VOLUME 14 ISSUE 2

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2010
USA $7.95
CANADA $9.95
AUSTRALIA $9.85 (INC. GST)
A PC AVIATOR PUBLICATION

cpm1402.indd 1 1/13/2010 7:16:03 PM

 2 CPM. V14I2

cpm1402.indd 2 1/13/2010 7:16:07 PM

 3

cpm1402.indd 3 1/13/2010 7:16:14 PM

cpm1402.indd 4 1/13/2010 7:16:16 PM
 Choose=>Buy=>Download=>Fly!
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 it’s MegaSceneryEarth!

Go To The MegaSceneryEarth Website Right Now To Start Choosing Your

Favorite Places To Fly In HyperReal Detail!
www.megasceneryearth.com

© 2009 PC Aviator Inc. Aerosoft Australia Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

cpm1402.indd 5 1/13/2010 7:16:28 PM

realize your dream to fly
new release products
the latest flight simulator products in stock!
flight deck 6
ONE OF THE Best-Selling Expansion Packs In The World!
We’re taking you back to the basics... New to the Flight Deck series is a brush with
Naval training. Not only will you experience the rush of landing on a moving carrier,
but you’ll get to go through the paces as a Naval cadet learning to fly combat
maneuvers in the propeller trainer the T-34C Turbo Mentor.
After passing with the T-34C, you will graduate to the T-45
Goshawk jet trainer where you will focus on your landing
and more intense maneuvers. Landing on a heaving deck can
be a white-knuckle terrifying experience for even the most
seasoned Navy pilots. There’s a good reason that the flight
crew refers to a landing aircraft as a “recovery.”
Flight Deck 6 features new Missions for BOTH FSX and
FS2004! Flight Deck 6 includes the new USS Harry S. Truman
aircraft carrier. Flight Deck 6 includes realistic arresting
cables for recovering aircraft and aircraft catapult system
for launching aircraft. Flight Deck 6 includes all this and a
whole lot more... Grab it today!
code: FLTDCK6 price: US$29.95 AUD$44.95
pmdg bae jetstream 4100
classic turboprop regional airliner for fsx
After being in development for 9 months, PMDG’s award winning development team
is proud to release this faithfully reproduced aircraft! In traditional PMDG style, no
effort was spared during this extensive development process and we are certain the J41
will quickly become your favorite regional turbo prop simulation!
• The external model has been accurately modeled to the
smallest details, and painted using high resolution
photoreal textures..
• Fully Interactive, Dynamic Virtual Cockpit - Designed and
animated using the same proprietary techniques developed
for previous PMDG award-winning product lines.
• Unique advanced mathematical model of Garret
turboprop engine.
• The J41’s systems were reproduced to match the operation
of those in the real aircraft.
• Realistic, Immersive Sound Set - To increase the level of
realism and immersion.
code: aspmdgjs41 price: US$49.95 AUD$69.95
lama X
quality simulation of the lama helicopter
Fly the famous work-horse helicopter! Save cows and people, fight fires and transport
different goods and equipment. Bring people to the glacier for heli-skiing.
Aerospatiale SA315B Lama for FSX (supports DX10):
• 39 versions / configurations.
• Paints from 6 different operators.
• Realistic sounds.
• Realistic flight-dynamics.
• Original start-up procedure.
• 3D Cockpit fully animated.
• FSX DX10 programming.
Sceneries:
• Air bases in Zermatt and Raron.
• Zermatt scenery.
• Mountain cabins: Hörnlihütte, Schönbielhütte, Monte-
Rosa-Hütte, Topalihütte and Hollandiahütte.
code: aslamax price: US$49.99 AUD$67.95
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 rel
the latest flight
Book: Air combat manoeuvres PMDG md-11x
the technique and history for flight simulation The PMDG MD-11 Now Boxed For FSX
This is the definitive guide for flight simmers interested in combat simulation with PMDG continues our lineage of fine airliner sim
easily accessible information and colourful illustrations that can be used as a guide airliner, the PMDG MD-11! Born out of airline r
to the methods of air combat from World War One to the modern day. Using state DC-10” the MD-11 is a superb example of aircr
of the art digital illustration techniques the book shows how and when to employ modern computer processing power was begin
the best manoeuvres to beat both the computer and other and capability to the cockpit of transport airpla
players. Diagrams show both the manoeuvre itself and the automated and employing innovative new app
actual methods used on the joystick. Further sections deal the pilot/airplane interface, the MD-11 took th
with ground attack, mission planning and the historical Douglas widebody line into the future with full
perspective. flight modes, aircraft system status pages, failu
consequence displays and clearly thought out p
To help bring history to life the text and diagrams will be One of the most advanced airplanes ever produ
supported by historical narratives derived from real combat Douglas, the MD-11 has been largely missing f
pilots, design histories on key aircraft and full colour profile simulation... Until Now
artworks. A masterful work which gives all ‘simmers’ the
complete guide to flight simulation combat manoeuvres. In traditional PMDG style, no effort is being spa
development and we are sure the PMDG MD-1
256 Pages - Softcover. become another favorite of PMDG simulation c
code: bkacm price: US$29.95 AUD$54.95 code: pmdgmd11x price: U
discover europe hawker heroes
fascinating europe awaits you... The Fury, Hurricane, Tempest & Ty
Europe has much to offer, from the magic of Paris to the majesty of the Alps. Discover First flown in 1931, the Hawker Fury set the tem
Europe puts you in the pilot’s seat for a breathtaking tour of this vibrant continent to follow. The first fighter aircraft to exceed 200 M
sample the unforgettable vistas that can only be truly appreciated from the air. world in awe with its incredible handling. The H
Battle of Britain, changing the course of World
Take an Alpine adventure and put your piloting skills to the enemy kills than any other aircraft. The Typhoo
test over the Pyrenees. Visit Paris, Rome, Madrid, Venice, became one of the most formidable ground at
Prague, Warsaw, Vienna, and a whole host of cities that of the war years. By the end of World War 2 th
reflect the multicultural tapestry of the continent. With a operating 18 Typhoon squadrons equipped wit
range of flights for both novice and seasoned aviators rockets.
there is something for everyone, from challenging
approaches to a leisurely Mediterranean descent into the Each aircraft has been painstakingly recreated t
playground resorts of the rich and famous. ultimate in simulation. Accompanied by adrena
missions for Flight Simulator X, would-be fight
Your adventure is supported by lavish extras including a relive the Hawker experience where the best pi
26 page tourists guide to all the destinations visited, became heroes!
detailed pilots notes, a comprehensive briefing and a
cockpit plus tutorial for the included Piper aircraft. Hawker Heroes is also compatible with FS2004
code: fcdisceur price: US$29.95 AUD$44.95 code: fchh price: US$
fsflyingschool 2010 vrinsight micro jet-pit
fly fs under the watchful eye of an instructor! portable instrument panel for j
Imagine your personal instructor evaluating every aspect of your flying technique and The Micro Jet-Pit from VRinsight is a portable je
scoring each phase of flight with information you can use to fly better... Imagine a and Flight Simulator 2004.
comprehensive log book recording the good and bad points of each flight...
It features a ND, PFD, EFIS and MCP, as well as
Imagine competing with the rest of the Web to prove and knobs are synchronized with default Flight
your flying skills are the best of the best... A team of Flight add-ons. Fully interfaced with FSX/FS2004
Instructors who talk to you, giving you immediate, detailed through a USB port and SerialFP2 software
advice on your flying technique. (supplied).
Unique scoring system rates all phases of flight: taxi, take off, Requires USB 2.0 port, FSUIPC (free version)
cruise, approach, landing and much more... Fly a whole flight and a spare DVI or VGA port.
or just practice landings - you always receive a detailed score.
Note: If you plan to connect the CDU II
Your flights and their scores are tracked in full detail in your panel via a USB hub, the hub MUST be
own FSFlyingSchool logbook... Submit your best scores to USB 2.0 compliant.
the FSFlyingSchool web site to show off your flying skills to
the rest of the world! This is FSFlyingSchool 2010! Panel is easily portable for transportation...
code: fsfsch2010 price: US$39.95 AUD$59.95 code: vrmicjpit price: US
code: 893458 price: US$33.33 AUD$44.4
m to fly

ts
ck!
new release products
the latest flight simulator products in stock!

euvres PMDG md-11x C-5m Super galaxy

for flight simulation The PMDG MD-11 Now Boxed For FSX! super-sized transport plane for fsx and fs2004
mmers interested in combat simulation with PMDG continues our lineage of fine airliner simulations with another popular heavy The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is a large, military transport aircraft built by Lockheed. It
urful illustrations that can be used as a guide airliner, the PMDG MD-11! Born out of airline requirements for a “modern new was designed to provide strategic heavy airlift over intercontinental distances and to
orld War One to the modern day. Using state DC-10” the MD-11 is a superb example of aircraft engineering from the era when carry oversize cargo. The C-5 Galaxy has been operated by the United States Air Force
s the book shows how and when to employ modern computer processing power was beginning to bring truly new ideas, safety since 1969 and is one of the largest military
computer and other and capability to the cockpit of transport airplanes. Highly aircraft in the world.
oeuvre itself and the automated and employing innovative new approaches to
urther sections deal the pilot/airplane interface, the MD-11 took the McDonnell Now Area 51 simulations bring this beauty to your
and the historical Douglas widebody line into the future with fully automated desktop simulators.
flight modes, aircraft system status pages, failure
consequence displays and clearly thought out pilot controls. Flight Simulator Specifications:
d diagrams will be One of the most advanced airplanes ever produced by • Built for FSX engine.
ved from real combat Douglas, the MD-11 has been largely missing from desktop • Very High Detail Exterior and Interior.
and full colour profile simulation... Until Now • Photoreal Textures.
es all ‘simmers’ the • Detailed doors and Cargo bays.
mbat manoeuvres. In traditional PMDG style, no effort is being spared during
development and we are sure the PMDG MD-11 will The C-5M Super Galaxy is compatible with both Microsoft
become another favorite of PMDG simulation customers! Flight Simulator X and Flight Simulator 2004.

rice: US$29.95 AUD$54.95 code: pmdgmd11x price: US$69.95 AUD$89.95 code: a51c5m price: US$29.95 AUD$44.95

hawker heroes flying club 2

s you... The Fury, Hurricane, Tempest & Typhoon All In One Box! Three quality aircraft in one great package
agic of Paris to the majesty of the Alps. Discover First flown in 1931, the Hawker Fury set the template for all fighter aircraft that would Flying Club 2 features three of the most popular General Aviation aircraft in the world
a breathtaking tour of this vibrant continent to follow. The first fighter aircraft to exceed 200 MPH in level flight, the Fury held the - the PA28-181 Archer III, the twin-engined Beechcraft Duchess 76 and the R44
an only be truly appreciated from the air. world in awe with its incredible handling. The Hawker Hurricane was the hero of the helicopter. All the aircraft have authentic and realistic avionics suites and an additional
Battle of Britain, changing the course of World War 2 by being responsible for more set of colour schemes as well as the default paint schemes.
r piloting skills to the enemy kills than any other aircraft. The Typhoon quickly
e, Madrid, Venice, became one of the most formidable ground attack aircraft All the aircraft are modelled in very high detail, based
host of cities that of the war years. By the end of World War 2 the RAF were on extensive research on the real-world aircraft featured
e continent. With a operating 18 Typhoon squadrons equipped with deadly in the pack.
easoned aviators rockets.
challenging For FSX users we have included the ultra-detailed scenery
an descent into the Each aircraft has been painstakingly recreated to offer the for Denham airfield just to the west of London, so not only
mous. ultimate in simulation. Accompanied by adrenalin charged can you fly all these aircraft, but you’ll also have a new
missions for Flight Simulator X, would-be fighter aces can airfield at which to base them!
extras including a relive the Hawker experience where the best pilots truly
nations visited, became heroes! All the aircraft in Flying Club 2 are fully updated
briefing and a to the latest Flight Simulator X SP2 and DX10
iper aircraft. Hawker Heroes is also compatible with FS2004. preview specifications.

price: US$29.95 AUD$44.95 code: fchh price: US$34.95 AUD$47.95 code: flyclub2 price: US$44.95 AUD$59.95

vrinsight micro jet-pit vrinsight micro pro-pit

eye of an instructor! portable instrument panel for jet aircraft control & display system for propeller aircraft
ating every aspect of your flying technique and The Micro Jet-Pit from VRinsight is a portable jet panel for Microsoft Flight Simulator X The u-ProPit is a portable hardware control and display system for Mcirosoft Flight
mation you can use to fly better... Imagine a and Flight Simulator 2004. Simulator’s propeller-driven aircraft.
e good and bad points of each flight...
It features a ND, PFD, EFIS and MCP, as well as real knobs. All the instruments, buttons All the gauges on the display are synchronized with the Flight Simulator software, so
e Web to prove and knobs are synchronized with default Flight Simulator jet aircraft and most aircraft what you see on your new micro pro-pit displays is what is happening in your flight
st... A team of Flight add-ons. Fully interfaced with FSX/FS2004 sim aircraft at that very second!
u immediate, detailed through a USB port and SerialFP2 software
(supplied). Real knobs and push buttons
provide the user with a realistic
of flight: taxi, take off, Requires USB 2.0 port, FSUIPC (free version) flight experience with quick
more... Fly a whole flight and a spare DVI or VGA port. and easy setup. Plus, the micro
eceive a detailed score. pro-pit can be packed up and
Note: If you plan to connect the CDU II taken anywhere in no time at
d in full detail in your panel via a USB hub, the hub MUST be all. Great for flight simming on
your best scores to USB 2.0 compliant. the move!
ff your flying skills to
chool 2010! Panel is easily portable for transportation... Full metal case. 1 Year Warranty.

price: US$39.95 AUD$59.95 code: vrmicjpit price: US$429.95 AUD$599.95 code: VRMICROPIT price: US$429.95 AUD$599.95

e
code: 893458 price: US$33.33 AUD$44.44 sub price: US$33.34 AUD$44.44 code: 893458 price: US$33.33 AUD$44.44 sub price: US$33.34 AUD$44.44

er o n l in @
d
through our local offices in

or www.pcaviator.com
55
tralia: +61 +3 9553 1955
realize your dream to fly
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 world’s best selling PC flight simulator!
code: FSXgold price: US$49.95 AUD$94.95
constellation professional
graceful giant from a bygone era of aviation
With 11 aircraft supplied in three model types and a complete Flight Engineer’s
station, radio station and Co-pilot’s station, Constellation Professional is the ultimate
Constellation package. Models inlcuded are the C-69 Military Transport Prototype, the
C-69/L-049A, and the L-049A first production type.
A complete Virtual Cockpit is modelled and the flight model
has been tested by real-world Constellation pilots. A replica
of a typical cabin is included to provide a taste of what life
was like aboard these great airliners.
To complete the period effect there is an appropriate period
cabin interior, complete with animated passenger (L049A
civilian model only).
Constellation Professional has been developed exclusively
for FSX (SP2 & DX10 Preview compatible) and makes use
of the all-new FSX graphics features to amazing effect.
code: JFCONPRO price: US$34.95 AUD$54.95
FS Global 2010 X
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
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 plan
Get the view fro
x-plane 9 (pc) AIRUTOPIA DVD: Cessna 172 sk
Fly Anything! Ultimate Realism, Ultimate Versatility... introduction to flight
X-Plane is the most comprehensive and powerful flight simulator available for the Welcome aboard the Cessna 172 Skyhawk… o
personal computer. X-Plane simulates anything that flies: from single-engine fixed wing all time! After a detailed introduction to this fa
props to multi-engine jets; gliders to dirigibles; helicopters to spacecraft to VTOLs such personal look inside a professional flight trainin
as the V-22 Osprey and AV8-B Harrier. involved in earning your very own pilot’s licens
from our popular Cessna 152 Cockpit DVD, you
X-Plane has the most realistic flight model available for involved in taking the step up to the larger Ces
personal computers. It comes with subsonic and supersonic in from classroom, to pre-flight aircraft inspect
flight dynamics, simulating aircraft from the Bell 206 Jet- actual in-flight training session!
Ranger helicopter and Cessna 172 light plane to the
supersonic SR-71 and Mach-3 XB-70 Valkyrie. - Cessna 172 Skyhawk in detail!
- Instructor and pilot commentary
X-Plane comes with 29 aircraft spanning the aviation - A complete flight training experience!
industry (and history). X-Plane also has detailed failure- - Detailed info on systems/engines/airframe
modeling, with 35 systems that can be failed manually, - Playable on any DVD driver or DVD player
or randomly when you least expect it! You can fail - New Series from AirUtopia!
instruments, engines, flight controls, and landing gear at
any moment. Keep your eyes on those instruments! Running Time: 80 minutes
code: XPL9 price: US$29.95 AUD$49.95 code: DvdAUC172 price: U
dcs: black shark just planes dvd: azul airlin
digital combat simulator series embraer 190 and 195
DCS: Black Shark” is a PC game of the Russian Ka-50 attack helicopter and is the first Azul, Brazil’s new carrier, becomes the 216th a
title in a new Eagle Dynamics and The Fighter Collection simulation series: and first program to feature the Embraer 195!
“Digital Combat Simulator” (DCS).
This 4 hour DVD once again shows that Brazil i
Following Eagle Dynamics’ tradition of excellence, “DCS: around the world to fly around.
Black Shark” will bring an even more realistic simulation
experience than its predecessor “Flaming Cliffs”. “DCS: Azul’s great crews present this high tech aircra
Black Shark” offers an unprecedented level of realism All Azul aircraft are equipped with HUD (Head
in regards to flight dynamics, instruments modeling, and for the 1st time ever you will actually see a
avionics systems, and weapon systems. through the HUD with pilot explanations! Also
are 2 flights filmed from the cabin, a walkarou
A new Mission Editor includes a powerful electronic lot more...
mapping system that allows user to easily create missions
and campaigns. A new campaign system allows the front With the recent number of new Embraer type a
line of the battlefield to move back and fourth according add-ons available for FS, this DVD is a must-ha
to your mission success or failure.
For Windows XP and Vista. Running Time: 231 minutes
code: DSCBS price: US$49.95 AUD$69.95 code: dvdazul price: US
FTX AUSTRALIA Just planes dvd: comair limi
Australia wide texture and scenery enhacement for FSX Featuring The BA 737-300 And The
FTX is the Full Terrain Experience, and is the culmination of over five years of research This program features Comair of South Africa.
and development by local Melbourne company, Orbx Simulation Systems. FTX will Airways within South Africa and to surrounding
completely transform how the entire country of Australia looks like in Flight Simulator cost operate of Kulula Air.
X, and only occupies 12GB of hard drive space and performs equal and in some
cases better than default FSX! This 4 hour program not only presents the 737
it takes a close look at aviation in Africa. Coma
This all-in-one package includes all four FTX regions; crews take time to explain it all. Also included i
AU BLUE, AU RED, AU GREEN, and AU GOLD, plus the the cabin and a lot more....
FTX Coffs Harbour scenery add-on and the latest SP3
service pack! All Just Planes DVDs are encoded region free of
shelf. This means they can be played in any DV
Each FTX Region is a fully stand-alone, self-contained FSX worldwide without compatibility issues. Alterna
product, with all seasonal variations, beautiful and can also play them on your computer via a regu
immersive 3D night lighting, improved custom landclass DVD-ROM drive if you wish. So don’t delay.
and tile meshing, autogen annotation, unique roads, trees Start your collection of Just Planes DVDs today!
and other textures. Orbx even creates brand new, accurate
coastlines with beaches where they occur in real life! Running Time: 249 minutes
code: ftxaussp3 price: US$149.95 AUD$169.95 code: Dvdcomair price: U
code: 893458 price: US$33.33 AUD$44.4
m to fly

mend just planes FLIGHT DECK DVDS

Get the view from the jump seat of commercial airliners!

AIRUTOPIA DVD: Cessna 172 skyhawk cockpit AIRUTOPIA DVD: piper seneca cockpit
lism, Ultimate Versatility... introduction to flight introduction to flight
d powerful flight simulator available for the Welcome aboard the Cessna 172 Skyhawk… one of the most popular aircraft of Welcome aboard the Piper Seneca - one of the most popular twin engine aircraft in
anything that flies: from single-engine fixed wing all time! After a detailed introduction to this famous 4 seat aircraft, you’ll get a the world! After a detailed introduction to this sporty 6-seater, you’ll get a personal
dirigibles; helicopters to spacecraft to VTOLs such personal look inside a professional flight training center to witness some of the steps look inside a professional flight training center to witness some of the steps involved
involved in earning your very own pilot’s license! Following on to earn your very own pilot’s license!
from our popular Cessna 152 Cockpit DVD, you’ll see what’s Complementing our popular Cessna 152 & 172 and Mooney
odel available for involved in taking the step up to the larger Cessna 172. Join Cockpit DVDs, you’ll see the challenges that are involved in
bsonic and supersonic in from classroom, to pre-flight aircraft inspection, to an moving up to a complex high performance twin engine
m the Bell 206 Jet- actual in-flight training session! aircraft including a classroom session, pre-flight aircraft
ht plane to the inspection and an actual Seneca in-flight training session
Valkyrie. - Cessna 172 Skyhawk in detail! complete with engine out training!
- Instructor and pilot commentary
ng the aviation - A complete flight training experience! - Piper Seneca in detail!
s detailed failure- - Detailed info on systems/engines/airframe - Instructor and pilot commentary
e failed manually, - Playable on any DVD driver or DVD player - A complete flight training experience!
You can fail - New Series from AirUtopia! - Detailed info on systems/engines/airframe
and landing gear at
instruments! Running Time: 80 minutes Running Time: 80 minutes

e: US$29.95 AUD$49.95 code: DvdAUC172 price: US$19.95 AUD$29.95 code: dvdaupipsen price: US$19.95 AUD$29.95

just planes dvd: azul airlines Just planes dvd: tuifly.com

series embraer 190 and 195 Featuring The 737-700 and 737-800
Russian Ka-50 attack helicopter and is the first Azul, Brazil’s new carrier, becomes the 216th airline to join the World Air Routes series TUIfly, the 217th airline to join the series, brings you the most complete Boeing
Fighter Collection simulation series: and first program to feature the Embraer 195! 737 Next Generation program in the World Air Routes with a series of briefings,
presentations, walkarounds...
This 4 hour DVD once again shows that Brazil is one of the most beautiful places
f excellence, “DCS: around the world to fly around. The program includes our first flight to the Cape Verdi
ealistic simulation Islands with landings at Boa Vista & Sal and the longest
ng Cliffs”. “DCS: Azul’s great crews present this high tech aircraft in details. ever
level of realism All Azul aircraft are equipped with HUD (Head Up Display) 737 flight in the series at over 6 hours!
ents modeling, and for the 1st time ever you will actually see an approach
. through the HUD with pilot explanations! Also included We fly to Venice with low visibility resulting in a missed
are 2 flights filmed from the cabin, a walkaround and a approach followed by an autoland in near zero visibility!
rful electronic lot more...
asily create missions The next flight is into Calvi which also offers a difficult
em allows the front With the recent number of new Embraer type aircraft approach due to the mountains around the field and we
d fourth according add-ons available for FS, this DVD is a must-have! complete with a flight to spectacular Innsbruck located
right in the valley!
Running Time: 231 minutes
Running Time: 249 minutes

rice: US$49.95 AUD$69.95 code: dvdazul price: US$29.95 AUD$42.95 code: Dvdtuifly price: US$29.95 AUD$39.95

Just planes dvd: comair limited just planes dvd: air canada 777-300er
d scenery enhacement for FSX Featuring The BA 737-300 And The Kulula Air 737-400 tokyo - toronto - frankfurt
is the culmination of over five years of research This program features Comair of South Africa. The airline operates service of British Air Canada brings you the 1st program on the B777-300ER and also a rare
company, Orbx Simulation Systems. FTX will Airways within South Africa and to surrounding countries in Africa as well as the low opportunity to go along on a roundtrip over the Pacific Ocean as we fly nonstop
ountry of Australia looks like in Flight Simulator cost operate of Kulula Air. from Toronto to Tokyo Narita Airport and back.
ve space and performs equal and in some
This 4 hour program not only presents the 737 in detail but Our crew goes through all the flight preparations, briefings,
it takes a close look at aviation in Africa. Comair’s great checklists and take their time presenting the 777-300
ur FTX regions; crews take time to explain it all. Also included is a flight in cockpit in detail. They also go over how Trans Pacific routes
U GOLD, plus the the cabin and a lot more.... operate, where suitable diversion airports are located, the
d the latest SP3 flight bag that Air Canada equips its 777 with, the Date
All Just Planes DVDs are encoded region free off the Line and much more.
shelf. This means they can be played in any DVD player
, self-contained FSX worldwide without compatibility issues. Alternatively, you As a bonus the program continues with a Trans Atlantic
beautiful and can also play them on your computer via a regular flight from Toronto to Frankfurt. Be sure to check out the
d custom landclass DVD-ROM drive if you wish. So don’t delay. preview video from this title on the product page at the
, unique roads, trees Start your collection of Just Planes DVDs today! PC Aviator website!
brand new, accurate
cur in real life! Running Time: 249 minutes Running Time: 186 minutes

price: US$149.95 AUD$169.95 code: Dvdcomair price: US$29.95 AUD$44.95 code: dvdac777300 price: US$29.95 AUD$39.95

e
code: 893458 price: US$33.33 AUD$44.44 sub price: US$33.34 AUD$44.44 code: 893458 price: US$33.33 AUD$44.44 sub price: US$33.34 AUD$44.44

er o n l in @
d
through our local offices in

or www.pcaviator.com
55
tralia: +61 +3 9553 1955
realize your dream to fly

books & magazines

learn to fly like the professionals with these quality texts!
hardwa
get the most from

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 pilot’s 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!
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,
it’s a collection of “right to the point” articles that will
help you run FSX faster, better, easier. In short, you’ll have
a whole lot more fun!
This new 240-page book is written with minimal
“technicalese” for easy reading.
Trackir 5 head tracking dev
the ultimate head tracking cont
TrackIR Changes Everything! Hyper accurate, fu
inches in size—TrackIR 5 is the one piece of kit
Take advantage of our 6 DOF head tracking tec
movement in three-dimensional space to your
Your increased situational awareness will make
most feared competitor around. In dogfights, y
impossible to shake. In white-knuckle races, yo
impossible to pass. In tactical combat, you’ll be
impossible to flank.
Discover the TrackIR advantage. Put Your Head
Game! Package Includes: TrackIR 5 (with 6 ft. U
cable); TrackClip (reflective tracking clip); TrackI
Software (download); TrackIR Users Manual (vie
Quick Start Guide (view PDF) ; Clamshell retail
package; Awesome fun at no extra charge!

code: bkfsxrwt price: US$29.95 AUD$49.95 code: bkttt price: US$26.95 AUD$44.95 code: trackir5 price: US

Flying The Airbus A300 Series Simulators
PC Simmer’s 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 Wilco’s 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. It’s 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 step-
by-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.
The Unofficial A320 Simulator Manual vrinsight JetPit
the best read this side of the airbus factory! dedicated “touch the screen” ins
Captain Mike Ray has written another wonderful book, this time about the fabulous The JetPit panel of VRinsight is an instrument p
Airbus A320 airplane. While the material is specifically intended for the professional synchronized with Microsoft Flight Simulator, s
Airbus pilot community, it is something that should be in every serious Airbus Flight Flight Simulator, as well as most add-on jet airc
Simmers library.
JetPit panel displays the primary flight informat
It is fascinating to read, and written in a style that can be of PFD,ND, MCP, EFTS, EICAS and CDU with ful
characterized as humorous and yet technically challenging. functional rotary knobs and push buttons,
The document is filled with hundreds of pages in glorious allowing the users to experience the most
color, each choked with a treasure trove of information. realistic flight ever.
The collection of actual flight techniques and technical It is completely interfaced with Microsoft
data, which is intended to prepare the pro pilot for the Flight Simulator 2004 and Flight Simulator X
airline style check-ride, will answer most every question through the add-on software “SerialFP2”
simmers will have regarding the airplane and its operation. which enables JetPit to achieve a full
simulation with a simple connection to a PC
The beautiful document has been called a work of art by through a USB port. The package includes
those professional pilots that have read it. a 20” TFT LCD Monitor.

code: bka300 price: US$49.95 AUD$69.95 code: bka320man price: US$49.95 AUD$79.95 code: vrjetpit price: US$1

