NEWS! - Aircraft Announcement : Toliss notes the Airbus A330 as next project     At the developers conference in early February 24 in Toronto... ToLiSS put up a chart in the session to note the already released fleet from the developer, but of also which aircraft could come up for development next...   Candidates included the A318, A330ceo, A330neo, A340-200/300 and of course the Airbus A380. The A350 (v2) has already been announced as a joint project with FlightFactor (same arrangement as the current FF A350) at the same conference.   The choice is now between the A330ceo (Current Engine Option), and the A330neo (New Engine Option)...  image depicted here is the default Laminar A330-300, so it is a not a signal of the coming ToLiSS A330 type.     The question "But Which One?", will keep you guessing, but on past record ToLiSS has usually kept away from competing directly with already released products, also they usually always do the NEO versions of the same aircraft (hint A320neo, A321neo). So the A330neo is probably the pick of the two versions. And into also not competing directly with the same A330-300 Laminar offering.   The A330neo has two variants, the -800 based on the older ceo -200 and -300 variants, that has a range of 8,150 nmi (15,090 km; 9,380 mi) with 257 passengers. The second variant is the -900, it covers a range of 7,200 nmi (13,330 km; 8,290 mi) with 287 passengers. Both variants are powered by the Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 which has double the bypass ratio of its predecessor.   ToLiss Features include... Accurate Systems ToLiss Fly-by-wire and autopilot module, with support for Alternate and Direct Law Unique feature: Control Surface hinge moment modelling allows the surfaces to float to the appropriate position after loss of all actuators on a surface or to not reach full deflection if running on a single actuator. fault injection interface allowing to inject custom selected failures, or randomly selected failure based on fault probabilities with over 210 failure modes available. Custom TCAS with resolution advisory function. Terrain on ND and Weather radar available (WX radar works with default X-plane weather engine) Brake temperature model based on the detailed physics of heat transfer between the individual brake components Hydraulics model with proper hydraulic flow computation as function of surface motion, flap/slat motion, gear extension etc. You will see this by the pressure dropping when flying on RAT Custom engine model for accurate thrust and fuel flow modelling including oil pressure and temperature model as well as many engine failure modes. Thrust and fuel flow modelled for each engine type. Special engine logics, such as dual cooling on the PW1127G engine, are also modelled. Detailed model of each ADIRU including alignment, small pressure sensor differences between the units, switching of sources for PFDs and Aps Quantitative bleed system modelling affecting engine fuel flow Electrical system simulation with correct bus reconfiguration and load distribution, simulated electrical transients as well as emergency generation from the blue hydraulic system. Fire detection simulation for engines and APU Custom radio navigation computations including ability to perform backup RADNAV tuning through the RMPs Custom air conditioning model supporting high altitude operations at airports like Cusco in Peru or La Paz in Bolivia without spurious warnings Flight warning system with ECAM actions supporting numerous system failure scenarios, e.g. engine failures, generator failures, hydraulic failures. Custom indicating system including DMC and SDAC simulation. Choice between Multifunctional runway lights or the classic landing light configuration Useability features Situation loading and saving. It is possible to save the flight at any point in time and resume it another day. This can also be used, e.g., to save the position just before approach and practice just the approach many times. This feature reinstates the complete aircraft state (except communications with ATC, such as AOC and CPDLC messages or ground service states.) Autosaving allows recovering where you left off, should the X-Plane session end unexpectedly. Jumping waypoint-to-waypoint through the cruise phase: Shorten your flight to focus on the more interesting parts as you like. Integrated takeoff performance calculator supporting the use of flex temperature. 4 different start-up configurations from Cold and Dark to engines running and ready to go In-screen popup displays or use of x-plane windows for popups Interactive audio control panel to change ground services, fuel, loading, passengers etc. without breaking immersion Electronic flight bag on both sides with Avitab integration, weight and balance computation, take-off and landing performance calculator as well as a user customizable interactive checklist. Print function for AOC messages, CPDLC messages and selected FMGS functions   Release would be around October, as this is also a ToLiSS release period with the other time in being March...   ToLiSS notes that the new A330 is obviously compatible with X-Plane 12, but will also support X-Plane 11 backwards compatibility, but without the X-Plane 12 effects.   Start saving now, price should be around US$89.99! ___________________________   News! by Stephen Dutton 16th April 2024 Copyright©2024: X-Plane Reviews   (Disclaimer. All images and text in this review are the work and property of X-PlaneReviews, no sharing or copy of the content is allowed without consent from the author as per copyright conditions) All Rights Reserved    

NEWS! - Scenery Released : LFNA-Gap-Tallard, France by FSX3D     FSX3D has made a splash in X-Plane 12 over the last few months with some interesting Corsican and French scenery releases. First was LFKC -CALVI - Sainte-Catherine Airport in Corsica, that was followed soon by another Corsican scenery in LFKF-Figari 16th March.   For their next release, FSX3D has move to mainland France and Gap-Tallard aerodrome, located in the town of Tallard 12 km south-southwest of Gap in the Hautes-Alpes (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region).   Gap Tallard airport is at an elevation of 1,966 feet (599 m) above mean sea level. The primary runway is designated 03/21 and has a paved surface which measures 965 by 30 metres (3,166 ft × 98 ft). There is also a parallel grass runway measuring 700 by 80 metres (2,300 ft × 260 ft) and paved strip measuring 443 by 10 metres (1,453 ft × 33 ft). The Héliport Aérodrome de Tallard is also part of the scenery.   Features Include: Ultra detailed car parks, taxiways and track PBR on all objects Ambient occlusion (Objects and ground) Wet track effects Dynamic lighting Altimeter patch for Ortho4XP Compatibility AutoOrtho       Gap-Tallard very well value priced below $10 US dollars at US$9.99. This scenery is only available in the X-Plane 12 option. Corsica, and now  Hautes-Alpes are finally getting a lot of X-Plane 12 attention via these FSX3D excellent releases...  check them all out now.   Images are courtesy of FSX3D _______________________________     LFNA-Gap-Tallard, France by FSX3D is now available from the X-Plane.Org Store here: LFNA-Gap-Tallard, France Price is US$9.99   Requirements X-Plane 12 Windows, Mac or Linux 8 GB VRAM Minimum Download Size: 515 MB Current version : 1.0 (April 14th 2024) ___________________________   News! by Stephen Dutton 16th March 2024 Copyright©2024: X-Plane Reviews   (Disclaimer. All images and text in this review are the work and property of X-PlaneReviews, no sharing or copy of the content is allowed without consent from the author as per copyright conditions) All Rights Reserved    

