Little surprise for you all today. We've been working on this for some time and we've managed to produce what we believe to be a great idea. An idea that quickly became concept, and before we knew into a project, then alpha, beta, and now a full product thanks to some great coding and some fresh talent.
The product is called "Accu-Feel," which allows us to inject a "touch" of Accu-Sim into almost any aircraft in FSX, both default and third party (including GA and commercial airliners). The amazing thing is this is all accomplished without having to edit a single aircraft file. It's clean and modular, as it plugs into the core of FSX. The end result is an enhancement that is more like an FSX Upgrade.
Able to breathe new life into your hanger and to FSX, we at A2A Simulations are proud to announce and introduce the FSX simulation community to "Accu-Feel"
Smoking guns and spinning rotor blades – Bohemia Interactive has announced the first official DLC for Take On Helicopters: Take On Helicopters: Hinds.
Take On Helicopters: Hinds
Shifting focus to a more combat-oriented experience, Take On Helicopters: Hinds puts players in the seat of the most iconic and revolutionary military gunship ever: the Hind.
Creative Director Jay Crowe points out:
“With Take On Helicopters, our goal was to strike a balance between pure gaming – story-driven scenarios, challenges, time trials – and an authentic experience of flying a helicopter. Of course, that’s a tough job, but alongside the accessible controls, difficulty settings and optional assists, we’re glad to find a big range of people having fun flying helicopters in Take On.
Our game doesn’t demand you to have any previous flight (game) experience, nor does it matter if you want to play it with mouse-and-keyboard, a gamepad or, for that matter, a full-blown cockpit-setup. In that sense, the civil-aviation context – not to mention the wonderful Seattle as the setting – of Take On Helicopters was ideal, as it allowed us to create a fun set of missions, whilst keeping the primary focus upon flying helicopters.
On the other hand, after launching the game, we felt there was room to complement Take On Helicopters with a more ‘action-packed’ experience. Our Hinds DLC is perfect for those who are seeking the adrenaline rush of flying a classic military gunship and getting into combat.”
Take On Helicopters: Hindsincludes the Mil Mi-24 V, Mi-24 P and Super Hindhelicopter gunships (with over 25 different liveries), a brand new set of singleplayer challenges, 5 time trials and a new competitive multiplayer scenario.
The release date is set on Thursday 15 March 2012, when it will be available for download at Store.bistudio.com, Steam, Desura and several other online stores.
Take On Helicopters: Hinds can already be pre-ordered for € 12.99 at Store.bistudio.com. New pilots can save € 6.99 by ordering the special pre-order bundle – consisting of Take On Helicopters and Take On Helicopters: Hinds – for a total price of € 46.99 (normally € 52.99).
A modern take on the classic arcade game, Lunar Lander, Lunar Flight extends the experience to a fully, fictionalised Lunar Module Simulator providing a variety of mission types involving Transporting Cargo, Acquiring Data at Survey locations and locating Lost Cargo. Completing missions earns experience points and money to be used to Refuel, Repair and Upgrade the Lunar Module. In addition to missions there are Time Trial challenges complete with Online Leader boards and a globally ranked ‘Pilots’ Leaderboard, ranked by experience.To round out the game there are a variety of Achievements to provide additional challenges and objectives. A truly unique and challenging flight simulation experience, Lunar Flight will give you many hours of immersive, addictive & rewarding gameplay.
