FSBreak 33: Our SimFlight 2009 Award Picks, Danton's $100 Italy Burger, And Swarm 2009
Hosted by Eric McClintock, Mark Stewart, Danton Berube, Brendan Farmer, and Patrick Ashley.
Listen Here:
SimFlight 2009 Awards
Page for Nominees: http://awards.simflight.com/2009/nomi.htm
Voting Page: http://awards.simflight.com/2009/
You have until September 13th 2009 to vote. Winners announced September 25/26.
The Nominees:
GAUGES, PANELS, SOUNDS
A. Constable - Traffic Sounds FSX Extreme Edition 2009
Apollo - AirMap Global Terrain Radar
Ernie Alston - Integrated Simavionics Group 1.6
Flight1 - FS Aspen GA Glass Panel
Iris - Audioworx F-16 Soundpack
NPSimPanels - Airbus Panes A330/A340-2/300 A340-600 Deluxe
Reality XP - GNS WAAS Unlimited Expansion Pack
Synchrosoft EMB-170 CF34-8 Soundset
Turbine Sound Studios - MD-11 GE/PW Soundpacks
AIRCRAFT: COMMERCIAL CIVILIAN
Just Flight - Constellation Professional
Leonardo SH - Fly The Maddog Professional
Sky Simulations - McDonnell Douglas DC-9
AIRCRAFT: MILITARY, VINTAGE, SPACE
A2A Simulations - Wings Of Power - P-47 Razorback
Aerosoft - F-16 Fighting Falcon X
First Class Simulations - World War I Fighters
Iris - Pro Series - F-14 Tomcat
Lotus Simulations - L-39 Albatros
Vertical Reality Simulations - F/A-18E Superbug
Vertigo Studios former Real Flight Simulations - F6F Hellcat
SCENERY: REGION
Aerosoft - VFR Germany 3 - South
France Touristique Scenery - Castles And The Loire Valley Vol. 1
France VFR - Flight Pyrenees Atlantiques
OrbX - FTX AU Red Central Outback
Pacific Islands Simulation - Raw Grit: PNG Bushpilot
Taburet - FSX Aster Mesh Europe 30M
FS TOOLS
Flight1 - Instant Mission Maker
Flightsim Tools - Instant Object Maker
FSInventions . FSFlyingschool 2009
FWS - Super Traffic Board for FSX
HELICOPTERS, TILTMOTORS
Abacus - Military Helicopters 2
First Class Simulations - International Fighters
HeliDesigns - Eurocopter AS350 B3 Ecureuil
Nemeth Designs - Eurocopter AS332 L2 Superpuma
Nemeth Designs - MD500 Defender
AIRCRAFT: GENERAL AVIATION, COMMUTER
Carenado - PA-34 200T Seneca II
Flight1 - The Citation Mustang Experience
Just Flight - Beechcraft Duchess
WSSimulation - Diamond DA-20 C1 Eclipse
SCENERY: AIRPORT
Aerosoft - German Airports 3 - Bremen X, Hamburg X, Lübeck X, Paderborn-Lippstadt X
Fly Wonderful Islands - Gran Canaria Airport X
France VFR - Strasbourg Entzheim
Godzone - Southern Lakes Adventure: Wanaka & Tekapo
Sim Giants - Fuerteventura Airport
Tropicalsim - Daytona Beach International
SCENERY: MAJOR AIRPORT
Aerosoft - Approaching Innsbruck
Aerosoft - Megaairport Stockholm Arlanda
Blueprint - Boston Logan International
FSDreamteam - Las Vegas McCarran International
Imagine Sim - San Jose International
Just Flight - World Airports 3 - North America
Overland - Incheon International
UK2000 Scenery - Heathrow Xtreme
FS ENHANCEMENT
Aerosoft - African Airstrip Adventures
Combat Planes - Piper Cheyenne Pilot
Samoshin - Natural World Winter
Zinertek - Ultimate Water Advanced
$100 Hamburger Flight: Northern Italy
Click Here to Share Your Feedback & Results in the forum!
THE BACKSTORY
You’ve been working extremely hard for the last six months, so when the opportunity to enjoy a late summer Roman holiday presented itself, you jumped at the chance. Rome is a glorious capital city, offering a nearly endless stream of sights, sounds, tastes, and adventures. You stared in awe at the Colosseum, felt your spirit soar in the Sistine Chapel, and discovered you like coda alla vaccinara (oxtail braised in herbs, tomato, and celery). And you will never forget that delightful afternoon in the company of the young woman on the Vespa!