NEWS! - Scenery Released : LIMJ - Ligurian COAST Totally insane by BCSceneries     Yes...  that is the title in "LIMJ - Ligurian COAST Totally Insane", but this new package from BCSceneries is part of the original, still long worded "LIMJ - Genova COMPLETE 5 - The Revolution" package for X-Plane 11. That Revolution package consisted of a Genoa scenery that covered an area of 243 squares kilometers with the LIMJ-Genoa airport, the Harbour, the ancient port, the fair and industrial areas with hundreds and hundreds of buildings and architectural complexes, and several thousands of objects like ships, cranes, containers, trucks, parked cars, parked trains and so on... it was HUGE scenery, complex, X-PlaneReviews gave you a quick overview (NEWS! update) here.   Now from BCSceneries is an expanded version of Genoa, also plus it is for X-Plane 12. The coverage now includes three airports (LIMJ Genova Sestri, LIMG Albenga Airport and LIQW Sarzana Luni Military Airport) and three cities in (Genova, Savona and La Spezia), the scenery has been expanded to cover the entire Liguria region in Northern Italy (7000 square Kilometers).     It is a large area covered, and the package has grown from 4.3Gb, to 7Gb in size.   Scenery detail includes; The region include coasts, mountains, plains and cities (each with an harbour). La spezia city include an Italian NAVY with UHD military ships (work by Dario Ruga). The entire region with the cities include 1/0.5 m pixel (ZL 17/18) Orthophotos. City of Genova features 100 UHD landmarks (included the LIMJ airport) distributed in the airport, the harbour, industrial areas, Ancient Port, Fair and residential areas UHD landmarks in Genova city are: La Lanterna (lighthouse), animated Ferris wheel, San Giorgio Bridge (former Morandi Bridge), the fair, the static Canadair airplane at LIMJ (all works by Marcogrifo), Genova's Aquarium, the skycrapers at Administrative center and many others. Savona and La Spezia includes In the Ancient Port (near the Galata Sea Museum), there is a submarine (Nazario Sauro S 518) ultra high detailed. Helipads in the airport and in the fair (Eastern of the city). The airports of Albenga (LIMG) and Sarzana (LIQW) are made in a quite good quality with all the buildings present in real life. Both has single runways. They serves GA traffic. In a part of outback there is hand placed vegetation (for forest and agricultural fields - trees for forest and fruit trees for agricultural fields). Sea from photoreal textures. Extensive documentation for the airports and the city (wikipedia). Included Patch to the compatibility of the scenery with X-Plane 11. LIMJ airport features the runway (10/28) on a peninsula into the sea. It serves airline and GA traffic. The entire airport is built in high definition. It features 20 architectural complexes in HD. The LIMJ Terminal is an UHD model and it has partial pre-rendered generic interiors. Further there are custom ground services moving near the Terminal. Also at the Terminal there are moving (walking) people.  Rebuilt Terminal, that now is updated to the next 2025 year (in real life there are currently works on expansion of the Terminal). LIMJ airport features the runway (10/28) on a peninsula on the sea. It serves airline and GA traffic. The entire airport is builded in high definition. It feautures 20 architectural complexes in HD. The LIMJ Terminal is an UHD model and it has partial prerendered generic interiors. Further there are custom ground services moving near the Terminal. Also at the Terminal there are moving (walking) people.  I've rebuilded the Terminal that now is updated to the next 2025 year (in  real life there are currently works on expansion of the Terminal). The control tower at LIMJ has generic prerendered interiors. Realistic and accurate ILS offset of 2 degrees at LIMJ airport.             Totally "Insane" this scenery is, so the title is totally correct! as only big words come to mind here...  Extensive, Huge, as the area and detail covered in the scenery is well...  MASSIVE!   To update to LIMJ - Ligurian COAST Totally insane, then go to your X-Plane.OrgStore account and download the new "Totally Insane" X-Plane 12 version of the scenery, it is a free update for v5 owners of Revolution, you can purchase the COMPLETE LIMJ Ligurian COAST scenery below. A X-Plane 11 patch is also included if required. _____________________     Yes! the LIMJ - Ligurian COAST Totally insane by BCSceneries is currently available from the X-Plane.Org Store here : LIMJ - Ligurian COAST Totally insane Price is US$32.00   Requirements X-Plane 12 ( XP11 patch included) 8 GB+ VRAM Recommended Download size: 7 GB Current Version: 6.0 (April 11th 2024) ________________   NEWS! by Stephen Dutton 12th April 2024 Copyright©2024: X-Plane Reviews   Disclaimer. All images and text in this review are the work and property of X-PlaneReviews, no sharing or copy of the content is allowed without consent from the author as per copyright conditions) All Right Reserved.  

Thank you @Stephen for your honest review, much appreciated. As developer of KTLH I would like to add few comments and explain some decisions in this airport for X-Plane Reviews readers and you.   Regarding custom buildings and objects within the airport area, I focused most of the power on the ATC Tower, Cargo Apron Facility and Ivan Munroe terminal, this objects are the most important for virtual jet airliner pilots. Also I tried to represent the Custom Hangars surrounding South Ramp with Million Air terminal very close to real airport. Unfortunately due to the development cost and profitable reasons nowadays I was forced to pay just a little less attention to a few secondary objects and hangars far away from Munroe terminal. Also meanwhile development process some details like logo's on Million Air terminal and some hangars was missed, now I'm figure it out and I will add them back in further update with some fixes as well.   Ok then I would like explain the airport lighting, most of lights looks pretty accurate on your images (my custom lights with custom masts) except few weird over bloomed light apron masts taken from laminar's library. I partially used them to save time and they were looking very good when I was taking release images, I guess maybe something has changed in latest X-Plane update that I got few days ago but they wasn't looking like presented. I will investigate it soon and will replace them with custom masts as well.   Briefly about ground poly's and airport surfaces quality, I figured out why they are depicting in lower quality than I had, I will fix it and also will add better fidelity decal with solid normal map underlaying all current layers to make surfaces looking more crispy and bumpy from closer look.   I carefully read the review and I promise I'll take a look at how to make the airport more dynamic with ground traffic. Regarding the 3d people I would like to say low poly 3d people are quite expensive for me and I can't promise to add them in large quantity. Also they are absolute static and almost impossible to animate them due to very old x-obj x-plane object format, Ben says laminar's are looking forward to transition from old x-obj to glTf, it will make such things like animated mass of peoples much easier.   Instead of conclusion I want to add that I love X-Plane and it's wonderful community. Everyday I'm studying to do better things and this days I'm engaged in X-Plane more than ever before. Thank you Stephen for your time and majestic review this is incredible helpful.

