Jump to content

Aircraft Review - Embraer E175 by X-Crafts


Stephen

Recommended Posts

e175_header-main-700px.jpg
 

Aircraft Review - Embraer E175 by X-Crafts

 

In regional aviation for airlines the biggest revolution has been the replacement of 70-110 seat turboprops with economic new generation jet aircraft. Of these two aircraft companies have dominated in Bombardier Aerospace with their CRJ Series and coming C Series, but the real success story in this regional jet category is the Brazilian Embraer company with their E-Jet family of aircraft.

These fast efficient modern aircraft have revolutionised the hub and spoke system of aviation networks in that you can today step out of that modern long haul cabin and straight into a regional aircraft cabin of the same standard, space and quality and have the same speed factor than sitting in a droning turboprop for hours.(yes economics have again swung the pendulum back in favor of the ATR's and Q400's, but only over short distances).

 

The first delivered aircraft was an E-170 in 2004 to the Polish Airline LOT and the larger stretched version with two extra rows of seats (88 to 80) was the 21,810 kg (48,080 lb) E-175, that first entered service a year later with Air Canada in 2005.

X-Crafts Embraer Aircraft

 

X-Crafts came into X-Plane in August 2014 with their first release aircraft E-175 LR: Aircraft Review : Embraer ERJ 195 LR by X-Crafts

I was immediately impressed with the quality of X-Craft's design and excellent 3D modelling and an excellent looking aircraft it is. As this being a very first release it did note and require a small refining period, but by the time of an update to v1.2 in early Nov 2014, you were looking at a pretty nice looking aircraft at a great purchase price.

 

This Embraer release is the follow up aircraft in the smaller E-175. And outwardly it looks extremely similar to the bigger earlier E-195 LR, but it is not as this aircraft has been 95% remodeled from the ground up, and it is in the details that shows how far the difference is between the two aircraft, and the E-195 LR is still very good in the first place. The equation that is important to remember here is the amount of detail and quality you get for your money. Yes certainly a FlightFactor aircraft gives you an amazing amount of systems and general spectacular features, but it comes at nearly three time the cost of the X-Crafts aircraft and you are not skimming here as the aircraft is very high in quality and has a lot of very good features for a very nice price, it is a very nice aircraft to fly as well as we will find out... In X-Plane terms, the E-175 is an excellent, quality aircraft and amazing value compared to aircraft even only a few years ago.

 

Exterior

 

E175_Head 1.jpgE175_Head 2.jpg

E175_Head 3.jpgE175_Head 4.jpg

E175_Head 5.jpgE175_Head 6.jpg

 

Sitting on the ramp the aircraft simply oozes quality, it is a nice sized and looking aircraft as well. but if you get in closer then the detailing starts to really jump out at you.

 

E175_Closeup 2.jpgE175_Closeup 8.jpgE175_Closeup 9.jpgE175_Closeup 4.jpg

 

On an aircraft this size I don't think I have seen better detailing, it is extremely well done and detailed. Ribs, latches, handles and pitot probes are all expertly done. Door animation (latches as well) are excellent for all four fuselage doors and the two lower cargo hatches.

 

E175_Closeup 3.jpgE175_Closeup 7.jpg

 

The beautiful (If you into great engineering) GE CF34-8E uprated 200 turbofans are astounding in quality and execution, and the central wing attachment strengthened areas are very well and realistically done.

 

E175_Closeup 5.jpgE175_Closeup 6.jpg

 

Undercarriage construction, links, hydraulic pressure hoses, wheel supports and hubs are expertly created, it is all as good as it could get.

 

E175_Closeup 10.jpgE175_Closeup 11.jpg

 

The detailing is carried on around the tail and rear elevators, the metal heat shroud for the rear mounted APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) is exceptional as is the detailing for elevator maintenance access panels.

 

Menu's

There are three "Menu" tabs in M, P and C on the left lower point of your screen.

