Aircraft Review: Aerobask Epic Victory for X-Plane 12

[Dominic Smith]

 

 

Aircraft Review: Aerobask Epic Victory for X-Plane 12

 

By Sean McLeod

 

Introduction

Christmas came a bit early, in the fourth quarter of 2022, when Laminar Research released the Beta of the newest version of the X-Plane simulator, X-Plane 12. For many people, this was as good as gold, so off to the races they went. The final release version of the simulator did come near Christmastime.

 

All this served to stir up the desire of the X-Plane community for the latest and greatest updated and new aircraft models from content producers such as Aerobask, who have been working extremely hard on a variety of projects in anticipation of the release of X-Plane 12. Now, we can enjoy the latest version of the very appealing model of the Epic Victory very-light-jet. According to the included manual, this latest version "is a completely new model of an aircraft with astonishing performance and beautiful design." - see for yourself!

 

Installation

If you’ve previously installed Aerobask products, you’ll be able to skip past this section.

 

If you’re new to the Aerobask product line, I can assure you there are a few steps to get started with your shiny new Victory model. The 379MB archive contains all the files you need inside one folder – Epic Victory. Once expanded to 795MB, if you haven’t done so inside your Aircraft folder, cut and paste the folder into the desired X-Plane Aircraft folder. Upon launching the sim and loading your Victory, you'll need to complete the activation process by entering your license key into the box menu field that appears in the centre of your screen. Afterwards, you'll be prompted to reload the aircraft model. Once this is done, you'll be all set to embark on your Epic Victory flying adventures.

 

Documentation

There is a subfolder titled ‘manuals’ inside the Epic Victory folder. It contains four PDF files of installation instructions, performance guidelines, Normal Operations Checklist and a detailed Aerobask Epic Victory G1000 flight manual. The documentation gives you all the essential information you’ll need to extract the maximum enjoyment from your Victory. Once you’ve gotten over the excitement of pressing all the buttons in your impatience to discover what they all do, the flight manual will show you all the wonderful custom options they’ve added to the model.

 

Exterior

The Victory possesses a sleek shape with graceful, flowing lines. The interior and exterior model details are nothing short of amazing with the application of 4k textures and PBR effects. The default livery is that of the only aircraft prototype that existed, N370EJ, which first flew in July 2007. Unfortunately, the Victory did not go into production as Epic Aircraft declared bankruptcy in 2009 according to the Wikipedia page for the Victory.

 

 

The package comes with a total of nine liveries, including the default scheme. One of these liveries features a 2k resolution, making it more suitable for computer systems with lower VRAM, while the remaining liveries are in 4k. Two of the liveries – Desert Storm and Low Res 2k – showcase different interior colours compared to the others, suggesting that customization options are available for both the interior and exterior schemes as mentioned in the package's documentation.

 

 

The exterior model's detail is outstanding. There's depth and intricacy in the textures around fasteners and the limited panel seams present in the model, as this is a composite aircraft with minimal surface roughness. I was impressed by the attention to detail in the exterior lights, which reveal the lenses and interior components. The textures even showcase the individual LED lights within the arrays of the light assemblies.

 

 

Interior

As expected for a very-light-jet class aircraft, the interior is compact, but that doesn't mean it feels cramped. The club seating configuration offers plenty of space to stretch your legs and relax during the flight. Integrated cabin wall armrests feature buttons for seatback adjustment, and there's an extendable table on the port side of the cabin. A computer tablet on the tabletop mirrors the pilot's EFB display (more on that later!). Below the table, you'll find a mini-bar stocked with Fiji water to keep you hydrated. There's also a storage drawer beneath the aft cabin seats, housing pillows for those who want a nap during the journey. The interior lighting is soothing, with indirect cabin lighting and three adjustable spotlights that can be controlled independently.

 

 

Cockpit

The cockpit, much like the main cabin, boasts an ergonomic design that complements the smooth operation of the aircraft. Reflecting on the arrangement, orientation, and functionality of the various system panels, it's evident that a great deal of thought went into the layout.

 

 

Your Victory model is decked out with customized versions of the Laminar Research G1000 PFD and MFD avionics, along with accompanying support interface modules that have been given added features by the team at Aerobask. You’ll really enjoy using the Garmin GCU 477 Remote RMS Control Pad, which you'll use to interface with the Garmin G1000 MFD located in the centre of the main instrument panel.

 

Aerobask has developed custom avionics for the Victory model, featuring user-friendly interfaces tailored for mouse and keyboard interactions since constructing a full sim cockpit with buttons, displays, and handles isn't always feasible. The cherry on top is the option to input data using your keyboard instead of fumbling with the cursor! For me, this is undoubtedly a standout aspect of managing the auto flight and avionics system of the Victory. Inputting headings and altitudes becomes a breeze, far simpler than navigating with the cursor. Plus, you can even enter flight plans into the FMS using your keyboard! Absolutely brilliant!

 

 

Integrated into the cockpit is everyone's favourite (mine, anyways) EFB or Electronic Flight Bag – AviTab! If you aren't familiar with this lovely little X-Plane add-on, then you must do so. Having this included in the Aerobask Epic Victory model is wonderful. The AviTab display is duplicated on the tablet located on the table in the main cabin, for your virtual passengers to follow along with the progress of the flight.

 

The virtual cockpit is well-modeled, with high-quality textures and 3D details. The ergonomics are quite good, making it easy to manipulate the aircraft's controls and switches. The visibility from the cockpit is excellent, thanks to the large windows and the aircraft's low-profile design.

 

Aircraft Options Menu

The Epic Victory also features a customizable options menu, which allows pilots to fine-tune their preferences for each flight. With options for adjusting payload, fuel quantity, and avionics, pilots can tailor the aircraft's settings to suit their specific needs and flying conditions. This versatility enhances the overall flying experience and ensures that pilots have the necessary tools and settings at their fingertips.

