyone will be capable of simply jumping into this airplane in a cold and dark setting and successfully operating it. There is much that is not easy about it.

Installing the PBY involved enduring a 300MB download. Upon confirmation of payment one is sent by email a serial number that is registered with Aerosoft during the installation process and permits the installer to do its magic. A boxed version is offered too. What gets installed are 11 different choices divided into 5 variations: PBY-5 - a float equipped airplane with beaching gear to haul it onshore. PBY-5A - a 1944 military model featuring the flight engineer station in the main cockpit instead of in a separate compartment. PBY-5A modern -a model with new avionics in the cockpit. PBY-6- slight external modifications from the 5A. PBY-6 modern- same as above but with the updated avionics. Once the airplane was on the computer I wanted to learn more about it so I set out to read the manuals. Yes, the manualsnow just where would they be located? Nothing in the aircraft folder nothing in my documents folder Back to the Aerosoft website and a look at the forums. Sure enough, there are two PDF manuals available- a 440-page operations manual and a 103-page flight manual. Each was an 11.26 Mb download. The flight manual is a reproduction of an original manual and while interesting to look at contains a great deal of technical information and diagrams not applicable to the sim version. However, a true PBY fan will find it quite interesting. The operations manual is needed to fly the airplane but the good news is that those who like a paper copy will not need to bust the ink and paper budget for printing it in its entirety. Of the 440 pages quite a few are intentionally blank. In addition, 36 pages are devoted to charts and tables, 70 to the operation of the modern radios and GPS, and 30 are an appendix section dealing with discussion of operating techniques. So that is about a quarter of the content at least that probably need not be in a hard copy. And even the 11 pages of checklists will probably not be needed as this airplane features an outstanding interactive checklist.

Getting Startedin a sense

HELPS TOO A SNAZZY PAINT JOB

BACK TO UGLY AGAIN

A VERY FUNCTIONAL COCKPIT

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ANOTHER COCKPIT VARIATION

BIG BLACK

Easily one of the greatest features of this airplane and very much needed due to the complexity and interrelated nature of the systems. I was most impressed by this checklist. It is accessed from the FSX menu bar Views>Instrument Panel>Checklist and pops up on the screen as a virtual spiral-bound notebook with nine section tabs. The tabs open the checklist to: Power Up/Cockpit Preparation. Before Start/Before Taxi/Taxi. Water Operations Engine Start/Before Takeoff. Run Up/Before Takeoff. After Takeoff/Approach. Landing/Taxi in/After Parking. Startup. Power Settings. Configuration. The Configuration tab allows the options of starting cold and dark or ready to fly (engines running) and whether the engines are in simple mode or will need realistic attention to cylinder head temperature, oil temperature, carburetor icing, fouled sparkplugs and shock cooling. Aerosoft went to some trouble to model these failure modes contending that any PBYs still flying today are ancient and have seen extensive use which tends to make them easily prone to breakdowns if mishandled. It is difficult to find fault with this logic and choosing to fly in the simple mode is almost cheating. Starting the engines can actually be a bit of a pain for a lone pilot in a two dimensional cockpit. The procedure requires jumping amongst different panels and views flicking switches on the instrument panel, co-pilots right side panel and the back wall of the cockpit while also attending to the interactive checklist. It is labor intensive and a bit cumbersome. This is definitely an environment for which head movement sensing hardware such as TrackIR is in order to facilitate the transitions.

The Interactive Checklist

BIRD ON AP PROACH TO RUNWAY

Each section consists of a one-page list of checklist items to be completed. These are extremely helpful although the placement of some of the phase titles is a bit odd. Putting the Startup section near the end instead of immediately following the Before Start phase is a bit counter-intuitive but perhaps was necessitated by space limitations. Nonetheless, each page works smartly and nicely to guide the crew to properly configure the aircraft. Each line item states the required action and clicking on the action will generate a check mark-green if the action was accomplished (along with a hearty check from the co-pilots voice) or red if it is not properly configured. The logic of course being that a row of green marks is needed before the section can be deemed complete. Adherence to the checklist is particularly critical prior to engine start because - as is often the case with large, sophisticated radial engines - unless the switches are thrown in the proper sequence these monsters simply will not cooperate and come to life.

