EXCLUSIVE Interviews with three new developers

Flight Simulation - Your complete guide www.pcpilot.net

Cleared for
Take-Off!
Exclusive
Exclusive interviews
with three new
developers

Downloads
Videos and
Freeware
Se e Page 8

FSX/P3D vs Quality
X-PLANE
Just Flight’s PA-28R Arrow Control
III variants compared
QualityWings’
REMEX Software’s Ultimate 787
Deadstick
January/February 2018
PLUS All This Inside: Just Flight’s de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter, Orbx Number:113 UK £4.99

Bilbao Airport, Aerobask Velocity V-Twin, Pilot2ATC, FSUIPC, 787 Immersion.

Tutorials: A Beginner’s Guide to Airliner Simulation, Back to Basics, Challenging
Airports, Virtual Airlines and much more…
 WWW.FLIGHTSIMWORLD.COM @FLTSIMWORLD /FLIGHTSIMWORLD

It’s a bird!
It’s a plane...
…yes! It’s the Curtiss P-40F Warhawk!

The team at BlueSky Flight Simulations have developed this beautiful fighter bomber
especially for Flight Sim World from the manufacturer’s performance charts along with
notes from actual P-40F pilots. This means that she handles just like the real thing, so be
sure to hang on to your hats!

Fitted with a Supercharged Packard Merlin 1650-1, the P-40F was capable of producing
nearly 1400hp, with a top speed of over 360mph. Also capable of carrying 2000lbs of
stores, she was effective against air, land, and sea targets making her a vital tool in the
offensive against Axis forces until the end of World War II.

What are you waiting for, chaps? Tally ho!

© 2017 Dovetail Games, a trading name of RailSimulator.com Limited (“DTG”). All rights reserved. “Flight Sim World” is a trademark or registered trademark of RailSimulator.com Limited. “Dovetail Games” is a trademark or registered trademark of Dovetail Games Limited. Autodesk®
Scaleform® software, © 2017 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved. Portions of this software utilize trueSKY technology (© 2007-2017 Simul Software Ltd, all rights reserved.) All other copyrights or trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved. Developed and
published by DTG. This product is strictly for entertainment purposes only.

Dovetail_FP.indd 1 27/11/2017 11:34

EDITORIAL

PCPilot
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Flight Simulation – Your Complete Guide www.pcpilot.net

Cleared for Take-off!

following comments - extracted
from each of the interviews.
Firstly, Honeycomb Aeronautical:
“What we represent is a breath
of fresh air and a company that
cares about the quality and
innovation…” Next, REMEX
Software: “I’ve always felt that
while we’ve seen incredible
improvements in aircraft realism
and fidelity, the core flight sim
formula has remained unchanged
since its inception. I’m really it really shows in the module. what you do, it really shows…”
keen to challenge that and Our ultimate objective is to And ‘passion’ is something that

S
eason’s greetings would love to redefine people’s make professional-level aircraft all three companies will definitely
and welcome to perceptions of just what a flight that the community will enjoy bring to this exciting hobby.
another edition of PC simulator is.” And finally BlueSky flying forever, as we do.” Happy flight simming!
Pilot. This issue is Flight Simulations: “When you As BlueSky quite rightly stated: Derek Davis, Editor
particularly special because it have a passion for what you do, “When you have a passion for [email protected]
features exclusive interviews with
three newcomers to the flight
sim industry: REMEX Software,
BlueSky Flight Simulations
and Honeycomb Aeronautical.
The former two companies are
focused on software, while the
third specialises in hardware in
the form of flight sim controllers. SUBSCRIBE
AND SAVE!
After reading through the
individual interviews, the one
thing that seems to be common
Subscribe to PC Pilot and
to all three companies is the
desire to bring something new make great savings on cover
and innovative to the industry. price! See pages 18-19 for
This is exemplified by the details.

EDITORIAL MARKETING Postmaster: Send address corrections to PC Pilot website. We are pleased to recognise
Editor: Derek Davis ([email protected]) Group Marketing Manager: Martin Steele PC Pilot, Key Publishing Ltd, C/O 3390 Rand all trademark and copyright holders and try to
Group Editor: Nigel Price Production Manager: Janet Watkins Road, South Plainfield NJ 07080. where possible. If we have omitted this then
Technical Editor: Richard Benedikz Marketing Manager: Shaun Binnington Printed by Warners (Midland) plc, Bourne, Lincs. please let us know and we will correct in the
Contributors to this issue: Repro by Key Publishing Ltd and AT Graphics next issue.
Joe Lavery, Peter Stark, Chris Frishmuth and MANAGING DIRECTOR AND PUBLISHER (Peterborough) Readers in USA can place subscriptions by
Jessica Bannister-Pearce Adrian Cox visiting www.pcpilot.net or by calling toll free
Production Editor: Sarah Robinson EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN PC Pilot is published bi-monthly by Key 800-428-3003 or fax 757-428-6253 or
Chief Designer: Steve Donovan Richard Cox Publishing Ltd, PO Box 100, Stamford, Lincs, by writing to PC Pilot, 3300 Pacific Ave,
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EDITORIAL CONTACT reply where possible. Any letters are assumed stored on any form of retrieval system without manuscripts, photographs or personnel
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BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT downloadable from www.keypublishing.com. however, we cannot be held liable for any loss
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Group Advertisement Manager: Brodie Baxter Distributed by Seymour Distribution Ltd, 2 from any error or omission including any loss or print and digital average sale for
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www.pcpilot.net #113 PC PILOT / 3

CONTENTS

Contents
Regulars
03 Editorial
mid-trip fuel stop on a longer journey,
operating to the airport requires careful
consideration and preparation due to
the extremes of distance, weather and
06 News geography that the area features.
08 Downloads
76 Letters 52 BlueSky Flight Simulations’
80 FS Q&A Curtiss P-40F Warhawk
Another newcomer to the flight sim
Reviews industry is BlueSky FS, whose first
12 QualityWings' Ultimate 787 release, the Curtiss P-40F Warhawk,
Collection has been designed for Dovetail’s FSW.
16 FSFX's Immersion Effects In this exclusive interview we discuss
both the company and the product.
28 Just Flight’s de Havilland
Canada DHC-3 Otter
64 Virtual Airlines:
32 Orbx Simulations' Bilbao myAustrian Virtual
(LEBB) This issue, our Virtual Airline of choice
36 Aerobask's Velocity V-Twin is something a little different from what
40 Pilot2ATC we’re used to. For a change, Jessica
Bannister-Pearce looks at a VA set
up to follow its real life counterpart.
Features 68 FSUIPC
20 FSX/Prepar3D and X-Plane Flight Simulator Universal Inter Process
compared Communication or FSUIPC is the work
Chris Frishmuth uses Just Flight’s of flight sim legend Pete Dowson and
multi-platform PA-28R Arrow III to is one of the few absolutely essential
answer the question: What is the programs that every FSX/P3D pilot
difference between FSX/ needs in their sim. But what does
Prepar3D and X-Plane? it really do? We take a look at the
basics and a little of its history.
24 REMEX Software’s Deadstick
We have an interview with REMEX 72 Honeycomb Aeronautical
Software, a newcomer to the flight Interview
sim industry, in which we find out Honeycomb Aeronautical, a new
about the company and its first hardware developer in the flight
standalone simulation - ‘Deadstick’. sim industry, has announced
two new products: the Alpha
48 Challenging Airports: Flight Control yoke and the Bravo
Narsarsuaq, Greenland (BGBW) Throttle quadrant. In this exclusive
Whether you are flying scheduled airline interview we find out more about the
routes to Narsarsuaq or utilising it as a company and its plans for the future. 72

52

4 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

 12
Tutorials
44 Airliner Simulation:
Part 3 - Preparing at the gate
Following on from our previous issue,
where we had a look at the building
blocks of a flight plan, Richard
Benedikz goes through the tasks
that need to be completed before
pushing back from the gate.

56 GA Back to Basics:
More demanding manoeuvres
In this edition of our GA series,
Peter Stark introduces some more
demanding manoeuvres to keep
you working hard at perfecting your
flying techniques, while continuing to

24
develop your theoretical knowledge.

60 Flight Adventure:
The world’s busiest routes
The world’s top 15 busiest air routes
are all outside the US, with all of the
top 10 in the Asia/Pacific region.
This issue, we fly the top two on the
list – located in Korea and Japan.

Next Month
The Next Issue of PC Pilot (Issue 114) will
be on sale in UK shops on February 15
20 FSX/Prepar3D and X-Plane 48 Challenging Airports: Narsarsuaq

www.pcpilot.net #113 PC PILOT / 5

NEWS

Introducing the MilViz FG-1D Corsair

One of the most iconic aircraft from the Pacific is based on an FG-1D that was produced too proper technique is required to recover
theatre of World War Two, the Chance Vought late for active service in World War Two. from stalls, as well as for performing
Corsair was also arguably one of the best The MilViz package comes with six HD safe landings and take-offs.
performing. Deployed primarily with the US liveries, detailed textures and precise 3D The MilViz Aircraft Management System
Marines, the aircraft achieved a staggering modelling both inside and out, while the (MVAMS) is included with this release, which
2,140 air combat victories against 189 cockpit features custom 3D gauges. allows for easy set-up of the aircraft, including
aerial losses - an overall kill ratio of 11:1. In addition, the powerplant is modelled configuring the default start-up state, radio
Created exclusively for Prepar3D (versions in detail including the water injection and frequencies, as well as enabling the setup
2, 3 and 4), MilViz’s FG-1D Corsair features manually operated two-stage supercharger as of a joystick axis for the supercharger.
an intricate flight model, in-depth system well as the fuel system, electrics pilot oxygen, The package is TacPack-compatible, enabling
simulation, high definition textures and a and undercarriage dive braking - using the you to operate the Mark 8 illuminated gunsight,
highly detailed 3D model. Incidentally, during main wheels in a trailing position. Additional fire guns, drop bombs or launch rockets
the war, demand for this aircraft increased, systems include comprehensive avionics, gun from your now-armed-to-the-teeth Corsair.
outstripping Chance-Vought’s supply capacity, charging and armament (via TacPack). The However, Vertical Reality Simulations’ TacPack
so rival manufacturers Brewster and Goodyear FG-1D is also ready for carrier operations with software is not included with the product, but
were tasked with meeting the shortfall. The folding wings and a working arrestor hook. is not required for the operation of any other
designation ‘FG-1D’ identifies the MilViz Corsair The flight dynamics have been modelled portion of the aircraft. For more information,
as a Goodyear-built aircraft. MilViz’s Corsair to closely perform like the real aircraft, so visit: www.milviz.com/flight/products/FG1D/

DCS: AV-8B Night Attack V/STOL

RAZBAM has announced that its DCS: high-resolution textures, specular and bump
AV-8B Night Attack V/STOL is now available mapping and mouse-interactive controls.
as an open beta. The package is based All systems have been realistically
on the AV-8B N/A Bu No’s 163853 and modelled including the electrical, fuel,
up - the latest variant of the AV-8B. hydraulics, lighting, engine and navigation.
The AV-8B project was introduced to Other features:
address the operational inadequacies of the • Air-to-air and air-to-ground GAU-12
AV-8A first generation Harrier. It made its Equalizer 25mm (0.984 in) five-barrelled
maiden flight in 1981 and entered service Rotary cannon pod
with the US Marine Corps in January 1985. • Under-wing pylon stations holding up to
It later evolved into the AV-8B N/A (Night 9,200lb (4,200kg) of payload for a multitude
Attack) and AV-8B Harrier II Plus. The AV-8B of both air-to-air and air-to-ground ordnance
N/A variant (originally known as the AV-8D) • Operational manual and pocket guide
had its first operational development in 1984. • Instant action, single and training missions
Key highlights of RAZBAM’s AV-8B N/A • Detailed representation of the USS
variant include an advanced flight model Tarawa (LHA-1), lead ship of her class.
with accurate Vertical Take-Off and Landing For more information and to view
(VTOL) characteristics, a detailed external the promotional trailer, visit: www.
3D model while the 6-DOF cockpit features digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/products/planes

6 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

 Visit us Follow us
www.pcpilot.net facebook.com/pcpilot

Battle of Bodenplatte and Flying Circus

The producer of IL-2 Sturmovik, Jason
Williams, has revealed the future roadmap
for the modern IL-2 Sturmovik product
line. Included in a very detailed statement,
among other things and of particular note,
was the announcement of two titles: ‘Battle
of Bodenplatte’ and ‘Flying Circus’.

Battle of Bodenplatte
Operation Bodenplatte was an attempt
by the Luftwaffe to cripple Allied air
forces located in the Low Countries. This
was a surprise attack on Allied airfields,
which took place on January 1, 1945.
Although it was an ‘operation’, according
to the developer: “For continuity’s sake,
this package is being called a battle.
Battle of Bodenplatte will explore the
air war near the end of 1944 and into
1945. This late-war setting offers a wide
variety of classic fighters and fighter- il2sturmovik.com/store/battle-of-bodenplatte/. will further expand content and they will be
bombers for you to fly including some of As always this will give you access to early working to integrate Flying Circus into the
the hottest piston-powered aeroplanes access and a Pre-Order discount. The Campaign and Career systems over time.
to ever grace the skies. In addition, pre-order price is $69.99 (£52 approx). Volume I is the first step. If Flying Circus
we’ll introduce our first jet aircraft.” proves popular, the developers say they will
Planned flyable aircraft and content in Flying Circus – Volume I eventually start producing new aircraft.
Battle of Bodenplatte includes: Bf 109G- As part of the IL-2 Sturmovik roadmap, Planned flyable aircraft and content (which
14, Bf 109K-4, Fw 190A-8, Me 262, producer Jason Williams also gave details the publisher states is a tentative list), will
P-51D, P-47D, Spitfire Mk.IX, Tempest about ‘Flying Circus’, which, he said, 'will include: SPAD 13 C.1, Sopwith Dolphin,
Mk.V, Fw 190D-9 (Collector), P-38L finally give Rise of Flight customers a new Sopwith Camel, RAF S.E.5a, Bristol
(Collector), B-25 (AI), European Low- way forward into the future.' He added, 'The Fighter, Albatros D.Va, Fokker Dr.1, Fokker
Countries Map (Final size TBD) (Parts of eventual goal is to essentially re-build ROF D.VII, Pfalz D.IIIa and Halberstadt CL.II.
the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany). inside of the Sturmovik universe and give Additional features will include: a France
Plus, many Allied and Axis airfields, World War One all the latest technology like map (100 x 100km approx), several detailed
cities, towns and villages and winter and VR, 64-bit, DX11 and improved visuals.' They airfields, cities, towns and villages, summer
summer textures, as well as new Allied will start by focusing on re-furbishing ten textures, No man’s land, and Entente
and Axis ground units and scenery. of their existing World War One aircraft and and Central Powers ground units.
You can pre-order Battle of Bodenplatte provide a partial map of France to fly and Pre-Orders for Flying Circus will be
from the IL-2 Sturmovik store at https:// fight over. Subsequent Flying Circus products available during the first half of 2018.

IL2 Sturmovik: Cliffs of Dover - Blitz Edition

In December 2016, Team Fusion Simulations
announced an agreement in principle with
the owners of the software, 1C, to restart
development of IL2 Sturmovik: Cliffs of Dover
and begin a whole new chapter for this Battle
of Britain flight simulation. This deal allows
the team to use the source code and thereby
actually fix issues (and create new features)
from within the software itself. Since 1C
Game Studios gave Team Fusion Simulations
(TFS) access to the Source Code, TFS have
been fixing bugs, adding new content and
preparing the software for re-release on
Steam. According to the developer, a massive
amount of features have been added including
three new flyable aircraft (at time of writing
one is likely to be the Beaufighter), as-well as
effects, new landscape textures, re-written
flight models and atmospheric effects.
The culmination of their hard work is IL2
Sturmovik: Cliffs of Dover - Blitz Edition - the will be included with any purchase of Cliffs had not been confirmed. Here’s a link to a
new name for Cliffs of Dover with the v4.5 of Dover after it is re-released. It is hoped specially created video showcasing many
TFS update included. This will be free for this will be available on Steam in December of the new and improved features: www.
those who have bought Cliffs of Dover and 2017, but at time of writing the release date youtube.com/watch?v=U8kZSqQ4ql0

www.pcpilot.net #113 PC PILOT / 7

DOWNLOADS pcpilot.net/online-content

Downloads
Movies
We have seven videos for
Specially selected
demos, videos
and flight sim
products

you this issue covering a wide

variety of subjects.

FSFX Packages Quality Wings 787 – Official Trailer

787 Immersion - Our detailed review of this highly anticipated airliner starts on page 12 of this issue.
This atmospheric trailer highlights many of the simulation’s unique features.
Official Trailer
787 Immersion is an effects package that
takes the Quality Wings 787 to a whole new
level by providing an ultra-realistic set of
natural, weather-induced effects for your
787. This stunning package is shown off to
good effect (pardon the pun), in this video.

Deadstick Bush Just Flight

Flight Simulator at PA-28R Arrow III
FlightSim2017 - for FSX & P3D
When we heard that Just Flight had

RAF Cosford released its PA-28R Arrow III for Prepar3D,

we thought it would be useful to compare
At Flight Sim 2017, REMEX Software presented this product with the FSX version. Our
its first simulation – ‘Deadstick’. This is a video comparison starts on page 20. This video
of that presentation by owner Chris Cheetham. showcases the simulation’s key features.

CD Contents now Virtual Airlines includes references (with accompanying

available via download We have some interesting newcomers to issue and page numbers) to all our past
The PC Pilot downloads are available to our our VA and flying club listing for you. Take a reviews of software and hardware as
print and digital readers via our website. look to see if there is one to suit your taste. well as features, tutorials and more.
These are offered as individual files, The experience and fun of being part of a Now you can find that elusive
or as one single combined zip file. virtual club or airline are second to none. article you’ve been looking for.
To gain access to the files just go
to www.pcpilot.net. Click on the PC Pilot Index Utilities
‘Online Content’ button located on Looking for a review on a particular product, You’ll need WinZip and Acrobat
the right-hand side of the page. feature or tutorial? Then look no further. Reader for reading PDF documents
Input the following code: 7238-843112 Our regularly updated PC Pilot Index and opening Zip files.

8 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

 Just Flight’s DHC-3
Otter for FSX & P3D v1-4
Just Flight’s new Otter, developed by
Aeroplane Heaven, simulates a classic
and popular aircraft. This evocative video
highlights the aircraft’s versatility.

Aerobask Velocity
V-Twin for X-Plane 11
Aerobask Velocity V-Twin, a review for which
starts on page 36, is a stunning-looking aircraft
and Aerobask has done it full justice as you’ll
see from this video.

P-40 Warhawk -
First Look Dev Diary
BlueSky’s new P-40 Warhawk (the Q&A
starts on page 52) has been designed for
Dovetail’s FSW and is the host software’s
first military add-on. In this video, members
of both companies discuss this add-on and
its overall importance to the franchise.

Flight Adventure. The

World’s Busiest Routes
To accompany our Flight Adventure, starting
on page 60, full details of the scenery used
are provided and can be found in the Pilot’s
Notes in this issue’s download section at www.
pcpilot.net, along with flight plans, charts and
where to get the liveries used in this Adventure.
We have provided notes on both RNAV routes
for those flying aircraft equipped with FMCs,
plus radio navaid routes for those without.

Reviews -
Screenshot Galleries
To help give our readers a better appreciation of the products
reviewed in this issue, we have compiled the screenshots
accompanying some of the articles into a series of galleries.

www.pcpilot.net #113 PC PILOT / 9

DOWNLOADS

Featured Download

For its time, it was quite an aerodynamic aircraft.

Spartan 7W Executive O
nce again, our featured file
is from a group of talented
freeware designers that includes
Milton Shupe, Scott Thomas,
Once again we have a collection of high quality freeware files for Urs Burkhardt and Damian Radice. In
you to enjoy, these aircraft, scenery and utilities easily compare with this instance they’ve turned their creative
talents to an aircraft that hails back to
many commercial products but don’t forget, if you’ve enjoyed a the 1930s, the Spartan 7W Executive.
particular file please let the author know. It’s their only payback! By It’s an unusual aircraft, with an executive-
the same token we’re always interested to hear from you if you’ve class cabin monoplane construction and
an equally unusual history. The Spartan
downloaded or designed a file that you think is worth sharing. started life as the brainchild of company-
By Joe Lavery founder William G Skelly of Skelly Oil, who

Star Performers from the Internet experience of commercial flight to

a whole new level. It’s another fine
model for X-Plane from Ron Norvelle.
Author: Ron Norvelle
Platform: X-Plane 11

3: Jim Hamilton-LB
Owens Airport
This scenery depicts Jim Hamilton-
LB Owens Airport in South
Carolina. It features custom
models for all airport buildings,
dynamic reflections, custom high-
resolution ground textures, HDR
night lighting and animated vehicles
designed by Justin Kissling.
Author: Justin Kissling
1 2 Platform: X-Plane 11

1: Vinh Airport (VVVH)

Vinh airport is located in Vinh city of Nghệ a
Province in northern Vietnam. It is a mixed
military/civil airport and used to be one of
the two major military airbases in Vietnam
besides Gia Lam Airbase in Hanoi. It is
designed by the Vietnamese Aviation Group.
Author: Vietnamese Aviation
Platform: FSX

2: Handley Page - HP45

The HP-45 has been referred to as the
Concorde of the 1930s, when it took the
3 4

10 / PC PILOT #113
#112 www.pcpilot.net
 Below: The external modelling is superb.

Lots of detail and a

fully-animated cockpit.

wanted a fast, comfortable aircraft befitting powerful Pratt & Whitney Wasp 400 SB short-lived and the aircraft was eventually
his status and to impress his colleagues radial engine. One of the earlier models reverted to a stock model and sold to
with. Just a few years later, the then was modified into a military demonstrator, aviatrix Arlene Davis, who entered the
Spartan Aircraft Company was taken over with two .30 calibre machine guns mounted Executive in the 1939 Bendix Air Races.
by the famously reclusive J Paul Getty. on the port side near the firewall, firing The aircraft designed by Milton and his
The original 7X model was fitted with a through the propeller. It also has a gunner’s team is a conversion and update to an
Jacobs L-5 radial engine, whereas the later station at the dorsal hatch and under- original FS2004 version. It is typical of their
7W version was equipped with a more wing bomb racks. This experiment was work with superb textures and a highly
detailed airframe. On board, the cockpit
is fully modelled, with custom gauges
and operational elements that work as
expected. It’s also relatively easy to fly
with no surprises for experienced pilots.
Authors: Milton Shupe, Scott Thomas,
Urs Burkhardt, Damian Radice
Platform: FSX, FSX: Steam
Edition and Prepar3D

PERMISSION
Although the authors of these files have very kindly given us
their permission to include them on our website, they still
remain the property and copyright of the authors. You are
free to enjoy them for you own use, but they must not in any
circumstances be distributed, copied, uploaded to any other
There are three liveries included. websites or disassembled in any way whatsoever.

