NEWS! - Plugin Upgraded : CIVAv2 by Philipp Ringler     The navigation system... Delco Carousel IV-A Inertial Navigation System was nicknamed "CIVA". The CIVA navigation system was a major advancement in the era of aviation before the widespread use of GPS. Despite its limitations, it allowed aircraft to fly precise routes across long distances, such as over oceans, where traditional radio-based navigation systems could not function. The CIVA system is essentially an INS, which uses accelerometers and gyroscopes to measure the movement of an aircraft in three dimensions.   The CIVA could be found on 707, 727, some 737-100s and -200s, the DC-10 and L-1011 Tristar, and on the early 747-100, -200 and -300 variants, and Concorde.   The original CIVA by Phillip Ringler was created for the FlyJSim Boeing 727, but it is now incorporated in other X-Plane aircraft, most notable is for Colimata's Concorde FXP and Felis Boeing 742. This is the updated CIVAv2, created for X-Plane 12    Version 2 includes: X-Plane 12 Support Better UI Dual or triple installation support for independent copilot instruments, flight director and autopilot all aircraft with existing single installation cockpit integrations are compatible aided position: single/dual DME updating and triple mixing Complete internal checks, with the real error codes when they fail Concorde version with different internal checks. The regular version will show errors when you fly supersonic Flight plan loading interface for on-ground and in-air partial loading of X-Plane .fms plans Helper UI for entering google maps or nautical coordinates Mouse wheel support Compatible with X-Plane 12 (no earlier version).   Original features include Fully compatible with the 727 Series by FlyJSim - Can be used with any other plane Realistic warmup, initialization and alignment procedures Optional Quick-Align to get you flying instantly All display modes modeled, including HOLD modes: It can display ground track, ground speed, heading, drift angle, cross-track error, track-angle error, position, distance-to-go, estimated time enroute, wind speed and direction, along-track acceleration and longitudinal wind component Automatic navigation of up to 9 waypoints X-Plane flightplans can be loaded instead of manual waypoint entry Single-DME updating incorporating DME elevation Realistic position drift and smooth updating Built-in 30-minute backup battery in case of emergency Native M1 Mac support Can be operated according to original 1977 manual, including failure/troubleshooting procedures   I will admit the CIVA is not the most easiest tool to use in the cockpit, but it is totally authentic...  this v2 is an upgrade from v1, so the full purchase price is relevant, however if you own CIVA XP11, you can get this new CIVA XP12 for 40% off. Discount code will automatically be applied at checkout (as long as you use the same account). ___________________________     Yes! - the CIVA Navigation System XP12 by Philipp Ringler is NOW available from the X-Plane.Org Store here :   CIVA Navigation System XP12 Retail Price is US$19.00   Requirements X-Plane 12 Works with any aircraft Current version: 2.0  September 2024 If you own CIVA XP11, you can get this new CIVA XP12 for 40% off. Discount code will automatically be applied at checkout (as long as you use the same account) ___________________________   NEWS! by Stephen Dutton 20th September 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  

Hi Stephen I really appreciate all your reviews for the community.   But this one gave me some headache - autoland with an Embraer E-Jet of the first generation? Of course I tried it also and it resulted in a very hard landing, between 450 to 600 fpm as I remember wastefully. According my investigation only the new E2 versions have autoland with CAT II or III. But to be sure I asked ChatGPT and here the response:   Older Embraer E-Jets (E170, E175, E190, E195): These models are generally equipped with ILS approaches up to CAT I. They do not have full automatic Autoland capabilities (CAT II or III), meaning the pilot must take control of the landing, especially in the final phases of the approach. They cannot perform fully automated CAT II or CAT III approaches, where the aircraft lands by itself. If visibility is poor, it’s expected that the pilot either executes a go-around or performs a manual landing. Embraer E-Jets E2 (E190-E2, E195-E2): The newer E2 variants are more technologically advanced and feature upgraded avionics capable of supporting more complex approach procedures, including ILS approaches under CAT II or CAT III. Some of these aircraft can be equipped with Autoland systems capable of fully automatic landings, depending on the operator's specifications and certification. In these cases, the pilot would only take over after the landing, meaning after touchdown and during taxiing. So, the E2 variants offer greater automation, including the possibility of Autoland in extremely low-visibility conditions (CAT II/III), while the older models rely more on manual control from the pilot.   If you're thinking about specific airlines or configuration variants, those can also affect the exact capabilities of the aircraft! So I hope to fly sometime in the future an E2 version with full autoland capabilities. Let's see what the aircraft developers will bring for us in the future - in the meantime I'm looking forward to your next review.   Regards Joël (tukan68)   PS: I really love flying those planes (mostly the E175, sometimes the 190), very easy to handle and lot of good information and documentation from the developer to get into it.