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While perusing the Aerosoft forum I came across a link to Youtube videos on the PBY. One covers engine starting and is a good starting point for learning the location of all the switches and seeing the sequence in action. The five minutes it takes to watch is well worth the investment in defraying the inevitable frustration almost guaranteed by attempting to just try and hack your way through the procedure. One other helpful hint that might go unnoticed by those who may not have the patience to read through the manual - the PBY was not designed with continuous sliding mixture controls. Instead the mixture setting is defined by detents in the controls cutoff/full rich/auto-rich. Aerosoft chose to model this arrangement and as a result external flight hardware with a mixture control needs to be set to full rich and left there. Mixture control is then handled exclusively through the virtual cockpit controls. The same applies to flight controls for spoilers and flaps. Since the PBY was equipped with neither of these any corresponding controls on a hardware device should be left in the fully retracted positions. The obvious draw of this aircraft model is its ability to land on water and this is also, unfortunately, one of its greatest disappointments as well. The Aerosoft team apologizes up front for the water handling of the PBY. They state that FSX simply does not do a good job of modeling movement in that element as objects seem to lack weight and substance and simply seem to float. They have done what they could to overcome this major limitation by adding in the effects of flaps and water rudders to the aircraft .cfg file even though these features are not actually present on the airplane. But due to the dynamics of the FS system itself their efforts can only go so far to remedy the situation. Remain in cockpit view for any extended length of time while sitting idle on the water and nausea is indeed a possibility - but this is through no fault of Aerosoft.

I found that water landings were a bit anti-climactic as there was no distinct transition from flight to water touchdown. In some instances, I was not even sure from the cockpit that I was on the water and had to use an outside view to confirm that, indeed, my flight was over. A big part of this was the lack of aural cues from the water. I expected more sounds of water on the belly and the swishing that is heard when moving at speed across it. The C208 Caravan in FS9 manages to get this sound right but it seems to have been lost in FSX.

JUST TOUCHING THE WATER. ONE WOULD EXPECT MORE SPRAY

CANDIDATE FOR A COVER SHOT

COWL FLAPS OPEN. PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO CYLINDER HEAD TEMPERATURE TO DETERMINE THE NEED FOR THEM SPIRAL BOUND VOLUME WITH CHECKLISTS

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NICE CLEAN RENDERING

Y VERY NICEL

GINES DETAILED EN

GREAT ATTENTION TO DETAIL IN THE COCKPIT

On the subject of sounds, kudos to Aerosoft in this department (notwithstanding my little rant above). The engine sounds are superb and do a lot to provide the impression of being in a lumbering, utilitarian machine. There are also satisfying clicks when switches are thrown and the hum of various instruments and pumps creates a satisfying cockpit environment. While the airplanes engines may be a bit complicated to start and operate, once the props are turning at speed flying this ugly beast is actually quite easy. It has smooth flight characteristics and good control response. This is not a fast aircraft nor was it intended to be, and its stall speed of 53 knots allows plenty of margin. All of which is exactly what you want when flying search and rescue or looking for submarines at low altitude over watery expanses. One less complication as well, if you want to look at it that way, is there is no need to be concerned with instrument approaches. This aircraft is rated for VFR operations only and many of the models do not even have VOR radio navigation capability. Aerosoft originally stated in the manual that a mission pack series was planned for the PBY in addition to the single FSX mission that installed with the aircraft. Since that time it was announced that the pack they received was not of acceptable quality and they have postponed any such mission pack for an indefinite period. However, in my mind that is not a serious issue as there is a lot to learn to operate this airplane properly and simply mastering its basic systems will keep you plenty busy until more missions may be introduced. Besides, there is no reason you cannot create your own - you just wont get a ribbon or points from FSX for doing so. And Aerosoft also said they will soon release free updates for the PBY-X of two models created for the mission packs. No details - but one of them offers a torpedo payload.

Sounds good

Aerosoft has made a concerted effort to provide an accurate flight model - as always within the limitations of the FS platform. The performance on water has already been noted as has been Aerosofts attempt to keep engine operation realistic. Another area where they are to be commended is a replication of structural icing. During flights in freezing rain with an air temperature between 0 and 15 Centigrade, pilots will (or at least should if they are paying attention) notice the airspeed dropping and if flying manually the need to manipulate the elevator to maintain level flight. These are effects of structural icing which can manifest itself as carburetor ice, pitot tube freezing and structural icing. Once encountered the primitive deicing system on the PBY might not be able to handle the problem. In which case the only (and probably the best as well) remedy is to get out of the rain and descend into warmer air. Since the PBY is not rated for instrument flight one should not have been caught in the clouds in the first place so avoidance of rain areas is the logical preventative.

How Real?