7: Biarritz Airport Area

I used this airport scenery as the
departure in my review of Orbx Bilbao. I
was so impressed with the quality that I
asked the author if we could include it in
our download section. See what you think
of Gontzal Sagarna’s excellent handiwork.
Author: Gontzal Sagarna
Platform: Prepar3D

5 6 8: Spitfire F.21
The F.21 Spitfire had new, stronger
4: Bergamo Orio al Serio 6: Rajkot VARK Airport blunt-tipped wings and redesigned
(LIME) Rajkot is a small regional airport near the ailerons, allowing the installation of
Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport is an city of Rajkot in Gujarat province, India. four 20mm cannons. It was also the
international hub located in the municipal The scenery is very accurate according first model to feature fully covered
territory of Orio al Serio, two nautical to the latest charts and satellite images, undercarriage doors. Yet another
miles southeast of Bergamo in Italy. The designed for P3D vy Dmitriy Kozyrev. design by the prolific AF Scrub.
nicely detailed version depicted here Author: Dmitriy Kozyrev Author: A.F Scrub
was designed by Andrea Nardi. Platform: FSX, FSX: Steam Edition & Prepar3D Platform: FSX/FS2004
Author: Andrea Nardi.
Platform: FS2004

5: Percival D1 Gull Four

Percival
Designed by Keith Paine, this model of the
Percival D1 Gull was manufactured by George
Parnall & Co, Yate, Nr Bristol under contract to
Edgar Percival. A more detailed history of this
aircraft can be found at: www.goodall.com.au.
Author: Keith Paine.
Platform: FSX/FS2004
7 8

www.pcpilot.net #112 PC PILOT / 11

#113
REVIEW AIRCRAFT ADD-ON FOR FSX AND FSX: STEAM EDITION

Ultimate 787 C
QualityWings

A
fter several years in development,
the team at QualityWings has
released the highly-anticipated
Ultimate 787 Collection. Based
on Boeing’s latest high-tech flagship, the
project can only be described as ambitious.
In terms of technological innovation, the
Dreamliner is a ground-breaking aircraft.
Made from more than 50% composite
materials to save weight, many of the systems
that traditionally use bleed air have been
replaced with an electrical architecture,
including engine start, wing ice protection
and the hydraulic system. Rather than taking
bleed air from the engines to pressurise
the cabin, the 787 uses electrically-driven
compressors. In fact, the only bleed system
Above: It is possible to configure the MFDs (Multi- on the aircraft is anti-ice for the engine
Function Displays) to display electronic checklists, inlets. Boeing claims that using electrical
navigation or the systems status etc. All the MFDs are
available as 2D pop-up panels. architecture has reduced the load on
engines by up to 35%. To meet the demand
for increased electrical output, the 787 is
equipped with six 250kW generators – two
per engine and two on the APU (Auxiliary
Power Unit). The generators also function
as starter motors further reducing weight. In
fact, the Dreamliner can produce 1.45MW of
electricity, enough to power 400 homes.

System requirements
FSX with SP2 or Acceleration, FSX: Steam
Edition. Operating system: Windows 7 or higher,
recommend 64-bit. CPU 3.0GHz Quad Core.
RAM: 3GB, recommend 6GB or higher. VRAM:
1GB, recommend 2GB or higher. Internet access is
required for installation/reinstallation.

12 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

 PCPilot PCPilot

7 Collection
PLATINUM CLASSIC
AWARD AWARD

PCPilot PCPilot

The
Classic Classic

Electric
Jet
Walkaround surfaces – the outboard spoilers even move Lighting and sound
The Ultimate 787 Collection includes the 787-8 with the ailerons for improved roll control QualityWings has included custom sounds
and the stretched -9, while the longest member and they droop when extending the flaps as for both the Rolls Royce and General
of the family, the -10 is not yet included in the in the real example. When firing up the APU, Electric powerplants and each engine type
package. According to QualityWings, it will be a small inlet door on the tail section opens, sounds distinctive. On the flight deck,
available for free in a future release. The real the gear compresses when braking and clickable switches and system sounds have
787-10 is scheduled for delivery to Singapore the passenger/cargo doors are animated. been modelled including aural warnings
Airlines in the first half of 2018, so perhaps we To operate the doors and hook up ground such as TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance
will see the QualityWings example around that equipment, the 787 comes with a pop-up System), fire/overheat test, take-off config
time. Like the real Dreamliner, the QualityWings panel that can be opened using the Shift + 2 warning, autopilot disconnects etc.
787 comes with two engine options: the key combination. The passenger cabin has Cockpit lighting consists of a mix of
General Electric (GE) GEnx and the Rolls Royce been modelled, however unlike the rest of the dome lights and instrument backlighting,
(RR) Trent 1000, with the different engine aircraft, it is very basic with low resolution which does a good job at lighting up
indications for each powerplant being modelled. textures. Differences between the -8 and -9 the flight deck. There is also an option
Externally, the aircraft is made to an excellent have been replicated with subtle differences to use limited night lighting to reduce
standard. From the raked wingtips to the in the undercarriage and flap settings being memory. We can even set mood lighting
massive powerplants and streamlined fuselage, modelled. The -9 has three additional flap in the cabin with a choice of six colours
the textures are sharp with oil and exhaust settings (10, 17 and 18) or nine positions in to create the perfect ambience.
stains around the flaps and engines, while total, while the 787-8 has six.
details such as linkages and brake lines on
the undercarriage have been recreated.
The exterior features over 100 custom
animations, from wing flex to
realistically animated
control

Above: Systems on the overhead panel have been

faithfully recreated. Right: QualityWings has done an
excellent job on the exterior modeling.

www.pcpilot.net #113 PC PILOT / 13

REVIEW AIRCRAFT ADD-ON FOR FSX AND FSX: STEAM EDITION

Left: Performance parameters for take-off and landing can be entered on the EFB (Electronic Flight Book).
Below: Details around the undercarriage and flaps mechanism have been recreated.

Flight deck and systems view an airport diagram on the ND so you around in turbulence, making tracking the
Up front, the 787 features a state-of-the-art can see taxiways and parking positions, FPV (Flight Path Vector) somewhat difficult.
flight deck, incorporating massive 15in MFDs which is a great feature to help you find QualityWings has included interactive
(Multi-Functional Displays), two HUDs (Head- your way around unfamiliar airports. More electronic checklists for normal operating
Up Displays), EFB (Electronic Flight Bag) and than 140 airports have been included and procedures and the systems are simulated,
an advanced fly-by-wire control system. additional ones can be created using Airport enabling you to perform cold and dark
The PFDs are on dedicated displays but Design Editor from Scruffyduck (www. starts. Systems interaction is good and if
rather than having the Navigation Display scruffyduck.org). Instructions on how to do you disable part of the system, it is reflected
(NDs) and EICAS on separate screens this are included in the Quick Start guide. on the relevant status page. Other system
as on previous Boeings, they have been Moving to the overhead, we start entering tests are also functional such as oxygen
combined on split-screen MFDs. The more familiar territory as the layout has a test, battery charge, etc. The yoke can be
inboard and outboard half of each MFD can lot in common with the 777. All the panels dropped down to give a clear view of the
bring up a view of the Navigation Display, are well rendered and the text is easy to instrument panel and the speed brake lever
systems pages, CDU (Control Display Unit), read. On the centre console, the avionics can be lowered to give a better view of
Comms or electronic checklists and each have been upgraded with Tuning Control the CDU, all of which are nice touches.
MFD can display any combination of the Panels, which combines several functions Overall, the functionality on the flight
above, so the layout is extremely flexible. on one unit such as VHF radios, GPWS deck is very good, although the text is a
The NDs can be viewed as split screen or (Ground Proximity Warning System), WXR bit on the small side and can be difficult to
they can be set to full screen mode. Apart (Weather Radar) and TPDR (Transponder). read at low levels of zoom, but otherwise
from displaying route information, they can Finally, we have a HUD (Heads-Up Display) QualityWings has captured the look and
also draw terrain and weather information, with normal and decluttered modes. The feel of the Dreamliner flight deck.
although you need Active Sky Next or Active HUD is an excellent aid to handfly more
Sky 2016 for the weather radar to work. accurately, particularly when shooting an FMC
At selected airports, you can zoom in to ILS, however it has a tendency to jump The traditional push-button CDUs have

Availability
The Ultimate 787 is currently available for FSX
and FSX: Steam Edition. QualityWings is working
on a Prepar3D version, but no release date has
been announced.

14 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

 PCPilot PCPilot
PLATINUM CLASSIC
AWARD AWARD

been replaced with a trackball and The flight deck is dominated by five
button interface, which we operate using massive 15in LCD displays. PCPilot PCPilot
Classic Classic
the computer mouse. For data entry,
we still have an alphanumeric keypad,
although we can use direct keyboard
entry if we want to speed things up.
The functionality of the CDU is a mixed
bag. It is detailed enough to simulate
normal procedures, so we can enter a
route, SIDs/STARs, performance data and
so on. It has some advanced features such
as the ability to enter custom waypoints,
lat/long coordinates and we don’t have
to specify exit waypoints for each airway
when entering the route. Like on the real
aircraft, the ND can zoom out to 1280nm
compared with 640nm on other Boeings.
However, there is some functionality that
has been left out, such as the ability to
enter forecast data, average winds aloft
and ISA temperature deviation. Also, while
suitable alternates are listed, it is not EFB San Francisco, from a cold and dark state
possible to program in a diversion via the A very useful feature is the onboard EFB to shutting down at the gate at the other
CDU. These are all features that would (Electronic Flight Bag), which can be used to end. Both the tutorial and manuals are well
really complete the package in my opinion. calculate take-off and landing performance. written and will provide you with a solid
We can also customise various Data is copied from the CDU and we can foundation on operating the aircraft.
parameters such as switching between set parameters such as runway in use, flap A QualityWings Dispatcher can be used
metric and imperial weights, setting IRS settings and weather conditions etc. The for installing liveries and there is a generous
alignment times and configuring QWPAS EFB will then work out the Vspeeds and selection of real-world liveries available
(Passenger Announcement System) and landing distance required and we can then from the QualityWings website. Fuel and
QWCAS (QualityWings Crew Alerting copy the updated data back into the CDU. payload is also set from here, although it
System). QWPAS is a new feature that It is also possible to display SIDs and STARs is necessary to set this before loading the
plays passenger announcements during of your departure and arrival airports based aircraft in FSX. In my opinion, it would
the flight, while QWCAS consists of calls on the data in the FMC (Flight Management be a more elegant solution to be able to
from the pilot flying and pilot monitoring Computer). The charts are slightly basic but set this via the CDU rather than updating
during different stages of flight. it is possible to add your own. There are a the CFG file before loading the aircraft.
Variables such as altitude callouts can lot of blank options on the EFB, which is
be customised, and you can pick up hopefully an indication that we will see more Conclusion
ATIS information from IVAO and VATSIM functionality added with later updates. Overall, QualityWings has done a good
servers. Other intuitive features include the job with the 787. Visually, this rendition
QualityWings JumpAhead feature, which Performance is superb both inside and out. The flight
enables you to jump ahead to waypoints on One area in which this model of the 787 dynamics are stable and predictable, which
the flight plan, while ApproachConfig can be excelled was performance. Frame rates you would expect of an aircraft fitted with
used to position the aircraft on a selected were very good, with average values ranging fly-by-wire controls. It is, however, a great
approach – perfect for practising landings. between 50 and 25FPS at dense airports. aircraft to fly manually, although, like the real
VAS (Virtual Address Space) usage was 787, it is very ‘slippery’, so slowing it down
generally low for such a complex aircraft, to flaps-down speeds takes some planning.
although at some very complex airports The systems simulation is good enough
memory usage sometimes approached the to follow normal operating procedures
90% mark, so staying away from OOM (Out and there is a nice balance between
of Memory) territory should be achievable systems depth and usability.
but you still need to watch what scenery you We have already seen two hotfixes and
fly over. QualityWings has included a VAS there is also a service pack in the works, so
monitor on the PFD, so you can see if you I can only see this simulation becoming even
are straying too close to the VAS envelope. better with time.
PCP
By Richard Benedikz
Installation and documentation
The 787 Ultimate Collection is available
via Flight1’s store and is activated via the
PC Pilot Verdict
At a glance: QualityWings has done a great
Flight1 product wrapper. The installation
job in capturing the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The
process is fairly straightforward. After Ultimate 787 Collection strikes a good balance
downloading the setup file, you simply between systems simulation and functionality.
run the installer, enter your licence Developer & Publisher: QualityWings
information and you are ready to roll. Price: £57.34
The package comes with a good selection Website: www.qualitywingssim.com
of documentation including a 17-page Quick Flight Model: Stable and predictable.
Start guide with an overview of the aircraft. Graphics: The Ultimate 787 is made to
A 393-page user manual covers the flight a high standard, both inside and out.

Retro liveries such as this Star Wars example from ANA

deck and systems in detail, along with a
Documentation: Excellent
Systems: Good 90
history of the Dreamliner. Finally, a tutorial Review Score:
can be downloaded from the QualityWings website.
takes us through a flight from Seattle to

www.pcpilot.net #113 PC PILOT / 15

REVIEW EFFECTS ADD-ON FOR QUALITYWINGS’ ULTIMATE 787

787 Immersion in full glory. Despite

the awesome effects, there was no
noticeable drop in performance.

787 Immersion
Effects for the QualityWings Ultimate 787
I
n aviation, weather can create fill with condensation. So far, these effects weather and lighting effects for specific aircraft
stunning visual effects. There is have been missing in flight simulation. add-ons. So far, it has released Immersion
nothing like the drama of an airliner packages for the PMDG 737NGX and 777, the
arriving in heavy fog surrounded by Introducing FSFX Packages Majestic Dash 8 Q400, Aerosoft’s A320 Family
condensation, with vortices trailing from the This brings us to FSFX Packages, a brand of and the FlySimWare Learjet 35A. The latest
wingtips, while the landing lights burn a hole OldProp Solutions. It is a recent arrival on the addition is for the QualityWings 787 Ultimate
through the haze. These effects are caused flight simulation scene, making its debut in Collection, covered in the previous pages.
as the air temperature and dewpoint start 2014 with PrecipitFX, which introduced realistic
coming closer together. When they meet, the rain and snow effects for FSX and Prepar3D. 787 Immersion
air becomes saturated and fog starts forming. Since then, FSFX has expanded its product The 787 Immersion package adds weather
With aircraft this can happen before the range with the Immersion series, adding custom and lighting effects tailored exclusively for
air reaches saturation. As air flows over
the wing, it speeds up, resulting in a drop Getting started
in pressure and temperature. This can be After purchasing the 787 Immersion pack, you need matically downloaded and added to the aircraft. Any
sufficient to push the air past its saturation to create an account on the FSFX website and install a updates are also applied automatically. The manual
point, causing condensation to form on small control panel called VFXCentral. This is essentially covers the installation in detail and has instructions on
top of the wings. Effects such as flap and a utility for managing several Immersion packages from how to set the optimum weather conditions to see the
one application. After logging on to VFXCentral, simply effects. In addition, the package works with PrecipitFX
wingtip vortices can occur on other parts of enter the serial number and the product will be auto- and is compatible with all weather add-ons.
the airframe and even the engine intakes can

Below: You will truly appreciate the

theatre of a large aircraft touching
down in thick fog. Right: Volumetric
lighting brings the 787 to life.

16 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

 PCPilot PCPilot
PLATINUM CLASSIC
AWARD AWARD

System requirements PCPilot PCPilot

Classic
QualityWings 787 Ultimate Collection. Windows Classic
7 or above (32- or 64-bit). FSX, FSX: Steam
Edition, .NET Framework 4.5.2 or above. FSUIPC
(free or paid version). Internet connection.

Instant replay
It's important to note that the effects are not vis-
ible during instant replay, due to limitations in the
FSX replay system. FSFX Packages recommends
using FSRecorder with the smoke replay option
turned off to capture the full effects during replay.

Effects
The 787 Immersion includes the following effects:
volumetric rain and external lights, wing conden-
sation, flaps vortices, contrails, engine con-
densation, engine jet wash on water and snow,
wheel spray from water and snow, brake dust,
touchdown smoke from the tyres, and engine
Condensation on the air intakes on the massive turbofans is an impressive sight to behold; you might even
notice the waterspout underneath the engine nacelle.
cold-start smoke.

the QualityWings Ultimate 787. For example, When taxiing on a wet surface, water is Additionally, I found that the Immersion pack
condensation can form on top of the wings, sprayed off the undercarriage, while jet had no noticeable impact on frame rates, while
or when deploying the flaps vortices are wash from the powerful turbofans blast an Virtual Address Space (VAS) usage was also
generated, which extend from the trailing impressive cloud of moisture from the back of very low; FSFX Packages stated a footprint
edge of the wing. These effects only occur in the aircraft. On landing, smoke will come off as low as 5MB. VFX Central has options
the right atmospheric conditions and vary in the main gear when it makes contact with the to disable individual effects to balance off
intensity depending on factors such as angle runway, and in the wet, water is blown around performance and level of detail, but I found
of attack, wind speed and temperature. These the engines when reverse thrust is engaged. it worked very well straight out of the box.
effects also extend to the powerplants. You will even see brake dust coming off Most of the effects, apart from the taxi and
Condensation can form in the engine intakes the undercarriage when it is retracted. landing lights, are not visible from the cockpit
when the pressure drop is sufficient to Finally, 3D volumetric external lights are and a lot of the more dramatic effects take
saturate the air and the effect becomes more modelled. The lights illuminate the aircraft place during take-off and landing when your
pronounced at high power settings. In wet and the surrounding area, which is particularly focus is on flying the aircraft, so to get a
conditions, spooling up the engines can result impressive in low visibility conditions at full appreciation of the show, recording the
in the formation of waterspouts or vortices night. As the visibility drops, the lights flight is probably the way to go. If you enjoy
underneath the massive turbines. On a cold reflect off the fog and they fade in when the full glory of visual effects, you will not be
day, starting an engine can result in a cloud turned on or off, and they fade in or out as disappointed by the 787 Immersion pack.
PCP
of unburned fuel and condensation emitting they do on the real aircraft. Flying through By Richard Benedikz
from the back of the engine. The package rain or clouds in low visibility really gives
also features three-dimensional contrails you a sense of flying in bad weather. PC Pilot Verdict
adding another dimension to high altitude At a glance: The 787 Immersion package
flying and like the other effects, the formation Conclusion introduces stunning visual effects for the
depends on atmospheric conditions. This Overall, the quality of the effects created by QualityWings 787 Collection, which bring the
usually occurs when the OAT (Outside Air this program is superb. When conditions aircraft to life.
Temperature) is below -25⁰C, although are right for the full effects to come into Publisher: Old Prop Solutions
in some cases, contrails can form at low play, the visual theatre is simply stunning. Developer: FSFX Packages
altitude in saturated air. As the temperature Everything from wingtip vortices, 3D contrails Price: $27 (£21 approx)
Website: www.fsfxpackages.com
95
drops further, the contrails become denser to condensation and volumetric lighting
PC Pilot Score:
– this typically happens around -35⁰C. adds another dimension to the 787.

The most dramatic effects are

seen during take-off and landing.

www.pcpilot.net #113 PC PILOT / 17

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FEATURE JUST FLIGHT ARROW III: FSX/P3D VS. X-PLANE

PA-28R Arrow III

Just Flight's

FSX/Prepar3D and X-Plane variants compared

S
o, here at PC Pilot we are often For this purpose, we’ve enlisted the help of X-Plane aircraft designer Dan Klaue who has,
asked “What is the difference Just Flight’s fantastic PA-28R Arrow III, which in addition to bringing his own creations to
between FSX/Prepar3D and is available for both X-Plane and FSX/P3D. X-Plane, also ported over to X-Plane many
X-Plane?” While our writers of the most popular FSX/P3D designs from
have written many articles on the various Twins that don’t share a one of the largest and most popular FSX/
iterations of both X-Plane and Microsoft’s birthday P3D development studios - Carenado/Alabeo.
Flight Simulator over the years (including The Just Flight PA-28R Arrow III for FSX/P3D While I don’t claim to know much about how
variants such as the Steam Edition and was released in late February 2017, while the the process of bringing an FSX/P3D model
Lockheed Martin’s Prepar3D versions), we X-Plane 11 version (developed in partnership into the world of X-Plane works, I do know
thought it would be interesting to illustrate with Thranda Design) was released in late enough to assert that it is no simple task and
some of the differences of the simulation October. Fans of X-Plane might recognise requires deep knowledge of X-Plane-specific
platforms using essentially the same product. Thranda Design, the development house of programming and artistic techniques. X-Plane

20 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

 Left: The shadows and overall lighting improvements
of P3D v4 bring the Arrow III closer to the quality of
lighting we see in X-Plane.
Below: The X-Plane Arrow allows a different level of
interior wear and tear to be associated with different
paint schemes.

also offers developers the chance to expand

on the original product feature set and provide
some additional capability owing to the greater
flexibility that the X-Plane simulator offers.

Obvious differences
The easy-to-spot differences between the FSX/
P3D and X-Plane 11 versions of the Arrow are
mostly to do with some of the graphics options
that are either programmed into the models
or are accentuated by the underlying graphics
capabilities of the simulation platform. Both
versions are accurately modelled in 3D to a high
and beautiful level of detail. When viewing them
in the sim, however, X-Plane does have the
advantage of additional reflective and lighting
properties known as PBR (Physically Based
Rendering) which more accurately models the
reflective qualities of the aircraft skin and paint.
You can readily see this in external views when
the aircraft is taxiing where the markings on the
pavement are subtly reflected off the aircraft
surfaces. This is also apparent when airborne as
well, as the terrain and sky depicted reflects off
the surfaces of the aircraft in X-Plane. FSX also
Left: It is hard to overstate how much the PBR
effects add to the look of the Arrow in X-Plane. The has gloss and reflections, but they are generic
specular and diffuse reflections are simply gorgeous. in presentation and aren’t a true reflection of the
Below: The X-Plane Arrow uses X-Plane’s ability to
reflect real-time environments such as the reflection environment around the aircraft. P3D v4 has the
of the paint on the ramp on the bottom of the wing. capability of real-time reflections but they do
incur a significant frame rate penalty.

www.pcpilot.net #113 PC PILOT / 21

FEATURE JUST FLIGHT ARROW III: FSX/P3D VS. X-PLANE

Flight physics for the Arrow in both X-Plane and P3D are good, although I would argue that the X-Plane flight model does feel a bit more dynamic than the FSX/P3D version.

