NEWS! - Aircraft Updated : Bellanca Aircruiser 66-75 v1.02 by Hangar23     X-Plane delivers some really wild and strange aviation choices. This is the Bellanca Aircruiser 66-75 that was built and flew in the 1930's. The best description is that it is like flying a large Garden Shed with wings, it was the last of a lineage of heavy lift single engine aircraft first produced as the P-100 ‘Airbus’. A lineage that would earn itself the nickname “The Flying Ws” during its long and storied history of bush operations. It has everything against it, certainly aerodynamics...  but it is a brilliant Simulation.   Released early February in 2024 by Hangar23, the Aircruiser had a very quick updated v1.01 later in the month to adjust the handling and dynamics, and the addition of the floats variant. This is the second update v1.02 that includes the Skunkcraft Updater, new FMOD sounds by Mango Studios (the originals were not bad either) and wheel pants... the full changlog list is here;   Version 1.2 (October 7th 2024) Download version 1.2 using the Skunkcrafts Updater! new FMOD by Mango Studios who has put together a beautiful rumbly radial sound added wheel pants added openable sliding windows added smoky startup effects if you let her sit and accumulate oil for a few in-sim days updated default liveries to work with the wheel pants updated default 2k liveries to work with the wheel pants added the Aircruiser to SharedFlight; it is now part of their Supported Aircraft list!   The third Aircruiser variant, the 66-75, as featured here, could produce up to 730 hp from sea level through 5800 ft, where power built to ~760 hp. The combination with an enormous geared propeller allows for both short takeoffs and excellent cruise speeds - higher and faster than its multi-engined competitors of the era. The immense cabin allows for up to 15 passengers in some variants, and plenty of space for bulky freight in a cargo configuration. Coupled with the ability to lift 4000 lbs (or even more!) over its empty weight, this is a hauler like no other.   Despite, or perhaps because of, its immense capability, the Aircruiser is not an easy aircraft to master. It is sure to challenge you in every stage of flight: From taxi, through takeoff and climb, and especially during landing, it requires firm guidance and good piloting skills. This is no bizjet, nor does it benefit from the light and stable handling of more modern designs.   Release X-PlaneReviews review is here; Release Classic Aircraft Review : Aircruiser 66-75 by Hangar 23           Designed by Hangar 23 Support forum for the Aircruiser 66-75 ________________     The Aircruiser 66-75 by Hangar 23 is now available from the X-Plane.OrgStore!... Here:   Aircruiser 66-75 Price is US$29.95   Requirements X-Plane 12 and X-Plane 11   (2 separate packages) Windows or Mac   (Linux not supported) 8 GB+ VRAM Recommended Current version: 1.2 (October 7th 2024) Download Size: 1.2 GB (each version) ________________   NEWS! by Stephen Dutton 8th October 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.    

Melbourne International from ORBX? Amen to your comment on that, Stephen. I sent a screenshot of it to a mate who lives in Melbourne and he was amazed at the accuracy. Us neglected folks Down Under need more of this level of airport scenery.  And that includes New Zealand.

I own this one. As a previous A36 owner IRL, I think it does a good job of modeling the flight behavior. My only beef so far is with the gi-normous pitot tube. It is way too big.

Nice write up Stephen, you capture most of what I like about X-Plane, including the ultimate ability to tailor it to what you want…it provides an excellent platform to build on, or enjoy mostly in its basic form as I do.  I happily fly a handful of aircraft with minimal add ons.  Keeping it simple keeps it working.  9 out of 10 times a poster on the forum pops on complaining that XP won’t work it’s an add on or “tweak” by the user that’s the culprit, not the Laminar product.     As always, Thanks for taking the time invested in X-Plane Reviews!

Hi Jack, Thank you for your gracious review of the G36. Didn't know someone was reviewing the plane!     I teach on Bonanza's and it's great to read that it gets you there in terms of flying it!    Agreed on a lot of the points, I will work on making the seats more comfy! Don't need anyone ruining their back in the plane! If there are specific things that will help make it amazing, I'm all ears...  There's more coming on systems shortly and also work on the A36 variant...    Mihir (PAE Addons)

Thanks Stephen. I went to a heavy storm to check and your are 100% right. Thanks a lot.