M-Menu (main)

 

E175_Menus 1.jpgE175_Menus 2.jpg

 

The top "M" menu popup covers opening and closing the four fuselage (Two front and two rear service) doors and the two lower Cargo hatches. Three other items cover the "Ground Objects" which include chocks, cones and pitot covers. GPU (Ground Power Unit) and pushback truck.

If the box is ticked off you get an "Alert" of the pushback truck is disabled, click the box and the pushback truck appears, we will cover the use of the "P" pushback truck later when we use it.

 

C-Checklist

There is a spiral bound checklist book (current fad at the moment).

 

E175_Menus Charts 1.jpgE175_Menus Charts 2.jpg

 

There are eight tabs on the checklist manual covering "Before Start - Startup - After Start - Takeoff - Descent - Landing - Parking and Secouring" All procedures are very clear and precise, and so this is a handy guide to operating the aircraft.

 

Interior and Cockpit

 

E175_Cabin 1.jpgE175_Cabin 2.jpg

E175_Cabin 3.jpgE175_Cabin 4.jpg

 

On entering the E-175 the cabin is very well done and two class, only small point is the chairs feel a bit too big a scale and the distance between the chair height and the luggage bins is quite narrow, but you can't fault the detail, nice touch is the rows of seatbelt and no smoking signs above each row when activated. Both the forward and aft galleys are excellent and really well modeled and detailed, separate highly detailed food carts are the highlight here.

 

E175_Cockpit Overall 1.jpgE175_Cockpit Overall 2.jpg

E175_Cockpit Overall 8.jpgE175_Cockpit Overall 9.jpg

 

E175_Cockpit Overall 10.jpgE175_Cockpit Overall 11.jpg

E175_Cockpit Overall 12.jpgE175_Cockpit Overall 13.jpg

 

Like the outside in the cockpit at first glance it looks exactly like the earlier X-Crafts E-195 LR, but the subtle differences are there, it is better and more detailed, the five display panels are more cleaner, brighter, sharper (although that can bring out a little more anti-alias at lower resolutions because the lines are finer) It is certainly the new improved version of the last one, but overall the panels look and feel more complete and that feeling is carried through over the whole aircraft.

 

E175_Cockpit Overall 6.jpgE175_Cockpit Overall 7.jpg

 

The Pedestal was beautifully done on the E-195, and that design has been carried through here as well, and even the rear FMS displays information when programmed, small but welcome details.

 

E175_Cockpit Panel 1.jpgE175_Cockpit Panel 2.jpg

E175_Cockpit Panel 3.jpgE175_Cockpit Panel 4.jpg

 

The five main display panels are switchable via the Reversionary Panel which swaps the displays between four different modes. PFD and the MAP/NAVIGATION displays are your main two screens for both Pilot and Second Officer, central screen covers the engine and aircraft parameters. There is only a backup Artificial Horizon and clock timer on the central panel with the Autobrake and Gear selection.

The aircraft and systems is powered by the Honeywell "Primus Epic®Integrated Avionics System" that covers every aspect of the avionics and flight management of the aircraft. As a nice touch the Honeywell logo pops up on the displays on startup.

 

Main engine items include N1, ITT (Turbine Inlet Temperature), N2 and FF (Fuel Flow Per Hour). Fuel QTTY (Quantity), Oil Pressure (PSI) and Temperature. Slate and Flap position indicator, LG (landing Gear) position and Autobrake settings, APU percentage (running) and Temperature. Aircraft data and alert/information displays, lower bottom is the aircraft "TRIMS" settings.

PFD (Primary Flight Display)

 

The main PFD is the standard glass cockpit primary display in having an Artificial Horizon with built in rate of turn and bank indicator. either side of the Artificial Horizon is the speed and altitude tapes with the vertical speed (V/S) on the right. The Horizontal ILS CDI (course deviation indicator) is ever present and the vertical indicator appears when the approach mode is armed. Across the top is the Flight Mode Annunciation (FMA). And this sub­display indicates the autopilot modes that are active and armed.