But as they say, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Romans love to travel, so you decide to expand your horizons and venture north. With four days remaining, you want to explore Florence and the Tuscan countryside. At 9:30 a.m. you board the EuroStar Italia #9432 train at Roma Termini for the 1 hour 39 minute nonstop journey to Firenze S.M.N. As you make your way through central Italy, a whole new set of delights await you.
The art, history, and scenery of Florence and Tuscany certainly do not disappoint. The Duomo of the Cathedral of Santa Maria dei Fiori and the Leaning Tower of Pisa are architectural marvels. The sculptures and paintings to be discovered are equally astounding. Giambologna’s The Rape of the Sabine Women in the Piazza della Signoria, Michelangelo’s David in the Galleria dell’ Accademia, and the treasures of the Uffizi museum all vie for your attention. And Tuscany’s olive oil is world-renowned; after one taste, you purchase several bottles to take home.
Yet even as you relish in the wonders of Tuscany, a siren’s song from northern Italy grows ever louder in your ears. Venice, the ancient city of canals, beckons you to visit her and to bask in her beauty. But there is no time! Tomorrow is your last full day in Florence. The day after that you take the 8:49 a.m. train to Rome and then must go to the airport in the afternoon, forced to return to the “real world.” Only 125 miles to the north-northeast, Venice seems simultaneously just in view and yet just out of reach.
Suddenly, the answer is obvious. One of the reasons you had been so busy for the past half year was the time you spent earning a multi-engine rating, plus the many flight hours you subsequently logged in a Piper Cheyenne refining your skills. A speedy twin can transport you from Florence to Laguna Veneta in under an hour. This gives you plenty of time to enjoy the views of northern Italy from above, explore the canals and landmarks of Venice by air or water, and then when your appetite peaks, to enjoy a $100 hamburger – Italian style!
THE FLIGHT PLAN
Aircraft
A wide range of aircraft could be used for this trip, but with the two legs averaging 130 nm each, a speedy single- or twin-engine is recommended. The author has been flying the Digital Aviation Piper Cheyenne X recently, so that is what he used. Several of the stock MSFS models or one of the freeware or payware addons listed in the Resources section would also be suitable. Please keep in mind, however, that jets and planes generally flown by two pilots are not in keeping with the traditional spirit of the $100 Hamburger flights.
Navigation
This is a true “cross-country” journey for a GA aircraft and, as the first international $100 Hamburger, involves flying over territory which may be unfamiliar to many pilots. When you factor in FSX and FS2004’s unfortunate tendencies to portray much of the Emilia-Romagna plains rather monotonously, use of proper navigational aids is a virtual necessity. Please avoid the temptation to rely upon GPS. Instead, practice using the VOR (VHF Omni-directional radio range) and NDB (Non-directional beacon) stations along the route to find your way. (Make sure your aircraft has the proper receivers!) All the information you need is summarized below. If your mood is more daring or you are familiar with flying in Italy, the same information can be used for dead reckoning (navigation by speed, time, distance, and heading). For an even richer experience, log on to VATSIM, file a flight plan, and utilize the excellent services of the VATITA air traffic controllers.
Weather
Real world weather is generally recommended, but keep in mind that this is meant to be a VFR flight and you will want to enjoy the scenery both en route and around Venice. If Mother Nature does not cooperate, adjust the weather settings appropriately. The author set the time and date for 10:50 a.m. on September 9, 2009, outbound and 4:15 p.m. the same day for the return.
Florence to Venice
Depart Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport (LIRQ) on Runway 05
Fly 3 nm @ 142° to Arno River [You should be able to clearly see the Duomo as you near the river.]
Fly 55 nm @ 60° to Cervia (CER) VOR 113.60
Fly 52 nm @ 354° to Chioggia (CHI) VOR 114.10
Fly 23 nm @ 357° to Venice (VEN) NDB 379.0
Fly 4 nm @ 40° to land on Runway 04R at Venice Marco Polo Airport (LIPZ) VOR 115.30
• Total Distance: 137 nm
Venice to Florence
Depart Venice Marco Polo Airport (LIPZ) on Runway 04R
Fly 51 nm @ 214° to Ferrara (FER) NDB 427.0
Fly 22 nm @ 218° to Bologna (BOA) VOR 112.20
Fly 33 nm @ 200° to Florence (FRZ) VOR 115.20
Fly 16 nm @144° to land on Runway 05 at Amerigo Vespucci Airport (LIRQ) VOR 112.50
• Total Distance: 122 nm
EXPLORING VENICE
With most $100 Hamburger flights, the destination and burger you eat there are largely just an excuse for flying – the focus is on the journey, not the destination. Here, however, as pleasurable as the flights from Florence and back are, Venice is a truly worthy end in her own right. After landing on Runway 04R, do not be in a rush to leave. Enjoy some flightseeing by helicopter or, using an amphibian to hop from the airport to the Venetian Lagoon, circle the city and explore the Grand Canal by boat.
