Here is the first news worthy update of the year, yeaay!  If you’ve not paid a visit to the forum recently you won’t have seen that it’s colour scheme has changed. This is purely a cosmetic change but helps to tie it in with the rest of the UKD website for a more integrated appearance. I would have done it sooner if I had known how to!  I’m a beginner and very much still feeling my way around php and flash programming, there is a lot of things I’ve been trying to do but without positive results so I wont mention them yet, but now you know why there hasn't been an update for a while.

At the request of Ruud 104 I repainted the Digital Aviation Fokker 100. This is a payware model available from www.Flight1.com and includes the Fokker 70 which I will paint as time permits. I’ve  added it to the FSX Fleet page only but It is for FSX and FS2004.

On the freeware side of things somebody compiled a file together covering all the Next Generation Boeing 737’s complete with panels, Virtual Cockpit (VC) and sounds.  I choose to just paint the 737-900 for now from this collection of Project Opensky / FreeSpirit  models as we already have a choice of 737-800’s. Time and priorities permitting I will paint the -700 series one as well.
The model may be compatible with FS2004 probably requiring you to just change the panel, although I have no idea if the VC will work.

As well as working on this website I was asked to write an article for a website which promotes hobbies. The host of the website was concerned about the amount of time his son spent playing on his X-box so tried to get him into a hobby and off the games console. Unsure how I was singled out I agreed to help and you can view my efforts here:  http://www.yourhobby.co.uk/flight-simulation.html   Naturally I shamelessly plugged UKDirect as a shining example of the hobby.

The latest aircraft to leave the paintshed is a Boeing 757-200 FSX only  model. It is a freeware model by Just Flight and is required to use our  livery. The 757 Jetliner Freemium features a detailed model of the  non-winglet  757-200 with Rolls-Royce engines (which as everyone knows  are the best!). The aircraft comes with a high quality 3D VC with  custom Flight Management  Computer, an impressive sound set, custom  flight dynamics, realistic  lighting effects, stunning external textures and a comprehensive manual. Visit www.justflight.com to download the plane, one of if not the best freeware models ever! Then make it better by replacing that ‘orrible naff airline livery with ours! :p

By the way, did I mention it’s free?

Situations vacant.

9th March 2013

We now have two more helping hands getting fat on the UKD gravy train!
Henceforth let it be known throughout the realm that John 182 and Mike 189 are now Recruitment Executives and are to be accorded all the rights and privileges that title bestows upon them, namely queue-jumping at the vending machines in UKD Towers and extra-soft cushions in the crew room.

In return for these sought-after ‘benefits’ they are expected to assign ranks and aircraft types to pilots on joining and be a point of contact for anyone with queries, questions and problems.  They are joining the team which consists of: Simon 131 who has the big shoulders and deals with aircraft procurement and disposal, lease arrangements, aircraft maintenance, routes and positioning, and just about everything connected with the running of UK Direct on FSAirlines.
Ruud 104 is our Cargo and Freight executive who handles (pun-intended) all things that don’t walk on to the plane, arranging routes to get stuff from A to B, and passengers bags to arrive ‘within the next few days’.
Gareth UKD117 takes care of all movements in and out of EGMC (in effect a Hub manager for Southend).
Daz UKD110 is Concorde Fleet Captain because he, erm, well... he flies the Concorde :)
Then there's me - Mark 171 aka Painting Panda and Newshound. I also handle all the Stewardess’ as much as the Restraining Order allows me.

The last repaint was only available for FSX users so I took a look at  what was available for FS9 and it seems that Project Opensky is the only game in town. It is quite an old model now but has had several  improvements and upgrades over the years so that it now includes a  virtual cockpit.  I also took advantage of the excellent freighter  variant which has a large forward cargo door. This model can also be  used in FSX but the VC instrumentation is not complete due to some of  the gauge’s not being FSX compatible, however it is flyable from the 2D  panels and these can be opened in the VC if required.

Painting  this plane in our UK World Cargo livery presented some challenges  because of the low radome/nose position which gives this plane it’s  distinctive look. Despite all my creative juices in full flow I couldn’t find a way of making it look ”right” when I accidentally dragged the  textures upwards with my mouse and it seemed to just fit. Next time I’m  going to close my eyes and click random buttons to create a Modern Art  masterpiece and make my fortune!

So what we have is a Boeing  757-200SF with Pratt & Whitney engines, virtual cockpit, opening  doors & cargo doors,  3d crewman on the cargo deck, updated  realistic FDE (flight characteristics) and a Operations Manual.