Lower in the PFD is the navigation section that covers a compass rose (built in course/CDI) with VOR and DME overlays, navigation source mode indication, heading, VOR and COM radios frequencies, and NAV/FMS data.

 

Map - Navigation Display

 

E175_Cockpit Panel MapNav 1.jpgE175_Cockpit Panel MapNav 2.jpg

 

There are two main displays for Navigation and Plan modes (route).

 

E175_Cockpit Panel MapNav 3.jpgE175_Cockpit Panel lighting.jpg

 

Popup menus give you access to Map Range (shown on display) and Nav-Aid/Fix indicators. Weather includes Light Storm and Alfa Atn. Top right menus give you access to seven pages of aircraft parameters covering - (Current) Status - Flight Controls (Ctrl) - Hydraulics - Fuel - Electrical - ECS (environment) - Anti-Ice. All displays can be adjusted for brightness via the far left knob lighting panel, which unlike the same on the E-195 in that all the knobs now work independently of each other.

 

E175_Cockpit Panel MapNav 5.jpgE175_Cockpit Panel MapNav 6.jpg

E175_Cockpit Panel MapNav 7.jpgE175_Cockpit Panel MapNav 8.jpg

 

Overhead Panel

 

E175_Cockpit OHD Panel 1.jpgE175_Cockpit OHD Panel 2.jpg

 

The overhead panel (OHD) is surprisingly straight forward, in most actions are just automatic. All systems really take care of themselves with access needed only really to set fuel tank operation and aircraft lighting controls, even the GPU or APU access is controlled by the active unit.

 

E175_Cockpit AP Panel 1.jpgE175_Cockpit AP Panel 2.jpg

 

Autopilot panel is nicely laid out and easy to use. Nice features are three way altitude adjustments to set large different altitude settings, making things quick and easy, a few more things we will come to on the AP when we fly the aircraft, but one item that needs pointing out is the VOR1 - VOR2 and FMS (Flightplan) selection. "FMS" is the button on the top, but the "VOR1" (ILS Landing) and "VOR2" selection is noted under "BRG"?

 

MCDU - Multi Control Display Unit

 

E175_Cockpit FMC OV.jpgE175_Cockpit FMC 1.jpg

 

One of the features of X-Crafts E-175 is a MCDU/FMS unit. To be clear it is only loosely based on the Honeywell avionics system, it looks like the system and you access it the same way as well, but under the skin it is a very highly developed X-Plane default FMS, and that is best kept in mind when using it.

 

It works in the context of creating a flightplan with three elements, those are the:

 

SID (Standard Instrument Departure) - Route - STAR (Standard Terminal Arrival Route)

 

It may look like a standard MCDU flightplan formatting layout, but it is not. For one the three elements are totally separate until they are activated together as a complete flight plan, It is clever as well because you can change each element separately without affecting the other two. The central "Route" section is a standard X-Plane .fms flightplan and it is saved and loaded as such a file, but with each time you load in your saved .fms flightplan you will then have to create the SID and STAR elements from new.

 

Start page is the "MCDU INDEX" This is main central place menu you go to to do all the various elements of creating, changing, saving, loading flightplans, two other bottom keys allow you to access the AUTOPILOT and RADIO pages.

We start at the "STATUS" page by accessing the L1 (Left - key 1). This page shows you the current "Status" of the aircraft, It includes the general condition of the aircraft at this point in "position" Autopilot (on/off, AP Source, Next waypoint, Flightplan, Speed, AutoThust setting and NAV Radio settings.

 

E175_Cockpit FMC Status 2.jpgE175_Cockpit FMC Dep 3.jpg

 

To create a route then we start with the DEPARTURE point or airport, press the L2 key to create a start to your flightplan and create a SID.

 

E175_Cockpit FMC Dep 4.jpgE175_Cockpit FMC Dep 5.jpg

 

Type in the lower scratchpad your DEP Airport, in this case "KRSW" SouthWest Florida Intl and input L5 Key. Select your departure runway by the R3 Key. All navigation on the MCDU is done via two sections of the lower input knobs, outer (larger) knob allows you to move up or down the list, smaller inner knob is used to select or activate your choice.