The Grand Canal snakes through the heart of Venice, from the Ferrovia train station in the northwest to St. Mark’s Square in the southeast. Many of the largest canal-side buildings have been converted into international banks, government or university buildings, art galleries, and consulates. The Rialto Bridge, which crosses at the narrowest point, is surrounded by expensive shops and tourists. The current stone span was built in 1592 and its arch stretches over 90 feet to allow trading ships, private boats, and gondolas to pass underneath.
The Piazza San Marco or St. Mark’s Square at the end of the Grand Canal is the focal point of Venice. One of the great urban spaces on the Continent, Napoleon reportedly called it “the drawing room of Europe.” It is ideal for lunch – your $100 budget should offer a range of choices far grander than a hamburger should you like, with a side order of people watching. After eating, explore St. Mark’s Basilica and then take the elevator to the viewing platform of the Campanile or Bell Tower. Its views of Venice are nothing short of stunning.
The pink and white Palazzo Ducale or Doges Palace lies between the Basilica di San Marco and St. Mark's Basin. The Gothic-Renaissance building served as the residence and government center of the doges – the "dukes" elected for life – who ruled Venice for more than 1,000 years. The Bridge of Sighs crosses the Rio di Palazzoa and connects the palace to the prison next door. Longstanding myth says that couples will be assured eternal love if they kiss in a gondola at sunset under the Bridge. Just to the southwest across St. Mark’s Basin is La Dogana da Mar. This triangular structure began service as a customs house in the 1400s and was a mandatory stop for all ships entering the city. On its roof is a golden ball topped by a statue of Fortune. These are just a few of the treasures to be found among the canals of Venice, truly the gem of Northern Italy.
RESOURCES
FSBreak Podcast www.fsbreak.com
FSBreak Discussion Thread http://www.fszone.org/forums/forum/71-fsbreak-discussion-forum/
VATITA -- Vatsim vACC Italy http://www.vatita.net/ [Excellent – offering all of the above charts and more!]
Freeware Addon Files
FSX
Scenery
Avsim – italy_regionspack_for_fsx.zip, italy_seasonspack_for_fsx.zip
Flightsim – italypkx.zip, lipz_fsx.zip, paesi_it.zip, vfr_obj.zip
Aircraft
Avsim – fsx_piper_seminole.zip, pa312fsx.zip, t303v31.zip
Flightsim – c414jprx.zip, fsxpipsm.zip
Boats
Flightsim – donzi.zip, fsxaquar.zip
FS2004
Scenery
Avsim – cg_-_lido_di_venezia_vfr_scenery_2005.zip, isdproject_-_lipz_&_lipv_2003.zip, italy.zip, italymesh2004.zip, sangiorgio.zip, vfr_objects_italia_v2.zip
Flightsim – af2_lirq.zip, aflirqrs.zip, itcoast2.zip, itac2_p1.zip, lipf2004.zip, lirplirq.zip, sluca.zip, italyto4.zip (6 additional files for Tuscany region are also available)
Aircraft
Avsim – 4_ga_piper_cheyenne_ii.zip, aztec_v4.zip, b58tc.zip, dm_tcom.zip, jojo.zip, twin_bonanza_pour_fs2004.zip
Flightsim – c414jpr9.zip, pa44smni.zip, twin_bon.zip
Boats
Avsim – med180v1.zip
Flightsim – riva_aqu.zip
Payware Addons
FSX
Scenery
Florence X (FSX) http://www.aerosoft.com/cgi-local/re/iboshop.cgi?showd,5265620520,D12345
[NOTE: Aerosoft offers a 30-day full-version free trial of this addon.]
Venice X (FSX) http://www.aerosoft.com/cgi-local/us/iboshop.cgi?showd480!20,5285694690,D10242
[I cannot recommend Venice X highly enough; it makes this trip truly special.]