Last Wednesday I got tapped to run up the road to Hill Air Force Base and shoot some images of theA-10 Thunderbolt II (a.k.a Warthog) going through repair, refurbishment, maintenance and updating at the Air Logistics Center with the 309th Maintenance Wing. The point of the trip was to obtain images forDefense Technology, part of the Aviation Week group for an article with David Axe on the A-10 that is currently undergoing updating to the A-10C configuration. The aircraft itself is not a new one. Rather it was designed back in the 1960s as a close air support aircraft designed to support NATO forces against a large scale ground war against thousands of Soviet tanks in the European theatre. The A-10 took its maiden flight back in 1972 and was deployed five years later in large numbers throughout Europe, and thankfully The Cold War petered out and the A-10 found itself becoming more obsolete with every passing year. In fact, early on the Air Force never found favor with the A-10 and throughout the mid to late 1980s, was in the process of examining the A-10 for a phasing out in favor of more multi-role aircraft like the F-16 which some program managers suggested could subsume all of the A-10s roles. This was never really true of course given that the A-10 was specifically designed for a role that required it to be able to fly from unimproved runways and loiter low and slow while carrying massive amounts of ordnance in a platform the could take a tremendous beating from ground fire, protect the pilot and still survive. As capable a platform as the F-16 is, it could never fill this role.
February 6, 2012 – Microsoft Flight Launches February 29, 2012 Prepare for takeoff! On the heels of a successful beta, we’re excited to announce that “Microsoft Flight” will be available to download worldwide for free starting February 29, 2012, right here at www.microsoftflight.com. In addition, the Hawaiian Adventure Pack – which includes the remaining Hawaiian Islands, a new plane and 20 new missions – will be available to purchase the same day through Games for Windows—LIVE. Microsoft Flight lets players jump into the fun, freedom, and adventure of flight with no special hardware or past experience. If you have a mouse and a PC, you can fly!
Explore the Hawaiian Islands From Above
In addition to exploring the Big Island of Hawaii for free, you can unlock access to the skies over the remaining Hawaiian Islands by purchasing the Hawaiian Adventure Pack, the first in a series of expansions for Microsoft Flight, which includes:
Hundreds of miles to explore
Stunning recreations of landmark features, from the breathtaking Waimea Canyon in Kaua’i to the high-rise hotels of Waikiki
New challenges
20 new missions
The Vans RV-6A, a two-seat, single-engine, low-wing homebuilt airplane made famous for its speed and maneuverability.
The Hawaiian Adventure Pack will be available via Games for Windows –LIVE for 1600 Microsoft Points.
Tour the Skies in Two All-New Planes At launch, players will have the ability to purchase two new planes that offer entirely different flying experiences: The Maule M-7-260C is a rugged utility aircraft that is especially adept at handling take-offs and landings on rough, unprepared surfaces. Players can find out what makes the Maule the plane of choice for adventurous bush pilots by trying tricky landing challenges that push the aircraft’s ability to land on rough airstrips. They can enter the Maule’s cockpit and take the controls to transport people and cargo to complete jobs and advance their pilot career.
The Maule M-7-260C including a richly detailed external model and a beautifully created cockpit will be available via Games for Windows—LIVE for 1200 Microsoft Points.
The North American P-51 Mustang is a historical fighter plane with strong performance characteristics, maneuverability and sharp looks. Stripped of guns and some weight, this version represents a restored Mustang that might be found at airshows today. The Mustang’s superb agility makes it a great option to choose to complete hoops courses and master many other skilled challenges and missions found in the game.
The North American P-51 Mustang flyable from the outside will be available via Games for Windows—LIVE for 640 Microsoft Points.
All the aircraft have been created with detailed graphics and accurate physics: Some models allow players to take the helm using highly rendered, accurate cockpits and master authentic piloting procedures, or they can simply use their mouse and keyboard to control any plane in an exterior view. Players can tailor the flight controls to match their skill level, making Microsoft Flight easy for beginners while still challenging the most accomplished PC pilots. Find out more about the meticulous detail and passion that goes into building Microsoft Flight’s aircraft with a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the ICON A5. From early design modeling to the integration of unique speed and flight physics, the following video is a great chance to explore the accuracy and attention to detail that define the gameplay experience in Microsoft Flight.
Thank you to our Beta Testers We’d also like to thank our beta testers for their invaluable help in getting Microsoft Flight ready for takeoff. Our executive producer, Joshua Howard, had this to say: “There was an overwhelming demand for access to the ‘Microsoft Flight’ beta and the number of requests was far more than what we initially planned for. We received amazing feedback from the beta participants and it’s great to see this level of excitement from fans as we move toward the release of Microsoft Flight.”
