The Precision Manuals (PMDG) Founder, Robert Randazzo, published some new information regarding the company's products. He states that the 747-400F (cargo) is still in beta testing - there are significant changes in the cargo version of the aircraft and the team needs to be sure it's 100% working before public release. There is no release date set for the PMDG 747-400F yet.

Robert also states that the PMDG MD-11 is in alpha testing and a lot of feedback is being received and processed - we should not expect to see screenshots anytime soon. More information about their workplan and details on what to expect during the transition to Flight Simulator X will be released in the future. Finally, Robert says that the 747-400 (passenger version) is a mature product and therefore they are not working on a new service update - the team is fully focused on delivering the best 747-400F (cargo version) possible.

 More info: Precision Manuals (PMDG) - Forums

Project Opensky is proud to present a freeware model of the Boeing 737-800 for Flight Simulator! This model took two years to be developed, and now count with some new exciting features. First of all, the Wing Flex system was fully rewritten in XML to take in consideration the aircraft's pitch, flap angle, weight and winds - that new system makes the wing flex very realistic!

Also included in the package are a walking pushback staff, working doors and some other features that you'll have to find by yourself. The Project Opensky Boeing 737-800 is a freeware project, and is available in over 5 liveries at the AVSIM Library. Only external model is included, package doesn't feature 2D Panel, Virtual Cockpit nor custom soundset!

 More info: Project Open Sky

 Download: AVSIM Library

SimuDesign reports that the update for the Le Bourget scenery, named LBG70, is now available. This update represents the Le Bourget airport as it was in 1970, with airline traffic. The LGB70 scenery expansion also includes 3D objects (terminals, hangars, ground vehicles, etc), runways/taxiways accurate layout, static traffic and a new AFCAD file for the airport. It is available for free for LBG2005 costumers.

LBG2005 is a scenery representing Paris Le Bourget airport for Flight Simulator 2004. The Le Bourget airport is the third airport of Paris, located near Charles De Gaulle. Air and Space Museum is installed into Le Bourget old terminal. The airport's main activity is business aviation, and it also hosts the Paris Airshow every two years.

 More info: SimuDesign

 

The BirdsEyeView team released the forth volume of the BEV replacement textures, Hard Winter! BirdsEyeView textures enhance the visual quality of your simulator by replacing default textures with higly detailed ones for several different areas: city, urban, rural, desert and wilderness. With its custom autogen (including houses, buildings and even trees), landscape, rivers, powerline, streams, railroads, optional reflective water and many other textures, BirdsEyeView gives complete continents a more realistic look, not only a specific city or area.

Also included is the BEV Configurator, allowing you to select the textures and control exactly how the ground scenery will look like. You may also choose and save your favorite set of textures and use environamental add-ons with no compatibility or frame rate problems. The BirdsEyeView "Volume IV: Hard Winter" is priced at $9.00 and available only via download.

 More info: BirdsEyeView

Captain Sim released the second expansion model for the 'Legendary C-130', the C-130T. This new variation, featuring Jet Assisted Take Off (JATO) capablities, was chosen to be the second C-130 expansion by their costumers. It features the assisted take-off visual effect, observer canopy and other minor improvements. The flight dynamics have also received some improvements in order to realistically simulate this powerful variation. The 2D Panel and virtual cockpit, however, received no modifications - they will be the same for all variations.

The Captain Sim 'Legendary C-130J' is an expansion model and costs $9.30. It is necessary that the base C-130 model ($51.30) is installed and activated before any expansion is installed.

 More info: Captain Sim
 Related content: 'Legendary C-130' Review