Sybex - FS2004 Official Strategies & Secrets glass simming: garmin 1000 ch products pro pedals usb
the official game guide for fs2004 Learn To use The Garmin 1000 avionics suite The Real “Swiss Army Knife” Airc
This official strategy guide, written with the full cooperation of Microsoft Game Glass Simming tells everything you need for simulating flight with the latest Your ailerons are only half of the picture. Comp
Studios, will help you deepen your knowledge and enjoyment of every aspect of technology. It’s much more expansive and detailed than the short guideline included with CH ProPedals USB, the ultimate choice in
flight, whether you’re trying to land that Comet in a crosswind or request take-off with FSX, and it omits information in the real-world Garmin 1000 manual that’s give you realistic, fully articulating (back/forth)
clearance from ATC so you can get that 737 full of passengers to Chicago on time. useless for flight simulation. toes for differential toe brakes (just like a real a
simulator and hardware interface*.
Inside you’ll find: Learn from:
• Detailed specifications, statistics and flying tips for all the • Complete explanation of knobs, switches, buttons, dials, CH ProPedals USB also feature smooth gliding
historical and modern aircraft. displays, and softkeys! input. With your feet sitting on a set of CH Pro
• Exciting flight challenges so you can apply concepts and • Thorough description of screens, pages, page functions, Pedals you’ll be able to master crosswind
techniques, such as difficult navigation and approach and popup windows. landings, make properly balanced turns and
procedures. • Detailed step-by-step guide for every function. control your aircraft during taxi, the way
• Coverage of all flight aspects, from taxi and takeoff, to • Easy-to-follow text that makes sense. it is done in real life… with your rudder
in-flight navigation, to approaches and landings. • Clear graphical depictions! pedals, and not your yoke.
• Fun role-playing scenarios that let you become a bush • Focused chapters, no uneccessary waffle.
pilot, airline pilot, or aerobatic pilot. • Quick-reference tables EXCLUSIVE 2 YEAR WARRANTY
• Details on the Flight Simulator community, with dozens • Full index for fast information access. CH ProPedals are also backed by a quality CH
of great add-ons and Internet resources. • Ideal for the new or intermediate simmer. Products 2 year warranty.

code: bkfs2004oss price: AUD$32.95 code: bkg1000 price: US$20.35 AUD$34.95 code: chpropedusb price: U
code: 893458 price: US$33.33 AUD$44.4

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
m to fly

ality texts!
hardware & peripherals
get the most from the sim experience with these quality products!

rips
SX...
controlled features that broaden the experience
ble. With this additional power comes some level
ok is to put the complexity to rest so that you
nce rather than fight it.
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 size—TrackIR 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!
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.

flight sim experts Your increased situational awareness will make you the The Eclipse Yoke includes the following new features:
xperience, are most feared competitor around. In dogfights, you’ll be • Fully programmable fingertip paddles, ideal
new book Tips, impossible to shake. In white-knuckle races, you’ll be for flight and racing sims. • Programmable
impossible to pass. In tactical combat, you’ll be trim / scroll wheels with center push function.
impossible to flank. • Two backlit push buttons and a third
mlulator X. Instead, traditional push button. • Two 8-way hat
articles that will Discover the TrackIR advantage. Put Your Head in the with rocker switch and trigger on both sides
In short, you’ll have Game! Package Includes: TrackIR 5 (with 6 ft. USB of handle. • Configurable POV hat for either
cable); TrackClip (reflective tracking clip); TrackIR left or right hand use. • Colored handles for
Software (download); TrackIR Users Manual (view); throttle / prop / fuel mixture. • LED selector
th minimal Quick Start Guide (view PDF) ; Clamshell retail dial offering up to 240 programmable
package; Awesome fun at no extra charge! functions. • New, non-binding shaft design!

e: US$26.95 AUD$44.95 code: trackir5 price: US$149.95 AUD$249.95 code: checl price: US$159.95 AUD$259.95

mulator Manual vrinsight JetPit logitech g940 flight system

the airbus factory! dedicated “touch the screen” instrument panel for jets! complete three-piece control system for flight simmers
wonderful book, this time about the fabulous The JetPit panel of VRinsight is an instrument panel for jet aircraft. All gauges are For flight simulation enthusiasts who love to take to the skies for combat missions or
erial is specifically intended for the professional synchronized with Microsoft Flight Simulator, supporting the default jet aircraft of for the simple thrill of piloting aircraft, Logitech Flight System G940 provides a truly
ng that should be in every serious Airbus Flight Flight Simulator, as well as most add-on jet aircraft. realistic experience and precise flight control. Combining authentic controls, with
designs inspired by military and commercial airplanes and helicopters, and realistic
JetPit panel displays the primary flight information force feedback, the Flight System G940 works and feels like the real thing – from
n a style that can be of PFD,ND, MCP, EFTS, EICAS and CDU with fully takeoff to landing.
chnically challenging. functional rotary knobs and push buttons,
of pages in glorious allowing the users to experience the most • Authentic design inspired by military and
ve of information. realistic flight ever. commercial planes and helicopters.
• Force feedback joystick allows you to control
ues and technical It is completely interfaced with Microsoft your aircraft with confidence.
e pro pilot for the Flight Simulator 2004 and Flight Simulator X • Dual throttle enables precise control of multi-
ost every question through the add-on software “SerialFP2” engine aircraft using the split lever.
ane and its operation. which enables JetPit to achieve a full • Interactive, programmable throttle-base
simulation with a simple connection to a PC buttons integrate with simulation software
ed a work of art by through a USB port. The package includes • Rudder pedals with toe brakes give you true-
ad it. a 20” TFT LCD Monitor. to-life control with fixed or rotary wings.

price: US$49.95 AUD$79.95 code: vrjetpit price: US$1349.00 AUD$1999.95 code: LGTKG940 price: US$(NA) AUD$459.95

1000 ch products pro pedals usb saitek proflight switch panel

00 avionics suite The Real “Swiss Army Knife” Aircraft! realistic switches to mimic cockpit controls
ed for simulating flight with the latest Your ailerons are only half of the picture. Complete your authentic flight control set-up As part of Saitek’s continuing expansion of its Pro Flight range, this product adds value
and detailed than the short guideline included with CH ProPedals USB, the ultimate choice in realistic rudder pedals! CH ProPedals and realism your flight simulation setup with a set of commonly used swiches you’ll
the real-world Garmin 1000 manual that’s give you realistic, fully articulating (back/forth) rudder motion and also pivot on the find in any light aircraft. A set of switches for use in controlling various aspects of a
toes for differential toe brakes (just like a real aircraft) where supported by the flight simulation.
simulator and hardware interface*.
Includes:
tches, buttons, dials, CH ProPedals USB also feature smooth gliding motion for precision rudder control • Engine on/off
input. With your feet sitting on a set of CH Pro • Landing Gear
ges, page functions, Pedals you’ll be able to master crosswind • A large selection of cockpit controls
landings, make properly balanced turns and
y function. control your aircraft during taxi, the way Works with Flight Simulator X
. it is done in real life… with your rudder
pedals, and not your yoke. LEDs for Landing Gear match the
affle. status in the game – if a landing gear
EXCLUSIVE 2 YEAR WARRANTY strut fails, this is indicated on the
s. CH ProPedals are also backed by a quality CH panel. The Saitek Switch Panel is an
mmer. Products 2 year warranty. economical alternative!

price: US$20.35 AUD$34.95 code: chpropedusb price: US$119.95 AUD$214.95 code: stkpfsp price: US$99.95 AUD$164.95

e
code: 893458 price: US$33.33 AUD$44.44 sub price: US$33.34 AUD$44.44 code: 893458 price: US$33.33 AUD$44.44 sub price: US$33.34 AUD$44.44

er o n l in @
d
through our local offices in

or www.pcaviator.com
55
tralia: +61 +3 9553 1955
pc aviator’s download store
instant access to quality flight simulator downloads!

ULTIMATE AIRPORT ENVIRONMENT wings of silver: piper J-3 cub airbus series volume 2
IMPROVES THE REALISM OF FSX AIRPORTS! the “cub” from leading aircraft designers - a2a! experience the A330 and A340 je
Ultimate Airport Environment X is a comprehensive texture booster that features Even if you have never actually seen a Cub in the flesh (and this is getting harder to do After the Award-winning Airbus Series Vol.1, 7
over 200 new textures that greatly enhance your entire Microsoft Flight Simulator every year), if airplanes are your game, you have a good idea of what a Cub is all and feelThere.com now bring fresh air in the A
X default airports throughout the world. Whether you are new to the hobby or a about. Virtually every pilot has flown or knows someone who has flown a Cub. Whether you’re a beginner or expert flight simm
seasoned veteran you will instantly appreciate how your airports take on a new and Airbus models.
more modern look. You will see more realistic and detailed runways, taxiways, tarmac Perhaps the most important thing this little airplane will bring to you is honest,
surfaces, airport buildings, hangars, terminals, warehouses, jetways, and much more! true-to-life stick-and-rudder flying, and after just flying it for a very short while you will • The A330-200
start to feel like a better pilot, and you will be. • A330-300
Your default FSX airports will no longer look dull • A340-300
and boring. This package instantly modernizes • As with every A2A Simulations aircraft, it • A330-600
all your small, medium and large airports is gorgeously constructed, inside and out, • A330-300 MRTT Tanker Transport
throughout the world! Plus with detailed night down to the last rivet.
lighting effects, your airports will come to life • Flying qualities built by pilots with This package includes liveries of a selection of o
even at night. unprecedented stall and spin realism. worldwide airlines that have commissioned the
• Includes standard J-3 Cub, Tundra tires, Whatever your skill level, this Airbus Series is de
This incredible package only updates your Floats, and Skis (nine liveries). Compatible with both Flight Simulator X and F
default airports and will not modify your • 118 page, full-sized Pilot’s Manual written 2004, this Airbus package is one of our best se
favorite 3rd party airports. • by Mitchell Glicksman. products at the PC Aviator Download Store!

SKU: DL-ZTULTAPX simulator: fsx FiLeSiZe: 47Mb SKU: DL-A2AJ3CUB simulator: fsx FiLeSiZe: 167Mb SKU: DL-WFABS2 simulator: fsx

Photoreal melbourne x C-5m super galaxy quest kodiak

Scenery for FSX Crafted Using Real Aerial Imagery! super sized military transport for fsx & fs2004 top selling aircraft add-on dow
Photo Real Melbourne is a ground texture replacement package that overlays the The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is a large, military transport aircraft built by Lockheed. It This is the incredible new Quest Kodiak by Que
default terrain with high quality, satellite image textures. This scenery covers the entire was designed to provide strategic heavy airlift over intercontinental distances and to Idaho. This unique, high tech bush plane come
city of Melbourne, Australia and the surrounding suburban area carry oversize cargo. The C-5 Galaxy has been operated by the United States Air Force Garmin G1000 panel system linked with the m
since 1969 and is one of the largest military aircraft in the world. system. The Flight Sim version of the Kodiak fea
FEATURES: system that is designed to use less computer po
• Day, Night, Dusk, and Dawn satellite images. Now Area 51 simulations bring this beauty to your turned off into ‘sleep mode’ for added frame r
• A water mask that displays photoreal inland water desktop simulators.
(actual FSX water, not just a flat surface picture This package is a high detail Flight Sim add-
of water). Flight Simulator Specifications: on and features 10 models and 7 different
• Autogen-free satellite textures to ensure no texture packs and liveries. This features a fully
impact on frame rates. • Built for FSX engine. decked out Rescue Air-Ambulance version,
• A blend mask so that the Photo Real textures • Very High Detail Exterior and Interior. passenger model, and a ‘filled to the top’ Carg
blend with the default scenery for a smooth • Photoreal Textures. plane. Each model comes with an optional Bell
transition back to default scenery (as seen in a • Detailed doors and Cargo bays. Pod, and also 3 versions of Amphibious float
screenshot). planes, one of each of the base models, (Rescu
*When you purchase this title you will be eligible for a free Passenger, and Cargo). Only available from the
This is a must-have add-on scenery for any copy of the FS2004 version when released. PC Aviator download store!
Australian flight simulation enthusiast!

SKU: DL-npmel simulator: fsx FiLeSiZe: 478Mb SKU: DL-A51C5 simulator: fsx/FS2004* FiLeSiZe: 83Mb SKU: DL-LHKOD simulator: fsx/fs

MyTRAFFIC 2010 fsflyingschool 2009: cessna 172 detail pack u.s. cities x: san francisco
POPULATE FSX SKIES WITH REAL WORLD TRAFFIC... flying school for c-172 pilots! Hyper-Real 3D & PhotoScenery Fo
My Traffic 2010 is the latest version of the popular and longtime successful My Traffic This detail pack add on for FSFlyingSchool focuses on the Cessna 172 and provides US Cities X is a series of city scenery for FSX tha
series. Uncompromisingly optimized for the Microsoft Flight Simulator X this product flight instruction specific to the Cessna 172 in great detail enabling you to become a Based on an extensive aerial image it will havea
provides realistic air traffic in the air and on the ground, which is controlled by artificial true pro with flying the Cessna 172. Highly recommended for all student pilots. plus all the heliports and small airports that are
intelligence, for more than 8200 airports.
Modeled on the Cessna 172 included with Flight Simulator FEATURES INCLUDE:
More than 140 aircraft models were newly designed for FSX - can be used with any Cessna 172. • Aerial image coverage.
with in a never before seen detail for AI-planes and a with • More than 2800 major buildings included.
a minimal impact on the PC resources. Nearly all current With the addition of the Cessna 172 Detail Pack, your • Thousands of Autogen buildings placed
airliners, most commuter aircraft and civil freighters are instructors will be looking at your aircraft and your realistically around the city.
included. There are additional versions of many aircraft performance in your Cessna 172 in a lot more detail. • All three heliports and one seaplane base
types featuring different engines. 1600 aircraft liveries are rendered in good detail.
included as well as more than 4000 different types and Includes a number of Cessna 172 checklists you can • Detailed ship in SFO bay with helipad.
associated flight plans. My Traffic generates more than request to be read by your chosen instructor. • Sound effects near heliports and bridges.
800,000 flight a day, worldwide. • Traffic on most major raods.
Note: The Cessna 172 Detail Pack requires a registered
With the attached My Traffic editor you can program version of FSFlyingSchool2009 plus an FSFlyingSchool2009 Includes new Eastern Span of the Bay Bridge!
flight plans to your liking. Cessna 172 Detail Pack registration key. • Low price, very good value for money.

SKU: DL-ASMYT2010 simulator: fsx FiLeSiZe: 1.1Gb SKU: DL-FSFSCH172 simulator: fsx/fs2004 FiLeSiZe: 33Mb SKU: DL-ASSFO simulator:
code: 893458 price: US$33.33 AUD$44.4

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
loads!
store
realize your dream to fly!
J-3 cub airbus series volume 2 megasceneryearth - grand canyon
rcraft designers - a2a! experience the A330 and A340 jetliners! fly the grand canyon in photo-real detail!
Cub in the flesh (and this is getting harder to do After the Award-winning Airbus Series Vol.1, 737 Pilot in Command... Wilco Publishing This cameo release from the MegaSceneryEarth
, you have a good idea of what a Cub is all and feelThere.com now bring fresh air in the Airbus aircraft simulation field. collection lets you fly the biggest sculpture
or knows someone who has flown a Cub. Whether you’re a beginner or expert flight simmer, here’s your chance to fly 5 different nature has ever carved at a level of detail that
Airbus models. will leave you simply “stunned”!
little airplane will bring to you is honest,
d after just flying it for a very short while you will • The A330-200 This cameo add on gives you 7,000 square
u will be. • A330-300 miles of Arizona scenery that features ALL of
• A340-300 the Grand Canyon and Grand Canyon
aft, it • A330-600 National Park featured at a hyper-real 1.19
nd out, • A330-300 MRTT Tanker Transport meters per pixel and at a price that you can’t
say no to.
This package includes liveries of a selection of over 25
m. worldwide airlines that have commissioned these jetliners. Not much else is needed to say about this
res, Whatever your skill level, this Airbus Series is definitely for you! title - it speaks for itself and you’ll have to
Compatible with both Flight Simulator X and Flight Simulator fly it to believe it! So grab the Piper Cub,
written 2004, this Airbus package is one of our best selling download strap on your seat belt, and prepare for
products at the PC Aviator Download Store! some extreme canyon flying action!

imulator: fsx FiLeSiZe: 167Mb SKU: DL-WFABS2 simulator: fsx/FS2004 FiLeSiZe: 235Mb SKU: DL-MSXGC simulator: fsx FiLeSiZe: 3.3Gb

quest kodiak FLIGHT SIM COMMANDER X

sport for fsx & fs2004 top selling aircraft add-on download! PROFESSIONAL FLIGHT PLANNER, GPS, & NAVIGATION TOOL
litary transport aircraft built by Lockheed. It This is the incredible new Quest Kodiak by Quest Aircraft Corporation in Sandpoint FlightSim Commander is a professional flight planning, GPS, Moving Map and
vy airlift over intercontinental distances and to Idaho. This unique, high tech bush plane comes equipped with the state of the art navigation tool for Flight Simulator 2004 and Flight Simulator X.
as been operated by the United States Air Force Garmin G1000 panel system linked with the modern S-Tec Five-Fifty X Auto Pilot
military aircraft in the world. system. The Flight Sim version of the Kodiak features a low resources MFD GPS panel The program includes among many features:
system that is designed to use less computer power to render the map, and also can be • Flight planning for entire routes or route segments
eauty to your turned off into ‘sleep mode’ for added frame rate performance. • Display of both ground and airborne AI traffic
• Real-world and user waypoint database
This package is a high detail Flight Sim add- • North Atlantic Tracks, PACOTs
on and features 10 models and 7 different • Automatic logbook and blackbox recording
texture packs and liveries. This features a fully • Control zone checks for VFR flights
decked out Rescue Air-Ambulance version, • GPS with real-time display of all relevant parameters
r. passenger model, and a ‘filled to the top’ Cargo • Procedure generator and fuel calculator
plane. Each model comes with an optional Belly • SIDs/STARs and customizable route segments
Pod, and also 3 versions of Amphibious float • Printable approach and departure charts
planes, one of each of the base models, (Rescue, • Printable airport layout charts
be eligible for a free Passenger, and Cargo). Only available from the • ©VATSIM and ©IVAO support
ased. PC Aviator download store! • Recommended by many actual users!

tor: fsx/FS2004* FiLeSiZe: 83Mb SKU: DL-LHKOD simulator: fsx/fs2004 FiLeSiZe: 207Mb SKU: DL-ASFSCX simulator: fsx/FS2004 FiLeSiZe: 37Mb

cessna 172 detail pack u.s. cities x: san francisco B-17G FLYING FORTRESS
lots! Hyper-Real 3D & PhotoScenery For The “City By The Bay” SUPERB B-17 MODEL FROM THE TEAM AT SKYUNLIMITED
hool focuses on the Cessna 172 and provides US Cities X is a series of city scenery for FSX that covers US cities created by LimeSim. Francisco Sanchez-Castañer of the newly formed development team of FS-Cast has
a 172 in great detail enabling you to become a Based on an extensive aerial image it will haveall the major buildings and landmarks captured the B-17G Flying Fortress in all its glory. This package is loaded with all of the
ighly recommended for all student pilots. plus all the heliports and small airports that are inside the covered areas. bells and whistles one would expect from a dedicated FSX aircraft. These features
include bump maps, specular maps, self-shadows, working gun turrets, dropping
with Flight Simulator FEATURES INCLUDE: bombs, and more. This is a true FSX aircraft, not a port-over from FS2004, and
• Aerial image coverage. is designed for use with Flight Simulator X Service Pack 2 and the Acceleration
• More than 2800 major buildings included. Expansion Pack.
Detail Pack, your • Thousands of Autogen buildings placed
raft and your realistically around the city. • Three Highly Detailed models of the B-17G,
ot more detail. • All three heliports and one seaplane base including armed and an unarmed variant.
rendered in good detail. • A true FSX aircraft with bump maps, specular
cklists you can • Detailed ship in SFO bay with helipad. maps, and self-shadows
ructor. • Sound effects near heliports and bridges. • Beautifully rendered virtual cockpits created
• Traffic on most major raods. in the most stunning detail, with virtually
uires a registered everything animated and labeled.
FSFlyingSchool2009 Includes new Eastern Span of the Bay Bridge! • Custom Gauges with Night-Lighting effects.
y. • Low price, very good value for money. • Highly accurate flight dynamics.

ulator: fsx/fs2004 FiLeSiZe: 33Mb SKU: DL-ASSFO simulator: fsx FiLeSiZe: 169Mb SKU: DL-SKB17G simulator: fsx FiLeSiZe: 20Mb

e
code: 893458 price: US$33.33 AUD$44.44 sub price: US$33.34 AUD$44.44

er o n l in @
d
through our local offices in

or www.pcaviator.com
55
tralia: +61 +3 9553 1955
From the EDITOR
WELCOME TO THE FEBRUARY/MARCH 2010 ISSUE!

I didn’t get a chance to say it earlier but Happy New Year to all! Hopefully there was some nice
holiday gifts in the form of flight sim gear or software that came your way?

I managed to upgrade my PC here in my usual two year cycle, although this time I think it was
more like 3 years, at least it felt like that. Flight Simulator X was struggling a little on my Pentium
D (the first dual core processor made) on an older motherboard with 2Gb DDR memory and a
9800GT video card.

The new system, which is still slowly coming together now has an Intel Core i5-750 CPU, a new
P55 chipset motherboard and 4Gb of DDR3 RAM. I still have the 9800GT video card in use while
the new Radeon 5850 is enroute. I must say that even with the processor, motherboard and
memory change alone, FSX is a totally new flight simulator. I can actually set most things to near
maximum and still get framerates well into the 40s and 50s in dense urban areas, with detailed
clouds and plenty of AI air, land and sea traffic enabled. I must admit I didn’t expect such a
large boost with a CPU and memory upgrade alone, but obviously FSX thrives on multi-core
processors, especially quad-core CPUs like the Core i5 and similar. And the Core i5 is not even the
fastest processor out there, with the Core i7 being top of the pops (at present). And all this for
well under $900 Australian Dollars (including the video card). Not bad.
Publisher: Robert Ferraro
Editor: Dean Bielanowski
Of course, now that I have this nice new system which runs FSX very well, I am putting many
more hours into the logbook and finally getting to some of those more detailed missions that Editorial Assistant: Roger Curtiss
couldn’t be easily flown before because of poor performance. It is amazing how a boost in
Layout & Design: Tony Liatos
system speed makes flight simming exponentially more fun and enjoyable.
Contributors In This Issue: Dean Bielanowski, John Achor,
Consider an upgrade if you are getting frustrated with FS performance on your older machine. It Chuck Bodeen, Rob Scott, Gene Davis, David Wilson-Okamura,
is well worth it. And to help with that, this issue we have another edition of Doug Horton’s FSX Roger Curtiss, Doug Horton, Mike Ray, Al Pelletier
Benchmarking series to help you decide what to look for and what to buy! Enjoy this issue… now
back to FSX missions for me – and figuring out why the Tokyo Executive Helo mission won’t seem
to kick start itself once loaded? Subscription Managers: Australia: Adrian Lazzarotto
USA: Mark Jakubowski
Editorial Submissions: Please address editorial matter
to The Editor at editor@computerpilot.com or to the office
closest to you listed at the bottom of this page.
Dean Bielanowski
Editor Advertising Inquiries: PC Aviator Inc.
Phone: 843-716-1616. Email: advertising@computerpilot.com
Website: www.computerpilot.com
General E-Mail: info@computerpilot.com
Supplement
your reading in Computer Pilot Magazine
US Distribution: Ingram Periodicals, International
Periodical Distributors, Media Solutions
by visiting the Computer Pilot web site at www.computerpilot.com
Printed By: The RL Bryan Company (USA).
As well as features for first time visitors, the web site is Disclaimer: Any information, advice, maps, charts, tables
designed with our readers in mind. and other information published in this magazine is exclusively
for use with PC flight simulations. The publisher does not
For subscribers accept any liability for any accident or incident arising from any
• Renew your subscriptions on-line information conveyed or implied in this publication.
• Notify us of address changes Copyright: © Copyright 2010 The PC Aviator Pty Ltd
• Join our electronic mailinglist – SubscriberNews Incorporating PC Aviator Inc. All rights reserved. None of
the information in this magazine may be reproduced in any
General services include: form or stored via any electronic means without the express
• Direct links to web sites mentioned in our on-line article permission of the publisher.
• Free monthly desktop calendar wallpapers featuring both quality
Cover Price: USA.: $7.95. Australia: $9.85*. Canada: $9.95.
flight sim screenshots and real world aviation photographs!
• On-line competitions Subscriptions:
• Computer Pilot Interactive Computer Pilot is published bi-monthly
• Much more • Australian Annual Subscriptions: AUD$39.95
Phone: (03) 9553 1955
Bookmark our web site and visit it frequently. • US Annual Subscriptions: USD$24.95
It will enhance your reading of Computer Pilot Magazine. Phone: 1-800-664-0033
• Other International Subscriptions
Asia/Pacific 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
http://www.computerpilot.com U.S. Office: PC Aviator Inc
1485 Colts Neck Road,
Publications Mail Agreement #: 40720082 LORIS, SC 29569-6775
Customer #: 7056038 Ph: 843-716-1616 Fax: 1-843-716-1619
Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to:
PC Aviator, inc., PO Box 15907, Surfside Beach, SC 29587, U.S.A.
V14I2

* Recommended Retail Price only

Computer Pilot Volume 14 issue 2, February/March 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
Computer Pilot is an international magazine, proudly
published in Australia. Printed in the United States
of America.

cpm1402BU.indd 14 1/13/2010 7:45:37 PM

 CONCTOEN
30 CONN TTETSNSTS
TEN
16. NEWS AND NEW RELEA
SES
ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND
NEW RELEASES SINCE OUR
LAST ISSUE.
MINI REVIEWS
29 MEGA AIRPORT LISBON
X
65 UH-1 HUEY

MAXI REVIEWS
37 LOTUS SIM L-39 ALBATRO
S
46 JUST FLIGHT’S FLYING CLU
B2
58 FIRST CLASS SIMULATIONS
’ EUROFIGHTER & EUROCOPTER
20 FUN & CHALLENGING

37 IF YOU DON’T HAVE A

NIGHT AIRPORTS
BASIC UNDERSTANDING AND
OF INSTRUMENT FLYING, YOU THE CAPABILITY
HAVE NO BUSINESS OUT THER
NIGHT. WITH THAT OUT OF E AT
THE WAY, LET’S CHECK OUT
OF RUNWAYS AROUND THE A NUMBER
WORLD AND HOW THEY LOO
AIR AT NIGHT. K FROM THE

30 AUSTRALIAN AIR ADVE

WELCOME BACK TO THE FINA
NTURES – PART II
L INST ALMENT OF MY AUSSIE
ADVENTURE USING THE FTX
SCENERY. AS BEFORE, I WILL
THROUGH SOME FLIGHTS THA GUIDE YOU
T I THINK YOU WILL FIND ENJO
AND WILL SHOW OFF THIS SCEN YABLE
ERY. I HOPE THAT THE OPPORT
BETWEEN THE TWO INSTALM UNITY
ENTS HAS GIVEN YOU AMP
COMPLETE THE PREVIOUS FLIG LE TIME TO
HTS, AND MAYBE EVEN FIND
YOUR OWN ALONG THE WAY A FEW OF
.
42 ENHANCED GOOGLE EA
THERE ARE RTH
A NUMBER OF WAYS TO USE
EARTH” TO ENLARGE UPON THE NOW-FAMOUS “GOOGL
YOUR PLEASURE OF FLIGHT E
OFF-THE-SHELF GOOGLE EAR SIMULATION.
TH COMES WITH SATELLITE
WEATHER RADAR, HURRICA WEATHER,
NES, CURRENT CONDITIONS,
FORECASTS - THESE FEATURE AND
S CAN BE TURNED ON OR OFF
AND THERE’S MORE! AT WILL.