Behind the Screen : September 2024     The great thing about the X-Plane Simulator it is all things to different people. In reality there is no one X-Plane installation, unless you just install the clean "DEMO" version and only fly with that. Very quickly you can metamorphose your own personality and needs by adding in almost everything. Instantly that individual stamp on your computer screen is then reflected back at you, your own unique characteristics all there and available. X-Plane users all fly differently as well, again our individual journeys are reflected in our flightlogs.   In this very wide spectrum, there is a sort of central look and feel to the Simulator. As the years go by your tastes and interaction with the simulator change, and that is besides the overall version revisions you get along the way. Another area is that X-Plane covers a huge diversity of hardware, and even operating systems, as X-Plane can cover all OS systems in Windows, Apple and Linux, even VR Support with SteamVR or Oculus PC. Again a huge spread of diverse requirements.   But it all works doesn't it, somehow all these very different complex elements can allow you to fly aircraft around the world, and right down to the complex systems that make these aircraft virtually fly. I think deep down that is the core attraction of X-Plane, but also the ability to also create, adjust or mod (modify) not only the aircraft, the environment it flies in, "Tinkerers" we call them, that ability to shape everything to your our own personal perspective.   Again that is great, but it also creates complexity on top of complexity. That aspect can create breakthoughs in ideas that can benefit all, it also can send you down a rabbit hole of pain and to the endless chases of problems.    You can spend even a huge amount of your time just managing it all, "Housekeeping" I call it, just updating and refining the Simulator to keep it running smoothly within those particular constraints. Actually the flying part is only 25% of the running the Simulator, the rest is just plain keeping up and fixing all the consistent changes and settings, it can be a lot of work sometimes. Yes I am a reviewer, and my wings are spread a lot wider than the home casual Simmer user, but there is still a huge amount of change to absorb week after week, you welcome it all, as that is why you love it all so much, as it goes deeper than just being a hobby, it is a consistent force in your life and your day to day activities.   But it is very easy to go down that rabbit hole and very quickly, one area in say crook hardware or a bad bit of software, and the fixes and pain can be overwhelming in trying to not only find the cause ("is it hardware or software?"), very time consuming as well, worse when it is only you in having the problem, while everyone else to gliding merrily along, your in serious pain in trying to find a fix, time consuming, frustrating, and usually always expensive to fix.   But you can make it harder on yourself than it really needs to be. The one main aspect that I have learnt, is that sometimes a simple approach is the better approach, it won't fix everything, but it can make your Simulation life a bit easier. That does not say you have to lose the quality in your Simulation, in fact quite the opposite in using the right elements to deliver the right Simulation. This is something I have learned over the decade, the more I simplified my set up, the better it became, but also in not losing the essence of what X-Plane delivers.   I want total X-Plane Simulation in quality, and the reviews reflect a richness of not only scenery, but detailed aircraft as well. If you browse through the forums, you can usually find everyday a cry for help, it is usually like this "My computer keeps crashing!!!", and so you ask them to put up the log.txt. You would be horrified to read these logs, fifty or more plugins, 4TB of  different formats of scenery, modifications on absolutely everything, errors, errors and errors fouling the data, it is a nightmare to decipher, never mind to rectify the problem. It is a miracle the juggernaut even ran in the first place, it's messy, complicated, and impossible to fix.   I started to do this in my cadet years, actually I got banned on the X-Plane.Org on the second day for downloading WAY too much, as I was like a kid in a candystore grabbing everything I could shove into those folders, it so all very easy to get carried away, even then over the next few years I downloaded almost everything that set my eyes alight. So yes I am guilty of mass X-Plane consumption as the best of them, it's free obviously, so why not have it.   But if you look at my current set up, it is very, very far removed from my gluttonous beginnings, and I am quite proud of that achievement. It means I learnt (from my mistakes), but more so made my Simulation life far, far easier. I won't fix every problem that comes up, but I can resolve it without it getting bizarrely out of hand, certainly with settings.   Here are a few rules: Rule No.1 - keep it simple, Rule No 2, see rule No 1. Here is the point, you are only flying one aircraft usually between two points on the globe, so you only need those basic elements in place to do that route. Simple isn't it...   