Any deficiencies in this offering are not the fault of Aerosoft. They have done an excellent job of presenting a solid package with great realistic engine conditions and subsequent failure modes and the interactive checklist is simply wonderful. The Aerosoft developers have said that features such as these will be the new standard to be incorporated in aircraft models they develop internally.

Bottom Line

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While the exterior model is not the most vivid around in every respect it is certainly well done and while you may not be able to see every rivet the rendering of this ugly duckling almost makes it a swan. In addition, for those who like it customized, the Aerosoft PBY-X forum is already offering 24 additional repaints and others are or soon will be available on flightsim.com. The price of the PBY-X package is quite reasonable. A download version is available for US$34.95 from PC Aviator and a boxed version can be had from Aerosoft for about $10.00 more. If someone is a true fan of the PBY the inclusion of the 103-page original flight manual alone would be worth the cost. To have a stable of 11 flyable Catalinas to boot makes the acquisition decision a no-brainer. Aerosoft claims that each model exhibits subtle but different flying characteristics and while I cannot claim to have noticed what these nuances would be it may be that I simply did not spend enough time flying all of them to be able to notice. I did observe that selection of some of the models resulted in a slightly different presentation of instruments. I also felt that like the option to use the simplistic engine mode, using the modern cockpits with GPS radios installed somehow took away from the flight experience that is the soul of this airplane. This was a basic airplane, designed to be a workhorse and flying it with only primitive instruments just feels right. It was designated for VFR operations only, flew slowly and could land almost anywhere so how lost can you get anyway? The PBY Catalina may not be beautiful to look at but it has a great personality. 4

THIS SIMPLY

IS NOT A PR ETTY AIRPLA NE

WINGTIP FLOATS EXTENDED IN PREPARATION FOR WATER LANDING

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The key to Controlling X-Plane 9.30

BY CHUCK BODEEN

he instructions for X-Plane 9.30 state that the system has been designed to be easy to use and is extremely exible. In early versions of XPlane, commands and datarefs were virtually hidden from all but the programmers of plugins. You could cause a command to be sent to X-plane by using a key combination, pushing a joystick button, or clicking on an area on the panel, but you may not have been aware of what you were doing. The inclusion of generic instruments in Plane-Maker 9.xx creates a special need for airplane creators to understand these concepts that have been around in X-Plane for a long time. Datarefs and commands are ways to communicate with the operation of X-Plane. They resemble each other in hierarchical arrangement and format, but not in function.

Commands
Commands need to be understood by airplane creators and users alike. Creators can assign commands to certain generic instruments and users can assign them to keys or buttons while setting up X-Plane. Commands are actions that you can cause to happen. Here is an example of a command: sim/ight_controls/canopy_open. If this command is assigned to any button, key, or generic trigger and if the X-Plane model has a canopy that will open then thats what will happen when the command is issued. Sometimes a command will seem to be inactive. For instance, if you try to start the engines and the battery is turned off, nothing will happen. Commands can also be used with manipulators in 3-D objects, but thats a topic for another article. There are about 30 categories, containing over 800 commands.

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Most of the keys on the keyboard already do something. If you go to Joystick & Equipment, the Keys tab will show you what they do and let you make any changes you wish. A new feature is Buttons: Adv (advanced) which works just like Keys except for assigning functions to joystick buttons. The association of keys with commands has been around for a long time in the history of X-Plane. Looking at the nine versions I still have on my computer, in 5.42 through 8.11 commands were stored in a le named X-Plane.txt. The location in the le structure changed from version to version, but you could use a text editor to change which key combination was associated with any particular command but you could not change the commands. Since X-Plane 8.60, the list of keys and commands has been stored in preferences\Keys.prf. The keys list could be modied with a text editor or with a new user interface found where you set up your joystick. Buttons were still assigned to a xed set of commands displayed on a large screen. In X-Plane 8.60 and higher, keys can be assigned to commands by editing Keys.prf either with a text editor or by using the Keys tab under Joystick & Equipment. X-Plane 9.22 introduced the Buttons: Adv screen which works like the Keys screen, but is used to assign any button to any command.
BUTTON 177 IS ASSIGNED TO THE COMMAND TO ENGAGE STARTERS ON ALL ENGINES IN X-PLANE 9.30. YOU PROBABLY DONT HAVE 177 BUTTONS, BUT X-PLANE NUMBERS THEM ACCORDING TO AN INTERNAL SCHEME AND CAN HANDLE MORE THAN THAT. IN X-PLANE 9.30 YOU CAN ASSIGN ANY KEYBOARD COMBINATION TO ANY COMMAND. THIS EXAMPLE IS THE DEFAULT SETTING FOR F1 TO THROTTLE DOWN ALL ENGINES.