Although my coding days are long gone into the distant past I have the feeling that an exec to do this (you know the location of the input files and the destination) is probably embarrassingly easy for anyone who knows what they are doing. Likely much easier than the plug in that comes with the sound pack.  

I definitely think some sort of installer may be quite useful. However I believe setting something like this up would be too expensive for most developers, hence why most still use the basic drag and drop method. A good idea though

Thanks and the video does show that it’s not a complicated process and I’ve worked with sound packs before. Has there been any thought to having a Mango utility to rerun the updates (for all packs) on a regular basis. Something along the lines of having all of the sound packs stored in designated folder and then a utility to transfer them in windows to the correct aircraft files? Probably not difficult. In your video for example keeping the original zip file could be considered important if you need to rerun the process at a later date. The utility would save on future downloads.   I’ll likely buy the 319 pack now but making this process easier for people - beyond the first run - might be worthwhile. If you have several sound packs it’s easy to forget about one or more when an aircraft has been updated, a fairly common occurrence as XP12 evolves. Having a utility might even encourage brand loyalty when new packs are released.  

Hello, This soundpack includes both engine types and doesn't require any swapping of files when switching between engine types.  Skunkcraft updater does not recognise the soundpack files and so when the aircraft is updated it may delete or replace the soundpack files. Therefore if you ever run the skunkcraft updater for the A319 then you must also reinstall the soundpack to be safe. This is quite a simple process though. I have a video on installing any Mango Studios soundpack here:  Hope this helps!

Sound packages can be excellent, but equally they can potentially be tiresome to live with. Two issues. One, when you move from engine type to another do you need to update the files to the correct sounds - or does it store both? Second, if you use an updater like SkunkCrafts does the updater see the ‘rogue’ files and overwrite or delete them? Interested in buying this but the developers don’t tend to explain the installation process or when the files may need to be reinstalled again. Any opportunity to include some detail around this in the review? 

