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Aircraft Re-Release : DHC-3T Turbo Otter by VFlightAir


Stephen

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Aircraft Re-Release : DHC-3T Turbo Otter by VFlightAir

 

If you think you are reading the same release review of the vFlyteAir DHC-3T Turbo Otter from a few months back then to a point you are. The reason is that the politics has made MilViz quit our simulation world to go back to the greener pastures of FlightSimulator, that is of course to our loss. But this DHC-3T was originally a collaboration anyway between MilViz as the aircraft's original FlightSim developer and a conversion to X-Plane that was done by vFlyteAir.

Now vFlyteAir have brought out the total rights of the aircraft and it is now rebranded completely under the vFlyteAir banner for X-Plane11. In reality most of this aircraft was developed by vFlyteAir for X-Plane anyway, and so it is essentially a vFlyteAir production, so most of the original review stands but X-PlaneReviews have updated the details of the original review and of any changes and details that covers this vFlyteAir re-release and rebranding. 

 

First impressions are very impressive, this is a very nice bush style aircraft with a lot of power, so you have a foot in both camps with a rugged well developed aircraft and a modern turbine powerplant in the 750 HP PT6A-34 turbine and it is based on the typical Viking or Vazar conversion.

 

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Yes I was very impressed by the detailing externally, it is excellent work, the landing gear and strut work is first class, glass and chrome is also very good, so there is a lot to absorb and like here in the extensive details...

 

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Cabin however feels a bit dated, but you could say olde world authentic, more designed for FlightSim than X-Plane with those flat internal textures (note the flat seatbelts) and a few fuselage gaps, but overall it is a very accommodating cabin. all seats have animated passengers that vary from average to actually very, very nice, some again have light gaps (mostly in the eyes which is a bit unnerving). Baggage in the rear is provided as well.

 

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The cockpit is more of the same, but very well done...  certainly there has been more attention paid to the details in the cockpit as noted by the 3d seatbelts that are not in the cabin and overall it is a higher graded and totally authentic cockpit. Details abound and all is beautifully reproduced as is the iconic DHC central throttle, propeller and mixture lever panel with it's metal facia plate, again perfect.

 

MilViz Turbo Otter_FIR Cockpit 1.jpgMilViz Turbo Otter_FIR Cockpit 2.jpgMilViz Turbo Otter_FIR Cockpit 3.jpgMilViz Turbo Otter_FIR Cockpit 4.jpgMilViz Turbo Otter_FIR Cockpit 5.jpg

 

Lower detail is again excellent with high detailing, trim wheels, oxygen bottle and (working) yoke lock are all highlights...

 

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...   lower panel switchgear is also very good, but the switches feel a bit overchromed, nice touch is the rubber band over the emergency power lever to stop it's movement in shaking loose. All the emergency power lever, power lever beta gate, safety guard on condition lever are active and usable.

 

Classic swinging single bar DHC Yoke is highly authentic, and in this vFlyteAir re-released version the yoke can now be positioned on the left or the right...

 

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Panel layout is basic, with the standard flying instruments only for the left seat pilot, and the engine readout instruments mid-panel...

 

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...  and all the instruments are slightly on the small side that requires a low field of view, but otherwise it is all very well done. Electrical is lower left panel with nothing situated in front of the right seat passenger.

 

One area I will note is that the DHC-3T is a taildragger, so in taxiing you have a limited view forward, so you tend to taxi visually panel low and to the side, with same view to the right, you get used to the unusual position quickly and it is actually fun to taxi this way.

 

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Menu, Features and Options

Left lower screen is an authentic DHC logo pop-up menu tab, The vFlyteAir menu here is now completely new and has now also has more features built in as well.

 

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Top panel covers: Ground Elements, Covers, Ski's or Canoe, AviTab Tablet and Internal Glass (Glass Reflections).

 

Left Panel covers GPS Option so can have the choice of three avionics options (four and five if you use the RealityXP GNS GTN750 and GTN650)...

 

MilViz Turbo Otter_VFA_Menu Avionics 3.jpgMilViz Turbo Otter_VFA_Menu Avionics 2.jpgMilViz Turbo Otter_VFA_Menu Avionics 1.jpgMilViz Turbo Otter_FIR_MFO 7.jpg

 

Two configurations and three choices covers Dual GPS (GNS 530/430) and this layout is installed flat against the panel...   second is the Single GNS 530 and finally No GPS. Both the Single and No GPS stacks are set on a ‘kick-out’ panel for ease of use.

 

Avionics Stacks (top to bottom)

Dual GPS: KMA 30 Audio Audio, GNS 530, KT74 Transponder, KAP 140 Autopilot, KN 62A DME - KR87 ADF and GNS 430

Single GPS: Apollo (Garmin) SL15 Audio, GNS 530, KT74 Transponder, KY196A Com2/Nav2 Radio, KAP 140 Autopilot and KR87 ADF Radio

No GPS: KMA 30 Audio, KX165A Com1/Nav1 Radio, KX165A Com2/Nav2 Radio, KT74 Transponder, KN62A DME, KAP 140 Autopilot and KR87 ADF Radio

 

Options include Ski's (Floats are another aircraft selection) and the Avitab. The Avitab is small (thankfully) but has limited viewing angles, however it can be adjusted, but not by much. AviTab Plugin install is required.

