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Aircraft Update : Epic Victory v2.0 by Aerobask


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Aircraft Update : Epic Victory v2.0 by Aerobask

 

Aerobask has done a significant upgrade to their Epic Victory Light Jet. This is version v2.0 and it comes with a very clever new interface feature called "Skyview Touch" and we will go over that system in detail in a moment.

 

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First a small recap on this light jet. The Eclipse 500 and the Honda Jet with this Victory single engined Pratt & Whitney Canada PW600, Very Light Jet (VLJ) were created for a market in air taxi services that never came to pass. But that should not take the quality away from this very clever and even brilliant design of a very small private jet from Epic Aircraft Company of Oregon in the United States of America.

 

The aircraft seats five including the pilot, but the Victory is very small modern aircraft and it is very easy to operate and fly, just like....  well a taxi.

 

Aerobask Epic Victory 2.0

The design of this Epic Victory from Aerobask is excellent, and for his latest designs Stephane Buon has teamed up with Lionel Zamouth to create some very interesting and clever systems in the aircraft.

 

Externally and Internally v2.0 does not look that much different from the release version back in February this year.

 

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The aircraft still looks amazing and comes with a good selection of menus and features.

 

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For a full detailed description of all these items and features then read X-PlaneReview's full release review:  Epic Victory Light Jet by Aerobask

 

If you do read over the original release review you will notice the time and difficulty in setting up the aircraft and flightplans via the button menu system...  that all changes here in v2.0.

 

"Skyview Touch"

The first view of the Victory's v2.0 cockpit and panels if you are familiar with the aircraft will not look that much different, and it all looks the same as if any changes had not taken place at all...

 

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But if you touch any of the panels of the Dynon Avionics Skyview to pop them out like on the release version it won't work that way now...

 

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Victory_Touch Pop-up.jpg

 

Now you touch on the aircraft symbol in the centre of each display for them to now pop-up. You do the same thing to close them. The radio and Autopilot panels pop-up the old way and you press the centre of the panel's (glass) screen to make them disappear again.

 

One of the really hard things to do in simulation is to create an interface that allows you to touch on the items on (in this case the display panels) and also the built in X-Plane button and knob commands. The question is always are you in say a keyboard position of typing directly into the interface or in the other standard interface and not get confused of which mode you are actually in. It is harder to create this input mode without confusing the situation than you think it is...  So here is a solution from Aerobask to that interface dilemma.

 

Instead of working your way through the tree and branch methods of digital menus (complex and time consuming) you can here select directly on the item that you want to change, and with each selection change it will go and show in the menu bar the actual menu item as well.

 

Navigation Pointers

 

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Three pointers cover LOC 1 (NAV1), VOR 2 (NAV 2) and Skyview (GPS) and all three pointers can be set in what display you want in two boxes. The larger top box is the active one for VOR 1 (NAV 1) ILS and Skyview (GPS) connect with the NAV on the autopilot, and so with a click you can have what you want in an instant. Here it is shown as the Skyview (GPS lock) and VOR 2 (NAV 2) pointer direction.

 

Direct input

 

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The touch screen allows for direct input. Say you want to set your CRS (Course) position for RWY 27. CRS has to be on LOC 1 to move, then press the CRS area bottom right of the heading dial. This pops up a panel that is noted in Orange as "Keyboard Inactive".

 

Victory_Touch PFD 7.jpgVictory_Touch PFD 8.jpg

 

Press the pop-up panel and it turns "Keyboard Active" and then you can type in or use the panel keyboard to enter the CRS 270 number, press ENT to enter the data and click away the panel. It looks more laborious step by step than it actual is using it, as in reality it is very intuitive and you do the inputs very quickly as the panel is there and then done...  with the seemless join between the X-Plane environment and the keyboard input being smooth and not noticeable at all, and it all feel like one single interface. But if you do linger in the "Active" zone you are of course still cut off from the X-Plane interface. Overall the interface is very good and easily adaptable.

 

There are several other zones that can be changed on the PFD (Primary Flight Display) panel besides the CRS. You can also change the heading, Speed (IAS), Altitude, MDA (ft) and the Barometer.

 

Heading/North

 

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A direct click on the yellow arrow (top left) can change the MAP orientation from North to Heading easily.

 

There are three buttons in the MAP section for NRST (Nearest), INFO and FPL (Flightplan) at the bottom of the MFD (Mulifunction Display). These buttons were on the original release version, but the difference now is that you can input the data directly.