We are very excited to introduce you to REX Essential!
This FREE comprehensive update is a massive overhaul of our award-winningReal Environment Xtreme software. After extensive research, planning and effort, we are delighted to report we're in the final stages in preparation for release.
Following are some of the main features for REX Essential, including a fix list as reported by our users:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - INCLUDES all previous REX Service Packs
- NEW REX EDGE Technology allows REX users to share their texture themes with nearly 40,000 REX users. Easy to access and simple to implement.
- NEW WXTEX technology utilizes ALL textures within REX Essential / OverDrive to create the most realistic weather related environment based upon current weather conditions.
- NEW weather search feature allows users to search for various weather conditions worldwide.
- NEW integrated TARGET Mapping allows the user to view your REX flight plan or imported flight plan within the new REX Weather Engine.
- NEW weather engine now includes real-world winds and temperatures aloft provided by the world-wide database of radiosonde reports... not forecasts. This process improves wind variability throughout the column of the atmosphere. What you get is what it is! Wind levels include winds from surface up to 69,000 ft. Temperature levels are more uniformed and removes issues associated with the past weather engine.
- NEW vertical and horizontal visibility feature. We have spent months researching and testing how to handle the visibility with FSX. We have now integrated this feature within our new weather engine. You can still set a default visibility, but you can now enjoy more realistic vertical and horizontal visibility based upon metar reports.
- NEW menu tools available within the REX Weather Engine, including ability to manually re-load weather from within the REX WX Engine, set opacity, time interval for live updates andWeather Load Balancing. This feature allows user to control the speed in which REX loads weather into FSX. Faster speeds will reduce FPS but allow the weather to be loaded more quickly. A slower balance load improves FPS during load processes.
- NEW integration allowing for special licensing and use with Prepar3D.
- INTEGRATION of the new REX Weather Engine inside the flight planner for improved flight planning.
- COMPLETE rewrite of backend database and removal of xml data files for better database handling and improved performance.
- MASSIVE user interface performance improvement across the board.
- UPDATED aircraft symbol on WASys for easier viewing.
- UPDATED precipitation displacement on the WASys tool throughout the system.
- UPDATED and enhanced weather download process. Allows user to turn on overwrite process so that the latest weather will be downloaded for the most accurate metar reports during the hour.
- IMPROVED upper-level winds and temperatures.
- IMPROVED wind smoothing effects both vertically AND horizontally.
- IMPROVED visibility smoothing feature. User-controlled visibility based upon depicted visibility over a region for smoother transitions.
- IMPROVED flight planner performance. More accurate waypoint selection, with ability to set number of waypoints between your departure and arrival points.
- SIMPLIFIED "I just want to fly" process.
- ADDED ability to disable/enable green information bar within FSX, per users requests.
- ADDED weather data storage in local database for faster search capabilities.
- ADDED ability to purge weather data.
- ADDED ability to configure initial weather load time so that weather can load while setting up flights in FSX, or delayed depending on FSX start-up time.
- FIXED "Top-Most of WASys tool".
- FIXED VATSIM data source.
- FIXED CAVOK issue.
- FIXED weather engine pressure issue.
- FIXED issue with saving inland water themes.
- FIXED weather influenced texture processes.
- FIXED font issue upon opening REX on some systems.
- FIXED the need to alter the FSX exe.xml file.
- FIXED runway texture edges per users feedback.
- FIXED database error that caused some textures not to load correctly.
- Because FSX limits weather representation to simply cumulonimbus, cumulus, stratus, and cirrus wispy cloud 'types', true real-world cloud formations were difficult to depict correctly. We have developed a way to utilize ALL cloud groups within the texture sheets to best represent the most realistic weather conditions. With REX's various cloud textures we are able to integrate better, more realistic flight environments including: nimbostratus, cumulo-stratus, alto-stratus, cirro-cummulus, and cirro-stratus clouds.
