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Aircraft Review : Evektor EV-55 Outback by Auctusdelineations


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Evektor EV 55 Outback_Header.jpg

 

Aircraft Review : Evektor EV-55 Outback by Auctusdelineations

 

First thing to note is that because part of the name of the EV-55 is "Outback" it is not an Australian built aircraft. You wouldn't be wrong in thinking that actually as Aussies do call their few odd aviation exports after things set around Australiana like jackaroo, jabiru, brumby and outback wouldn't be a far call for anyone really. But it isn't as the aircraft is designed and is built in the Czech Republic by Evektor-Aerotechnik.

 

The EV-55 is a two-engined utility aircraft that carrys up to 14 passengers or 4000 lb (1800 kg) of cargo, and operates from unimproved fields and at high-altitude airports. The aircraft will has three configurations: passenger, cargo and combined operations with cargo space in the front part of the fuselage and passengers accommodation in the rear.

The EV-55 is a conventional high-wing utility design with a T-tail. The prototype aircraft is powered by Pratt & Whitney PT6A-21 turboprop engines (535 shaft horsepower), driving four-bladed propellers. The wing is mounted atop a nearly-square fuselage, which has five windows per side. The trailing-link tricycle landing gear retracts into the nose section or pods on the lower fuselage, and it has a maximum cruise speed of 220 knots (407 km/h).

The first prototype, was the EV-55M (military version), and it flew from Kunovice Airport on June 2011, with the company pilot Josef Charvat and a military pilot Maj. Jiri Hana at the controls.The first production aircraft flew from Kunovice in April 2016. (wikipedia)

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Head 1.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Head 2.jpg

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Head 3.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Head 4.jpg

 

There is no doubt that there is a huge market for a modern utility twin-engined aircraft of this size that can go anywhere and land in not so perfect conditions and come back. Think Twin-Otter, Do 228 or the older DC3 territory and you have the general idea and the range available is huge at 2,258 km (1,403 mi; 1,219 nmi).

 

Auctusdelineations

You know the name? no not really as Auctusdelineations is very new to the X-Plane developer scene. Actually this Evektor is his first project for our simulator so there are no former expectations or any guide on what their quality or design is like, but so we have reviews to cover the aircraft and give you an overall feel and information on what this aircraft is and what you get in the package.

 

Evektor EV-55 Outback

As noted this EV-55 is a first release for Auctusdelineations, but what an excellent fine start it is.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Flying 1.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Flying 2.jpg

 

The EV-55 does look great in X-Plane11 and it does take advantage of the XP11 lighting features.

 

The modeling and detailing is very good as well, not in the extreme minute style of detailing, but still very good and the aircraft has great quality throughout.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Head  close 1.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Head  close 4.jpg

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Head  close 2.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Head  close 3.jpg

 

External Detail

There is the good finer external detailing and great rivet work is highlighted, there is all over the aircraft the nice chrome touches as well (engine exhausts, latches, door hinges and spinners if chosen) and so it shows Auctusdelineations understands XP11's metalness feature well. The aircraft has been processed for X-Plane11's featured PBR quality so more XP11 features are noticeable there as well. (note there is an X-Plane10 version also provided but without the XP11 features).

 

Glass work is also excellent with great forward cockpit windows and very nicely and if slightly convexed are the side windows, to a point the developer didn't have to do this, but it shows an attention to detail.

 

Front cockpit doors open, but not the rear passenger/cargo door. There are no menus, ground elements or special features (yet) but the basics are well done. The doors are opened/closed via the internal door handles.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Ground 1.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Ground 2.jpg

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Ground 3.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Ground 4.jpg

 

Detail around the engines and those excellent four-blade propellers are modern in feel and use.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Props 1.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Props 2.jpg

 

Trailing undercarriage detail and animations are also excellent, the wheels are not completely covered in flight, but become hawk like when you drop them. Again nice touches of chrome creates realism

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Gear 1.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Gear 2.jpg

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Gear 3.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Gear 4.jpg

 

Flaps (three position in up, mid and low) looks plain on the top, but the internal detail is very good.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Flaps 1.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Flaps 2.jpg

 

Internal Detail

It takes a moment or two to get your head around those weird looking yokes? You don't know if they are left over bull horns or something out of a B Grade Science Fiction film...