 

NRST (Nearest)

 

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First is NRST. Here is all the data for APT (Airports), VOR, DME, NDB and FIX waypoints. Double click on a selection and you get a menu of options...

 

Here are the Airport selections in Airport information data, RWYS, and airport COMM frequencies and the selections can be inputted either into the radios or GPS system for flightplan building. Information provided is detailed and clear to read.

 

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If you want area selections of waypoints in VOR, DME, NDB or FIX then there are the direct selections of them as well.

 

INFO (Information)

 

Middle button (INFO) brings up information on selected items for Airports, VOR, DME, NDB or FIX's and again you have the options to input the data into the system. Best of all is the search system that will give you global, local and direct waypoint information by the way you search.

 

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Waypoint information is very good with the DIRECT function to that waypoint available.

 

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Searches are easy with either keyboard or mouse inputs, again the colour "Inactive" or "Active" of the keyboard shows you your status.

 

FPL (Flightplan)

 

The power of the "Touch" system is shown best with the FPL or creating a flightplan. Loading or creating a flightplan is quick, easy and you have a lot of information at your disposal.

 

Press the third tab FPL...

 

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Press on the FPL panel and it will ask you for a waypoint... First one is your departure airport, in this case KRSW. If you reclick on the inserted airport you get a menu covering...  Your departure (SID), Inserting another waypoint or remove a waypoint (selected). You can show info on that waypoint or go DIRECT or activate a certain leg of the flightplan. You can reverse the finished flight plan, delete to end or totally delete the route

 

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Pressing the "Insert Departure" line will allow you to set your departure runway, SID (Standard Instrument Departure), and TRAN (Transition) and that is your departure complete.

 

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Route waypoints includes also airways which makes the system versatile, but I am not using an airway here. All waypoints entered have the correct logo's associated with them for easy identifying of the item in APT, VOR, DME, NDB.

 

On arrival you insert the "Arrival" airport waypoint. Then click to get the selection of arrival runway, then the STAR (Standard Terminal Arrival Route) and it's TRAN (Transition) point.

 

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Smooth, quick and easy and the flightplan is complete.  Saving with keyboard text is fast and Loading in flightplans is so easy and very quick than going down them one item at a time.

 

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The system is very good, the only note is that it is restricted to the MAP's range and you don't have a "step" function and joining up the route to the STAR is out of sight, and any editing to make this seemless arrival is not available. So you may have to do it enroute when the MAP limit comes on the screen.

 

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But this is a full FMS system and not just a knockoff of the X-Plane default GPS although based on the GNS. It is powerful but more importantly very elegant in that it is versatile in that it is easy to change runways or SID and STAR's and not screw the route up and have to re-edit it all. For a small aircraft it is a full FMS in scale as you have with the heavy aircraft.

 

Flight

 

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I took the Victory for a quick flight from KLAL to KRSW to feel the new "Touch" system in action.

 

Setting up the aircraft is quick and easy. All COMM's are done via the touch screen or if you want to change it directly in the menu then just touch the frequency on the PFD screen banner and the flightplan is loaded.

 

I like the loading menu with the fuel load, then loading the passengers and luggage with the correct weights when on board. A child selection is very good. All aboard and you have a full aircraft.

 

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Loads of power even with a full load on board. The Victory tracks nicely, but this is still a VLJ, and a slight crosswind can easily catch you out.

 

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Sounds are excellent with that fine jet whine and whistle and you do feel jet powered and ready to fly high and head south.

 

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Lots of options now on how you interact with the aircraft. Top banner menu, lower button menu or straight to the Autopilot panel as well.

 

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A great feature is the altitude marker of when you will reach your set altitude, another feature from the heavies, but very desirable.

 

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Want to set the IAS speed, then just click on the speed zone on the PFD and in the pop-up set the speed you require and ENT. Setting is also set on the AP (IAS).

 

The TCAS is now also active and the button is on the lighting panel, I am not running any X-Plane A.I. aircraft, so they don't show here.

 

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Waypoint information is in active real time, you can go DIRECT TO as well if you want to. Setting up the COMM's (below) for arrival is easy, by using the menu, a click will insert the frequency into the PFD bannner and the radio set, options include both active and standby COMM 1 and 2

 

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You get instant MAP alignment in either North or Heading which is great for landing patterns.

 

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One thing you do feel, is the aircraft even in this low v2.0 release is now very polished, and does everything very well in every aspect of the flight envelope. Everything has been refined and tested. So very quickly you can fly it well and the new interaction only heightens that appeal. 