These lighting differences extend to the cockpit information windows display fuel quantities, oil isn’t realistic. Fortunately, the Arrow sports
as well. Dynamic windshield reflections, real-time temperature, oil pressure and battery voltage. fantastic flight dynamics across the board
reflections from instrument glass and rheostat X-Plane comes with additional information for FSX, P3D and X-Plane users alike. Both
adjustable lighting are some of the features on spark plug fouling conditions and vapour Just Flight and Thranda have extensive
that X-Plane users of the Arrow benefit from. lock which helps identify and remedy those experience in developing flight models, so
In the cockpit, X-Plane users see a panel- problems before they affect engine operation, accuracy and authenticity should come as
mounted native GNS 530 that has excellent although both versions simulate the occurrence no surprise. When compared with the flight
default functionality, while FSX/P3D users will of spark plug fouling and vapour lock. The FSX/ manual, both the FSX/P3D and X-Plane
get a more authentic-looking but somewhat P3D version has the extra feature of simulating models match up closely with regard to
less functional panel-mounted Garmin GPS- oil quantity and the possibility of engine failure if cruise power settings, fuel burns and other
100 unit that utilises the default FSX pop-up it is not monitored and serviced. Going the extra factors that can be measured quantitatively.
GPS. It is worth mentioning that the FSX/P3D mile, the X-Plane version adds a functional ELT When it gets to feel – well, this is an area
version of the Arrow offers compatibility and (Emergency Locator Transmitter), simulated that has long been an extremely subjective
integration with the Flight1 GTN 650-750 or fan and vent motors that are linked to circuit topic between X-Plane and FSX/P3D loyalists.
GNS 430-530. Other differences in the X-Plane breakers and the ability to change liveries on Having flown the Arrow extensively in both FSX/
Arrow cockpit include a pop-up autopilot the fly without having to reload the aircraft. P3D and X-Plane for this article, I definitely
window, animated toe brakes, pop-up sound have my preference - the X-Plane version.
mixing panel and variations in cockpit wear Sound Surprisingly though, it has less to do with the
(such as worn and chipping paint) that are While both aircraft versions have authentic sound feel of the flight model rather than the totality
tied to various liveries. Another nifty feature sets, X-Plane has the ability to further refine the of the overall completeness of the package -
of the X-Plane model is that the cabin door sound physics to allow for more immersive 3D due to the aforementioned additional features
responds to G-forces and air loads, realistically audio effects and more obvious positional sound that the X-Plane developers were able to
trailing to the nearly closed condition if it realism. For instance, moving your head in the include on an already fantastic add-on. But
is left open and the plane is accelerated. cockpit or sliding backwards towards a different getting back to the flight model, I feel that both
seat will change the sound characteristics based versions handle the 98th percentile of ‘normal’
Under the hood on the distance from the sound source and operations to good effect. I tend to get higher
Less obvious, but arguably more important, angle. It is a subtle, but noticeable difference. framerates using X-Plane than with FSX/P3D
are those features that control the underlying on my system, which provides an additional
systems of the aircraft. Both aircraft feature Flight model fluidity of motion that definitely has an impact
custom-coded fuel and electrical systems Of course, all of the bells and whistles, on how one feels the flight model is performing.
that include fuel tank switching and functional graphics and systems modelling don’t In its own literature, Just Flight does note the
circuit breakers. Interactive engine pop-up count for much if the underlying flight model difference for X-Plane is that flight dynamics
“are based on X-Plane’s Blade Element Theory
system, which calculates interaction between
the airframe and air molecules in real-time.”
The physics behind how X-Plane turns
programming into simulated flight is beyond
my level of comprehension, but as a flight
instructor in real life and a professional pilot,
I’ve always felt that X-Plane excels at the point
of interaction between the flight controls and
aircraft response. Playing to that strength, it
is no wonder that flight in the X-Plane version
of the Arrow does feel more realistic, fluid and
dynamic. Stall breaks are a bit more abrupt,
slow flight feels a bit more like ploughing
through an airmass and it is impossible to
ignore the authentic and dynamic nature of the
ground/air interaction on take-offs and landing
that the X-Plane Arrow exhibits. As a bit of
Above: The FSX/P3D Arrow has a gorgeous cockpit with as much detailing as the X-Plane version, although the an experiment, I accelerated both versions
X-Plane lighting and shadowing give a bit of extra feel of realism to the Arrow. of the Arrow to near take-off speed, then

22 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

fully deflected the ailerons in both directions.
The FSX/P3D Arrow barely budges in roll,
while the X-Plane version responds very
differently with the wing feeling alternately
loaded and unloaded and transferring that
load to the landing gear. I don’t know if this
behaviour is due to the Blade Element Theory
system that X-Plane uses but it feels good.

Documentation and liveries

Both versions of the Arrow come with excellent
manuals that cover the operation of the aircraft
and systems specific to the platforms they
were developed for. The X-Plane manual has
80 pages, while the FSX/P3D manual consists
of 88 pages. A 32-page performance manual
with take-off, cruise, landing and other charts
is included with both versions. Both aircraft
come with about a dozen high quality paint
schemes along with paint kits for both versions.

Conclusion
It is important to remember that no add- Above: With regard to flight model, both the X-Plane and FSX/P3D versions are fantastic in that each closely
replicate the actual published flight manual performance. Below: FSX/P3D lighting tends to be all or nothing,
on exists in a vacuum. Realism, authenticity whereas the rheostats in the X-Plane versions allow for variations on illumination levels.
and features of both versions of the Just
Flight Arrow III still have to interact with the
environment that the base program features.
Scenery and weather add-ons, graphics card
capabilities and hardware (such as virtual
reality headsets and controllers), all combine
to provide the total user experience and are
worth considering when weighing one module
against another. The good news is, regardless
of which Just Flight Arrow III you choose,
you are guaranteed to have one of the most
realistic and detailed simulations of the
aircraft available on the market today.
Finally, all versions of Just Flight’s PA-28R
Arrow III (FSX, Prepar3D and X-Plane) are
priced at £27.99, and can be purchased
via download from Just Flight’s website at
www.justflight.com.
PCP
By Chris Frishmuth

Unlike the X-Plane version, the FSX/P3D Arrow provides

the option to check and service the engine oil.

www.pcpilot.net #113 PC PILOT / 23

FEATURE REMEX SOFTWARE INTERVIEW

Deadstick
REMEX Software’s

A new company - a new flight sim

O
ne of the highlights of Flight Sim and how and why it came into being? focus all of our efforts on creating the flight
2017, held at the RAF Museum, Chris Cheetham: The company came into simulator I have always wanted to play.
Cosford, in October, was the being almost by accident in 2013. After looking PC Pilot: How did ‘Deadstick’ come about?
announcement and presentation for ways to combine my skills as a game Chris Cheetham: While undertaking my
of an exciting new flight sim, aptly named developer and my love of flying as a private PPL I was amazed to learn how much more
‘Deadstick’. I met the founder, Chris Cheetham pilot, I created a hobby project to allow other there was to being a pilot than simply flying an
at the Deadstick stand and was able to try developers to integrate accurate flight dynamics aeroplane. Good judgement, self-discipline and
out a very early build of this new ‘bush flying’ into their games. To my surprise this proved risk evaluation are just some of the skills required
simulator. To say I was impressed would be an popular enough to allow me to form REMEX to make a great pilot. In poor conditions often
understatement. So, knowing that our readers and in the years that followed we have created the best decision a pilot can make is to simply
would want to know about this new entry into high fidelity simulation solutions for a number not fly at all, but with commercial pressures this
the flight sim market, I invited Chris to take part of clients including a high profile British racing can sometimes be the hardest. Modern flight
in a Q&A, which he kindly agreed to do. team. With an itch to create Deadstick that simulators do a fantastic job of replicating the
PC Pilot: Hi Chris, can you start by telling just wouldn’t go away, and after several small look and feel of aircraft, but I’ve never felt that
our readers a little about REMEX Software prototypes, in January 2017 we decided to any of them capture what it is to truly be a pilot –

The striking Deadstick logo.

24 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

The first thing players will notice when climbing aboard
the aircraft is all of the scratches and scrapes inside the Here we see Deadstick’s hangar from where you can
cockpit. access different parts of the simulation.

this is something I was really keen to explore. Players must learn the true art of piloting in
PC Pilot: Tell us about ‘Deadstick’ and the order to succeed.
concept behind this simulation. PC Pilot: What would you say are the unique
Chris Cheetham: With Deadstick we’ve elements found in Deadstick that differentiate it
tried to push this idea of exploring what it from other flight sims currently on the market?
takes to be a great pilot to its limits by pitting Chris Cheetham: We knew from day one that
the player against the elements - with all of in order to deliver the experience of truly being a
the pressure and challenges experienced pilot we would have to break any assumptions
by a real pilot on a daily basis. You are a of what a flight simulator is and build Deadstick
bush pilot tasked with trying to deliver cargo from the ground up. The immediate difference
Attention to detail around remote and inhospitable terrain in players will notice is that Deadstick is a ‘First
is paramount in this
product and REMEX order to earn a living while upgrading and Person Flight Simulator’ - meaning that they are
Software has aimed to maintaining your aircraft as you do. There free to jump in and out of their aircraft at any
breathe every ounce are no autopilots, no de-icing systems, little point they please. Performing full walk arounds
of life into the aircraft.
navigation aids and limited instruments. and pre-flight checks, manually loading and
unloading cargo and upgrading and maintaining
the aircraft are critical to succeeding and surviving
as a bush pilot. Equally noticeable is that in
Deadstick players always have a purpose. There
is always cargo that needs to be delivered and
with constantly evolving, and often unpredictable
weather, it is up to the pilot to decide when to
brave the elements and when to sit it out.
PC Pilot: What aircraft will be included in
Deadstick and to what level of fidelity will they
be modelled in terms of functionality and flight
dynamics?
Chris Cheetham: As damage and failures
are a core part of Deadstick and with aircraft
manufacturers understandably not keen to see
their 3D counterparts regularly falling out of the
virtual sky, we took it upon ourselves to design
our own bush aircraft, the Steed Aviation STOL.
What initially seemed like a simple solution,
however, quickly became a huge undertaking
as we had to design, build and virtually test-
fly our new aircraft. From painstakingly testing
and selecting different aerofoil configurations
for best performance, to ensuring correct circuit
breaker usage for our simulated electrical

The remote and often improvised nature of landing areas in Deadstick means that strips are unmanned,
requiring only blind calls from visiting pilots notifying others of their intentions.

www.pcpilot.net #113 PC PILOT / 25

FEATURE REMEX SOFTWARE INTERVIEW

born out of a desire to create a simulator that I

always hoped existed but never did, so in that
sense I suppose the target market is myself.
That said, I’m hoping that anyone with a passion
for Bush flight or wanting a bit more purpose to
their flying will like what we have on offer. We
have tried to make Deadstick as accessible as
possible, and so while the aircraft is study level, it
is forgiving enough that newcomers to simulation
can turn the mags and firewall the throttle to get
airborne with little other experience. The short
hop nature of the cargo flights also make it easy
to drop in and out of quick sessions for those
with limited time on their hands, although while
testing I often find myself saying: “Just one more
flight,” time and time again.
PC Pilot: Does Deadstick include any missions
or career modules?
REMEX decided to design its own bush
aircraft: the Steed Aviation STOL. Chris Cheetham: Deadstick is built around
a sandbox career mode which is core to the
loads, all systems within Deadstick are fully to delivering an accurate and immersive experience as a pilot within the game. Each
simulated to study level. Internally, all cockpit experience both in and out of the cockpit. Pilots day cargo needs transporting and it is up to the
buttons and gauges are fully interactive and often say how their aircraft ‘talk’ to them while player to decide which jobs to take on to earn
externally advanced flight model effects such flying and this is something we are very keen their living. Do you risk skud running (staying
as prop-wash, torque and P-factor are faithfully to recreate with the same attention to detail as clear of weather by keeping below clouds
recreated. This has all been supported through our flight model. We’ve enlisted the help of a and flying with visual, rather than instrument,
real world flight testing with comparable aircraft. very talented audio and recording engineer and references) in poor weather to get your pay
PC Pilot: In terms of ‘feel’, how will aircraft in will be strapping him into an aircraft early in the check, or sit it out for a few days while waiting
Deadstick differ, if at all, from other simulated New Year to capture every detail. for the weather to pass? The outcome of each
aircraft? PC Pilot: In terms of the simulated world, will job is tracked through our reputation system
Chris Cheetham: The first thing players will this be based on real locations? and will in turn drive how willing others are to
notice when climbing aboard our aircraft is all Chris Cheetham: Deadstick is set in a entrust their valued cargo with you.
of the scratches and scrapes inside the cockpit fictional location drawing heavily from real world PC Pilot: Will Deadstick include a weather
- these machines are workhorses. Wear and environments such as Idaho and Alaska. Our engine?
tear, dirt and damage are persistent and will goal is not to recreate the world, but rather Chris Cheetham: There are actually three
have a lifetime effect on the aircraft, meaning create a highly detailed, immersive and imposing separate weather models working together in
players must take care to nurture and maintain environment for pilots to explore and master. Deadstick. The global weather model drives the
their aircraft to avoid expensive maintenance or Developing from the ground up with Bush Flying overall conditions and forecasts within the world.
worse. Attention to detail is paramount and we in mind has allowed us to create unmatched Frontal activity, cloud base, precipitation and
have tried to breathe every ounce of life into the detail when flying low and slow. Dense vegetation, visibility are constantly changing and mean that
aircraft from the keyring swinging around as you foliage, fallen trees, rocks and debris are all now no two flying days are the same.
taxi over uneven terrain, to fuel accurately flowing obstacles that must be avoided when flying. This The local weather
in sight gauges as you yank and bank in flight. is something we’re very excited to share. model
PC Pilot: On the audio side, can you tell us PC Pilot: Do you have a particular target
about the work that has been put into this market in mind with this product?
aspect of the simulation? Chris Cheetham:
Chris Cheetham: Audio is fundamental Deadstick was
Below: Dense vegetation, foliage, fallen trees,
rocks and debris are all now obstacles that
must be avoided when flying.

26 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

 Performing full walk arounds and pre-flight
checks, manually loading and unloading cargo,
and upgrading and maintaining the aircraft, are
critical features of this simulation.

simulates local effects acting on the aircraft, others of their intentions. With that in mind providing a new avenue and purpose of flying
including windshear, icing, rotor and downdrafts we have opted against developing an AI ATC. for those keen to explore the backcountry not
over terrain - presenting a constant risk to the Aircraft radios and nav aids are simulated, previously available. Our sights are set high and
player. Finally, the visual weather model takes however we see this really coming into its own while we’re a very small team, we hope that
inputs from the other two models to accurately with multiplayer later down the line. through smart design decisions we can deliver
render the atmosphere with physically correct PC Pilot: Will AI aircraft and traffic be included? a high fidelity study-level simulator to rival the
atmospheric scattering, volumetric clouds, Chris Cheetham: As with ATC, given the best currently available on the market.
haze and rain. We really want inadvertent IMC remote nature of the terrain we’ve made PC Pilot: What would you say you are
(Instrument Meteorological Conditions) and risk a conscious decision to avoid AI aircraft ultimately hoping to achieve with Deadstick?
of icing to be something that is feared. altogether. Instead, the long-term goal is for Chris Cheetham: I’ve always felt that while
PC Pilot: Do you intend to include ATC in the players to share the sky with fellow pilots via we’ve seen incredible improvements in aircraft
simulation? multiplayer which is something we will be realism and fidelity; the core flight sim formula
Chris Cheetham: The remote and often focusing our efforts on after initial launch. has remained unchanged since its inception.
improvised nature of landing areas in Deadstick PC Pilot: Can you tell us a little more about I’m really keen to challenge that and would love
means that strips are unmanned, requiring only your plans for multiplayer? to redefine people’s perceptions of just what a
blind calls from visiting Chris Cheetham: Multiplayer has always been flight simulator is and can be in some small way.
pilots notifying a driving force behind Deadstick and we see Our primary goal is to provide a compelling pilot
huge potential for it within the Deadstick world. experience, however beyond that we’re really
That said, doing it well is hard and is something keen to engage with the community to shape
we are really keen to take the time to get right. and grow Deadstick as a platform with their help.
We’re developing with multiplayer in mind and, PC Pilot: When do you hope to release
along with VR support, is something we will be Deadstick and where will it be available?
turning our attention to post initial release. Chris Cheetham: Deadstick will be initially
PC Pilot: Given the current crop of flight sims, launching on PC via Steam in late summer 2018.
where do you see Deadstick positioned in PC Pilot: Thanks for taking part in this
relation to those other products? interview. We wish you and your team all the
Chris Cheetham: We’re hoping that Deadstick very best of luck for the future. PCP
will complement the existing line-up well by By Derek Davis

Frontal activity,
cloud base,
precipitation
and visibility are
constantly changing.

www.pcpilot.net #113 PC PILOT / 27

REVIEW ADD-ON FOR FSX, FSX: STEAM EDITION AND PREPAR3D

T De Havilland
he de Havilland Canada DHC-3
Otter is something of a classic,
which, like the Dakota DC-3, has

Canada
become a long-lived workhorse
that is very popular with the pilots who fly it,
mainly because of its rugged construction
and reliability in harsh conditions.
It started life as a King Beaver (the original Just
prototype name). This designation came Flight's

DHC-3 Otter
about when de Havilland attempted to extend
its line of STOL aircraft that began with the
DHC-2 Beaver. It is considerably larger than
the Beaver but still able to perform the same
functions. Consequently it was advertised as
the airborne equivalent of the ‘One-Ton Truck’.
Power is supplied by a Pratt & Whitney

A flying Otter... whatever next!

R-1340-S1H-G Wasp nine-cylinder
radial engine, although Stolairus Aviation
Inc. of Kelowna BC, developed many
modifications for the DHC-3, which
included several different power plants. You get a
GPS and
The Otter received its certification in November autopilot in
1952 and entered service the following year. the modern
It served a number of air forces around the cockpit.
world in many military roles including search
and rescue, parachute training and supply
drops. A total of 466 were manufactured and
a great many of these are still flying today.

Just Flight’s Otter

This product from Just Flight was developed
There are two cockpit styles included,
by Aeroplane Heaven, a group which has this is the modern variant.

PC System used for review

Intel i7 4790K 4.20GHz Processor. 16GB DDR3
1600MHz RAM. EVGA GTX 1050Ti, 4GB GDDR5
Video card. 2 x 240GB Kingston SSD. 2 x 1.5
Terrabyte Samsung Hard Drives.

28 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

 PCPilot PCPilot
PLATINUM CLASSIC
AWARD AWARD

naturally there are a few cockpit layouts

to match. These don’tPCPilot PCPilot
vary a great deal in
Classic Classic
the earlier variants. Yet as the aircraft were
updated and in some cases entered passenger
service, things like a GPS, digital radio suite
and a autopilot were added. These options
are also provided in the Just Flight aircraft,
where some variants are available with both
the classic and modern configurations.
Both types of cockpit also feature an optional
hand-crank engine start. This allows you to
start the engine using a crank handle stowed
on the control column. You simply left-click
on the handle to move it from the stowed
position. A second left-click starts the cranking
procedure. It takes approximately 30 seconds
The propeller is accurately from starting the rotation, during which
modelled, including the time you also have to engage the clutch.
blade pitch rotation.
The only instrument mapped to the usual

A close-up of the throttle,

prop and mixture controls. Here we see the floatplane version. Note the boat strapped to the side.

been responsible for many fine FS aircraft. The Shift+Number keys, is the GPS on Shift+1.
package includes 11 different variants of the Consequently, to navigate around the cockpit I
Otter, all with very smart liveries depicting a would highly recommend using either a TrackIR
typical selection of carriers, who have or still or similar device or one of the keyboard
are operating the aircraft. The quality of these mapping programs such as EZDok Camera. In
liveries is outstanding, to the point where a fairness, the designers have mapped the most
screen shot could be mistaken for the real thing. important positions on to the usual ‘A’ key,
I was particularly impressed by the US Navy which cycles through the preset viewpoints.
and US Army aircraft, where the beautifully The instruments are easy to read with
produced paintwork is distressed with spattered faceplates that stay sharp however close you
flecks of oil, scuff marks and the natural wear get. They are fully three-dimensional but don’t
and tear you’d expect to find... it’s just brilliant. have any glazed reflective qualities. This doesn’t
There’s also some very nice detailing throughout of course make them any less effective but it
the airframe from the well defined panel work to does give them a somewhat artificial quality.
smaller details including the rivets and rubber However the overall 3D construction
seals around the windows. Incidentally, these and texturing of the cockpits is excellent
are not just holes punched into the fuselage, and like the eternal paintwork, it shows
they have an inner and outer skin with a bezel the typical amount of wear and tear
to hold the glass. The flap and elevator surfaces that you would find on a real aircraft.
are corrugated as well, not simply painted to
look like they are. It’s this finer detail that gives Flight and performance
an overall impression of realism to the aircraft. Sadly I’ve never flown an Otter, so I can’t really
I do quite a bit of technical drawing, so I enjoy comment on the authenticity of the performance
looking for these little extras, which some would of the Just Flight Otter. What I can say is that
say are superfluous. Another example is the the characteristics are what I would expect
superb detailing of the Otter engine, which from the type. It’s a stable platform that climbs
extends to the nuts and bolts and pressure pipes into the air with a satisfying confidence. It
inside the cowling - even the maker’s registration doesn’t charge but it gets there just the same.
plate. This clearly shows the name and type Once trimmed out you can practically read a
although I couldn’t quite read the serial number. book; the aircraft goes where you point it and
While I’m on the subject, I have to mention to some extent it’s not affected by anything
the propeller, which is modelled to perfection less than a hurricane... I jest of course.
with proper blade pitch rotation. It also has
typically worn paintwork on the leading edges. It’s noisy!
I don’t often make comments about the sounds
Cockpit of flight sim aircraft, mainly because they are
Because Just Flight has included a number not usually very noteworthy. Yet the Pratt &
of different variants in this package, quite Whitney radial engine sounds from the Just

www.pcpilot.net #113 PC PILOT / 29

REVIEW

System
requirements
Flight Simulator X (SP2,
Acceleration or Gold),
FSX: Steam Edition,
Prepar3D v1/v2/v3/v4
2.0GHz or any Dual Core
processor. 2.0GB RAM.
1GB graphics card.
Windows 10 / 8 / 7 /
Vista / XP (32-bit or 64-bit).
2GB hard drive space.
Recommended: 3.6GHz
processor (Quad Core
processor or higher system).
8GB RAM. 3D Graphics
Card with a minimum of A close-up shot - revealing
4GB RAM. SSD hard drive. some of the external modelling.

to sit in the snow alongside the aircraft. Finally,

the wheeled variant is loaded with a pair of off-
road dirt bikes... sorry you can’t ride them!

Documentation
As far as documentation is concerned Just
Flight is a lot better than most. Its manuals are
comprehensive in detail and do not assume
that every reader is an expert pilot. This may
not be an important factor for experienced flight
simmers, but it certainly is for someone who has
never flown or even set foot in an aircraft before.
The manual provided with the Otter
Lovely
paintwork
carries on this tradition, with nearly 40
on all the pages of clear and concise data covering
variants, every aspect of the aircraft. It opens with a
which also
shows a description (with images) of all the models
realistic in the package, followed by the installation
level of wear
and tear. data for the different platforms it supports.
Next, you get a comprehensive introduction
Flight Otter are very realistic. On start-up it has ranging from private civilian aircraft to air cargo, to the cockpit, initially with an annotated
that unmistakable cough and splutter before passenger carriers, military and some with image showing the name and location
spewing out clouds of smoke and roaring into skis. Many of these are equipped with and of every instrument in the panel. Once
life like a Massey Ferguson tractor on steroids. without floats, some even have skis mounted, again this is followed by a more in-depth
Once in flight however it settles into more of a so essentially they cover just about every look at each of the electronic navigation
throaty purr, as you might get from a contented possible utility combination. Some of them are instruments on board. I could go on but
lion. Of course the outside views produce a depicted carrying usable cargo. This is just suffice to say that the manual is excellent and
totally different set of sounds. Scrolling around another little extra that Just Flight provides to assumes no knowledge from the reader.
the aircraft in flight, the sound changes from a make your simulated flights more interesting.
buzz saw at the front to that of a warbling hippo For example, one of the float variants comes Conclusion
from the rear. Colourful descriptions I agree, but with a deployable canoe that can be winched I have enjoyed flying and reviewing the Just
the best I can come up with in a printed form, down on its frame using a switch in the Flight Otter. It has given me a chance to
so I suggest you have a look at the video on cockpit. Another one has a jet-ski on board experience another aircraft I could never
our PC Pilot website and see what you think. that you can deploy in the same manner. hope to fly in the real world. It’s also a
The snow ski variant has a fully operational realistic simulation that’s both easy to fly and
Extras and authentic pump-operated control unit performs as advertised. If you fancy flying a
As I mentioned earlier, the Just Flight Otter in the cockpit for the skis. It also carries a classic utility workhorse, look no further!
PCP
is supplied in a number of different variants, snowmobile on board which can be deployed By Joe Lavery

PC Pilot Verdict
At a glance: The DHC-3 Otter is another fine
aircraft from Just Flight/Aeroplane Heaven,
which is great for exploring the more remote
places of our planet.
Publisher: Just Flight
Developer: Aeroplane Heaven
Price: £24.99 by direct download
Website: www.justflight.com
Flight Model: Good
There are 11 Graphics: Very good
variants in the
package. This
example sports
Documentation: Excellent
Systems: Good 90
the US Army PC Pilot Score:
livery.

30 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

Wired2Fire_FP.indd 1 05/12/2017 11:34
REVIEW ADD-ON FOR FSX, FSX: STEAM EDITION AND PREPAR3D

the pretty much guaranteed sunshine.