Scenery Upgrade Review : KTLH - Tallahassee International Airport XP12 by Skytitude   One American State that is highly supported with X-Plane scenery than most, and that is Florida. From the lowest point of Key West, to the state boundary in the north, there are some really great quality destinations for you to chose from. My flying time in X-Plane has found me chris-crossing this one state more than any other. Some developers like FS Designs specialise in the Florida State, another in Skytitude has a few quality destinations in there as well.   This is Skytitude's upgrade for their original KTLH - Tallahassee International Airport X-Plane 11 scenery, released only in November 2021, so it is not as would say an old scenery in quality, it is still available if required for US$19.95. Before that release the only scenery available for KTHL Tallahassee was an odd version from Rim&Co. A messy piece of work, that was discontinued as it had illegal, meaning stolen objects from other developers work, so best forgotten for more than one reason.   So here is the X-Plane 12 upgraded version of KTLH Tallahassee International Airport, which is not actually an international port, as it doesn't have any international services to other countries. However KTLH is noted as a full-service "Service Port" for U.S. Customs. The title allows international cargo and general aviation flights to directly come to Tallahassee, which is the leading cargo handler in the Panhandle area of Florida. Tallahassee handles around 9.5 million pounds of cargo a year,   Most services here are what you would call feeder (Hub & Spoke) regional routes, Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Dallas and Washington DC. But Tallahassee is also the Florida State Capital, it is the largest city in the Florida Big Bend and Florida Panhandle region. Tallahassee is also a college town with student population exceeding 70,000, home to the Florida State University, Florida A&M University, and Tallahassee Community College, a large state college that serves mainly as a feeder school to Florida State and Florida A&M. The KTLH city-owned airport is situated five miles southwest of downtown Tallahassee, in Leon County,     The airport covers 2,485 acres (1,006 ha) at an elevation of 81 feet (25 m). It has two runways: 09/27 is 8,000 by 150 feet (2,438 by 46 m) and 18/36 is 7,000 by 150 ft. (2,134 by 46 m). Helicopter operations are generally confined to the Runway 18/36 area, or direct approaches to the Million Air FBO ramp area.     Tallahassee International Airport IATA: TLH - ICAO: KTLH - FAA LID: TL 09/27 - 8,000ft (2,438m) Asphalt 18/36 - 7,000ft (2,134m) Asphalt Elevation AMSL81 ft / 25 m   A new passenger terminal was built just north of the new 09/27 runway on November 2, 1987, and the new terminal prompted officials to rename the airport from Tallahassee Municipal Airport to Tallahassee Regional Airport. On December 3, 1989, the city opened the $33 million terminal, and on February 20, 2000, the terminal was soon renamed the Ivan Munroe Terminal in honor of Tallahassee aviation pioneer Ivan Munroe.   It is a simple layout. A terminal building with a pier that is connecting to a concourse, or a split single concourse into A and B, from the side it is in a H design.     The Munroe terminal is really well replicated here by Skytitude, very realistic with very good building detail and adornments. The terracotta roof is in contrast to the brown main building and pier exposed concrete.     Scenery clutter is very good, but not overwhelming... there are no animated service vehicles here, and it is noticeable in creating a static sort of environment. Note the excellent aerial installation on the forward part of the connecting pier, and the very nicely done ramp lights.     There are eight detailed, white Airbridges A1-A6/B1-B6, like the real ones they come with no branding...  they are powered here by the built in X-Plane 12 "Ground handling" menu. A lot of developers are moving away from the SAM system (and it's problems) and back to this updated older version, in lots of ways it is currently a better solution than the fiddly SAM experience. There also five static walkon/walkoff gates for smaller regional aircraft in A7, A4, A2 - B2, B4, B7.     The landside terminal is very nicely done, even in a walkaround way, with nice well done 3d vehicle carparks and really reat fauna. But there there is no internal terminal detail. There are also no people, or traffic, again in creating a more static feel at TLH than an active one. On the roof are solar panels, in fact there is a loads of solar panels here as we shall see later.     Trees are all X-Plane 12 3D quality, seasonal as well, but you won't get a lot if any snow in Florida. But the fauna quality is high here.     Million Air FBO Next largest facility at TLH is the Million Air Fixed Base Operator. Besides for private operators, Million Air also provides contracted fuel services to U.S. Military and Department of Defense aircraft. TLH is regularly visited by U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft, Lockheed Martin C-130 family aircraft, as well as Dornier C-146 and T-6 Texan II aircraft on training missions and practice approaches from nearby AFB.     The ramp area is massive, and surrounded by maintenance hangers and aviation services FL Aviation and Flightline group. Main large FBO executive building is really well done in brick, next to it is the field's FireStation. Missing is the "Million Air" sign that sits outside the entrance, a small but noticeable overlook, but any signage is also missing here at TLH. But overall the detail and fill of this FBO area is very well done with a heliport with 6 landing pads located at South Apron.     Aero Center Tallahassee North is another large ramp for Aero Center Tallahassee and the Epic Flight Academy. The buildings are basic here, as the entrance to the Aero Centre is quite ornamental, missing also is the roof detail of the air-conditioning systems. The brickwork however is well done.     Far north are rows of aircraft storage, and this is a great parking ramp if flying into KTLH while exploring the region to refuel, as there are a few refuel stations set around these aprons for your convenience.   Cargo The freight facility is FedEx. It has two major gates (1 & 2), and three regional ramps for the FedEx feeder network. But as noted it is used as a U.S. customs international feeder "Service Port" area coming into the US.     Control Tower The KTLH field tower is set on the Southside. The facility and its surroundings is excellent, with great roof aerial detail.     Infrastructure Is this where all digital pilots go when they leave the X-Plane mortal coil? Yes it is a cemetery, set to the east of the airport called Southside Cemetery, a big one at that, and well done.     Also west is the City Of Tallahassee Utilities Water Treatment plant, really well done with real (X-Plane) water in the large pools and even in the treatment ponds...  note in the background are the six animated wind turbines.     Before leaving the west it is interesting to note the excellent merging of the Custom TLH airport to the default autogen, here the commercial Infrastructure blends in well with the airport boundary, making it a realistic viewpoint if arriving on Rwy 27.     Obviously the Tallahassee City owners are very big into efficiency and saving the planet. Surrounding the south approach and the left side of Rwy 18/36, are hundreds of solar panel farms. And all well done here, but I wonder if these massive sun farms could blind a pilot on an approach? The noted "largest airport-based solar station in the world" here is however excellent for the visual detail on approaches 36 and 09.     Ground Textures The ground textures are fine, but have no depth of detail, only a sheen, could be even noted as flat to the eye. They look okay with nice grunge, but they are not what you would call "high quality".     As this is an X-Plane 12 scenery, you get the excellent weather effects. And again X-Plane 12 does it's miracle showing...  water/rain and reflections are all very good, certainly in the right lighting conditions... so the PBR reflective (wet) active textures and burnt-in ambient occlusion works well.   Highlight here is the 3d grass, it is excellent and not prone to LOD visuals. The main infield areas are all covered, but there are a few blank areas with no grass...  the grass realism makes a big difference to the quality of the scenery.     TLH Lighting In the overview of KTLH the lighting is good, with the expected (XP12) ICAO lighting standards adhered to...     