Datarefs
Understanding datarefs is primarily important for airplane creators rather than for users. If you do not use Plane-Maker to create panels, then what follows is basically background knowledge for you. Datarefs are information that comes out of X-Plane for your use on generic instruments. Datarefs have been in X-Plane since the release of version 6.70, but until recently were used only by programmers. Here is an example of a dataref: sim/cockpit/switches/canopy_req. If this dataref is assigned to a generic annunciator then that instrument will light up if the canopy is open. Datarefs are closely related to the data you see on the screen or in saved data.txt les, but they are NOT the same. Datarefs can be assigned to any generic instrument except triggers which use commands. The system of datarefs was created by Sandy Barbour and Ben Supnik for use in the X-Plane Plugin SDK (Software Developers Kit). Plugins, written in C and other languages may be created to give airplane model developers a means of reading and modifying the thousands of internal variables within the X-Plane program. Barbour has extended the usefulness by writing a plugin that allows Python scripts to be used as if they were plugins themselves. It is not the purpose of this article to teach you how to write plugins or Python scripts however. A dataref has a name that includes its hierarchical family and a type which indicates integer, oating point, byte, etc. Then comes the version of X-Plane at which this dataref was added to the list and a Yes or No as to whether you can change the value of the associated variable. Finally, the units of the dataref are specied and some explanation of its use is given. The units of the X-Plane internal variable may not be the same as those of the dataref.

SETTING BUTTONS IN X-PLANE 8.60 WAS SIMILAR TO PREVIOUS RELEASES AND THE BASIC TECHNIQUE CARRIES OVER TO 9.30 EXCEPT THAT THE BUTTONS:ADV SCREEN HAS BEEN ADDED.

I 860 version P <none> sim/operation/pause_toggle . <none> sim/engines/thrust_reversers_toggle R <none> sim/mission/jettison_payload B <none> sim/ight_controls/brakes_toggle_regular V <none> sim/ight_controls/brakes_toggle_max G <none> sim/ight_controls/landing_gear_toggle F <none> sim/radios/transponder_ident K <none> sim/operation/time_down L <none> sim/operation/time_up
IN X-PLANE 8.60, THE COMMANDS ARE LISTED IN KEYS.PRF. THESE ARE FIRST FEW OF THE MANY KEY ASSIGNMENTS.

THIS IS THE FORMAT OF A DATAREF.

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The Internet dataref list (see the list of Internet sites below) may contain more information than does dataref.txt. You should open the URL and check out the datarefs you intend to use in making generic instruments. One reason for the dataref le to expand is that in XPlane 9.00 two new sections (sim/ightmodel2/ and sim/cockpit2/) have been added to expand on information which was missing or lacking in the original form. The Internet list of datarefs is dynamic in the sense that it is being updated by Barbour and Supnik to add functionality and keep up with developments in X-Plane. At present there are over 100 categories of datarefs containing over 4000 entries.
COMMANDS CAUSE ACTIONS WITHIN X-PLANE. DATAREFS ARE REFLECTIONS OF VARIABLES INSIDE X-PLANE.

THE DATAREF AT THE TOP IS THE OLD FORM. THE UNITS ARE UNKNOWN AND THE EXPLANATION IS SPARCE. THE NEW VERSION SHOW THAT AILERON TRIM IS A RATIO OF TOTAL TRIM AVAILABLE.

Commands and Datarefs

Sometimes there will be a command as well as an equivalent writable dataref. The datarefs predate version 9 and writing to them was the only way to invoke an action in a plugin. The commands have always been there to allow users set up their joystick and keyboard, but only by using buttons and key tabs in X-Plane itself not by using generic trigger instruments in Plane-Maker. There are a few rare situations where datarefs assigned to generic instruments (other than triggers) can cause changes in X-Plane variables, but these are too few to mention. Most of the time, you will use datarefs only to reect the values of data inside X-Plane

What you see on the screen or in data.txt les are the X-Plane variables, modied by X-Plane to give specic units. Datarefs point to the original unmodied variables, so they are not actually the same. Some variables within X-Plane are of a multiple nature. For instance, any variable that has to do with engines is actually a list of up to eight values. Because of the nature of programming languages, the rst one is referenced by appending the index 0 to the name of the command or dataref and 1 to the second. In XP 9.30 the folder Resources\plugins contains the les datarefs. txt and commands.txt for your reference. Another form of the commands list is in Output\preferences\Keys.prf. This commands lists is maintained by Austin Meyer but may not contain all of the commands. The le dataref.txt is usually shorter than the current list obtained from the Internet. The lists of datarefs and commands always get longer. New entries are added as X-Plane capability is enhanced and nothing is removed so that systems built using older lists will still work.