GSX, Ground Services for FSX it's a revolutionary new product that simulates several operations on ground, like Marshalling, Catering, Boarding/Deboarding of passengers and Baggages, Stairs, Refueling vehicles, Pushback with realistic behavior, Folllow Me cars, Docking System and more, all featuring many native FSX animations and belivable human characters.
GSX works FOR FREE AT ALL FSDT AIRPORTS, because it greatly enhances the previous ParkMe™ feature, and it integrates perfectly with our airports.
Purchasing GSX, will enable to use it at ALL FSX Airports, both default and 3rd party, even those not released yet.
GSX offers vehicles in many different types and sizes, depending on the airplane used and the geographical location, and every vehicle is available in many different liveries, chosen automatically by your location in the FSX World.
Features:
Works with every FSX airport, both default and 3rd party
Supports all default FSX airplanes and many popular 3rd party airplanes.
Designed for FSX, 100% Pure FSX code
Different vehicle models, selected depending on the airplane/airport in use
Many sound effects, supports 3D Surround Sound with OpenAL
Realistic Human animations using FSX bones/skin meshes
Full use of FSX advanced materials
Easy to use user interface, fully integrated in FSX using standard ATC-like menus
Easy user-customization of vehicles, using the provided Paint Kit
NEW Live Update feature, keep GSX always updated automatically, with new supported airplanes and airports!
Direct Airplane Interface™ allows interaction with complex 3rd party airplanes featuring custom door controls, ground equpment like Gpu, Wheel chocks, many popular airplane addons like the PMDG 737NGX, 747 and MD11, Aerosoft and Wilco Airbus, the CS767, QW757, FS Labs Concorde and many others that will be added through Live Updates, are recognised and supported natively!
Support for full Airport Customization, already enabled with all FSDT sceneries and some 3rd party, allowing better integration with any airport, also to be distributed and installed automatically by the LIve Update feature.
System Requirements:
GSX is compatible with FSX+SP2 minimum, or FSX+Acceleration Pack, under Windows XP or Vista or Windows, 32 and 64 bit editions.
Product Cost
The product cost is 29.90 EUR, plus your local VAT rate if you live in the EU. You can choose to be billed in USD or your national currency, during the buying procedure. In this case, prices might change depending on the current Euro value. Billing in USD is always available for everyone.
The P-40 was one of the most important fighters of World War II. Not because of it’s raw performance, but because it was widely available and served it’s role well and it remained a favorite aircraft to the pilots that knew it best. The P-40 was a very cost-effective aircraft to produce, and over a 5-year period, almost 14,000 P-40 aircraft were produced. The P-40 flew in Africa, Asia, and Europe and is probably most remembered for being used by the Flying Tigers AVG (American Volunteer Group), with its famous shark-toothed paint scheme. The P-40 roots are from the Curtiss Hawk 75. With the impending war, Curtiss built on the Hawk’s proven airframe and equipped it with the Allison V-1710 engine.
The Wings of POWER 3: P-40 MkI/II FEATURES:
Rugged, fast, and maneuverable.
As with every A2A aircraft, it is gorgeously constructed, inside and out, down to the last rivet.
Designed and built to be flown "By The Book".
Custom Cockpit Systems and Gauges.
Visual Real-Time Load Manager, with the ability to load fuel and stores in real-time.
Naturally animated pilot.
3D Lights 'M' (built directly into the model) with under-wing landing light than can be turned on, deployed, and retracted and fully functional recognition lights.
Pure3D Instrumentation now with natural 3D appearance with exceptional performance.
Sound engineered by A2A sound professionals.
Oil pressure system models oil viscosity (oil thickness).
Authentically modeled pneumatic system.
In cockpit pilot's map for handy in-flight navigation.
