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Aircraft Overview : Embraer ERJ Family by X-Crafts


Stephen

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ERJ Series_Header.jpg

 

Aircraft Overview : Embraer ERJ Family by X-Crafts

 

X-Crafts announced their ERJ 195 LR in May 2013, and released the aircraft August 2014. In the review it was in a design and quality sense brilliant in those Pre-PBR less effect X-Plane10 days, and I recognised the huge talent straight away. But single form developers can be brilliant at one area, in this case the modeling and design, but weak in other areas and that showed with this entry work back then. Early updates came thick and fast, but it was not until Steve Wilson came aboard and redesigned the FMS and systems did the ERJ 195 LR really then become an all round nice aircraft. Difficult as well was that SSG (Supercritical Simulations Group) had their own versions of the E-Jet 170 and 190 LR. It created a development race between the two camps, that really none won except the punters with ever growing features and details, both aircraft now from X-Crafts or SSG are certainly worthy investments.

 

As both E-Jet designs reached their high level then we expected both camps again to go head to head with their next projects. But they didn't... SSG went to the CRJ 700, but X-Crafts kept faithful to Embraer with their ERJ aircraft.

 

Rumors stated a variant, as the most wanted was the E140, many others stated the smaller E135, and more the larger E145... the announcement covered them all with the stated E135, E140 and the E145, wow a full family of ERJ's excellent! and that is what you get here the ERJ family... but wait! there is is more.

 

What you do actually get in the series package is the Embraer ERJ Family of ALL ERJ's in the E135, E140, E145 and the E145XR and....  also the ERJ private jet version of the Legacy 650!

 

That is altogether five aircraft...  let us look at the five variants.

 

ERJ135

3/37 Seats, 26.33 m (86 ft 5 in) length, Engines - Roll Royce AE 3007A - 7,580–9,440 lbf (33.7–42.0 kN) - Range ER: 1,300 nmi (2,400 km)

 

ERJ Series_E135 - Header.jpg

 

ERJ140

3/44 Seats, 28.45 m (93 ft 4 in) length, Engines - Roll Royce AE 3007-A - 7,580–9,440 lbf (33.7–42.0 kN) - Range ER: 1,300 nmi (2,400 km) - The ERJ135 is a shortened version of the ERJ140

 

ERJ Series_E140 - Header.jpg

 

ERJ145

3/50 Seats, 29.87 m (98 ft 0 in) length, Engines - Roll Royce AE 3007A1 - 7,580–9,440 lbf (33.7–42.0 kN) - Range LR: 1,650 nmi (3,060 km)

 

ERJ Series_E145 - Header.jpg

 

ERJ145XR

3/50 Seats, 29.87 m (98 ft 0 in) length, Engines - Roll Royce AE 3007A1E - 8917 lbf  (39.67 kN) - Range XR: 2,000 nmi (3,700 km)

 

ERJ Series_E145XR - Header.jpg

 

Legacy 650

2/13-14 Seats, 26.33 m / 86 ft 5 in length, Engines - Roll Royce AE 3007A2 - 9,020 lbf (40.1 kN) - Range 3,900 nmi / 7,223 km  - Aircraft is based on the ERJ135 another version, the Legacy Shuttle can seat 19 to 37 in airline-style seats but without the range.

 

ERJ Series_Legacy - Header.jpg

 

For the details I am going to show the ERJ145 as it is in the middle of the family...

 

ERJ Series_E145 - Detail 1.jpgERJ Series_E145 - Detail 2.jpgERJ Series_E145 - Detail 3.jpgERJ Series_E145 - Detail 4.jpg

 

Modeling is exceptional with perfect detailing.... note any glass with perfect rainbow or dirty reflections... Roll Royce AE 3007 pods and cowling is also perfect and the chrome is very good as well... Fan blades are also well proportioned and realistic.

 

ERJ Series_E145 - Detail 6.jpgERJ Series_E145 - Detail 5.jpgERJ Series_E145 - Detail 7.jpgERJ Series_E145 - Detail 8.jpg

 

Engine outlet looks actually realistic, lovely tail structure has the lovely APU outlet is in great detail and modeling...