 

Select a SID by pressing R4 Key and again go down the list via the outer knob. If you reach the bottom of the list, the list will not scroll, so you have to go to the next list page by pressing the NEXT button or to go back to the previous page then press PREV, again press the centre inner knob to select your SID.

 

E175_Cockpit FMC Dep 6.jpgE175_Cockpit FMC Dep 8 Store.jpg

 

With the SID Stored it is time to load or create a route...  You have two options in "ADD ROUTE WPTS" or LOAD (.fms flightplan)"

 

 E175_Cockpit FMC Route 1.jpgE175_Cockpit FMC Route FMS 1.jpgE175_Cockpit FMC Route FMS 2.jpg

 

We will look a the LOAD First. The .fms flightplans are stored in the X-Plane "Output/FMS plans" folder, and you use the standard navigation of outer knob for moving up or down the list and inner knob for selection. The PREV and NEXT buttons navigate the pages of flightplans, and in fact is a far quicker system to find your flightplan quicker than using an endless scroll like most selection processes.

 

If you have loaded your route then you can go to the next step of ARRIVAL, if you need to create a route then you press ADD ROUTE WPTS

 

E175_Cockpit FMC Route Full.jpgE175_Cockpit FMC Route 3.jpg

 

Creating Waypoints is easy. Select your chosen NavAid via the AIRP (Airport), VOR, NDB, FIX or Lat-Lon keys (FIX is default), then insert your NavAid/Waypoint ICAO code on the scratchpad and input via the L3 Key, you also have option to add in the altitude via the L5 Key, if correct then press SAVE R5 Key. On VOR/NDB you may be given a choice of waypoints to chose from, select the one you require. In all scratchpad inputs you have a reverse arrow <- on the bottom row of the MCDU to go back one space or DEL to clear the waypoint.

When you SAVE the next segment (WPT#) then appears, repeat till you have all your route segments completed, then use MCDU INDEX to go to main menu page.

Now the final element is the ARRIVAL STAR. Press on the MCDU INDEX page ARRIVAL R2 Key.

 

E175_Cockpit FMC Route STAR 1.jpgE175_Cockpit FMC Route STAR 2.jpg

 

Input your ARRIVAL airport...  KATL L5 Key, then SELECT RUNWAY R3 Key to select your arrival runway and activate via the inner knob.

You have a choice of FINAL approaches in ILS, RNAV or VOR/D and select the one you require.

 

E175_Cockpit FMC Route STAR ILS.jpgE175_Cockpit FMC Route STAR 3.jpg

 

Last approach choice is the STAR you require, select from the list and again activate via the inner knob.

 

E175_Cockpit FMC Route STAR Store.jpgE175_Cockpit FMC Route EXCU.jpg

 

Now you have created all three elements in the SID - ROUTE - STAR and to Execute the full flightplan you press EXEC to load the plan into the system. Press R1 Key (FLT PLAN) to see your Flightplan.

 

E175_Cockpit FMC Route FLT PLN Review.jpgE175_Cockpit FMC Route FLT PLN Save.jpg

 

You can review your route on the MAP/NAV (PLAN) display and as you scroll down the list it will go through the various waypoints on the plan. If you want to you can input a route name and SAVE it to your "Output/FMS plans" folder. You can use any .fms X-Plane flightplan, but remember it can be only the centre section of the SID - ROUTE - STAR layout.

Editing any element in SID - WAYPOINTS (route) - STAR is selected by the assigned key on the MCDU INDEX page, and you again go back to the MCDU INDEX page and press EXEC to reload the flightplan.

Last two selections on the MCDU are the RADIOS R6 Key pages and AUTOPILOT L6K.

 

RADIOS is a full Radio Frequency page for Radio management. All frequencies are covered and there is a duplicate manual version on the middle pedestal, but inputting is so much easier here with the key pad.