The ramp areas and external terminal/concourses are nicely lit, with intelligently placed drop lights. Carparks all look great as well...  but the terminal/concourse has no window lighting, making the buildings dark, even blacked out at night?     Other building lighting in Aviation services hangars are also well done with the well done drop lighting, but the main ramp lights for the Cargo ramp area and FBO ramps are weird, they glow, but don't give out any reflective light to the ground or their surrounding area?     I'm going to throw the problem to Laminar Research and not to the developer here, as this new light (flare) bloom effects are coming in the next X-Plane update v12.1.0. We will look at this lighting again when that update is released, so ignore it for now. ____________ Summary Florida is a very well serviced American State for X-Plane pilots to explore with consistent quality destinations. Here with Tallahassee International, it is a very Northern State airport, with great regional connections to Atlanta, Dallas and the Florida State. International in the name is for U.S. Customs "Service Port" only.   The KTLH Scenery from Skytitude is overall excellent, with great field landscaping and and excellent reproduced terminal and the Million Air FBO centre. Aero Center Tallahassee is also very good but missing the finer details. Grass and X-Plane 12 weather effects are also excellent. Fauna and overall layout is also first rate. The minor details are just that in minor, but they still count. Terminal Window lighting is missing, ground textures are a bit plain but have nice grunge, and not a lot of signage except for a FedEx sign, and non-lit at light? No ground or traffic animations also give a very static feel to the scenery.   Yes I really like this excellent Tallahassee scenery from Skytitude, it has a very nice quality about the package, better as well with the X-Plane 12 effects, and has excellent performance or a very light impact on your computer. This KTLH is an upgrade to X-Plane 12 from the still available X-Plane 11 version, but it is a heavily revised and more modernised scenery than the one released in late 2021. There is also an upgrade offer of 25% off for previous users of the XP11 scenery.   How much do I like it? well certainly expect to see KTLH Tallahassee appear in many future reviews from X-PlaneReviews, if any scenery passes that substantial test then it must cover a lot of credentials, most of all in a realistic visual quality...  for that aspect alone, it is great investment! ________________________     Yes!  KTLH - Tallahassee International Airport XP12 by Skytitude is now available from the X-Plane.Org Store here :   KTLH - Tallahassee International Airport XP12 Price is US$19.95   Requirements X-Plane 12 (not for XP11) Windows, Mac or Linux Download Size: 703 MB Current version : 1.0   Owners of KTLH XP11 can purchase this new XP12 version for 25% off, please find the coupon code in the original KTLH Invoice.   Installation and documents: TLH is download of 520Mb download. There are two folders as part of the installation; skytitude-ktlh-tallahassee-xp skytitude-ktlh-tallahassee-xp-b The second "skytitude-ktlh-tallahassee-xp-b" has to physically moved (cut&paste) lower in the scenery_packs. INI, below the main "skytitude-ktlh-tallahassee-xp" folder. All details are noted in the provided; "INSTALLATION GUIDE.   648Mb is installed into your Custom Scenery folder.   Review System Specifications Windows  - 12th Gen IS1700 Core i7 12700K 12 Core 3.60 GHz CPU - 64bit -32 Gb single 1067 Mhz DDR4 2133 - PNY GeForce RTX 3080 10GB XLR8 - Samsung 970 EVO+ 2TB SSD Software:   - Windows 11 Pro - X-Plane 12.07r1 (This is a Release Candidate review). Plugins: Traffic Global - JustFlight-Traffic (X-Plane.OrgStore) US$52.99 : Global SFD plugin US$30.00 Scenery or Aircraft -Rotate MD-80 Pro XP12 - (X-Plane.OrgStore) - US$59.95 ____________________________   Scenery Review by Stephen Dutton 11th April 2024 Copyright©2024: X-Plane Reviews   (Disclaimer. All images and text in this review are the work and property of X-PlaneReviews, no sharing or copy of the content is allowed without consent from the author as per copyright conditions) All Rights Reserved    

NEWS! - Aircraft Released : Sherpa K650T Turbine Bush Plane X-Plane 12 by STMA     STMA - Shade Tree Micro Aviation have released the Sherpa K650T for X-Plane 12. Although based on the Sherpa X-Plane 11 version (Still available here). This new X-Plane 12 version is heavily revised, with an Improved float package, 3D instruments, Improved autopilot response with flight director steering, totally new FMOD v2 sound pack and X-Plane 12 performance tweaks and effects. The Sherpa cockpit has also been completely rebuilt to include a G530 navigator and comm package plus a Garmin GFC 700 autopilot.   The aircraft specifications are interesting in being an experimental bush plane of the Sherpa design. The K650T concept includes a 1050hp Garrett turboprop engine, Wipaire 6100 amphibians, Rossi-Fernandez skis, and Alaska Bush Wheels in a configurable package.   Features Short field performance – 300’ takeoff with full payload, 350’ landing with reverse prop Improved float package from the XP11 version – better stability and tracking 3D instrument package with sync and select features for airspeed, altitude, and VVI A great instrument flyer – stable and responsive Improved autopilot response with flight director steering Revised flight manual and operator manuals for systems FMOD Sound Package. Rain and reflective glass package for realistic weather in Alaska or northern Norway Along that last line – a complete anti-ice package to keep you on mission     Images are courtesy of STMA STMA Developer Support : STMA Hangar and repair shop .Org   The Shade Tree Micro Aviation Sherpa K650T for X-Plane 12 is now available from the X-Plane.OrgStore... ______________________     Yes! the Sherpa K650T Turbine Bush Plane XP12 by Shade Tree Micro Aviation is NOW available from the X-Plane.Org Store here :   Sherpa K650T Turbine Bush Plane XP12 Price is US$29.95   Requirements : X-Plane 12  (not for XP11) Windows , Mac or Linux 8 GB+ VRAM Recommended  Download Size: 175 MB Current version : 12.1  (April 9th 2024) ______________________ News by Stephen Dutton 10th April 2024 Copyright©2024: X-Plane Reviews   (Disclaimer. All images and text in this review are the work and property of X-PlaneReviews, no sharing or copy of the content is allowed without consent from the author as per copyright conditions) All Rights Reserved  

Aircraft Modification : Rotate Mcdonnell Douglas MD80 Series IAE V2500 Engine   The Mcdonnell Douglas MD80 Series MD-80 was the second generation of the DC-9 family, originally designated as the DC-9-80 (DC-9 Series 80) and later stylized as the DC-9 Super 80 (short Super 80). It was a stretched fuselage, enlarged wing, and was powered by higher bypass Pratt & Whitney JT8D-200 engines. The MD80 Series made its first flight on October 18, 1979, and was certified on August 25, 1980.   In response to the environmental concerns that began in the 1970s, Pratt & Whitney began developing a new version of the JT8D engine, designated the JT8D-200 series. Designed to be quieter, cleaner, more efficient, yet more powerful than the earlier -15, -17, -11 and-9 series on the DC-9. The -200 Series power-plant was re-engineered with a significantly higher bypass ratio (1.74 to 1) covering the 18,500 to 21,700 pound-force (82 to 97 kN) thrust range and became the standard engine in powering the McDonnell Douglas MD-80 series. This is the engine on the Rotate Mcdonnell Douglas MD88. It's a long thin (still low) higher-bypass engine with clam-shell reversers.     Mango Studios have done a modification (MOD) to change this JT8D-200 engine to the later bulkier IAE V2500 Series engine.     The look and feel of the V2500 modification is really well done, with high quality 4K Textures and new PBR (Physical Based Render) effects, the quality and installation is simply excellent. Internal exhaust detail is totally authentic, with the correctly fitted outer fins for the correct airflow around the engine pod. The V2500 does not have the clam-shell thrust reversers, but the same arrangement like on the A320, were as the full cowling door opens for the thrust reversal. This aspect is very nicely done here as well, nice operation, with great internal detail of the air vent grid and internal mechanism.     This IAE engine was installed on the next stretch of the MD80 Series, third generation of the DC-9 family in the MD90. The engines were notably mostly installed on the MD-90-30 Series with the IAE V2525-D5 engine, with the option of upgrading to the IAE V2528 engine.   