 

ERJ Series_E145 - Detail 9.jpgERJ Series_E145 - Detail 10.jpg

 

...  windows are perfectly formed, and again you would amazed of how many and even the best developers do poor window surronds, but the creme-de creme is the excellent cabin window wear and tear detail.

 

Undercarriage detail is excellent, all the assembly, struts, pipping and supports are perfect, you have to love the dirty/oily bad weather feel to all the gear...

 

ERJ Series_E145 - Detail 11.jpgERJ Series_E145 - Detail 12.jpgERJ Series_E145 - Detail 13.jpgERJ Series_E145 - Detail 14.jpg

 

....  the highlight here is the flap screwjack, lower the flaps and the screwjack is animated and turns out to the extension...

 

ERJ Series_E145 - Detail 15.jpgERJ Series_E145 - Detail 16.jpg

 

.... all screwjacks work with three on each wing, and yes they are all animated, wing and lighting assemblies are perfect.

 

ERJ Series_E145 - Detail 17.jpgERJ Series_E145 - Detail 18.jpg

 

Finer detail is excellent...  all text is readable and the tiny points of screws, latches and panels are all well defined...  note again those lovely windows, yes I love them.

 

ERJ Series_E145 - Detail 19.jpgERJ Series_E145 - Detail 20.jpg

 

ERJ Series_E145 - Detail 21 LG.jpg

_____________________________________

 

Menu

The ERJ Family uses the standard X-Crafts menu tabs lower right of your screen, there are four tabs: Menu, FAQ, FMS and Checklist.

 

ERJ Series_E145 - Menu 1.jpgERJ Series_E145 - Menu 2.jpg

 

MENU : is the standard pop-out panel that covers the ground menu...  included are opening doors Passenger and rear Baggage, GPU (Ground Power Unit), "Remove Before Flight" Tags, Pitot covers, Cones, front wheel chocks and some lovely engine inlet covers.

 

ERJ Series_E145 - Menu 3.jpgERJ Series_E145 - Menu 4.jpgERJ Series_E145 - Menu 5.jpgERJ Series_E145 - Menu 6.jpg

 

Both doors are exceptional, with built in stairs for the main left hand door and the excellent right hand service door....  I think a ground service stair would be a great addition here.

 

FAQ, FMS and Checklist: FAQ puts up a shortcut help sheet, but it is quite basic here, I expect this to be expanded. FMS is the pop-up for the FMS panel, and checklist is the very nice spiral bound checklist binder.

 

ERJ Series_E145 - Menu 7.jpgERJ Series_E145 - Menu 8.jpg

 

Cabin

Geeeeze it's really tight in here....  Cabin detail is very good, but the game has lifted by a fair margin in the back this year, so what was exceptional last year is now just very good...

 

ERJ Series_E145 - Cabin 1.jpgERJ Series_E145 - Cabin 2.jpgERJ Series_E145 - Cabin 3.jpgERJ Series_E145 - Cabin 4.jpg

 

The cabin certainly passes the grade, but there isn't the functionality in here that is now moving into this area, like the rear toilet...  it feels a little dull lighting wise as well.

 

ERJ Series_E145 - Cabin 5.jpgERJ Series_E145 - Cabin 6.jpg

 

Seat shape feels a little basic, but the important windows and surrounds are excellent. The cabin is the same really throughout each of the different variant lengths, but with just more or less seats.

 

The Legacy however has the executive lounge layout... forward club seating and a side sofa is real rock and roll, Kardashian territory...

 

Legacy - Cabin 1.jpgLegacy - Cabin 2.jpgLegacy - Cabin 4.jpgLegacy - Cabin 3.jpg

 

....   teak wood grain and leather abounds, and yes it is all very executive and rich, lighting panel doesn't yet work, but it is coming say's X-Crafts, non of the blinds work either so the functionality is still to improved here, but finally X-Plane does have a global executive jet...  a big cheer for that one!

 

Legacy - Cabin 5.jpgLegacy - Cabin 6.jpg

 

Cockpit

The level of detail required now at this level can be overwhelming, and somehow developers have to meet that expectation. Certainly this ERJ Series does that...