 

E175_Cockpit FMC Radio.jpgE175_Cockpit FMC AUTO.jpg

 

Very nice to use it is as well... COM 1 and 2, VOR/NAV 1and 2 and your XPDR Transponder identity code and visual reference on page one and ADF/NDB frequencies on page two.   The AUTOPILOT is just a general information page (no progress page) as yet.

 

Overall this is a hybrid MCDU, a very good one though and it works very well and it has been extremely well put together by Steve Wilson. And no doubt it forms the basis of a more featured system that was not possible because of current time constraints. But certainly the enhancement of a better map display and rather than the usual X-Plane red route marker would be the first enhancement I would execute. But the basics are in place and very clever it is in operation.

 

Flying the Embraer E-175

You can start the engine from either the GPU or the built in APU. The start sequence is mostly automatic and by just turning on the ignition switches and then the start switch for each engine. From the E-195 LR I didn't like the way both switches moved together, in one start sequence they still do, but like a lot of changes from the E-195 they are now independent operations.

 

E175_Startup 1.jpgE175_Startup 2.jpg

 

Sounds are first rate, really authentic and the startup sequence is very good.

 

If you select the "Pushback" option from the "M" menu then you can activate the pushback truck via the "P" menu.

 

E175_Pushback 1.jpgE175_Pushback 2.jpg

 

You need to design the pushback you want in, straight back, pivot right or left or to park the tractor, then you set your distance and press "Accept" to activate the plan, you then do a acknowledgement to "confirm" or "Abort", then click off the brakes and off the tractor goes...

 

E175_Pushback 3.jpgE175_Pushback 4.jpg

 

It works very well, but we are used to throttle controlled, joystick manoeuvring trucks today, so I found it a bit restricting.

Power up and off the brakes and the aircraft nice to taxi...

 

E175_Taxi 2.jpgE175_Taxi 1.jpg

 

To get the best clean takeoff and flight transition it is best to set up a lot of the AP (AutoPilot) ready before takeoff, but don't activate the AP.

FMS is selected and so is LOC for flightplan lock in, Setting and arming the V/S (Vertical Speed) which is set here at 2300fpm, both Flight Directors (FD) on and the speed set at 220knts and transition speed altitude set at 15,000ft. Don't activate the ATHR (AutoThrust) if you don't want to find yourself taxiing fast through the airport carparks (yes at full throttle it is scary). Flaps set to 2.

 

E175_Taxi 4.jpgE175_Taxi 3.jpg

 

You can switch off the window tinting and excellent reflections, by pressing the left side window frame.

 

E175_window 1.jpgE175_window 2.jpg

 

The activated flightplan will show the aircraft's position, this maybe before the actual airport. but that is normal.

 

E175_Cockpit FMC set.jpgE175_Cockpit FMC set 2.jpg

 

Sometime like here if you have changed you runway direction and as KRSW does not have an available SID to the first waypoint of RODDE You sometimes have to do a -> DIRECT TO to the RODDE waypoint.

 

E175_Taxi 7A.jpgE175_Taxi 5.jpg

 

To active this you press the -> Arrow that is used for DIRECT TO functions...  The MCDU will note the DIRECT is EXECUTED.

 

E175_Taxi 6.jpgE175_Taxi 7.jpg

 

Using the DIRECT function is easy as well. Just use the outer knob to scroll down your flightplan list to select the waypoint/Fix you want to go DIRECT TO and press the arrow to activate.

 

E175_Takeoff 1.jpgE175_Takeoff 2.jpg

 

Brakes off and power up to the yellow band and your rolling...  power build very easily and I rotate at 165knts and have a positive climb.

The aim is to get the aircraft clean as soon as possible (Flaps housed and wheels up) before selecting the AP (Autopilot) button. If you have any flap lowered even at low speeds it affects the transition to V/S, and you will find yourself in a negative pitch and totally ruining your takeoff/climb phase, even the transition from manual flying to automatic can be problematic if your speed and flap position is wrong. Get it right and hit the already armed AP button and you just cruise upwards in a perfect linear climb and LOC straight into your flightplan. Just reset your speed for the right ATHR match and your aircraft will power its way in this case my 15,000ft speed transition altitude.