 

MilViz Turbo Otter_VFA_Menu Ski.jpgMilViz Turbo Otter_VFA_Menu AviTab.jpg

 

Load Manager: There is a load manager with a ten passenger selection and cargo (baggage) weight, or you can disable everything. But but unlike the older Weight&Balance Menu there is now a detailed loaded weight listed and CofG (Centre of Gravity) limits and current CofG position, also go above 100lbs in cargo weight and the rear five seats are replaced by a large crate and then small loaded cargo crates (over 180lbs) can be loaded to a maximum of 500lb of a full cargo load...  excellent

 

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Ground Equipment is basic chocks, pitot covers and a very nice red window cover...

 

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....  all the five doors open but only directly or manually, but they are well done.

 

Five liveries can be set from the menu. All are of high quality, Harbour Air is default, but added into the Re-Release version is an extra Harbour Air in the old style HA livery design (bottom)

 

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MilViz Turbo Otter_VFA_HA Livery old.jpg

 

And the Fuel Quantity in forward (62 Gal) and centre tank (103 Gal) can be set, the aircraft has quite an interesting fuel system including fuel transfer that is well explained in the manual.

 

Librain: The Turbo Otter comes with the Librain water effects, where they are really, really good here, in the air the water streams down and up the windows...

 

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....  cabin windows are water active as well, then add in the float water spray and it goes simply all sensational!

 

Variants

Besides the Wheel Ski variants there are two versions for water operations. One is the Amphibious version and the other is the pure Float version, the Canoe can be added or not shown via the menu.

 

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Both variants are excellent, and very realistic in the design of the floats, on water performance is really good and refined as well (Laminar Research has done a lot of updates relating to water born performance), but vFlyteAir has refined again above that. Notes include that wave height setting is crucial to get the right feel and a lot of flap helps balance. Lowering or raising the gear can be either just a standard X-Plane key setting or cockpit pumping action!

 

MilViz Turbo Otter_FIR Float 5.jpgMilViz Turbo Otter_FIR Float 6.jpg

 

To lower or raise the twin float rudders is done via a lever down by the right of the pilot's seat.

 

Lighting

The DHC - 3T's lighting is pretty basic...  instrument lighting is adjustable and is very authentic in the glow of the dials. Two overhead lights provide cockpit (panel) lighting, but they are one fixed, and two not separate, so one on then all on...  Cabin is dark as I couldn't find any lighting switches.

 

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External lighting is fine, but again basic...  leading edge landing lights, Nav, high mounted beacon and strobes are all well done, but those two cockpit lights look like more external lights as they are quite bright?

 

Sounds: There is a FMOD beta range set of sound effects created by specialist SimAcoustics that include propeller wash effects, squealing brakes, stall buffeting, full audible cockpit controls (switches, levers, etc.) sounds and custom weather sound effects and all are 3D sound positioned, that PT6 engine sounds pretty good as well with an authentic high turbine whine, so overall the sounds are excellent.

 

Flight Model: This aircraft was developed by vFlyteAir Simulations an X-Plane general aviation specialist and it shows in every aspect of the flight model, the actual original flight dynamics are actually by Alan 'Rush' Shafto of AeroSim Gaming, but Walker Guthrie's hands are all over this aircraft. In the Re-Released version notably all the flight dynamics are again adjusted and re-refined with Take-offs at a fully loaded weight are now much closer to the POH published figures.

Control response is excellent and remember this is a STOL aircraft, so slow or short take-off and landings are very easy and achievable. Flap position are different in the settings with - Cruise (zero) - Climb - Take Off and Landing and how all as easy as that can that be.

A single flight and I had full confidence in the aircraft to do pretty any manoeuvre, balance or positioning I wanted to with the trimming very easy with the fine adjustment on the pitch wheel (rudder adjustment is on the roof), so there are no hidden quirks here except the powerful pull left of that heavy turbine and the awareness of the same forward engine weight on landing...  hit the brakes early and the DHC-3T will tip nose first and break it's propeller, but otherwise this a really nicely balanced and lovely machine to fly and the words "like putty in my hands (and feet)" is very relatable to the flying experience, so even beginners or early flyers would find the aircraft a nice way to learn to fly in simulation, ditto the bushy pilot's who will really love the feel and touch of this modern version of the Otter. Prop reverse is available, but I rarely use it because of the low landing speeds.

 

Negatives, well niggles more like it. Window reflections are very strong and over realistic, so you have to turn them off, but in time I have gotten used to them, cockpit curtain doesn't fold away but just disappears (weird), low fuel light is on all time, and even if the tanks are half full, cockpit and cabin lighting needs more creativity, it's okay but we have seen far better.