NEWS! - Aircraft Updated : He-162 Project v3.0.5 by vSkyLabs 'Test-Pilot'     As unusual aircraft go, then this Heinkel He-162 single-seater, single-engine jet fighter is totally unique. The aircraft is part of the vSkyLabs "test Pilot" series and it has had a significant update. Released only last year and reviewed here for X-PlaneReviews by Stéphane Tolédo-Paul:   Aircraft Review: He-162 Project - VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot'   It feels a bit soon to have such a very  big update, but there you are...  the latest v3.0.5 update covers;   Flight Model: Turbo-Jet simulation updated to latest X-Plane 12 jet engine simulation features. Updated airfoils, refined flight dynamics internal-engineering. Systems: New Revi-16 optical reflector gun-sight. Added JATO ignition CB functionality. JATO fuel is reloaded on aircraft restart. Fuel tank quantity is un-powered until the generator is on-line. Fug24/25 CB's are now controlling power to VHF/GPS/IFF. All customized systems re-wired - are now using customized commands (integrated into X-Plane 12 assignment screen - simply hit 'vsl' or '162' in the assignments search-bar for quick and straightforward assignments. Sounds: FMOD sound-pack converted to latest v2.02. Fixed JATO sounds issues. Fixed oxygen breathing sound irregularities in some conditions.  Various tune-ups and fixes. Graphics: PBR and textures rework for the externals (preparation for new high-resolution liveries - in the future). Main landing gears construction fixes. Disabled engine visible plume in various flight conditions.       The vSkylab philosophy is that you are purchasing an ongoing project, and all the development is free and ongoing throughout the X-Plane 12 version. These projects are under constant development: the development road-map is including flight model refinements, enhanced systems depth, additional liveries and other improvements.   This aircraft is also available for X-Plane 11 (obviously with out the dynamics and effects of X-Plane 12)   The He-162 Project v3.0.5 by vSkyLabs is now available from the X-Plane.OrgStore, if a current owner, then just go to your X-Plane.Org Account and download the latest version v3.0.5 _____________________________________     Yes! - the He-162 v3.0.5 Project by vSkyLabs is NOW available from the X-Plane.Org Store here :   He-162 Project Retail Price is US$29.00 On sale: $29.00 US$23.20 you Save:$5.80(20%)   Requirements X-Plane 12 or X-Plane 11 Windows, Mac or Linux 8 GB+ VRAM Recommended Current version: 3.0.5 (September 15th 2024) ___________________________   News by Stephen Dutton 16th September 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! - Sound Pack Released : Mango Studios Airbus A319 Sound Pack     Mango Studios have released a sound package for the Toliss Airbus A319-112. This sound pack covers both CFM International CFM-56-5 engines and the International Aero Engines IAE V2500-A5. You will need the ToLiss A319 to use this add-on package.   Features Include: X-Plane 12/11 compatibility included All authentic real-world sounds for all aircraft systems, including exterior and interior sounds. This covers the aircraft’s APU, PTU, fuel pumps, hydraulic pumps, flaps, slats, and packs. Real-world recorded sounds for mechanical switches, buttons, selector knobs, and rotary dials for the cockpit overhead, pedestal, and FCU panel. Cockpit: High-quality sounds for blowers, packs, changes in electrical busses, and wipers, with pitch and volume changing depending on wiper speed. High-quality master warning, master caution, radar altitude callouts, EGPWS aural warnings, TCAS aural warnings, inner, middle, and outer marker aural warnings, mechanical horn inside and outside, and emergency evacuation horn for the cabin and cockpit. Cabin Real-world recorded sounds for hydraulic pumps, fuel pumps, flaps, slats, PTU, and APU. Passenger effects are also included and can be toggled on and off using our Mango Studios Sounds Plug-in. Miscellaneous Effects Ultra-realistic environmental effects for the entire aircraft, both inside and outside. These include rotate effect, gear roll, rattling effects, gear retraction/extension, gear, flap, and spoiler drag sounds. Soft, medium, and hard touchdown effects for the main gear, and touchdown sound effect for the nose gear. Tire sounds for the exterior of the aircraft on touchdown, as well as interior/exterior rain effects. Engine Sounds Inside and outside sounds for the CFM International CFM-56-5 engines and International Aero Engines IAE V2500-A5. Real-world recorded interior/exterior start-up and shutdown sounds. Completely authentic engine sounds from idle to spool, inside and outside the aircraft. Custom exhaust sounds behind the engines and surround sounds when activating engine reversers.       It's only 9 bucks folks and a steal for a good sound pack, comes also with a manual and video tutorial to make installation super easy! __________________     Yes!...   Mango Studios A319 Sound Pack by Mango Studios is now Available from the X-Plane.Org Store here :   Mango Studios A319 Sound Pack Price is:$10.99 On sale: $8.79 You Save:$2.20(20%)   Requirements This is a Sound pack. The Toliss A319 XP12 It will not work on other A319s. Current version 1.0 (September 11th 2024) ___________________________   NEWS! by Stephen Dutton 16th September 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  

I currently have a 9 and X-Organizer runs without any issues. Incidentally it is not a program that runs in the background while you are running Xplane. It’s a set up  app that you run and then you launch Xplane from it. Once Xplane is launched X-Organizer has finished its work. XToolbox is a companion program by the same developer you might want to look at, again available on the Orgstore,

Hi, yes I don't see why not