 

E175_Takeoff 3.jpgE175_Takeoff 4.jpg

 

The E175 is a seriously nice aircraft to fly. The length proportions compared to the longer E-175 LR make the machine more balanced, in manual control it is a really nice aircraft, take out the weight of passengers and a heavy fuel load and it has almost personal jet performance...  curve away from the airport while slightly climbing and you could turn yourself into a fighter pilot with a passenger jet... so balanced and great handling.

 

E175_Takeoff 5.jpgE175_Takeoff 6.jpg

 

But today it is all business, passengers in the back and cargo hold full of weight, but the performance is still very good, you can easily climb (way) above the 2000fpm marker all the way to 30,000ft, but I am more gentler than that on my machines but still 1800fpm was no issue above the MACH change of 25,000ft.

 

E175_Takeoff 7.jpgE175_Takeoff 8.jpg

 

Cruise

 

E175_Cruise 1.jpgE175_Cruise 2.jpg

E175_Cruise 3.jpgE175_Cruise 4.jpg

 

I personally love the way this aircraft looks in the air...  picture perfect. The light captures it really well and it look great at any point day or night.

 

E175_Cruise 5.jpgE175_Cruise 6.jpg

E175_Cruise 8.jpgE175_Cruise 7.jpg

 

It is very easy to slip back and enjoy the view from FL320, you are just purring along and monitoring the aircraft. On the right and left of the panel are three buttons to show two popup screens of the MCDU and the Radio panel, but they are static and can't be moved around or resized.

 

E175_Cruise 9.jpgE175_Cruise 10.jpg

 

Approach

Like most regional flights KRSW (South West Florida) to KATL Atlanta is 1h 20m which is a usual sort of flight of this nature.

 

E175_Approach 1.jpgE175_Approach 2.jpg

E175_Approach 3.jpgE175_Approach 4.jpg

 

Leading edge and flap extension is excellent with great animation and design, even small sections of the flap extensions open and close to clean up the system. Approach speed is around 136knts at full flap before ILS capture, but you have to watch you first two flap extensions as the wing is very efficient and the drag noticeable and will heavily adjust your pitch.

 

E175_Approach 5.jpgE175_Approach 6.jpg

E175_Approach 7.jpgE175_Approach 7A.jpg

 

Final approach is around 125knts, and you have push the aircraft down a little to make a secure contact with the runway (RWY27R) and then make sure the nosewheel is hard in contact as well, as the aircraft can be a little light on the nose.

 

E175_Approach 13.jpgE175_Approach 8.jpg

E175_Approach 9.jpgE175_Approach 10.jpg

 

Thrust reversers are very effective, but make sure you pull back on the throttle and close the engine doors without lowering your speed too far, as the engines take a fair while to spool right back down for taxiing thrust. I found that a ATHR off approach is the best so for better speed control and the chance of the ATHR spooling the engines back up again...

 

E175_Approach 11.jpgE175_Approach 12.jpg

 

Clean up the aircraft and you can head to the gate.

 

Lighting

Cockpit lighting is good, but there is only really three adjustment positions and no click area spot lighting.

 

E175_Lighting 1.jpgE175_Lighting 2.jpg

E175_Lighting 3.jpgE175_Lighting 4.jpg

 

But there is no denying it is a nice place to be at night, the cockpit feels and looks very good and very modern in design, it has been very well conceived and beautifully created.

 

E175_Lighting 5.jpgE175_Lighting 6.jpg

 

The rear cabin lighting is very good, but attached to the cockpit overhead lighting, so when you dim the cockpit overhead lighting for landing it goes dark in the back? Highlight is the excellent row seatbelt and no smoking signs overhead.