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Cockpit 3.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Cockpit 4.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Cockpit 5.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Cabin 4.jpg

 

To date there has been only two EV-55's built (and one test hull) so the panel layout is still in traction. The original prototype EV-55 had a G1000 three panel display set up and that could come to this aircraft as another version when the default G1000 GPS version is released by Laminar Research. But for now it is a mixture of dials and modern digital displays. The cockpit has been very nicely developed by Auctusdelineations.

 

The aircraft feels new, for what it actually is and the roof mounted switchgear is nicely done but most of the switches are not functional.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Cabin 5.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Cabin 6.jpg

 

The rear is still to be set up as with currently the two well modeled pilot and co-pilot seats and in the rear a bare green skeleton prototype layout.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Cockpit 6.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Cabin 3.jpg

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Cabin 1.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Cabin 2.jpg

 

Although this layout is very original to the current aircraft, then I would certainly like the service types with switchable passenger seating and a cargo version.

 

Instrument panel

The instrument panel is very well done with nice (if very small) switchgear and that mixture of traditional and digital instrumentation.

 

With the power off you highlight which is which as the digital elements go dark. Instrument glass is reflective, but the reflections are not overly emphasised, in the right lighting this looks the right approach as digital displays are not as shiny as glass instruments.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Cockpit 1.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Cockpit 2.jpg

 

The pilot's side yoke can be hidden, but not both. There is a nice texture to the facia, but you need the right angle of light to see it, but then that is the materials job to provide an anti-glare panel. Instruments are dials for aircraft instruments, digital for engine information and the switchgear is located in three separate layouts lower panel.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Panel 1.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Panel 2.jpg

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Panel 3.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Panel 4.jpg

 

You get the full Standard Six instruments for the flying pilot with the Airspeed Indicator, Artificial Horizon and the Attitude Indicator on the top row and the VOR dial, Heading Dial/HSI and Vertical Speed Indicators set out directly below, however the Turn/Slip indicator is far left and lower with the magnetic compass to the right. Far left there is a Radar altitude (x100) meter and a Astro Tech Chromometer is top right. Some dials very close up can be slightly blurry, but in most cases they are all quite readable and clear. There is however a noticeable lack of backlighting and no adjustment either.

 

To note the Heading Dial/HSI instrument is a Bendix King Ki825 which is the advanced, color LCD display version with built in heading, course and ILS alignment and VOR/ADF pointers. it is a complex thing for such a small instrument and you want more control on which points you want to use.

 

The Bendix King Ki825 is also the highlight of the co-pilot's side with in a row above (L-R) Airspeed Indicator, Artificial Horizon and the Attitude Indicator and again the Turn/Slip indicator which is to the lower far right this time.

 

There are two digital ECAM (Electronic Centralised Aircraft Monitor) displays covering (top) both engines TRQ (Torque), ITT (Interstage Turbine Temperature), NP/RPM and NG RPM readouts and eight nice coloured circlular readout displays.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Panel 5.jpg

 

Lower ECAM covers both engines Fuel Flow, Oil Temp, Engine Pressure, PWR (Power), N1% and N2% outputs. This ECAN has vertical coloured readouts. Note top right with the excellent set of annunciators that are very well done and the boxes do have that slight convex look for realism.

 

Radio fit-out is very good as well with top the standard GMA 340 Com radio, then two default GNS430's with COMM1/VOR1 top unit and COMM2/VOR2 lower unit. Bottom is a Bendix King KN62A DME/VOR unit (selectable), but you have to set the frequency by hand, the X-Plane local map VOR insert doesn't work?

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Panel 6.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Panel 7.jpg

 

Right stack has a very welcome S-Tec Fifty-FiveX autopilot, Bendix King KR87 ADF unit and finally a Garmin GTX 327 Transponder.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Panel switchgear.jpg

 

Lower panel is the switchgear located in three separated panels. From left to right is the first panel with the items for Steering, EXT Lighting, INT Lighting. Middle panel includes Prop Autofeather and Sync, Probes Heating, hydraulics pump, Yoke show/hide, Brakes anti-skid, Landing gear, Fuel Pumps and X-Feed. Ignition and Engine Start (L&R). Right panel is the electrical panel that includes master/battery switches and generator (DC) L&R and Volt/Amp selector.

Switchgear is a little small to see (text) and use but feels and looks authentic.