Auto-Mixture that actually performs as intended. Now you can set for “auto-rich” or "auto-lean" and the aircraft fuel-to-air ratio will be automatically determined and set by the carburetor based upon various factors, such as altitude.
Five different models, P-40B, P-40C, AVG model, RAF Tomahawk, and Russian Tomahawk.
Internal Supercharger modeled with accurate behavior.
Fuel delivery system simulated.
All models include A2A specialized materials with authentic metal.
Pilot's Notes pop-up 2D panel keeps important information easily available.
From a Press Released Received by AVSIM directly from Microsoft.
QUOTE:
“Microsoft Flight” Takes to the Skies
Microsoft Studios reveals details on new PC game designed to bring flight to the masses
Today, Microsoft Studios premiered “Microsoft Flight,” a new PC game that lets players jump into the challenge, fun, and freedom of flight. “Microsoft Flight” will be available as a free download this spring, giving players the freedom to fly the skies over the beautiful Big Island of Hawaii, complete a variety of exciting missions, test their skills in flying challenges, or find hidden aerocaches on the island.
In “Microsoft Flight,” players view the world from above in a visually stunning and realistic representation of the earth, complete with region-specific weather patterns, foliage, terrain and landmarks. Players can choose to take the helm using highly rendered, accurate cockpits and authentic piloting procedures, or simply use their mouse and keyboard to control the plane in an exterior view. More experienced players can tailor the flight controls to match their skill level, making “Microsoft Flight” easy for beginners while still challenging for the most accomplished PC pilots.
“Many people dream of flying, but few have the chance to experience the fun of exploring the world from above. ‘Microsoft Flight’ provides players the opportunity to explore that curiosity and interest,” said Joshua Howard, executive producer of “Microsoft Flight.” “Aviation can be incredibly technical, but we’ve taken great care to build an experience that makes taking to the skies thrilling and accessible for everyone.”
Start Exploring For Free
After downloading “Microsoft Flight” for free, players can jump into hours of exciting gameplay on the Big Island of Hawaii.
In addition, players who sign in to their Games for Windows – LIVE account automatically receive additional free content, including the legendary Boeing Stearman plane, supplementary missions, and access to Achievements and an Online Pilot Profile. Those looking to deepen their experience can purchase and download additional content that adds new aircraft, regions and customization options. The frequently released new content for “Microsoft Flight” includes daily aerocache challenges and updates that make every flight unique and fun.
Be the First to Fly the Definitive Light Sport Aircraft ICON A5
Microsoft Studios worked with the personal airplane manufacturing team at ICON Aircraft to give aviation fans the exclusive opportunity to fly the all-new ICON A5 before real-world production starts at the end of 2012. Designed by the world-class aeronautical engineers behind the Voyager spaceship, X-Prize winning SpaceShipOne, and Virgin Galatic’s SpaceShipTwo, the ICON A5 is the “jet ski for the skies,” a high-wing amphibious monoplane with a carbon fiber airframe and a comfortable, automobile-inspired cockpit with space for two. The ICON A5 will be the first aircraft available to players for free in “Microsoft Flight.”
“ICON Aircraft and ‘Microsoft Flight’ both share the goal of making the fun of flying accessible to everyone who’s ever dreamed about it. ICON does this by fusing world-class product design with the very best engineering, and Microsoft by combining the excitement of a great gaming experience with the authenticity of a top notch flight simulator,” said ICON Aircraft CEO Kirk Hawkins.
Be the First to Experience “Microsoft Flight”
Today the team behind “Microsoft Flight” released an exclusive video that features all-new footage of “Microsoft Flight.” To view it, visit:http://www.microsoft.com/games/flight/. Additionally, the launch sequence has begun! Be among the first to try “Microsoft Flight” by signing up for the closed beta at: https://connect.micr...D=FLY-BRQX-BXTB.
The voyage continues at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas from January 10 – 13. Those that attend will have the chance to play “Microsoft Flight” before it releases this spring at the Microsoft booth, located in the Central Hall.
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