 

E175_Lighting 7.jpgE175_Lighting 9.jpg

 

Outside lighting is good if you can see past the X-Plane blobby lights (which I hate by the way)  Aircraft looks very nice at night, but the logo tail lighting is connected to the Ice/wing lights, which I really don't like at all. They are for different uses.

 

E175_Lighting 10.jpgE175_Lighting 11.jpg

 

Landing lights are two set inner wings and one on the nosewheel, a second light on the nosewheel is used for taxiing.

 

E175_Lighting 8.jpgE175_Lighting 12.jpg

 

First impressions of the landing light reflections was "oh they are not that great, are they", but then they became very effective, so yes they are very good...  but there are no runway turnoff lights, which is not to big a deal here as the lighting spread is quite wide.

 

E175_Lighting 16.jpgE175_Lighting 13.jpg

 

Strobes and smaller lighting is very good with HDR on.

 

E175_Lighting 15.jpgE175_Lighting 14.jpg

 

Liveries

Liveries, include a blank and seven airline colours in Alitalia (default) Delta, American Eagle, both White and dark blue US Airways, Flybe and Air Canada. Quality is outstanding and all liveries are 4K HD (fuselage 10000px/meter squared) quality.

 

E175_Livery Blank.jpgE175_Livery Alitalia.jpg

E175_Livery Delta.jpgE175_Livery AAEagle.jpg

E175_Livery USAir White.jpgE175_Livery USAir Blue.jpg

E175_Livery Flybe.jpgE175_Livery Air Canada.jpg

 

Summary

 

I am going to admit I really like this aircraft, as from the start of X-Crafts entry into X-Plane the modelling quality has always been exceptional, and the E-175 here is a very high standard...  It just always looks so good in the light and flying hard through the sky.

Yes there are quirks, and a few items that need a little refining over time (any aircraft is always needing a refining process), but the step even from the E-175 LR is noticeably higher, and as noted it looks the same outwardly but look and feel closer to the aircraft and you will see the quality and smaller detailing coming through.

 

Don't likes, not much but a few quirks like double lighting switches, more control of the pushback truck, oversized cabin seats and the default X-Plane map interface.

 

It is a really nice aircraft to fly, but you have to be and work at flying it really good...  It can be a little difficult at lower flap speeds on takeoff more than landing, but time and a feel for the aircraft will eliminate those areas as you get really confident with it, then it all becomes automatic and the E-175 will become part of the fabric of your everyday flying.

 

The new MCDU based on the Honeywell avionics system is to be noted as very new, and a new approach to setting up the aircraft. Again get used to it and it is easy to program and use, but in a few areas and mostly in a visual sense the X-Plane base is evident and there is certainly a bit more room for a bit more future development and refining here...  as I said it is very new here on this release but it will certainly become more powerful, deeper in systems and obviously will become very good going forward.

 

But if you like your flying regional, and like a gem of a great small 100 seater aircraft and one that is nice to fly, then it is really hard to go past the Embraer E-175 from X-Crafts...  all round it is gem of a good machine.

 

logo logo sm.jpg

 

Yes! the Embraer E175 by X-Crafts is NOW available from the new X-Plane.Org Store here : Embraer E-175 

 

Price is US$34.95

 

Features

  • Accurate dimensions based on drawings and documentation provided by Embraer ©
  • Windows, Mac and Linux compatible
  • Custom FMS
  • Custom pushback plugin with animated tug
  • On-screen checklist plugin  - Plugin menu for door control, ground objects or GPU
  • Tested by a real Embraer E175 pilot

CUSTOM FMS

  • both the custom and stock FMS are available on the pedestal or as popup panels
  • More details about the FMS  below

INTERIOR:

  • Amazing 3D modeling of cockpit and cabin
  • High resolution textures
  • High resolution Embraer style PFD, MFD, EICAS displays
  • Pop-up screens, pop-up radios panel
  • MFD with 8 synoptic pages and a new improved Navigation displa
  • High resolution textures on panels - Text is crisp and clear to real
  • Intuitive cockpit manipulation - I have always taken great care to make the cockpit as easy to use as possible. This means all clickable areas in the cockpit are very big so that you can easily click on any button, knob or lever in the cockpit
  • Each switch, lever, knob, and handle is animated
  • Detailed cockpit lighting - All cockpit lights are controllable
  • Cargo area modeled
  • HUD equipped

EXTERIOR

  • 4K High resolution textures (fuselage 10000px/meter squared)
  • Highly detailed landing gears
  • Flap and speedbrakes mechanisms modeled
  • Realistic Wingflex animation
  • 2 versions of winglets available
  • 9 Liveries included so far and more are on the way!