 

Legacy - Cockpit 1.jpgLegacy - Cockpit 2.jpgLegacy - Cockpit 3.jpgLegacy - Cockpit 4.jpg

 

...   X-Crafts have lifted their quality a few bars higher and it shows, and certainly in the area of display resolution.

 

Legacy - Cockpit 5.jpgLegacy - Cockpit 8.jpg

 

Centre console is very well done, lovely detail with those pearl throttle levers and gust lock...  OverHead Panel (OHP) is also well sorted and easy to use, oddly the aircraft can use the button illumination both ways, like pressing the Avionics 1/2 to on, actually turns them off... packs are on, but shouldn't it be a blank panel for everything on... slightly confusing?

 

Legacy - Cockpit 12.jpgLegacy - Cockpit 9.jpg

 

There are some easter eggs set out around the aircraft, read the OHP and you get the X-Crafts credits? and on the cockpit door you channel Flying High and Star Wars?

 

Legacy - Cockpit 10.jpgLegacy - Cockpit 12.jpg

 

Another feature is the pilots side windows open.... but not very wide? the ERJ cockpit windows are like this.

 

Legacy - Cockpit 7.jpgLegacy - Cockpit 6.jpg

 

Five display instrument panel is very good....    Honeywell Primus Elite Avionics suite is really well done.

 

Legacy - Cockpit 13 LG.jpg

Legacy - Cockpit 14.jpgLegacy - Cockpit 15.jpg

 

PFD (Primary Flight Display), MAP/NAV Display and central MFD (Multifunctioal Display) are well detailed, and the three left side PFD, NAV, MFD displays pop-out, but in a 3D suspension aspect than a 2D move the panel around the screen situation.

 

PFD has the usual top primary instrument functions and lower the rose navigation screen with V/S vertical speed indicator. The NAV display is split for the MAP top and the a menu driven information display below, the altitude VSD (Vertical Speed Display) is a selection...

 

ERJ Series_E145 - Panel 1.jpgERJ Series_E145 - Panel 2.jpgERJ Series_E145 - Panel 3.jpgERJ Series_E145 - Panel 4.jpg

 

....    The menu driven switching is very easy and covers T/O (General), ECS, FUEL, HYD, ELEC selections (Fuel and Electrical are shown). Map selections are also selectable. Dr Glucks Terrain plugin is also available and it is intergrated into the MAP display very well, but make sure it is the latest version.

 

MFD shows Engine Performance, Pressures, ECS, trim, Landing Gear and System Indicators/alerts. Below are two radio panels that are switchable with the magenta highlights showing the COM1/NAV1/ADF1 and green showing the COM2/NAV2/ADF2 frequencies.

 

ERJ Series_E145 - Panel 5.jpgERJ Series_E145 - Panel 6.jpg

 

FMS - Flight Management Systems

You have a choice here? You can use the default X-Plane Laminar Research FMS or the Steve Wilson Tekton FMS system...  again updated. The Tekton still does the same flightplan layout with the three separate elements, and those are:

 

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

 

You can save a route but only the center "Route" portion to a standard .fms file. When you reload it you have then rebuild the departure SID and approach STAR waypoints from scratch, so you don't reload the entire route and just fly. It is tricky at first if you are not used to the system, but the more you use the FMC the easier it gets to use.

 

ERJ Series_E145 - Panel 7.jpgERJ Series_E145 - Panel 8.jpg

 

I found the Tekton programming far easier than on X-Crafts E-Jet, and now with AIRWAYS...  the bigger bonus is that you can use the default FMS to check the route via the PLAN and the STEP button, you couldn't do that before... that is a huge step forward for me.

 

ERJ Series_E145 - Panel 10.jpgERJ Series_E145 - Panel 9.jpg

 

In the air overview

An important note; the ERJ series has a very different climb function...  in most cases you select the aircraft's speed and then the V/S vertical speed you want to attain, but in the ERJ Series the function it is used together here as one. You select your altitude, your V/S and usually around 2300fpm as the 2560 fpm is the noted climb rate and officially it is 200 knts to about 3,500 feet then FLC 250/270/.56M the whole way up to your flightlevel, all this of course depends on your weight, but this is a typical route weight... but the overspeed alarm goes off above the 250 knt speed point. You control the climb rate with the throttles and the speed...  it takes a little getting used too, but easy once you understand how it works....