HERE IS A GUIDE TO INTERNET SOURCES OF MORE INFORMATION.

X-Plane SDK home page http://www.xsquawkbox.net/xpsdk/ X-Plane SDK authors xplanesdk@xsquawkbox.net The current DataRef le http://www.xsquawkbox.net/xpsdk/docs/DataRefs.html Python script information http://www.xpluginsdk.org/python_interface.htm All about plugins http://www.xsquawkbox.net/xpsdk/phpwiki/index.php

THE TOP OF THIS FIGURE SHOWS THE GENERIC TRIGGER BEING ADDED TO THE PANEL IN PLANE-MAKER. TRIGGERS AUTOMATICALLY BRING UP THE COMMANDS AND ASK YOU TO SELECT ONE. THE ANNUNCIATOR SELECTION IS SHOWN AT THE BOTTOM. ALL GENERIC INSTRUMENTS EXCEPT TRIGGERS ASK FOR DATAREFS.

In closing, let me leave you with an important admonition: Please do not contact Austin Meyer for questions or support about datarefs or the SDK -- all of that is a third party effort.

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I LEARNED ABOUT FLYING

BY JOHN ACHOR his is the rst in a continuing series of articles. While I plan to take a lighter approach with these stories, the lessons are meaningful and serious. For my initial topic, what is more appropriate than the rst airplane I ew?

As a member of the last class in the U.S. Air Force (57-I, 1956) to train in tail-draggers, we began our ying careers in the Piper PA-18 Super Cub. All in my class claimed that anyone could land tricycle gear aircraft, but it took a real pilot to put the tail wheel down rst; at or near stall speed. In reality, only one third of the class 57-I ew the PA-18. My class was large enough to be split between three Primary Training locations. The other two bases had already transitioned to the next generation of aircraft for ight instruction.

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AUTHOR AND LAST CUB HE FLEW

A SIMPLE AND STRAIGHTFORWARD AIRCRAFT

THE PANEL OF THE PIPER CUB

HEADING OUT OVER BARTOW MUNICIPAL, FLORIDA

ENJOYING A LITTLE MOUNTAIN FLYING. GOOD VISIBILITY FROM THE BACK SEAT.

THE CUB IS ONE OF THE MORE WELL-KNOWN CLASSIC AIRCRAFT

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VISIBILITY WHILE TAXIING AND TAKING OFF CAN BE IMPEDED UNTIL THE TAIL WHEEL RISES