Yet what most of us have overlooked (myself
included) was the closer proximity of the
northern coast of Spain, where resorts such
as Asturias, Santander, Santiago and Bilbao
have been catering for those looking for a
more authentic Spanish holiday for years. Set
in the Basque region, these places are more
picturesque in terms of scenery, without the
sheer volume and occasional ‘lager’ culture
that seems to typify the southern beaches.
It’s also a good deal greener due to the
higher level of rainfall they get in the north.
So, as you’ve probably guessed by now, this
review looks towards northern Spain, with the
latest product from Orbx which depicts Bilbao
Airport. One of the most popular resorts
in the region, it has an international airport

Bilbao (LEBB)
served by 19 different airlines, which together
handle over four million passengers a year.

Orbx Simulations

La Paloma (‘The Dove’)

T
hose of us who live in the UK are many of us take our holidays abroad and for Bilbao Airport
blessed with beautiful countryside many years the most popular destinations Bilbao is the largest and most important
that owes much of its lush greenery were located on the southern coast of Spain. airport in the Basque region. It’s located in
to the relatively high rainfall we Popular, I imagine, because of the short the municipality of Loiu, in Biscay, roughly five
enjoy (although I’m not sure ‘enjoy’ is the flight needed to get there, although more miles to the north of the city it serves. It has
most appropriate description). Consequently, importantly for us webbed-feet Brits was two runways designated 12/30, (incidentally

32 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

 PCPilot PCPilot
PLATINUM CLASSIC
AWARD AWARD

PCPilot PCPilot
Classic Classic

Left: On finals for Runway 30 at Bilbao.

Above: Climbing to 4,000ft to clear the high ground.
Right: The airport is served by 19 different airlines.
Below: As usual Orbx includes all the elements
you’d expect to find.

Get the full Orbx experience

In order to see Bilbao as the authors intended,
you’ll need to have FTX Global Base installed first
or the airport will not blend with the photoreal
textures upon which it sits. What’s more, you will
not see any trees around the airport either. In fact
the manual mentions that to get the full effect
you’ll need to have OpenLC Europe installed
as well. This introduces even more elements
to increase the realism, such as more accurate
line features and even better integration with the
surrounding areas.

the same as my home airport of Cardiff) and super crisp lines and lettering and more actual dimensions but to be honest, with the
10/28. This is an unusual arrangement, where importantly are easily readable. The same Global base installed it’s difficult to tell where
the runway headings are so close to each applies to the signage both in and around the dividing line is anyway. Moreover, the craft
other. Most airports with two runways are laid the airport. As usual with Orbx, there’s plenty of object placement within the scenery gets
out in a cross pattern providing alternative of animated traffic and PeopleFlow activity better with each release, so you don’t get
landing directions to suit the prevailing going on throughout the whole area. much disparity between the photo texture base
wind conditions or like Heathrow’s parallel While Orbx is renowned for the super layer and the buildings that sit on top of it.
runways, for example, simply designed to detailing it adds to all its airports, in many
cope with the sheer volume of traffic. cases (unlike some) it extends this influence The different approaches
way beyond the airport boundaries. With to Bilbao
Orbx Bilbao Bilbao it has included an area covering the Due to its proximity to the French border,
This rendition of Bilbao was created by city, the harbour, and extends to the coastline I decided on an initial approach along the
Marcus Nyberg and Phillip Schall, the in both directions. We haven’t been given the Atlantic coast from Biarritz airport. As it
team responsible for many other Orbx
products including Stockholm-Arlanda and System
Valdez Pioneer field in Southern Alaska. requirements
Once again they have produced an
Flight Simulator X,
outstanding product, resplendent with all
or FSX: Steam Edition,
the detail that makes for a realistic airport. Lockheed Martin
Bilbao has just one terminal which was Prepar3D v1, 2, 3 or 4.
designed by Santiago Calatrava and built in Microsoft Windows,
2000. It’s a very futuristic-looking building, Vista or Windows 7, 8,
designed in the shape of two wings with 10 (XP is not
an upward sweeping point at its centre. supported).
Processor: 2.4Ghz
The whole thing is constructed using white
(or higher).
concrete and glass which has earned it RAM: 2GB (4GB
the nickname of La Paloma (‘The Dove’). recommended).
Personally, I think it looks more like a Video Card: 1GB.
homage to our now defunct Concorde. DirectX 9 compatible
The ground textures around the apron are (2GB or more
recommended).
very well presented, showing a restraint
Microsoft .Net
in colour that gives them a used (not fresh Framework 4.5 or higher
painted) look. They nonetheless have

www.pcpilot.net #113 PC PILOT / 33

REVIEW

The port at Bilbao. The very futuristic terminal at Bilbao.

I normally do, unless of course I’m taking

screen shots, which unfortunately as static
images don’t really do justice to the product.

Performance
As the performance levels of computers
and graphic cards get more and more
powerful, the frame rate issues we have
traditionally suffered from are less of a
problem. I have recently upgraded my
graphics with a new GTX 1050Ti, 4GB
GDDR5 video card, which I have to say has
made an unremarkable difference from my
previous card but every little helps I guess.
Nevertheless I didn’t get any performance
degradation during the review and my
frame rates rarely dropped below 45
frames a second. The only exception was
Lots of activity around the apron. when I was taxiing to the stand, where I
got 35-38 frames a second and that was
happens, I didn’t little town of Zarautz is the mouth of the with five AI aircraft parked close by.
have a depiction of PC System Oria River. From there the same heading
Biarritz installed and used for took me inland towards the higher ground Conclusion
the default version review of the Pagoetako Parke Naturala, which I This is yet another superb scenery package
is pretty abysmal. Intel i7 4790K must say is beautifully depicted in the Orbx from Orbx that has introduced me to a new
So, to make the trip 4.20GHz Processor Global scenery. As some of these peaks area to explore. It’s everything we’ve come to
16GB DDR3 1600MHz
more enjoyable, I were a bit too close for comfort, I climbed to expect from an Orbx product which, combined
RAM
carried out a quick EVGA GTX 1050Ti, 4,000ft to maintain a safe clearance level. with the required Global Base, provides a
internet search 4GB GDDR5 Once clear of the largest peaks, I set Nav 1 real insight to the reality it depicts.
PCP
and downloaded a Video card to 110.3MHz for the Bilbao ILS and the needle By Joe Lavery
very nice freeware 2 x 240GB Kingston immediately came alive showing that I was
SSD
version from the
Simzaleak website.
2 x 1.5 Terrabyte
then on an almost perfect interception course
for an approach to Runway 30. I therefore
PC Pilot Verdict
Samsung Hard Drives. At a glance: Another fine product from Orbx
This is quite a find turned on to that heading and started a
that provides another destination for our
because it’s very well slow descent to capture the glideslope. As simulated journeys.
designed and full of all the enhancements I tend to fly in good weather (I don’t like low Publisher: Orbx Simulations
you would normally get in a commercial cloud and rain in a real aircraft either), the Developers: Marcus Nyberg and Phillip Schall
product, so it’s certainly a team to watch out airport was fairly easy to spot, so it was Price: Download $39.95 AUD (£23 approx)
for. If you want to have a closer look yourself simply a matter of getting lined up while Website: https://orbxdirect.com/product/lebb
or perhaps follow the route I took, with kind continuing the descent on to the runway. 3D Modelling: Very good
permission from the author, we’ve added the I, like most of you, fly a lot of varied routes, Graphics: Very good
file to our download section for this issue. but this was a particularly pleasant flight, Documentation: Very good
It’s only a short (74-mile) trip, so I chose to where the quality of the scenery had me
Performance: Very little impact
on frame rates 90
fly Carenado’s A36 Bonanza which I reviewed constantly hitting the pause button to look PC Pilot Score:
some time ago. The Bonanza is more than around. Quite honestly that’s not something
adequate for the trip. It’s also equipped with
an autopilot, so I thought I’d have a better The modelling and ground textures are superb.
chance to enjoy the scenery on the way.
Taking off from Runway 27, I climbed to
3,000ft. Once levelled off, I set the autopilot
to a heading of 240 which took me along the
north Atlantic coast. Within a few minutes I
was passing the airport of San Sebastián.
Moments later I sited the town itself, which
is draped around the unmistakable sight of
La Concha (‘The Shell Bay’), so named for
its resemblance to the shape of a scallop
shell. I noticed that the little island of Santa
Clara set inside the bay is also depicted. A
few miles to the west and just east of the

34 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

Orbx_FP.indd 1 27/11/2017 11:12
REVIEW AIRCRAFT ADD-ON FOR X-PLANE 11

The V-Twin has a slippery shape, cruising

along at around 200 knots TAS.

Velocity V-Twin
Aerobask

W
ith X-Plane 11 gobbling up a Package and externals
significant amount of market The Velocity V-Twin was the result of a natural
share in recent years, it is evolution of several iterations of aircraft
interesting to see developers developed by Velocity Aircraft dating back
new and old embrace the platform and to 1985. The DNA of the Long-EZ design is
explore the capabilities the simulator readily apparent three decades later in the
allows for. Aerobask was an early entrant V-Twin with the telltale swept wing design
into X-Plane development and has been led by the forward canard. The V-Twin adds
building a solid reputation for turning out a second engine, both faired into the trailing
unique aircraft that take full advantage of edge of the wing in a pusher configuration,
the X-Plane engine. With recent hits such Above: The Dynon Skyview can be popped up to a while the cabin has been elongated, flattened
as the Eclipse 550NG and Epic E1000 2D presentation. The deeply modelled system is one and widened to accommodate four luxurious
Skyview among others, the crew at Aerobask of the most intricate and functional navigation suites seats and a small cargo area. The Aerobask
we’ve seen in an X-Plane product.
has turned its attention to a twin-engine Below: The weight and fuel and ground menus representation is sleek and gorgeously
piston aircraft with a futuristic design that provide for instant loading and adjustment of constructed with impossible geometry that
passengers, fuel, control over doors, filling oxygen
has garnered attention for its advertised and ground service options such as chocks and a makes me wonder if any polygons were used
safety and efficiency: the Velocity V-Twin. ground power unit. to make the 3D model. The old cliché of an
aircraft looking fast even while sitting on the
ramp rings true with the V-Twin. X-Plane’s
reflection and lighting capabilities are taken
full advantage of with the V-Twin, giving
stunning views from all external aspects.
The package ships with seven beautiful paint
schemes that range from subtle to flashy. A
menu system can be popped up that allows
for control over sim-specific items. The fuel/
passenger configuration and ground objects
menus are superbly functional, allowing for
rapid loading of four different passenger or
pilot characters into whatever seat you prefer.
Placing a check mark next to their name and
icon places them in the aircraft, along with
any baggage you’ve selected. Similarly, fuel
can be adjusted via buttons or by sliding the
fuel level up or down. On the ground menu,
chocks, doors and a ground power unit can be
selected as well as the ability to fill the oxygen

36 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

 PCPilot PCPilot
PLATINUM CLASSIC
AWARD AWARD

and although they are modern in design MDA, CRS, HDG, ALT, VS, IAS, DIM) and it
and layout, the aircraft is still controlled like does take some practice getting quick PCPilot
with PCPilot
Classic Classic
any piston aircraft with magnetos, starters, changing those mode selections if you need
alternators and avionics switches. to address multiple issues simultaneously.
Once the engines are on and the avionics Tying it all together are the touchscreen
come to life, all similarity with most piston Garmin 750/650 systems. The Garmin 750
general aviation twins ceases as your jaw allows for radio tuning, TCAS settings, terrain
hits the floor with the presentation of the display, map, weather, airport database
gorgeous dual Dynon Skyview Touch displays information (frequencies, runways, navaids,
flanking the centre Garmin 750/650 stack. It is etc.), flightplan entry, approach procedure
a stunning array of instrumentation with deep entry, nearest airport/navaid pages, timers
custom functionality created by Aerobask. The and wind readouts. The bottom Garmin 650
Skyview Touch screens can be tailored to your allows for the same information, in a more

system. Documentation is nicely written with individual tastes with varying degrees of clutter compact footprint, but adds the ‘Otto Pilot’
excellent graphics and extensive explanation and information. Both the pilot and co-pilot page which provides for all of the autopilot
of the Skyview system. Some performance sides can be configured to display primary and flight director settings. I found the most
charts would have been a nice addition. flight instrumentation, engine readouts, map convenient layout for me was to have the
or flight plan panes. Deeper menu selections primary flight display and engine gauges on
Cockpit and systems allow for setting up bearing pointers, TCAS, the left Skyview, the terrain map on the Garmin
Moving into the cockpit, you are presented autopilot, transponder, communications 750, the autopilot on the Garmin 650 and the
with a clean and futuristic panel layout that displays and even changes to the primary combined map and flight plan on the right
looks more like a spaceship than a general flight display data capabilities. There is a ton Skyview. This seemed to give me the maximum
aviation aircraft. Bringing the aircraft to life of functionality and depth to the Skyview information and functionality. Of considerable
from the cold and dark state requires only a system. The left and right knobs at the bottom importance and convenience is that all of the
few checklist items to be completed. Switches of each Skyview serve up to eight functions displays can be popped up to full resolution
are uniformly arranged on the overhead panel depending on what you have selected (BARO, 2D presentations, which is a welcome feature.

System
requirements
X-Plane 11, Windows,
Mac, or Linux, 2GB
VRAM Minimum, 4GB
VRAM Recommended.

Above: The modern,

custom-coded Dynon
SkyView and Garmin
750/650 avionics are a
masterpiece of form and
function.
Left: The V-Twin has a
distinctive planform with
beautiful swept wings and
blended engine nacelles.

www.pcpilot.net #113 PC PILOT / 37

REVIEW

The Garmin 750 is superbly impressive

with the functionality of the flight planning
pages, SID/STAR capability, Jet and Victor
airways and instrument procedures all able
to be loaded and edited on the fly. It is
truly a great replica of the Garmin 750 and
I should know as I use one in the Citation
Ultra I fly in my real job. Autopilot tracking
was perfect on both ILS approaches
and RNAV approaches using VNAV.
Though the focus of the cockpit is
undoubtedly the Skyviews and Garmins,
the rest of the cockpit is nicely modelled
with additional panel-mounted oil PSI/TEMP attitude but remains controllable with a good
gauges, a standby airspeed indicator and a amount of rudder. When properly flown during
standby altimeter. I did, however, find it odd an engine-out procedure, at the 97 knot Vyse
that a standby peanut gyro/attitude indicator speed at maximum take-off weight, with a bit
wasn’t included in the standby steam gauges. of bank into the good engine and a half a ball
EFIS and windshield reflections can be toggled out, the aircraft climbs at an impressive 470ft
on and off, and as usual, the night lighting per minute. With both engines operating and
options are fantastic and very customisable. holding Vy of 103 knots (best rate of climb) at
maximum gross weight, the aircraft climbs at
Flight model 1,650ft per minute. The aircraft has no flaps
One of the strongest selling points of the and does not need them with stall speeds on
V-Twin is the safety aspect of the leading landing approach hovering around 65 knots.
canard design which provides protection Low take-off and landing speeds combine
against the most dangerous aspect of light to keep take-off and landing field distances
twin aircraft emergencies – single engine loss below 1,500ft even at maximum weights.
of control. The canard is designed with 3.5° The engines are normally aspirated IO-320s
more angle of incidence than the main wings, (160HP) and not turbo-charged, so you will
thus, the canard reaches the critical angle be somewhat altitude-limited by engine
of attack before the wings do, resulting in a performance. If you do choose to wander
stalled canard, a nose drop and an automatic above 12,500ft, there is an option for the pilots
reduction in main wing angle of attack so that and passengers to don oxygen masks and
it never reaches the stall angle of attack. Also, the system will deplete based on the number
the pusher props are mounted as close to the of occupants breathing O2. You can refill the
centreline as possible, reducing asymmetric oxygen when you land at an airport. At 10,000ft
thrust and lowering the minimum controllable and near maximum gross weight, the high
airspeed below the aircraft’s stall speed. speed cruise came in at 200 knots pulling
Putting this to the test in the sim, I found the 21.6” of manifold pressure, turning 2,500RPM
aircraft to be quite controllable when eased while burning 10 gallons/hr per engine. Pulling
into the stall with one engine shut down, the engine back to the economy range of
Top: With take-off and landing distances of only
although there wasn’t really a distinct dropping around 1,500ft, the V-Twin can operate from even the
15.3”MP netted a true airspeed of 160 knots
of the nose. With a very aggressive pull through smallest general aviation strips. while burning just 6 gallons/hr per engine.
the stall, it is possible to get a Vmca roll off but Above: The custom-coded GTN 750 and GTN 650 Taking the aircraft higher would improve
feature touchscreen functionality and scroll wheel
you have to really man-handle the controls to support, offering an insane amount of options and those numbers a fair bit more, but it isn’t hard
get that to happen. Generally, with full power configuration settings. to see that the max range numbers for this
Below: The V-Twin has impressive single engine
on the operating engine, the aircraft will mush performance, climbing at nearly 500ft per minute at aircraft, listed at 1,400nm, are within reach.
ahead at 60 knots in a significant nose up pitch max gross weight when properly flown.
Conclusion
The Aerobask V-Twin is an exceptionally
well modelled aircraft for X-Plane 11. The
avionics alone could be used as a Garmin 750
trainer and the overall avionics functionality
provides for a true simulation platform.
PCP
By Chris Frishmuth

PC Pilot Verdict
At a glance: A gorgeous interior/exterior model
with an impressive avionics suite and great
flight model.
Developer: Aerobask
Publisher: X-Plane.org
Download Price: $34.95 (£26 approx)
Website: www.aerobask.com
Flight Model: Excellent
Graphics: Internal excellent /
External excellent
Documentation: Very Good
Systems: Excellent
95
PC Pilot Score:

38 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

REVIEW UTILITY ADD-ON FOR FSX, PREPAR3D AND X-PLANE
Route plan
installed and
displayed on
the map.

Pilot2ATC
More than just an ATC program
L
ast issue I looked at ATC for various much more than a replacement for ATC. to this, there are plenty of tutorials produced
sims. One of the programs I looked Alongside ATC there’s a flight planner, radio by the developer that explain everything in
at was Pilot2ATC. This is a huge stack, multifunction display showing heading, clear language. That’s something I’m really
program and I felt after writing the frequencies, transponder and more, a chart happy to see. Let’s break the software
previous article that it warranted a feature of viewer, a moving map, airport editor and radio down and look at how well it all works.
its own. So, let’s take a look at this fascinating trainer. Confused? I’ll admit it’s daunting at
software and see what it really does. first glance. There’s a lot to do just to get set Flight planning
up. The developer acknowledges this and Much of the program window is occupied by
More than just ATC new users will find both a quick start guide the map, but to the right are all the controls
Pilot2ATC is best known for its replacement alongside a comprehensive manual. In addition to plan a flight. Combining the two we can
of the standard ATC systems of both FSX/ plan all sorts of flights. You can plan both
Prepar3D as well as X-Plane. To do this System requirements VFR and IFR flights here and I must say that
you’ll need a copy of FSUIPC for FSX/P3D Windows PC running FSX, Prepar3D or X-Plane. the user interface is impressive. Let’s say I
or a copy of XUIPC for X-Plane. Having FSUIPC or XUIPC. want to fly from my home airport in Vienna to
installed the software, you’ll find this is so Innsbruck. To get the planning started I just

40 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

 PCPilot PCPilot
PLATINUM CLASSIC
AWARD AWARD

need to zoom in on the map to LOWW. There With the plan sorted and your aircraft at
are various map types by the way, including the gate, you can connect Pilot2ATC to PCPilot PCPilot
Classic Classic
a satellite, terrain, street maps and two maps the sim and your aircraft will be shown
with high-level jetways and low-level airways on the map. Here, with the addition of the
overlaid on the screen; that’s a very nice program’s built-in ATC, things get even
touch. If you subscribe to Navigraph’s charts better. If you’ve contacted ATC and have
viewer, these can be displayed as well. your taxi clearance, clicking on ‘Taxi’ on the
Once I’ve moved in on my airport, all I need map will bring up your taxi route and show
do is right-click and instruct the program that you where you need to go. This is a feature
I want to start my flight here. To the right, the that is often worth its weight in gold. In the
airport is now added. I can do the same for past I’ve used charts and Aerosoft’s FS
Innsbruck, telling the software I want this to Commander to display taxiways but this the
be my destination. Straight away, the map first program I’ve seen that shows you the
draws a direct line between the two. Before route you need to take. It’s a brilliant idea.
I do anything else, I need to set a few flight
profile settings. These are found above the In flight entertainment
plan on the top-right. I set the altitude to Away from the Flight Planner, there are a few
24,000ft and GS (Ground Speed) to 400. Now other functions that help you keep an eye on
I have a choice. I can either continue planning things when you’re flying. At the very top of the
my route or I can hit ‘auto plan’ and Pilot2ATC program is the MFD or multi-function display. Above: The configuration screen contains all the
settings you need to get Pilot2ATC running nicely.
does the hard work for me. Auto route does This shows me lots of things. When flying it Below: Need to know where to park or check your
a pretty nice job of things, including sorting displays the next waypoint, track, distance frequencies? The Airport information screen will
answer your questions.
my SID and STAR out for me. If I don’t like to destination, ETA to destination and much
either of those though, I can click on the SID more. In the far right corner it also shows the
or STAR buttons at the bottom of the flight status of your transponder. Clicking on ‘mode’
plan and change them. Doing that brings up changes it from standby to active, to test,
a fresh window where every departure or to off and back again. You can also set your
arrival listed for that airport is visible - all in transponder code by clicking on the number.
separate colours and overlaid on a map. That This opens up a calculator-like window that
is a great feature. The auto route function allows you to type in the new number. The
even adds in the missed approach procedure. bar is designed to show you everything you
If for whatever reason you don’t want to need quickly and if you disable the map, the
plan your route with Pilot2ATC, there are MFD can be combined with the radio stack
several important functions you can use to below, making it less intrusive on your screen.
load a flight plan. FlightAware, PFPX, SimBrief Following on from the transponder, the far-
and the real world flight plan database are right button section contains more toys in
all supported. All you need do is copy and addition to the flight plan buttons. Click on an
paste the text of the route and add in the airport in your flight plan and then click ‘Info’
start and destination airfields. The program to bring up a pop-up window with a map
does the rest. Finally, you can always just of the airport. That would be a fine thing by
load in a standard FS/XP flightplan. If you itself, but included in the pop-up is the airport
like the route you’ve planned, you can elevation, magnetic variance, all the available
also export that route to FS/XP as well. radio frequencies and more.

The main
screen is
dominated by
the map.

www.pcpilot.net #113 PC PILOT / 41

REVIEW UTILITY ADD-ON FOR FSX, PREPAR3D AND X-PLANE

Above: Building your own route is easy.