Aircraft
Digital Aviation Piper Cheyenne X (FSX/FS2004)
http://www.aerosoft.com/cgi-local/us/iboshop.cgi?showd490!0,5285694690,D10283
Carenado - PA-34 200T Seneca II (FSX)
http://www.aerosoft.com/cgi-local/us/iboshop.cgi?showd490!0,5288110100,D11082
RealAir – Beechcraft Duke B60 (FSX)
http://secure.simmarket.com/realair-beechcraft-duke-b60.phtml
Boats
Deltasim – Malibu 32 Motor Boat
http://secure.simmarket.com/ds-fsx-malibu-32-motor-boat.phtml
FS2004
Scenery
Lago Florence Scenery (FS2004) http://secure.simmarket.com/lago-florence-scenery.phtml
Lago Venice Scenery (FS2004) http://secure.simmarket.com/lago-venice-scenery.phtml
Aircraft
Digital Aviation Piper Cheyenne X (FSX/FS2004)
http://www.aerosoft.com/cgi-local/us/iboshop.cgi?showd490!0,5285694690,D10283
Carenado - PA-34 200T Seneca II (FS2004)
http://www.aerosoft.com/cgi-local/us/iboshop.cgi?showd,,D11110
Flight1 –Cessna 441 Conquest II (FS2004)
http://www.flight1.com/products.asp?product=esd441
POSTSCRIPT
When you get back to Rome, be sure to toss a coin over your left shoulder into Trevi Fountain before heading to the Leonardo da Vinci – Fiumicino airport. Legend has it that this gesture will ensure your return to the city, an excellent base for future explorations of this wonderful country. Arrivederci dall'Italia!
Recommendations
Mark: Advanced SystemCare Free - For Cleaning and scanning for PC Errors
Patrick: http://www.ichromo.com - iPhone/iPod Touch Simulator
Danton: Venice X from Aerosoft - Goes along great with this wek's Hamburger!
Brendan: PMDG BAe Jetstream 4100
Eric: Flight View - Mobile Flight Tracking - http://www.flightview.com
E-Mails and Voicemails
Voicemail from Ron
Re: FS MMO From Episode 31 from Ted
Your discussion of the "future" of a flight sim is interesting.
Your idea of a "lounge" and having a MMO is already here. However, it's combat flight sim. Air Warrior already includes those features with different theatres of combat (early, mid and late war with special events and maps based on real world terrain).
So, the idea is already implemented... but, the combat flight sim may not be everyone's theme. But the idea you talked about in FSBreak is already a reality! ;-)
Ted
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Warrior#Air_Warrior_III
Preparing for VATSIM: Forum Question from Ted (again)
Ok, I got a lot out of the discussion on VATSim... nothing of "technical" value, but of motivational value.
I have visited VATSim's website from time to time, even with all the information, it's daunting. Mark's comment during the show of trying to "do it by the book" got me a little motivated to ask....
HOW? I am a casual Flight Simmer. I doubt I'll ever be able to afford to get my own "real life" pilot's license. So, flight sim is the next best thing. And, I would like to learn navigation, VATSim, etc.
So, with all of the mountains of information, how do you make sense of it all? What do you mean "fly to vectors"? What/how do you use VOR? How do you find your way around the taxi-ways? yadda yadda yadda For someone who fires up FSX or FS9, hops in a 172, gets up in the air and putzes around with dead reconing, this all seems a bit over-whelming!
I promised Eric and Mark I'd start up a discussion topic on this subject. So, here it is and here is my idea...
Let me post comments, experiences, plans that I am having attempting to learn all this in order to USE VATSim from a GA perspective. I have to admit, I have no desire for heavy metal. So, my perspective is strictly GA. Perhaps my sharing my experience of learning this from "the ground up" will motivate/help someone else.
So, my first couple of steps:
I have SquackBox installed, I just don't have it configured and I need to set up a VATSim account. So, I'll begin that tonight.
In the mean time, I'm reading up on the following information:http://vatsim.net/howtoflyadp.html by Daniel Hill.
That's my start. I'll keep to baby steps, but I think my next progression will be to try and actually sign into VATSim and sit on the ground and listen. But, one step at a time.
Ted
Join in on the discussion: http://www.fszone.org/forums/topic/10699-fsbreak-show-32/
Swarm 2009 Information
Starting on Saturday, September 19 at 17:00 PDT (24:00Z) and ending at 00:00 PDT (07:00Z)
We present LAX Swarm 2009 in cooperation with FSBREAK's $100 Hamburger VFR Fly-in. Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas International airports will be staffed to the hilt. In addition, Burbank and Van Nuys airports will be open for any VFR and IFR aircraft willing to spend virtual money for VFR jaunts in SoCal. We also welcome our United Virtual pilots for their Saturday Scramble on the same day.
Expect full ATC throughout the SoCal and Vegas airspaces.
From: http://www.laartcc.org/event/info/107











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