The V2500 Series is a two-shaft high-bypass turbofan engine built by International Aero Engines (IAE) which also powers the Airbus A320 family. This engine also has an option to add 3,000 lbf for use in Hot & High conditions if needed by activating a switch in the flight deck. The V2525-D5 is fitted with different mounting hardware and accessory gearboxes to facilitate the rear MD-90 T-Tail installation, than say the under wing pylon of the A320.   First look at the larger style of the IAE engine and as the MD90 Series had later the enhanced MD-90s glass cockpit, you could say it is the Boeing 717 aircraft, but it's not, as the 717 (MD95) had Rolls-Royce BR700 family engines installed, not IAE Engines.   Important to note that with this modification, there are no IAE Engine sounds, strangely odd as Mango Studios are well known for their Sound Packages, and the quite different IAE engine note would have been a nice feature, but it has been noted by the developer IAE sounds are coming real soon. The performance of the Rotate MD88 is not changed either, so any power (V2525-D5 111.20 kN (25,000 lbf)) and fuel-efficiency benefits of the IAE are not available with this installation.   Installation Tutorial It is a slightly tricky installation, to switch the original JT9D-200 to the IAE V2525-D5. In the downloaded "IAE V2500 Engine Model" pack there are four three folder items; liveries, objects and a paintkit (psd)...  there is also a manual supplied.     First you have to "duplicate" the original Rotate-MD-80 aircraft, and add into the title "IAE"     From the package objects folder you transfer the 12 files to the MD-88 IAE "objects" folder, and replace (overwrite) the noted 4 files with the new files.     Now for the tricky bit...  You have to go and open up the X-Plane-planemaker application (in your X-Plane root folder), and open up the MD-80-IAE aircraft (acf) file. Under the banner menu "Standard" is the "Objects" selection.     You have to scroll to the bottom of the objects tool, and then using the "ADD" button, insert THREE new layers...     Far right on each layer is a slot to insert the file, with the selection button to the left of the slot... then insert the three new objects (V2500_I.obj, V2500_r.obj, N1_fast.object) in the MD-80 IAE "Objects" folder...  into the correct slot, then "Save" (File) the changes.     If correctly done, then the new IAE powerplant should be seen on the main planemaker page...  and the MD-80 IAE aircraft is now ready in the X-Plane Configuration menu.     Although there is a folder called "liveries", they are actually only the MOD files FOR the liveries, not the completed new livery. So you will still need the original "livery" to add in the MOD livery files...   Each livery folder includes four files; md80_cola_der.png, md80_cola_izq.png, V2500_l.png, V2500_r.png and all four are transferred to the said livery "Objects" folder...     Again you will be asked to overwrite two of the object files. You have to do this same process for ALL the liveries provided.     Note the livery "Delta retro" is in fact Delta Old, or the default livery?     Five livery conversions are provided; Allegiant, Delta (Old), JAL, Lion and Scandinavian. All look excellent, and note how the larger engine can highlight the decals.     If you want to update another favorite livery, there is a paintkit (photoshop) provided, the paint kit covers the L & R engines, so you also have to still add in two files "md80_cola_der.png" and "md80_cola_izq.png" to each new set of the new livery conversion into the same objects folder.   In the air the IAE V2500 conversion looks amazing!     X-PlaneReviews - Rotate MD80 X-Plane 12 update review is here...  Aircraft Upgrade Review : McDonnell Douglas MD-88 Pro X-Plane 12 by Rotate   Summary This is a modification to change the Rotate MD80 (MD88) from the original install JT8D-200 engine to the later bulkier IAE V2500 Series engine as found on the Airbus A320 Series. The IAE engines were notably mostly installed on the MD-90-30 Series with the IAE V2525-D5 engine, with the option of upgrading to the IAE V2528 engine.   Mango Studios have provided a modification kit to change the over the engines by duplicating a Rotate MD80 aircraft and installing the V2500 engine via X-Plane planemaker application, it's not too hard to do, and the tutorial is above. Also provided are MOD files to change five liveries to match the new engine installation and paintkit to do your own changes on other liveries.   This modification really gives you a more modern looking MD Series aircraft, sounds for the IAE are coming soon as well to highlight the package from Mango Studios, that will also be noted here when available.   Simply... a big yes, I love the Rotate MD80 in X-Plane 12, this conversion gives you another engine version to widen the aircraft's appeal and only for less than US$6, so a big yes, yes and it comes more flying options with the Rotate MD80 Series...  winner, winner. _____________________     Yes! the Mango Studios MD-80 IAE V2500 Engine Add-on is currently available from the X-Plane.Org Store here :   Mango Studios MD-80 IAE V2500 Engine Add-on Price is US$5.99   The Rotate MD-88 Pro X-Plane 12 is required for this add-on.   Requirements The Rotate MD-80 is required for this add-on. Download Size: 415 MB Current version: Initial Release (May 9th 2024) Documentation Manual provided by Mango Studios is a bit basic, hence the Tutorial here in this review Manual.pdf _____________________   Aircraft Modification Review by Stephen Dutton 9th May 2024 Copyright©2024: X-Plane Reviews   Review System Specifications:  Windows  - 12th Gen IS1700 Core i7 12700K 12 Core 3.60 GHz CPU - 64bit -32 Gb single 1067 Mhz DDR4 2133 - PNY GeForce RTX 3080 10GB XLR8 - Samsung 970 EVO+ 2TB SSD Software:   - Windows 11 Pro - X-Plane Version 12.09rc5 Plugins: JustFlight-Traffic (X-Plane.OrgStore) US$52.99 : Global SFD plugin US$30.00 : RK Apps XPRealistic v2 - US$34.99 Scenery or Aircraft - LIRF - Airport Rome XP  by Aerosoft (X-Plane.OrgStore) - US$25.99   (Disclaimer. All images and text in this review are the work and property of X-PlaneReviews, no sharing or copy of the content is allowed without consent from the author as per copyright conditions) All Rights Reserved    

This is a truly fabulous and fun craft to fly. Stephen's spot on... the head movements are ingenious, elevating immersion yet another notch, and for me, they're the icing on the A50's cake. Literally setting up a face-fan for my next flight Stephen!lol   A super review for an absolute go-to aircraft. Superb!

Aircraft Review - Junkers A50 Junior S-LSA by vSkyLabs   One of the most interesting things of the changing of the eras, is the transition point, or a certain revolutionary design that in itself creates the new era. These time periods are interesting, exciting as well...  as you are seeing the forward advances of a particular genre. In Aviation's case, these forward advances in design and increasing engine power was in the early to late 1920's, this period was breathtaking in the changes of aircraft. From the frame and fabric (tri) biplanes of the First World War, to the first steps of commercial aviation that changed the world.   Center of this explosion of sweeping change, is Junkers Flugzeug- und Motorenwerke AG, a maker of boilers and radiators. "Junkers" as they are known created the first all metal designed aircraft in the Junkers J1, nicknamed the Blechesel (Tin Donkey or Sheet Metal Donkey), that was the monumental transition point from the frame/fabric to a Monocoque construction. The J1 was only an experimental aircraft, but it did create a subsequent series of monocoque metal based airframes, and created success for Junkers.   With this success, Junkers wanted to expand into other aircraft categories. Most current Junker aircraft were medium to large by the day's standards, but what of a Junior or smaller "Sports" aircraft or "Sportsplane". The Junkers A50 Junior was the first sportsplane designed by Hermann Pohlmann. It had the same modern all-metal construction, in being covered with corrugated duralumin sheet as the larger Junkers passenger planes. But the A50 was small, only a crew of two, sitting in tandem in separate open cockpits (if it flew without a passenger, one cockpit could be closed with a cover). powered by a Two-bladed propeller, and had a conventional fixed split axle mainwheel landing gear, with a rear skid.   The first flight of the A50 took place on 13 February 1929. It was followed by further four prototypes, in order to test different engines, but eventually they settled on a 80-hp, 5-cylinder radial engine. Junkers expected to produce 5,000 aircraft, but stopped after manufacturing only 69, of which only 50 were sold. The high prices probably inhibited sales...  