PMDG Releases MD-11
Today PMDG has announced that its new product, the MD-11, is now available. Continue reading
Smoke and Mirrors: Virtual CIA looking for Qualified Agents
Staring in 2009, the Virtual C.I.A. (vCIA) will be accepting recruit applicants to join its subversive flight operations in the world of FSX. Envisioned to model the real-life U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, the vCIA hopes to recruit skilled pilots who are tired for the day-to-day operations of what they consider “flying buses in the sky.” vCIA Director Robert S. said “[the vCIA] be operating a wide range of aircraft from Cessna 172/206′s landing and departing in “bush style” flying to Corporate Jets such as the Citation X.” He went on to mention, “we are looking into the idea of bringing the SR-71 Blackbird back into service with us to fly along the U-2 spy plane.” Continue reading
AirWeGo and Vertigo Upgrade to FSX
In a release dated, December 22, 2008, U.K.-based AirWeGo Virtual Aviation Group shared how massive amounts of time and energy have been directed at upgrading Vertigo, a division of AirWeGo dedicated to creating and reproducing real-world operations within Mircosoft Flight Simulator, to FSX standards. Helicopters were first introduced to the Flight Simulator community in FS98, and since, AirWeGo’s operations have steadily grown in: popularity, flight model complexity and realism. ”A wide variety of missions and scenery have been created over the last eight years.” said the release, “covering the globe with scenarios ranging from VIP Transport, Oil Field Construction through to Expedition Logistics.”
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vaBase Overhauled: New Look and New Price
PIREP system and virtual airline management software provider vaBase (www.vabase.com) has decided to revamp its website in an effort to reinvigorate its web presence. Created by a group of skilled developers who recognized a need for affordable, customizable and highly professional, automated scripts for virtual airlines, vaBase has also recently reworked its price-point making the cutting-edge software system more affordable than ever before. Prices for vaBase have dropped to just £19.99 / $29.99 for the full system. Currently on release is vaBase v2.0 Deluxe, packed full of smart accessories to compliment a VA including ACARS scripts, fully automated PIREP system, flight planning software and more.
Myles Knight, when talking about the new v2.0 release said, “We have now also included vaBase flight planner into the package at no extra cost giving [the consumers] the opportunity to build a feature rich virtual airline at minimal cost.” He went on to say, “[this enables the consumer] to keep up with today’s competition! We have also taken the approach of building a one-stop-shop for VA entrepreneurs with our new design service.” Continue reading
Aloha ‘Oe: The Hawaii Express Bows Out of the Hawaiian Air Travel Market
In an unexpected turn, Hawaii-based The Hawaii Express has decided to close its operations effective November 22, 2008. This announcement follows recent downsizing that saw the company return an Airbus Industrie A380 back to the leasing company. Recent membership drives had been slow to produce results and submitted pireps were at an all-time low. The airline operated a fleet of DC-9, DC-10, A330 and A340 aircraft. Peter McKay, C.E.O. of The Hawaii Express, has expressed his gratitude to all of those who have supported the company during its tenure. Sadly, by December 1, 2008 The Hawaii Express web pages will have been removed from the server and all traces of the airline deleted from the internet. At the time of press, email addresses associated with the virtual airline have already ceased operating.
The Hawaii Express was an innovator in the Hawaiian inter-island market maintaining two version of its operations– a historically accurate rendition and a contemporary adaptation, both proudly displaying the spirit of The Hawaii Express name. Continue reading
SynerJet Virtual Rides Valkyrie to Historic First Flight
SynerJet Virtual, the virtual airline established by the Synergy ATC Academy (www.synergyatc.com) has recently become the first virtual airline to return the North American XB-70 Valkyrie to active service, utilizing the supersonic aircraft for its high-speed cargo and charter services division. The first flight for the SynerJet XB-70 originated from its home base at the Dover Air Force Base in Delaware and terminated at the Princess Juliana International Airport on the Dutch side of the island of Saint Martin in the Caribbean some 1600 miles away. The flight, which operated at or above FL750 at over mach 3.2 took just a little over an hour to complete. Continue reading
Cleared Own Navigation: The New York Flying Club Off to Phenomenal Start
Pilots tired of the day-to-day grind of virtual airline flying now have a VFR/IFR GA option with the New York Flying Club. Quickly gaining popularity on the VATSIM network, and operating in both FSX and X-Plane, the New York Flying Club emphasizes VFR and IFR flying in single-engined (and sometime multi-engined) piston or turboprop aircraft operating from F.B.O.’s away from the crowded skies around Class-B airspace. Their website is chock-full of information and any interested pilots should visit them at: www.newyorkflyingclub.net. Continue reading