Due to file sizes slowly creeping up I have saved the file using 7 zip  rather than Winzip. 7 zip is a free compression program that can  un/compress zip, rar, and 7zip files. If you don't already have it please look here: www.7-zip.org/

Wow, didn’t realise how long it  had been since the last update! But to (hopefully) make up for the lost  time here is a new release for the big iron flyers out there. UK World  Cargo is to receive it’s first Airbus A330-200F’s soon and Ruud 104 is  busy creating the schedules (he may already have them by the time you  read this!).

The model is by Thomas Ruth and is for FSX only  according to the accompanying documents. In addition to repainting it I  have also added extra views and updated Virtual Cockpit textures by  various authors (credits in the files).

Big Issue

27th July 2013

Our in-flight magazine Directions is available from the News menu with all the regular features you've come to expect, perfect for that long flight you've been planning. There is also an article on Flight Simming with FS Airlines by Simon Pal (UKD239), which is under the Crew Resources, Training menu.

Our in-flight magazine Directions is available from the News menu with all the regular features you've come to expect, perfect for that long flight you've been planning. There is also an article on Flight Simming with FS Airlines by Simon Pal (UKD239), which is under the Crew Resources, Training menu.

Two Boeing 777’s are joining the UKDirect and UKWorld Cargo fleets; B777-200ER G-UKIG ‘Silver Jubilee’ and B777F G-UKIG ‘Merchant of Venice’. Both are updated V.2 Project Opensky models with virtual cockpits, feature packed 2D panels, extra camera views and a very good pdf file - only tested in FSX but I would expect they work in FS2004. The models have small but significant detail differences - the 200ER has Rolls Royce Trent engines and the model includes a full suite of ground vehicles including catering vehicles; the Freighter model has a large opening cargo door, General Electric GE-90 engines and its own ground vehicles.

I haven’t made a Flash animation and just posted the two images here, instead I have spent several days in creating the accompanying documentation - hope you like it!  By the way both these images show the planes with Shockwave 3D lighting - I’ve left the code in for those who have it but otherwise they’ll show default FS and Project Opensky lights.

John May UKD182 contacted me recently after he was having problems using the Super Jumbo in FS2004. He encountered some problems I didn’t know about or experience in FSX but he found a combination that worked and sent me the results. So I have made a separate A380 package for FS2004 which is on the website Fleet page now. While I was doing this I took advantage of the opportunity to make a few texture tweaks that I wasn't happy with first time round, plus I've added some detailed documentation about the airliner's development and if that wasn't enough I've cobbled together a set of checklists all in pdf format for easier reading. I'm already working on the FSX version which will be ready soon and a ‘new’ plane with the help of Graham Smith UKD140.

Arrive in Style - inside

16th September 2013

Take a seat - UKDirect First Class of course! This is an interior view of the Project Airbus A380 in FSX, personallised for UKD. The FSX package includes everything the FS9 version has plus a working virtual cockpit with Head-up Display technology making it possible to fly from start to finish in the VC. To help struggling PC’s I have made two texture sets - one in DXT3 compressed ‘Lite’ textures for improved FPS and the other is 32bit HD.

Every single A380 I downloaded from a multitude of sites had at least one problem - including missing textures, missing gauges and non-transparent windows. This package has all those issues fixed with the exception of the Upper ECAM which doesn’t appear to work on any plane I’ve tried (in VC).
I also added a small text file to the FS9 version (included in the FSX docs) with advice on flying the A380 from the Project Airbus team.

In contrast to the last few aircraft to roll out of the spray-shop we have a 70 seat, twin turbo-prop commuter. G-UKBD Innsbruck is a Bombardier Dash-8 Q400. The model is by Dreamwings for FS2004 and is flyable in FSX. The package comprises of the model, sound files, and a panel. Checklists and SOPS (Standard Operating Procedures) are just part of the extensive documentation. Support is included for Shockwave-lights users and owners of FS Passengers. You won't have any trouble with the virtual cockpit this time as this model doesn't include one!
Thanks go to Graham UKD140 for help with air files and flight testing. As usual please visit the Fleet page for the package listed under FS2004.

Directions Pamphlet

27th October 2013

Our in-flight magazine Directions is available from the News menu and is probably the quickest one I’ve ever written thanks in part to an article on the recent Flight Sim Show at RAF Cosford by Simon Pal (UKD239). Look out for the next one a week or two before Christmas.

Well it's a week before Christmas and here it is!  As well as the normal mix of goodies there are two special articles. The first is from the quill of Simon UKD239 who is on a solo mission to find the best software add ons for FSX in the name of realism.
The second was submitted by Charlie UKD301 in crayon on the back of an envelope. He is looking at fun, unusual and interesting flights that may have been overlooked and trying to generate that enthusiasm to fly them. Not only that he wants your feedback too!