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Aircraft Review : Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter by Thranda Design


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Aircraft Review : Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter by Thranda Design

 

The de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver was a jack of all trades sort of aircraft, but the one thing it was and built on it's success was that it was versatile. But it was also a very old design in being created in the late forties and by the sixties there was the need for a replacement aircraft with better all round capabilities. The requirements required more power, more range and more carrying capacity than the DHC-2 had to offer and oddly enough the challenge came not from Canada or even the United States, but from Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland.

The first version with a 254 kW (340 shp) pistoned-engined aircraft PC-6 first flew in 1959. But it was when an early turboprop powerplant version that became available for the PC-6 with the Garrett Air Research TPE 331 that the aircraft really came then into it's own class. But the TPE 331 didn't last long either as in May 1996 with the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A engine performed its own maiden flight and the PT6A really then cemented the Porter's reputation and a direct replacement for the DHC-2, the Beaver's production ended just two years later.

 

Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter by Thranda Design

Considering the popularity of the PC-6 Porter the aircraft has been thin on the ground for X-Plane users. There has been a few freeware versions but nothing substantial. This PC-6 version was started as a project by Daniel Klaue (now Thranda Design) that if X-Plane wanted a PC-6 it was going to be the best PC-6 he could deliver, But as Thranda grew the project was slowly put in the background around all the other commitments. It was of course never forgotten and In reality the aircraft is now totally redone as is required by the demands of modern simulation, so there is not much relation to the original version, and of course Dan Klaue has to put his own innovative spin on the aircraft.

 

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The Pilatus PC-6 looks brilliant, this is a high quality Porter to die for... let us look at the detail.

 

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Modeling and design is now at a very high level, certainly from certain developers. Daniel Klaue is one of the most prominent X-Plane developers so you are going to get nothing more that the very best, and certainly that is the case here. The detailing is simply astonishing, every panel and every rivet is accounted for, and the PC-6's unique tail design is very well replicated. Also is the overall lovely modeling curves as there are no square edge shapes in here. Wing aerofoil shape is gaze over beautiful in design...

 

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Main front wheel gear is very frame like in design, even simplistic in keeping with the rugged utility design of the aircraft, but the detail of the struts and supports is excellent, even the frame welds can be seen...  note the extended suspension rubbers and nut and bolt assembly...  amazing detail.

 

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 And so is the complex rear stabiliser, and here you can highlight the perfect detail of the aircraft in the rear wheel assembly, control cables and even the labels on the rear wheel strut is perfection. Note the cable controlled fine trim edge tabs, and they work.

 

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A lot of the glass areas are just flat, but the main windscreen is a complex, convexed and has a large helicopter feel...  here again with all the glass it is highly realistic and you can have the tint on or clear glass.

 

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Cabin

The cabin has two-abreast six seats, in check blue trim, very modern. Side doors can be left open in flight if required, but would scare the bejesus out of anyone actually sitting in there, unless you were going for a parachute jump. Under seat detail is excellent, with no thin spindly legs here...

 

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Wall panels are pure metal with rivets and so good you want to wipe them down, and perfect detailing is highly realistic with lovely circular windows around the green tinted glass, note the first aid box.

 

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Currently there is no cargo version, but I expect Thranda to do that version as most Porter's are used for remote field delivery services.

 

Cockpit

The PC-6's cockpit is very basic in a utilitarian way, with just metal frames with all the controls or instruments added or bolted on...

 

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...     control sticks are too low to hide, so there is not that option, rudder pedals are as basic as the ones you use with your simulator, it is a simple moving bar and extra pedals for brakes, air and heat piping is visible and again something you would buy from your hardware store.

 

Entry doors are quite narrow, but again helicopter deep glass, so looking down is easy, to note the whole cockpit with the high ceiling glass and long glass doors feels very open and you are sitting far up and higher than the cabin behind. I like the roof mounted slung seatbelts, they flow nicely down from the bar. Note those big red handles on each side of the cockpit eject the full door in an emergency, but sadly that doesn't work here

 

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The prominent forward metal frame bar creates a shelf, but items like the quadrant and flap switch/rudder trim, clock (right) and Interrupt and Alternate trims are bolted directly on to the frame... 

 

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...    three levers control "Prop", Throttle "Power" and Mixture "Idle" which has a safety gate. The lever to the through the panel push-pull rod is expertly crafted and has excellent realistic animation, T shaped throttle lever looks like a twin throttle handle but it isn't. Flap selections are UP (0 degrees), TO (28 degrees) and LND (35 degrees).

 

Instrument Panel

The instrument panel in this Thranda PC-6 is unique as it can be configured to your own personal preferences, but first we will look at the default layout of the panel.

 

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The Porter is a strictly one pilot aircraft, rarely does it have two but the stick and rudder controls are provided in the second seat. So all the instrumentation is set to the left and around the pilot's eyes. Clear and concise, most instruments are quite large and really well done here.