54 VIRTUAL AIRLINE REVIE

“AFTER FLYING AROUND IN W – PACIFIC AIRWAYS

54
FS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS MANY YEA
AGO, IT OCCURRED TO ME RS
THAT I WAS ONLY FLYING THE
ROUTES IN THE SAME AIRCRAFT SAME FEW
OVER AND OVER AGAIN. I NEE
SOMETHING NEW… I CAME DED
ACROSS PACIFIC AIRWAYS,
AS THEY SAY, WAS HISTORY AND THE REST,
!”
66 BENCHMARKING FSX
“WITH A VARIETY OF
- PART III
HARDWARE, SETTINGS, AND
INCLUDING MANY REPEATED FSX CONFIGURATIONS,
TESTS, DOUG HORTON CON
OVER 150 FSXMARK07 TEST DUCTED
RUNS TO FIND OUT WHAT HAR
COMBINATIONS GIVE THE BEST DWARE
RESULTS IN FSX.
74 HORTON’S HINTS FOR
IT’S ANOTHER “DAILY DOUBLE”
FSX DOUBLE FEATURE
AS DOU G HORTON SEARCHES OUT
BEST AND COOLEST TIPS, TRIC THE
KS AND HINTS FOR FLIGHT SIMU
X FANS. GET THE MOST OUT LATOR
YOUR SIMULATOR WITH THIS
EXTENDED FEATURE. HANDY

82 UP, UP & AWAY!

FLIGHT PLANNING FOR EX
LET’S FACE IT, AFTER A WHI
LE FLYIN
CITEMENT
BECOME A BIT TIRESOME. PERH G TO THE SAME AIRPORTS CAN
APS THERE IS TOO MUCH PRED
TO THE WHOLE THING. IN ORD ICTABILITY
ER TO SHAKE THINGS UP A
NEED TO PUT FORTH SOME BIT YOU MAY
EFFORT AND WORK AT IT A
TO GIVE YOU SOME IDEAS TO BIT. OUR INTENT IS

90
SPICE UP YOUR FLYING.
86 THE RADAR ALTIMETE
R
MIKE RAY OFFERS A UNIQUE
LOOK AT THE FUNCTION AND
RADAR ALTIMETER SYSTEM USE OF THE
AND GAUGE IN USE IN MAN
AIRCRAFT AND HELICOPTERS Y COMMERCIAL
.
90 ROUND ROBIN ADVENT
THIS URES
MONTH WE ARE FLYING FOR
DHL (OR ANY OTHER CARGO
WE ARE GOING TO TAKE SOM COMPANY).
E WINE FROM PORTUGAL TO
MADEIRA, THEN SOUTH TO THE ISLANDS OF
THE GRAND CANARIA ISLAND,
WITH A FULL LOAD OF FRUI AND COME BACK
T FROM THE CANARY ISLANDS
.
REGULAR FEATURES:
50 PULLOUT POSTER
“ANSETT B727 RETRO SCHEME
”
62 FREEWARE FRENZY
THE BEST FREEWARE, FOUND
AND REVIEWED!
73 INBOX
YOUR LETTERS AND COMMEN
TS.

cpm1402BU.indd 15 1/13/2010 7:45:47 PM

 VR AIRCRAFT OFFER
MULTI-FUNCTION AVIONICS
FOR SIMMERS
VR Aircraft, manufacturers of quality, realistic flight controls and avionics
systems for flight simulators have recently released their new AV1000
multi-function avionics panel for Flight Simulator users.

“The VR Aircraft AV1000 Simulator Avionics panels offer the ultimate

in realism, flexibility, mobility, and cost-effective flight training! Utilizing
encoders and tactile buttons, this panel interfaces directly with Microsoft
Flight Simulator 2004 and FSX.
N E W S
US CITIES X: CHICAGO
NOW AVAILABLE
Flight Simmers with a few years of sim experience
under their belts will likely be very familiar with the city
of Chicago, having been the host startup airport city
for Microsoft Flight Simulator for many releases. Now,
courtesy of Aerosoft Germany, Chicago gets its most
realistic makeover ever with the release of US Cities X:
Chicago for Flight Simulator X.

“This scenery will bring you Chicago with as much detail as

The AV1000 avionics panel is an all-inclusive navigation and aircraft condition
panel including a full feature Garmin 1000 simulator. The unit is easily
mounted in your cockpit panel, or used as a standalone unit. Requires one
video output on your flight simulator computer. AV1000 includes software
and instructions for an easy installation to Flight Simulator 2004 or FSX.”
you never have seen before. In this scenery there are hints to
the past as it includes Merrill C Meigs field and (optional) a
glimpse of the future as you are able to see the Chicago Spire, a
skyscraper in development that will put Chicago back at the top
of skyscraper cities. Based on an extensive aerial image it will
have all the major buildings and landmarks plus all the airports
and heliports that are inside the covered areas.

It is clearly intended to fill the gap between the default scenery

and very high dense city scenery such as Manhattan X, London
VFR or Venice X.

FEATURES:
• Aerial imagery coverage.
• More than 2000 major buildings included.
• About 210,000 autogen buildings placed realistically.
• “Retro style” version of Meigs Field that was sadly demolished in 2003.
• Major airports in and around the city are covered with new high res
ground images (no new building structures added)
FEATURES: - Chicago O’Hare (including new runway layout).
• Full function G1000 Simulator. - Chicago Midway.
• Multiple function EICAS. - Chicago Executive (formerly known as Palwaukee Mun).
• Single and Twin Engine configurations. - Schaumburg Regional.
• Simple mounting. - Brookeridge Airpark (where homes are next to the runway).
• Includes LCD panel assembly. • 9 heliports as start locations.
• Full IFR training capabilities. • Sound effects like downtown- and highway traffic, gulls...
• Simple USB interface. • Traffic on most major roads.
• Includes custom software package. • Low price, very good value for money.
• Includes a separate Scenery Density tool.
The AV1000 has a retail price of US$1795, but you are getting a lot
of bang for your buck in this system. You can view more details and The package is available via download now from popular flight sim
images of the AV1000, plus other VR Aircraft hardware at download stores and retails for around US$18.50.
www.vraircraft.com Check www.aerosoft.com for further details.

cpm1402BU.indd 16 1/13/2010 7:45:55 PM

S INTEL LAUNCHES NEW INTEL
2010 CORE PROCESSOR FAMILY
LINEUP
CPU manufacturer, Intel, is offering a suite of new processors in 2010
designed to meet the needs of any budget, and any speed! Over 20 new
processors will be offered in various forms and simmers will be able to
choose from multi-core processors from the Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7
families for their next desktop flight simulation processor.

Smart Technology
Imagine having a processor smart enough to know when your PC needs a
little more juice. Intel® Turbo Boost Technology gives you speed when you
need it and delivers energy efficiency when you don’t. Also available on
select models of the all new 2010 Intel® Core™ processor family, Intel®
HD Graphics provides superb visual performance for sharper images, richer
color, and life-like audio and video.

Smart Speed
We’re all multitaskers. We edit photos, send email, watch video, sync our
iPods*—and we want to do it all at once. Now we can. Intel® Hyper-
threading Technology lets your processor work on two tasks at the same time.

Smart Investment
A new PC today opens more doors tomorrow. The all new Intel® Core™
processors adapt to your needs now and down the road. So you won’t just
keep up. You’ll get ahead.

LAT E S
The Intel Core i3 desktop processors will retail starting at just
US$113. The Core i5 processors have a starting price of US$176 and
Core i7 embedded processors start at US$278.
It is quite amazing what speed boosts you can achieve in Flight
Simulator when upgrading from a single core processor to a multi-
core CPU and good quality memory. Check out more information
on the new Core i3, i5 and i7 lines at www.intel.com
17

cpm1402BU.indd 17 1/13/2010 7:45:57 PM

 FLIGHT DECK 6
CONFIRMED AND
READY TO FLY
Not long after we hinted at a possible new version of the Flight Deck
series being released, the actual product appeared and was even ready
to ship! A well-kept secret from Abacus indeed. Now Flight Deck 6 is
available to purchase for around US$30 and offers a newly designed
carrier flying environment for FSX and FS2004.
“In the tradition of the five versions that preceded, the new Flight
Deck 6 once again delivers the challenge of aircraft carrier operations.
This new version comes with significant enhancements that keep the
Flight Deck series one of the most compelling add-ons for both Flight
Simulator FSX and FS2004.
You’ll begin your jockey training in the T-34 Mentor, a sprightly turbo-
prop at Pensacola.
You’ll progress to the jet-powered T-45 Goshawk at Corpus Christi.
Finally, you’ll climb into the F/A-18C Hornet as you meet the challenge
of aircraft carrier launches and recoveries from the deck of your new
home base, the modern carrier - USS Harry S Truman.
Another achievement is the inclusion of missions not only for FSX but
interactive, voice guided missions for FS2004 based on technology
from Matthias Schill. With its powerful catapults be airborne in just
a few hundred feet. For recovery, the steel cable is set to catch your
tailhook to bring your aircraft to a screeching halt.”
Like previous releases, Flight Deck 6 promises to be a top seller and
it looks better than ever. Head to www.abacuspub.com or your
favorite sim retailer and grab your copy today!
cpm1402BU.indd 18
N E W S
BE AN AIRSHOW PILOT!
Just Flight now offer, in boxed version, the chance to fly in
a virtual airshow with their latest Flight Simulator X add-
on, Airshow Pilot.
“How accurate is your flying? Can you keep headings, altitudes
and fly near-perfect maneuvers? Now’s your perfect chance
to prove you are the best! Airshow Pilot is all about accurate,
precision flying at air shows, whether in an aerobatic Extra, a
passenger airliner or a Hawk fast jet trainer - in fact you can fly
any aircraft that you have installed in FSX!
Whether you want to perform Loops, Cuban Eights, Rolls and
Immelmanns in a dedicated aerobatic aircraft like the Extra, fly a
fast and low display pass along the crowd line in an huge Airbus
or perform in an Arrow or Diamond formation in a Hawk trainer
(using a Learjet panel), Airshow Pilot is guaranteed to give you a
whole new perspective on aircraft handling.
Learn via the in-built training feature, practice and then test your
flying skills against AI competitors on your PC or compete online
with real Airshow Pilot competitors. Refine your flying skills during
a full calendar of events. Exclusive tracking software records your
flights for you to review and will evaluate and rate your skills. You
are also able to download other competitors’ flights and play them
back! Competition results are ranked throughout a season and every
pilot will receive a world ranking - trophies are reserved for only the
best pilots in each category!
During competitions the airfield will be filled with air show crowds - people,
tents, booths, cars, display aircraft and much more. You can even hear the
crowd noise! Airshow Pilot also includes the tools for you to design air show
aerobatic events, flight programs and even airport populations!”
Airshow Pilot is available now on DVD disc format from all good flight sim
retailers. It is priced at US$41.99.
1/13/2010 7:46:01 PM
S DISCOVER EUROPE WITH FIRST
CLASS SIMULATIONS

Hot on the heels of Around the World in 80 Flights and Pole to Pole, the
team at First Class Simulations continue their series of highly popular
flight adventure packages with the announcement of Discover Europe.

Fully included in the package is a detailed rendition of the Piper Pacer

which First Class Simulations state has been carefully crafted by a team
of professional enthusiasts to be the ideal accompaniment to the journey.
Offering both maneuverability and benign handling characteristics the
Pacer is a stable platform that is particularly well suited to the role of a
sightseeing aircraft. The package invites us to take an Alpine adventure,
to put our piloting skills to the test over the Pyrenees.

Following the tour affords the opportunity to visit Paris, Rome,

Madrid, Venice, Prague, Warsaw, Vienna, and a whole host of
countries and cities that reflect the multicultural tapestry of the
continent. With a range of flights for both novice and seasoned

S T
aviators the developers hope that there is something for everyone,

E
from challenging approaches to a leisurely Mediterranean descent

LAT
into the playground resorts of the rich and famous.

The adventure is supported by lavish extras including a tourists

guide to all the destinations visited, detailed pilots notes, a
comprehensive briefing and a tutorial for the included Piper
aircraft.

Discover Europe is compatible with FS2004 and FSX and retails for
around 25 Pounds. Check www.firstclass-simulations.com or your
favorite sim retailer for availability.
19

cpm1402BU.indd 19 1/13/2010 7:46:04 PM

Funght
ight
gAnFlying
Flying
y g Airports
d ChgaAirp p
llensportss
ging t
BY JOHN ACHOR

I
remember my first night flight during pilot
training. First, the instructors sat us down
and drilled into our heads “it’s dangerous out
there when the sun goes down.” They convinced us,
especially about an electrical failure — the engine
would still be functioning, but little else would be,
and when the battery ran down, it would be dark
and lonely up there. Internally lighted instruments
were years in the future. The basic instruments had
a couple of posts which held red peanut bulbs per
instrument. Also available was a “flashlight” attached
to the aircraft’s electrical system by a coiled cord.
It was about two inches in diameter and four inches
long. That light remained in cockpits for decades.

20 CPM. V14I2

cpm1402BU.indd 20 1/13/2010 7:46:08 PM

 sts
Having cheated death — landing after hurling out bodies through
the pitch black, we came to realize that there is a charm and beauty
to night flying like no other. The flight simulator is forgiving, real

g
lif
life may not be. To this day, I believe there is no such thing as Night
V
VF
VFR. If you don’t have a basic understanding and the capability of
in
instrument flying, you have no business out there at night. If you
ddon’t believe this, watch my continuing column, “I learned about
do
flyying from that …” and I’ll include a war story that may change your
mmind.

With that out of the way, let’s check out a number of runways
around the world and how they look from the air in FS2004 at night.
I used default scenery throughout for this story so let’s hop into our FIGURE 3
Learjet 45 and get airborne.

OUR NIGHTTIME JOURNEY BEGINS

We’ll start on the southern California (USA) coast just north of the
border with Mexico. Arriving from the east we cross the Laguna and
El Cajon mountains and drop down toward San Diego International
Airport (KSAN) also known as Lindberg Field.
I’ve flown into San Diego several times on commercial flights,
and landing to the west (Runway 28) the final approach is between
buildings as high as the flight path. Let’s take a look at FS2004 on a
ten mile final into KSAN at night (Figure 1).
It’s still dark outside, so we’ll head about 200 miles northeast
to Las Vegas, Nevada (USA). The primary airport is McCarran
International Airport (KLAS). Back in the day, when I went through
some advanced training in the U.S. Air Force, it was called a “Field.”
During my short lived career as a fighter pilot I trained across town
at Nellis Air Force Base, the home of the U.S.A.F. Thunderbird
demonstration team. I trained in the F-100A Super Saber, the first
U.S. fighter that was capable of going supersonic in level flight.
Who couldn’t visit Las Vegas and not check out the “Strip” where
you can see many of the gambling casinos and where the casino
owners are happy to separate you and your money. Runway 25R at
McCarran is off the nose (Figure 4) and the Vegas Strip is visible in
the distance right of the nose.

Heading for the Strip, I turn to a northerly heading for a good look
at the casinos (Figure 5).

FIGURE 1

Wave to the nice folks in those buildings — in Figure 2, we’re

about five miles from the runway and I’m certainly glad it’s VFR out
there. After an uneventful approach, in Figure 3, we’re about to touch
down on Runway 28. FIGURE 4

FIGURE 2 FIGURE 5

21

cpm1402BU.indd 21 1/13/2010 7:46:13 PM

 In Figure 6, I’m at the north end of the strip and make a pylon turn
around the Stratosphere Tower.

I finish my 180 turn to the south, and in Figure 7 I head back down
Las Vegas Boulevard with the Stratosphere off my left wing and the
casinos along the Strip stretching out ahead of me.

FIGURE 9

WE’RE HEADING FOR THE EAST COAST OF

THE U.S.
I decided to do a fly-over at Chicago’s O’Hare (KORD) airport
FIGURE 6 about 1500 miles along the road from Las Vegas. Since I had the warp
drive engaged, it took only seconds to arrive here. That’s O’Hare dead
on the nose in Figure 10 and in Figure 11 I’m almost over the field
and the terminal is visible.

FIGURE 7

The nearest casino on the right in Figure 8 is the MGM Grand. It’s FIGURE 10
easy to tell this is from a few years ago — the sign in front of the
MGM says the headline show is Siegfried & Roy and their tiger act.
Roy was attacked by one of the tigers in the act in October 2003 and
only recently have they tried a comeback. The vertical searchlight just
left of the nose comes from the Luxor Casino.

Figure 9 gives us our last view of Las Vegas, looking at my plane

as I turn to an easterly heading. The Strip is behind me and McCarran
airport is to the right.

FIGURE 11

I’m continuing my flight eastward and am about to go “feet wet”

over Lake Michigan in Figure 12. How many of you can identify the
airport that is above the fourth fuselage window?

Hint: This once was the default airport in Microsoft Flight

FIGURE 8 Simulator for years — at least until the mayor of Chicago had the
runway dug up. (Answer: Meigs Field - KCGX).

22 CPM. V14I2

cpm1402BU.indd 22 1/13/2010 7:46:16 PM


FIGURE 12
Another 300 miles along our flight path I’m swinging over
Washington Dulles (KIAD) just outside Washington D.C. (USA) in
Figure 13. Wow, traveling at warp speed, I’ve got plenty of fuel to
make my next stop. I turn about forty-five degrees to the left and head
for New York City (USA).
FIGURE 13
In Figure 14, I dropped down to about 1000 feet to give everyone
in the back a better view of the city of New York as we arrive. The
Statue of Liberty is just above the right wing tip with the southern tip
of Manhattan Island on the nose. The body of water running off at 10
o’clock to the plane is the Hudson River. That’s where Captain Sully
Sullenberger put his Airbus down on the river saving all one-hundred
and fifty-five on board.
FIGURE 14
cpm1402BU.indd 23
A few miles later (Figure 15) and we’re over Kennedy
International Airport (KJFK) and the terminal is clearly visible in
Figure 16.
FIGURE 15
FIGURE 16
ACROSS THE WIDE ATLANTIC
Scotty, give me all you got; I’m going to need Warp 9 to make
it all the way to Orly Airport (LFPO). Paris, France is 3100 miles
away. Here (Figure 17), I’m nearly on top of Orly. I will maintain
the same heading toward the bigger airport straight ahead. In Figure
18, you can see Le Bourget Airport (LFPB) off the left wing. Charles
Lindbergh landed at Le Bourget in 1927 after his solo flight across
the Atlantic. About fifteen miles ahead is Charles De Gaulle Airport
(LFPG).
FIGURE 17
23
1/13/2010 7:46:17 PM
 FIGURE 18 FIGURE 21

Charles De Gaulle Airport has four east-west runways. In Figure 19

you can see the northern pair is directly in front of the left wing tip,
and the other pair is at two o’clock to the plane.

We’ll swing right and take a closer look at the southern pair of
runways. I’ve lined up with Runway 08R and the terminal is visible
in Figure 20.

Abeam the terminal (Figure 21); it really stands out at night. I

suppose it’s time to head for another major airport. As we leave
Paris let’s take a look at a couple of sights that are familiar to almost
everyone.

In Figure 22 the Arc de Triomphe is just below the nose of our

FIGURE 22
Learjet (lower left in the image) while the Eiffel Tower is at two
o’clock to the plane.

From Paris, we turn northeast and head into Germany and toward
Tempelhof Airport (EDDI). This will only be a trip of around 450
miles so warp speed won’t be required. As we arrive at the airport
you can see the terminal, the area just in front of a ninety-degree arc
of city lights at the top of Figure 23. We’d best not try to land here;
the airport was closed in October 2008. Tempelhof has its share of
history. One of the more famous events was being the terminus for the
Berlin Airlift when ground access was denied to the city of Berlin.

FIGURE 19

FIGURE 23

I head almost due north on the way to another Berlin airport. Five
miles away at Alexanderplatz, the Berlin (Fernsehturm) Tower is
FIGURE 20 clearly visible in Figure 24 bisecting the left wing. This 1200 foot
tower serves the TV industry.

24 CPM. V14I2

cpm1402BU.indd 24 1/13/2010 7:46:19 PM


FIGURE 24
Another eight miles down the road; I fly over Tegel Airport
(EDDT). I wanted to see this unusual terminal. In Figure 25 you can
see it was built in a hexagonal shape to reduce the walking distance
from airplane to exit, etc. I thought I was correct, but used the internet
to confirm that a hexagon is a six-sided geometric figure (long time
since high school Geometry).
FIGURE 25
LET’S LEAVE CONTINENTAL EUROPE
Picking up a westerly heading I aim our plane at London, England. I
hit the coast over the Thames River and follow it to London City Airport
(EGLC). Set in downtown London, this runway provides a sporty
approach and landing. Located a short distance from the north shore of
the Thames River, it’s located in a built up area and the runway is just
under 5000 feet. The runway is immediately in front of the right wing
(Figure 26). The round green building off the nose is the Millennium
Dome which was constructed for the year 2000 celebrations.
FIGURE 26
cpm1402BU.indd 25
A few more miles down the river and a little north we find probably
the most well known UK airport; Heathrow/London (EGLL). I line
up between the parallel east-west 12,000 foot runways as I approach
the airport in Figure 27. Heathrow is twenty miles west of London.
Figure 28 puts us on top of the field and the immense terminal
complex stands out in the night. Plans are afoot for Heathrow that
include a third runway and another terminal.
FIGURE 27
FIGURE 28
A FIVE THOUSAND MILE LEG
It’s time to use the warp drive again. Taking a great circle route to the
southeast from the UK, we find ourselves at a dot in the ocean — the
Indian Ocean that is. Diego Garcia Navy (FJDG) is billed at the largest
atoll in the world. That said, it’s still a pretty small area south of India.
Figure 29, a screen shot from FS Discover, shows the red airplane over
Diego Garcia. The atoll is south of India and the northeast corner of
Australia can be seen in the lower right of the image.
FIGURE 29
25
1/13/2010 7:46:21 PM
 I used the Top Down view in FS2004 to show the layout of the atoll Following the southern coast line of Australia, I’m south of
itself in Figure 30. The runway is visible on the upper left leg of the Melbourne and as I turn north, I can see the lights, lower right corner
U-shaped island. of Figure 33, defining the entrance to Half Moon Harbor. From 3,000
feet I can pick out the airport glow in the distance, below the left wing
I’m passing over runway 13/31 at Diego Garcia in Figure 31. are the lights from the city of Melbourne.
Way back in the day when I was still flying for the U.S. Air Force
we heard whispered rumors about Diego Garcia. To this day I have
no idea whether spooky things went on there or whether it was just
a lousy assignment.

FIGURE 33

On closer inspection, you can see in Figure 34 the airport as a dark

FIGURE 30 spot in the middle of the city. I drop down to 1,500 feet for a better
look at the airport.

FIGURE 31
FIGURE 34

ANOTHER LONG OVER-WATER LEG AND MORE

I’m heading for the Australian Continent. It will be around 2800
miles to landfall and another twelve miles inland on the southwestern Figure 35 gives you a better view of the airport showing how the
coast to arrive at Perth (YPPH) shown in Figure 32. We still have a field is totally surrounded by the city itself.
continent to cross and it’s about 1700 miles to Essendon (YMEN).

FIGURE 32 FIGURE 35

26 CPM. V14I2

cpm1402BU.indd 26 1/13/2010 7:46:23 PM

 LAST LEG
I take up a northeast heading and proceed to Sydney, about 360
miles away. We’ll do a bit of sightseeing before arriving at Kingsford-
Smith International Airport (YSSY). As I approach Sydney Harbor
I drop down to 125 feet and line up for a good view of the Sydney
Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge (Figure 36). The
soaring roof line of the Opera House is on the far left, while the twin
towers of the bridge loom ahead on either side of the aircraft nose.
Good thing the towers are well illuminated at night or I couldn’t
execute the next maneuver.

FIGURE 37

Whew! Under the bridge and didn’t scoop up any water from the
Harbour. I pop up to 1500 feet, turn to a southerly heading and aim
for the airport about five miles ahead (Figure 38). The runways at
Kingsford-Smith are just visible in the top left corner of the image.

The parallel north-south runways (16/34) and a single east-west

FIGURE 36
In Figure 37, you can see I’m lined up with the middle of the bridge
span and we’ll scoot under it. I bet we rocked the boat as I passed
over the top of that schooner just below us.
(07/25) are visible in Figure 39. I’m over runway 16R and 16L is at
the left side of the image. The twin terminal areas also show quite
nicely against the darkness.
I received clearance for a closed left traffic pattern back to
runway 16R and I’m on final in Figure 40. Oops. I’m pretty close to
touchdown, better lower the landing gear.
In Figure 41, gear and flaps down, I’m coming over the threshold
for a full stop landing.

27

cpm1402BU.indd 27 1/13/2010 7:46:25 PM

 I’m landing to the south, so the Domestic terminal is left of the
plane (Figure 42)

The International terminal is to my right (Figure 43).

I taxi back north to the west ramp and park our Learjet at the
Qantas Freight terminal (Figure 44). No authorities are there to greet
us, so I may escape any penalties for the bridge stunt.

FIGURE 38

FIGURE 42

FIGURE 39

FIGURE 43

FIGURE 40

FIGURE 44

A FINAL WORD
I’ve only scratched the surface looking at a few airports around the
world at night. I still enjoy night time scenery and often set the flight
simulator Time feature to hours of darkness. It’s also fun to set the time
just before sunset or just before sunrise and watch the scenery change.
Check out the views of stars and the moon when flying at night. Take a
FIGURE 41 look at the “spooky” night time hours and decide for yourself whether
you get satisfaction from hurtling through the pitch black. 4

28 CPM. V14I2

cpm1402BU.indd 28 1/13/2010 7:46:27 PM


AEROSOFT MEGA AIRPORT LISBON X
BY ROB SCOTT
L
isbon airport is one of the largest airports
in Southern Europe and serves as the
main base-hub of the national Portuguese
airline TAP-Air Portugal. In 2007 it handled
over 13 million passengers and 80,000 tonnes
of cargo. Aerosoft have now brought this
airport to FSX in stunning high detail as a
200mb download (420mb installed). After
downloading the scenery, installation is a
breeze and you will be up and running in a
matter of minutes. The airport is the latest in
the ‘Mega Airport’ range and stands up well
against some of the other more detailed ‘Mega
Airport’s’ despite it being a smaller airport.
This is good news for simmers on a lower spec
PC as frame rates are excellent, even when
the airport is fully populated with AI traffic.
The airport ground textures are based upon a
high detail aerial image and all the buildings,
taxiways, lighting, docking systems etc of
the real airport have been recreated with
exacting detail. The textures on the buildings
cpm1402BU.indd 29
and vehicles are all photo-realistic. Scattered
around the airport are lots of additional objects
such as baggage carts, vehicles and road signs.
These may not seem very significant but when
they are all combined with the AI aircraft
and static aircraft (which can be deactivated)
the airport really comes to life. Exploring the
airport will reveal details which may not be
noticed straight away; hiding away in the
TAP-Air Portugal hangar is an aircraft being
serviced; on the outside of the airport are the
road signs leading up to the terminal entrance
and the car parks are populated with vehicles.
All these small details add up to create a
fantastic and atmospheric airport.
If you enjoy the airport during the day, you are
in for a treat at night. This is one of the few
airports which I prefer flying into at night; the
lighting effects and textures are stunning. The
night lighting is spot on and creates that strange
atmosphere that an airport gives off at night; its
MINI-REVIEW
neither too bright not too dark. The advantage
of flying at night is that the frame rates are even
higher than during the day, but you don’t lose any
of the detail. Owners of Ultimate Terrain Europe
and Aerosoft’s AES will be pleased to know that
the airport is fully compatible with both products.
The one minor fault I encountered when using
this scenery was that the aircraft sometimes
bounced around on the taxiway. Whilst not a
major problem this is something that I have not
encountered with other Mega Airport titles.
I enjoyed using this scenery and it is another
fantastic addition to the Mega Airport range.
Aerosoft has set some high standards over the last
few months and this package continues that trend.
FS9 users who own the download version of
Lisbon 2008 (via Aerosoft’s online shop) are
eligible for a free FSX download. Also available in
boxed DVD format for US$29.99.
29
1/13/2010 7:46:29 PM
 Australian Air Adventures
PART TWO
W
elcome back to the final installment of
my Aussie Adventure using the FTX
scenery. As before, I will guide you
through some flights that I think you will find
enjoyable and will show off this scenery. I hope
that the time between the two installments has
given you ample time to complete the previous
flights, and maybe even find a few of your own
30
cpm1402BU.indd 30
BY ROB SCOTT
along the way. If you have installed the OZx
freeware airfields then you will have already
discovered some fantastic places to fly in and out
of; why not send in some of your favorite flights to
Computer Pilot? The majority of the population
live along the coast, so it’s not surprising that these
areas are the most built up, but the areas which
are not populated are fantastic to explore by air....
CPM. V14I2
1/13/2010 7:46:31 PM
 MURKY WATERS LEADING TO THE SEA

LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS ONE

PICKING MY WAY THROUGH THE ISLANDS

BARRIER REEF
FLIGHT 1: THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
The Great Barrier Reef is a World Heritage listed site and one of the most famous
tourist attractions in Australia. The best way to explore the Barrier Reef is underwater,
but you can still have a lot of fun exploring it from above where you can appreciate
how large it is. This flight departs from Cooktown and arrives at Hamilton Island and
is just over 350 miles. The flight plan is not included in the downloads section and I
flew direct as this took me straight down the coast passing over Cairns and Townsville
along the way. I opted to use the Piper Seneca for this flight as its quick cruise speed
would cover the distance in just under two hours. Navigation for this flight is as easy
as it gets, after departing from Cooktown turn towards the coast and head south. Don’t
forget to pay attention to the other scenery along the way as soon after departure you
will be able to see the Black Mountain National Park as you fly down past Rossville,
Bloomfield and Wonga. Even though the main purpose of this flight is to explore the
Great Barrier Reef, don’t neglect the scenery on the other side of the aircraft and feel
free to make frequent detours to explore the beaches and ports along the coastline.
Before you know it, Cairns will pop up out of the greenery. If you are enjoying the
flight take time to fly a few circuits around the area and take some (virtual) snaps.
After Cairns, the coastline begins to curve a little and move away from the Barrier
Reef. The next decision is up to you; either follow the coastline or head out over the
sea to follow the Barrier Reef. If you take the coast road you’ll be able to view the
Hinchinbrook Island National Park as you follow the Bruce Highway south towards
Hamilton Island. Next up on the list of big cities to fly over is Townsville, try and pick
out the Dairy Farmers Stadium where the North Queensland Cowboys Rugby League
team play. After Townsville it’s not far until our destination comes into view. There are
a couple of ways to handle this approach. You can opt for the boring straight in or take
BATTLING THE ELEMENTS some more time to explore the little islands surrounding the airfield and pick your way
through them before you land. I’ll leave it up to you!