I have a saying, "Value is found in something you use". Meaning you can spend $400,000 on a Lamborghini, but how often do you actually drive it? Your $5000 Toyota is however used everyday for running your life, so which car is actually more valuable, point also, take the Lambo to local shopping centre, then be terrified of parking it there, it won't carry the groceries home either, and don't even think of the insurance cost of living with it. Yes I admit of that one Lambo day is incredible! but in reality it is a total waste of money, that $400.000 dollars can be spent in a better way. Same with everything in your life, right down to most cheapest and simplest item, if you use it, it has value, nice to have is all very nice, but if you don't need it or use it in your life it is a waste of money.   The same perspective can be found in X-Plane, just have what you need, or what you use. I'm not saying to indulge or even to try out something new, because that is also part of the X-Plane spirit of finding new adventures and knowledge, as you can't take that aspect away from the Simulator, but keep it lean.   I have only 23 aircraft I fly...  yes other aircraft rotate in and out, or are updated or deleted if too old or not able to be used in the new version. Plugins, 11 (I counted them), yes only 11 plugins, and tested, and even then I will pull out none needed plugins if those aircraft are not being flown, say JET, CEF or Gizmo. lua I have to have installed (OpenSAM), but I totally don't like it, I understand that a lot of users love it to death, but it is core aircraft code and it can seriously drive you mad if it starts interfering your aircraft lua codes, which I have found it does on numerous occasions.   Scenery will always be a big folder, but the reason this month's dialog is here on BtheS is that I realised that how small my Scenery folder now actually is. It is a quarter of the size of X-Plane 11, and X-Plane 11 was half of X-Plane 10. That is not because of the roll over of upgraded scenery, as most scenery will work without the effects in X-Plane 12. So I thought about that?   I'm not missing anything even with this condensed Scenery Folder. What I have done is created (over the decade) a tight network of scenery that works, so basically I'm flying from one quality X-Plane scenery to another quality X-Plane scenery. I have a few times had to install a freeware scenery because that destination was not available as payware, and I totally hated it, in fact I scrubbed the whole review because it looked terrible in the images, and started over again at a more quality destination. Users are quite adamant that because the scenery is free, and yes the X-Plane Global Scenery has come along really well, but it is still mostly cardboard unrealistic scenarios. Yes you have the right to totally disagree with me on the statement, wax lyrically on how good it is in X-Plane 12, but I never use Global Airport scenery for the reason as noted above. But more and more users are relying more on the Global for their flying. In my mind they are missing something by doing this.   "Can't afford payware scenery", neither can I, but I do still fill up my quality portfolio, sales can be very handy in getting what you want, but saying that I also believe the developer should be rewarded for creating something you use, contributing allows them to do more. The above mantra is strong here. "Buy only what you use". So actually my custom quality scenery folder is actually not that big, but I use consistently almost all of those quality sceneries within it, no point of having 2Tb of scenery as there is no way you can benefit from it, in fact the odds are you will get a poorer experience because most of the downloads in there are just junk. Volume does not translate to Quality, even if you think that a massive Custom Folder will deliver that, chances are you are getting a much more inferior simulation, not to mention the amount of scenery errors you are creating.   It's curating something special, yes even your own personal perspective of the way you perceive the world through the X-Plane lens. I got got a lot of brickbats last month on the scenery debate, most couldn't understand my perspective of collecting quality scenery to fill my needs. That is okay, everyone has their dues, but that is the X-Plane world I want to fly in.   Oddly if read last month's BtheS, I ranted over there in being no YMML Melbourne in X-Plane. Almost a week later Orbx releases...  you guessed it a quality YMML - Melbourne, it was a roll your eyes moment, or even a thanksgiving from the gods on high... if a bit late.   We all have unique perspectives on what we want from our Simulator experiences, but the over reaching point is on how far the Simulator has developed. Yes we complain that we want more, but we are also getting a lot for our buck...  bang as well.   The Rotate MD-11 Passenger showed the amount of change we are getting. For me doing the review it was a few days, I thought, "Hey, it is the MD-11F with a cabin", that would be quick and easy. But it was eight days later that I finally completed the review. The biggest reason were the changes in the two years since the original MD-11 Freighter to the MD-11 Passenger, the same aircraft really, but the work in there that I had to list was quite comprehensive, added features and refinements, and the flying was glorious from the dark wet northern Europe to the bright desert of Eygpt, I seriously would love to extend the time to do it all again...  but I had to move on, X-Plane waits for nobody... ever changing, ever developing...  it is a life force.   See you all next month   Stephen Dutton 4th October 2024 Copyright©2024 X-Plane Reviews  