 

Standard Six covers Airspeed Indicator (knots), Artificial Horizon and the Attitude Indicator on the top row. Below is a ADF/VOR pointer, Heading Dial and Backup Attitude Indicator. Third row has a Vertical Speed Indicator, Turn Coordinator and Fuel Gauge (litres), far left lower is a Radar Altitude Dial.

 

A note about the two Altitude Indicators in that the top row version only moves per hundred feet in a click, which I really like, unlike the backup standard clock dial version.

 

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Centre panel left has four dials with two small top and two larger lower to cover the engine performance with (small) Prop RPM speed x 100 and gas generator RPM or Ng %, and below below (large) are the Torque psi and ITT or Inter Turbine Temperature gauge.

 

Avionics package includes both the GNS 530 and the GNS 430 GPS units, a Garmin GTX327 transponder and bottom is a Garmin GNA 340 radio set.

 

Right side instrument panel has a few more engine readouts, these include the Indicators for the oil temperature, pressure, and fuel pressure which are combined into a single gauge top...

 

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...  below is a ammeter and an voltmeter, the PC-6 utilises a 28V electrical system. A single 24V battery is installed to provide power for engine starting and as a secondary source for DC power. A 300-amp starter generator provides normal power at 28 volts. Far right is a suction gauge (Vacuum). Centre right panel is a Hobbs counter and a lovely Whisky Compass centre screen.

 

There are two wing tanks of 170 US gallons each (643.5 liters, 1147.5 lbs, or 520.5 kg) of total of usable Jet-A fuel. These wing tanks gravity-feed into a small 2.9 gallon collector tank located behind the cabin rear bulkhead, which feeds the engine. The twin fuel tank gauges are lower right, in compliment with the total fuel gauge at the lower SS position. Dials are really well done and look really nice. All lower circuit breakers are active and here (arrowed) fuses 5 and 10 are pulled... The electrical switchgear is set out in two rows, top external lighting and lower Master (Power), Generator and various other generic electrical power switches.

 

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There is a panel each end of the instrument panel. To the right is a De-Ice system with ampere gauge. Left is the optional external fuel tank panel...

 

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...   each under-wing external tank holds 49 additional gallons (185.5 liters, 330.7 lbs, or 150 kg) of usable fuel. The external tanks are really well done, but makes the Pilatus look very military.

 

Notable is the ADF panel sitting down between the two seats, hard to use in a simulator way, but again well done. Each of the end of shelf airvents are fully animated, for movement and flow.

 

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Customising

The Thranda PC-6 Porter can be highly customised to suit your taste. So in reality there is no default instrument setup.

 

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Menu is selected via an arrow tab left screen (it can be scrolled clear), on the menu is the "PANEL" selection. This brings up the dynamic panel options...

 

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Top row of options are 4 different panel backgrounds, Default Grey, White, Black and Blue. (Note all options can be mouse scrolled)

 

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Below is the "PANEL PRESET" that has six different Presets. Items include, Pilot glareshield switch panel, Aspen EFD 1000, RealityXP GNS 530W/430W or GTN 750/650 Touch 3D bezels (these are optional addons) and (arrowed) S-Tec 55x autopilot.

 

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But that is not all for the tinkers! You also have an "EDIT MODE" that gives you access to all of the 44 individual instruments and avionic units...

 

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....   basically you can start with a completely blank panel and then create your own unique or personal instrument layout... and have up to or can save 14 different layouts... for absolute layout choice it is crazy!

 

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For those that find instruments are not to their liking in say, "I wish I could move that altitude meter a bit more to the left", then here you can adjust that, or even swap instruments around to your liking, here above I have swapped over the DME range with the Airspeed Indicator, why because I can.

 

This customised panel feature is a very Thranda (Dan Klaue) sort of options galore "I'll give you everything" sort of fun aspect of their aircraft. It is very clever and will make a lot of users very happy out there.

 

Alpine Avionics Evolution

Final instrument note is the EFD 1000 which is a self-contained multifunction digital display that is divided into a Primary Flight Display (PFD) in the top half, and an Electric Horizontal Situation Indicator (EHSI) in the lower half. As EDF 1000 systems go it is not highly featured with the GPSS, MAP,  360 and Menu functions all not simulated...

 

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....    all the lower NAV1/NAV2/GPS selections are however available, as is the TPS (Tapes) see/hide option with the MIN (Minimums) selectable as well. and the PFD can be reversed with the EHSI. The EFD 1000 can be used with the S-TEC 55x and all panels as seen above pop-out.

 

Menu - General

The menu "General" sections covers quite a lot of options, the layout is highly detailed and very comprehensive.