31

cpm1402BU.indd 31 1/13/2010 7:46:46 PM

 THIS AREA IS BETTER WHEN THE SUN IS UP

AMAZING LANDSCAPE

WATCH THOSE HILLS

FLIGHT 2: GEORGE TOWN – HOBART

This flight will allow you to explore Tasmania which lies off the coast of Melbourne.
The flight will take you south towards Hobart over the green low-lying areas and the
mountainous areas in the middle of the island. The flight distance is approximately 120
miles and I opted to use the Cessna 182RG as I wanted to fly this one nice and slow to
take in the scenery. After departure, follow the river which runs inland as this will lead
you to the first waypoint of Launceston. Climb to 5500 feet to give you enough clearance
over the mountainous terrain up ahead. As you approach Launceston you will be able
to see the Ben Lomond National Park at your 11 o’clock and the mountains will begin
to rise on your right. After leaving Launceston fly due south over Cramps Bay, Morass
Bay and Lake Sorell. The three lakes are all close together so you shouldn’t have much
trouble picking them out. Before long you will be able to see the coastline, so contact
Hobart ATC and begin to descend to land once you are clear of the higher terrain. After
WHERE TO NEXT? landing, why not try the Hobart-Lake Pedder flight from the last issue again?

32 CPM. V14I2

cpm1402BU.indd 32 1/13/2010 7:46:50 PM

 EXPLORING THE BAY

VERY SCENIC APPROACH

FLIGHT 3: AVALON –
PHILLIP ISLAND
This flight was probably one of my
favorites. I departed just as the sun was
rising and zig-zagged my way through
the Melbourne airspace before making a
landing on the gravel strip at Phillip Island.
The flight is only 120 miles and I used
FEELS AS THOUGH IT'S GETTING COLDER
the Mooney Bravo just to make sure I had
enough speed to keep out of the way of
GREAT COLORS
the heavies flying into Melbourne. I would
strongly recommend flying this flight at
dawn so that you can enjoy the way the
colours of the scenery change as the sun
rises. The first part of the flight is nice and
easy; just follow the bay around until you
are near Tyabb airfield. If you get lost, tune
into the Cowes NDB on 275.0 which is very
close to your destination. Once you have
passed Tyabb you’ll be able to see the French
Island National Park. Fly around it and as
you turn back towards the sea, you should
be able to see the airport. Be careful that you
pick out the gravel strip to land on and not
the road which runs close to the airport.

33

cpm1402BU.indd 33 1/13/2010 7:46:54 PM

 FIELDS, LOTS OF FIELDS

ANYONE FOR A GAME

INTENSE COLORS
FLIGHT 4: YARRAM – MANGALORE
This next flight departs a little further south than where you last
landed at Philip Island and will fly over most of the same terrain, but
that doesn’t mean it’s not an enjoyable flight. When you depart from
Yarram, assuming you have taken off from Runway 23, fly straight
ahead over Sunday Island and Le Trobe Island and make a slight left
turn and follow the coastline around the headland before picking up
the Meeniyan Promontory Road. Over the Corner Inlet Marine and
Coastal Park, you may even find another airstrip to land at if you keep
your eyes peeled. Once you have left the sea behind, tune into the
Melbourne VOR on 114.10 and fly straight to it. If you have flown
the previous flight some of this scenery will seem familiar! After
taking some time to explore the city of Melbourne, fly towards Eildon
and the Lake Eildon National Park which is easy to pick out as it is
surrounded by water, rather like a moat around a castle. The lake is
used for water activities such as power boating and water skiing, but
be careful around the park area as deer hunting is permitted in some
sections. Whilst you are exploring Lake Eildon tune in your ADF to
the Mangalore NDB on 254.0 and when you are ready, begin your
final approach. This flight is just under 240 miles so you may want to
consider using an aircraft which covers the ground a little quicker if
you are short on time.

34 CPM. V14I2

cpm1402BU.indd 34 1/13/2010 7:46:56 PM

 VERY FLAT, BUT IT STILL LOOKS GOOD

OFF WE GO

FLIGHT 5: ALDINGA – PORT PIRIE

NICE PLACE TO TAKE A FLOAT PLANE
I like this trip because it took me from the greener
areas of Southern Australia toward the oranges and
reds of Western Australia. It was great to see the
colors begin to change in such a short space of time.
Rather than fly the direct route straight up the coast,
I decided to depart from Aldinga and fly towards
Ardrossan, then head off over the water towards
Lucky Bay and approach Port Pirie from the west.
Once you have flown past Lucky Bay you will see the
colors begin to change to the fantastic oranges and
reds I mentioned earlier. You might want to consider
departing about 30-45 minutes before the sun sets
for this flight. If you are following the flight plan you
will be approaching Whyalla before you realize it,
Whyalla’s webpage boasts that they have 300 days of
sun per year and the friendly locals make it the ideal
place to live. To a Pommy like me, that seems very
appealing! Once you have flown over Whyalla you
will soon be able to see the airfield at Port Pirie, so
descend down to pattern altitude and make a landing
before enjoying the sunset from the bar.

35

cpm1402BU.indd 35 1/13/2010 7:46:59 PM

 R
SPECTACULAR VISUALS FROM ALTITUDE

I THINK I’M LOST!

FLIGHT 6: BUNBURY – SOUTHERN CROSS

ANOTHER RACE TRACK
This is the final flight of my Aussie Adventure and will take around 2 hours to complete. The
flight heads north toward Perth and then inland to the Southern Cross. If you are using the OZx
airfields, Bunbury is one at the airfields which have been given some treatment. After departure,
I kept nice and low to take a closer look of the scenery which remains pin sharp at any altitude.
Heading away from Bunbury, you will pass over several racetracks and it is up to you how you
get to Perth. I flew inland with the coastline always in sight so that I didn’t get lost, and before
long I could pick out the sprawling urbanization of Perth and was able to venture further inland.
Flying up the coast you will be flying over lots of urban areas on the left with the fields and
greenery on your right. As you fly inland away from Perth towards Southern Cross, the greens
become much more intense as you approach the John Forrest National Park. After passing over
the national park the land becomes much flatter and once you pass over the Narembeen NDB
finding Southern Cross is quite easy as it is nestled between a few lakes which are laid out in a
horse shoe shape.

I hope that you have enjoyed reading this article as much as I have enjoyed writing it and
exploring Australia. I have always wanted to visit Australia, and whilst I cannot get there in
person just yet, FSX and FTX are the next best thing. If you want to explore Australia some
more, check out the FTX forums (http://orbxsystems.com/forums) where there are lots more
flight plans and even an adventure flying around Australia which stretches to nearly 200 flights
and 20,000 miles! (http://tinyurl.com/oolfvg).

IT'S A RACE AGAINST THE SUN Acknowledgements

• John Venema at Orbx for donating the FTX scenery for this article (http://www.fullterrain.com/)
• Just Flight for donating the following during the course of the article:
Carenado Cessna U206G Stationair http://www.justflight.com/product.asp?pid=329
Carenado Cessna 152 http://www.justflight.com/product.asp?pid=366
Carenado Mooney http://www.justflight.com/product.asp?pid=330
Carenado Cessna 182RG http://www.justflight.com/product.asp?pid=327
Flying Club Duchess http://www.justflight.com/product.asp?pid=38
• PC Aviator for donating the Carenado Piper Seneca
http://www.pcaviator.com/dlstore/product.php?productid=608&cat=36&page=1
• The environment textures were generated using Real Environment Extreme 2
http://www.realenvironmentxtreme.com/
• OZx freeware airfields http://www.aussiex.org

36 CPM. V14I2

cpm1402BU.indd 36 1/13/2010 7:47:01 PM

 V I E W
REL-39 Albatros
REVIEW
BY DAVID WILSON-OKAMURA
T
he L-39 Albatros, by Lotus Simulations, is one
of the most polished and innovative products
I have seen yet for Flight Simulator X. First,
though, a few words about the real-world aircraft
that it’s based on. The Albatros (spelled, as here,
with just one s) is a jet trainer designed in the late
1960s by the Czech company Aero Vodochody,
when Czech industry was still under Soviet
direction. Intended for use in all of the Warsaw
Pact air forces, the L-39 became the most popular
jet trainer ever produced. Today, the Soviet Union
cpm1402BU.indd 37
4
and the Warsaw Pact are both dissolved, but forty
years after the L-39 made its first test flight, in
1968, there are almost three thousand still flying.
Most of these are in service as military trainers:
the L-39 is now used by thirty air forces around
the world, not only in former Soviet-bloc countries
such as Georgia, but also in Africa, East Asia,
and the Middle East. In civilian life, the Albatros
competes at the annual Reno Air Races. In Europe,
Breitling sponsors an L-39 aerobatics team, as
does Fry’s Electronics in America.
37
1/13/2010 7:47:04 PM

If you want to buy an Albatros in real life, it will cost you about
US$300k up-front and then about $40k per annum for maintenance,
insurance, hangar fees, and inspections. That’s on top of fuel, which
the Albatros burns through at about 20 gallons per hour.
Or, for US$45, you can buy the payware model from Lotus
Simulations. That’s still on the high end of what I’m usually willing to
pay, but after flying the Albatros for more than a month, I’m pleased
with my purchase.
Installation and Documentation
The download is about 170 Mb, and requires a license key to
unlock. An installer program copies over all the files, so run that and
you’re ready to fly. If you’re in a hurry, you can start the L-39 with
Control-E. (The real sequence, using the included checklist, takes
about ninety seconds, but most of that is just waiting for the motor
to spool up.) There’s no FMC to program—the real Albatros doesn’t
even have an autopilot, and neither does the model—but you at
least need to read p. 19 of the user manual, the section that’s titled
“Know This Or Die.” The rest of the manual, which goes to 120
pages, is written in the same light-hearted but informative style.
This is one of the best add-on manuals I’ve seen. It’s attractively laid
out, with illustrations of all the systems and gauges; color profiles of
the included liveries; detailed instructions for how to join or host a
multiplayer session; flight notes for take-off, cruise, approach, and
landing; guidance on aerobatics; flight checklists; and emergency
procedures. Unlike some manuals, which are content merely to label
gauges, this one explains how to interpret what you see and what it
normally reads.
In addition to the manual (which you can download free, no
purchase necessary, from the Lotus Simulations website), there is
also a three-part video tutorial on YouTube. The video takes about
twenty-five minutes and covers cockpit orientation, engine start-up,
taxi, and take-off. More tutorials are planned, but the existing ones
are more than adequate to get off the ground and show prospective
customers what the virtual cockpit looks like in flight.
DORSAL VIEW
38
cpm1402BU.indd 38
External Model
Despite the name, there’s no mistaking the Albatros for a bird, fish,
squid, or anything organic. My favorite is the dorsal view, looking
down, but that’s a feature of the original plane, which is reproduced
lovingly in the sim. In addition to all of the standard animations, the
model sports some that are specific to the L-39. This is a jet trainer,
so the instructor has his own cockpit behind the pilot’s, complete
with separate canopy; both cockpits have retractable steps for
ingress and egress. On the underside of the aircraft, there is also
a ram air turbine (RAT) that you won’t see unless the main power
goes out—in which case, the RAT will extend down and the blades
will spin to generate electricity. Textures are up to, but not above,
the standard for most payware. Bump mapping, though, is above
average, and highlights the rivets and plates on the plane’s fuselage
without making them stand out too much. A paint kit is available and
numerous, high-quality repaints can be found at flightsim.com and
sim-outhouse.com; some of them are featured in my screenshots.
Exploding flares were part of the original model, but turned out
to cause problems in multiplayer. A patch is expected to restore the
flares, but won’t be available until after my deadline has passed; for
current status, check the Lotus Simulations website.
The most innovative features of the external model are dynamic
icing—in sub-zero conditions, ice accumulates visibly on the nose,
tail, wings, and windscreen—and custom lighting. The landing lights
are similar to the 3D Lights product from A2A Simulations (which
sells for US$17 and can be added to most aircraft models, default
or payware). The beacon and anti-collision lights are less showy, but
they’re the first ones I’ve seen in Flight Simulator that don’t just glow
but also illuminate the ground (or, if they’re close enough, other
aircraft).
INSTRU
ON THE GROUND
CPM. V14I2
1/13/2010 7:47:07 PM
 Virtual Cockpit
What sold me on this model in the first place was the virtual
cockpit. (There is no 2D panel.) Despite the real aircraft being
almost four decades old, the modeled cockpits are all clean. Those
who prefer a weathered look will be disappointed, but not (I think)
actually displeased. Even up close, the quality of textures and
modeling is very high. In my screenshots, for example, notice the
scratches and 3D bolts in the windscreen.
The L-39 was manufactured in the early 1970s, so most of the
gauges are steam. The only exceptions are the various condition
lights, the retrofitted GPS (which is default), and the radio stack. The
radio stack has the same functionality as the modern defaults, but
looks slicker and uses the RealAir system of tuning radios: that is,
you increase a frequency by dragging up on a knob, and decrease it
by dragging down. This is handy, because you don’t have to hover
the mouse in one place—something that can be difficult if you use
TrackIR.
The remaining gauges are all recreated in 3D, as part of the
cockpit model. That’s more work for the developer, but it looks
better—the parts of each gauge are sharper and cast shadows—and,
more importantly, it performs better. Frame rates are higher and
gauge needles move more smoothly than 2D gauges. This is another
technique that was pioneered by RealAir and is now being adopted
more widely, especially for GA planes, military fighters, and some
helicopters. It’s not the only feature that I look for in a premium
model, but it’s near the top of my list.
PILOT AND INSTRUCTOR
INSTRUCTOR’S COCKPIT
ND
cpm1402BU.indd 39
For night flying, there are two colors of gauge lighting, white and
red; the red lighting is to preserve the pilot’s night vision. There is
also a cockpit flood light.
The Albatros was designed for use by Soviet-bloc air forces so,
except for the altimeter (which registers in feet), all gauges are
metric. Thinking about your airspeed in kilometers per hour (KPH),
rather than knots or miles per hour, takes some getting used, but
everyone who tries it seems to manage all right. Dividing KPH by two
will give a rough idea of your airspeed in knots, which is useful so
long as you keep in mind that it is a rough idea. But since all of the
checklist speeds are given in KPH as well, you end up thinking in KPH
anyway. Another feature of the Soviet-style instrument panel is an
artificial horizon that displays pitch and bank separately. According to
the manual, this is more convenient for aerobatics. I’m not enough of
an aerobat to judge, but it does make the panel more exotic, without
making it less functional.
My favorite VC feature, apart from the smooth 3D gauges, is
canopy icing and animated raindrops. We had raindrops in FS2004,
but they were supposed to be impossible in FSX. Apparently that’s
not so, but to date this is the only model that has them.
CANOPIES OPEN, STAIRS
DOWN
39
1/13/2010 7:47:09 PM
 Sound
The sounds in this model were provided by Christoffer Petersen I’m not a real pilot of anything, so my comments on the flight
of Turbine Sound Studios and Douglas S. Dawson. In addition to model will be descriptive rather than evaluative. The virtual Albatros, ICE
the flaps, jet engine, and landing gear, they include some special like its real-world counterpart, is capable of all the standard aerobatic
effects in the cockpit. The canopy opens and closes in stereo (so maneuvers, except flying upside down (which it can only do for 20
that you can hear the hinge on the right, followed by the lock on seconds before the engine flames out). In climb and at cruise, the
the left), and when it seals you can hear the hiss of pressurized air. Albatros is a joy to fly; and it’s not difficult to land, so long as you
In tight maneuvers you can hear the pilot’s G-suit expanding; and if keep your speed up. This means planning ahead: the low-thrust
you forget to turn on the oxygen, you will begin to hear your own engine spools up slowly, so the only way to build up speed right
labored breathing. away is to (a) point the nose at the ground, which you can’t very well
do if you’re already getting ready to land, or (b) retract the air brake
(if you had the foresight to extend it in the first place). In a trainer,
Flight and Systems Modeling this kind of behavior should count as a bug, no? But in a model
(which is what we’re judging here), it counts as a feature, because
As much as was practical for a plane that can be flown in shared
cockpit mode—something we’ll comment on in a minute—all of the it’s characteristic of the real aircraft.
L-39’s original systems have been modeled here, including the Saphir
starter turbine, the ram air turbine (for emergency power), backup
hydraulics for the landing gear and flaps, retractable barber poles on
nose and wings (to indicate gear and flap status), flap speed limits
(the slats will retract automatically if you exceed 300 KPH), engine
temperature limits (the power plant will automatically shut down if
it gets too hot; or, if you disable that safeguard, melt), and oxygen
for the pilot. If you fly above 18,000 feet and forget to turn on the
oxygen, you will black out after three minutes and crash. This is
realistic in one way—you do need oxygen up there—but unrealistic
in another—an aircraft that has been trimmed for level flight won’t
go into a dive as soon as the pilot falls asleep; and when you descend
into denser air, it’s even possible that you might wake up in time to
save the ship! On balance, though, I prefer an excess of (simulated) NIGHT LIGHTING
danger to no danger at all.

WING VIEWS FOR SCENERY

FINAL APPROACH
SPEED BRAKES OUT ON

40 CPM. V14I2

cpm1402BU.indd 40 1/13/2010 7:47:11 PM

 Multiplayer
Except for the sounds, everything in this product was modeled
ICE ACCUMULATIONS by one person: Mike Johnson. According to the Lotus Simulations
website, Johnson never flies FSX unless he’s flying in multiplayer,
especially racing and aerobatics. This influenced the design
specifications in two ways.

First, the model had to produce high frame rates. On my rig (an
Intel quad-core running at 2.4 GHz with four gigs of RAM and Nvidia
8800GT graphics card), it’s smoother than most of the payware I’ve
reviewed, but less smooth than the single-engine models produced
by RealAir, the Classics Hangar Fw-190, or the A2A P-47. If you need
more smoothness, there’s a special multiplayer model that will trade
visual detail for extra frame rates.

Second, the model had to be flyable in shared-cockpit mode: a

feature of the default aircraft in FSX but not of most payware. The
real Albatros is a trainer, so the modeled Albatros has two cockpits:
one for the pilot and one for the instructor. In some versions, the
pilot’s cockpit has an animated hood, for IFR practice, and the
instructor’s cockpit has an extra panel to simulate instrument failures.

Conclusion
Lotus is a new developer and this product, its first at-bat, is a grand
slam. There’s nothing in the model that isn’t polished; and there are
several features that, so far as I know, are unique in FSX. Some, such as
raindrops on the canopy, are cosmetic; others, such as icing and dual
cockpits, have obvious and immediate applications for pilot training.
Don’t buy it for bush flying (the engine spools up too slowly) or for
long hauls (it burns through its fuel supply too quickly). But the model
G is a good balance of eye candy and frame rates, with speed for racing,
P MAPPIN
DETAIL AND BUM
TEXTURE nimbleness for aerobatics, and premium gauges for IFR. It’s also fun. 4

41

cpm1402BU.indd 41 1/13/2010 7:47:14 PM

 ENHANCED GOOGLE EARTH
BY CHUCK BODEEN

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 (WWW.EARTH.GOOGLE.COM) 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 CAN’T FIND A BAD
STORM, JUST LOOK AT GOOGLE EARTH AND YOU CAN FIND WHAT
YOU WANT ANYWHERE ON EARTH.

42 CPM. V14I2

cpm1402BU.indd 42 1/13/2010 7:47:18 PM


GOOGLE EARTH IMAGE OF THE UNITED STATES ON THE DAY THAT I WAS
WRITING THIS ARTICLE SHOWS BAD WEATHER ACROSS MOST OF THE
SOUTHEAST. THE DAY BEFORE, THE SPACE SHUTTLE WAS FORCED TO
LAND AT EDWARDS AFB RATHER THAN AT THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER.
Charts and Route Planning
From www.gelib.com/maps/Sectionals/Aero_Charts_nl.kml you can,
at no cost, load United States sectionals, terminal area charts, flyways,
and 3D controlled airspace into Google Earth just by clicking on the
link. Only one of these may be shown at a time. The airspace images
are very good – you can see under and over the layers. When you
mouse click on an area within a controlled space a balloon pops up
showing the ATC frequency, the floor, and the ceiling. Unfortunately,
there are many areas where the numeric values shown are in error.
Atlanta (KATL) is, perhaps, one of the worst examples. While a few
of the numerical values for floors are correct, most are marked as
10,000 feet – even for the core at the center of the field where it
should be “SFC”. This and all other sources of controlled airspace
for Google Earth use a DAFIF* database.
THE SECTIONAL FOR THE AREA AROUND KATL CLEARLY SHOWS THAT
THE FLOORS OF THE CONTROLLED AIRSPACE HAVE VARYING VALUES.
YET IN THE GOOGLE EARTH IMAGES, THE FLOORS OF ALL SECTIONS
ARE MARKED 10000 FEET. THIS IS ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE IN THAT THE
CENTER SECTION OF EVERY CLASS B AIRSPACE SHOULD BE MARKED
“SFC” FOR “SURFACE”.
cpm1402BU.indd 43
In late 2006 public access to any updated files was removed, so the
3D images and the errors in numerical values cannot be changed. But
with a current sectional or TAC superimposed over the terrain you
can see the floors and ceilings without the numerical errors.
Footnote: *Digital Aeronautical Flight Information File – maintained
by NGA (National Geospatia- Intelligence Agency)
THIS GELIB.COM “FLYWAY” CHART FOR KLAS IS SUPERIMPOSED
DIRECTLY OVER THE GOOGLE EARTH IMAGE OF THE LAS VEGAS
AIRPORT. THE DOTTED LINES WITH AIRPLANES REPRESENT THE PATHS
INTO AND OUT OF THE CLASS B AIRSPACE.
A multitude of services which include the ability to plot a flight route
on Google Earth can be found at www.aeroplanner.com. Five levels
of membership ranging in cost from free to $249.95 per year provide
different degrees of access. The “GoogleTicks”, as they are called, are
free to the two highest levels and cost about $5 each for Basic and EAA
(Experimental Aircraft Association) members. A GoogleTick includes:
• A line showing the route.
• All airfields, navaids and waypoints close to the route.
• NOTAMs close to the route.
Any of these may be turned on or off.
WITH AEROPLANNER, STEP (1) IS TO DESCRIBE THE ROUTE. HERE IT IS
FROM KJFK TO KMVY VIA TWO FIXES. IN STEP (2) THE ROUTE IS PLOTTED,
SHOWING THE SIX AREAS THAT WILL BE OVERLAID. THE RESULT (3) IN
GOOGLE EARTH SHOWS THE ORIGIN, DESTINATION, THE TWO FIXES,
AND THE ROUTE. IN THIS CASE, I ALSO ASKED FOR ANY AIRPORT WITHIN
10 NM OF THE ROUTE THAT HAS A RUNWAY LONGER THAN 5000 FEET.
43
1/13/2010 7:47:25 PM
 Routes are set up easily using Flight Explorer at
www.pilotsandweather.com. This is a free service, but you must
register with your email address and a password. Once the route
is established, you ask for a briefing and there is an option to send
information to Google Earth where the flight path, waypoints, and
NOTAMs within 25nm of the route can be displayed.
USING FLIGHT EXPLORER FROM PILOTSANDWEATEHR.COM YOU CAN
SET UP A FLIGHT FROM KRIC TO KLGA SPECIFYING FIXES AND VECTOR
ROUTES TO BE FOLLOWED ALONG THE WAY. SEVERAL FIXES THAT
HAPPEN TO BE ON V229 AND V44 ARE ADDED IN THE INFORMATION
THAT IS SENT TO GOOGLE EARTH ALTHOUGH YOU MAY TURN OFF ANY
OF THESE.
Another source of sectionals and TACs that can be used with
Google Earth is from www.chartgeek.com where a single chart costs
$3.95 or a whole set sells for $29.95 on DVD. If you want to keep
up with all the FAA changes, the DVD with a year’s updates will set
you back $99.95.
Each of the concepts described above may be used simultaneously.
Furthermore, rather than just exploring Google Earth by moving
your viewpoint there are ways you can “fly” through the enhanced
view using the Google Earth flight simulator, X-Plane, or FSX.
Google Earth Flight Simulator
At the top of the Google Earth screen, click on “Tools” and then
on “Enter Flight Simulator”. At this point you can select either
the F-16 or the Cirrus SR-22 to fly. Except for the speed and
climb rate, you wouldn’t really know what airplane you have
because your view is limited to straight ahead with a HUD (
Heads Up Display). There is a short list of international airports,
IN PREPARATION TO FLY THE GOOGLE EARTH SIMULATOR, FIRST FIND
THE RUNWAY. ON THE LEFT THE EYE ALTITUDE IS 2439 FEET. ON THE
RIGHT IT IS 2311 FEET. THE AIRPORT ELEVATION IS 2282, BUT GOOGLE
EARTH WON’T TAKE YOU ALL THE WAY DOWN. START THE SIMULATOR
AND YOU’RE READY TO TAKE OFF. YOU CAN ALSO START IN THE AIR AT
ANY POINT AND AT ANY ALTITUDE IF YOU LIKE.
44
cpm1402BU.indd 44
the default being “Kathmandu (VNKT) – Runway 02”. You can
scroll to another airport if you like. If you have a joystick, leave it
“enabled”, and then click “Start Flight”. You will find yourself on
the selected runway ready to take off.
If you delay your launch of the flight sim, you can actually go to any
airport in the world by locating it in G.E. and then rotating the view
so that the runway you want is vertical on the screen. Get the runway
numbers centered and then zoom in until the “eye height” is as low as it
will go. Finally, enter the flight simulator. You will be ready for takeoff.
IN THE GOOGLE EARTH FLIGHT SIMULATOR THE SR-22 IS
APPROACHING THE CONTROLLED AIRSPACE AT ATLANTIC CITY (KACY)
AT AN ALTITUDE OF 1366 MSL. THE GROUND UNDER THE PLANE IS
AT 71 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL. THE CEILING OF THE AIRSPACE IS AT
4100 FEET AND THE FLOOR OF THE OUTSIDE RING IS AT 1300 FEET – A
LITTLE LOWER THAN THE AIRPLANE. THE MAGENTA LINE IS THE ROUTE
PLANNED FROM KRIC TO KLGA.
FSX
Luciano Napolitano’s FS Earth is an interface between Flight Simulator
X and Google Earth. You can follow the flights of your plane as well
as those of AI and multiplayer aircraft in real time. Flight plans created
by FSX or other means can be shown. Course predictions for the next
period of time are also shown. The program works on a single computer
running FSX and Google Earth together, or, on two networked
computers running respectively FSX (master) and Google Earth (slave).
Many options are available for fine tuning the performance. Luciano
says FS Earth is very useful for scenery designers to cross-check the
position of scenery objects against Google Earth’s satellite images. A
version for Flight Simulator 2004 is available also.
The free trial version works only around Anchorage, Alaska, (PANC
/ ANC) for a maximum of five minutes per flight session. A serial
number may be purchased for US$16.95 from http://www.wideview.
it/ which will allow the program to be used for the entire world, for
unlimited time.
FS EARTH ALLOWS BOTH ROUTES AND FLIGHT PATHS TO BE SEEN
ON GOOGLE EARTH FOR YOUR PLANE AS WELL AS FOR AI AND
MULTIPLAYER SHIPS. WHEN YOU SWITCH TO THE VIEW FROM THE
COCKPIT YOU SEE GOOGLE EARTH SCENERY.
CPM. V14I2
1/13/2010 7:47:30 PM
 Jürgen Haible has created MyFsGoogleEarth, a program similar to
FS Earth but for MSFS 2004. Go to http://www.elbiah.de/flusi/ from
which you can download MyFsTools-1-4.zip, MyFsGoogleEarth-
1-0-1.zip, and the documentation for both. There are other MSFS
enhancing downloads there as well. You can see the current position
of your aircraft and of the surrounding AI traffic. There are several
steps you need to install the free product and get it running. Haible
explains all of this on his web site. The discussion covers the initial
setup of the system on a single computer, but you can also read about
using multiple machines. The process may seem to be rather lengthy,
but it is well worth the effort.
X-Plane
“Xplage” by Chris Kern, allows the X-Plane flight simulator to be
linked to Google Earth. You can find it at www.chriskern.net/code/
xplaneToGoogleEarth.html. Xplage sends two “KML” files to
Google Earth one for the top-down and one for a perspective view in
which the eye may be thought of as being right in front of the airplane
and pointing slightly downward. The system requires a bit of time for
setup, but you should find no conflict between the KML files it sends
to G.E. and those from the route generators or the 3D controlled space
images. The program is freeware.
ON THE TOP IS A GOOGLE EARTH FLIGHT IN THE STATE OF NEW
MEXICO FROM SOCORRO (KONM) TO SANTA FE (KSAF) VIA THREE
OTHER AIRPORTS. THE GREEN AREAS ARE RESTRICTED AIRSPACE. ON
THE BOTTOM IN X-PLANE WE ARE ABOVE THE CONTROLLED AIRSPACE
AROUND KABQ, AND BELOW THE PLANNED ROUTE. I ADDED ARROWS
TO THE ROUTE TO MAKE IT EASIER TO SEE THE DIRECTION OF FLIGHT.
Now you know how you can have the wonderful Google Earth
satellite images for scenery and fly with your favorite simulator.
cpm1402BU.indd 45
QUICK REVIEW
In order to fly in controlled airspace you must have clearance or
contact with ATC. The definitions of the different kinds of controlled
space vary from country to country. In the U.S., Class B is around
large airports, Class C is around medium sized airports, and Class D
is for smaller facilities as long as there is a tower.
The FAA likes to say that controlled airspace around an airport
resembles a wedding cake stacked upside down and centered on
an airport. Typically, the outer ring for Class B airspace may have
a radius of 20 to 30 nm. There may be extensions or cut-outs of
any ring due to local terrain, traffic patterns, or other nearby or
overlapping airports. The “best” wedding cake example is at KCLE,
Cleveland, Ohio, but even there, a small notch in the center layer
allows traffic at a private use airport, Gilbert (49OH), to avoid having
to contact the ATC at KCLE. Perhaps the least like a wedding cake is
at KSAN, San Diego, California.
IDEAL CLASS B AIRSPACE
SAN DIEGO CLASS B AIRSPACE
The San Diego “cake” looks as if someone dropped it. There are 11
layers with the same floors and ceilings, but 21 separate areas. Most
astonishing is the fact that none of the areas has any part of a circle
– they are all polygons with (mostly) straight sides.
Flight plans consist of departure and destination airports and a route
of flight. The route may be a list of “waypoints” or a mixture of
waypoints and federal airways. The waypoints are things like VORs,
NDBs, and “fixes”. A fix is a point defined by latitude and longitude.
Some fixes are intersections of federal airways. Each federal airway
is based on a centerline that extends from one navaid or intersection
to another navaid or fix. If you want a federal airway to be part of
your route, you must be bounded by navaids or fixes that are on that
airway. Federal airways are noted on sectional and terminal area
charts from gelib.com which you can superimpose on Google Earth.
You can find the navaids and fixes on X-Plane maps. The Flight
Management System instruments on X-Plane actually work so you
can tell the autopilot to follow the same route you have set up for
display in Google Earth. With FSX, you can set up departure and
destination airports and the program will select a route for you.
45
1/13/2010 7:47:34 PM
 V I E W
REFlying Club 2
W
REVIEW ouldn’t it be nice to have an all-in-one
BY ROGER CURTISS package offering some aircraft for both
new pilots and experienced aviators as
well as a home airport where you can fly without
commercial activity to hem you in?