NEWS! - Plugin Update : WebFMC PRO by Green Arc Studios updates to 2.3.2     One of the most versatile plugins for remotely imputing FMC data is Green Arc Studios WebFMC PRO. This newly released version is v2.3.2.   The v2.3.2 update covers support for the X-Crafts E-Jets v1.1.0+ and better detection of the FPS E190/E195 aircraft pair, Improved CL650 FMS keyboard font and support for the„*” character in Zibo FMS (with VNAV BARO TEMP COMPENSATION).   Notable is that WebFMC Pro will also work automatically with the newly released Rotate MD-11P (Passenger), as it is the same set of data-refs as the MD-11F version, this item is not noted in the official changelog.   Version 2.3.2 for X-Plane 12 includes following changes: Updated support for X-Crafts E-Jets v1.1.0+ Improved CL650 FMS keyboard font Support „*” character in Zibo FMS (with VNAV BARO TEMP COMPENSATION) Updated detection of FPS E-Jets to cover E190 and E195 and version 1.11.1 for X-Plane 11 adds: Added support for X-Crafts E-Jets v1.1.0+ Improved CL650 FMS keyboard font Support „*” character in Zibo FMS (with VNAV BARO TEMP COMPENSATION)   The WebFMC is a plugin that allows you to use a FMC (Flight Management Computer) on an external screen via a web browser. That is an another computer or tablet. So it is a remote tool, but a very beneficial tool and even a powerful one in programming in route and performance data and following the set aircraft route in flight and in mirroring the aircraft's built in FMS (Flight Management System). Added into the functionality is a load of features in the use of the FMC on another screen.   WebFMC  Pro is available as noted for X-Plane 12, and also previously for X-Plane 11, if you already have WebFMC Pro for X-Plane 11, then there is still (but now for only a limited time ) an upgrade for previous users, there is also a US$10 off offer to upgrade to the X-Plane 12 version. This upgrade covers your plugin and service updates for the full run of the X-Plane 12 version. Currently there is also a US$5 off offer for new purchasers of this excellent tool.   There is a WebFMC DEMO version also available that has access to the default X-Plane 12/11 Boeing 737-800/Zibo 737-800.   WebFMC Pro supports a growing number of 3rd party aircraft: Default X-Plane FMC  DualCDU FPS 190  NEW!  FPS 195  NEW!  Hot Start CL650 TripleCDU FlyJSim Q4XP DualCDU ToLiss A319  DualCDU ToLiss A320  DualCDU ToLiss A321  DualCDU ToLiss A340 DualCDU FlightFactor 757 v2 Professional  DualCDU FlightFactor 767 Professional   DualCDU FlightFactor 777 Professional FlightFactor A320 Ultimate  DualCDU FlightFactor A350 (old style MCDU) Rotate MD-11F TripleCDU Rotate MD-11P TripleCDU Rotate MD-80 X-Crafts E-Jets Family XP12 v1.1.0+ DualCDU  X-Crafts E-Jets Family DualCDU  X-Crafts ERJ Family DualCDU  IXEG 737-300  DualCDU JarDesign 330 JarDesign 340 JRollon CRJ-200 SSG 747-8 Series Zibo Mod 737-800  DualCDU   Support for all aircraft that use X-Plane FMC All airliners that come installed with X-Plane, as well as some 3rd party aircraft (e.g. FlyJSim 727v3, 737v3 and a few others) use the default FMC implemented by X-Plane. Since WebFMC Pro supports the default FMC, these aircraft are automatically supported as well, even though they are not listed explicitly on the above list!   Update download to v2.3.2 is now available at the X-Plane.Org Store, just remember to swap over your registration txt to the new version folder. ____________________________________     Yes! WebFMC Pro v2.3.2 XP12 by Green Arc Studios is NOW AVAILABLE from the X-Plane.Org Store here : WebFMC Pro XP12 Price is US$29.99   Current WebFMC XP11 users can get this new XP12 version at $10 off. Please find the coupon code in the original WebFMC Invoice   X-Plane 12 Operating system requirements: - Windows 10 64-bit - Mac OS 10.15 (Catalina) or newer - Ubuntu 22.04 LTS 64-bit   Web Client requirements The CDU can be displayed on any modern and up-to-date web browser with JavaScript support. We recommend the latest versions of Google Chrome on PC or Android and Safari on iOS.    No internet connection required, remote device needs to be on the same local network as X-Plane PC.    We do not guarantee support for vintage and obsolete iOS devices (according to official Apple classification, here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201624). If you have an old device try WebFMC Free before buying or upgrading.     Access CDU / FMC of select X-Plane 12 airplanes via any modern web browser running on your PC or mobile device over local network.   Quick and easy access to the FMC Get easy access to the FMC: quickly edit the flightplan, monitor flight progress, set up your approach and do all the typical work of the pilot without having to move around in the cockpit, even if the plane doesn’t support FMC as a popup natively - on the same PC, or different monitor, tablet or phone - in fact you can use multiple displays at the same time! Make pilot tasks easy and comfortable Enjoy external views during cruise while monitoring flight progress on separate screen or take a quick look at your phone to verify calculated landing speed with just a glimpse of an eye during busy time on approach. Make flying complex SIDs / STARs easy as you can focus on the important flight parameters while having overview of the constraints all the time. Take your mobile to the kitchen as you cook a dinner during a long haul and never miss T/D again! Convenient to use Use physical keyboards on PC with extra keys such as Prev/Next page mapped to keyboard keys for easy access. WebFMC scales dynamically to fit any display or window size and can look as native app on mobiles by using browser's "Add to home screen" feature. Web Client The CDU can be displayed on any modern and up-to-date web browser with JavaScript support. We recommend the latest versions of Google Chrome on PC or Android and Safari on iOS.    No internet connection required, remote device needs to be on the same local network as X-Plane PC.  Support for WebSockets RFC 6455 standard is required which implies at least iOS version 6.  _________________________________   NEWS! by Stephen Dutton 4th October 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)   