Clicking on the runways and gates Now we’re talking! training section that helps you learn the
section shows you all the available gates Finally we come to the radio section. Pilot2ATC grammar and pronunciation of various radio
and runways along with the aerodrome offers a great radio stack interface that’s as calls. The ‘grammar helper’ is incredibly useful
circuit information. Finally, you can simple as the rest of the program. Where things even for experienced pilots. It lets you select
also access the current weather. get interesting of course is the speech interface. from a multitude of phrases, all sorted into
The ‘TERPs’ button brings up a PDF chart The ability to talk to ATC is a real game changer categories such as clearance delivery or radar
viewer. You need to add charts to this for any flight sim pilot. Talking to another director. In use, the speech engine could use
manually but it’s a nice feature to have. person, even if it’s the computer, lifts the realism a little tweak here and there - I had an issue
‘Auto’ brings up the autopilot window. Just up a notch or two. Using Microsoft’s own built- which revolved around Windows’ inability
like in the sim, you can set all the autopilot in speech recognition software, Pilot2ATC can to understand a Welsh accent (difficult at
functions you want and then some. act as ATC along your entire journey. It’s fully the best of times) with a hint of Austrian.
Finally, and this is one of the most customisable with the ability to use many third-
interesting functions, there’s the ‘Taxi party voices to add greater variety in the ATC Conclusion
Maint’ button. Clicking this opens up a new voices. The power in the system lies in the Pilot2ATC is one of the most feature-rich
window displaying your selected airport. integration with all the features I’ve mentioned programs I’ve come across. As a flight planner
Now you can add, take away or generally above. Create or load a flight plan, then click it’s damn good, as a sim controls interface it’s
edit the taxiways, gates and runways to validate. If the plan is good, the box turns green, very nice and as an upgrade from the default
fix errors. While this is a nice feature, I’m then all you have to do is file it. The ATC system ATC systems it’s a wise investment. As all
not sure digging around in airport data is now sees the plan and will act accordingly. three, well it can often feel a little confused.
a good idea. If you are happy to do that For new users, talking to ATC can seem It is most certainly greater than the sum of its
though, this is a very powerful feature. intimidating, but Pilot2ATC has a specific parts, although I’m not sure all the parts need
to be there. The ability to make changes to
gates and taxiways is perhaps a feature too far
for me. There’s no doubting that Pilot2ATC is a
good thing though. The only downside is
the need to keep it on the screen if you’re
doing anything with it during a flight. This is a
second monitor/second PC kind of program
that’s for sure, but it’s a fantastic flight sim
companion to have. PCP
By Jessica Bannister-Pearce

PC Pilot Verdict
At a glance: A mix of fantastic features that is
definitely greater than the sum of its parts. In
practice Pilot2ATC offers you a control over your
sim, though it’s best used on a second PC.
Publisher: Pilot2ATC
Price: $59.95 (£45.63 approx)
Website: www.pilot2atc.com
Interface: Very good
Graphics: Good
Documentation: Very good
Features: Excellent 90
PC Pilot Score:
Above: One feature too far? The gate and taxiway maintenance section.

42 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

 SimFlight_FP.indd 1
Simmarket_f_2017_11 13/11/2017 15:36
FEATURE A GUIDE TO AIRLINER SIMULATION – PART THREE

Preparing the
aircraft at the gate
involves several
steps, such as setting
up the systems,
programming the
Flight Management
Computer and
requesting clearance
if we are using ATC.

Airliner Simu F
ollowing on from our previous
issue where we had a look at
the building blocks of a flight
plan, this time we are going to
112), but for this article I used SimBrief (www.
simbrief.com). You can find a copy of the OFP
on the download section of the PC Pilot website
(www.pcpilot.net/the-magazine/online-content).
go through the tasks that need completing The OFP contains navigation and performance
before pushing back from the gate. data, which we need in order to programme
the Flight Management Computer (FMC). This
The paperwork includes the departure/destination ICAO codes,
First, we need to get the paperwork route and cruise level. For performance, we
ready and generate what is known as an need the Zero Fuel Weight (ZFW) and block fuel
Operational Flight Plan (OFP). We can use – this is the total amount needed for the trip,
several flight planning utilities to create including taxi, trip, alternate and reserve fuel.
an OFP (see the previous tutorial in issue We also need to get the weather for the
destination and departure airports along
with temperature and winds at our cruise
level. We usually refer to temperature as
International Standard Atmospheres (ISA)
Above: Fig 1: Most of temperature deviation. This tells us how
the data required to
programme the FMC (Flight
much the temperature differs from the ISA
Management Computer) can standard lapse rate and is used to calculate
be found on the first page of performance parameters of the aircraft such
the Operational Flight Plan
(OFP). Right: Fig 2: We can as fuel consumption, cruise speed and
pick the route up from the freezing level in case we are likely to bump into
second page of the OFP,
including the alternate, in icing. SimBrief hooks into real weather and
case we need to divert. generates forecast data as part of the OFP.

44 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

mulation
Before powering up the aircraft,
we need to complete the cockpit
preparation checks to make sure
the aircraft is in a safe state.
Preparing
at the gate
22. We would normally be given the runways
in use and the SID when we request the
clearance, but for clarity we have included it
here. Finally, we have the average winds aloft
or in this case 276/65 (from 276 degrees at
65 knots) and the ISA deviation is minus 3.

METARS
It is also a good idea to check out the weather
at our departure and destination airports. Unlike
TAFs, which are long-term forecasts, METARS
are issued every hour and contain information
on the current weather conditions. Sometimes
a short-term forecast may be added at the end
of the METAR, particularly if the weather starts
For this flight, we are doing a hop from becoming ‘interesting’. Information in these
MCDU Heathrow (EGLL) to Schiphol (EHAM). From reports can be exhaustive and it is beyond the
Although the Airbus MCDU uses a different the OFP (Fig 1), we can see our cruise altitude scope of this article to cover them in detail, but
methodology from Boeing, the data we need is FL270 and we have a ZFW of 56,367kg here is a snippet from the report for Schiphol.
to input is similar. Essentially it is broken down (56.4t). The block fuel is 4831kg (4.8t). The EHAM 271055 25016KT 9999
into the following sections: INIT sets the arrival route is: EGLL 27R BPK7F BPK Q295 CLN FEW017 10/08 Q1008
and departure airports, flight level and weights. L620 REDFA REDF1A EHAM/22 (Fig 2). For This tells us the weather for EHAM (Schiphol,
F-PLN sets the route and SIDs/STARs along with the departure, we have been given Runway Amsterdam), taken on the 27th day of the
the runway in use. PERF sets the flaps settings,
FLEX and thrust reduction/acceleration altitude.
27R and the BPK7F SID, while on the arrival month at 1055Z (UTC time). Wind is from
side we have the REDF1A STAR for Runway 250 degrees at 16kts, visibility is greater

www.pcpilot.net #113 PC PILOT / 45

FEATURE

than 10km and clouds are few at 1700ft.

Temperature is 10⁰C and dewpoint 8⁰C.
QNH (altimeter setting) is 1008Mb.
Not a bad day. If you want to learn more
on decoding METAR reports, a good source
can be found on the following website:
www.weatherfaqs.org.uk/node/197.

Cockpit preparation
With the paperwork out of the way, we can
board the aircraft and start preparing for
pushback. We start with a cockpit safety or
pre-flight check, to make sure the aircraft is in
After aligning the IRS,
a safe state before powering up the systems. the main Primary Flight
This involves making sure the gear handle is Displays (PFD) and
Navigation Displays (ND)
down and locked, the flaps are up and the will come online.
spoilers are down. We then do a scan of the
overhead panel and make sure hydraulics and POS INIT waypoint or closing discontinuities (a break
fuel switches are off, pressurisation is set, the This sets the initial position of the in the route) and manual entry will give you
fuel control switches are off and the thrust levers aircraft. During the alignment phase, we a better understanding of how to do this.
are at idle. Once we are happy the aircraft is enter the ICAO code of the departure The route section consists of two parts (or
in a safe state, we can start powering it up. airport. We can sometimes enter a gate pages). On the first one, we enter the departure
This would be a good time to hook up to a number for a more accurate position, and destination ICAO codes along with the
ground power source before flicking the master however, this only works at airports where flight number. The second page is where we
switch on, arming the emergency lights and gates are in the AIRAC database. enter the airways and waypoints. Think of it
checking the bus ties are closed. The navigation We set the initial aircraft position by copying as being broken down into two columns. On
lights then come on so ground crew know the long/lat coordinates from the left-hand the left we have the airways (entered using
the aircraft is ‘live’. At this stage I wait for the GPS to the scratchpad (this is an area on the the left LSK keys) and on the right, we have
displays to power up and all the systems to CDU where we copy and paste data) and the waypoints (added using the right LSK
complete self-tests before aligning the Inertia paste it to the ‘Set Inertial Position’ on LSK keys). Let’s look at the route: EGLL BPK7F
Reference System (IRS). In real aircraft, this (Line Select Key) 6R. We can use any GPS BPK Q295 CLN L620 REDFA REDF1A EHAM
takes around 10 minutes, but we can set it in or IRS sensor to set the initial position, but EGLL is our departure airport and we
the simulator to align instantly or in real time. many real-world operators use the left GPS in follow the BPK7F SID to BPK. This is the
While the IRSs are aligning, we can tune their Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). last waypoint on the SID and entry point to
to the ATIS (Automatic Terminal Information After setting the initial position, check the GPS the Q295 airway. On the other end, REDFA
Service) for the latest weather. If it is the first and IRS coordinates match and that these is the last point on the L620 airway and
flight of the day, we may also have to run correspond to the gate and/or airport position. the entry point to the REDFA1A STAR. So,
tests such as fire detection and suppression our actual route that needs to go in the
for the engines, APU and cargo bays, and RTE CDU is: BPK Q295 CLN L620 REDFA
verify the warning lights and audible warnings There are two ways to programme the route. BPK is the first waypoint to go in on LSK
are functioning, such as the TCAS and One method is to use a CO ROUTE (Company 1R (Line Select Key 1R – top right), then we
stall warning/sticker shaker. Now we can Route) and the second is manual entry. I insert the Q295 airway on LSK 2L. The next
start turning our attention to the FMC. would recommend starting with the manual waypoint is CLN (LSK 2R) where we join L629
method. It is often necessary to manipulate (LSK 3L) until REDFA which goes in LSK 3R.
Programming the FMC routes in-flight, for example going direct to This is a relatively short sector, so the route
The FMC is arguably the biggest hurdle
faced by budding virtual airline pilots. First,
a quick recap, the Flight Management
Computer (FMC) houses the Flight
Management System (FMS) and we input
data via the Control Display Unit (CDU).
Think of the FMS as a flowchart, where
we start at the top with the IDENT page,
then the POS INIT section, followed by
flight planning and then the performance
section. Once we have completed all the
sections, the CDU pre-flight is complete
and we can proceed to the next step.
We can jump between different pages using
the INT REF or Index page, but in the following
example we will use a typical flow used to
programme the FMC. It also has several in-flight
pages, which we will cover in a later tutorial.

IDENT
The IDENT page contains information
on the aircraft type and engine rating. It
also displays the version of the AIRAC
navigational database currently loaded, The engines can be derated
so we can verify it is up-to-date. during take-off. In this example, we
have selected 10% thrust reduction.

46 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

 We should check the
route for any errors
such as discontinuities
or incorrect waypoints.

fits on the second page. For longer hops, thrust take-offs. The first method is to derate Vmc, for example on slippery runways. In
new pages are automatically appended, so the engines or set them to less power than Airbus aircraft, this is known as FLEX.
for example on a long-haul flight, we might they can generate. Smaller engines generate
have several pages in the RTE section. less asymmetric thrust in case of engine TAKEOFF REF
The second method is to import a company failure, so we can use a lower Vmc (minimum Finally, we have the take-off reference page
route via the RTE page. Most flight planners controllable speed with an engine out). This is which we use to set the take-off configuration,
can export the route to a data file, which we particularly useful on slippery runways where including the flap and trim settings, thrust
can import for a specific add-on aircraft. The lateral control is reduced. So, we can increase reduction altitude and acceleration height. The
naming convention for company routes is the take-off weight by using less power. final step is to confirm the Vspeeds, V1 (decision
the departure ICAO, followed immediately The second method is to use an assumed speed) Vr (rotate) and V2 (take-off safety speed).
by the destination ICAO and a version temperature. In this case, we tell the engines That is pretty much it for programming the FMC;
number, or in this case, EGLLEHAM01. the ambient temperature is higher than the the CDU pre-flight is complete and we can
TOP TIP: Rather than entering the waypoints actual outside air temperature. Jet engines set the Mode Control Panel (MCP) with the
after each airway, we can simply add the generate less thrust as the outside air initial climb-out altitude (6,000ft in our case),
airways using the left LSKs and the FMC will temperature increases, which results in a set the heading bug to the runway heading
automatically add each exit waypoint. For reduced power setting. By entering a higher (271 for Runway 27R), and the speed window
example, after BPK we only need to enter assumed temperature, we can use reduced would be set to V2. We are now ready to push
Q295 on LSK2 and L620 on LSK 3 and the thrust. We can command full power from back and start the engines, which we will cover
FMC will automatically add CLN. We do the engine if needed, but the downside next time. PCP
however need to add the last waypoint on is we cannot take advantage of the lower By Richard Benedikz
the route (REDFA in this case). This is a great
time-saving feature for longer routes, but you
still need to verify each entry; sometimes
the FMC will pick the wrong exit waypoint.
DEPARR – Departure and Arrival
The last part of the route section is the SID
and departure runway, entered via the DEPARR
page. We will also enter the arrival data from
here once we are enroute. In this case we
have the BPK7F SID, which we select on the
left LSK, and Runway 27R selected via the
right LSK. This will basically inject the SID
between Runway 27R and the BPK waypoint.

Perf Init
Next up, the performance section - where we
enter the ZFW, cruise altitude, the centre of
gravity and fuel, including reserves. We can
also enter the CI (Cost Index) here. This is a
number used to optimise the ratio between the
cost of time and fuel to set the most efficient
cruise speed. Some flight planners will work
out a cost index, which you can pick up from
the OFP, but I usually set it to around 100
– we are not paying for the fuel after all.

THRUST LIM
The thrust limit page is where we input the
thrust limits for the take-off and climb segment.
Airliners are very overpowered, so operators
commonly use reduced thrust during take-
off to increase engine life and save fuel.
Above: Once we have completed data entry on the CDU (Control Display Unit), we can push back from the
There are two methods used for reduced gate and start the engines.

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TUTORIAL CHALLENGING AIRPORTS

Narsarsuaq
S
ituated about one-third of the way
across the North Atlantic, Greenland,
along with Iceland, has long been
a regular stop on the hop, skip and
Greenland (BGBW) anti-submarine missions. The airfield was also
jump flight across ‘The Pond’ to and from a frequent stopover point for wartime aircraft
Europe. The route is often used by aircraft with transiting to and from Europe. In the decades
shorter fuel endurance that require breaking following the war, the airfield facilities have
the trans-Atlantic journey into stages. One been improved and civil aviation traffic serving
such popular refuelling stop is in Narsarsuaq, tourists and residents has slowly increased.
Greenland (BGBW) at a World War Two-era Whether you are flying scheduled airline
airstrip buried 50 miles deep in a fjord on routes to Narsarsuaq, or utilising it as a mid-
the southern tip of the massive landmass. trip fuel stop on a longer journey, operating to
Constructed by the War Department of the the airport requires careful consideration and
United States in 1941, the field was then known preparation due to the extremes of distance,
by its codename, Bluie West One and was a weather and geography that the area features.
base of operations for allied convoy escorts and
Location and climate
In 1942, famed pilot and aviation author Ernest
Gann, piloting a DC-3 to Narsarsuaq, recalled
in his book ‘Fate Is the Hunter’ that he was
briefed “there are three fjords… you will notice
that all three look exactly alike but only one
is the right fjord which leads to the field. The
others are dead ends and you are advised
to stay out of them unless you have learned
how to back up an airplane.” Approaching
Narsarsuaq, Gann was forced ever lower by
overcast ceilings until he was just 50ft above
the water. He finally spied the wreckage of
the SS Montrose, a supply ship wrecked on
a cliff in the fjord leading to the airfield. He
wrote “no woman was ever ravished with
such affectionate eyes as this pitiable hulk.”
Though afforded better navigation, weather
information and communications equipment
Above: The rapidly rising terrain in all quadrants means you must maintain situational awareness at all times
and be aware of aircraft performance such as climb gradient requirements during any missed approach
procedure. Insert: With terrain rising to over 3,000ft within a few miles of the airport, a terrain awareness
system or topo display is a valuable tool for situational awareness. Below: Due to the slope of the runway, most
departures use the downhill advantage of Runway 24 regardless of wind direction.

48 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

 How to Fly to Narsarsuaq
Flights to Narsarsuaq Airport can be replicated
using any X-Plane or FSX aircraft that is suitably
equipped to fly combined IFR/VFR approaches
to a runway length of 6,004ft. The largest aircraft
that historically operated to Narsarsuaq were
Boeing 757s and DC-8s.
While stock X-Plane and FSX/P3D airports can
be used, I’d recommend enhancing the experi-
ence with custom scenery packages. X-Plane
users can use Trevor ‘tdg’ Guest’s Narsarsuaq
scenery (donationware) available at X-Plane.org.
FSX/P3D users can use FlightSim Greenland’s
scenery located at www.flightsim.gl
Approach plates for the entirety of Greenland
can be found at https://aim.naviair.dk/ under AIP
In the late ‘60s and ‘70s, some airlines operated their DC-8s to Narsarsuaq,
Grønland. one of the largest aircraft to land on the 6,004ft runway.

than aircrews of 1942, modern day ferry northwest of Narsarsuaq and an airport that, but five months of the year and the high
pilots, stretched to their range on fuel, no in its own right, qualifies as a ‘Challenging latitude means that daylight is reduced to
doubt share Captain Gann’s relief on finally Airport’, thus making it a bit of a concern as as little as six hours in the dead of winter.
laying eyes on the runway at Narsarsuaq. an alternate. Even scheduled air carriers flying Obviously cold temperatures, snow, ice
Ferry aircraft will often arrive to Narsarsuaq to Narsarsuaq have to keep a close eye on the and contaminated runways are also factors
after departing from Goose Bay (CYYR) in weather, approach minimums and alternate that must be taken into consideration
the Canadian province of Newfoundland weather conditions as they evolve in order to when operating to Narsarsuaq.
and Labrador, an extended flight over open make prudent go/no-go decisions. The south As mentioned previously, the airfield is at
water of 676 nautical miles, which is often of Greenland is classified as the end of the 50-mile long Tunuliarfik fjord
near the maximum range of the general a subarctic climate and with nearby peaks soaring to over 5,000ft.
aviation aircraft embarking on the journey. is quite exposed to Familiarisation with the similarly oriented
Extended range fuel tanks are often the regular train of nearby fjords is essential in preventing the
fitted to aircraft and cold water Atlantic storms disaster that Gann alluded to by turning into
survival equipment is required which tend to a dead-end arm of one of the many fjords
due to the exposed nature run up the along the coast. The field was constructed
of the route. The next east coast of on the flattest land available near the outlet
nearest viable alternate/ the United of a glacier-fed river and is surrounded by
diversion airport is States before high terrain in all quadrants, necessitating
Nuuk (BGGH), a moving adherence to instrument procedures or solid
not insignificant eastward visual conditions to avoid getting into trouble.
distance of across the
nearly 251 northern Runway
nautical Atlantic. The 6,004ft concrete Runway 06/24 is unique
miles Average in that it has a severe uphill slope landing to
temperatures the northeast. The beginning of the runway,
remain below closest to the water, sits at an elevation of
freezing for all 11ft, while the far end rises at a 1.68% slope

www.pcpilot.net #113 PC PILOT / 49

TUTORIAL

to 112ft. For obvious reasons, regardless of

wind direction, most landings are made uphill
to take advantage of the steep gradient, and
most take-offs are made downhill. While 6,004ft
of runway isn’t a vast amount of pavement, the
slope on landing uphill significantly reduces
landing rollout, allowing for aircraft as large
as Boeing 757s and DC-8s to operate to
the relatively short field. With regard to the
downhill slope for departing aircraft, while it is
true that it assists in reaching rotation speed
faster, the gradient can significantly reduce
the balanced field V1 take-off decision speed
since an aborted take-off after heading down
the hill will require an enormous amount of
stopping distance, particularly if the runway
has snow or ice contaminants present. The
runway is lit with high intensity lights and
Runway 6 has a 3.5° PAPI. A notation indicates
that the PAPI to Runway 6 should only be
used within 2nm of the threshold, since an
extension of that approach path does not
meet obstacle clearance requirements.

Approaches
Arrivals into Narsarsuaq can expect to shoot
one of a variety of non-precision approaches,
all of which have high minimums that should be
given consideration if weather is forecast to be
a factor. Approaches include NDB, NDB-DME
and straight-in and circling RNAV approaches.
The absolute lowest published minimums of
1,240ft MSL (1,229ft AGL) are for Category
A aircraft performing the RNAV Z RWY 06
approach that are capable of a 5% missed
approach climb gradient. Minimums for many of
the approaches are further broken down based
on aircraft climb performance during the missed
approach segment. Better performing aircraft
capable of higher percentage climb gradients
are allowed to descend further ‘into the hole’
so to speak. There is also a VMC arrival chart
Above: Narsarsuaq is a common stopover point for aircraft with limited range that are ferrying across the
Atlantic. Below: A situation you don’t want to see when arriving in the Narsarsuaq area is valleys filled with low
cloud and mountain tops poking through the undercast.

50 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

 Left: Helicopter and military traffic makes up a fair portion of Narsarsuaq’s activity.
Below: The sub-Arctic climate, coupled with southern Greenland jutting out into the North Atlantic, means
contaminated runways are very likely.

that can be used in conjunction with the other bearing from the Narsarsuaq NDB (359) while
instrument approach procedures that depicts climbing above the minimum sector altitude of
the racetrack pattern to be flown west of the 7,100ft. The climb gradient for the procedure
airfield over the waters of the fjord, remaining is not very restrictive at the standard 200ft
within about 3 DME from NQ (111.85). All of per nautical mile. Cautions in the aerodrome
the approaches can be considered instrument notes warn that aircraft may experience ATC
segments leading to a visual approach, so delays and to not start aircraft engines until
manoeuvring of some sort or another is likely an ATC clearance is obtained. The notes
to be required to get lined up on Runway 6. All also mention several fixes that pilots are
of the approaches are annotated that they may encouraged to file when arriving and departing
only be used during daylight and civil twilight. from Narsarsuaq to maximise ATC flight
Additionally, all four RNAV approaches must level and route availability. It would be wise
be altitude-corrected for low temperatures. to study all of the airport notes, procedural
Many of the approach charts for Narsarsuaq notes and perhaps do a bit of internet
have multiple warnings, notations and research for tips and tricks to ferrying through
restrictions printed on them that require careful Narsarsuaq prior to embarking on such a trip.
study. Examples of these include warnings that
the approach course is offset 15°, warnings Conclusion
that turbulence can be expected and notations Flying to Narsarsuaq is a journey that varies
that missed approach procedure turns must between the norm, for those air carriers that
be flown at a maximum of 130 knots to ensure routinely make the trip from shorter distances,
the turn radius complies with terrain and and the extreme, for those ferry pilots who
obstruction clearance. There are also aircraft barely have enough fuel to make it. Though
performance considerations that should be the open ocean between distant landmasses
addressed by the pilot prior to commencing Above: Terrain that lurks in the darkness can is featureless, the visual reward upon reaching
the approach. For instance, is your aircraft be revealed with synthetic vision or night vision Greenland is worth the monotony of the middle
equipment. Below: Narsarsuaq’s high latitude means
capable of making a greater than standard that at the height of winter, there may only be around of the trip.
PCP
descent rate upon breaking out of the clouds six hours of daylight. By Chris Frishmuth
on an approach or do you risk a circling
approach where sky, clouds and terrain may
all blend together in a perfect recipe for spatial
disorientation? If you miss the approach due to
weather, do you have fuel to proceed to your
alternate (and how is the weather there?) or are
you committed to flying multiple approaches
until you either land or exhaust your fuel?