The folks at Just Flight have taken their company

name to heart once again and put together
something that comes pretty close to offering that
environment. Flying Club 2 is, as its name suggests,
a follow up to…can you guess?…yep, Flying Club!
That program was a combination of 5 light aircraft
and an English airfield from which to enjoy them.

46 CPM. V14I2

cpm1402BU.indd 46 1/13/2010 7:47:37 PM

 Based either on the success of FC or the fact that they had a few ARCHER AT DENH
AM
additional aircraft models sitting around, Just Flight has released
this program as an add-on for FSX and FS9. It offers three aircraft;
the Piper Archer III, Beech Duchess and Robinson R44 helicopter.
Beyond that, the title of Flying Club is a loose one as there really is
no central theme tying the aircraft together, although the FSX version
also includes a detailed Denham Aerodrome as a scenery add-on. In
essence, this appears to be a collection of aircraft and a previously
released scenery enhancement. Not that there is anything wrong
with that. This is basically the same formula as was brought forth in
Flying Club which bundled 5 aircraft and a treatment of a different
small airfield.

The package is delivered as a boxed version only containing one

DVD. There may be those who disdain mailed versions instead of
downloads but in this case it is a good thing since the package also
includes an 84 page “Club Handbook” that is worth a read and
having it in a hard copy makes it more likely that people will do that.
ARCHER 2D

Here are the minimum specifications to run the program:

• FSX (Acceleration, SP2 and DX 10 Preview compatible) or FS9
• 3.0 GHz PC or any Dual Core
• 1.0 Gb RAM
• 512Mb graphics card
• Windows Vista/XP
• 1.0Gb hard drive space

I loaded the contents into both FS9 and FSX to get a full feel
for what is offered. It was a matter of a series of clicks and each
version installed in less than 4 minutes. Interestingly, the R44 is the
biggest component of both installations and it is over twice the size
of the other two offerings in the FS9 version. The DVD includes the
FSX Service Packs 1 and 2 as well as a neat video from Just Flight
demonstrating the White-Waltham airfield that is available from them
for purchase and provides a grass airstrip with the same countryside
feel as the Denham aerodrome.
This is a beautiful rendition of the airplane with excellent external
I also went to the Just Flight website and found a 14.4 Mb service modeling and a well rendered instrument panel. All of the gauges
pack for the Duchess which I downloaded and installed as well. are clear and readable. Curiously, there is a GPS unit in the radio
stack that is modeled after the simplified unit that was first installed
in the airplane. Turning it on activates a self-test page followed by
Piper Archer III a 3 line information page. That is all this unit does- clicking on the
display calls up the default FS GPS in a separate window. I have flown
Archers and this one displays most of the good mannerisms of its full-
sized cousins. However, be prepared to use a healthy amount of nose
down elevator trim when adding flaps as there is a strong tendency
VC
ARCHER to balloon which can start to ruin a perfectly fine landing approach.

Beech Duchess
I have to say this is my favorite of the package and quite a sweet
airplane as well. It handles nicely, is very responsive to the control
inputs and is extremely stable. I was particularly impressed by the
instrument panel. When viewing the main instrument display clicking
on the glare shield cowling summons a small block dubbed the
Cockpit Navigator in the windshield that allows you to select 11 sub
panels to open for additional instruments and switches. Everything
functions as it should except the cockpit heater blower switch does
not actually do anything-but it can be flicked on and off if you so
desire. One oddity on the main instrument panel is what appear to
be adhesive bandages on two sides of the attitude indicator and
the ADF indicator. The only function I could surmise is that they
are velcro pieces to hold cover devices for partial panel instrument
training. Just Flight confirmed this and I suggested they consider
adding clickable covers if another update is issued.

47

cpm1402BU.indd 47 1/13/2010 7:47:39 PM

 ING AN IMATION
DUCHESS PARK

DUCHESS NIGHT CO
CKPIT

Robinson R44

DUCHESS AT DENHAM

R44 AT DENHAM

DUCHESS
VC

TAKEOFF
ROBINSON R44 READY FOR

48 CPM. V14I2

cpm1402BU.indd 48 1/13/2010 7:47:41 PM


I have never been very good at flying the helicopters in FS.
Unfortunately, this model is no exception. But that is not Just
Flight’s fault, it is simply that I am a poor rotorcraft pilot who
has not yet taken the time to learn to finesse the machine.
The handbook provides excellent instruction for chopper pilots
including a tutorial flight narrative to introduce the new pilot to
the subtleties of the R44. I plan to use this flight model to try and
make me a helo driver.
Sounds
Each aircraft has its own unique soundset and all are quite good.
I could say more about this but it is not necessary. If I could find
one complaint it is that the landing gear extension and retraction
on the Duchess could not be heard from the cockpit necessitating
calling up the appropriate sub panel to confirm that the lights were
3 green or extinguished. If that is how it is in the real version then
kudos to the Beechcraft engineers for making it so quiet.
DENHAM
Denham Aerodrome
The Denham airport (EGLD) is located a very few miles north of
London Heathrow and features two runways- the asphalt 6/24 and
an intersecting grass runway 12/30. As stated earlier this feature
is only present in the FSX version. The FS9 depiction shows the
runways but lacks the added detail of hangars, vehicles, parked
airplanes and people-both static and animated. The handbook
offers a few suggestions on the optimum setup of the scenery
control sliders to achieve full detail or better performance and
there are options to enable/disable many of the effects to further
customize the experience. While I am a big fan of accurate airports
in FS I don’t spend a lot of time sitting in the airplane while it’s
parked or viewing the area from the external views so frankly,
much of the “bells and whistles” of the aerodrome are lost on me
but it does make it better than arriving in a ghost town and is a
nice addition to the package.
EGLD has the added feature of seasonal texturing. When the
FS calendar is set for December and January there will be snow
on the airfield.
cpm1402BU.indd 49
The Handbook
I said earlier that the handbook was a most welcome addition
and this one is pretty well edited. The 84-page book is divided
into 7 useful sections with a very brief 2 pages of introduction and
installation instructions. There is even a section titled “How to
Access the Aircraft” which, aside from a few extraneous question
marks, should guarantee that at least THAT question does not
show up in the Just Flight forums. (And just to be sure the same
instructions are reproduced twice more in the handbook-once
three pages later in the Archer section and again in the R44
section).
The remainder of the handbook details the panel layouts, click
spots and instructions on how to operate the radios and GPS. This
handbook should answer the vast majority of questions and is
quite thorough.
Conclusion
Flying Club 2 would be an excellent choice for
someone who is a new flight simulator user. It can be
paired with both FS9 and FSX so if one has difficulty
getting FSX to perform superbly (as in-fast frame rates)
it can be used in FS9 with very little reduction in the
fidelity of the models save, of course the loss of a
detailed EGLD. The selection of aircraft is also a great
combination for a new pilot. The Archer is a bit heavier
and faster than an entry level Cessna 152 or Piper
Tomahawk and the Duchess and R44 cannot be beat
for their suitability as introductions to multi-engine and
rotor winged aircraft respectively.
The Flying Club 2 package is delivered with a
purchase price of US$45.00 and with the additional
bonus of the FSX Denham aerodrome that amounts to
an economical way to enhance one’s stable of aircraft.
Just Flight seems to have hit on a formula that
works well for them (if the original FC had not
been profitable one doubts they would have gone
to the trouble of issuing FC2) and for us. It is not
inconceivable that the series could continue- the
various permutations of aircraft and scenery provide
practically an unlimited combination- and perhaps
they could be persuaded to expand the airport offerings to areas
beyond England.
While it is always difficult (at least for me) to attempt to predict
developments in flight simulation consider the possibility that the
concept could be expanded to make it truly a flying club. Perhaps
a way could be found to restrict a pilot from flying the club’s twin
engine planes until a certain number of hours have been logged in
the singles. Or deny a pilot the opportunity to solo in a helicopter
until getting a sign off from a club instructor. I’m just spitballing
here but there does seem to be some latitude for experimenting
with the concept.
Until such a time as crazy ideas like these take hold we will have
the type of flight club packages that Just Flight and others prepare
for us - a compilation of aircraft and airport with no real underlying
theme but as long as they are of the same high quality as FC2,
future versions will certainly be welcomed.
Flying Club 2 is available from the Just Flight website and
PC Aviator. 4
49
1/13/2010 7:47:47 PM
 50 CPM. V14I2

cpm1402BU.indd 50 1/13/2010 7:47:48 PM

 “Ansett Australia Retro 727”
Screenshot by Dean Bielanowski

51

cpm1402BU.indd 51 1/13/2010 7:47:49 PM

 START YOUR SUBSCRIPTION RIGHT NOW
Sign Up Today For A Computer Pilot Subscription and Become The Most Knowledgeable Flight Sim Pilot On The Block!
YOU’LL RECEIVE:
• A 100 Page, Full Color, Dedicated Flight Sim PRINT Magazine
Delivered In The Mail Bi-Monthly and packed with the latest sim
news, reviews, tutorials, guides, and flight lessons!
• You’ll also receive a FREE Electronic PDF version of each issue via
email. You can build your own searchable electronic collection
of the best flight sim articles on the planet.
• You’ll Enjoy A 5% Discount Off All Your Flight Sim Purchases
Through PC Aviator Direct - CD and Download Store. An
Exclusive benefit Extended To Computer Pilot Subscribers. Your
Subscription starts paying for itself immediately!
• You’ll Enjoy Savings Of Up To 34% Off The News Stand Price.
• If you start with the current issue, you’ll receive your first issue
rushed by First Class Mail in just days.
Plus - Your Subscription Is Totally RISK FREE!
You Can Cancel At Any Time For Whatever Reason For A ProRated
Refund On Unmailed Issues!
You always wanted a magazine to satisfy your cravings for all
things for Flight Simulation.... Computer Pilot is that magazine!
It’s THE Magazine For Desktop Pilots and Flight Simulator
Enthusiasts! Designed and produced to help satisfy your passion
for flight simulation and to guide you through your enjoyment
of flying at your desktop.
52
cpm1402BU.indd 52
TO SUBSCRIBE ONLINE:
Head to www.computerpilot.com (major credit cards accepted).
TO SUBSCRIBE VIA PHONE:
U.S./Canadian/International Subscriptions
Toll Free Phone: 1-800-664-0033 (within North America)
Phone: +1-843-716-1616 (International)
Australian/Pacific Region Subscriptions
Phone: (03) 9553 1955 (Within Australia)
Phone: +61 3 9553 1955 (International)
TO SUBSCRIBE VIA POSTAL MAIL:
Complete the attached order/subscription form (or photocopy it)
and post to the following address (for your region):
U.S./Canadian/International Subscriptions
PC Aviator Inc
P.O. Box 15907
SURFSIDE BEACH, SC, 29587
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Australian/Pacific Region Subscriptions
PC Aviator - The Flight Simulation Company!
Suite 5, 539 Highett Rd
Highett, Victoria, 3190. AUSTRALIA
CPM. V14I2
1/13/2010 7:47:50 PM
 IL N E
ORDER
UE S O N
C K ISS TODAY!
BA www.computerpilot.com
All major credit cards accepted.

LATEST SUBSCRIPTION OFFERS

Country One Year (6 issues) Two Years (12 issues)
USA $24.95 (USD) $44.95 (USD)
Saving of $22.75 - 48% discount Saving of $50.45 - 52% discount
Australia ** $39.95 (AUD) $74.95 (AUD)
Saving of $19.15 - 32% discount Saving of $43.25 - 37% discount
Canada ++ $49.95 (USD) $89.95 (USD)
United Kingdom ++ $49.95 (USD) $89.95 (USD)
NZ, Asia, South Pacific ** $49.95 (AUD) $89.95 (AUD)
Other International ++ $49.95 (USD) $89.95 (USD)

** These orders are handled by PC Aviator’s Australian office. Pricing is in Australian Dollars.
++ These orders are handled by PC Aviator’s USA office. Pricing is in US Dollars

SUBSCRIPTION FORM 
Title: First Name: Surname:
Street Address 1:
Street Address 2:
City: State/Province: Country:
ZIP/Postal Code: Phone: Email Address:

Check Money Order Mastercard VISA American Express Diners Bankcard

Credit Card Number Expiration Name On Card

SUBSCRIPTION TERM: One Year (6 issues) Two Years (12 issues)

Amount To Charge: $
U R O RDER !
O R YO
TH ANK YOU F 53

cpm1402BU.indd 53 1/13/2010 7:47:55 PM

 V I
RVAEFLYFLYINGE W
WITH PACIFIC AIRWAYS
REVIEW
BY ROB SCOTT

A
fter flying around in FS for several months
many years ago, it occurred to me that I was
only flying the same few routes in the same
aircraft over and over again. I tried to venture into a
different area of the world, but always found myself
coming back to flying in the default aircraft from my
home airport (Leeds Bradford EGNM). After reading
through an FS related book I discovered that there
was a whole new world out there on the internet with
3rd party add-ons and something which sounded very
interesting, a virtual airline. After much more reading
and surfing the net I decided to give it a go, and was
hugely disappointed as I was very restricted in how
often I could fly (2 flights per day) and the lack of
activity in the forums. So I left and then went back to
flying from Leeds Bradford in the default Cessna.
Then FS changed forever for me.

54 CPM. V14I2

cpm1402.indd 54 1/13/2010 9:47:09 PM

 In a flight sim mag there was an article focussing on virtual
airlines, specifically Pacific Airways (www.pacificairways.net). The
article put the airline across very favorably, so rather sceptically
I decided to give it another go and signed up to the London Hub.
The fleet is hugely diverse ranging from the B1900D up to the
mighty 747 and A340 in the Millennium Club (more on that later).
The airline caters to passenger and cargo operations. If there was a
route I wanted to fly that wasn’t listed or I wanted to fly a normal
route with a different category of aircraft, the ever friendly hub
staff would create a one of a kind charter for me to be able to fly the
route. There is also an express division, float plane operations and a
helicopter division.
cpm1402.indd 55
The friendliness of the staff is something that runs throughout the
airline, and also the sister airline American Flight Airways (flying under
the alliance of The American Pacific Group or APG). This is in no
small part due to the very active forums which are the lifeblood of the
airline. As soon as I joined up I signed up for the forums and introduced
myself, hoping that I would get more response than my previous VA
outing. Within a few hours there were several friendly replies to my
thread with each person offering help should I need it. That’s another
thing that is so good about the staff and pilots with each airline, there is
always someone on hand who can help with your problem, and if they
can’t they will probably know someone who can. After less than a week
I was feeling right at home here and was really enjoying myself.
55
1/13/2010 9:47:19 PM
 As with most VA’s there is a structure in place so that you are not
permitted to fly the larger aircraft until you have progressed up the
ranks by flying a set number of hours. However, this is not as bad as it
seems as you only need to fly 40 hours to be certified to fly the whole
range of aircraft. The aircraft and flights are grouped into 5 categories
where category 1 flights use aircraft like the B1900D and category 5
flights use the 747. The fleet is very diverse without having too many
aircraft. The thing which attracted me at first was the flexibility which
the airline allowed. I can fly the flights whenever I want and am not
stuck to specific days and I only had to log 1 flight per month to stay
active and (within reason) I could fly any flight I wanted to due to
the charter division. If you are unable to fly for an extended period of
time you are able to go on LOA so that you will not be deleted from
the roster.

Pacific Airways has 7 hubs in Seattle, Miami, Denver, Chicago,

New York, Los Angeles and London with cities such as London using
all the major airports in the city (Heathrow, Gatwick, London City,
Stanstead and Luton). The sister airline American Flight Airways
(AFA) has 6 domestic US hubs in Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Phoenix,
San Francisco, and Washington as well as international hubs in
Australia and Latin America. There is also a mini-hub in India which
was set up as a joint operation by Pacific Airways London and AFA
Australia a few years ago. As I write this article, AFA Latin America
and PAY Miami have just opened up a new mini cargo hub in
Santiago, Chile to stretch the route network even further.

56 CPM. V14I2

cpm1402.indd 56 1/13/2010 9:47:20 PM

 Currently there are well in excess of 2000 flights within APG, so
you will never be stuck for somewhere to fly and coupled with the
ever busy charter center, you will never be bored. The charters can
range from something simple such as taking some holiday makers
from Gatwick down to Malaga in a 757 to a huge around the world
charter in the Cessna Caravan (yes there is someone who has done
that!). No matter what you request from the hub staff, they will bend
over backwards to help you. After all, if you are not enjoying flying
with the airline then you aren’t very likely to fly.

What happens when you want to take a break from flying in your
hub and fly from another one for a few weeks? Not a problem, just
head on over to that hub and fly their routes (either PAY or AFA)
then come back to your own hub when you are ready. If the grass
really is greener on the other side, you can transfer hubs. You can
easily see what routes are available from each hub before you
decide to fly from there thanks to the very easy to use flight database
system on the website. Just fill in where you want to fly from and
with which category or aircraft and it’s all displayed in a matter of
seconds for you.

I’ve already mentioned the exceptional forum community; it

stretches even further than that with the online events which are
organized on a weekly basis. Each week there are several online
events held on the VATSIM network, the biggest being VATSIM
Sunday which regularly attracts a huge amount of pilots from both
AFA and PAY. These events are advertised well in advance so
you can pick and choose which ones you attend. The events co-
ordinator will also try to arrange ATC in the area to make the flight
much more realistic. The beauty of the online events is that the
normal flight line rules are relaxed to enable you to attend. If the
destination is Bremerton and you are currently based in Jamaica,
you don’t have to fly in from there (unless you want to) but you
can just fly in from a nearby airfield if you want and still log the
flight. These events have really taken off in recent times (pun
intended) and many firm friendships have been created just by the
online events.
And that leads me onto another great aspect of Virtual Airline
flying, the friendships you form. Thanks to Pacific Airways I
have made many friends, some which are in England, others from
as far away as Australia. There is even a thread in the forums for
people to announce where they are going to be, on the off chance
that someone else from the airline will be in the same place at the
same time, such as passing through an airport on a connecting
flight. The community spirit is fantastic and will never die no
matter what happens.
What about development of the airline? If the airline stands still as
everything around it progresses, it will get left behind. Fortunately
the staff team is dedicated and will not let this happen. If a new
payware model comes out for one of our fleet, you can bet that within
a few weeks (sometimes days) there will be a Pacific Airways livery
painted on it. The staff members are constantly in contact with the
pilots asking them what they would like to see implemented into the
airline to help keep it better than the rest. There are regular requests
from pilots on the forums asking ‘why can’t we have this aircraft in
the fleet’ etc... Each request will be responded to in a professional and
friendly manner. Even though the airline is hugely flexible, before a
new aircraft is added it will go through a careful selection process and
will usually replace an outgoing aircraft to keep the fleet size realistic.
Currently the fleet is compatible with both FS9 and FSX thanks to
the excellent work being doing by our fleet team; there are even still
some FS2002 models out there!
As with any airline there are rules and regulations; in order to join up
a potential pilot must read through the short pilot hand-book and pass a
short entrance exam (it’s quite easy really). The handbook sets out the
rules and regulations in a clear and concise manner, and if pilots are
ever in any doubt they will invariably refer to their hub staff or a forum
post. The staff do make regular audits of the log-books of each pilot in
their hub, so if someone is not flying within the rules and regulations
they will sort out the problem with the pilot directly. It’s very rare that
problems do occur, but when they do they are easily and quickly sorted.
What happens when you have reached the 40 hour mark and are
able to fly every aircraft in the fleet? What is there to aim for? As
you fly more hours you will get a higher ranking, up to the highest
accolade in the airline of ATP Senior Commander which is achieved
after you pass 1000 hours. After reaching this landmark you are
granted entry into the American Pacific Group Millennium Club
where you will be given several new aircraft with a nice shiny livery
on them to be used on special charter routes. Currently there are 4
aircraft in the fleet (B747sp, A340, Connie and Concorde) all with the
same great livery on them. There are plenty of pilots who are in the
Millennium Club which shows that even after passing the required 40
hours to be able to fly the whole fleet, people still keep flying because
they love the airline so much.
Why not come and have a look at what we can offer you? We’ve been
around for almost 12 years now so we must be doing something right!
Rob Scott PAY8156
London Hub Director
Millennium Club President
www.pacificairways.net 4

57

cpm1402.indd 57 1/13/2010 9:47:21 PM

RE V I E W Eurofighter Typhoon
& Eurocopter Tiger
REVIEW
BY GENE DAVIS
A
ny time a software add-on touts two
products for the price of one I am usually
pretty quick about picking it up and this
time around the guys over at First Class Simulations
have brought us yet another interesting blend of
aircraft in one add-on. This time we get to climb
into the cockpits of the Eurofighter Typhoon and
the Eurocopter Tiger! Two unique military aircraft
that derive from a different part of the world and
myself, being mostly an American Plane flyer,
welcome the change and the challenge of learning
something new.
58
cpm1402.indd 58
What’s In the Box?
The Typhoon and Tiger package comes in boxed format and can
be had from just about any software outlet that sells MSFS add-
ons. The package itself costs US$34.95 and if you do the math that
is about 17 bucks and some cents per add-on which really is a good
deal for each.
Installation is simple, as with all of the First Class Simulation titles.
Simply insert the disk and choose which simulation you want to install
the add-on into and away you go. Being that this add-on will allow
itself to be installed into either FSX or FS9 I tend to question whether
the Typhoon and the Tiger are true FSX models or whether they are
actually FS9 models ported over to work in FSX? It would seem the
latter is true. If so, this is not always a bad thing, but I think the box
should be clear about what you are buying if this is indeed the case.
CPM. V14I2
1/13/2010 9:47:22 PM
 Included in this package for the Typhoon are 22 variants based on
actual squadron markings from the many European nations that use
this aircraft. Some of these nations include Germany, Great Britain,
Australia and France.
The Eurocopter Tiger includes 5 different variants that cover the
helicopter’s use in armed recon, air to air combat, or as a UHT tank
killer. I was a little surprised that there wasn’t more to choose from
when it came to the Tiger, but what is there is adequate and does
give the virtual pilot a good taste of the Tiger flare.
What I also like about this package is that you can fly in virtual
formation with other Eurofighters and this is done by adding extra
basic models to the main aircraft model while in flight. I would
have definitely liked to have seen this option available with the
Tiger as well because it would have made some of the flying a little
more interesting. This is rather impressive because it doesn’t slow
the computer down at all and at times your formation will move
depending on what maneuver you are attempting.
cpm1402.indd 59
Flying the Eurofighter Typhoon
Externally the Typhoon is magnificent as it incorporates all of the
moving parts we have come to expect from add-ons like this, but
where this plane would have to impress me is how it flies from the
cockpit and what features it would incorporate to make it a valuable
asset to my military hangar. Each Typhoon comes with its own
weapon loadout and incorporates all phases of missions that this jet
is used for.
The sound is relatively good from both the interior and exterior
perspective, but I would have like to have seen more from within the
cockpit especially when it comes to the old “bitching Betty”. It uses
the default “pull up” sound files which is odd because after all, this is
a European fighter!
59
1/13/2010 9:47:27 PM
 Climbing into the cockpit was a bit of a let-down for me as I was
expecting more in the graphics department, especially where the
avionics were concerned. The virtual cockpit is built around a photo-
real bitmap that places the three main displays out in front of you.
The bitmap actually blends in well with the rest of the jet and is
adequate for what it is. I really do wish they had put more work into
the actual design of the virtual cockpit and its functionality especially
when you take other add-ons of this type into consideration, for
example the Lotus L-39 Albatross is by far one of the most advanced
models I have seen to date and there aren’t many that even come
close in comparison in terms of functionality.
60
cpm1402.indd 60
The displays are partially functional and do allow the pilot to
switch through some of the plane’s features, but I found much
of the switching had to be done through the 2D panel rather
than from the virtual cockpit. I found the displays to be more of a
decoration than anything useful as the included Head Up Display
offers more useful value.
Flying the Typhoon is fun as the plane is as quick and responsive
as I expected it to be and it can be used for both carrier operations
and land operations as well. Formation flying in the Typhoon is a lot
of fun and you can use this mode to create your own simulated air
show performance.
CPM. V14I2
1/13/2010 9:47:30 PM
 Another great feature that comes with the Typhoon is how it
reacts to things like braking. As I was taxiing around my virtual air
show I found that as I neared a turn off the main runway I braked
and applied too much turn causing the Typhoon to actually tilt off
its axis! As it came back down you could literally see the weight of
the aircraft putting stress on the landing gear. I tend to like little
things like that when it comes to military planes as it adds to the
realism factor quite markedly.

Flying the Tiger

The Tiger’s external model is quite good and when compared to
other helicopter add-ons out on the market it competes well. The
external model is ripe with extra features and has a slew of moving
parts. The one thing I found externally that I didn’t like was the
appearance of the crew. They just were not convincing and given
the state of add-ons today I think more could have been done here.
Conclusion
If you were to take this add-on and break it up into two different
I think what impressed me the most was the fluidness in the way add-ons at little more than US$17 a piece I would say that you are
helicopter performed; the blade movement is convincing, as is the definitely getting your money’s worth. But, if you are looking for a
Tiger’s sound. sim like the Lotus L-39 then this package definitely will not fit the
bill. This is a good basic aircraft package that includes two beautifully
The flight deck on this one also proved to be a little lacking, but created European fighters and if you can just accept them for what
I did find it more functional than the Typhoon’s offering. Why? they are (good visual models with basic flight decks) then you will
I couldn’t tell you, but it just seemed to have more functional definitely enjoy them. 4
systems available from the virtual cockpit and didn’t really require a
lot of switching to the 2D panel like the Typhoon required.