 

 

Kenai to Seward Flight

To really get a feel for the Epic Victory, I decided to take a short flight from Kenai (PAEN) to Seward (PAWD) in Alaska, around 12 minutes at max cruise. With the aircraft fully fuelled and passengers onboard, I taxied to runway nineteen at Kenai. As I lined up on the runway, I set the takeoff power, and the Epic Victory accelerated quickly. Rotate speed came up at 85 KIAS, and the aircraft gracefully lifted off the ground. Once airborne, I set the climb speed to 220 KIAS, with a climb rate of approximately 2800 feet per minute.

 

 

As we climbed, the view of the Alaskan landscape was breathtaking. The Epic Victory's large windows offered a fantastic view of the snow-covered mountains and glaciers below. Cruising at 15000 feet, I had time to appreciate the aircraft's performance and systems. The smooth flight and stunning views reminded me of the time I was flying near Cape Canaveral and had the chance to see a rocket launch. It was an unforgettable sight that truly made me appreciate the beauty of aviation.

 

 

As I approached Seward, I began my descent and set up for an approach to runway thirty-one. The landing was smooth, and the Epic Victory handled beautifully during the final approach and touchdown. With the flight complete, I taxied to the ramp and shut down the engines, satisfied with the performance and handling of the aircraft.

 

 

Aircraft Performance
The Aerobask model is powered by the most powerful version of the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW600 (which was to equip the real aircraft), the PW617 rated at 1891 pounds of thrust. This compares well against the engine used in the real prototype, the Williams FJ33, and will give this model better takeoff and climb performance than the real aircraft.

The performance envelope of the Victory is wide, enabling you to fly her slow enough to land at smaller private airports while being able to cruise at higher altitudes, up to FL280 according to the included performance tables.

 

Sim Performance
To thoroughly evaluate the model's performance, I experimented with it in a couple of different X-Plane sim configurations. On one side, I relied solely on the default X-Plane scenery, while on the other, I incorporated various add-on scenery enhancements, including: SimHeaven's X-World America, Northern Sky Studios PAEN Kenai, and the accompanying Ortho4XP overlay provided by NSS. To ensure the most visually appealing experience, I maxed out all graphics settings and used X-Plane's real weather downloaded for my flights.

 

When combining the maxed-out settings with the add-on scenery, I consistently observed framerates ranging from 35 to 45 fps. As expected, I experienced higher framerates when testing with the default XP scenery. Additionally, VRAM usage when using SimHeaven's X-World America, Northern Sky Studios PAEN Kenai, and the accompanying Ortho4XP was just shy of 10GB.

 

 

Please refer to the test system specifications provided at the end of this review and compare them to your own setup. This comparison will assist you in estimating the type of sim performance you can anticipate.

 

Conclusion

The Aerobask Epic Victory is an excellent addition to any X-Plane 12 collection. It offers a unique and enjoyable flying experience with a perfect blend of performance, systems, and aesthetics. The model is highly detailed, and the textures are top-notch. The flight dynamics are realistic, and the aircraft is a joy to fly. If you're looking for a very light jet that can take you on both short and long journeys, the Epic Victory is a great choice.

 

 

Whether you're a seasoned virtual aviator or new to flight simulators, the Aerobask Epic Victory is sure to provide countless hours of enjoyable flying. And who knows, you may just find yourself with your own thrilling anecdotes to share, like battling turbulence over Kamloops or navigating through a winter storm in Newfoundland.

 

_______________________________

 

 

The Aerobask Epic Victory for X-Plane 12 is available from the X-Plane.Org Store here:

 

Aerobask Epic Victory for X-Plane 12

Priced at US$34.95

 

Features

• Aerobask quality 3D model
• Fully functional virtual 3D cockpit, with smooth and VR-friendly manipulators
• High quality 3D model with high resolution PBR textures (4K)
• Flight model according prototype specifications
• Fully Integrated Laminar Garmin G1000 with custom EIS and annunciations
• Synthetic Vision technology by OscarPilote
• GFC700 autopilot
• Touch screen features for easy handling
• GCU476 3D/2D keypad
• Customized FADEC/ECU with test procedure
• MD302: accurate custom coded Standby Attitude Module
• Simulated oxygen system
• Simulated ice protection system
• Functional breakers (configurable reliability)
• Windshield effects: reflections, rain and frost
• Progressive wing icing
• Many parameters saved between flights
• Complete array of custom documentation
• Avitab tablet, with integrated options panel
• Detachable and VR-friendly 2D options panel
• Full FMOD environment by Daniela Rodriguez Careri
• Accurate doppler, distance attenuation and flyby effects
• Simulated headset
• In-game volume control without pausing the sim

 

Requirements

X-Plane 12 or X-plane 11
Windows, MAC or Linux 
4 GB VRAM Minimum - 8 GB+ VRAM Video Card Recommended 
Download Size: 400 MB
Current version: 12.0r1  (January 18th 2023)

 

Review by Sean McLeod

27th April 2023

Copyright©2023: X-Plane Reviews

 

About the author:
Sean McLeod is a career airline pilot with over twenty years of experience and an X-Plane enthusiast.

 

Review System Specifications

Computer System: Windows 11 Home, Intel Core i7 12800H 4.80GHz CPU, 32.0GB 4800MHz DDR5 RAM, 1 TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti 16GB GDDR6 VRAM

Controllers: VKB Sim Gladiator NXT controller, Razer Orochi V2 wireless mouse
Software: - Windows 11 Home, X-Plane 12.04r3 at maximum graphics settings
Plugins: AviTab, Skunkcrafts Updater
Scenery: Simheaven X-World

 

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