A VISUALLY SPECTACULAR APPROACH INTO HARTFORD BRAINARD, CONNECTICUT

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Super Cub was a fancy name for a J-3 Cub with a Lycoming 4cylinder, twin opposed 108 horsepower engine. The plane is still around; I found several PA-18s for sale on the internet, ranging in price from $40,000 to over $100,000 (USD). Although I cant remember using aps, the internet tells me the Super Cub was equipped with them. I also do not recall a radio, so in the air it was see and be seen. The instrument panel was little more than needle, ball and airspeed plus a Whiskey compass, tachometer and altimeter but did not include an attitude indicator. After all, this was a VFR plane and the makers gured a pilot could keep the wings level and tell up from down without one. One instructor described the turn and slip indicator saying the needle tells you which way you are turning and the ball is used to make the turn coordinated. Then he added, dont be too concerned about the ball, as long as you keep it inside the cockpit, youll be safe. Beyond that, its a high-wing, yellow fabric stretched over a steel tube frame, a tail wheel and just enough room to accommodate a student in the front seat and the instructor in the rear tandem seat. When taxiing a tail-dragger, good safety protocol and our instructors required making S-turns down the taxiway to avoid people and the whirling props on other planes. We never made wide enough turns according to the instructor. Sitting behind and lower than the student, he couldnt see as far as we could. Even though making the turns was a pain in the tush, it beat bending the propeller on a solid object. This lack of visibility also created problems for maintaining a straight line for takeoff. Straight ahead progress could be monitored by comparing the amount of runway visible on each side of the nose. This was a continuing process until the tail ew off the ground and the pilot could see over the nose. I was stationed at Bartow Air Base, Florida (USA) which was about halfway between its namesake city and Winter Haven where I lived. Bartow AB was our home, but along with our North American T-6G Texan planes, it was becoming crowded with Beechcraft T-34 Mentors and North American T-28 Trojans which would serve as the training aircraft for following classes. We were shunted off to an auxiliary eld nearby. Not much there beyond a brieng building, a small parking ramp and a couple of runways. Near the shack was an open livestock watering tank about two-feet deep and around twelve feet in diameter. Thats where the ritualistic dunking came for those of us who soloed the yellow Bamboo Bomber. We got around 20 hours in the Cub and near the end of our training in this plane one of the instructors ew a T-6G into our auxiliary eld so we could look it over. I remember wondering if I would ever be able to herd such a huge plane around the skies. It was way larger than our Cubs, but compared to four-engine jets I ew later it wasnt all that big. The Cub offered a low cost airframe and low operating costs compared to other trainers. It was a great platform for teaching students the fundamentals: takeoffs, turns, power-on and power-off stalls, forced landings, and the all important step getting the bird back on the runway all in one piece. And that last one was the basis for learning a lesson that day. This was Florida, with scrub vegetation and bunches of sand in between. Off the approach end of one of the runways was a circle of sand that must have been 50 feet in diameter. On a hot afternoon, I turned nal with my instructor and set up my typical angle of descent to the runway. As I passed over the patch of sand the thermal shoved my little Cup upward for what seemed like 500 feet. I exaggerate; it was probably only ten or twenty feet, but it messed up my nal approach. I managed to get the nose down and put the plane on the ground. After a full stop landing we taxied back and waited in line for another takeoff and a second pattern. On crosswind, downwind and base legs, I plotted how I could defeat the sand pit. This time around the pattern, I gured Id get ahead of that updraft just before the threshold. I turned nal and started a steeper descent with the idea that the thermal would bring me up to the glide slope and I could impress my instructor with a perfect landing. Ah, the best laid plans of I sank lower and lower on nal waiting for the thermal to save my approach. No such luck. At last as I added a bit of power to keep from going dangerously low here comes the updraft. With the extra power Id added and the thermal Im back where I was on the rst approach. Scrambling with the controls and power I managed to squeeze out a barely acceptable landing. I suppose the lesson is: dont mess with Mother Nature. Rather than trying to outguess what the weather will do, I would have been better off ying the airplane, keeping the glide slope constant and being prepared for odd eventualities. I could have counteracted the updraft with forward stick pressure if I had been prepared. This was, no doubt, not the day my instructor cleared me to solo. Eventually he did send me into the wild blue yonder all by my lonesome and I was dutifully dunked in the cattle trough and prepared to move on to the T-6G Texan. Ive always tried to tuck lessons learned away into the back of my mind and carry their value with me. Stay ahead of the airplane; if you are continually trying to catch up with the bird something will reach out and bite your backside. Keep in mind that its not one horrendous event that will cause the accident; it is more often than not a series of smaller events that accumulate and pile up. Use all the lessons you learn about ying, plan ahead and dont nd yourself at the conuence of all those small events. 4 91

R O H T U A & T O PBIYL TREVOR THOM

BEING A PASSENGER IN A GLIDER WAS MY FIRST EXPERIENCE OF FLYING.
APPROACH ING TO LA ND

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The main parts of my aviation career have been ying aircraft and also writing aviation books. In my life, luck (as well as hard work) has played a big role. A recent development in my life has been the use of a PC Flight Simulator at home (like you), which allows me to practice my ying, and try different types of aircraft. Later in my career, I was ying big aircraft around the world.

LEARNING TO FLY
After my rst ight in a glider, I started to learn how to y in small aircraft, and I had very good Flight Instructors (which is very, very important!). However, one problem I had (when trying to learn to y) was trying to nd aviation books which I could understand. So I write my own! I spent a lot of time in the hangar talking to engineers and mechanics, and experienced pilots. I learnt to y in small aircraft, including the Moth Minor, Tiger Moth, Chipmunk, Cessna, Auster, and others.
HT SIMULATOR AT HOME TODAY, FLYING A PC FLIG

