Flight Simulator X Missions

Jet Across America Mission Expansion Pack released

Jet Across America - a new Mission Expansion Pack for Microsoft Flight Simulator X - has been released. The expansion pack was produced by xWerkz Studio and is being released through Flight 1 Software. A free demo version of the software has also been released. The demo contains the first mission in the series and can be downloaded from the Beta section of the Downloads page. The full series includes 11 flights visiting 14 airports in Flight Simulator X beginning at Bangor International Airport and continuing across the whole of the United States. The mission series culminates with a Pacific Ocean approach into Los Angeles International Airport. The full version retails for $19.95 and is being sold through Flight1 Software. You can download the full version through the Flight 1 Software instant-install system by clicking here.

Hazardous flight duty

A pilot takes pictures of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano billowing smoke and ash during an eruption on April 17, 2010.

More exciting photos of this magnificent eruption can be seen at the Boston Globe's "Big Picture" website (click here).

Puffin Personal Tilt-Rotor

Update: Here's the video of the NASA Puffin in action! (I have my doubts about whether such a machine could be considered "low noise." But I'd sure love to see it for real!

Original Post: Attention Wilcopub! Get busy modeling this for FSX!

What's cooler than a hover-capable, electric-powered, super-quiet personal VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft? If you answered "absolutely nothing," do read on, because NASA is preparing to oblige you. The space agency's Puffin aircraft design will be officially unveiled tomorrow, showing just how far personal, electrically propelled flight could change the ways we live and get around.

The Movie: One Six Right

Please enjoy this full-length presentation of "One Six Right." (Note to our international viewers: this Hulu video presentation will only play if you are located in the US.)

747 Tanker in Action

Here's a brand new use for a 747 ... low and slow! Watch as a very steely pilot flies a very large jet into a very large fire.

787 Dreamliner Takes Flight

Boeing unchocked its newest creation, the 787 Dreamliner, for its first flight December 15.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Orbx shows what's possible

The guys at Orbx put together an excellent video showing what's possible in FSX these days. The video combines several of Orbx's scenery add-ons and shows what a state-of-the-art FSX installation can do in terms of realism. Quite spectacular. Give it a peek and then visit the Orbx site here for information about these excellent scenery add-ons.

Lotus L-39 Albatros

One of the best FSX filmakers has released one of the best jet add-ons you can buy for Flight Simulator X. Check out this video, and visit the site where you can purchase this awesome addon. Lotus Simulations presents the L-39 Albatros.

Day In The Life: Crop Duster

Spraying crops from the air takes a special set of flying skills. John "Dusty" Dowd, Jr. has been honing his technique since he got his pilot's license at age 16. Learn more in this special video report from the Wall Street Journal.

You can also fly a real crop dusting mission by contributing mission designer Alan Starkey. Visit the Download section (click Download in the menu above) and search for the mission entitled "Crop Duster."

The View Up There

Take a ride in a U2 ... to the edge of space.