 

Centre Console

The centre console is very modern and very well presented. Twin throttles are small but chunky and nice to use. Other levers cover (both engines) for RPM feather (Max/Low) and Mixture for Flight Idle, Low Idle and Engine cut-off. I really like the plastic red knob feel on the mixture levers and cut-off guide levers, very authentic.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_centre Panel 1.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_centre Panel 2.jpg

Evektor EV 55 Outback_centre Panel 3.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_centre Panel 4.jpg

 

Lower console has Trim indicators and knobs, Flap indicator and small selection lever and full De-Icing switches that covers the props, airframe and windshield. Again very close up the diagrams and text is again slightly blurred (certainly the trim indicator diagrams) but still more than usable. Footwells are well done with nicely crafted rudder pedals and fuse panels.

 

External Lighting

The EV-55's external lighting is not bad. All the usual lighting in Nav, Beacon and strobe are well done. There is a nice if small tail light as well.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Lighting 1.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Lighting 2.jpg

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Lighting 3.jpg

 

There is a set of landing lights and taxi lights built into the undercarriage pontoon (pod) structures that has a nice glass enclosure when inspected closely. But when used together the two sets of lights then tend to merge together.

 

Internal Lighting

The lighting on the dials in the daytime feels a little dull, but the instruments are not as bad as night and can be read quite easily, certainly I would like some adjustment here, but it is fine for most circumstances. It is a nice panel at night especially with those digital readouts.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Int Lighting 1.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Int Lighting 2.jpg

 

The rear is dark, there is a passenger light for the rear but it doesn't seem to do what it says it should do?

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Int Lighting 4.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Int Lighting 3.jpg

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Int Lighting 5.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Int Lighting 6.jpg

 

There are two spots on the roof for highlighting both lower switchpanels, with one for the co-pilot and one for the flying pilot.

 

Liveries

There are only two liveries with the default factory livery and a Czechoslovakian registered livery, both come in different white or chrome spinner versions. There is a painkit provided but in the gimp (.xcf) and not photoshop (.psd) format.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Livery default White.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Livery default Chrome.jpg

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Livery OK-DRM White.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Livery OK-DRM Chrome.jpg

 

In the air

The engine startup sequence is very good, with the slow turn until the fuel and ignition kicks in, it sounds good as well, but overall the sounds are only average to good. Good in the start up and taxiing lower revolution areas but a bit droney in the cruise and not a lot of throttle sound feedback, but to be fair my guess is that custom sounds for the EV-55 would be hard to find and replicate, FMOD sounds would certainly be a great addition here.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Flying 3.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Flying 4.jpg

 

The EV-55 is great to fly, but not perfect. My guess it is about 95% but the Outback needs that final fine tuning. First is the engine output is not consistent and you see that on the displays and in flying the aircraft, the power is there, but not consistently. This is also noticeable on landing and if you drop below 100knts then you start to stall were as the stall speed is around 64knts, this EV-55 is a STOL or Short Takeoff and Landing aircraft, but you can't get down to those slower speeds at around 70knts to 80knts without losing height and sometimes pretty quickly. So you play it safe and even with full flap down at around 100knts and throttle power is still needed to control your height.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Flying 5 LG.jpg

 

I actually adapted to the EV-55 pretty quickly, but it will take a few flights to lock into its foibles and slightly odd characteristics, I will also make the point that they could actually be correct and these performances are part of the EV-55's character as well and it is still only a prototype only - built for evaluation aircraft. And all aircraft are different and the point to make is that this is a very different style of utility aircraft and without not much in rear passenger and cargo weight.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Flying 6 LG.jpg

 

Summary

Overall I was very pleasantly surprised by the EV-55 Outback. I received far more than I actually expected. The modeling is first rate and with some really nice design touches and there is a lot of skill in here that could have been very easily not been bothered with, like the very nice convex glass, warning panel and the great overall small chrome detailing that both enhance the aircraft to a far more professional level than what you expect for most first time developers to complete.

 

It is an interesting aircraft as well, to fly and learn, but as noted some areas of the performance still need a little tuneup but nothing an update can put right but remember this is a prototype only - built for evaluation aircraft. You do easily adapt to this EV-55 and quickly learn to fly it with some skill, but it will take a few flights to see all the areas you have to aware of, but from then on you just enjoy it and it grows on you the more and more every time you fly it.

 

A few other areas are noted in daytime instrument lighting, and a few text and image areas are slightly blurred, but only really close up. Sounds could be better and FMOD sound would be a really nice addition.

