Thanks to our reviewer Rob Scott, you may now read the Active Sky 6 (by HiFi Simulations) review here at FS Station!! ActiveSky is a comprehensive weather engine and sky graphics upgrade for MSFS 2004 that allows you to load real-time weather data into the simulator and fly with all the effects present in real life - wake turbulence, vertical air currents, fog and icing. Rob explains how Active Sky works and gives his personal opinion on all aspects of the software. He considers it a "must have", as it greatly enhances the experience and realism of your virtual flights. Read the review and check out the screenshots at our reviews section!

Read: Active Sky 6 - Review

Robert Whitwell has just visited the ACES Studios in Redmond and he brought back lots of cool news and screenshots of the upcoming Flight Simulator X! The new release features 24,000 airports, 23 environmental (vegetation) zones, 5 seasons and 5000 real world weather stations ensure that today’s forecast is accurate. Robert adds that "all of their visual map representations during their presentation deliberately showed the world from a non-North American perspective. This was to show that they understand that simmers come from around the globe, not just the US".

Robert also reports that Microsoft added 24 million roads to the simulator, and each features moving traffic. "Flying low level across open space in Africa, Europe, North America or anywhere for that matter will be a visual treat as wildlife roams freely in their natural habitat. Herds of elephants were seen migrating across the African wilderness during one flyover". Baggage carts, fuel trucks and moving jetways are finally present at the airports!

You can read the full preview and see some great FS9/FSX comparison screenshots at Robert Whitwell's website. Another official trailer has also been released... this one is a must see!!

Read: Flight Simulator X - Preview
Watch: *NEW* Flight Simulator X - Trailer

The Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is located in Arlington County, Virginia. Currently, there are 150,000 square feet of terminal space in Terminal A with 9 airline gates. Nonstop service to 70 destinations operated by many airlines from air Canada to US Airways, the Ronald Reagan airports served 17.8 million of passengers in 2005.

In this product you will find, as for all other cloud9 products, high quality ground textures, superb 3D renderings, special features like the active gates that automatically recognize your aircraft type, active marshalling system, animated ground handling equipments and many other features to discover. The release of this product is expected before the end of July.

More information: Cloud9 - Product Page

For the first time ever, a fully featured commercial add-on for Flight Simulator featuring Charlotte Douglas International Airport. You will find right across the airport land area literally thousands of objects created with incredible accuracy and placed with the aid of pin-point satellite photography.

The airport features: custom made runways, terminal buildings rendered to 10cm per pixel scale, smoothly operating jetways, taxiways with highly realistic concrete textures, full airport taxiway and runway signage, 3D approach lighting and full ILS navigation. There are hundreds of airport vehicles and ground personnel, aircraft can be found parked at custom textured parking positions, all hangers, cargo and airport auxiliary buildings are modelled,  there is even a perimeter fence - all under the steady gaze of intermittently placed security cameras!

In addition to all of this, KCLT looks stunning after dark with beautifully lit buildings and parking areas. Complete airport taxiway and runway lighting is also included.

More information: Imagine Simulations

This new addition to the AlphaSim helicopter fleet depicts the RAF variant of this hi-tech battlefield transport. A high level of external detail is complimeted by an equally busy cockpit, the six MFD screens provide switchable readouts with amazing fluidity and high FPS, thanks to a new modelling technique used for the first time here. The whole rear cabin is included in the virtual cockpit, complete with typical seating.

Two texture sets represent a HC.3 as seen at a UK airshow in 2005, and a 'working' HC.3 as seen in Bosnia, 2003. The two variants also demonstrate the HC.3 with and without its refuelling probe. Animations include the rear ramp, crew entry and cargo door. Lifelike crew figures and a soundset complete the experience.

More information: Alpha Simulations