Phoenix RC 2.0 Public Beta Available Soon!

UK-based Runtime Software, announced today that a new public beta will soon be available for the newest version (2.0) of their popular Phoenix RC radio controlled flight simulator, along with an updated version of their customization software, Phoenix Creator. Here’s the announcement (reprinted from the Runtime website):

New updates announced:

Phoenix version 2.0 BETA We are pleased to announce that this update is now nearing release for public BETA, and includes the following features and improvements:

New Features

• Automatic Updates system for new models, flying sites and program updates
• Selectable training undercarriage option for all helicopter models
• Binocular feature
• New and improved fixed-wing and helicopter models
• New flying sites including slope soaring sceneries
• New camera-modes: Free-look, Keep Ground In View and Shift-look
• Fully panoramic flying site previews
• Selectable pilots for fixed-wing models
• User-definable hotkeys for all program features
• More advanced flight recorder:
__ • Records crashes, model changes and flying site changes
__ • New compression for smaller file-size
__ • Record multiple models
__ • Fly with recordings, spectate recordings or free-look
__ • Set playback model colour and transparency
__ • Loop, rewind, fast-forward and shuttle with your mouse
• New Simulation Speed onscreen widget
• Training and Competitions:
__ • Better display and more options on existing modes
__ • New Bomb Drop competition for single and multi-player modes
__ • Tutorials:
____ • Full professional tutorial and training course with audio commentary
____ • New user-friendly browser with descriptions
• Model control functions can now be assigned to any keyboard combination
• QuickMenu allows control of main program functions from the transmitter
• Advanced channel curve system allows you to define your own curve-points
• Colour Selector for various options with favourite colours saved for later use

Enhancements

• Enhanced physics:
__ • More realistic undercarriage, ground interaction and bumpiness
__ • Enhanced Fixed-wing dynamics:
____ • All-new physics, developed with the aid of UK freestyle champion Mike Williams
____ • Reaction of centre-of-gravity to undercarriage retraction
____ • Dual aileron controls
____ • Dual elevator controls
____ • Advanced mixes: Flaperons, Tailevators, Rudder/Elevator and Throttle/Rudder
____ • Improved glider and slope-soaring physics
__ • Enhanced helicopter dynamics:
____ • Enhanced collective-pitch response
____ • Enhanced tail-rotor wash
____ • Control governor speed from transmitter channel
• Improved Graphical User Interface:
__ • Cleaner, more user-friendly look and feel
__ • Main menu reorganised for easier navigation
__ • Changeable colour-themes
__ • New Initial Setup, Setup New Transmitter, Create Control Profile and other wizards
__ • Brand-new widgets system for resizable, moveable and dockable onscreen displays
__ • Improved Variometer
__ • Improved Controller display
__ • Improved Wind compass
__ • Improved Flight Information with many more options for data and setup
__ • Improved Variometer
__ • Improved Sky Orientation display
__ • Improved In-flight tuning
__ • Shift+TAB to go to previous edit-box in Edit Model menu
__ • Navigate main-menu from keyboard
__ • New Quit button on main menu
__ • Switch off transmitter warning if you exit with transmitter connected
__ • Improved and configurable favourites system with subfolders
__ • Recently flown models quick selection menu
__ • Recently used flying-sites quick selection menu
__ • Visual, draggable Centre of Gravity manipulator in Edit Model menu
__ • New visual starting position and orientation selection system
• New streamer system:
__ • Optimised graphically
__ • Physically accurate movement with wind and drag
__ • Set to any length or colour
__ • Set differently per model
• New smoke system:
__ • Optimised graphically
__ • Set to any colour
__ • Set differently per model
• Options to hide most warnings, messages and helpers
• Control system:
__ • Model control response increased
__ • New system for improved smoothness and accuracy
• Enhanced graphics:
__ • New renderer with fast, accurate, soft self-shadowing
__ • Improved exhaust and display smoke rendering
__ • Improved water effects:
____ • Motion and ripple effects enhanced
____ • Better reflections
____ • Better shadowing
____ • Improved rendering at distance
__ • New sun-glow and night-light glow effects
__ • New thermals display
• New physically controlled wind-sock and flags
• Scenery improvements:
__ • Enhanced collision detection system
__ • Slope-soaring flying sites
__ • Wind-fields and custom flying-site weather patterns
__ • New advanced flying-site scenery masking system
__ • High Quality option with 4 times standard background quality for selected sites
• Multiplayer:
__ • General performance improvements
__ • Improved start-position searching and selection

Bugs fixed

• Solved issue when starting with no installed sound-card
• Solved issue with helicopter ground-effect under obstacles
• Solved various problems with crashing tilt-rotor models
• Water models now automatically start over water when available
• Training and competition options saved correctly

PhoenixCreator version 2.0 BETA

We are pleased to announce that this update is now nearing release for public BETA, and includes the following features and improvements:

New Features

• Create your own flying sites:
__ • Import panoramic images
__ • Set lighting and weather conditions
__ • Create collision geometry, primitives and water sections
__ • Export to Phoenix and share with your friends

Bugs fixed

• Solved issues with projecting images and text