I was pleasantly surprised at how well the Tiger handled during

flight as it was quick and responsive and didn’t overwhelm the
pilot with extra systems to manage when airborne. This is a
decent chopper and makes for a good first run entry into the FSX
helicopter world if you have never tried flying them before, but for
those of us that spend a great deal of time flying choppers in FSX
this one will feel pretty basic.

I found the chopper relatively easy to land and take off as well
as fly, but what amazed me the most is how it responded to other
forces like braking or windy conditions. For example, when sitting
on the tarmac and taxiing, once you apply the brakes you visually
see the effect of the brakes being applied and how it affects
the shocks in the wheel struts. From a dead stop hover I had to
counteract the wind forces by applying torque to keep it straight
and level to compensate for the drift.

61

cpm1402.indd 61 1/13/2010 9:47:33 PM

 FREEWAREFRENZY TOP DOWNLOADS AT A PRICE THAT IS HARD TO BEAT!
FREEWARE EXPLORERS THIS ISSUE: David Wilson-Okamura

B
y popular demand, Freeware Frenzy has returned to Computer Pilot magazine!
Every 2nd issue, we will track down the best freeware downloads available for a wide variety of civilian and combat
simulators. Every add-on mentioned in this column can be yours for FREE (Internet connection required) thanks to the
great community of freeware developers devoting their time to creating awesome simulation masterpieces. We salute you!

PW SCENERIES Author: Paul Wheeler File size: about 2 Mb each

Available from: pwsceneries.fswaterconfigurator.com

At least once every month, someone on the forums announces the death of flight sim
freeware. I’ve been writing the Frenzies for three years now, and I’ve never once been
stumped for new material. There’s always something new, and there’s often something
old that I’ve overlooked. “How did I miss these?” I ask myself. The PW Sceneries are
an example. Since January 2009, Paul Wheeler has been releasing freeware scenery
for the Caribbean islands. So far, he’s done Grenada (volume 1); the Grenadines, St.
Vincent and Barbados (volume 2); St. Lucia and Martinique (volume 3); Dominica
and Guadeloupe (volume 4). Next up, according to his forum, will be “all the islands
immediately north of Guadeloupe: Montserrat, Antigua, Redonda, St Kitts, Nevis,
Barbuda, St Eustatius, Saba, St Barthelemy, St Maarten, Scrub Island, Dog Island,
Sombrero and all the small islets in between.” Ten volumes are planned altogether,
with coverage for the whole Caribbean. Wheeler uses objects from the default scenery
library, so the downloads are very small. But each one features moving traffic, rivers and
streams, accurate land usage, and detailed coastlines. On my mid-range PC, frame rates
are good even in heavy cloud. (It helps that the islands are surrounded by water.) Even
PW SCENERIES if you don’t normally fly here—and I didn’t used to—give one of these a try, maybe
starting with volume 4, and see if you don’t get the whole set.

SZD-30 PIRAT GLIDER - FSX AIRCRAFT

Authors: Michal Puto, Michal Krawczyk, Doug Dawson, Damian Szymczyk Filename: szd30.zip File size: 30 Mb
Available from: sim-outhouse.com (under author “empeck”), simviation.com

Since FSX came out three years ago, the sport of virtual soaring has been racing forward.
We’ve already featured a couple of gliders and a utility, CumulusX! by Peter Lürkens,
that produces thermals, marks them with clouds, and even generates ridge lift. This latest
offering, by a team in Poland, is a wooden glider from the mid-1960s. Unlike modern
gliders, which are made of synthetic materials, the Pirat isn’t certified for aerobatics, but
it’s a pleasure to fly. The model is FSX-native and comes with three paint schemes. The
wooden wings aren’t as supple as those of the modern default glider, though they do flex.
Where this model really stands out is in the cockpit, which has pin-sharp textures and
custom gauges, including a total energy variometer. The gauges are 3D, which means
they not only look better, but also move more smoothly than the 2D gauges in the default
SZD-30 PIRAT
glider. There is also a brand-new, easy-to-use winch gauge, which can launch the glider
without the use of slewing or a tow-plane.
62 CPM. V14I2
V14I1

cpm1402.indd 62 1/13/2010 9:47:35 PM

 CLEMENCEAU - FSX AIRCRAFT CARRIER Author: Sylvain Parouty Filename: VEH_Clemenceau_V2-05.zip
File size: 26 Mb Available from: flightsim.com, perso.numericable.fr/sonny3/RFN/

In the last Frenzy, we described a couple of new carrier add-

ons: Dino Cattaneo’s freeware Tomcat and Javier “Thrawn”
Fernandez’s model of the U.S.S. Nimitz and Eisenhower (uss_
nimitz_ike.zip). Several weeks later, after we had already
gone to press, Sylvain Parouty released a new version of his
French aircraft carrier, the Clemenceau. Even if you already
have the Nimitz, get Le Clem. The design of the French
boat is different (as you’d expect), but the model has some
new features as well. For example, off the port side there’s
a helicopter bobbing up and down in the wind. The optical
landing system is animated and moves into place when your
plane attaches to the catapult. There’s an animated shooting
officer; and when you look back after leaving the deck,
you’ll see steam from the catapult. Version 2 is available at
FlightSim.com, but I recommend that you look for version
2.05, which includes some missing textures; if it’s not up yet
on FlightSim.com, you can get it from Sonny’s virtual French
CLEMENCEAU
navy, whose website address is listed above.

CARRIER TRACKS VOLUMES 1 AND 2 - FSX CARRIER TRAFFIC Author: David Wilson-Okamura Filename:
carriertracks1and2.zip File size: 4 Mb Available from: flightsim.com, sim-outhouse.com (under author “dswo”)

The Nimitz and the Clemenceau were both intended to be

used with the freeware program AICarriers2 by Lamont Clark
(aicarriers2r2.zip in the avsim.com file library). This little
gem can place fleets or single ships, moving or stationary,
anywhere you fly, while you are flying; we’ve mentioned
it here a couple of times before. Unfortunately, some users
can’t seem to install it; also, the boats disappear when you
reload the sim, so you can’t save a flight on deck. To get
around these problems, I used another program by Clark,
AI Boat Traffic Compiler, to put the carriers on a regular
schedule: one that doesn’t change when you reload Flight
Simulator, and doesn’t require AICarriers2. Because carriers
are, by their nature, military vessels, I mainly chose routes
near and around naval and marine corps air stations in
California, Florida, Texas, Hawaii, Cuba, and Japan. For the
French carrier, I created a Mediterranean route that travels
from Marseille to Nice. Then, I added some purely scenic
routes in Hawaii and the Caribbean. For each route, I also
created a saved situation that will allow you to begin a flight
CARRIER TRACKS (if you choose) on the carrier deck instead of on land.

FOUR CARRIER SCENERY - FSX CARRIER SCENERY Author: Timothy Marson

Filename: fourcarrierscenerysv50.zip File size: 55 Mb Available from: flightsim.com

What about multiplayer? AI traffic is disabled in multiplayer

sessions, so the methods described so far won’t work.
However, it is possible to make the carrier into scenery; and
scenery won’t go away, even in multiplayer. Timothy Marson
has set up carrier fleets, starring the U.S.S. Nimitz as modeled
by Javier Fernandez, in four locations: Miramar, California;
Oceana, Florida; Pensacola, Florida; and Yokosuka, Japan. The
carriers don’t move, and for the catapults to operate you need
another freeware add-on (described in the documentation).
But the arrestor cables work, so you can land; and the carriers
also have navigational beacons: NDB, so that you can find
them, and a localizer, to line up with the deck. Best of all,
FOUR CARRIER SCENERY
the carrier will be visible and land-able to everyone in your
multiplayer session.
63

cpm1402.indd 63 1/13/2010 9:47:40 PM

 SOUTHERN AFRICA - X-PLANE, FS2002, FS2004, FSX SCENERY Author: Aeroworx SA Filenames: various
File size: various Available from: flightsim.com, x-plane.org

Here’s another party that I arrived late at; this one started in
2002. To date, the Aeroworx team has made airports, bush strips,
harbors, dams, terrain mesh, landclass, custom objects, roads,
railroads, power lines, rivers, waterfalls, game parks, resorts,
and realistic shorelines. The coverage area includes Namibia,
Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and South Africa. A complete
list of what’s available—and what’s obsolete—can be found
at aeroworxsa.co.za. One thing that’s still missing, for most of
the coverage area, is up-to-date landclass; for this, the team
recommends “Africa Landclass” by Jim Keir (afrilc.zip in the avsim.
com file library), which was made for FS2004, covers all of Africa,
SOUTHERN AFRICA
and still works in FSX.

TUSCANY NORTH PHOTOREAL X - FSX SCENERY

Authors: Maurizio G., Antonio C., Dario Bortot, Holger Sandmann File size: 887 Mb Available from: aussiex.org

Several Frenzies ago we featured OZx Grand Canyon, with

photoreal textures, custom autogen, and a revamped airport.
Now, one year later, the same team is back with photoreal scenery
for northern Tuscany, including Pisa, the islands of Elba, Pianosa,
and Capraia, and high-detail terrain mesh for the Apuan Alps.
Photoscenery isn’t new, but this one has some features that are
rare in freeware. First, the level of detail: 1 meter per pixel, which
is about five times the maximum resolution that was possible in
FS2004. Second, night lighting (many photoscenery projects go
black after dark). Finally, custom autogen and 3D objects. Take
off from Pisa’s main airport, San Giusto (LIRP) and you’ll see new
buildings all over the city, as well as autogen trees lining the river.
As with the Grand Canyon scenery (still available from the same
website), the download is a two-step process. The first step is a
small installer file, about 1 Mb in size, which then retrieves the
much larger scenery file. Don’t worry, it sounds more complicated
NORTHERN TUSCANY
than it is: just be ready for the two-part download.

BOEING 7072 ORION - FSX AIRCRAFT

Author: Tim “Piglet” Conrad Filenames: b7072.zip File size: 21 Mb Available from: flightsim.com

It almost wouldn’t be a Frenzy without one of Tim “Piglet”

Conrad’s Peculiar Planes. This time we feature the Boeing 7072
Orion from Arthur C. Clarke and Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space
Odyssey (1968). This is the Pan Am space clipper in which Dr.
Heywood R. Floyd travels to rendezvous with Space Station 5, en
route to investigate a black monolith that has just been discovered
on the moon. Forty years after Clarke and Kubrick wrote the
screenplay, Pan Am is bankrupt and there is no moon base, but
the Orion is still a looker. Once upon a time, you could purchase
plastic models of the Orion, but Piglet’s model is free and actually
flies (in Flight Simulator). It includes a virtual cockpit (using gauges
from the Acceleration add-on), custom engine effects, a passenger
cabin, and three different liveries: Pan Am, Japan Airlines, and
“decommissioned” (to use for what, arms smuggling?). Whereas
in FS2004, the maximum altitude was just under 100 thousand
feet, in FSX it’s 100 million feet. Also, the virtual world is round
now instead of flat. As a result, it’s now possible to fly a model
into space. Over on the Sim-Outhouse forum, where Piglet hangs
out, there was an extended discussion of how to get the Orion
up there; you can follow it at http://www.simouthouse.com/
BOEING 7072 ORION sohforums/showthread.php?t=16786. Or you can do what I did
and just scare the neighbors flying at Mach 3.

64 V14I1
CPM. V14I2

cpm1402.indd 64 1/13/2010 9:47:42 PM


BELL UH-1 HUEY
BY GENE DAVIS
I
f there is any one helicopter for FSX that I
would want, it would definitely have to be
the UH-1 Huey. The UH-1 Huey helicopter
is probably best known for its military role in
Vietnam, I mean as long as I can remember any
documentary or movie that involves the conflict
in Vietnam usually includes this helicopter in one
way or another!
Well, the guys over at Nemeth Designs and MILVIZ
have since brought this magnificent chopper into
reality as a complete add-on for Flight Simulator X.
This package will let you hear that distinct sound
that only a UH-1 Huey can make and it will take
you on a virtual tour in a chopper that has been
designed from the ground up to model that of its
real world counterpart.
The UH-1 Huey
The UH-1 modeled in this add-on is based on the
Model 204 and 205 of the Huey design and are
classified as UH-1C (Model 204) and the UH-
1D(Model 205). The package includes both the C
UH-1D
MODIFIED “C” COCKPIT
cpm1402.indd 65
and D models of the Huey UH-1 and includes both
the M21 and M22 sub-systems for each, leaving
the pilot with two different paints for each model.
The visual detail from the outside to the inside
of the chopper is quite good and represents the
chopper well. The designers spared nothing when
creating the external model as every conceivable
part is visible and moves correctly.
Climbing into the cockpit you will be greeted by a
relatively functional virtual cockpit and a complete
3D rendition of the rear compartment. The only
thing missing are crew members! The panel is
reasonable although there are one or two displays
that appear to do nothing, or very little.
It wouldn’t be a Huey if it didn’t have that
unmistakable “Whoop Whoop” sound they are
famous for and I can say with a great deal of
admiration for the developers that they have
definitely delivered on the sound department. Even
interior warning sounds are modeled too.
THE ORIGINAL COCKPIT
MINI-REVIEW
First Time Out
Flying the UH-1 Huey for the first time out was a lot
of fun, mainly because I had to really test myself on
how to get going from a cold start. With a little cockpit
familiarization and a quick glance at the checklists I did
get her fired up the first time, but did I keep it running
long enough to get in the air? No! Another quick check
and realizing that I had not flipped the necessary switches
to keep the engine running I was finally up and flying.
I found the chopper to be quick and responsive and really
a lot of fun to fly at low altitude. As I have always said
with helicopters and any Flight Simulator, you really have
to have a “feel” for the chopper and I think the guys over
at MILVIZ have a done a great job with the UH-1 in that
respect.
Wrap It Up Already!
If you are a helicopter nut like I am or if you are looking
to get into helicopters with FSX than this one is for you.
It is one of the most interesting helos I have seen to date
for FSX. The Huey retails for US$35 and is available from
selected flight sim download stores online.
65
1/13/2010 9:47:44 PM
 PA R T 3 X
UPGRADING PROCESSORS
BY DOUG HORTON

P
revious FSX benchmarking tests were
published in the January and October/
November 2009 issues of this magazine. The
results of these tests suggested that users wishing to
upgrade their Flight Simulator performance should
focus on upgrading the processor and associated
memory (and likely motherboard), as well as using
a recent generation graphics card. A new graphics
card is particularly important for providing the
“headroom” to run large or multiple monitors.
Fortunately for upgraders, new generations of
processors, memory, and graphics cards are being
produced with improved performance at prices no
higher and sometimes lower than costs of previous
hardware generations.

66 CPM. V14I2

cpm1402.indd 66 1/13/2010 9:47:47 PM

X Before embarking on tests for this third FSX benchmarking article,
I read several forums to learn what other users were experiencing
with various hardware upgrades. In spite of how simple it is to
run standardized benchmark tests, such as with Gary Dunne’s
free FSXMark07 procedure, most forum postings report opinions
on performance without citing quantitative test results. In several
instances, I posted feedback suggesting that forum participants
conduct FSXMark07 tests, which require only five minutes per
run, but my requests garnered no responses. Thus, nearly all FSX
Core i7 Processors
Intel Core i7-900 series processors include many design changes
from previous generations, including a new caching arrangement,
integrated memory controller, and Quick Path Interconnect in place
of a front side bus. The former FSB frequency now corresponds to the
host or base clock (BLCK) frequency. This frequency is used by the
processor to set the frequencies of four major functions of an i7-900
series processor, with the following relationships, as depicted in the
accompanying schematic:
performance claims posted on forums are only “guesstimates”
of whether performance is improved with various hardware and Memory frequency = BCLK x memory multiplier (k1)
software upgrades. With a variety of hardware, settings, and FSX Uncore (replaces North Bridge) = BCLK x uncore multiplier (k2)
configurations, including many repeated tests, I conducted over 150 CPU frequency = BCLK x CPU multiplier (k3)
FSXMark07 test runs for this article. QPI frequency = BCLK x QPI multiplier (k4)

Previous Test Results

After testing four generations of Nvidia-based graphics cards, four
overclocking speeds of an Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 processor, and
both multiple and large monitors for the two previous articles in this
series, I concluded that FSX performance, as indicated by framerates,
is highly proportional to processor clock speeds, which for the
previous tests was equal to the front side bus times the processor
multiplier times the number of cores.

The accompanying graph shows the general form of results from

Part 1 of this series; namely, increasing performance with higher CPU
clock speeds, with representative samples of the four most recent
generations of NVIDIA graphics cards.

SCHEMATIC OF CORE I7-900 SERIES PROCESSOR MULTIPLIER

RELATIONSHIPS

The four multipliers are completely independent, except that the

Uncore multiplier should be at least twice as high as the memory
multiplier. The default BCLK frequency for all Core i7-900 series
processors equals 133MHz. The table below shows multipliers and
nominal processor frequencies for the current Core i7-900 series.
Since I began work on this article, Intel has added i5 and additional i7
models, which incorporate additional design changes. Some of these
GENERAL FORM OF RESULTS FROM VARYING CPU SPEED WITH FOUR
GENERATIONS OF GRAPHICS CARDS processors may yield FSX performance improvements and require
possibly less expensive socket 1156 motherboards and memory,
compared to i7-900 series hardware.
In the second benchmarking article, I reported that the “headroom” of
NVIDIA graphics cards such as the GTX 260 and 280 allow operation
of multiple and large (30” at a resolution of 2560 x 1600) monitors Processor Multiplier Freq., GHz QPI Rate, GT/s List Price*
with no effect on framerates compared to operation with a single 21”
monitor at a resolution of 1600 x 1200, even though more than twice as i7-975 Extreme 25 3.33 6.40 $999
many pixels are rendered per unit time for the larger monitor. i7-965 Extreme 24 3.20 6.40 $999
i7-960 24 3.20 4.80 $562
Initially, I thought about upgrading the processor in my existing i7-950 23 3.06 4.80 $562
socket 775 motherboard, without the need to obtain new memory i7-940 22 2.93 4.80 Note 1
or graphics card, but after reading others’ reports, I wondered if i7-920 20 2.66 4.80 $284
the Hyperthreading, Turbo Boost, triple channel memory, Quick
Path Interconnect, and other improved features of the new Intel i7 * in quantity, USD
processor series might be a better alternative. 1. The i7-940 is discontinued

67

cpm1402.indd 67 1/13/2010 9:47:50 PM

 We’ll defer specifics of overclocking to a future article, but it’s
important to note that base clock multipliers are upwardly locked for
the non-extreme processors, so overclocking must be accomplished
by increasing the host/base clock frequency. For the extreme
processors, multipliers are generally unlocked, and overclocking
can be accomplished by increasing the host/base clock frequency;
however, some motherboards also limit upward adjustment of the
Extreme processors, including the motherboard tested for this article,
though I discovered a workaround.
All i7-900 series processors include several important features that
might increase FSX performance:
GHz with Turbo on, along with memory set for 1600 MHz. Next,
I downloaded and installed several tools for monitoring system
operation and temperatures, tracking framerates, and importantly, the
procedure files for standardized testing.
Test Monitoring Tools
To observe processor multiplier, speed, and temperatures, as well
as Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) temperature, I downloaded and
instaled RealTemp 3.40. This freeware utility is available at http://
www.techpowerup.com/downloads/1691/Real_Temp_3.40.html.

• Hyperthreading technology adds four virtual cores to the four

physical cores, to enable highly threaded applications to get
more work done in parallel.
• Turbo Boost provides an increase in processor multiplier as
the processor load increases. As implemented in the i7-900
series processors, if only one core is loaded, its multiplier is
increased by two. If all cores are loaded, the multiplier of each
is increased by one.
• Smart Cache provides a higher-performance, more efficient
cache subsystem, which Intel reports is optimized for industry
leading multi-threaded games.

Test System
With continued hardware support from NVIDIA and new hardware
support by Intel and Corsair, I built a new system for conducting the
tests reported in this article. My test system included the following
key components:

• Corsair memory, 2 x 3GB triple channel DDR3 1600 MHz

• Corsair HX850 premium modular power supply REALTEMP UTILITY SHOWING FULL LOAD OPERATION
OF I7-940 PROCESSOR
• Dell 3007WFP 30” monitor, operated at 2560 x 1600 resolution
• Intel Core i7-940 and i7-975 processors with included coolers
– tested separately To observe a variety of processor, motherboard, memory, graphics,
• Intel DX58SO motherboard – socket 1366 and X58 chipset and system parameters, I used the free CPU-Z utility, which is
available at http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php.
While this article was being prepared, i7-940 processors were
discontinued and Intel released i7-870, i7-860, and i5-750 processors,
which employ socket 1156 motherboards and two channel memory.
These may be less expensive solutions for obtaining processor speeds
in the same range as the lower numbered i7-900 series processors.

With the i7-940 processor installed, I initially loaded Vista Home

Premium 64-bit SP1 onto the new system. After installing motherboard
drivers and downloading close to 100 updates to Vista, including
service packs one and two, I updated the motherboard BIOS, which
enabled running the memory at 1600 mHz instead of the 1066 mHz
that is native to the i7-940 processor, or 1366 GHz that is native to the
i7-975. Next, I loaded FSX and Acceleration Pack onto the hard drive.
Eventually, I moved the operating system from a hard drive to a 160GB
solid state drive and moved FSX to an 80GB solid state drive, and I’ll
report on this new hardware in Part 4 of this benchmarking series.

At this point, I studied the BIOS and reviewed key settings, such
as the processor multipliers and related parameters. Initial tests
were conducted with default BIOS settings for the i7-940 processor:
multiplier of 22 and host clock speed of 133 gHz, which provides a CPU-Z UTILITY SHOWING OVERCLOCKED OPERATION OF I7-975, WITH
nominal processor speed of 2.93 GHz with Turbo off and up to 3.07 A TURBO MULTIPLIER OF 31 AND PROCESSOR SPEED OF 4.13 GHZ.

68 CPM. V14I2

cpm1402.indd 68 1/13/2010 9:47:52 PM

 To accurately track and log framerate performance for each test
run, I used FRAPS version 3.0.3, which is available at www.fraps.
com. After it’s started, this utility is coordinated with the P (Pause)
key so that unpausing and pausing the test flight also starts and stops
FRAPS framerate counting.
To make “apples to apples” comparisons, I saved my fsx.cfg and
scenery.cfg files with new names, so that when I ran FSX the next
time, it generated default fsx.cfg and scenery.cfg files. Additionally,
in the same folder where fsx.cfg is found, I temporarily renamed exe.
xml and dll.xml, so that I would have not other add-on programs
running with FSX. Thus, my FSX installation was “out of the box,”
along the Acceleration Pack installed. Finally, I loaded FSXMark07’s
Global High.cfg file from within FSX, which sets 38 entries in the
FSX.cfg file, and I began a long series of test flights.

Test Results – i7-940 Processor

FRAPS PREFERENCES INTERFACE FOR FRAMERATE MEASUREMENT

To easily verify or modify BIOS settings, I used the Intel Desktop

Control Center, with which some settings changes do not require
rebooting. There are also monitoring functions, tests, and system
display features. An Auto-Tune function sequentially tests and sets
overclocking parameters, and we’ll see results from this feature in a
follow-on article.
RETAIL PACKAGE FOR I7 SERIES PROCESSORS AND FAN,
EXCEPT EXTREME VERSIONS

I began testing with the now-discontinued i7-940 processsor and its

default cooler. Though I conducted many more tests than shown, here
are results from the most significant tests:

SETTINGS AND COMMENTS CORE SPEED, MAX. FPS

DESKTOP CONTROL CENTER UTILITY PROVIDED WITH
INTEL DX58SO MOTHERBOARD Default multiplier of 22; hyperthreading 22 x 133.34 = 2.93 32.5
on and turbo off

The FSXMark07 benchmarking includes a standardized Default multiplier of 22, hyperthreading

configuration for FSX display settings, as well as a saved 5-minute on and turbo on (increases performance
autopilot flight over the Seattle, Washington area. This flight by ratio of 23/22) 23 x 133.34 = 3.07 34.2
challenges FSX performance with a variety of scenery, terrain, water
effects, autogen scenery, airports, and AI aircraft and boat traffic. Hyperthreading off, turbo on (result: FSX
Follow the simple installation, setup, and procedure instructions in the does not benefit from hyperthreading) 23 x 133.34 = 3.07 34.2
fsxmark07.zip file, which can be downloaded from the Avsim.com file
library at http://library.avsim.net/download.php?DLID=113016. The Overclock host frequency from 133 to 150,
instructions also cover how to set up FRAPS and run the test flight. otherwise default settings 23 x 150 = 3.45 39.4

Test Results – Baseline Overclock host frequency to 160, memory

To establish a baseline, recall that in the first two parts of this at 1600 23 x 160 = 3.68 43.2
series, using the FSXMark07 procedure and its Global High
configuration for FSX, I recorded framerates of about 24-27 fps with Overclock host frequency to 170, memory
a Q6600 processor overclocked to 3.0 GHz. The lower end of this at 1360 23 x 170 = 3.91 43.2
range was obtained with my heavily-added-onto FSX installation,
while the higher end was obtained with default fsx.cfg and scenery. Host frequency at 170, memory reset to
cfg files (default display settings and no add-on scenery active), as 1600 (memory speed helps) 23 x 170 = 3.91 45.8
well as no add-on dll’s or exe’s operating.

69

cpm1402.indd 69 1/13/2010 9:47:53 PM

 The overall results for this processor are:
• Significantly, framerates improved from 24-27 FPS to 34+, a
gain of about 33%, from the Q6600 to the i7-940 at the same
processor frequency. This is a likely benefit of i7-900 series
architecture, motherboard performance, faster memory,
improved caching, and/or other features.
• Hyperthreading was not recognized by FSX and unfortunately
made no difference in performance.
• Turbo Boost increased framerates by the ratio of i7-940
multipliers with and without Turbo Boost – 23/22 – a bit less
than 5%.
• Memory speed made a difference, in limited testing.
With the i7-975 Extreme processor and DX58SO motherboard, I
was unable to increase the processor multiplier above the default 25,
and this was surprising, because a friend’s Gigabyte motherboard
allows increasing this multiplier. However, this only matters in the
case of Turbo Boost off, because there’s a workaround. Unlike with
the i7-940, I was able to increase the turbo multipliers for each i7-975
core, and with heavy processor loading by running FSX, the processor
operated at the turbo multiplier settings, though parameters such as
core voltage may need to be increased for stability. Overclocking
and heat dissipation raise the issue of processor coolers, and it’s
significant that the cooler furnished with the i7-975 is more heavy
duty than the i7-940 cooler. Again, more on this in a future article.
Here are the significant test results for the i7-975 processor:

With the tested motherboard, I could not increase the host clock SETTINGS AND COMMENTS CORE SPEED, MAX. FPS
multiplier higher than the default setting of 22, nor could I change
the turbo multiplier higher than 24 for core 1 and 23 for cores 2- Default settings, except Turbo off, 3.33 40.2
4, so overclocking was accomplished by increasing the host clock memory at 1600, cpu multiplier at 25
frequency, along with a few other adjustments. For tests with
hyperthreading on, Turbo Boost on (23x), and memory at 1600, the Same except Turbo on, with turbo
accompanying graph shows framerate results versus core frequency. multiplier at 26 for all cores. 3.47 41.6
The test results are nearly linear, as expected.
Same, except increase turbo
multipliers to 28 3.73 44.2

Same, except increase turbo

multipliers to 30 and increase Vcore
from 1.2 to 1.30 volts 4.0 46.3

Set power plan to High performance,

which keeps multipliers at 30 – small
effect. 4.00 46.6

Same, except set Vcore to 1.35 and

change turbo multipliers to 31 4.13 47.3

Again, the framerate performance increased linearly with the

GRAPH OF I7-940 FRAMERATE TEST RESULTS VERSUS PROCESSOR processor speed, consistent with the i7-940 results, though default and
FREQUENCY
overclocked frequencies are higher than with the i7-940.

Test Results – i7-975 Processor

GRAPH OF I7-975 FRAMERATE TEST RESULTS VERSUS

RETAIL PACKAGE FOR I7 SERIES EXTREME PROCESSORS PROCESSOR FREQUENCY

70 CPM. V14I2

cpm1402.indd 70 1/13/2010 9:47:54 PM

 Test Results – i7-920 (Emulated)
Though I was unable to test an i7-920 processor, I was able to
emulate its performance with the i7-975 by setting its processor
multiplier downward from 25 to 20; setting Turbo multipliers to
22, 21, 21, 21 for cores one to four, respectively; and changing the
QPI rate from 6.4 GT/s to 4.8 GT/s. The emulated default i7-920
performance with Turbo on provided an average framerate of 34.2,
but this is about the same result as with the i7-940 processor default
settings, so it’s possible that the lower multipliers set into the i7-975
to emulate the i7-920 are not completely utilized.

Conclusions
There was a significant framerate performance improvement (about
33%) in moving from the Core 2 Quad Q6600 processor to either
of two i7-900 series processors tested for this article at the same
processor clock rate. This “technology gain” is impressive, whether
credited to the i7-900 series processor architecture, socket 1366
motherboard efficiency, triple channel memory, improved caching, or
other features. This is good news for users thinking about upgrading
to i7 series processors.

