FSX Times Just passed 500,000 Views

Quote | | Tom Tsui

I am so glad that views of FSX Times has just passed the 500,000 landmark earlier today.    This blog took 16 months to grow from zero to 100,000 views in December 2011.    Over the last 15 months, views has accumulated 4 times more in similar timeframe.

Regretfully, there are many ideas I originally planned for this blog couldn’t be realized due to my tying up with another personal project.   Even worse, the situation will continue to be so for another year, at least.
Views500000
Anyway, thanks to you all who supported FSX Times.   It is no promise but I’ll do my best to write more posts when I can.

189: Maps – FTX NA SAK Included

| Tom Tsui

My Google Map for Orbx NA Airports and Landmarks have been updated with the inclusion of the new Southern Alaska Areas (SAK).

Those who are currently using my Google Earth Network Links should find their maps updated already.   Any others who are interested to try my maps could see my Post 70 and Post 74 for the Landmarks Map and Airports Map respectively.

NA SAK MapB

New Gauge Collection Page

| Tom Tsui

Just created a new section called Gauge Collection for FIPs under Hardware on the Menu.  This is the place where I put all the gauges I made so far and where I will make in the future (possibly including gauges in progress.)

Although all gauges are marked for specific aircrafts, some of them are generally good for other aircrafts as well as long as you don’t mind they look a little different from the cockpit you are seating.

Should you have multiple FIPs, I believe you could easily compile a set of gauges that best fits your preference.

188: Cessna 172 AirSpeed Gauge

| Tom Tsui

This Cessna 172 Airspeed Gauge has been requested by many fans of FSX Times.  So it finally arrives.  Despite its simple look, it did take me quite some time to layout it properly, however.C172_AirSpeed_BackgroundW

The TAS knob on the bottom left corner, unfortunately, is still a decoration.   I haven’t figured out how to make it function yet.   Besides that, it is fully functional.

Subscribers of FSX Times who are interested in this gauge could send me a request via the COMMENTS section below as usual for the download link.

Others who aren’t subscribers yet could enter their emails and press the [Enter Your Email to Subscribe] button on the right hand column to become a subscriber first.   Otherwise, requests will be ignored.

News: Orbx’s NA Southern Alaska Released

| Tom Tsui

Orbx NA South AlaskaOrbx just released its NA Blue Southern Alaska addon.   Just placed my order and downloading the file.

Despite the fact that I am not fully satisfied with some of Orbx’s addons, this one is still worth waiting for to supplement one’s NA Blue and Tongass Fjord collections.

Do note that missions from FSX or other third parties may no longer be usable.   For example, the picture below shows a destination point in a mission which has been changed from originally a dock by the lake shore to a position now on the land where the water plane can never reach.   In other words, the mission will fail.

Orbx NA South Alaska 02

187: Adding New Gauges to FIP

| Tom Tsui

TechLevel02WT210_AltimeterW

Although my previous Post 28, Post 29 and Post 30 already talk about the basics, installation and tweaks for Saitek’s Flight Instrument Panel (FIP), there are still many friends asking for direct instruction on how my Centurion T210 gauges be installed.

So, here is a step-by-by tutorial in which I am using my Altimeter Gauge wide version as an example:

AAA
Download the T210 AlimeterW.rar from the link you received  —  Note that only subscribers of FSX Times are eligible to get my files (Edit: No More Available)

Continue reading →

News: Accu-Feel v2 Released

| Tom Tsui

A2A Simulations’ Accu-Feel is a no stranger to most FSX players.   Just purchased its newly released version 2, which has a codename of Air, Land and Sea. Accu-Feel2

Compared to the last version, the new one not only enhances the controls of air and land interactions with aircrafts, but also adds supports to water planes.

Installation of the upgrade patch is a no-brainer, and its default settings already provides an impressive realistic effect.

I would say it is a must have for FSX since it does bring extra fun to any flightsim session.

NOTE: if DX error message is encountered during installation, simply ignore it if you already have the correct DX files.

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Update: 11-Jan-2013
Rob mentioned in the comment section below that some users reported system crashes due to severe buffeting and turbulance.   Worth a note if fixes to be released.

 

FSX Times in 2012

| Tom Tsui

On this very last day of 2012, I sincerely thank to all who visited FSX Times, and particularly to those who actively supported my blog over the year.

In the last couple of months, I spent quite some time maneuvering around the virtual world instead of typing on the keyboard.  Also, I’ve been busy ripping thousands of CDs from my collection for my HiFi system.   Furthermore, I am still struggling for a major upgrade to my hardware gears — multiple monitors, etc.   All these “trivial but important” personal matters stopped me from writing as much new posts as I did in the first three quarters of the year.

In 2013, I’ll do my best to resume (or at least to catch up with) my previous pace since I still have many ideas to implement.  Following is the 2012 annual report of FSX Times prepared by WordPress for your interest:

2012-Review Report-00

Here’s an excerpt:

About 55,000 tourists visit Liechtenstein every year. This blog was viewed about 320,000 times in 2012. If it were Liechtenstein, it would take about 6 years for that many people to see it. Your blog had more visits than a small country in Europe!

Continue reading →

186: FlyZone Switcher with Orbx EU

| Tom Tsui

The FlyZone Switcher has been updated with Orbx EU area with an assigned code of EUF.   However, only simplified version will now be available.

Be reminded that proper preparations are required to ensure the cores files are in-sync with the new region as mentioned in my Post 155 to 159 and 161.

No new user request will be accepted for now.   ALL existing FlyZone Switcher users could notify me for the download link in the comment section below.   If you are using the version with France region, please mention it as well.