 

The most interesting thing though is where the developer wants to take this aircraft? It has a load of potential in the way it could be set up in cargo, passenger and military versions, and the option of it being fitted out with the coming X-Plane default G1000 three panel GPS system would be a great in here addition as well, it really depends on how and in what direction this aircraft will go.

 

So yes a very interesting aircraft, surprising actually and user feedback is very good. Another bonus is the price, as the EV-55 is priced under US$15 and that makes it a total bargain as well and one easily investing in without breaking the bank account, so all round this is a great deal and an interesting aircraft. For a first time developer this Evektor EV-55 is a great introduction for them to the X-Plane simulator and one developer to watch out for again in the future.

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________
 

X-Plane Store logo sm.jpg

 

The Evektor EV-55 Outback by Auctusdelineations is NOW available! from the X-Plane.Org Store here :

 

Evektor EV-55 Outback

 

Your Price: $14.95
 
Features:
  • Accurate flight model
  • Detailed, animated 3D model inside and out
  • High quality textures
  • Animated pilot
  • Fully functioning cockpit
  • Cabin doors open/close
  • Wreckage model
  • PBR reflective metal and transparent glass
  • Start-up sheet and control map included
  • 2 liveries

 

 

 

Requirements
X-Plane 11 or X-Plane 10
Windows, Mac or Linux
2GB+ VRAM Video card
Current version: 1.1 (last updated July 24th 2017)

 

Installation and documents:

Download for the Evektor EV-55 Outback is 119.870mg and the unzipped file is deposited in the "General Aviation" X-Plane folder at 181.10mb in size.

 

Documents provided are:

 

  • EV-55 CONTROL MAP (panel diagram)
  • EV-55 spec sheet
  • EV-55 Startup Procedure (checklist)
  • Startup checklist
  • EV-55 painkit (gimp)

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________

 

Review by Stephen Dutton
4th August 2017
Copyright©2017: X-PlaneReviews
 
(Disclaimer. All images and text in this review are the work and property of X-PlaneReviews, no sharing or copy of the content is allowed without consent from the author as per copyright conditions)
 

Review System Specifications:

Computer System: Windows  - Intel Core i7 6700K CPU 4.00GHz / 64bit - 16 Gb single 1067 Mhz DDR4 2133 - GeForce GTX 980/SSE2 - Samsung Evo 512gb SSD 

Software:   - Windows 10 - X-Plane 11.02

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

Plugins: Environment Engine by xEnviro US$69.90 : WorldTraffic 2.0 Plugin - US$29.95 : XPRealistic Pro v1.0.9  effects US$19.95

Scenery or Aircraft

- KRSW - Southwest Florida International Airport by Aerosoft (X-Plane.OrgStore) US$24.99

 

 

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  • 1 month later...

Question, how fast are you going. because of the design of the model, the most that I've found you can go is between 180 to 195 Knots (IAS). with the 1.1 ver. Also be aware for the wind. I found head wind, tail wind it doesn't matter, GS at 220 is about all it will go. Any thing more than that, behavior  a cures as you stated. Hope this will help

Dion

 

PS: remember this is not a fast aircraft like the MU2. You have to treat her a bit different. 

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Hi Donsol...thanks for your reply and you

are spot on about AP not workig well at

or near maximum speed....

 

Fro further researching this topic on line, 

I prepared the following...the "fix" is from

2012...I tried it on the Evictor and it and 

the speed issue seemed to have helped a

lot...

 

"First: what is your altitude and airspeed? The autopilot will have a hard time maintaining the altitude if you are flying near-redline airspeed.

Open the X-Plane folder - don't start X-Plane itself.

Open Plane-Maker.


Click on Expert tab at top middle.


Select Artificial Stability.


Click on Autopilot at top middle.


Tick the box at top left: use custom autopilot constants (to undo changes untick this box, close window and save).


Make the changes as I suggested. 


Close window.
Click on File.
Choose Save.
Start X-Plane and see if the autopilot works now. 

 

In the autopilot settings for X-Plane, change the parameters for the pitch-controller: special/set autopilot constants/use custom autopilot constants. Change to this:

pitch prediction: 2.4 seconds
pitch error for full elevator: 28
pitch response time: 6 seconds
pitch rate: 5 degrees/second."

 

The above categories have to

be interpreted slightly for XP 11...

 

I assume no responsibility if the above does not

work for anyone or causes any uninteended

consequences...

 

Cheers, John H.

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