OTHER FEATURES

  • compatible with UFMC, X-FMC
  • compatible with JAR's Ground Handling Deluxe
  • Night lighting, Nav and Strobe lights cast light on the surroundings
  • Obviously a set of custom sounds
  • 10 Liveries available

______________________________________________________________________

 

Installation :   Download file size is 254.70mb to your X-Plane - GA Aircraft Folder. Installed file size is 576.90mb

Notes:

Documents : Both an extensive Manual and MCDU operating guide.

There is also a good video on how to use the MCDU by Steve Wilson: X-Crafts MCDU - Steve Wilson (mp4 download)

Docs.jpg

 

Requirements :

Windows, MAC or Linux. 
X-Plane 10.40+ (any edition)
4Gb RAM - 1Gb VRAM
Current version: 1.0 (last updated December 2nd  2015)
(Note aircraft is very good on framerate, playback is current with similar sized aircraft and features)
 

______________________________________________________________________

 

X-Crafts Developer Support : ERJ - 175 by X-Crafts - X-Plane.Org
 
______________________________________________________________________
 

Review by Stephen Dutton

2nd December 2015

Copyright©2015: X-Plane Reviews

 

Review System Specifications:

Computer System:  - 2.66 Ghz Intel Core i5 iMac 27”- 9 Gb 1067 Mhz DDR3 - ATI Radeon HD 6970M 2048 mb- Seagate 512gb SSD 

Software:   - Mac OS Yosemite 10.10.4 - X-Plane 10 Global ver 10.42 (final)

Addons - Saitek x52 Pro system Joystick and Throttle : Sound - Bose  Soundlink Mini : WorldTraffic v2

Scenery or Aircraft

- KRSW - South West Florida Intl by Aerosoft  (KRSW - SouthWest Florida Intl - X-Plane.OrgStore) - US$24.95

- KATL - Atlanta International by Butnaru (KATL - Atlanta International- X-Plane.OrgStore) - US$23.95

 

Logo Header X-PlaneReviews 200px.jpg

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, Guest said:

Thanks for the excellent review...you put so much effort into these!  This plane sounds really great.  Do you know if it works with Haversine's "AirTrack" (for iPad)?

Sorry I don't know if it works with Haversine's "AirTrack" (for iPad), If the add-on uses the X-Plane basic simulator data for its information base then it should be fine, if it requires the developer to sync the aircraft's data to the add-on then I doubt it.  SD

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 5 weeks later...
5 minutes ago, Guest said:

Hi, 

I'm not sure if you covered it but I noticed the two different winglet types, how do you change those?

Yes there is two winglet versions. You can change them over by opening the "winglets" folder and changing over the main E175.acf file and the "wing.obj" file in the "Objects" folder (make sure you save the original winglet ".acf file and object file first!") and you will have the new version.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Stephen unfeatured this topic
  • 3 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...
On 6/2/2016 at 1:13 PM, Guest Ben said:

Hey, I'd like to know if you've got a review for the update of Michael Wilson's L1011 coming. Thanks :)

At this point the L1011 review has gone on a short hold till there is a completion of a set of major updates, then X-PlaneReviews will do a comprehensive review of this iconic aircraft.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 months later...
6 minutes ago, Guest Hawkman225 said:

 what is the HDR

 

Go to your Render Setting Panel in the X-Plane menu and it is there in the lower centre... It is "High-dynamic-range rendering" and you will see the difference when you turn it on... SD

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...