MY FIRST AVIATION JOB

My rst aviation job was being a Flight Instructor in these small aircraft, which requires a lot of technical knowledge, as well as good ying skill and the ability to deal with people. The skills to teach, and deliver condence to your students, are vital. Training is a good experience for any pilot. I learnt a lot from training others. My rst job in an airline was to y about 30 passengers around Australia in a Fokker 27. It was a great job in aviation terms, and in other terms as well. In my rst months in this job, for example, our aircraft was hijacked in Alice Springs (Center of Australia) by a passenger, who was later shot dead by police. Flying has always been interesting for me! Next, I ew the Douglas DC 4 freighter (four big engines with big propellers!). It could only y low and slow, but could y all day from one coast of Australia to the other because the DC4 could carry a lot of fuel. To carry cargo, we used to y two types the DC4, and the DC4/CAVAIR. There was no ight simulator in those days, and virtually no computers either, so we had to practice take-offs and landings in the real aircraft - which always made a ight an exciting experience. From the photos, you can see that the height of the cockpits in the two types are much different, so you had to have a good eye to get a good landing (which was not always the case!).

TIGER MOTH

In those days, there were NO FLIGHT SIMULATORS, so we had to learn to y in the real aircraft.

A REAL CESSNA COCKPIT

Now, with good computers being available, we can learn and practice how to y at home.

GHTER DC4 FREI

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We learnt the Boeing 727 BASICS from a B727 Flight Simulator. In it, we could practice take-offs, landings, engine failures, res, loss of fuel, loss of oxygen, weather problems, heavy rain, thunderstorms, fog, snow, ice, strong winds, low cloud, etc. It was a great way of training and offered some degree of comfort if you made a mistake in the simulator, there were no real-world consequences, well not many. This may or may not be a good thing in the overall scheme of things in terms of learning fast, but it is certainly much safer for the pilot, aircraft, and future passengers!

EIGHTER DC4/CAVAIR FR

MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH A FLIGHT SIMULATOR

Becoming a Boeing 727 co-pilot was my next task, and carrying passengers and cargo was my job for a few years.

BOEING 727 FLIGHT SIM ULATOR

BOEING 727 (SEEN FROM AHEAD, AND AT NIGHT)

DE ILOTS SI PIT - CO-P K C O C 7 2 7 BOEING

WRITING BOOKS
I could not nd any aviation books to help me to learn, so I spent a lot of time in the hangar talking to engineers, mechanics, and experienced pilots. I developed my own theory course. This was (at rst) just for my own use, but (after some time) some friends had a look, and then lots of others wanted a copy. Hence, a publishing business got started on our kitchen table, and books went all around the world. I met some very interesting people from around the world who had read and used my books and decided to send me letters about them. CPM. V14I1

IND) BOEING 727 (SEEN FROM BEH

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LETTER FROM VICE-ADM IRAL DON ENGEN SMITHSONIAN INSTITU TION, WASHINGTON

END
During a long career, many things can happen mostly safe ights but, sometimes, some emergencies occur. Over the years, I have been hit by lightning (e.g. over Mount Vesuvius near Naples in Italy at night). During the take-off at the MALDIVES, a tire was seriously damaged.

I woul THE ED d IT Trevor like to perso OR nally w and lo ok for elcom article war e s. course He is a wond d to more o f his no dou erful p e b trainin g man t a wonderfu rson, and of uals ar l pilot. globe e us as Hi skill le a reference ed througho s for pil u vels. t the ots of Ed. many

FROM

A DAMAGED TIRE.

It has been a pleasure to help many people to learn-to-y. 95

Theres one company thats helping you to realize your dream to fly like no other through its range of flight simulation products and services. Its the company who brings you the most advanced and most realistic scenery with the MegaScenery series For Microsoft Flight Simulator with future titles coming soon that will blow you away with excitement and entertainment. Its the worlds greatest mail order supplier flight simulation software and hardware with the only comprehensive printed catalog in the industry and having shipped well over a million packages to flight simmers around the world. .... and its also the company that brings you the magazine that youre now holding. Computer Pilot Magazine in its 14th year of publication with 120 issues published, its the worlds leading authoritative magazine for desktop pilots and flight simulator enthusiasts.

That company is PC Aviator!

With all that we do, all that we provide you with to make your flight simulation experience richer and to help you to realize your dream to fly.. its no wonder we call ourselves THE Flight Simulation Company!