Consistent with previous test results, processor clock speed is the

principal determinant of FSX framerate performance. A significant
feature of the i7-900 series, hyperthreading, which provides four
virtual cores in addition to four physical cores, to provide eight
processing threads, is not recognized by FSX. An optimistic
hypothesis that the hyperthreading feature might double FSX
framerates is unfortunately not fulfilled.

Because it provides a dynamically (though small) increase

in processor multipliers for each core, the Turbo Boost feature
increases framerates by 4-5%, in proportion to turbo multiplier to
default multiplier settings. The default performance of the top price
i7-975 and base model i7-920 processors differ in FSX performance
by the ratio of their processor multipliers, 25 to 20 (25%), with
Turbo Boost off, or with Turbo Boost on and all four cores loaded,
26 to 21 (23.8%).

Though operating FSX with a powerful and expensive processor,

including overclocking, can provide great framerate performance,
the second article in this series highlighted the fact that changes in
FSX scenery, texture, water, AI traffic, and other display settings can
improve performance significantly. For example, from the Global
High settings used in these tests, I made three changes in the FSX
Settings, Scenery tab:
In a future issue, we’ll explore the impact of upgrading the
operating system from Vista to Windows 7, plus discuss overclocking
processors, third-party processor coolers, and comparison of solid
state and hard disk drives for Windows and FSX loading time and
performance.

• Scenery complexity, from Dense to Normal Affinity Mask Setting

• Autogen density, from Normal to Sparce Many forum postings suggest that an FSX.cfg Affinity Mask setting
• Water effects, from Med 2.x to High 1.x ensures that newer multicore and/or hyperthreaded CPU features
are fully used by FSX, though service packs releases and/or the
Acceleration Pack were intended to make this setting unnecessary.
As above, none of the users reporting their opinions have conducted
When tested with the i7-975 processor default settings, these stardardized benchmarking tests. The Affinity Mask format is:
modest settings changes increased framerate performance by 23.6%,
which is close to the multiplier ratio of i7-975 to i7-920 processors,
so what can be done with a much greater hardware investment can be [JobScheduler]
alternatively accomplished with reduced FSX settings. On the other AffinityMask=15
hand, for users wanting to see maximum FSX performance, such as //where n= number of cores scheduled
with Ultra High display settings, money is well spent on purchasing // 1 = 1 core 1000
the highest clock speed processor you can afford, along with // 3 = 2 cores 1100
applicable motherboard and memory, though current processor prices // 7 = 3 cores 1110
appear to increase faster than the corresponding performance gains. // 15 = 4 cores 1111

71

cpm1402.indd 71 1/13/2010 9:47:55 PM

 My testing indicates that adding the Affinity Mask setting to the
FSX.cfg file is unnecessary with the Acceleration Pack. In fact, it’s
possibly detrimental, as framerate results were more variable with the
setting added. This finding suggests that i7 processors do a better job
of managing their operation than trying to manage the processor with
an FSX.cfg setting.
Summary of Benchmarking Procedure
Download FSXMark07.zip from www.avsim.com, read the
instructions, download FRAPS from www.fraps.com, install
as directed, and make the FRAPS settings recommended in the
FSXMark07 instructions.
VIEW AT BEGINNING OF BENCHMARKING FLIGHT
VIEW AFTER FIVE MINUTES OF BENCHMARKING FLIGHT, WITH MT.
RAINIER IN DISTANCE LEFT OF CENTER
72
cpm1402.indd 72
To try your first benchmarking run, start FSX and load the
benchmarking flight file, FSXMark07.FLT, which will place you in
the default Bombardier CRJ700, in the air, just north of downtown
Seattle, paused in virtual cockpit mode, with some nice 3D scattered
clouds in the area, as shown in the accompanying image. Click
Options, Settings, and Load the Global High configuration file.
Open and minimize the FRAPS interface, and note the framerate
display in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. Important: click
your mouse on the FSX screen to bring it “in focus,” wait about five
seconds for the mouse cursor image to disappear, and then press the
“P” keystroke to simultaneously start the benchmark flight and the
FRAPS framerate logging, after which the FRAPS framerate display
will display a green box and then disappear within a few seconds.
During the flight, do not touch the mouse or keyboard, as doing so
will reduce the framerate. The flight runs a flight plan on autopilot and
auto throttle, which flies the CRJ700 past downtown Seattle, Boeing
Field, Sea-Tac International Airport, and then turns southeastward
toward Auburn Municipal Airport (S50), with Mt. Rainier in the
distance. Enjoy the scenery during 5-minute flight until you see the
framerate display reappear with a momentary red “stop” box around
the average framerate number. Not to worry if you miss seeing this
number, because FRAPS calculates and stores the framerate results
file in its /Benchmarks folder.
To set up for another run in FSX, without hitting the “P” key,
reload the flight from the FSX menu, or copy and use a shortcut on
your desktop to C:\Users\(username)\Documents\Flight Simulator
X Files\FSXMark07.FLT. This action should reload the flight while
keeping FSX and FRAPS coordinated, and if so, you’ll see the yellow
FRAPS display after the reload. The accompanying image shows
sample results from one run, from file FSX (date and time stamp)
minmaxavg.csv. If desired, you can copy results to a new spreadsheet
and plot results in relation to computer and FSX settings.
SAMPLE FRAPS RESULTS FROM ONE FSX BENCHMARKING RUN
Occasionally, FSX and FRAPS can become unsynchronized
between the Pause commands, with FRAPS continuing to count
framerates and generating summary files, so if necessary after
the flight is reloaded, stop and restart FRAPS. If you find FRAPS
results files with less than 300 seconds shown – it will show
300000 millisecond in the spreadsheet file, these are from these
unsynchronized pauses, and they should be deleted.
Because of variations in benchmarking results, for each test
condition, I ran each trial at least five times and calculated the average
framerate for that set. I accepted run if there was relatively close
agreement with other runs, but if I saw a noticeable difference in
one test of a particular set, I added one or more additional runs and
calculated the average of all runs. I noticed that the first run of each
set was about 10% lower, suggesting that the first run does not benefit
from subsequent caching. If I suspected that incidental computer
activity such as a scheduled hard drive backup, Windows Defender
or antivirus scan, hard drive indexing, or other anomaly produced an
“outlier” data point, I ignored that run in calculating the average for
that set. 4
CPM. V14I2
1/13/2010 9:47:56 PM
 Subject: My Home Flight Sim…

Good Morning Computer Pilot People,

I’ve been a subscriber to your great magazine for as long as I’ve known
about it... and look forward to receiving it, and reading the many
interesting articles about all kinds of things aviation ... and of course
buying all the various bits and pieces that appeal to me.

After reading the article of a home Flight Sim setup in the last magazine,
I’ve forwarded some pictures I’ve taken of my own setup. Doing an
Instrument rating at the moment, I find my flight sim an invaluable tool
to bring my skills up to the required standard as I progress through the
training. Also, if I’m going on a flight somewhere I’ve never been before,
I can do the flight plan, “fly the mission” on Flight Sim, and then do the
are” ILOT
real thing the next day.
“Phil W OMPUTER P !
I have three 19” screens of the 4 x 3 type, two have died already, and I’ve
M O N TH C XTENSION
12 /E
WINS BSCRIPTION
had them replaced under warranty, so I have a spare just in case it happens
again. They are a reputable brand too, so that was rather surprising.

I have the Matrox TrippleHead2go, a sound system that includes a “woofer”, SU

CH products Control Yoke and Saitek Pedals for rudder and brakes.

Living in Brisbane Australia, I have a grandson, who can fly the Extra 300s
underneath our main city bridge upside down, do an outside loop, and fit
between two city buildings while so doing.

It would be great, if Matrox brought out a “Quintiple” Head2go, as 5

screens would really give a fantastic effect.

I’d commend my friend Barry too, who is a “Guru” on things computer

and Flight Sim, and has given me such a lot of time, tweaking my system
so that it flies “just right”.

At our aero club, we have a new “Glass Cockpit G1000” Cessna 172, and
after flying it on FSX first, and becoming fully familiar with everything, the
actual Flight Check only needed to be quite short, so it saved me some
dollars!

Keep up the good work ...

Phil Ware
Queensland, Australia.

Subject: Cessna Citation Mustang

Congratulations to Al Pelletier on his article praising the new Cessna the two of them blending together, we have an amazing hobby which we
Citation (Mustang). will be able to take to our graves.

Many of us who have been with Flight Simulator for a few years are
stimulated by the development of the new ‘Hi-Tech’ simulations which
are being produced today. It is another step up in our quest for reality
and another step up from the old technology which has now become
‘Ho-Hum’ to those seeking expansion to our hobby.
I have recently downloaded the VRS F18E Superbug for FS9 and have
been engrossed in the new technology in that simulation. It gets the
old grey matter stirred up (aged 72) and is a long term challenge to
achieve mastery over every aspect of this amazing fighting machine.
After reading about the Cessna Mustang, it is not hard to imagine
that one will get the same challenge from this aircraft which I am
looking forward to receiving soon. The Garmin 1000 GPS, alone,
is enough of a challenge which I have gained some knowledge
from past use and I look forward to sitting in the pilot’s seat of
the Mustang with all this new technology before me and to work
systematically through all its features.
Bring it on!

Not only are the new aircraft stirring the blood in our veins, but the new Mike Posford
scenery packages go hand in hand to bring reality even closer and with Coffs Harbour, Australia.

Write To Computer Pilot INBOX

If you have something you want to share with fellow flight simulator enthusiasts, then Computer Pilot INBOX is the place to be heard. Each issue, we’ll 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

73

cpm1402.indd 73 1/13/2010 9:47:57 PM

 HORTON’S HINTS for FLIGHTsimX

BY DOUG HORTON

T
his issue of Hints focuses on airport facilities
data (AFD) file editors – sometimes called
“AFCAD” programs after Lee Swordy’s
pioneering but no-longer-maintained AFD editor. Two
free or donation and one commercial editor allow
simple or complex modifications of default airports,
providing for extremely realistic scenery additions
or editing of airports in both FS2004 and FSX. I
offer this information in hopes of seeing more AFD
(AFCAD) files posted for favorite airports.
Airport Facilities Data (AFD) Editors
As a passenger on a United Airlines flight, I recently experienced
landing on the new northernmost runway 9L/27R at O’Hare
International Airport. Noting that several other construction projects
have been completed as part of an ongoing major expansion and
updating of O’Hare, I looked at how, for FSX, I might add the new
runway, redesignate the original east-west runways, extend the length
of newly designated 10/28 (old 9R/27L), plus add, modify, and
rename many new and revised taxiways.

74 CPM. V14I2

cpm1402.indd 74 1/13/2010 9:48:03 PM

 The tools I needed were an airport diagram of KORD, aerial
mapping from Google Earth and Bing Maps, and an AFD
editor. Working from an existing add-on AFD file provided with
FSDreamTeam’s extremely realistic scenery for O’Hare, I was able
to perform most of what I wanted to do. Remaining for this project
is setting up approaches for the new runway and modifying existing
approaches. Still, what I’ve modified in the AFD files is fully
functional for landings and takeoffs by AI aircraft, for which I’m
currently using Ultimate Traffic 2.
AIRPORT DIAGRAM OF O’HARE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (KORD)
ADE DISPLAY OF KORD AFD FILE, MODIFIED FOR NEW AND RENAMED
RUNWAYS AND TAXIWAYS.
cpm1402.indd 75
EXTENDED WEST END AND ADDED TAXIWAYS FOR RUNWAY 10/28
(FORMERLY 9R/27L)
Two of the three editors are available to edit AFD files in both
FS2004 and FSX. AFD information is provided for all default airports
in FSX in a series of numbered folders in the \(your FSX folder)\
scenery\world\ folder, for FSX, with filenames of the form APX?????.
bgl. Though these files can be decompiled into *.xml files, manually
edited, and recompiled with BGLComp.exe, which is found in the
FSX SDK \Environment Kit\ BGL Compiler\ folder, the procedure is
quite tedious. Working with AFD editors provides visual editing and
is significantly easier!
The editors don’t actually edit the default AFD files, which remain
intact. Instead, the output of the three editors is a new *.bgl file that
is placed in a higher layer of your scenery.cfg file than the default
AFD files. Though these are commonly called AFCAD files, the more
appropriate term is AFD files. When FSX (or FS2004) starts, or you
move your aircraft to a particular airport, information in the new AFD
file produced by one of the editors will selectively use and/or replace
information in the related default AFD file.
Airport Design Editor
Airport Design Editor (ADE) is a complete editor for airport
facilities data, and beginning with version 1.45, ADE supports both
FS2004 (FS9) and FSX. Author Jon “Scruffyduck” Masterson says
this new functionality means that FS9 airport developers now have
access to most of the ADE functionality that has been available to
FSX airport designers. In particular, this includes the Approach
Designer and all the other tools that allow users to work with
buildings, signs, etc. The only area not currently supported for FS9
is terrain elements such as land class, roads, etc. Work has also been
accomplished to make importing of existing AFCAD files into ADE
as easy as possible. Current features of ADE include:
Airport Facilities Design
• CAD style design of airports including all the facilities such as
runways, aprons, taxiways, fencing, parking spots with parking
types and airline codes, etc.
• Navigation aids
• Flexible background images that make it possible to use different
types of images to guide the design of your airport
• Real time connection to FSX
75
1/13/2010 9:48:05 PM
 Terrain
• Flattens, exclusions, land and water class
• Sloping polygons
• Roads, streams, utilities and railroads
Scenery Object and Buildings
• Display of default buildings, making it easy to move, delete or
replace them
• Library Object Manager that allows users to manage library
objects; most objects in FSX are available for you to place in your
airport.
• Easy means of saving and copying generic buildings from one
airport to another
Approach Design
• Edit existing FSX airport approaches or create new ones based on
published approach charts.
• A graphical interface mimics the display found on the FSX GPS.
• Real time display and fault checking as the approach is designed.
The approach is drawn as it will show in the GPS, and any
problems will be highlighted.
An interesting feature of ADE is that it saves airport data in an
*.ade file separately from compiling the data into a *.bgl file. This
allows a measure of security if corruption of data might occur. ADE
can be downloaded from http://www.airportdesigneditor.co.uk/
Downloads.html. ADE is “donationware” and an optional button is
provided on the downloads interface page for donating $5.00 US to
support continuing development of the program.
FSX Planner
FSX Planner is a free or donation product, abbreviated as FSXP,
which is produced by author Russell Hodgson of zBlueSoftware
LLC. FSXP is available at http://www.zbluesoftware.com/fsxplanner.
According to the author, FSXP is a full featured graphical editing
tool, which is intended to allow its users to easily modify all aspects
of FSX airports, both visible and invisible. The modifiable, visible
parts of an airport include everything from the runways and taxiways
to the taxiway signs, windsocks, and scenery objects, for example.
The modifiable, unseen parts of an airport include everything from the
airport services and fuel triggers to the communication frequencies
and navigation information, including instrument approaches.
EDITING SCREEN FOR FSXP, WITH PROPERTIES FOR ONE PARKING SPOT
DISPLAY ON LEFT SIDE
76
cpm1402.indd 76
FSXP features include:
• All displays updated in real time
• Runways – markings, lights and navigation aids
• Taxiways, taxiway nodes, and markings
• Taxiway designations
• Taxiway signs, with unique taxiway sign wizard
• Tower viewpoint and scenery objects
• Parking spot types and airline codes
• Vehicle parking spots and paths
• Start locations
• Helipads
• Scenery objects
• Fuel triggers, to make fueling facility functional
• Connects to FSX on either local or remote machines
• Displays the exact plane or helicopter from FSX so you can see the
scale and heading
• Place the mouse exactly where the plane is in FSX
• Place the plane in FSX exactly where the mouse is
• Make the plane in FSX auto-follow the mouse
• Make the mouse auto-follow the plane in FSX
• Communication Frequencies
• Approaches – transitions, main approach, and missed approach legs
• Navaids – VOR, NDB, ILS, DME, glide slopes, marker beacons,
windsocks
• Realistic nighttime lighting display
• Edit airport services, such as fuel types available
• Apron polygons and edge lights
• Moving jetways
• Boundary and blast fences
• Background images
• Exclusion rectangles
• Airport reference point
• Error checking
• Airport clean-up options
• Specify compiling options
As an example of an advanced feature, FSXP includes the
capability of adding a background image to the airport being edited
by providing a shortcut for linking directly to a Google Earth aerial
image of the airport. The accompanying screen image shows the map
view of FSX Planner with a captured background image behind the
airport data. If you look closely at the image, you can see that the
default FSX runways are aligned well with the aerial photo, though
there are several taxiways and aprons that could be moved to align
better with the real airport features.
FSX PLANNER MAP VIEW WITH AERIAL PHOTO BACKGROUND IMAGE BELOW
CPM. V14I2
1/13/2010 9:48:07 PM
 It’s great to see the degree of detail and sophistication that’s present
in FSX Planner, from an author who is new to Flight Simulator within
the past three years, and we’ll look forward to ongoing development
of this program.
Airport Facilitator X
Airport Facilitator X (AFX) is a commercial product by Flight1,
which currently sells for $29.95 US. Program look and operation
is very similar to the freeware AFCAD program authored by Lee
Swordy for FS2002 and FS2004, so AFX will be very familiar in
operation to those who worked with AFCAD.
AFX features are fully explained at http://www.flight1.com/products.
asp?product=afxv1 and include the capability to add or edit:
• Airport reference point
• Tower viewpoint
• Runways – with markings and runway lights
• Taxiways with designators, apron paths, and nodes
• Parking spots – with optional airline assignments
• Apron polygons and edge lights
• Start locations
• Helipads
• Taxiway signs
• Comm frequencies
• Navaids (VOR, NDB, ILS components)
• Exclusion rectangles – can also exclude autogen scenery
AFX’S FS PREVIEW FEATURE SHOWN AT FSDREAMTEAM’S O’HARE INT’L AIRPORT, WITH AI AIRCRAFT FROM ULTIMATE TRAFFIC 2
cpm1402.indd 77
For FSX only:
• Vehicle parking spots and paths
• Moving jetways
• Boundary and blast fences
One of the most interesting features of AFX is the FS Preview
function, which enables seeing the airport being edited, along with
facilities data “live” and AI traffic in FS. If top-down view is selected
in FS, the view will closely resemble the AFX map view, and it will
show parking spots, apron taxi paths, and all other features projected
onto the FS scenery. After starting AFX, then FS, this feature is started
by selecting View, and then “Preview in FS.” The accompanying image
shows an elevated 2D cockpit view, without the control panel. Note the
AI aircraft in parking spots that are color-coded by airline.
An issue with AFX (in all versions through 1.08) is that it does not
support all FSX AFD features. Consequently, when opening an AFD file
generated another program, such as ADE or FSXP, it will notify the user
that it is stripping out the unsupported features and advise saving the
resulting AFX-generated file with another name and placing it in a layer
above the other file. In operation, FSX will first read the default AFD
information, replace default features with features in the first AFD file, if
any – the one initially opened in AFX – and then it will replace features
in that file with those in the newly saved AFX file. Hopefully, AFX will
someday support all FSX AFD features (at least those supported by AFX
and FSXP) and this extra-step procedure will be unnecessary.
77
1/13/2010 9:48:09 PM
 HORTON’S HINTS for FLIGHTsimX

BY DOUG HORTON

H
ere’s another collection of hints for FSX,
gathered from various sources, including
my own trials and discoveries in “flying” the
program. The first hint deals with the surprising and
important fact that at least with Intel® Core i7™
series processors and Vista Home Premium, it’s easy
to accidentally degrade the processor performance
(and FSX framerate) by about half! You’ll also learn
how easy it is to find by date and flight number the
flight plans of commercial airlines flying to, from, or
within the U.S., which makes it easy to recreate these
flights in Flight Simulator.
Accidentally Degrading Processor
Performance
During the benchmarking exercises described elsewhere in
this issue, I learned that a simple change Windows settings can
inconspicuously degrade Intel Core i7 and perhaps other processor
performance by 50%. In terms of FSX performance, this results in a
nearly 50% reduction in framerates, and this could be one reason for
many users experiencing low FSX framerates.

78 CPM. V14I2

cpm1402.indd 78 1/13/2010 9:48:09 PM

 The system I was testing when this occurred included an Intel
DX58SO Extreme motherboard with an i7-940 mid-range processor.
This processor and motherboard combination includes aggressive
energy management features, and during normal operation, the
processor multiplier changes in response the processor workload.
The multiplier times the base clock rate, which is analogous to the
front side bus speed on older systems, equals the processor clock
speed. Previous benchmarking exercises, as described in the January
and October-November 2009 issues of Computer Pilot, have shown
that with other settings constant, FSX framerate performance is
directly proportional to the processor clock speed. Thus, with i7 series
processors and other parameters constant, FSX framerate is directly
proportional to the processor multiplier.
REALTEMP UTILITY SHOWING PROCESSOR SPEED OF 3066.77 MHZ WITH
MULTIPLIER OF 23 TIMES BASE CLOCK RATE OF 133.34
During several days of testing FSX performance with various
settings, I’d noticed that the i7-940 processor multiplier usually
cycled between a low of 12 and Turbo setting of 23. The nominal
multiplier is 22 for this processor, which increases to 23 with the
Turbo feature enabled in the BIOS. To observe this behavior, I used
RealTemp 3.40 to track processor performance and temperatures,
as well as Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) temperature. This
freeware utility is available at http://www.techpowerup.com/
downloads/1691/Real_Temp_3.40.html.
After a midday break and adjustment of a few Windows settings
related to the Sleep feature, I noticed that the processor multiplier
seemed to be locked at 12, regardless of processor load. In turn, this
resulted in FSX framerates that were nearly 50% below what I’d been
seeing during several days of previous testing. I wondered if something
had gone wrong with the processor or motherboard BIOS settings.
cpm1402.indd 79
REALTEMP UTILITY SHOWING PROCESSOR SPEED OF 1600.06 MHZ WITH
MULTIPLIER OF 12 TIMES BASE CLOCK RATE OF 133.34
Users can adjust the processor multiplier and other settings in the
BIOS, as well as with the Intel Desktop Control Center software. I spent
hours adjusting BIOS settings, and I even reloaded the BIOS. Though the
BIOS continued to show the multiplier set at 22 and Turbo multiplier at
23, RealTemp continued to show the multiplier at 12. I then called Intel
Technical Support to find a solution, though this issue was apparently not
in the support knowledge base, and the recommended solution did not
fix the problem. Finally, I found the solution by searching the Internet
and recalling actions I’d taken the previous day, before the downward
performance change.
One of my actions the previous day was opening the Power Options
feature in the Windows Vista Home Premium Control Panel to adjust
the sleep times of my monitor and system. Being conscious of computer
energy use, and the reduced fan speeds and noise I might experience,
I’d changed the power profile setting from the default Balanced plan
to the Power Saver plan. Quite inconspicuously, this set the maximum
processor state to 50%. This was what caused the i7-940 processor to
hold a multiplier of 12 instead of cycling between 12 and 23. The default
settings for the three default power plans for Vista Home Premium are
shown in the accompanying images.
I’d seen these minimum and maximum percentages when editing
Power Options in the system I’ve been running for several years,
though I incorrectly presumed these settings are related only to when
the computer automatically powers down in the Sleep mode. To fix the
problem, I simply changed the power plan back to Balanced, which
changed the maximum processor power state setting to 100%. Thereafter,
the processor resumed its normal behavior of varying the multiplier with
load, moving up to 23 under significant load with Turbo enabled. Note
that I could also have selected either Balanced or High Performance,
both of which default to 100% maximum processor state, or I could have
manually adjusted the maximum to 100% in the Power Saver plan.
79
1/13/2010 9:48:10 PM

VISTA HOME PREMIUM PROCESSOR STATES FOR BALANCED POWER PLAN
VISTA HOME PREMIUM PROCESSOR STATES FOR POWER SAVER PLAN
VISTA HOME PREMIUM PROCESSOR STATES FOR
HIGH PERFORMANCE POWER PLAN
80
cpm1402.indd 80
There is some good news here, because after this incident,
I experimented with setting both the minimum and maximum
processor power states to 100%, which are the default settings for
the High Performance plan. This caused the i7 processor to remain
at the turbo multiplier of 23 instead of cycling between 12 and 23,
with the result that framerate performance increased by about 3%.
This small increase is likely the result of removing the lag between
when the computing load increases and when the processor
multiplier increases. In hindsight, because I was attempting to
achieve high framerates, setting High Performance would have
been the best setting.
Just for curiosity, I explored the processor power plan settings
with my older system, which includes Vista Home Premium with
an ASUS P5E motherboard and Intel Core 2 Quad 6600 processor.
Setting the processor power state maximum to 50% had visible
effect. The multiplier remained at its usual setting of 9, which
in this case is multiplied by the default front side bus speed of
266. I also checked the default settings on a new laptop with
Windows 7, and it appears that the default maximum percentage
for all power option plans is 100%, so this issue should not occur
with Window 7 unless the user changes the maximum setting to
something below 100%. My advice is be careful what settings you
adjust in Windows, because there can be significant unintended
consequences.
Recreating Commercial Flights in FS
After four enjoyable days in Las Vegas, my wife and I flew as
passengers on United Airlines flight 417 from Las Vegas McCarran
(KLAS) to Chicago O’Hare (KORD) last fall. One of the reasons
I like to travel on United is that most captains enable live ATC
communications on the aircraft’s entertainment system, and it’s
interesting to listen to what’s happening, and here’s a sample of
what I learned from listening to ATC at the beginning of this flight.
The Ground controller issued taxi instructions for KLAS runway
25R, and after the aircraft was cleared into position on the runway,
I heard the familiar “cleared for takeoff” clearance from Tower,
but there was no direction in the takeoff clearance such as “depart
straight out” or depart on a particular course. As a general aviation
private pilot, it’s usual to receive course direction as part of the
takeoff clearance. Soon after takeoff, the aircraft was turning
and climbing, and the view on a clear afternoon was spectacular.
As the airplane was turned northerly and then northeasterly, we
were able to see and identify most of the large hotels, some of
which we’d visited. During these climbing turns, there still was
no clearance direction from Tower or subsequently, Departure
controllers, for courses or altitudes. How could this be? How did
the pilots know what to do, and how were they cleared for what
they were doing?
The simple answer is that the flight had been cleared for a
Departure Procedure, and neither courses nor altitudes needed to
be directed by Tower and Departure. To verify this the morning
after I arrived home in the Chicago area, I browsed to www.
flightaware.com, entered information for United flight 417, and a
list of recent flight dates was provided, including the date of our
flight. The filed route for our flight was shown as STAAV4 BCE
J100 EKR CYS FOD J94 DBQ JVL JVL5. Notice that the route
begins with STAAV4 and BCE. To see this Departure Procedure, I
browsed to www.airnav.com, selected the Airports tab, and then I
entered KLAS. After the page for KLAS displayed, I was able to
find download link for the STAAV4 departure, and I downloaded
both pages 1 and 2, as displayed in the accompanying images.
CPM. V14I2
1/13/2010 9:48:12 PM
 DEPARTURE PROCEDURE STAAV FOUR, PAGE 1

With takeoff from runway 25R, the aircraft was flown, on the You can use www.flightaware.com and www.airnav.com to replay
STAAV Four departure, with transition to BCE, on initial heading of the details of any commercial flight in the USA, including a view of
255° to LEELN, 332° to TOMIS, 032° to BATIS, 054° to MEDOE, the track, and you can see the filed flight plan for any fight departing
074° to STAAV, 076° to TRALR, and then 031° to the Bryce Canyon from or arriving in the USA, though the track may not be complete or
(BCE) VOR, with altitudes as shown in the accompanying diagram accurate for international flights. 4
and route description. After BCE, the filed route was via J100 to
EKR, direct to the CYS and FOD VORs, via J94 to the DBQ VOR,
and then direct to the JVL VOR for transition to the JVL5 Standard
Terminal Arrival Route (STAR).

UNITED FLIGHT 417 TRACK WITH STAAV4 DEPARTURE AND JVL5 ARRIVAL
STANDARD DEPARTURE STAAV FOUR, PAGE 2 – FROM WWW.FLIGHTAWARE.COM

81

cpm1402.indd 81 1/13/2010 9:48:13 PM

 U Y
U e m e n t !
ND Flight Planni n g f o r E x c i t

BY ROGER CURTISS

L
et’s face it, after a while flying to the same
airports can become a bit tiresome. Perhaps
there is too much predictability to the whole Breaking it down, there are three adjustable components to a flight:
thing. One way to perk things up for those who have
an internet connection is to enable the simulator 1. Location
2. Weather
to use real world weather. That adds a dose of
3. Aircraft
unpredictability but actually, the weather in most
places is simply not all that bad most of the time Altering any of these can generate an experience that takes you just
so even this will not consistently get you conditions beyond your comfort level. Making adjustments to more than one of
to make your palms sweat… No, in order to shake these variables in a single flight can keep you very busy and eliminate
any humdrum notions you may have about flying (as if!).
things up a bit you may need to put forth some effort
and work at it a bit. My intent is to give you some A studied look at each component in turn will explore the
ideas to spice up your flying. possibilities they offer.