 

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Approach and landing at KRSW was too perfection, but you have to watch the track carefully on the runway and keep the aircraft tightly on the straight ahead. It will quickly wander and worse don't hit the brakes until the speed has run out...   and that could take up a fair bit of tarmac as you have no other aids on slowing the aircraft down, so you roll on forever.

 

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Parking up and unloading is a breeze with the good menus, pilot refuses to come out though, even when the aircraft is cold and shutdown.

 

Liveries

You already receive seven great liveries with the original release. With v2.0 you get another Five that are numbered from 979 to 983. All are extremely high quality and diversely well created in design.

 

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Summary

 

Outwardly the v2.0 looks almost the same as the original release, but as we have gone through this review the aircraft is now nothing but. It is a total interface redesign, but there is also lot of fight dynamic and improvements right through the aircraft, in many cases not by much, but that real solid professional feel is right there.

 

And professional is the word about that interactive interface. It is seemless in operation that is hard to describe on a page unless you actually use it and it goes a long way in getting around the complexity of the glass panel tree and branch menu operation. In other words it make changes very easy and you have so much information at your disposal and it is all usable information that can be easily inserted into the system. The system is deep as well with not only waypoints but airways as well, SID, STARS and transitions and runway changes on the go and all in one elegant package that is a great feature to have on any aircraft, never mind a VLJ.

 

So a great upgrade and a useful one as well to the Epic Victory, great value and a great aircraft to fly, for a more visual view of the new "touch" system then look over this video with the system in operation...

 

 

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Yes! the Epic Victoryv 2.0 by Aerobask is NOW available from the new X-Plane.Org Store here :

 

Epic Victory 2.0

Price is US$29.95

If you already have purchased the Aerobask Epic Victory then go to your X-Plane.OrgStore account login and upgrade to v2.0

The free Akoya Seaplane deal is still available with your purchase.

 

features include:

Awesome version 2.0
  • SkyView Touch - Similated Skyview with easy to use TouchScreen
  • SID - STAR  and Airways. They can be entered with ease thanks to the new Skyview Touch
  • TCAS
Aerobask Quality 3D Model
  • High quality 3D model throughout
  • Flight model defined according to the specifications of public data. Fun to fly.
  • Ultra-High Resolution textures. 4K, Ambient Occlusion, Specular, Normal mapping and night lightning.
  • Fully functional and animated Virtual 3D cockpit.
  • Panoramic windshield with reflections, rain and icing effects.
  • Ground Power Unit
First ever modeled Skyview for X-Plane
  • 3 EFIS  Skyview 
  • Extensive custom logic to simulate  the real Skyview
    • Custom MAPs & FMS
    • Flight Plans Management
    • Transponder
    • AutoPilot and radio 
  • All EFIS can be displayed in Pop-up view
Other Systems
  • EIS MVP50, 2 Garmin GNC255, 1 STEC5000 Autopilot, ADL110B weather radar, TCAS and vocal alerts.
  • Can also be viewed as Pop-up windows
Dynamic Menus
  • Options Menu
  • Fuel & weight management
  • GPU
Custom 3D Sounds
  • Engine, gear, flaps, door, vocal alert, callout.
  • Enhanced 3D sound engine using SASL functions.

 

Requirements:

X-Plane 10.42+ - Running in 64bit mode
Windows 7+. Mac OSC 10.7+, Linux - 64bit Operating System
2Gb VRAM Minimum

Current version: 2.0.14 (Last updated Sep 3rd 2016)

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Aerobask site : aerobask.com
Aerobask Developer Support : Support forum X-Plane.Org

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Update Review by Stephen Dutton
2nd September 2016
Copyright©2016: X-PlaneReviews

 

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  • 3 years later...

I just downloaded the Victory V2 and was expecting a similar implementation as in the DA62 or the Epic E1000. Very disappointed that the flight plan enters was a bit bazar and the huge disappointment was no instrument approaches. What????? Really?

Like the pop ups but should have one for the flight plan entry. 

I will not fly this one again till Aerobask fixes this or implements the GNS1000 suite. PLEASE!

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Aerobask tries to replicate the system in the real aircraft, so it may not look like a G1000 but the system actually is, no you are not going to get a full G1000 set up in the Victory, but try to use the system provided? I do admit the Victory is due for an an update as this release is 2016, so your prayers my be answered anyway...  

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