 

ERJ145

 

ERJ Series_E145 - Flight 1.jpgERJ Series_E145 - Flight 2.jpg

ERJ Series_E145 - Flight 3.jpg

 

ERJ135

 

ERJ Series_E135 - Flight 1.jpgERJ Series_E135 - Flight 2.jpgERJ Series_E135 - Flight 3 LG.jpgERJ Series_E135 - Flight 4.jpgERJ Series_E135 - Flight 5.jpg

 

Liveries

Liveries cover all variants E135/140/145/145XR. There is blank, Alitalia Express, American Airlines Eagle modern, American Eagle Traditional, X-Jet and United Express.

 

ERJ Series_Legacy - Liveries Blank.jpgERJ Series_Legacy - Liveries Alitalia Ex.jpgERJ Series_Legacy - Liveries AA Ex.jpgERJ Series_Legacy - Liveries AA Eagle.jpgERJ Series_Legacy - Liveries X-Jet.jpgERJ Series_Legacy - Liveries United Ex.jpg

 

But this aircraft will get the painters working with gutso... already there is a nice BMI ready to released...

 

Legacy 650

 

ERJ Series_Legacy - Flight 1.jpgERJ Series_Legacy - Flight 2.jpgERJ Series_Legacy - Flight 3 LG.jpgERJ Series_Legacy - Flight 4.jpgERJ Series_Legacy - Flight 5.jpg

 

The Legacy 650 looks amazing in the air, and lighter to fly because your load factor is very small...  only one livery here with the "Dream Chaser", but the other liveries work on the tail and winglets...   so you can sort of use the private jet as a company aircraft, some look quite good.

 

ERJ Series_Legacy - Flight 6.jpgERJ Series_Legacy - Flight 7.jpg

 

Wrapup

This is not a review but an overview of the ERJ Family package from X-Crafts and what is included. So there are no comments or details in this aircraft release to be noted here. The aircraft is being sold as both a full package "Embraer ERJ Family" at US89.95 (all five aircraft are included), or separately at US$49.95 each.

 All packs and the full package is now available from the X-Plane.OrgStore....

 

_______________________________

 

X-Plane Store logo sm.jpg

 

The Embraer ERJ Family by X-Crafts is NOW available at the X-Plane.Org Store:

 

Embraer ERJ Family - Package Includes ERJ 135/ERJ 140/ERJ 145/ERJ 145XR/Legacy 650

 

Priced at US$89.95

 

Embraer ERJ 135 - Includes: ERJ 135

 

Priced at US$49.95

 

Embraer ERJ 140 - Includes: ERJ 140

 

Priced at US$49.95

 

Embraer ERJ 145/ERJ 145XR - Includes: ERJ 145/ERJ 145XR

 

Priced at US$49.95

 

Embraer ERJ Legacy 650 - Includes: Legacy 650

 

Priced at US$49.95

 

Features :

  • UPDATER - You can easily check for new updates right inside of X-Plane and you will automatically get the latest version. It literally takes 3 clicks of a button!
  • On-screen CHECKLIST plugin
  • On-screen HELP SHEET with FAQ and useful info which will get you going real quick and will solve 90% of issues that users usually ask on the forums.
  • On-Screen Control menu for door control, ground objects, GPU and engine covers.
  • Pre-configured systems like on the real plane
  • Realistic Avionics Startup
  • Realistic flight dynamics based on real pilot input and feedback
FMS
  • There are two FMS units installed on the pedestal: Custom TEKTON FMS© by Steve Wilson  (More details  below)  and the X-Plane FMS by Philipp J. Münzel 
  • Please note that these are not replicas of the FMS units usually installed on the jets.
 