Departures
Once you’ve grabbed some fuel or spent some
time visiting the glaciers around Narsarsuaq,
it is time to head to North America, Europe
or other airports in Greenland or Iceland. The
published Standard Instrument Departure
(SID) consists of a take-off from Runway
24 followed by a circling climb in visual
conditions over the water remaining within
3 DME from NQ until reaching 1,200ft, then
proceeding outbound on the 277° magnetic

www.pcpilot.net #113 PC PILOT / 51

FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH BLUESKY FLIGHT SIMULATIONS

Curtiss P-40F W
BlueSky Flight
Simulations

Flight Sim World gets a new fighter and developer

F
light Sim 2017, held at the RAF artists renowned for their work in the flight simulations started many years ago
Museum, Cosford in October, saw simulator community including 3D modellers, developing modules for Lock-On right
the announcement of two new texture artists and flight model engineers. through to current DCS World modules.
exciting products from two new PC Pilot: Tell us a little about the team I’ve also been extensively involved in
companies: ‘Deadstick’, produced by REMEX members – particularly with respect to some military projects using Prepar3D.
Software (read interview starting on page 24) their professional backgrounds. We have some team members that started
and BlueSky Flight Simulations’ Curtiss P-40F Chris Ellis: My background in flight out in the aerobatic flight sim community that
Warhawk – an add-on for Dovetail’s Flight
Sim World. Eager to find out more about this
new military aircraft for FSW, we invited Chris
Ellis co-founder of BlueSky FS to tell us more
about the company and its P-40F Warhawk.
PC Pilot: Thanks for agreeing to take
part in this Q&A. May I start by asking
you to tell our readers how and why
BlueSky Flight Simulations was formed?
Chris Ellis: Many thanks to PC
Pilot for the Q&A and your continued
support over the years.
BlueSky was formed recently to specifically
develop add-on aircraft and solutions for Every switch, lever
Flight Sim World (FSW) and the wider and gauge does what
Microsoft Flight Sim-based platforms. it’s supposed to do
with great accuracy.
The team is made up of very talented

52 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

 aircraft already in development for it.
The assets used to make the aircraft module
were easily transferable to other platforms,
with some specific tweaks of course.
PC Pilot: Why did BlueSky decide to produce
a P-40F for FSW rather than any other platform?
Chris Ellis: Although FSW is a new sim on
the marketplace, we felt that we could partner
with Dovetail Games to develop add-on
content for its platform. The Flight team there
has the same passion, drive and excellence
that we have in terms of giving the community
the best aircraft and platform that again,
we as simmers, would want to fly in.
The P-40F is the newest and fastest
aircraft in the FSW stable to date and
will give the community partly what they
have asked for in faster/different aircraft.
Its systems, like hydraulics, are unique and
will give the study-level simmers what they are
looking for - something different to GA aircraft.
PC Pilot: Tell us a little about the research and
work that has gone into this project with respect
to the internal and external 3D modelling.
Chris Ellis: The amount of research that
goes into the level of detail that we wanted
to achieve is insane. Many days and months
were spent crawling over actual aircraft
scrutinising every inch of the airframe.
Huge numbers of photos were taken to
again get every level of detail required, right
down to painted-over rust. Our photo library
is well into the thousands just for the P-40F.

F Warhawk
Flight manuals were reviewed and
ground engineers were talked to about
the little dents and nicks and how
they came to be on the aircraft.
This allows the 3D artists to meticulously
recreate the virtual representation with
unparalleled detail, dents and all.
It also helps that we have some World
War Two aircraft ‘nuts’ working on the team
whose knowledge is also invaluable.
PC Pilot: Will your P-40F have
are exceptional at what they do in terms of How did this project come into being and a fully interactive cockpit?
developing aircraft for their hobbies and have why was this particular aircraft chosen? Chris Ellis: Yes, it certainly will. Again
brought their talents into the consumer market. Chris Ellis: The P-40F is being based on the research we have gathered,
Other team members such as Gibbage, developed by our sister company for pilot manual, pilot notes, talking to engineers
renowned for his IL-2 work and exceptionally another platform in conjunction with and the actual pilots who fly the aircraft,
detailed cockpit textures, are professional the one we are developing for FSW. we have been able to faithfully recreate the
developers. Some are developers for multiple It was a logical choice for us to look cockpit environment and functionality you
flight sim platforms which lend themselves very at other platforms in the marketplace would find if you flew the real aircraft.
nicely to the products and solutions we make. and see where we think it would best sit Some more advanced features such
PC Pilot: What would you say is given the sim’s development pattern and as GPS navigation and advanced radio
the company’s underlying philosophy
and ultimate objective? The P-40F variant
BlueSky have modelled
Chris Ellis: Our philosophy is to enjoy was powered by the
making aircraft that we, as hobbyists, would Rolls-Royce Merlin
also love to fly in modern-day flight sims. V-1650-1 engine.
The level of detail our team get into is
amazing. Every nut, bolt and screw is perfectly
positioned and textured as in the real aircraft.
Every switch, lever and gauge does what
it’s supposed to do with great accuracy.
When you have a passion for what you
do it really shows in the module.
Our ultimate objective is to make
professional-level aircraft that the community
will enjoy flying forever, as we do.
PC Pilot: Your first project under the brand
label BlueSky FS is the Curtiss P-40F Warhawk.

www.pcpilot.net #113 PC PILOT / 53

FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH BLUESKY FLIGHT SIMULATIONS

The P-40F is the newest

and fastest aircraft in the
FSW stable to date.

stacks will be added in after release,

however the default in-sim Garmin system
has been included by pressing Shift+2.
PC Pilot: When it comes to the flight
modelling, can you describe the work
and process involved in developing
this aspect of the simulation?
Chris Ellis: We take the aircraft performance
data from the flight manual and any pilot
feedback, as not every aircraft flies the same,
and plot those graphs and details into our tools,
which produces the simulated flight model.
This is then tested and tweaked based on the
in-sim debug graphs which allows us to check
BlueSky’s P-40F comes actual performance data vs in-sim flight profile.
with both real life and FSW has some fantastic debug tools
custom artistic liveries.
which makes our job a lot easier when
checking parameters. The flight modelling
also includes ground handling so you’ll see
the suspension and torque effects as you
power up the aircraft to taxi out or take-off.
PC Pilot: In terms of the systems modelling,
what level of fidelity have you aimed for?
In addition, will the user be able to do
a full start-up from ‘cold and dark’?
Chris Ellis: We’ve aimed for it to be as
realistic as possible within the sim. Dovetail
has helped us immensely with the hydraulics
system in particular as we’ve mentioned.
This allows simple keyboard controls,
such as F and G, and the Saitek panels
integrated into FSW to be used and of
course a fully realistic clickable or keyboard/
joystick binding for the hydraulic system.
We’ve extended the Cold and Dark
checklist on the P-40F to include pre-start,
engine start and post-start checklist items
realistic to starting the actual aircraft.
When the core sim is updated to enable
more advanced checklists such as
take-off and landing, we will of course
update ours to include these items.

54 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

 PC Pilot: The P-40F was powered by
the Allison engine. How did you go about
replicating its distinctive sound?
Chris Ellis: Actually the version of our
P-40F that we have modelled has the Rolls-
Royce Merlin V-1650-1 engine in it.
You’ll notice that there is no intake on the top
of the engine which is typical with the Allison.
This particular engine type saw combat in major
theatres such as the Mediterranean in 1943 with
the Free French Air Force and Operation Torch in Above: Huge numbers of photos were taken to get every level of detail required. Below: With her weight, she
the South-West Pacific theatre. can dive exceptionally fast and is very manoeuvrable compared to other fighters of her time.
The actual aircraft we had access to had
a lot of historical data about the engine
and its performance which we have
re-created in the flight model, let alone
the distinctive Merlin sounds which are
amazing inside and outside of the cockpit.
These later variants of the P-40F typically
known as Kittyhawk to the British, fulfilled the
wish to fit a Merlin engine in the P-40F which
ultimately led to the development of the P-51.
The sounds were professionally recorded by
our sound engineer using omni-directional mics
and then processed for use within the simulator.
We think users will absolutely love the unique
sounds we have added, such as rough running
and engine cut-out when flying inverted or
pushing negative-G for a period of time, along
with the main engine sounds of course. about the aircraft in terms of its PC Pilot: Will the package include a
PC Pilot: What aspects of this project operational and handling qualities? choice of liveries, and if so, which ones?
did you find most challenging? Chris Ellis: She’s certainly a heavy bird and Chris Ellis: Yes, it will. We have some real
Chris Ellis: I’d say the most challenging takes a little while to climb up to altitude, life liveries and some custom artistic liveries.
aspect was the coding for the sim as however she is more than capable of cruising at We have the following real life ones: Trixie, Miss
the team was not used to this method a good speed high up. With her weight, she can Alma, Rozanoff and 209, which are all uniquely
of scripting the systems logic. dive exceptionally fast and is very manoeuvrable different and have a vast history behind them.
The Dovetail team has been instrumental compared with other fighters of her time. We also have an all-metal skin which really
in helping with this along with an excellent The P-40F usually had an advantage shows off the work our texture and model artists
SDK and in-sim tools to allow for the over the Bf-109 in horizontal manoeuvres have done for PBR (Physically Based Rendering)
advanced features required for the P-40F. (turning), dive speed and structural strength 2.0 in FSW, along with a custom-made skin
We’re always thinking of ways to improve and was roughly equal in firepower. called Aimee, or Little Bear as I call her.
the user experience while maintaining She was, however, slightly inferior in PC Pilot: Finally, when do you hope
accuracy of the real aircraft systems. speed and outclassed in rate of climb and to release your P-40F Warhawk?
The other challenging aspect is actual operational ceiling, but was certainly quite Chris Ellis: We are aiming for release
development because we love flying her in effective against Axis aircraft and contributed by the end of November 2017.
FSW for hours so much that we often get to a slight shift in the Allies’ favour. PC Pilot: Thanks for taking the time to take
lost in what we need to work on next! It was also considered to be superior to part in this interview and we wish you all the
PC Pilot: In the process of creating the Hurricane, which it replaced as the best of luck with this release.
PCP
this simulation, what did you discover primary fighter of the Desert Air Force. By Derek Davis

The Cold and Dark checklist on the P-40F includes

pre-start, engine start and post-start checklist items
realistic to starting the actual aircraft.

www.pcpilot.net #113 PC PILOT / 55

TUTORIAL

Back to Basics
Stage 1 – Lesson 8.
By Peter Stark
at low airspeed and close to the ground. We
must therefore physically hold the nose in
the correct attitude to maintain our preferred
forgotten about that!) and apply full power. We
do not want to raise the nose just yet because
as we apply full power, the increased thrust
rate of descent and airspeed as we trim and the fact that we have a large area of flaps

W
e are now getting to the these now quite significant forces away. exposed will make the nose want to pitch up
business end of this series, As we continue our final approach, we would with a surprising amount of force on the yoke.
so we will introduce some expect the flaps to be in their landing position Again the ‘low airspeed, low altitude’ danger
more demanding manoeuvres and nicely trimmed well before 200ft AGL. warning should be echoing in your brain!
to keep you working hard at perfecting So if we must go around at a low altitude Once we have full power and have arrested
your flying techniques while continuing we must know what to expect so we can our descent, we can then raise our flaps
to develop your theoretical knowledge. safely control the aircraft while dealing with to perhaps 20° or possibly 10°, in stages.
these forces. The very first thing we must This partial raising of the flaps should result
Going around do when a go around is initiated is to close in a slight increase in airspeed so you can
One of the first things you probably noticed the carburettor heat fully (I hope you hadn’t allow the nose to gently rise and the aircraft
when flying in a congested circuit is that
you are sometimes required to execute a Fig 1 - If you have to go around,
go-around because the preceding aircraft track off the centreline to
has not cleared the runway. Or possibly you minimise any conflicts.

have made a dreadful approach or even a

bounced landing and you feel it prudent to
go around and try again. At first glance this
appears rather simple and easy to do as one
thing most flight simulators aren’t good at
is replicating the actual control forces you
experience. We continually trim these forces
away and we certainly would do so during
final approach as we lower our flaps. As we
lower each stage, the increased wing area
and lift will initially make the nose rise but we
can’t allow this to happen as our airspeed
will erode and that is the last thing we want

56 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

 Always overfly your short field to look for
hazards and plan your approach.

avoid a mishap. For this exercise, choose screenshots were taken at the wonderfully
a small dirt or grass runway with perhaps named Bear Gulch-Hoodsport/WA38 with
some trees at the end as extra incentive. As Orbx NA Pacific North West. Some other
we won’t be flying near any large cities in suitable examples are Lignite (11Z) and
this exercise, this is your chance to crank up Stampede (Z90), both in Alaska and both
your autogen sliders so that there are lots of with one ‘reasonable’ take-off and approach
obstacles in your vicinity. The accompanying run and the other being more ‘hostile’!
We continue to use the A2A Simulation GA
aircraft for this series due to their exemplary
realism and a check of their Cessna C172
Pilot’s Operating Manual reveals a Short
Field Takeoff Distance chart. Conveniently,
this table also tells us just how to go about
a short-field take-off! For example, the
assumptions are that we will use 10° flap,
apply full throttle before brake release on a
dry, paved runway in nil wind. Some other
notes tell us exactly how to apply some
variations for different wind and runway
conditions. By selecting mild weather at
20°C, we can see the table in Figure 2 tells
us that we will need 980ft of runway to lift
off, or 1745ft to clear a 50ft high obstacle in
our path. If using a dry grass strip like Bear
Gulch, the notes also tell us to add 15% to
those distances which brings our ground
roll to 1127ft. So we are good for take-off –
enter a gentle climb. Don’t be tempted to Above: Fig 2 - A check of the A2A C172 manual just - from Bear Gulch with its 1300ft strip.
raise the flaps entirely in one hit as our reassures us that we have sufficient runway for take-off. While our manual has told us to use
stall speed will increase commensurately
and we don’t have a great deal of margin Fig 3 - Don’t confuse your Vy and Vx.
at this stage! Now you can trim out the
forces and start to track just off the right
hand side of the runway so that you have
an unimpeded view of the runway and any Best Angle of Climb (Vx)
aircraft operating on it (Figure 1). Check local
procedures if you are operating on parallel
runways - you don’t want to drift over the
adjoining runway! Once past 200ft AGL and
safely climbing, you can retract the flaps
fully and complete your circuit as normal.

Short-field take-offs
Most trainee pilots are fortunate enough
to operate out of luxuriously long runways
with a nearby coffee shop or burger bar. In
some parts of the world however, every take-
off is out of a short, dusty airstrip and this
type of operation certainly requires some Best Rate of Climb (Vy)
additional skills and an understanding of
what the dangers are if you are to safely

www.pcpilot.net #113 PC PILOT / 57

TUTORIAL

Keep the weight off the nose wheel during

short-field operations and always plan ahead.

10° flap, this does vary from 10° to 25° you have successfully left the ground, don’t
depending on the aircraft. The reason for Vx be misled into thinking your job is over. The
using flaps is that they will provide more lift actual take-off is only one consideration.
and hence lower the stall speed, allowing We now need to manage the initial climb
you to climb out at your best angle of climb out to avoid any obstacles such as trees,
speed (see next section) with a lower nose power lines etc. The first stage of this is to
attitude than would otherwise be possible. accelerate to 57 knots by the time you are at
Do a full run-up to ensure there are no just 50ft, ie quite a flat climb, until we have
mechanical issues such as a faulty magneto achieved this magical number. From here, we
that may interfere with having full power need to have made an earlier decision – to
available to you when you need it. This climb out at our best angle or our best rate
becomes really important if flying A2A – and it is critical to know the difference.
Simulations aircraft where fouled plugs are
simulated. Line up on the end of the runway
Vy Best rate of climb - Vy
as close to the threshold as possible so In a nutshell, this refers to how quickly we
no runway length is wasted. Stand on the may reach our cruise altitude. It is usually
brakes until we have full power confirmed measured in vertical ‘feet per minute’ and as
and then release the brakes. Make gentle that term suggests, it is more concerned with
control inputs to remain in the centre of the your climb over TIME rather than your climb
airstrip. You should accelerate smoothly over DISTANCE. The Vy for the A2A Cessna
and rotate normally at the C172 prescribed 172 at sea level is 79 knots. (Incidentally, one
short-field liftoff speed at 51 knots. It is of the records for the best rate of climb is
extremely dangerous lifting off early as you held by the Sukhoi Su-27 at 64,000ft/min!)
will be decreasing the margin between your Above: Comparing the nose attitudes at Vx (10° flap)
speed and the aircraft stall speed. Once and Vy. Best angle of climb - Vx
So unless you are flying an Su-27, you may
need to read this section. By contrast, our
best angle of climb tells us at what angle we
must climb to avoid obstacles in the vicinity
as it is purely concerned with achieving
the highest altitude in the shortest possible
distance over the ground. The aviation term
for best angle of climb is ‘Vx’ and again, this
should appear in your aircraft manual. Vx
for the A2A Cessna 172 is 60 knots, some
19 knots below our Vy. So passing 57 knots
after liftoff, we must raise the nose to a much
higher nose attitude than normal to maintain
our Vx of 60 knots. Maintain Vx until you have
cleared all those obstacles before lowering the
nose gently to allow the aircraft to accelerate
to your best rate of climb speed of 79 knots,
as you start to clean up by retracting the flaps
and continue with your planned climb. Figure
3 demonstrates why we need to consider
which speed to use, especially after a short-
Fig 4 - If you have obstructions in your go-around path, plan your ‘bug out’ point before making your approach. field take-off with nearby obstructions.

58 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

Short-field landings
There will be situations, like landing back
at the airport that just required a short-field
take-off, where you will need to complete
a short-field landing. Perhaps a more apt
description is a short-field approach and
landing! It isn’t just a matter of pulling the
aircraft up quickly, but being prepared
during the entire approach with full flaps,
at the relevant speed and glide slope to
clear any obstacles before touching down.
Use the same airfield we just used for our
short-field take-off and fly over the airfield
looking not only for obstructions such as
trees and power lines, but also considering Fortunately, not all airstrips require you to
take-off and land over a wooden bridge.
your ‘bug out point’ and escape route.

have too much trouble in touching down close

to the threshold and pulling up before the
runway ran out. Now try taking off and landing
on the reciprocal runways. If you have your
autogen set high, the trees near the threshold
will provide a physical barrier and prevent you
from touching down on the threshold. You
will have to use your short-field technique
with quite a steep descent which means you
will be using less power - if any. Remember
that the aim isn’t to fly between the trees but
over them, touch down as soon as possible
and pull up before the end of the runway.
Finally, a couple of airmanship issues with
short-field landings. They are by their nature,
riskier manoeuvres than standard landings as
you are operating at low airspeeds. If the wind
conditions are gusty, you should consider
using less flap and a higher approach speed.
If the conditions are really that difficult,
PCP
divert to a more suitable airport!
Fig 5 - Hazards near the threshold mean you may need to fly a much steeper approach path than usual.

Next time
Should the approach be towards hills and transfer weight to the wheels, making the To hone your skills, head to Alaska and
or high trees that prevent successful a braking more effective. Pulling the yoke back explore the back country by visiting some of
go-around from late finals, you will need helps take some forces off the nose wheel the large number of short airstrips there are to
to plan this bug out point at which you will which is an important consideration when choose from. Next time around we’ll continue
make your go-around decision (Figure 4). operating out of a soft, or gravel airfield. some advanced techniques such as glide
Once satisfied, you have completed a circuit If you chose to try these techniques at the approaches and forced or unplanned landings.
to the point of just becoming established on airports suggested above, you probably didn’t
final approach. Under normal circumstances
we fly finals at around 70 knots with full flaps
in the A2A C172. In our short-field approach
however, we would like to continue our
approach at full flaps at our full flap ‘short-
field approach speed’ of 62 knots. Also,
as we may have obstacles such as trees in
our normal approach path, we may need to
modify our approach so that the latter part
is much steeper than normal (Figure 5), but
while still holding 62 knots. The trick here
is to point the aircraft at the threshold and
regulate airspeed with throttle. As soon as
you are sure you will reach the runway, close
the throttle to reduce our speed and flare and
touchdown firmly as close to the threshold
as possible. You certainly don’t want to be
floating down a short airstrip with obstacles
at the far end. If runway length is still a
concern, get your nose wheel on the ground
and simultaneously raise the flaps. Brake
firmly without locking the wheels up and pull Flying into short airstrips can
open up a new aspect and detailed
the yoke fully back until you have come to a world to your flight simulation.
standstill. We raise the flaps to decrease lift

www.pcpilot.net #113 PC PILOT / 59

TUTORIAL FLIGHT ADVENTURE

The World’s
Busiest Routes
I
f you were asked what the notes on both RNAV routes for those flying
world’s busiest air routes are, aircraft equipped with FMCs, plus radio navaid
your thoughts may shift to North routes for those without. Accordingly, there
America. The fact is, the top 15 may be subtle differences, but our narrative will
are all outside the US with all of the top 10 ensure you successfully complete your flights!
in the Asia/Pacific region. This issue we fly As you might expect with high density routes,
the top two on the list in Korea and Japan. there are a number of altitude/speed restrictions
in the vicinity of some of these airports, but
Flight planning all required charts are freely available online.
Both routes will be flown using Boeing
737 aircraft using the PMDG 737-800WL #1: Seoul/RKSS to Jeju/RKPC
in Jeju Air livery and the PMDG 737- Seoul sits on the Han River just 35 miles from
700 in All Nippon Airways livery for the the Demilitarised Zone with North Korea. It is
Japanese leg. You may of course choose a vibrant city with a population density second
any similar aircraft in your hangar. only to Tokyo and keeps visitors entertained
Both South Korea and Japan have strong with its history, national parks, great food and
flight simulation communities and there the world’s fastest internet speeds! So perhaps
are many file libraries that contain scenery it shouldn’t be a total surprise that it features
downloads for FS2004, FSX, P3D and X-Plane. as a port in the busiest air route in the world.
In addition to this, we have used FTX Global Recent figures reveal this route annually flies
and FTX Vector for additional realism. an astonishing 6,500,000 passengers per
Full details of the scenery used can be found year between Seoul’s Gimpo Airport and the
in the Pilot’s Notes in this issue’s download resort island of Jeju – and that’s each way.
section at www.pcpilot.net, along with flight Flights leave on this route more than five times Above: The standard arrivals into Haneda
take you high over Chiba prefecture before
plans, route charts and where to get the liveries every hour, so it isn’t hard to catch a flight. If making your final approach over Tokyo Bay.
used in this Flight Adventure. We have provided you add in passengers arriving in Jeju from

Be sure not to wander west of the approach path into Jeju

or you may get tangled in the Hallasan volcano.

60 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

 maintain runway heading as you clean up until
you pass the SE NDB (219KHz) before turning
left to 233°. Hold this heading as you climb out
until you can intercept the 151 radial inbound
of the Osan VOR (114.7MHz) and track directly
to Osan while climbing to your cruise level of
FL260. If by chance you have looked at your
FSX/P3D maps during your flight preparation,
The world’s two you may have found that Songtan does not
busiest air routes –
both in Asia. exist. Fear not as Osan/OSN VOR is at the
same location and substitutes for Songtan.

other Asian airports, total passenger numbers

pass 26 million per year. Originally founded
in 2005, Jeju Air started operations as a low-
cost carrier using a fleet of Boeing 737-800
aircraft and so the 737 in Jeju Air livery is a
perfect match for our flight. The main runway
at Jeju is a very generous 10,433ft, so you can
select almost any other aircraft if you prefer.
The December surface winds in this part of
Asia are usually light north westerlies, so you
can plan on departing Gimpo via Runway
32L/R. Your FMC route for this relatively
short 260nm route is RKSS – SOT1X – SOT
(or OSN) – KWA – IPDAS – IPDAS3P - RKPC.
Your alternative route if flying with just VOR
navaids is: RKSS – SE - OSN – KWA – RKPC.
If using an FMC, fly the SOT1X SID to
Songtan/SOT, while those using radio nav aids
should follow the procedure below, which very
closely matches the SOT1X SID. After take-off, Above: Jeju Air is a low-cost carrier that flies frequently from Gimpo to Jeju.

www.pcpilot.net #113 PC PILOT / 61

TUTORIAL FLIGHT ADVENTURE

Passing into Japan’s main

island of Honshu. On a good
day, you’ll be able to see right
across the country during
your route southwards.