but the design had created a new category in aviation. However the Junkers A50 Junior was able to set a number of FAI world records around the world and became famous, amongst other things, because Marga von Etzdorf was the first woman to fly her Junkers A50 Junior from Berlin to Tokyo in several stages in 1931.   The aircraft however has not been resigned to the original's past. In 2022, (The new) Junkers Aircraft Works began production of a modernized version of the A50 for LSA approval. This new A50 features modern avionics, a 100 hp Rotax 912iS engine driving a composite MT-Propeller, and a ballistic parachute. As of May 2023, 27 of these new A50s have been sold in Europe, and plans have been made for the American WACO Aircraft Corporation to produce aircraft for American customers. Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category is a small 2 seat aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of 600kg.   The modern interpretation of the Junker A50 is the version here for the X-Plane 12 Simulator by vSkyLabs. This aircraft is part of the ‘Test-Pilot’ Series, an open ended on going project with regular updates and changes as part of the process. The vSkyLabs Junkers A50 Junior is based on the modern German version, there will also be no X-Plane 11 version.     Like a flying cigar, the A50 is long and very sleek. Although this version is the modern interpretation of the 1929 classic, the lines and construction are exactly the same. It is very easy to behold this futuristic design in those early days, it looks and feels very Pre-war WW2 Junkers as well.   The reproduction of the corrugated duralumin sheeting or an early type of age-hardenable aluminium–copper alloy is excellently well done here. The term is a combination of Dürener and Aluminium. It was also used extensively on Zeppelin Airships of the same period.     The aircraft is all basically duralumin, except for the shiny Aluminium engine cowl and wheel struts. The propeller is actually a modern composite MT-Propeller, than the old wooden version, for weight and strength. On the real A50, you can remove the wings, or fold them backwards, but not on the vSkyLabs version.     The exhaust is modern as well, and the oil cooler gives the modern engine type away. The gear design from the 1920's however has been retained, with a bicycle spoke style design, pencil thin tyres and with disc brakes. It is a basic arrangement, but works and it is very nicely replicated here in it's simplistic but metallic splendour.     The twin cockpits are wildly spaced apart along the narrow fuselage, not at all combined together forward like of the Tiger Moth and such aircraft.     The brown leather cockpit surround is lovely, but missing is the cover for the front cockpit when empty? expect in an update...  There are two pilots (slightly animated) and lifelike (meaning realistic). They are selected via the X-Plane "Weight, Balance & Fuel" via the sliders. In the rear is the pilot, in the front is the passenger...  and to note the severe Centre of Gravity position with only the rear pilot in the aircraft, so you have to find ways to balance the aircraft in better to compensate for the odd weight distribution.     Both pilot and passenger are not hands or legs animated as noted, but if you press Command "G" (Toggle landing gear) then the front passenger will slip sideways for the rear pilot to see ahead, a nice feature. And an override of the fixed landing gear on the A50.     Cockpit In the (rear) cockpit it is all metal inside. Incredible is the design of almost 100 years between the two generations of A50s. But in here the metal design and construction it is almost the same, it is like living in the past, now in the future.     It is very well done in recreating this construction aspect of the aircraft. Simple stick and rudder pedals are well done, as is the housing for the cables. There is a "Remove Before Flight" safety pin (Emergency Parachute) that is stored in the right side satchel. On the left side are two levers, rear is the Elevator Trim, front the Throttle...  left rear floor is the fuel tank selector.     The real (modern) A50 Junior has installed a Garmin G3X Touch 10” with a Garmin G3X Touch 7” or GI 275 with Winter altimeter/Winter airspeed indicators as instruments. Here in the vSkyLabs version we have the customised Laminar Research Garmin G1000 fitted.     And nicely intergrated it is...  Power switches and start button are on the left, (active) Circuit Breakers (Fuses) with ELT and USB Charge panels on the right. Up top are the two bus (ECU) lights, and on the very top is a AOA (Angle of Attack) avionics upgrade, based on the 'Alpha Systems AOA' Eagle AOA kit. (we will look at this in flight)   The G1000 is the standard default Avionics system...  Speed and Altitude/Vertical Speed tapes, Artificial Horizon, Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI) with NAV 1/GPS BRG (Backgrounds), Speeds, Baro, Altitude, Wind, HDG (Heading) and CRS (Course) are all shown.     There are however two configurations (custom) of the PFD (Primary Flight Display). One (above) has three readouts, in being overlaid with top left Cylinder Head Temperature (CHT), below is the Manifold Pressure and for right lower is the Engine RPM. Turnoff the "AVIO" switch far left and the screen changes to the standard G1000 engine readout panel.     Here now shown is the RPM (top), FF (Fuel Flow), Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, EGT (Exhaust Gas Temperature), VAC (Vacuum), Fuel Quantity, Electrical (Bus/Volts) and Battery (Amps).   Pressing the P/MFD (red Button) with change the screen to the Multi-Function/MAP Display.     Standard adjustable G1000 popouts are available in both engine display modes, but the three custom instruments don't show on that setting.     Obviously a very simple instrumentation set up, but really well done here in this basic Sports style aircraft. _________________   Flying the (Modern) Junkers A50 Junior Turning on the power, even selecting the twin ECU Buses doesn't bring the A50 alive. So there is also the need to push in all the CBs (Circuit Breakers/Fuses), then while doing so you see the different systems on the different CB selections relating to the various avionics.   Fuel selector is on the floor, and their is no "All" tank selection, just Left-Right (tanks) or OFF, so you have to select one of the L-R tanks for fuel flow...  Fuel capacity is 95L (25 US gal; 21 imp gal), Range is an amazing 600 km (370 mi, 320 nmi). When ready just press the Starter Button to easily fire up the engine.     Unlike the original A50, this is a modern powerplant, a 100 hp Rotax 912i that comes with more power as well than the older original installation of the  Armstrong Siddeley Genet which is a five-cylinder, air-cooled, radial engine for aircraft use, that was then built in the UK, and first run in 1926.  The Genet developed 80 hp at 2,200 rpm in its final form and was in this era a very popular light aircraft powerplant. The later Rotax 912 is a horizontally-opposed four-cylinder, naturally-aspirated, four-stroke aircraft engine with a reduction gearbox. It features liquid-cooled cylinder heads and air-cooled cylinders. Originally equipped with carburetors, the later versions are now fuel injected. It sounds brilliant, although these Rotax engine sounds are now very common in the X-Plane Simulator.   There is no "Novice" setting for the tailwheel, it is either locked or free castoring under the X-Plane "Toggle tailwheel lock" setting... so taxiing is a tricky business, either power up with the tailwheel locked and use the toe-brakes heavily to drag the tail into the direction you want to go. Or use a combination of going straight, then "Toggling" the tailwheel on/off by the key Command and using a lighter touch on the toe-brake to turn, or if the aircraft is actually castoring in the right direction...   then locking the tailwheel again to go straight when turned to the right direction of travel...  messy and hard work, especially if you are not very competent with this taildragger style?     You can't see much either when taxiing, as your just not positioned close up front behind the passenger, but sited way down in the rear, but central position in the aircraft.     Overall the A50 Junior is just a simply Stick and Rudder aircraft, with a few modern tweaks. So you fly the machine in a very basic way.     Tons of right rudder is needed to keep you straight and you will have to find that sweet position to counter the engine asymmetric thrust, your tail lifts just after 30 knts (33 knts) then the rudder aerodynamics now need the control, still giving right rudder, but your moving the pedals around now a bit finer. Takeoff is around 45 knts and officially noted as 250 m (820 ft), no flaps here.     