82 CPM. V14I2

cpm1402.indd 82 1/13/2010 9:48:14 PM

 Location
We are fortunate to have an entire global database at our command
simply by virtue of using flight simulation programs. There are
thousands of airports out there and a surprising number of them
are depicted in the programs along with the terrain (or waterway)
where they are located. It is a pretty good bet that you could throw a
dart at a map and find an airport in flight sim near the point of your
point…which, come to think of it is not a bad way to find a new place
to fly to.
Opportunities to learn about new airports abound.
Here are a few examples:
• I recently read a brief news item that the Russian aircraft
manufacturer Sukhoi was taking its new Superjet 100 regional jet
to the Shirak Airport in Gyumri, Armenia for high-altitude trials.
The explanation was that the airport is at 5000’ elevation, tucked
between mountains with takeoffs and landings only permitted
from the south to the 10,500 foot runway. This sounded intriguing
so I checked and found Shirak airport (UGEL). As I departed
from UGEL I could not help but notice how nicely detailed were
the buildings of Gyumri. Quite a neat setting.
• Mike Ray, the “Guru of Boeing Jets” (my appellation for him-
not his) in his “Flying the Boeing 700 Series” book describes
the VOR/DME Rwy 1 approach into Guatemala City Airport
(MGGT). It requires tight airspeed and altitude control in
mountainous terrain and at the initial visual acquisition of the
runway the aircraft may be below the proper approach angle.
The pilot must maintain altitude until the PAPI lights change
to the desired 2 white/2 red configuration before continuing the
descent. The runway is relatively short (for the airport elevation)
so the landing must be precise. Sure enough, MGGT is also
displayed in FS9 with a big airport and scenic surroundings.
• It was reported in Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine
in 2008 that Air China had begun 757 service to Linzhi Airport
(ZUNZ) in Tibet. This airport is situated at 9760’ elevation in a
mountain valley only 1 mile wide surrounded by 25,000’+ peaks
in an area that receives rain an average of 300 days a year. Air
China utilizes a customized Required Navigation Performance
(RNP) approach that starts at FL300 and requires the aircraft to
execute a series of precise turns in the descent for a short straight-
in final. Unfortunately, this airport was opened in 2004 and is
not depicted in either FS9 or FSX but my point is that you may
hear about airports and then check them out. None of these are
airports to which I would even attempt to fly had I not been made
aware of them.
There are many other airports whose geographical location requires
a precise approach with little room for deviation due to terrain.
Innsbruck, Austria (LOWI) comes to mind as well as the approach
to Aspen Colorado’s Pitkin County airport (KASE). The famous
checkerboard approach to Hong Kong’s Kai Tak airport (VHHX) also
requires very careful piloting.
Planning a flight to these or any other location is also made
relatively easy by utilizing the flight planning feature of the simulator
program or a variety of third party offerings such as FS Navigator
and FS Flight Keeper. Additionally there are a wide number of
commercial flight planners available. Also online are various free
resources including www.flightaware.com and www.vroute.net. These
sites offer access to actual flight routes filed and flown by commercial
flights or in the case of vroute, submitted by contributors.
cpm1402.indd 83
Aircraft vs. Airport
When I was taking my flight training my home airport had a 5000’
runway. This made it easy to correct for a botched landing approach
(theoretically of course, not that I ever had such a problem) but also
had the undesirable effect of making even a 3000’ runway seem small
even though my Cessna 152 truly needed less than 1000’ to make a
successful landing.
But one way to test oneself is to go beyond the comfort factor of a
known runway and experiment with takeoffs and landings at a small
runway or upping the aircraft size to fly into an airport at the limit of
that aircraft’s performance ability.
One such challenge can be found in the Netherland Antilles.
This island chain is a popular destination for pilots and airplane
watchers as the well known approach to the St. Maarten Princess
Juliana airport lies directly over a beach just outside the airport
fence. However, if you head 25 miles south of St. Maarten there
is the Juancho E Yrausquin airport (SABA). This is reported to
be the shortest commercial runway in the world with a length of
only 1300’. In order to operate on it in flight sim you will have to
cheat a little as the runway is closed and marked with a yellow X
at each end.
But one need not visit an exotic location in order to test the
limits. That same 5000’ runway from which I learned was a
seemingly endless expanse of concrete for a C152 but try landing
a lightly loaded 727 or 737 there and suddenly the pucker factor
has been increased greatly. Also be aware that at some airports
there might be enough room to land but insufficient runway to
depart- in which case you might have to dismantle the airplane to
move it somewhere else.
It is also not just aircraft size vs. airport size that can make things
challenging. Try operating a basic trainer from Leadville Colorado
(KLXV) or San Rafael in Peru (SPRF). What do these airports have
in common? Leadville, at 9925’ MSL is the highest elevation airport
in the USA. San Rafael at 14422’ has the distinction of being the
world’s highest-even though it is an 8700’ dirt runway.
Making a visit to SPRF in flight sim can be quite intimidating,
to say the least. There is a terrain mesh error as the airport sits
at the bottom of a rather steep and very narrow bowl. Takeoffs,
while tricky can be made. There is a small notch taking off to the
northwest that allows enough altitude gain flying straight ahead to
clear the valley walls and it can be nerve wracking to do so while
watching the altimeter needle approach 16,000’. Landings are
another matter altogether. I tried approaching the valley as low and
slow as I could but it is not possible to dive into the bowl and keep
the airspeed from climbing. Once in the bowl there is simply not
enough room to lose the airspeed by circling. Working within the
limitations of high altitude airports is hard enough and it is a shame
this anomaly spoils the effect.
Weather
In ’real life’ flying a pilot can control what airplane to fly and
where to fly it but weather is the big unknown and uncontrollable
variable. In that regard, flight simmers have a distinct advantage in
that in addition to the first two, the weather is also something we
can dictate. And with that power comes the ability to do all sorts
of interesting things (We also have the advantage of being able to
hit pause -or not- and take a restroom break, but I digress) with
just a few limitations due to the ability of the computer to generate
weather phenomena.
83
1/13/2010 9:48:16 PM
 777 ON APPROACH TO GUAM OH!

CLIMBING OUT OF THE HOLE SVAS SHOULD CLEAR THE WALL AS LONG AS THE LANDING GEAR IS UP

GUATEMALA CITY TRINIDAD IN THE HOLE AT SPRF. THE PROPE

J-3 CUB APPROACHING N54 IN NEVADA WHAT IS IN THE HOLE

84 CPM. V14I2
LEFT BASE TO SABA YIKES

cpm1402.indd 84 1/13/2010 9:48:16 PM

 Flight Simulator comes equipped with a pretty good weather
generating system and other articles have explored the nuances of
that. In addition, there are commercial weather programs as well,
Active Sky and FS Meteo being two of the most popular. All of
these weather generators allow the creation of a wide variety of
weather situations and effects as well as downloading current real
world weather conditions and (in the case of the commercial add-
ons) the opportunity to use historical weather data to re-create a
particular weather condition.
The sheer number of variables; wind, precipitation type
and amount, cloud type and coverage, turbulence, visibility,
temperature and icing conditions can be combined in practically
limitless permutations to change the flight. With this tool even
a short hop between two well traveled airports can become an
unexpected adventure.
The true benefit of this ability is that the conditions can be
ramped up to meet and then push the pilot’s comfort zone. Start
with reduced visibility to minimize “cheating” on basic instrument
approaches. Once the approaches can be flown with regular
precision dial up the drama by adding precipitation and then wind.
Changing either the wind speed or direction or a combination of the
two can have considerable effect on the flight path and control and
power inputs necessary to achieve the desired results.
As you can see, this incremental application of increasing
complexity of weather can take quite a few flights to master. Then,
once you can fly in a strong crosswind in minimum visibility try the
whole thing again but with a different aircraft. This is all part of the
lifetime of learning that is flying.
Been There-Done That
So- you are a true commander of the skies able to land anything
from a glider to an A380 in any weather condition. OK Captain,
now go back to each aircraft, start disabling one system at a time
and do it all again. Things will be a bit different if you are operating
on one less engine than you started with, or without flaps or with
that fancy FMS or autopilot on the fritz.
All of a sudden you have gone from “same old, same old” to
“there will never be enough time to fly all the possibilities” and
that is certainly a good position to be in. And even if you somehow
managed to put aside everything else in your life and devote
yourself strictly to flight simulation by the time you achieved
absolute proficiency some developer will have come up with a new
idea to add to the mix.
Not a Do-it-Yourselfer?
For those who simply cannot or do not want to make their own
adventures there is the work of Michael Doherty. In 2004, Doherty
began compiling adventures consisting of approaches into some of
the trickiest and nastiest airports he could find in FS9 and posting
them on Avsim and Flightsim.com. He calls them Doherty’s
Difficult and Dangerous Approaches and there are 71 volumes of
them. With each file containing at least 10 approaches that amounts
to over 700 interesting approaches. While some will have you
tightening your seat belt others are more basic, but all are designed
to add to the diversity of the simming experience and help you hone
your skills.
The flights are installed in the Select Flight menu of FS9 with
a brief description of each exercise stating the runway length
and elevation and each file consists of a video segment that takes
cpm1402.indd 85
about 6 minutes to fly if done properly. Selecting a flight loads
the file and it places you in the specified aircraft on the initial
approach to the airport. The GPS screen is open showing the
airport location and from there the pilot needs to get his bearings
and continue the approach.
I tried a few of them from Volume 63 and the most difficult aspect
was quickly getting the situational awareness to guide the airplane.
The approaches I attempted were to a range of airports- a 1200’
grass strip (that I had a big problem finding) in California to an
800’ concrete runway in Nevada and the 10,000’ runway in Guam.
Aircraft ranged from the J-3 Cub to the 777. These approaches
are challenging either due to terrain, wind or weather and a great
workout for any pilot. The short duration keeps you busy and the
need to envelop yourself rapidly in the situation is a lot of fun.
As an added bonus, the volume of 10 flights was only a 785kb
download so installing the entire series should not put an undue
strain for disk space on any decent computer.
A search on Avsim found the filename doherty_s_difficult_&_
dangerous_approaches_vol_01_thru_63.zip that contains Volumes
1 thru 63 in a single download. It is only 9 Mb and that should be
a good start for anyone interested in these files. Also found was file
dddaix71.zip This is an Excel spreadsheet index of all 71 volumes.
I highly recommend them.
While searching the Avsim files for Doherty’s approaches I found
a 3 part series of files as well by Steve Cartwright. These are called
“Crossing North America Flight Adventures” and together provide
VFR flight plans and links to freeware aircraft to fly a series of
scenic flights from Pt. Hope, Alaska via the Western US mountain
states to Cancun, Mexico. The three file sets contain 30 flights and
covered over 3700 miles. It does not appear that Cartwright finished
the project and I do not know where the last flight ended but it does
cover some very scenic land areas. Cartwright’s description notes
state that his inspiration was part Doherty and part David Dossiere
who created “Hopping Round the World”.
That series was produced from 2003 to 2005 and ultimately
consisted of 79 adventure pack downloads utilizing a wide variety
of aircraft (with sources for them listed in his readme notes) that
amounted to a total of 796 takeoffs and landings and 150,314
miles traveled.
As this list makes clear there are many ways to fly to new places
and discovering them is simply a matter of paying attention to
information readily available. There simply is no way anyone could
ever get bored in flight simulation. So what are you waiting for?
Get going and visit some new places in some different airplanes and
keep the cobwebs from forming on your computer or in your mind.
** As if these were not enough ways to stimulate your interest I
have two more suggestions before concluding:
• Fly online. The presence of live ATC and other traffic can spice
things up a bit. If you want to make it even more interesting
join the throngs at an online event (there are at least one or two
of them every week) where you must listen for your callsign in
the midst of rapid fire communications by ATC while headed
somewhere you may never have previously been.
• Trust your Computer Pilot writers. This magazine
occasionally publishes articles on dangerous approaches and
offers airports that feature them. 4
85
1/13/2010 9:48:18 PM
 86 CPM. V14I2

cpm1402.indd 86 1/13/2010 9:48:18 PM

 87

cpm1402.indd 87 1/13/2010 9:48:23 PM

 88 CPM. V14I2

cpm1402.indd 88 1/13/2010 9:48:24 PM

 89

cpm1402.indd 89 1/13/2010 9:48:29 PM

 ROUNDROBINADVENTURE
BY AL PELLETIER
If you have undertaken previous Round Robins, skip the next
paragraph, jump right in, and have fun. For those who are new to
this, Round Robins are published with the intent of having flight
simmers fly, look at the scenery, refresh our geography, practice our
cross country navigation, perform approaches at different airports
all over the world, and have some FUN. In the message, you will be
receiving info like: airport departure and runway number, VORs and
NDBs enroute, two or three middle airport destinations, for VFR or
INST approach, and back to your point of departure (Round Robin).
You will also be given ILS and LOM freq., minimums, procedures
etc. and a little background on the geography of the area. After
you fly a few of these, you will have a much better command and
understanding of the different types of published procedures. You
will learn to handle a lot of information in a very short time, while
still maintaining control of your aircraft.
90
cpm1402.indd 90
“MADEIRA AND GRAND CANARIA”
R
ound Robin adventure “Madeira and Grand Canaria”:
This month we are 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. Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago in
the mid Atlantic Ocean approximately 540nm S/W of Lisbon.
Madeira is part of Portugal and the European Union. The
“Islas Canarias” or “Canary Islands” are a Spanish archipelago
located between 50 to 260nm due west of Morocco. The
Islands are a Spanish Autonomous Community with over
two million people. Grand Canaria, itself, is one of the most
populated islands of the “Gran Canarias” or Great Canary
islands. The Island’s economy is based on tourism and tropical
agriculture, primarily bananas and tobacco. Now you know
what your cargo will be on the way back!
I have uploaded some great charts at the Computer Pilot’s web site, so
don’t miss out and download them. “Again, some very rare and special
charts are included for this one. Don’t miss them”
CPM. V14I2
1/13/2010 9:48:29 PM
 Great add-ons for this flight:
(Most freeware files can be found at www.flightsim.com or
www.avsim.com)

Aircraft and Panel (Payware):

I used the Captain Sim Boeing 757 Freighter in DHL livery.
http://www.captainsim.com/products/b757/ and also available at
PCAVIATOR.COM for both FSX and FS2004. I can tell you that it is
one “Awesome” package.

Scenery (Payware):
I was fortunate to receive the very impressive scenery addon:
“The Wonderful Madeira’s” from Aerosoft Germany.
You can find it at www.aerosoft.com. If you do purchase this
software package, download the Madeira Islands Improvement
pack by Pedro Oliveira at flightsim.com. Do a search for
“Madeira”.
Land Class and textures addons from FS Genesis located at:
http://www.fsgenesis.com/ Flight Sim just isn’t the same without
these. They are available for both FS9 and FSX

Scenery (Freeware):
I also found another superb freeware scenery package of the Grand
Canaria Airport at www.flightsim.com Do a search for “Canarias”. This
scenery was done by the CanarySim team.
I found some scenery for Lisbon by Sergio Jorge at
www.flightsim.com Look for “libonapt.zip”

Flight Planning (Payware):

I have finally acquired the FlightSim Commander 8.5 flight planning CAPT SIM 757 FREIGHTER
software, for both FS2004 and FSX. I will now upload the flight
plans in FSCommander format as well as FSNavigator. Using
FSCommander gives me the option to upload some very colorful and
accurate navigation maps.

(A lot of notes regarding ATC will pertain only to FS2002\FS2004\

FSX users)

May I suggest, that you READ the route a couple of times before
starting out, so that you’ll have the flight plan fairly clear in your mind.
Especially in a fast medium or large jet aircraft, there isn’t much time to
spare and definitely no room for errors.

The scenario and tasking for this exercise: We are flying for DHL cargo
and we have been tasked to take a full load of wine to the Madeira
Islands and then on to Grand Canaria to ferry a load of tropical fruit
back to Lisbon on our return trip. I flew a Boeing 757-200F for my
flight. It could also be flown with the default Boeing 737.This route can MADEIRA ROUND ROBIN MAP WITH ROUTE
also be flown in FS2002/FS2004/FSX or any other flight simulator with
the necessary NAVAIDS and scenery.

Round Robin Adventure:

LISBON (LPPT)>>>>
MADEIRA (LPMA) >>>>
GRAND CANARIA (GCLP) >>>>
LISBON (LPPT)
Approx total distance 1650nm
NOTE: For the purpose of these exercises, we will assume that we are
receiving Radar vectors to different VORs or ILS interception points.
In the “Real” world of today, aircraft usually receive vectors to the
interception points, to ensure proper separation. I’m also assuming that
you will have a good look at the Approach plates for each segment.

One more note. If you are using ATC for take off, taxi and landings,
you might be given different RWY or taxi way, depending on the
weather. You might even input the whole trip in a FS flight plan and fly
it that way.

BEGIN
91

cpm1402.indd 91 1/13/2010 9:48:34 PM

 First leg:
Lisbon (LISBOA) Portugal (LPPT)>>>
Madeira Islands (LPMA)
Approx 530nm
• Select Lisbon or LISBOA under AIRPORTS/Portugal ramp cargo.
• Month of January. Time 0650L. Weather at your discretion.
• Dial in the ESPICHEL (ESP) VOR\DME frequency 112.50 and
set course 237 on NAV1. Also tune in the CAPARICA (CP) NDB
frequency 389 on your ADF.
• Taxi to and T/O (Take off) RWY 21, climb RWY heading to the CP
NDB, followed by a left turn to track the ESP VOR to on top and
continue climbing to 35,000 (FL350).
• On top the ESP VOR, turn right HDG 237, and establish on the 237
radial of the ESP VOR. We are now on AIRWAYS UN975 to the
NARTA ISEC (Intersection).
• Over the NARTA ISEC keep HDG 237. Dial in and track (upon
reception) the PORTO SANTO (SNT) VOR\DME frequency 114.90
to on top.
• 100nm out of (before) the SNT VOR, begin descent to 4000. (for
some reason I was only able to get 100nm VOR range during this
entire route)
• During descent, dial in the FUNCHAL (FUN) VOR/DME frequency
112.20 on NAV1.
• Over the SNT VOR turn left HDG 230, descend to 1500 and track
the FUN VOR\DME to on top.
• Prepare your aircraft for final approach. Reduce to approach speed.
• Over the FUN VOR turn right HDG 238 at an altitude of 1500.
Continue with a visual approach. (I have included an NDB approach
chart to RWY 23, that can be downloaded, if you want to fly an
instrument approach).
• 5nm back, final landing checks. You are cleared for a full stop to
RWY 23 at Madeira Intl Airport (Elevation 193, RWY length 9127).
Check gear down.

Land at Madeira and take first available left to terminal. (I used the
farthest building to the west for the Cargo ramp)

757 TAXIING AT MADEIRA

92
OFF AT MADEIRA RUNWAY
CPM. V14I2

cpm1402.indd 92 1/13/2010 9:48:37 PM

 Second leg:
MADEIRA (LPMA)>>>
GRAND CANARIA (GCLP)
Approx 350nm
• Your airplane should be parked at the Madeira ramp.
• Month January. Clock 1200L.
• Weather at your discretion. I used real weather.
• Dial in the FUNCHAL (FUN) VOR/DME frequency 112.20 on NAV1.
Also dial in the GRAN CANARIA (GDV) VOR/DME frequency
112.90 on NAV2.
• Taxi to and T/O RWY 5. Climb RWY heading to the FUN VOR and
continue climbing to 31,000 (FL310).
• On top the FUN VOR turn right HDG 135 to the KEKOS ISEC which
is located at FUN135/30.1nm.
• Over KEKOS turn right HDG 180 to establish on AIRWAYS UN745
at FL310.
At the BIMBO ISEC, UN745 becomes UN749 because of the control
area change.
NOTE: The Madeira control area is a 100nm radius of the Puerto
Santo VOR, then it changes to the Grand Canarias control center, and
in our case it happens over the BIMBO ISEC. I have uploaded a map
to that effect. This is just nice to know information and not necessary
for the trip, but just to explain “why” the change in the AIRWAYS
designation.
• Over the BIMBO ISEC continue on HDG 180 to the GURKA, KASAS
and NERVO ISEC.
• 115nm out of the GVD VOR begin descent to 6000.
• Over the GDV VOR turn right HDG 189. Dial in and track the GRAN
CANARIA (LPC) VOR\DME frequency 115.0 to on top and descend
to 5000.
• Enroute, dial in the LOC-ILP frequency 109.9 and set course 029
on your NAV1 OBI in preparation for an ILS to RWY 03L at Grand
Canaria (GCLP) airport (actual course 029, elevation 77, RWY length
10,171).
• Over the LPC VOR turn left HD 145 and descend to 3000. Maintain
until 13nm out of LPC to the D167ZX ISEC followed by a right hand
turn to HDG 311 to the F103L ISEC to intercept the LOC.
• Prepare your aircraft for landing
• 5nm back, final landing checks. You are cleared for a full stop to
RWY 03L. Check gear down and locked.
\
Land at Gran Canaria and take first available left taxi to the cargo ramp
located at the south hand of the terminal area.

757 IN DESCENT TO GRAND CANARIA

OVER THE VOR AT GRAND CANARIA

93

cpm1402.indd 93 1/13/2010 9:48:42 PM

 Third leg:
CANARIA (GCLP)>>> LISBON (LPPT)
Approx 735nm
• Month of January. Clock 1900L, for a night return flight. Weather at
your discretion.
• Dial in the GRAN CANARIA (GDV) VOR\DME frequency 112.90
and set course 026 on your NAV1 OBI.
• Taxi to and T/O RWY 3L. Climb RWY heading to 37,000 (FL370)
to the ISORU ISEC to establish on the 026 radial of the GDV VOR.
(ISORU is 34nm out of the GDV VOR).
• Over ISORU turn right HDG 026 to maintain on the 026 radial of
GDV. We are now riding on AIRWAYS UN873 all the way to the
SAMAR ISEC located at GDV026/176nm.
• Over the SAMAR ISEC turn right HDG 043 all the way to
the BAROK ISEC (378nm ahead) via the MITLA, NEVEL and
BENTU ISECs.
• Over the BAROK ISEC turn left HDG 021 and begin descent to
5000. Dial in and track the ESPICHEL (ESP) VOR\DME frequency
112.50 on reception.
• Enroute, dial in the LOC-LI frequency 109.1 and set course 028 on
your NAV1 OBI. Also tune in the CAPARICA (CP) NDB frequency
389 on your ADF in preparation for an ILS to RWY 03 at Lisbon
(actual course 028, elevation 374 and RWY length 12,484).
• Over the ESP VOR turn left HDG 359 and descend to 3000. Reduce
airspeed and prepare your aircraft for final approach.
• Home the CP NDB to on top. (On top at 3000 altitude)
• On top the NDB turn right HDG 032 and intercept the LOC for final
approach.
• 5nm back, final landing checks. You are cleared for a full stop to
RWY 03 at Lisbon. Check gear down and locked.

Land at LISBON airport and take first available right to cargo ramp
located at the far North East area of the airport.

Welcome home and Good Job!!

END

IN DESCENT TO GRAND CANARIA ISLAND

CAPT SIM BOEING 757F

94 CPM. V14I2

cpm1402.indd 94 1/13/2010 9:48:46 PM


GCLP TO LPPT FLIGHT PLAN FS COMMANDER
TIP: I use Google maps (maps.google.com) to help
me with terminal information and to give me a very
good look at the airport, along with the location of
passenger terminal. Doesn’t work for all of them,
but does most of the time. Try it for the Lisbon and
Madeira airport. Amazing!
NOTE 1: I am still using FS2004 to write my articles.
The route was checked with Abacus’s Co-Pilot 3.5
and FlightSim Commander 8.5 for accuracy in FSX.
My sincere thanks to Abacus and the Flight Sim
Commander team.

Al’s thank you box:

Without the help and generosity from the people below and our
payware/freeware designers, I couldn’t write these articles. So my
sincere thanks to all those and to flightsim.com and avsim.com

MADEIRA TO GRAND CANARIA FLIGHT PLAN
FLIGHT SIM COMMANDER
1. Quotes and photos from Airways magazine are courtesy of and with
permission of the Editor. Many thanks!
2. Chris Squire for test flying the route. Chris is a retired military pilot with
over 12,000 hours of flying time.
3. I used a combination of FSNavigator (sadly no longer available), Abacus
Co-Pilot (for FSX) and FlightSim
Commander for my flight planning and maps. Courtesy of Simmarket.
com and Abacuspub.com.
4. Justin Tyme (FSGENESIS.NET) terrain textures that make my writing so
much more enjoyable.
5. Miguel Blaufuks of SIMMARKET.COM for the copy of Flight Sim
Commander 8.5 flight planning program.
(www.simmarket.com) Thanks Miguel!!
6. The CanarySim team for the freeware version of Grand Canarias
7. PCAviator for the great selection of Flight Sim software addons.
(www.pcaviator.com)
8. Thanks to Tanya, and the Captain Sim team, for providing me with the
great Boeing 757-200F airplane. www.captainsim.com

Cheers and keep on reading Computer Pilot

Don’t forget to download the maps from computerpilot.com.

I have uploaded some great high resolution maps for your enjoyment!

Al 4
95

cpm1402.indd 95 1/13/2010 9:48:50 PM

 April/May 2010
LearJet Around the World
Following on from Lane Kolbly’s 2009 article on the 10,000 mile wide
Cessna trip and learning to fly, Lane is back documenting his recent trip
around the globe in a Bombardier LearJet. You can follow along and re-trace
the route in Flight Simulator.
Operating the PMDG JS4100
PMDG’s newest aircraft offering is the JS4100 twin turboprop passenger
liner, and it is already a best-selling package. The aircraft is quite detailed
and can be tricky for the newer pilot to master. Rob Scott offers an in depth
look and tutorial on operating the JS4100 in the next issue.
Aircraft Spotlight: The F-16 Falcon
Several developers/publishers offer the F-16 Falcon as add-on packages for
Microsoft Flight Simulator. David Wilson-Okamura has found several of the
best available and offers an informational-style comparison on the best F-16
offerings currently available.
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.
Trevor Thom Is Back!
Last issue we featured Trevor Thom as one of our new contributors. Next
issue he is serving up another article to tickle your interest and enhance your
knowledge in aviation and flight simulation. The problem is that even we do
not know yet what it will be about… Oh the anticipation!
Reviews
We have planned reviews of these great new flight simulation products:
• FSFlyingSchool 2010 • Book: Air Combat Maneuvers
• Fokker 50 for FS2004 • C-5M Galaxy
PLUS
Chicago to Maine, and Back
Doug Horton delivers his experience on flying from Chicago to Maine, and
back, in a recent real world flying trip he completed. Flight plans and routes
will be on offer to recreate this journey in Flight Simulator.
Horton’s Hints for Flight Simulator X
More hints, tips and tricks for FSX pilots.
AND EVEN MORE WITH
Pullout Poster
More quality aviation images to decorate your walls.
News & New Releases
The latest news information from around the flight sim world.
Landing April 2010
Subscribe online now at www.computerpilot.com to have your magazines
home delivered for 6, 12 or 18 issue periods
96
cpm1402.indd 96
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 exten-
sion 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.
Have Your Say!
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. It’s your way to make an impact on the content and direction of
the magazine!
SAVE 5% OFF YOUR SIM
PURCHASES AT PC AVIATOR
As a valued subscriber to Computer Pilot Magazine - the world’s
longest running print flight simulation publication – you are enti-
tled to 5% off the purchase price of flight sim hardware and soft-
ware 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, air-
liner 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!
www.pcaviator.com
CPM. V14I2
1/13/2010 9:48:53 PM
 97

cpm1402.indd 97 1/13/2010 9:49:02 PM

 There’s one company that’s helping you to realize
your dream to fly like no other through its range of
flight simulation products and services.

It’s 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.

It’s the world’s 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 it’s also the company that brings you the magazine that you’re
now holding. Computer Pilot Magazine – in its 14th year of publication
with 120 issues published, it’s the world’s 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….. it’s no wonder we call ourselves
THE Flight Simulation Company!

98 CPM. V14I2

cpm1402.indd 98 1/13/2010 9:49:03 PM

 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. Wouldn’t 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!

Realize YOUR Dream To Fly

Through PC Aviator

www.pcaviator.com
www.pcaviator.com.au
www.computerpilot.com
www.megascenery.com 99

cpm1402.indd 99 1/13/2010 9:49:27 PM

 100 CPM. V14I2

cpm1402.indd 100 1/13/2010 9:49:36 PM