As in Korea, the December winds are more

So congested is the Jeju International Airport, that an additional
airport is being developed on the island’s south coast. likely to be from the northwest and so our
route notes generally reflect this. Your route
for this leg is: RKSS – GEFFY1 - HWE – MRE
– FKE – STONE (or TLE, see note below) –
CACAO STAR - RJTT. If equipped, you can fly
the GEFFY 1 departure from Chitose, or after
take-off, simply track via the Chitose/CHE
(116.9MHz) and Hakodate/HWE (112.3MHz)
VORs before proceeding on your planned route
while climbing to your cruise level of FL380.
The route notes below use the enroute VORs
as the principal navigation aids, but users
of FMCs will be flying an identical route until
we start our standard arrival into Haneda.
From Hakodate VOR, track 194° to the
AomorI/MRE VOR on 114.1MHz. In northern
Honshu, it can be as little as 120km from the
Once overhead Osan/OSN, track directly to the east of the localiser where you may west coast to the east, so it shouldn’t be a
Gwangju VOR (114.4MHz) on the 192 radial. As find you get up close and personal with surprise that on most clear days you can see
this route is quite short, you will need to start the 6,398ft volcano cone at Hallasan. east-west across the country from FL380 with
planning your descent as soon as you reach Now, why are all these people flying to Jeju? the central mountain range clearly visible.
your cruise level. From Gwangju, you will track Jeju is a volcanic island formed from lava From Aomori, track 192° to Fukushima/FKE
directly towards Jeju/RKPC and this is usually flow about two million years ago and is a VOR (113.45MHz). While Fukushima’s terrain
the perfect place to start your descent. As in World Heritage-listed site. The climate is quite
Gimpo, the winds at Jeju are most likely to be mild compared to mainland Korea with the The records keep coming with the greater Tokyo
light and from the north west, which usually temperature almost never going below zero and area also being the most populous city worldwide.
favours Runway 06. If using an FMC, track this appeals to tourists and couples on their
from Gwangju to IPDAS intersection where you honeymoon as they climb the volcano, explore
can intercept the IPDAS 3P STAR which will lava tubes, relax in spa resorts or, ahem, visiting
take you straight to the MAMMY intersection, the famous Loveland outdoor sculpture park.
conveniently the initial approach fix for either
the Runway 06 RNAV or ILS approach. #2: Sapporo/RJCC to Tokyo
If using radio nav aids, you can closely Haneda/RJTT
approximate this STAR by tracking directly from Not far behind the #1 on the world’s busiest
Gwangju to the Jeju/YDM VOR (109.0MHz) until route is the Japanese route between Sapporo
you get to 14DME, when you should fly the arc and Tokyo with 6.2 million passengers flying
counter clockwise while descending to 3,400ft. the route each year. Sapporo is the capital
This will lead you to a nice intercept of the of Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido
Runway 06 ILS (109.9MHz). Either way, and this large island attracts visitors for
take care with your radio channels snow skiing in winter and the mountainous
as the Jeju VOR and Runway 06 ILS countryside in summer. Having hosted
frequencies are almost identical. a Winter Olympic Games, Sapporo also
As you will be approaching from the hosts the annual Yuki Matsuri, or snow
north, your only terrain issues will be if you festival, where hundreds of spectacular ice
overshoot the 14DME arc and end up to and snow sculptures adorn the streets.

62 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

ranges from a mountainous interior, it is quite
flat nearer the coast. It hit the headlines in
2011 when a devastating tsunami swept
along the adjoining coastal areas resulting
in many lives being lost and the melt-down
of reactors at a nuclear power plant.
Once overhead Fukushima, track 197° towards
the Ami/TLE VOR (116.0MHz). Note that this
VOR is co-located with the STONE intersection.
This is quite handy as we start our descent
into Haneda as STONE/TLE is the start of

Climbing out with the Han River

winding its way to the Yellow Sea.

requires a single VOR. Your plan here, just as

with the RNAV approach, is to arrive at the
TLE VOR (116.0MHz) at 11,000ft and less than
250 knots. Then continue your descent as
you track directly to towards the Haneda/HNE
VOR (112.2MHz) on the 216° radial inbound,
noting that you must still be above 8,000ft
at 28DME. As you approach 24DME, turn
left and intercept the 22DME arc. Follow the
arc to the south as you descend to no less
If the RNAV approaches are a than 5,000ft until less than 20DME inbound
bit too challenging, try the simpler when you can start slowing to 180 knots as
SINGO arrival using the Haneda VOR.
you approach the 147° radial (327° inbound).
This is your cue to now start your turn on
quite complex instructions. This is because the plant. So, if you’re up for an extra challenge, to 307° to intercept either the Runway 34L
current flight rules don’t allow you to fly over the download the entire 103 pages of Haneda or 34R ILS using the frequencies above.
large city of Chiba or over Tokyo CBD at lower charts and knock your socks off.
altitudes. All arrival routes instead keep you Welcome to Tokyo
quite high over Chiba Prefecture before allowing RNAV CACAO Arrival There are plenty of things to explore in
you to finally track to Haneda over Tokyo Bay. After passing Fukushima, select the CACAO Tokyo for both the tourist and the flight sim
Our notes will guide you to a Runway 34L/R arrival for Runway 34R. This will direct you enthusiast. The Pilot Notes available in this
RNAV or VOR/ILS approach. If you use real from the STONE intersection at 11,000ft to issue’s download section at www.pcpilot.
world weather and the winds do not favour the south as you descend over eastern Chiba net will give you some suggestions. Oh, for
34L/R, be aware that the approaches to all Prefecture. The approach then turns you north the record, the next two busiest air routes
other runways still fly over Chiba Prefecture west to the CACAO intersection. From there are, at #3: Japan’s Fukuoka to Tokyo route
and Tokyo Bay to avoid noise pollution in you can choose to intercept either the Runway and at #4: Australia’s Melbourne to Sydney
urban areas. Some, such as Runway 16L/R 34L/R RNAV approach, the Runway 34L ILS on route. Next time around, as the northern
then require a short visual approach during 111.7MHz or the 34R ILS on 108.9MHz. Easy! hemisphere is in the depths of winter,
the final stages. Also, Runways 05/06 we will head south and explore northern
would not normally be used for landings as VOR arrival Australia’s tropical Torres Strait Islands while
it would require a low approach over the Perhaps as a legacy to older aircraft without we learn about an iconic workhorse.
PCP
adjacent Kawasaki Petroluem Combinat FMCs, Haneda still offers an arrival that only By Peter Stark

Touching down at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport where 8,600 passengers

per hour are processed – the fifth busiest on the planet!

www.pcpilot.net #113 PC PILOT / 63

FEATURE VIRTUAL AIRLINES

myAustrian Vir A VA filled with Austrian charm

T
his issue, our Virtual Airline of
choice is something a little different
from what we’re used to. For a
change, I’m looking at a VA set
up to follow its real-life counterpart. There
are no weird routes, odd aircraft choices or
strange group events. After nearly 20 years
of service to its members, this VA shows it’s
not always about the wacky and wonderful.
It’s often more difficult to pin down that
special something. Or maybe it isn’t. Either
way, it’s time to look at an airline from my
new home: say “hi” to myAustrian Virtual.
Twenty years is a long time for anything,
so it shouldn’t be surprising to learn that
myAustrian Virtual has a pretty interesting
history. The airline started on December 1,
1998 as Austrian Virtual Airlines by Michael
Mrak. In those days though, running a VA
was, let’s say, difficult. Good third-party
aircraft were thin on the ground and routes
were few and far between. Flights were
recorded by a simple text message on the
original website. Even the first long-haul
route from Vienna to New York required the
admin team to manually check and confirm
each PIREP (Pilot Report of actual weather
conditions encountered by an aircraft in flight).
Speaking of websites, in 1998, websites were
Above: The A320 is available to all trainees. Top: This shot shows the blue underbelly of the old livery. basic and there wasn’t even an active forum

64 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

Virtual
m

Above: The bulk of the fleet is made up from the Airbus A320 Family. Below: Vienna International offers pilots a
great base from which to fly.

for pilots and crew to talk. Instead, the whole a member at just the right time. Rainer the globe and thanks to myAustrian’s
group was run via a Yahoo mailing list. To Meisel took over development of the ACARS code-share flights, there are hundreds of
quote Monty Python’s ‘Five Yorkshiremen’ software, keeping it working until 2009. Rainer destinations that Austrian doesn’t serve
sketch: “But you try and tell the young even planned to release a newer version that but which pilots can book flights to.
people today that... and they won’t believe was compatible with FSX, but in the end Speaking of pilots, myAustrian Virtual,
ya.” It would be five years before the website FlyAVA was retired after 10 years of service. in common with most mature VAs, has a
gained its own forum and the mailing lists Around the same time, Austrian Virtual large group of registered pilots. At present,
were done away with. Before the forum added both Tyrolean and Lauda Air more than 1,000 pilots are members of
and website got updated though, the first routes for pilots to fly, prompting Austrian myAustrian Virtual, though oddly, only 180
issue to be tackled was the flight reporting Virtual Airlines to become the Austrian active pilots are registered every month.
system. As is often the case with great VAs, a Virtual Airlines Group or AVAG. myAustrian Virtual’s Chief Administrative
member comes along with a particular set of June 2009 saw the introduction of the Officer Dimitris thinks it’s a bug with the server
skills that make them an asset for VAs such new flight recording software, named as the number never goes up or down.
as myAustrian Virtual. Franz Sauer was just ‘Headquarter’. Rainer Meisel and Michael With a large pilot base, it shouldn’t be a
such a member. An experienced programmer, Mrak along with a host of others produced surprise to discover that the VA’s forums
he developed a software package called Headquarter to bring the whole VA up to are incredibly active. While German is the
FlyAVA. It soon became the core of Austrian date. For pilots, Headquarter introduced main language, all are welcome. Alongside
Virtual Airlines. Not only did it track a pilot’s support for two new ACARS clients, FS Flight the virtual pilots are more than a few real life
flight, getting rid of the need to manually Keeper and XACARS. With XACARS, Austrian Austrian crew members; some retired, some
report a flight, it also offered pilots a built- Virtual became open to X-Plane pilots. still active. There’s also a smattering of real
in logbook to track their career. It even Development continues to this day, with life controllers from AustroControl, Dimitris
simplified things on the admin side, allowing Headquarter becoming Headquarters in 2015, among them. In the past, members have even
flights to be automatically validated and along with the VA becoming a registered met up at Vienna International where there
logged. In 1999, this was pretty innovative association under Austrian law, ‘Austrian are tours of the apron, or as Dimitris tells me,
stuff and made AVA unique among VAs. Virtual Airlines - Verein zum Betrieb virtueller even a private tour of Austrian’s maintenance
The great VAs never rest on their laurels Fluglinien.’ Which became ‘myAustrian’ hangar. A group of 20 members had a tour
and reinvention is inevitable. In 2003, the in line with its real-life counterpart? which included a look inside one of the aircraft.
website was redesigned, forums added and These days, meet-ups are less frequent,
then Flight Sim 2004 arrived, scuppering the Modern times partially due to busy lives and partially down
FlyAVA software. Once again, up popped Today, myAustrian Virtual offers pilots to just three members running the admin
plenty. The route network stretches across side of the airline, but changes are coming.

www.pcpilot.net #113 PC PILOT / 65

FEATURE VIRTUAL AIRLINES

Lauda Air
may be no
more, but
their 767s still
see regular
service with
myAustrian
Virtual.

Events are another area that the VA is guys made the A320 fleet available to the help get pilots in the air quickly. Best of
keen to improve upon. As mentioned earlier, trainees. Alongside the Embraers, that’s all, the information is updated regularly.
reinvention is needed to all VAs if they hope a great starting point for all new pilots. Fleet-wise, myAustrian Virtual operates a
to survive and the website infrastructure Once you’ve joined, there’s plenty to see diverse fleet of the usual Airbus and Boeings,
is starting to creek a bit with old age. One that will help you get ‘up and running’. For along with the Embraer 195s, Dash-8 Q400s and
of its current limitations is the inability to new pilots there’s an excellent Wiki section the soon-to-be-retired Fokker F100. However,
create events easily. Dimitris explains that that details all that myAustrian Virtual has moving to one of the hundreds of code-share
the software is hard-coded making the to offer, as well as offering links to flight flights, pilots will find plenty of aircraft not in the
creation of new events incredibly difficult. planning information and much more Austrian Fleet, such as the 737 and 747. I think
The new updates will not only allow for new besides. It’s a great introduction and will this is a cracking idea as there are always pilots
events to be added, but for the VA to join who miss certain types not flown by the airline in
in with its VATSIM partners Vacc Austria to real life. Providing a diverse selection of aircraft is
provide events to a wider audience. a huge plus point for me. To keep life interesting,
That’s not to say events don’t happen. myAustrian Virtual offers pilots a chance to see
The VA lists a whole bunch of events in how much revenue they earn for each flight.
the ‘Events’ section. However, they’re I’ve always found this a little ‘gimmicky’, but it’s
all taking place on December 31, 2017, a neat little feature. Alongside this are awards.
so yes, it looks like there are issues. These are very much like the little badges you
earn via a Steam game or from FSX in the old
Joining the fun days. (Who remembers getting their 100-hour
Joining the VA is fairly straightforward: just fill badge?) Pilots get badges for all sorts of things
in your name, add a VATSIM or IVAO member at the VA. A first flight in a new type, a promotion
number and tell them a little about yourself or the challenging ‘All rounder’ award for flying
and you’re all set. All pilots join as trainees. every type in the fleet. It’s nice to have these
Originally trainees were only able to fly the little goals to make life a bit more interesting.
Fokker fleet or the Dash-8 fleet, at least until
they garnered enough hours to move on. Conclusion
With the imminent retirement of the Fokkers It’s often difficult for VAs to stand the test of
and issues with Majestic’s fantastic Dash- Above: At the gate and ready to go. Below: The ability time. Technology changes, members move
8 and certain ACARS clients, the admin to enjoy the scenery is welcome. on and sometimes enthusiasm dries up.
myAustrian Virtual has weathered all of that and
as it approaches its 20th year, it still manages
to attract new members. With new innovations
being worked on, the team is doing a fantastic
job of preparing for the next 20 years.
For pilots, myAustrian Virtual offers you some
of the most beautiful scenery to fly through and
being in the heart of Europe, most major cities
are just a two-hour flight away, making Vienna
perfect for that quick flight in the evening.
Couple that with a great association with
VATSIM and you have the opportunity to hone
your skills with professional-level staff and
controllers - what’s not to like. There really is
something for everyone here, so if the fresh
Alpine air calls to you, then grab a glass of
Grüner Veltliner, pack a picnic and come join
a VA filled with Austrian charm. PCP
By Jessica Bannister-Pearce

66 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

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FEATURE FSUIPC

FSUIPC
as a way of accessing functions within
the sim that were either hidden or worse,
undocumented. Since then it has grown with
each sim, and Version 4 became a familiar
program for me. Today, its fifth version
now supports Prepar3D v4 and just like in
FS98, it gives us access to functions that

You have control!

are hidden in the sim. I find it indispensable
and I’m certain I barely scratch the surface
of what the software is capable of doing.

Axes, profiles and more

G
ood things come in small Dowson and is one of the few absolutely The single most important area for most flight
packages, they say. They may essential programs that every FSX/P3D pilot simmers is the setting up of your controls.
have a point. Most FSX/P3D needs in their sim. No ‘ifs, ands or buts’. With either sim’s built-in controller settings
users will be familiar with the What does it really do though? Let’s take a you can set your throttles, yoke and rudder
wonderful acronym, FSUIPC or its full title look at the basics and a little of its history. pedals with no issue. This is fine if you plan
Flight Simulator Universal Inter Process to fly just a single type of aircraft, such as the
Communication. Let’s stick with FSUIPC. Are you the gatekeeper? Boeing 737. Suppose you want to switch to
It’s the work of flight sim legend Pete FSUIPC sprang to life with FS98. It served the A2A Comanche though. Now you have

68 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

 Left and below: You can tune your controls
incredibly precisely using the ‘Slope’ options.

Right:
When it
comes to
joystick
calibration,
FSUIPC
has a huge
selection of
options.
Left: Buttons
are easily
assigned to
various FS
controls.

to reassign your throttles to use mixture and

prop feathering. Plus what about the buttons?
FSUIPC offers a very comprehensive set of
options for axis assignment and does away
with the need to use the sim’s own controller
interface. The first thing to note is that FSUIPC
can set individual aircraft profiles. So when
you load the 737, your controls are preset to
the 737. Change to the Comanche and the
same controls are ready to go again. It’s no
fuss. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. The
axis assignment window let’s you choose
to use the internal FSX/Prepar3D calibration
settings or you can switch to FSUIPC’s own
control calibration system. Using the FSX/
P3D settings doesn’t mean you need to have
‘controllers enabled’ in the standard sim
settings. FSUIPC overrides it and you can
safely disable the default controls. Using
‘send to FS normal axis’ allows you to assign
any axis to any axis FS uses. As a quick tip,
you can set your ‘pan view’ controls here
as the hat switch is counted as an axis.
If you want to go beyond the FS calibration
standards, you can select ‘send direct to
FSUIPC calibration’. This bypasses the
Windows calibration settings and allows
you to tune your axis precisely. First, you
need to select the required function from
the drop-down menu. You’ll notice the
choice of controls is more limited than
the FS standard. This is just the main
aircraft controls. Selecting the throttle, for
example, tells FSUIPC that it’ll be dealing
with the calibration. That leads to another
window which I’ll cover in a moment.
A third option allows you to set an
axis for a specific offset. It’s not a
really well-used option and is best
left for the really advanced users.
Right of the axis options is another section
that lets you set up to 10 different actions
along an axis. You could use this to set flap
detents or for something more elaborate.
It also includes options for actions to start
at position ‘x’, then either repeat, or once the
axis moves from position ‘x’, change what
happens. The easiest example would be a
gear lever. With the axis at ‘x’ the gear would
be up, at position ‘y’ the gear would be off

www.pcpilot.net #113 PC PILOT / 69

FEATURE

Right: Hot keys can be set to provide shortcuts to sim

functions. Below: Setting up an axis is both simple yet
very powerful.

(if flying a Boeing) and position ‘z’ would Left & below: If you’re having problems ‘in-sim’, the
be gear down. When the level leaves ‘Y’ for ‘Logging’ section offers you plenty of options to
explore what’s going on.
‘Z’ the gear comes down. Really the only
limit is what you want to use that axis for.

Calibration
Once you’ve decided what FSUIPC deals with,
you need to get calibrating. The calibration
window offers 12 pages of options, each
containing four specific axis areas to set.
Page 1 deals with the basics such as ailerons,
elevator, rudder and throttles; the rest contain
brake pedals, mixture and prop settings, plus
much more. With the engine controls you
also have options for either a single throttle
control for up to four individual engines.
So the 747 or DC-6 is well catered for. FS command box and then pick the one you aid a sim pilot. Autosave makes sure that
There’s plenty of power in these settings want from the drop-down menu. You can if the sim falls over you can resume your
as well. Here you can calibrate each control search quickly by typing the first letter of the flight from a save point. There are also
surface, engine and brake settings. Most command you want and the list will head options to feed an external GPS. A few
axes operate along a set resistance level. to the first instance of that letter. If you’re Garmin GPS units can be plugged in and
This is measured as -16380 to 16380 with setting something like elevator trim, you can FSUIPC can provide all the data required
0 being centre. So, for example, if you find tell FSUIPC to repeat the input if you still have to drive the real thing in your cockpit.
the top end of the axis is wearing out or your finger on the button. For switches that For troubleshooting, FSUIPC can also
becoming 'noisy', with FSUIPC you can set lock, such as landing gear, for example, you produce a live log via a console window that
the maximum setting to below the trouble can also set what happens when the switch shows you exactly what’s going on within
point, so 14000 not 16380. It really helps even releases back to the off position. So, while the the sim in real time. In the past I’ve used this
out your controls until you can replace them. switch is engaged the gear is up. Switch the to find a rogue input that was flooding the
Finally, you can tune the response of an switch to the off position and the gear comes sim. Every button push and every command
individual axis by adjusting the ‘slope’. back down. You can also set a command can be monitored and outputted to a log for
By default all axes work in a straight line. to repeat when the button is continually reading later. For FSX users you can even
Using the slope you can adjust that line to pressed, so it’s ideal for the elevator trim. set the sim to display the amount of VAS
provide an axis with different responses. It’s not just buttons that benefit from (Virtual Address Space) in real time. That
So, for example, say you had a steering this. You can also set keyboard keys to was always very handy when using a PMDG-
tiller but it was too sensitive. You can adjust specific controls and just like the buttons, level aircraft into an Orbx-level region.
the slope to make the smaller adjustments you can set any command you like and
less sensitive, while leaving the rest of the how that command is delivered. Speaking Conclusion
axis as normal. That level of detail allows of commands (with respect to the list This article really only scratches the
you to really tune your controls to suit you of things you can assign), the choice is surface of FSUIPC. There’s so much going
and just like setting the axis above, you can bewildering. FSUIPC provides a backdoor on behind the scenes. Programming via
assign these changes to a single profile. to every command Flight Simulator has, offsets and Lua (a powerful embeddable
including a few that aren’t normally visible. scripting language) helps drive things such
Buttons and keys For cockpit builders this is a godsend. If as external gauges or even interfacing with
Axis assignment isn’t the only area you can you’re making a glass cockpit then all the PMDG aircraft - areas I could fill a page with
set things just the way you like it. Buttons can functions of the default G1000 are available by themselves. The manual lists hundreds
also be assigned to specific aircraft profiles. to be set. Radio nav options are also of options and then some. FSUIPC is very
There are lots of ways to do this. The simplest available, so tuning the VOR or ADF gauges much the looking glass to the FS Alice.
way is to use the buttons setting. First, click is made simple. In short, there’s very little It opens up the sim in a way no other
the button or switch you want to assign. you can’t connect a switch or button to. add-on does and provides the user with
You’ll see the joystick ID and the Button ID so much power it’s corrupting. Come
appear; for example, Joystick 1 button 10. Miscellaneous to the FSUIPC side and your journey to
Now you can decide what that button does. Beyond the control interfacing, FSUIPC the dark side will be complete. PCP
If it’s a standard FS command, check the has a host of other features going on to By Jessica Bannister-Pearce

70 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

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FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH HONEYCOMB
AERONAUTICAL

Honeycomb I
n flight simulation, advances in
hardware generally move at a
much slower pace compared

Aeronautical
with software development. So, when a
new arrival on the flight simulation scene,
Honeycomb Aeronautical, announced two
new products, the Alpha Flight Control Yoke
and the Bravo Throttle System, it marked
a significant milestone in the industry.
With both products due to go on sale early
next year, we took the opportunity to speak
to the CEO of Honeycomb Aeronautical,
An exclusive interview with a new hardware developer Nicki Repenning to find out more about
the company and its plans for the future.
PC Pilot: Hi Nicki and thanks for speaking
to us. Can you start by giving us a bit of a
background to Honeycomb Aeronautical,
how the company started and why you
decided to build flight simulation hardware?
Nicki: It really all started over five years ago,
while I was still running Saitek in North America.
Saitek, at the time, was under the umbrella of
Mad Catz Corporation which was a mainstream
video game company. I didn’t feel that the
flight sim category was really understood by
corporate management and that the brand was
going in the right direction. I decided to work
on a business plan for a flight sim hardware
brand of my own and was just about to start
the company, when Snakebyte Group offered
me an opportunity that I couldn’t resist and I put
the Honeycomb on hold for almost four years.
But finally, last year, it was possible to dust off
the plans and get started again, and while the
product development has not moved along as
fast as I could have hoped, I’m still really excited
about what we have achieved so far and the
products that we are about to bring to market.
PC Pilot: Who are the people behind
the Honeycomb Aeronautical and
do any of them have a background
in aviation or flight simulation?
Nicki: Well first and foremost, I started
the company in partnership with snakebyte
Group, of which I still run the US division.
I have over 10 years of experience in the
CEO of Honeycomb flight sim industry as well as holding a single
Aeronautical, Nicki engine pilot’s licence, so when it comes to
Repenning.
specs, features and feel, I would say that I
have a fair amount of experience. I’m not an
industrial designer or a mechanical engineer
myself, so when it came to the technical
aspect of the product, I wanted to work with
people who were experts in their field.
For all the mechanical parts and electronics, I
contacted Mike Altman who is CEO of Precision
Flight Controls (PFC) to see if they were
interested in partnering with us on the project.
Luckily for me, they were and they began to
work on the internal components of the Alpha
Flight Controls. Working with a company that
has almost 30 years of experience in making
FAA-approved cockpit solutions is incredible
and the solution they have come up with is
just brilliant. It’s based on the same technology
they use in their full motion cockpits but scaled
down to fit in a consumer product while still
as durable as what you’ll find in a $100,000
Precision Flight Controls, FAA-approved cockpit.
On the industrial design part, I worked with
David Morelock of Southern California Design

72 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

The Alpha Yoke features the
same technology as used in
the full motion cockpits made
by Precision Flight Controls,
but scaled down to fit into a
consumer product.