You don't really have a Vertical Speed, just a gradual climb out of around 400 fpm.     You feel like Louis Blériot, the first person to cross the English Channel in 1909...   exposed in a simple aircraft, the wind rushing past your face (a small in your face fan helps with the effect)...  but it's great fun, aviation in it's very basic form in this very striking looking aircraft.     Unlike the 1929 version, here you have on your A50 a few modern conveniences, like a full G1000 avionics package. So this gives you an Autopilot, and even Flightplans at your disposal (handy if you want to actually cross the English Channel).     Only one slight annoyance is that to switch between the PFD and MAP/Flightplan popup displays, you first have to close the current screen, then move over to the other selection, and then reopen the other pop-up, it is slightly annoying when setting up a flight plan and having to keep going back and forth to each of the different popup displays.   As noted you can move the head sideways with the front passenger, but the head still moves as well with the angle (bank) of the A50, which is very realistic, and both pilot and passenger heads move together in partnership.     There are no liveries with the package. Although there is a choice of colours of the fuselage from the Modern Junkers A50 brochure, including; White Aluminium, Glacier White, Deep Black Pearl Effect, Papaya Metallic, Saffron Yellow Metallic and Frozen Blue...  I think they would be a nice addition to the package here.     Lighting is of course extremely basic... no landing lights, just wing navigation and strobe lights. Light comes from the G1000 displays, but there are two side lights that have no lighting source. The AOA base is pretty as well.     The A50 Junior is actually very nicely balanced if you get the Elevator Trim right, like most of the era, these light aircraft are fun and fine to twirl around the sky in, with no loss of height in steep banks or with heavy manoeuvres...  lovely actually.     But these Light-Sports are very susceptible in winds, and the forces will shake you and buffet you around, as seen in this video.     I need to have a look at my landing field, EGHR - Goodwood in the south of England. So I do an orientation pass over the field, and note the grass strips are very hard to see?     But the G1000 does give you a few tools to help...  the Course Pointer in the HSI is great for aligning you going downwind in the landing pattern (then for runway course alignment). The G1000 HSI also has ILS alignment, but not here with the grass landing strips, but good to know if you want a landing alignment tool.     Going downwind I drop down to 300ft and 73 knts, ready for the approach...  then a 180º turn back to the field, again using the course angle to set the Runway 32 approach. Now down 200 ft and dropping the speed to get the best descent angle...  a lot of feel (feedback) through the throttle is very good.     There are no flaps here to reduce the speed zone, but it feels like a bi-plane in lift, pulling back on the stick, the A50 easily rubs off the speed to make the approach quite perfect, the Junkers Junior handles so well.     Coming into finals on the 32 Approach, I'm not familiar with the airfield, so I'm a little off angle, but I'm fine with that...  Now the AOA "Eagle" feature comes alive, and I'm tracking too low at the rear...  gradually I adjust the pitch nose down to move the AOA upwards.     It is very good, it sets the A50 up to the almost perfect angle for landing, throttle power is now my other tool to control the final descent. consistently adjusting the speed and AOA angle until they both perfectly match...     ...   On the perfect AOA blue circle, and your set, and then you glide down onto the grass, and then touch!     Then let the rear settle.     Considering the almost One Hundred years between the first A50, and this new modern counterpart. The flight aspect in the stick and rudder, metal long tube fuselage and lovely wings. It is just the instruments that are different, but the actual A50 flight experience is remarkably the same. _____________ Summary The Junkers A50 already is a legend. As it was the first Sportsplane, and designed by Hermann Pohlmann in the Junkers works. The first flight of the A50 took place on 13 February 1929. It was followed by a further four prototypes, in order to test different engines, but settled on a 80-hp, 5-cylinder radial engine.   The A50 was an all metal construction sports plane, conventional in layout, with low cantilever wings and stressed corrugated duralumin covered, the same material as used in the Zeppelin Airships.... Two-spar wings could fold rearwards or be detached. Crew of two, sit in tandem, in separate open cockpits (if it flew without a passenger, one cockpit could be closed with a cover). The A50 used a Two-blade propeller and conventional fixed split axle main-wheel landing gear, with a rear skid. Junkers expected to produce 5,000 aircraft, but stopped after manufacturing only 69, of which only 50 were sold.   The aircraft however has not been resigned to the past. In 2022, Junkers Aircraft Works began production of a modernized version of the A50 called the "Junior S" for LSA approval. This new A50 features modern avionics, a 100 hp Rotax 912iS engine driving a composite MT-Propeller, and a ballistic parachute. As of May 2023, 27 of these new A50s have sold in Europe, and plans have been made for WACO Aircraft Corporation to produce aircraft for American customers. Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category is a small 2 seat aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of 600kg.   This A50 aircraft is from renowned vSkyLabs, and it is based on the modern German version, it comes with a dual display G1000 Avionics system, 'Alpha Systems' Eagle AOA (Angle of Attack) and semi-animated pilots. Beautifully designed and well recreated of the original look and feel of this unique material, it is also tailored for perfect VR (Virtual Reality) realism. Flight dynamics and (Rotex) engine sounds are also first rate.   Basically the A50 is a simple stick and rudder aircraft, from originally a dynamic era of change in aviation. So the aircraft to use and fly is simply excellent for novices, but beware the taildragger steering is tricky and difficult to use on the ground with no artificial helpers.   So recreate and fly in this 1920's innovative era aircraft, with a modern twist, I really loved it...  once in the air, and to have the features of using modern tools (Autopilot, Flightplans, HSI, ILS alignment) should feel odd in this environment, but I still loved it. Even if I will always desire the authentic 1920's experience. The vSkyLabs A50 Junior is great value as well, as is the excellent on-going support from vSkyLabs...  so in my eyes the Junkers A50 Junior is an all round winner. _____________     Yes! Junkers A50 Junior S-LSA XP12 by vSkyLabs is NOW available from the X-Plane.Org Store here : VSKYLABS Junkers A50 Junior S-LSA XP12 Price is US$29.00, on sale for US$20.30, You Save:$8.70(30%)   Requirements X-Plane 12 (not for XP11) Windows, Mac and Linux 8 GB+ VRAM Recommended Current version: 1.0 (March 29th 2024)   Project Main Features: VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot' Project: designed for use with X-Plane cutting edge flight model environment, featuring superb flight dynamics with authentic performance and flight handling characteristics. Superb Flight dynamics: The VSKYLABS Junkers A50 Junior simulation is a highly engineered, robust tail-glider S-LSA simulation model which makes use of X-Plane 12 sophisticated flight dynamics and physics simulation, extracting it to its limits. Simulated systems: The VSKYLABS Junkers A50 Junior features X-Plane 12 latest native features, systems and physics. This assures a 'high airworthiness' in X-Plane, throughout its update process. Some systems may be restricted to X-Plane default systems algorithms. General cockpit configuration: Equipped with a full-scale and fully-featured X-Plane 12 G1000, in a single-screen / dual-display configuration, to allow maximum usability. Equipped with Alpha Systems AOA 'Eagle' indicator replica. Passenger leaning-aside feature for better takeoff and landing forward visibility (by demand via interaction/assignment). Built for VR: development was tailored specifically for VR, and optimized for 2D usage. Perfect fit for beginner and expert pilots: The aircraft is designed to be flown from the back-seat cockpit. This configuration requires higher piloting skills, and it *will* make you a better pilot!. The front-seat cockpit is fully functional as well, with the limitations which are derived from the real-world Junkers A50 Junior front-seat operations). Wonderful FMOD sound package that includes authentic Rotax 912iS engine recordings and an interactive set of dynamic sound layers that will "wrap" your open-cockpit flying experience, setting a whole new level of immersion! Autoupdater based on the SkunkCrafts autoupdater (XP12 only) - all updates are being pushed smoothly without the need to re-download the entire base package (base package will be updated every once in a while to minimize the gap).   