No problems for me? There is no on/off switch, but the Stormscope relates to the current X-Plane weather, so no storms, then no x notes on the display.    

How to get the X8 Stormscope working in xplane 12?

NEWS! - Concorde FXP v3.50 by Colimata released     This is another big update release from Colimata to version v3.50   Focus of v3.50 is on the Autoland, which now works as shown below, plus the addition of the CIVA v2 from Philipp Ringler, which has now had a parallel release with the Concorde v3.50. Other focus features include; extensive new Flightmodel, more system detail, internal, cockpit and external revisions. The Skunkcraft Updater is also now available on this aircraft. There will also be a separate manual available for the v3.50 release.     The changelog is quite extensive, and it brings this iconic aircraft up to a new higher standard of Simulation   Version 3.5 (October 2nd 2024) Autopilot + Autoland + MAX CLIMB, MAX CRUISE + ALT ACQ / ALT HOLD + TRK/HDG + LOC and GS + INS + AP logic + AT below 180 ft CIVA v2 compatible (optional add-on by Philipp Ringler) + Option in the GUI + 3D cockpit CIVA units + Dedicated click areas + AP INS + Dedicated Cold & dark startup Flightmodel + Takeoff + Climb and transonic acceleration + Cruise flight + Descent + Landing + Ground taxi Systems + Virtual flight Engineer + Fuel consumption + Flight Safety and Protection System + Elevon trim + Landing gear / struts + MANUAL fuel trim Cockpit + Instrument lighting color + Autoland display + ISA value on temp. gauge is shown + Machmeter + Transponder + AviTab (optional) + Cabin lights less bright External + Landing lights + Taxi lights + Turn lights + External lights More + Program stability improved and tested + SkunkCrafts Updater compatibility added + ACF file + VR: Better throttle control + GUI: SETTINGS and small updates + Startup sound + 150+ new commands Manuals updated + v350 detailed changelog added (31 pages) + CIVA v2 guide added (39 pages)     Concorde is a legend of aviation. Its timelessly sleek design is still beautiful aircraft, and her capabilities are unmatched up to this date. This milestone in aviation history was developed and built in the ’60s of the last century, realizing what was before considered impossible: A supersonic passenger jet. Is it the four mighty Olympus engines and their reheat (afterburners) roaring during takeoff...  slender shape with delta-shaped wings...  unique flight capabilities like super-cruising at Mach 2 for hours...  and landing with the legendary droop nose lowered. Concorde is all round a very unique experience!    The new update v3.50 release is now available for updating (via your X-Plane.OrgStore account) or to purchase (on sale!) at the X-Plane.OrgStore _____________________     Yes! the Concorde FXP version 3.50 by Colimata is now AVAILABLE from the X-Plane.Org Store here :   Concorde FXP version 3.50 Price is US$49.95 (Currently on sale for only US$35.00 or you save $24.95(42%)   Requirements X-Plane 12  (not XP11 compatible) Windows, Mac and Linux 8 GB+ VRAM Recommended Download Size: 622 MB Current version:  3.5 (October 2nd 2024) _____________________ News! update by Stephen Dutton 3rd October 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