 

MilViz Turbo Otter_niggles 1.jpgMilViz Turbo Otter_niggles 2.jpg

 

Comments

Overwhelmingly good. This a great and versatile aircraft that can be flown with both land and water operations. I loved the ease of which you could set up and fly the aircraft, in flight the aircraft is very, very good, so nicely balanced and a lovely machine to fly, and so it is also easy for the novice flyer.

 

Obviously the aircraft originally came from the MilViz FSX/P3D stable but now the DHC-3T is since acquiring the full modeling rights the aircraft it is now a complete vFlyteAir aircraft. Sounds and flight model here is highly rated. Feature wise the Turbo Otter is very good as well, with passengers and cargo adjustable by weight and the redesigned menu is again excellent with more features that includes now a good Weights and Balance feature which is very welcome. The various choice of variants are also well done, and the water and water effects are sensational...   manual (one) is excellent in providing aircraft information, details and performance charts. Avionic package choices are another highlight with RealityXP GNS availablity as well.

 

I flew the DHC-3T for the Mont Blanc Group review, and the aircraft was sensational in this role, instantly loved this aircraft and under the new vFlyteAir banner nothing has changed but the update and better menu makes it all that totally better again.

 

In the reorgiation of this aircraft from MilViz to vFlyteAir the price has been lowered to a sensational US$34.95 (milviz was $40), and earlier Milviz  purchasers can upgrade this version for $7 which is an automatic discount at the X-Plane.OrgStore.

 

So yes, totally brilliant all round and I love this excellent DHC-3T Turbo Otter and highly recommend the aircraft

 

______________________________________________________________________

 

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Yes! DHC-3T Turbo Otter by vFlyteAir is now Available from the X-Plane.Org Store here :

 

DHC-3T Turbo Otter

 

Price is US$34.95

 

Features
PT6-34: 'By the Book' performance
  • Engine model = Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34
  • Engine Power = 750 SHP Flat Rated up to 4000 ft. ISA conditions
  • Propeller = 3 bladed, constant speed.
  • Propeller model = Hartzell HC-B3TN-3DY /T10282+4
  • Buttery-smooth engine starts
  • Highly authentic beta range sound effects
  • Propeller-wash sound effects
  • Squealing brakes
  • Stall buffeting
  • Audible cockpit controls (switches, levers, etc.)
  • 3D sound positioning
  • Realistic distance attenuation
  • Custom weather sound effects
Rain & Ice effects
  • Included is an implementation of Saso Kiselkov's rain & ice effects librain plugin.
Special Features
  • KAP 140 autopilot now provides accurate two-axis control - greatly improved in this release!
  • Professionally created & tuned, high-fidelity flight model including accurate characteristics specific to the DHC-3T. This release features improved performance and landing characteristics.
  • Body Configurations - Standard Wheels, Floats, Amphibious Floats, each with individually tuned flight models. Skis can also be added to the wheels version as a visual option.
  • Multiple loadout configurations, with passengers and cargo. Selectable cargo includes an externally mounted canoe!
  • Weight and Balance and Center of Gravity is calculated constantly as fuel is consumed and loads are adjusted.
  • Unique flap operation which simulates the usage of the manually operated hydraulic pump and selector on the DHC-3T. (Flaps can also be operated as normal using keyboard or joystick assignments)
  • Realistic locked / powered / free-castoring tailwheel simulation
  • Portable oxygen system installed in the cockpit provides crew oxygen at high altitudes using X-Plane's new oxygen systems simulation
  • Custom menu system by vFlyteAir Simulations
  • Richly detailed cabin with beautiful high resolution textures and smoothly animated gauges.
  • Realistic and fully adjustable cabin and instrument lighting.
  • Ability to completely hide yoke and column for ease of access to important switches and controls.
  • Yoke can be "thrown over" to the copilot side.
  • Four liveries based on or inspired by real world aircraft included.
  • Detailed & educational flight manual
  • Yoke Lock feature
  • Accurately modeled pump-operated flaps
  • Pump-operated landing gear (amphib version)
  • Power Lever with Beta Gate and Reverse selections
  • Condition Lever with idle cutoff safety guard
  • Accurately modeled Fuel Transfer Switch
  • Animated crew and passengers

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Requirements :

Windows, Mac
4GB VRAM Minimum - 8GB+ VRAM Recommended
Current and Review version : 1.0 
PS: Customers who own the DHC-3 by Milviz can buy this new version for only $7 and get future updates. The discounted price will automatically show once logged in (if not contact the store at [email protected])

______________________________________________________________________

 

Aircraft Re-Release Review by Stephen Dutton

6th February 2020

Copyright©2020: X-Plane Reviews

 

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 1Tb SSD 

Software:   - Windows 10 - X-Plane 10 Global ver 11.41

Addons: Saitek x52 Pro system Joystick and Throttle : Sound - Bose  Soundlink Mini : Headshake by SimCoders : Avitab (required)

Plugins:  Environment Engine v1.13 by xEnviro US$69.90

- KHAF - Half Moon Bay by Rising Dawn Studios (X-Plane.OrgStore) - US$19.00

 

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