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Stop and think for just a moment... So... just what is it that makes flight simulation so captivating? The answer is simple. Almost every person alive is fascinated with the concept of flight. Wouldnt you agree that every time you heard the drone of a trusty Cessna in the sky, you looked up to find the source of that sound? It might have been a fleeting glance or your gaze may have been fixated until the aircraft disappeard into the horizon. It would be safe to say that the longer you watched the aircraft in the sky, the greater was your fantasy to be the pilot flying it. Almost everyone has, at some stage had that fantasy... that dream to fly their own aircraft. And that is what makes computer flight simulation so enthralling, so captivating, so satisfying. It lets everyone who has ever had that fantasy, everyone who has ever wanted to... Realize their dream to fly!

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February/March 2010

Enhanced Google Earth

There are a number of ways to use the now-famous Google Earth to enlarge upon your pleasure of flight simulation. Off-the-shelf Google Earth comes with satellite weather, weather radar, hurricanes, current conditions, and forecasts - these features can be turned on or off at will. If using real weather with FSX or X-Plane and you cant find a bad storm, just look at Google Earth and you can find what you want anywhere on earth.

WIN A SUBSCRIPTION
to Computer Pilot Magazine
Have something to say about the flight simulation hobby? The flight simulation community, or just a rant or rave about anything simulation or aviation related? Send your letters of 400 words or less to inbox@computerpilot.com for your chance to win a free 12 month (6 issue) subscription or extension if you already subscribe to Computer Pilot. Each issue we will choose the best letters with the best angle/take on a flight simulation topic and publish them in our Inbox column.

Magnificent Night Airports

There are no doubt that there are some fantastic airports to operate to and from during the day, but some of these are even more exciting to fly to or from at night! We scour the globe to find the most interesting and exciting airports that offer a night time extravaganza!

Australian Air Adventures Part II

In Part II of this adventure series, we again continue on our way flying some great legs around Australia utilizing the new FTX Australia scenery enhancement for Flight Simulator X.

Have Your Say!

I Learned About Flying From That

Bartow Air Base (Florida, USA) became our main operating base after surviving the Bamboo Bomber (Piper, PA-18 Super Cub). The North American, T-6G Texan at Bartow was to be our home for the next five or so months. John Achor continues his series on learning to fly various aircraft next issue.

Many articles appearing in Computer Pilot magazine are a direct result of your emails and feedback. If you have a topic you would like us to cover, or just have some general constructive magazine feedback, let us know and we will do our best to address your request/feedback. Send your comments, article ideas or suggestions to...

editor@computerpilot.com
While we may not be able to personally answer them all, we do read every email and take your feedback onboard for planning of future issues. Its your way to make an impact on the content and direction of the magazine!

Mike Rays WWII Combat Sims

Mike checks out another famous WWII combat sim in this continuing series that takes a unique look at some of the best simulation software available to us, and how to fly them for maximum success!

Reviews

We have planned reviews of these great new flight simulation products: Lotus Sim L-39 Albatross Just Flights Flying Club 2 PMDGs MD-11 First Class Sims Eurofighter & Eurocopter

PLUS Round Robin Adventures

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As a valued subscriber to Computer Pilot Magazine - the worlds longest running print flight simulation publication you are entitled to 5% off the purchase price of flight sim hardware and software purchased through PC Aviator Direct, and this applies to our regular everyday specials and reduced item prices as well! With over 19 years of service to the flight sim community, PC Aviator is one of the most well-known and trusted flight sim retailers in the business offering an extensive range of flight sim software, controllers, desktop avionics units, flight sim books, airliner DVDs, computer peripherals, and much more. We have two retail outlets one in the USA and one in Australia, and we ship to anywhere in the world with competitive freight prices! Our online store is open 24/7, 365 days a year for you to browse through our huge selection of flight sim gear, or to place an order online at your convenience. Our download stores allow you to buy, download, and be flying in minutes!

Join us next issue for an exciting Round Robin Adventure! We will be flying for DHL (or any other cargo company).We are going to take some wine from Portugal to the islands of Madeira, then south to the Grand Canaria island, and come back with a full load of fruit from the Canary Islands.

Mini-Reviews

We have short, but to-the-point mini reviews of popular new flight sim add-ons and products. Next issue we look at Mega Airport Lissabon from Aerosoft, a Fokker 50 package for FS2004 pilots by PrecisionAerobus, and the MegaScenery Earth Grand Canyon scenery enhancement by PC Aviator.

AND EVEN MORE WITH Pullout Poster News & New Releases

More quality aviation images to decorate your walls. The latest news information from around the flight sim world.

Landing February 2010

Subscribe online now at www.computerpilot.com to have your magazines home delivered for 6 or 12 issue periods 98

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