3D MODELING AND TEXTURING
I'm a VFX artist in real life, so I'm used to creating photo-real assets. Although I am limited by the XP rendering capabilities and your hardware, I tried to make it look and perform as good as I could :)
 
EXTERIOR
  • 4K High resolution textures (more important is the resolution of the actual fuselage which is 75000pixels per on meter squared)
  • Highly detailed landing gears, Flaps, lights, gauges, antennas... everything :)
  • Realistic wingflex animation
  • Pilots in external view
  • All doors are animated and controllable from the plugin menu. Main and service doors can also be opened by clicking on the levers.
INTERIOR:
You'll find that there is an amazing level of detail, for example dust particles on the screens visible when light shines on them, finger prints on buttons, and if you zoom in really close to the screens you will even see individual pixels on the actual screens. I tried to make sure that the cockpit looks realistically worn out and used as it would based on how much these jets are used!
  • High resolution PFD, MFD, EICAS displays
  • All text around the cockpit is crisp and clear with any rendering options
  • 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
  • All cockpit lights are controllable exactly as on the real jets, even the screens shine light on their surroundings
  • Includes baggage bay door light
POP UP INSTRUMENTS
  • 3D (not movable, ideal for VR) pop-up panels of the FMS, Radio panel and Thrust Rating Panel.
  • The FMS also has a 2D pop up window mode that stays on the screen and you can move it around, so you can simply choose which one you want to be using based on your preference.
  • Pop Up screens of the PFD MFD and EICAS
OTHER FEATURES
  • Realistic Exterior Lighting: NAV, Strobe, Beacon, Left/Nose/Right landing lights, Nose taxi lights, Inspection lights, Logo lights, Courtesy lights, Baggage door light. They all cast light on the surroundings.
  • Audible Alert System
  • Awesome 3D sounds, many of which have been recorded on the real jets!
FULLY VR COMPATIBLE
These jets have been made, fine-tuned and tested for a flawless VR experience!
 
LIVERIES
There are 5 liveries included compatible with the ERJs (White, American Airlines, American Airlines Old, United Express, ExpressJet,and 3 for the Legacy. There are dozens of other liveries available on the forums.
 
TEKTON FMS© Features
 Custom MCDU Interface
  • Initialization page on system startup
  • Easy to navigate paging system
  • SID, ROUTE and STAR waypoint lists are treated as separate editable items
  • Color keyed data presentation
  • Scratchpad data entry
  • Interactive feedback messages
MCDU PopUps
  • Both 2D and 3D popups are available for easy access.
  • Direct Keyboard Entry (DKE)
Departure and Arrival Procedures
  • SID and STAR procedures from X-Plane stock or third party custom data
  • Zipped “Custom Data” folder provided
  • Altitude and airspeed constraints for procedures
  • Automatic procedure altitude calculation
  • Flexible STAR element selection and re-selection and editing
  • Default visual departure and approach waypoints
  • Ability to easily edit SIDs, Routes, STARS and the loaded FLT PLAN
AIRWAYS Selection
Progress Monitoring
Performance Flight Planning:
  • PERF 1 page providing preflight and takeoff data
  • PERF 2 page allowing route fuel planning 
  • PERF 3 page for approach data
Additional Features:
  • Thrust Rating Select page (TRS) accessed from PERF 1
  • FMS reset function
  • Simplified manual waypoint altitude entry
  • Company route load and save functions
  • FLT PLAN page now automatically advances with destination waypoint
  • 8.33mhz tunable radios
  • Comprehensive Status Page
  • The stock X-Plane MCDU is also provided as an alternative for users that prefer it.
FMOD
An amazing 3D sound package comes with the jets. Everything from different knob sounds, door sounds to realistic engine sounds. Many of the sounds have been recorder on the real jets which makes the experience extra immersive!

 

Requirements

X-Plane 11.30+ only
Windows, MAC or Linux - 
4GB VRAM Minimum. 8GB+ VRAM Recommended
Current release version: 1.0 (last updated May 24th 2019)

 

______________________________________________________________________

 

Aircraft Overview by Stephen Dutton 

24th May 2019

Copyright©2019 : X-Plane Reviews 

  

(Disclaimer. All images and text in this preview 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)



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I am very excited about this release as now I will be able to do the KMRY - KDEN run in the exact aircraft and livery (E145, United Express) that I do regularly in real life (as a passenger)! So cool! BTW, yes the cabin is tight, but I love the fact that the left side is single-seat as I get the whole row to myself!

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