Company. David had previously designed yoke. That philosophy is also apparent with the Nicki: Our market is 100% for home use. It
the Microsoft Surface as well and a wide Bravo Throttle System. What’s unique about will be perfectly suitable for student pilots who
range of consumer electronics and in addition the quadrant is that it comes with two sets of want to train at home or private pilots working
had an aerospace degree, so he was perfect handles: one for general aviation and one for on their currency, but we’re not planning to
for the job. We spent a lot of time on the commercial aircraft. This enables the customer target flight training facilities or programmes.
ergonomics to make sure that not only did it to set the quadrant up for multiple aircraft The feedback from the community so far has
feel great, but it would also cater to any kind including single- and multi-engine general been overwhelmingly positive and I don’t think
of aircraft, from single engine to airliner. aviation types as well as two- and four-engine we could have asked for a better reception. It
PC Pilot: Can you give us an overview commercial jets. On the commercial handles, just shows that there is a great need for new
of the product range you are introducing, there are also functional thrust reversers as products and innovation in this category.
for example, are they aimed at GA well as spoilers and flaps. We wanted to give PC Pilot: How closely will the controls
(General Aviation) or airliners? our customers as much value as possible and replicate the look and feel of those in real
Nicki: Our first two products are the Alpha minimise the number of components needed, aircraft and what testing procedures do
Flight Controls and Bravo Throttle System. so we added a lot of additional features you have in place to achieve this goal?
We very much focused on creating a hybrid to the product including a gear lever, GA Nicki: Very close. The yoke is similar to
that would work for any type of aircraft. On flaps lever, autopilot and annunciator panel. those found in GA aircraft so it won’t have
the yoke, we took elements from both general Some people will say it doesn’t look 100% the rocking motion of, for example, a 737
aviation aircraft and private jets, as well as realistic but that’s the price you unfortunately yoke, but I’m really happy with how it feels.
commercial jets, to make it feel familiar no pay when you try to please everyone. PFC has managed to design a mechanical
matter what aeroplane you prefer to fly. There PC Pilot: What is your target market? Are movement without any dead zones or spring
are of course always compromises to be the controllers aimed mainly at enthusiasts loading and I’m really, really excited about
made when you don’t make a replica product, or are you also speaking to commercial the solution they have come up with. We’ll
but our general product philosophy is that it operators? And what level of feedback or get first customer feedback at FS weekend,
should work with anything that flies using a interest have you received from either sector? but I’m positive that people will like it.

When set up for jets, the

Bravo Throttle System
comes with functional
thrust reversers as well as Honeycomb Aeronautical is focused on creating hybrid
spoilers and flaps. controllers that work for any type of aircraft.

www.pcpilot.net #113 PC PILOT / 73

FEATURE INTERVIEW WITH HONEYCOMB AERONAUTICAL

Launch of both
the Alpha Flight
Controls and the
Bravo Throttle
System is planned
for Q1 2018.
Pricing will be
$199.99/€199.99
(£151 approx)
each for both The quadrant comes with two sets of handles, so it can
products. be set up for general aviation and commercial aircraft.

PC Pilot: For the layout of the buttons will the controllers work with any flight about mass producing products that should
and switches, will they match those simulator platform and can they be used have been updated a long time ago.
of real aircraft, for example, elevator with hardware from other developers? PC Pilot: What does the future hold
trim, autopilot disconnects, PTT etc Nicki: Our plan is to be compatible with for Honeycomb Aeronautical? Are there
or will they be more generic? as many platforms as possible. You can any other projects in the pipeline?
Nicki: It is a hybrid, but definitely with elements never promise 100% compatibility, but Nicki: We have a 36-month product road
and inspiration taken from real aircraft. On the we are testing with FSX, X-Plane and map planned but I’m afraid I can’t tell you
yoke for example, the avionics switches are Prepar3D and are creating drivers for both too much at this point. What I can tell you
very similar to a piston engine Cessna, while Mac and PC, so we are doing everything is that we are planning to add components
the buttons and switches on the handle look we can to cater to every customer. that contribute to the two existing products in
somewhat similar to a Citation X. People familiar PC Pilot: What sort of after-sales creating a complete modular cockpit solution.
with Genesys Aerosystems will recognise support and warranty will you provide? PC Pilot: Finally, when and where
elements of the autopilot and so on. You could Nicki: We offer a five-year warranty and will the products be available and do
call our products the Frankenstein of flight lifetime tech support on all our products. you have any pricing information?
sim controls, but the marketing department In Europe, the tech support is handled by Nicki: Launch of both the Alpha Flight
prefers the term hybrid - not sure why… Aerosoft, which has an expert team available Controls and the Bravo Throttle System is
PC Pilot: Will the products have any software to help with every problem there might planned for Q1 2018, but we will not rush the
configuration tools such as calibration, sensitivity be. For the rest of the world we will handle products to market, so it’s ready when we’re
adjustments, button assignments etc, and will tech support internally. You can’t outsource happy with the end result, even if it means
the controllers be compatible with FSUIPC? tech support on a category like this and delays. Pricing will be $199.99/€199.99
Nicki: Funny that you would mention expect to provide good customer service. (£151 approx) each for both products.
FSUIPC as I’ve had discussions with Peter PC Pilot: What, in your opinion, PC Pilot: Many thanks for taking the time to
Dowson to see if he would help us on the makes your controllers different from speak to us. We wish you the best of luck for
project. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the other products currently available? the future.
PCP
time but we are working with both internal Nicki: It’s been over 10 years since anything By Richard Benedikz
and external software engineers to ensure new has come out in the price range that
full compatibility. I’ve told Peter that I would
be happy to send him a sample when ready,
we’re operating in. A lot has happened in
10 years. What we represent is a breath of
Information
For more information on Honeycomb
so hopefully he’ll provide some feedback. fresh air and a company that cares about Aeronautical, visit www.flyhoneycomb.com
PC Pilot: In terms of compatibility, the quality and innovation and not just

The yoke has also been

designed to suit both general
aviation and commercial
aircraft.

The mechanical parts and

electronics are designed by
Precision Flight Controls.

74 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

p075_PCP_Jan18_ad.indd 1 05/12/2017 13:52
COMMS

Controls for military sims

76 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

 Contact us Visit us Follow us
[email protected] www.pcpilot.net facebook.com/pcpilot

South West Flight Simulator Group

We are based at Ipplepen Village Hall, ATC-led online flights each week with
Devon, TQ12 5SB and hold monthly worldwide destinations and diverse flight
meetings on Sundays 09:00 - 15:00. types including airliner and GA events.
The next meetings are January Fly with us to find out why we are
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South West Flight Simulation run two servers on http://swfsg.blogspot.co.uk/

sims pit stuff, well out of my range).

I get that it’s a niche market that probably PC Pilot
won’t appeal to big manufacturers, but there Hi Steve,
isn’t anything to even help with the basics of Thanks for your email. I can understand
building a throttle/mixture/pitch control. What I’m your frustration with respect to the lack of
after is a simple, no frills instruction to help with choice when it comes to hardware support
what I need to connect rotary potentiometers for World War Two-era aircraft for the flight
Dear PC Pilot to FSX: Steam Edition. The actual form of the simmer. We will certainly look into doing
This is a plea for help, for which I handles isn’t important, as that can vary from an article on the subject in the future.
have searched in vain far and wide aircraft to aircraft, and once connected to the In the meantime, one unit I can highly
across the ‘land of Google’. spindles, they should operate like any throttle, recommend for vintage warbirds, of
There are many examples of ready-to-buy, but what do I need in between that and the which I am a fan (but may or may not be
plug ‘n’ play throttles for the 737 in all its USB port on my PC? I’m not after anything within your budget), is Thrustmaster’s
flavours, together with Airbus ‘Noise Levers’, complicated like a full-scale cockpit, such as Hotas Warthog Joystick and Throttle.
but there is a complete lack of anything for the magnificent example you’re constructing, It fulfils every military flight simmer’s
more senior in years. Anything for single- but perhaps a very short article on “This is what needs. Although it was initially designed
engine warbirds? Nada. Nothing. Zilch. Zip. to Google (or even ask a real person for!), this with the DCS A-10 Warthog simulation
With the fantastic range of piston-engined is what you need to solder to these sticky-up in mind, it can be used with any military
World War Two-era models on the market, prong things, this is how to connect it to your aircraft you can think of. It comprises a
such as the P-40 from A2A, RealAir’s PC, this is how to get it to work in FSUIPC”. It’s multitude of switches, buttons and levers,
Spitfire and AF Scrubs’ Seafire and Spitfire a nightmare trying to negotiate 1000 different which can be assigned to any function
examples as freeware, often featured in PC subjects in a myriad of forums, but any help in you desire. I tend to split functions
Pilot, you’d expect there to be something this direction would be very much appreciated. between the throttle quadrant and the
out there, but no (except for the excellent Regards, Steve stick. So functions such as flap and
undercarriage deployment, for example,
are assigned to the throttle quadrant,
while guns, cannons, trim and brakes
are allocated to the stick. Of particular
note is the fact that it comes with two
levers on the throttle quadrant which
can be used as one axis, or be split, by
disengaging a small bolt, and used as two.
So, for example, you can assign one
to the throttle and the other to the prop
pitch. It’s also well built and very robust.
The simulations I’m currently flying are
the DCS Spitfire LF Mk.IX and the new
FG-1D Corsair from MilViz (see our
news section for details on the latter).
I hope this is of help.
Cheers, Derek

www.pcpilot.net #113 PC PILOT / 77

COMMS

X-Plane Joe Lavery's

custom-made
Instrument Panel
Joe Lavery, our longest-serving contributor
on PC Pilot, recently sent me the following
email in which he describes his fabulous
custom-made instrument panel. I wanted
to share this with our readers as I thought
it would be of great use and interest.
“Hi Derek, I thought you might be
interested in my latest development. It took
me two days to make and will fulfill a need
for some serious flying until my 737 deck,
which I’m currently working on, is finished.
It’s simply a monitor placed behind a
sheet of aluminium which has cut-outs to
display the instruments, which incidentally
are all freeware. They use FSUIPC to pick
Dear PC Pilot would like to see more articles related to up the data from either FSX or Prepar3D.
I have been a subscriber of PC Pilot for almost X-Plane. Not only about what the various The GoFlight radio kit was left over
two decades and never had any regrets. As I companies have produced, like you have so when I updated my 737 deck.”
was mostly flying with a version of Microsoft successfully done over the years, but also Cheers, Joe
Flight Simulator, I had no problem with the fact about the free products made for X-Plane
that 80-90% of the contents of the magazine and how to use them. In spite of the new
dealt with products made for FS2004 and interface, I have spent a lot of time to get it
FSX. I always enjoyed the stuff you published where I want it and I wonder if it would not
and it felt good to be informed at an early be a great idea for the magazine to write
stage about what the market was offering. a series of articles on how to get X-Plane
However, many things have happened over going. I’m sure a lot of readers would
the last year. The upgrade of Prepar3D to be grateful. The program deserves it.
64-bit, Flight Sim World and Aerofly FS 2 All the best with the magazine,
opened new possibilities. Great new things Ab Hoving
were introduced but I’m sorry to say, in my
opinion not always for the better so far. So I
started looking around and found another party
in this field offering the same good things that I
PC Pilot
Hi Ab,
used to find in the Microsoft range: X-Plane 11.
Thanks for your email. In response, I
I more or less converted to X-Plane from the
agree, X-Plane 11 is much more user-
day version 11 came out. It's very strange,
friendly and accessible than its previous
because although, apart from the programs
incarnations. We have been endeavouring
I have mentioned, I also bought X-Plane 8,
to include more articles on X-Plane in the
9 and 10, I was never satisfied with those
magazine over the past months and we
versions. That was mainly because I thought it
will continue to do so. I like your idea of
was too inaccessible for me - so many buttons
reviewing more X-Plane freeware, so we
to choose from and so little understanding
will look into doing that in the future.
of what they all meant. It was so user-
Cheers, Derek
unfriendly, I just couldn’t get the hang of it.
X-Plane 11 changed all that. The program
had a new user interface and the more
I delved into it, the more I was sold.
I can understand that it is much easier to
follow the new products in the market which
are created for the old Microsoft system, while
the number of commercial products for X-Plane
is, in comparison, incredibly low, but on the
other hand, what a wealth of free add-ons
(plug-ins) there are to cover for a magazine and
they are all for free. There is a lively community
of people producing very smart plug-ins to
populate the program, but even without them,
X-Plane is a beautiful program to use. I mostly
fly airliners and discovered someone called
ZIBO, who is changing the FMC of the default
Boeing 737-800 in a way that it is beginning
to look like a PMDG product. Also, other
plug-ins are really worthwhile looking at.
Anyway, what I am trying to say is that I

78 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

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HINTS & TIPS

Flight Sim Q&A You've got the questions? We've got the answers!
By Richard Benedikz

Simulator software
and hardware for
instrument training
Dear PC Pilot Primarily, I just need to see the instruments purchase an iPad or Android for my EFB.
I liked the Reality Check article printed in your and some rough outside stuff and have the Investing in the appropriate software
previous issue but would like to obtain some sim connected to my EFB and to the ATC (flight simulator and EFB) and a new laptop
more information and I would be most grateful network. Because I spend the winters in represents a significant financial investment,
if you would point me in the right direction. Hawaii and travel a fair amount, I only have but more importantly, a considerable
I am a SEL (Single Engine Land) commercial, a laptop computer, although I do have large amount of learning time, so I want to make
instrument-rated pilot with an expired CFI monitors at home. Currently I have a four- good choices that suit my requirements.
(Certified Flight Instructor) and CFII. I am year-old HP Pavilion dv4 laptop with an Nvidia Suggestions as to what might work well for
just getting back into flying after a hiatus GT 630M 2GB, so it is time to upgrade to my situation would be greatly appreciated.
of almost a decade. I recently finished a a new system with an SSD. It needs to be Cheers,
bi-annual check in a Cessna 172, have small and lightweight. I will probably also Russ
a fresh physical and I am flying small
Cessnas VFR again. Next up is working
towards and passing an Instrument
Proficiency Check (IPC), and renewing my
CFI and CFII, as I really enjoy teaching.
To get back into instrument flying I expect
it would be helpful to spend some time
on a home simulator setup, especially if
it could include flying in a simulated ATC
environment such as is provided by VATSIM.
I would also like to move from my old way
of flying (paper charts in the cockpit) to an
Electronic Flight Bag (EFB). For an EFB I am
leaning towards WingX Pro7 as it appears
to be compatible with FSX and X-Plane.
I would like to use this for my flight planning,
moving map etc, while something like
VATSIM will provide the ATC environment.
It would also be nice if my home
simulator was similar to a commercial,
low-end, FAA-approved sim setup, used Above: Thanks to fluid instrumentation and realistic weather, X-Plane can be an excellent training platform for
by schools such as American Flyers. flying in IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) conditions.

80 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

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PC Pilot
Hi Russ,
X-Plane and FSX/Prepar3D have their
own strengths and weaknesses, it is
not really a question of which is better.
However, for practising raw data IFR, I
find X-Plane has advantages. The refresh
rate on the instruments is far superior and
the navaids behave more realistically: for
example, a DME will give the distance to
the actual ground station rather than to
the centre of the runway as in FSX. The
default Skyhawk in X-Plane is also pretty
good and it comes with a realistic GNS530
GPS. However, on the flipside, FSX also
has some benefits, mostly due to a very
strong add-on industry. For example, a
company called A2A (www.a2asimulations.
com) makes an excellent Skyhawk, so if
you want to practice procedures, that is
one to consider. One other thing to bear
in mind is FSX is almost 11 years old now,
so it is starting to date. Lockheed Martin
took over the professional licence of the
franchise and currently develops a platform
called Prepar3D, which is aimed at training
(www.prepar3d.com). It is based on the
FSX engine but has been updated to take
advantage of current hardware. Most third-
party software for FSX also has a Prepar3D
version. So FSX/P3D with the right add-ons Above: An EFB (Electronic Flight Bag) is a very useful tool for flight planning and displaying charts.
can still provide a solid training platform. Photo FSWidgets
You might want to consider PilotEdge is quite a good selection of EFBs available, consists of aeronautical charts and online
for ATC. It is run by professional air so it is really a question of finding one that maps that can be used for flight planning.
traffic controllers and will provide a full will suit your needs. Others you might want You can bring up high or low altitude airways
service when online, so you will get the to consider are FSWidgets (www.fswidgets. or VFR maps and make flight plans from
correct ATC structure at airports (such as com) and Aivlasoft (www.aivlasoft.com) is scratch. It is aimed at real aviation rather
clearance, ground, tower etc). PilotEdge very popular, although I don’t believe it is than flight simulation but I find it to be an
is available in a limited geographical compatible with X-Plane. You might also want excellent tool, particularly for VFR and
area and you have to pay to use the to have a look at Navigraph (www.navigraph. flight planning. It is not an EFB per se, but
service. A two-week free trial is available, com). With this, you basically get access to I find it is a very useful tool and it is free.
so you can try it before purchasing. a world-wide selection of Jeppesen charts, Hardware technology in PCs and laptops
Check it out here: www.pilotedge.net. which work on several different platforms has moved on in leaps and bounds, so
I find it more practical to use a tablet for the including PC, Mac and Android/Apple tablets. you can buy a laptop that will easily run
EFB rather than running it on the flight sim They also offer a free trial. Finally, I should any simulator out there. Personally, I would
PC, simply because it gets in the way. There mention Sky Vector (www.skyvector.com). It recommend a system with a mobile version
of the GTX 1060 with 6GB of VRAM and 8GB
of system RAM. Ideally aim for the i7 7700
but you can go with an i5; it all depends
on your budget. For a storage device, I
would recommend an SSD. I tend to use
a 512GB if possible, but a 256GB will do -
you just need to be more mindful of space.
Finally, for the cockpit hardware, there
are some options. For full professional
FAA-approved controllers, Precision Flight
Controls (www.flypfc.com) is ‘top dog’ and
you can purchase a plethora of instrument
panels and controllers (www.flypfc.com).
They make very good products but at a
cost. Another company called GoFlight
(www.goflightinc.com) also makes solid,
good-quality controllers ranging from rudder
pedals and throttle quadrants to radio
Full-blown fight simulation stacks. Obviously by this stage the price
cockpits, while expensive, starts going up significantly, but it does
can potentially reduce the
amount of training time offset the cost of real world flight training.
in a real aircraft. Photo Cheers,
Precision Flight Controls
Richard

www.pcpilot.net #113 PC PILOT / 81

HINTS & TIPS

FSX and Out of Memory Error

Dear PC Pilot
I love to improve FSX with some of the
best commercial add-ons and I am very
satisfied by the visual effects, but I am
beginning to experience FSX crashes
due to VAS Out of Memory errors.
I would like to ask you if upgrading
my graphics card to the new Nvidia
GTX 1000 series, such as the 1060,
1070 or 1080 may reduce this error.
My hardware is:
CPU: INTEL i7-4790 4.0GHz
Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC Gaming
RAM: Kingston DDR3 16GB 1600MHz
GPU: MSI GTX 960 2GB GDDR5.
FSX display settings are medium-
to-high and I use add-ons such as
Mega Airport with some add-ons, like
Manhattan X and New York Airports
X, along with PMDG airliners
Best Regards,
Maurizio
Right: Detailed airports along with high-fidelity
aircraft can take their toll on memory usage
in FSX, which is the leading cause of Out of
Memory Errors (OOMs).

PC Pilot reduce memory usage in FSX by turning down

the sliders in the display settings, or secondly
texture loading and can reduce OOM errors.
I have also found Scenery Config Editor
Hi Maurizio, reduce AI traffic and autogen density. invaluable in alleviating this problem
Unfortunately upgrading the graphics card If you have a registered version of FSUIPC, (www.sourceforge.net/projects/fs-sceditor).
will not help reduce VAS (Virtual Address you can set it to display how much memory This program enables you to quickly and
Space) errors. This is a limitation of the the simulator is using, which is displayed easily load the airports you plan to use
32-bit address space in FSX, which means in the top-left corner of the FSX window. before each flight. You will find this to
it can only access 4GB of memory, even if It will not fix the problem, but you can see be a good workaround to avoid loading
you have more RAM physically installed. when you are getting low on memory. unnecessary scenery into memory.
The more complex the add-ons, the greater Other things that might help are: in the FSX. The second option is to consider
the memory usage. Mega Airports, together CFG file, try setting the LOD_RADIUS entry upgrading to Prepar3D version 4. It is
with complex airliners, compound this no higher than 4.5 and the texture_max_ 64-bit so it solves the memory issue,
problem even further, which is why you are load to 1024. Also make sure you have the but it would mean you would have to
experiencing OOMS (Out of Memory Errors). ‘Highmemfix=1’ in the [GRAPHICS] section. reinvest in a lot of flight sim software.
You have two choices. Firstly, you can This corrects memory addressing during Cheers, Richard

FSX Acceleration Activation

Dear PC Pilot 4. Change the value from 0 to PartMgr,
I recently upgraded to a new 500GB SSD and then click OK. (Mine said CLEANBOOT
and Windows 10. I installed FSX on the on one line and PartMgr on the next;
new SSD and entered the product key just remove one line leaving PartMgr as
without any issues. However, when it came the value.) Make sure you change it to
to installing FSX Acceleration, it loaded, PartMgr’ (upper case), rather than ‘partmgr’
but didn’t ask for the product key. When as registry entries are case-sensitive.
I started FSX, I got an error message 5. Close Registry Editor and reboot and Above: Due to the age of FSX, we are starting to
related to the product registration. then try to use the activation wizard. see more compatibility issues such as activation
errors when installing the DVD version of FSX on
After a few hours of researching Cheers, Mark Windows 10.
the problem, I managed to narrow it
down to an entry in the registry.
1. In Windows, click Start, click
PC Pilot
Hi Mark, unless you know what you are doing
Run, type ‘regedit’ and then OK.
Thanks for sharing this with us. I have and always make a backup. It is also
2. Expand the following registry key:
included your letter in this FS Q&A worth noting that FSX: Steam Edition
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\
section for the benefit of other readers comes with the Acceleration pack and
CURRENTCONTROLSET\CONTROL\CLASS\
who might have the same problem. is compatible with Windows 10.
{4D36E967-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
I would however like to highlight that Cheers,
3. After you find the folder, double-
you should not change registry entries Richard
click Upperfilters on the right side

82 / PC PILOT #113 www.pcpilot.net

 T N O W A T:
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AE RO

TO CHO OSE F ROM

17 A IR C R A F T
TS
D E T A IL E D A IR P OR S
N 20 0 TH E U
M O R E TH A H E W E S T C OAS T O F
ON T
S IC S
IS T IC F L IG HT PH Y
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FOR V
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PPORT
S IV E M
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