Note: In order to use and enjoy VR environment in X-Plane, user hardware and system specs should meet the required specifications for OS, CPU, GPU, MB and RAM which are specified both in the given VR hardware websites and at X-Plane.com.   Aircraft download is 290.1 Mb, and unpacked then installed in your X-Plane  Aircraft folder 408.5 Mb   Documents How to INSTALL your VSKYLABS aircraft.pdf How to UPDATE your VSKYLABS aircraft.pdf   VSKYLABS Junkers A50 Junior ESSENTIALS.pdf VSKYLABS Junkers A50 Junior POH.pdf   Designed by VSKYLABS Support forum for the Junkers A50 Junior _____________________ Review System Specifications:  Windows  - 12th Gen IS1700 Core i7 12700K 12 Core 3.60 GHz CPU - 64bit -32 Gb single 1067 Mhz DDR4 2133 - PNY GeForce RTX 3080 10GB XLR8 - Samsung 970 EVO+ 2TB SSD Software:   - Windows 11 Pro - X-Plane 12.09rc5 (This is a Release Candidate review). Plugins: Traffic Global - JustFlight-Traffic (X-Plane.OrgStore) US$52.99 : Global SFD plugin US$30.00 Scenery or Aircraft - EGKA - Shoreham - Brighton City Airport by NKdesign (X-Plane.orgStore) US$15.00 - EGHR - Goodwood Chichester 1.0.0 by  jbnemo (X-Plane.Org) - Free ___________________________   Update Review by Stephen Dutton 5th April 2024 Copyright©2024: X-Plane Reviews   (Disclaimer. All images and text in this review are the work and property of X-PlaneReviews, no sharing or copy of the content is allowed without consent from the author as per copyright conditions) All Rights Reserved    

NEWS! - FunnerFlight upgrades KJFK - New York John F Kennedy International v3 X-Plane 12     FunnerFlight have upgraded their extensive KJFK - John Kennedy International to v3 and X-Plane 12. The older X-Plane 11 version of FunnerFlight's JFK is still available and is currently on sale for US$13.97   The KJFK v3 upgrade includes a load of changes and new features are included in the package...   Complete realignment of airport with added Aerial Photography Deletion of hundreds of unnecessary objects for better FPS. Added Laminar Research roads for a busier look Added Laminar Research Ground Service vehicles and routes Almost 20,000 objects. Old Terminal 3 demolition area. Terminal 4 Extension on Concourse B New XP12 Auto Jetways at every ramp (shift+g) Improved lighting. And most importantly: TRAFFIC GLOBAL TESTED AND READY! Tested Wind Rules and separate runways for Arrivals and Departures   Notable is the refining of better FrameRate, important in this very complex and high density autogen area. Current JFK changes around the old Terminal 3 (old PanAm Worldport) and the new Terminal 4 extension are also both included here.     John F. Kennedy International Airport is a major international airport serving New York City, United States. The airport is the busiest of the seven airports in the New York airport system, the 6th-busiest airport in the United States, and the busiest international air passenger gateway into North America. The facility covers 5,200 acres (2,104 ha) and is the largest and busiest airport in the New York City area.   John F. Kennedy International Airport was originally called Idlewild Airport after the Idlewild Beach Golf Course that it displaced. It was built to relieve LaGuardia Field, which had since become overcrowded after its 1939 opening.  In late 1941, mayor Fiorello La Guardia announced that the city had tentatively chosen a large area of marshland on Jamaica Bay, which included the Idlewild Golf Course as well as a summer hotel and a landing strip called the Jamaica Sea-Airport, for a new airfield. Later renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport on December 24, 1963, a month and two days after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy; Mayor Robert F. Wagner Jr. proposed the airport's renaming. Since then then it always been known as JFK.   I would recommend a strong video card with at least 8Gb of VRAM for this scenery, you can run a 4 GB Video Card as a minimum, but there are a lot of objects to absorb (15,000), and some very large graphic textures.   The FunnerFlight v3.0 KJFK is now available from the X-Plane.OrgStore, but for X-Plane 12 only. ________________________________     The KJFK - New York John F Kennedy International v3 - XP12 by FunnerFlight is NOW available here at the X-Plane.OrgStore...   KJFK - New York John F Kennedy International v3 - XP12 Price is US$19.95   Requirements X-Plane 12 (not for XP11) Windows, Mac or Linux 8 GB+ Video Card recommended. Download Size: 600 MB Current version: 3.0 for X-Plane 12 (April 2024)   Customers who own KFJK v2 by FunnerFlight can get the new v3 XP12 version for 50% off. Coupon code can be found in the original KFJK v2 invoice (does not apply to other KJFK models from other designers) ___________________________   News by Stephen Dutton 4th April 2024 Copyright©2024: X-Plane Reviews   (Disclaimer. All images and text in this review are the work and property of X-PlaneReviews, no sharing or copy of the content is allowed without consent from the author as per copyright conditions) All Rights Reserved    

NEWS! - X-Crafts Celebrates 10 Years!     To be a developer you have to have a wide range of skills, it takes guts and intelligence to deliver products for any Simulator, certainly when delivering consistently in the higher quality study category. X-Crafts has everything in spades, From their very first release, it showed the future was very bright, and X-PlaneReviews was there from the start.... and XPR noted "certainly X-Craft was a developer house to watch because the work is very good". Ten years on and the output and service has been truly excellent, certainly in the last year with the step up into the highest quality category of the X-Plane 12 Simulator.   To celebrate this ten year anniversary in X-Plane, X-Crafts are celebrating with a big giveaway to celebrate their new milestone, with a chance to win many of their products, and even win a ticket to FSExpo 2024.   PRIZES: One ticket to Flight Sim Expo 2024 - June 21-23, 2024, Las Vegas, US Embraer Fleet by X-Crafts - A bundle of all our products Full E-Jets Family by X-Crafts - A bundle of all our E-Jets The E175 by X-Crafts - Our most popular E-Jet   HOW TO ENTER: Simply subscribe to our Not-A-Newsletter™ using this link between the 1st of April and the 30th of April 2024. Existing Not-A-Newsletter subscribers can still fill out the form to participate. In May 2024 we will randomly select four winners.     BY SUBSCRIBING, YOU WILL ALSO GET: A download link for our Free E-Jets for X-Plane 11 (and in a few weeks also Free E-Jets for X-Plane 12!) The latest edition of our eBook: X-Plane Explained Our Free Preview models of the E140 & E170 Exclusive look behind the scenes of flight sim development Insider tips & tricks that only X-Plane developers know Terms & Conditions: This contest only applies to subscribers who signed up through the dedicated form on our website, linked above. You can unsubscribe at any time, but you will no longer be eligible to win. The winner of the first prize can decide whether they would like the tickets to FSExpo 2024 or the Embraer Fleet by X-Crafts instead.     Part of the giveaway includes a free package that feature their older freeware E175 and E195, which have been updated, enhanced, and fully optimised for X-Plane 12. The enhancements include a higher resolution map displaying a top-of-descent indication, seamless visualization of ILS deviations using the preview mode while still in LNAV, and more. But to note, they are not the latest E-Jet Series on sale, just the older X-Plane 11 designs updated for both versions of the Simulator.   Notable is that soon, X-Crafts will also be releasing the ERJ X-Plane 12 Series, with the same quality and features on par with the sensational E-Jet Series packages...  So it's a big year for the X-Crafts Team and in particular for Marko Mamula. So congratulations from X-PlaneReviews to X-Crafts on their decade anniversary!   More information and the giveaway can be found here: X-Crafts ___________________________   NEWS! by Stephen Dutton 4th April 2024 Copyright©2024: X-Plane Reviews   (Disclaimer. All images and text in this review are the work and property of X-PlaneReviews, no sharing or copy of the content is allowed without consent from the author as per copyright conditions) All Rights Reserved