 

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Three selections cover group items but any one item via "Click Spots" can be individually selected or hidden via the aircraft graphic. "ALL COVERS" will select engine inlet/outlet covers and pitot cover, "ALL TIE-DOWNS" for propeller and wing tie-downs and "ALL DOORS" for both cockpit doors, both cabin sliding doors and the twin engine cover doors, and open the panels and it exposes inside a lovely recreated PT6A-27 turboprop, flat-rated to 550 SHP (47.3 psi at 2000 RPM) this is the Pilatus PC-6 B2/H4 version represented. The Engine can be set into two modes...  SIMPLIFIED or REALISTIC

 

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In Simplified mode the engine will automatically limit the engine to remain below the maximum torque of 47.3 psi. In Realistic mode it will be up to the pilot to avoid exceeding the engine limitations. The propeller gearbox or propeller shaft can break if the torque limit is exceeded by a certain margin, resulting in engine failure and smoke in the cabin (the smoke can be cleared by pulling the firewall air shutoff control closed).

 

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There is a very nice GPU (Ground Power Unit) and an Electric Tug on the rear tailwheel, that is controlled via your joystick.

 

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There is the selection of a SIMPLIFIED or REALISTIC tailwheel actions. in Simplified mode the tailwheel is standard X-Plane rudder connected yaw in a range of +- 30 degrees, In Realistic mode it functions as in the real aircraft. There is a section in the manual relating to steering in the freewheeling mode.

 

Other General menu selections cover Window and Instrument Panel Reflections on/off, Startup Running on/off, External Fuel Tanks show/hide, Chocks and brakes on/off. All EXT - External Lights can be switched on and off as can ALL INT - Internal lights. The lights can also be accessed on the aircraft graphic including the extending and retraction of the end of the wing landing/taxi lights, this action can be a bit fiddly and slow but clever.

 

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Menu - Liveries

Second Menu option is liveries, there are two options here with the first being "PAINTED LIVERIES". There are altogether 16 liveries or one blank and fifthteen designs, and all are of extremely high quality and creative flare. To note that a couple are very similar except for a different registration.

 

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Dynamic Liveries

Not happy with any of those designs, then why not create your own!  With their earlier release of their Kodiak then Thranda also introduced a clever feature to design your own livery.This is done by switching from PAINTED LIVERIES to DYNAMIC LIVERIES top.

 

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You have a menu to select on the right that can colour a certain part of the aircraft, like the Roof, Wing, Tail or Wing tips. Select which one you want and then adjust the RGB colours for that area, it looks hard but you can easily design a very nice livery in about twenty minutes...

 

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...  when done you can "save" the livery and then "APPLY" it to the aircraft. It was quite easy, but I found the dash symbol - couldn't be inserted in the registration except for the lower case version?  So I had to take it out.

 

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Two extras can also be added to the livery with the PC-6 logo which is very nice and the Pilatus Manufacturer logo as well, the final result is excellent.

 

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Menu - Weight/Bal

The PC-6 has a great Weight and Balance menu. Lbs and Kgs which can be selected via the toggle...

 

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....  Fuel can be added and use the twin-external tanks and they are then shown and are adjustable as well in the menu (above). Pilot, passengers and cargo can all be set for individual weights and the CofG (Centre of Gravity) parameters are all shown on a graph, when done you can save the configuration and reload it.

 

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Menu - Camera

There is a camera feature under the menu "Camera" selection. To the right is the internal default views to be selected via a menu, or press the keypad to select the view. The FOV or Field of View is adjustable via a slider.

 

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The left side of the panel is the "Walkaround" views, just pick the dot viewpoint you want to see to rotate around the aircraft.

 

Menu - Audio/Slew

Sound can be adjusted via the sound menu. There are seven slider selections with: Master, Aircraft External, Aircraft Internal, CoPilot, Radios, Environmental and User Interface. One other sound setting is on the Flap panel...  press the left-hand screw and you get a audio simulation of an active noise canceling headset, which is seen as wearing a headset. Sound quality is excellent.

 

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Slew mode

Slew mode is experimental, but allows you to manually move the aircraft around in X-Plane. It functions by temporarily overriding the various aerodynamic and physical forces on the plane, it is to allow the user to reposition the plane as desired. This feature is however highly touchy!

 

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Having a go, I suddenly found myself dangling in the air, with a ground crash coming very soon after, so use with care?

 

Menu - MISC

The Misc page is currently just a placeholder for future content. It is noted to check regularly for more information on upcoming features and configurations for the PC-6, noted coming is a "Expansion Pack" like Thranda did with the Kodiak.

 

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Flying the PC-6 Porter

First you have to understand the unique attraction to the PC-6 Porter. It is as they say a "Seat of the Pants" aircraft, true pilot's love the Porter because of the feel and reaction the aircraft has under their control. So if you need to get into an impossible remote landing strip then in most cases it will be with a Porter...  short, rough even steep gradients are all challenges that the PC-6 can take on with it's incredible STOL - Short Takeoff and Landing capabilities. But also remember that in front of you is a PT6A-27 turboprop flat- rated to 550 shp, turning a large Hartzell 4-bladed constant speed propeller. It is like having a powerful V8 engine attached to a Go-Kart, and your case a monster of an engine attached to a frame that you are sitting in...  so the PC-6 is unique in the way you handle it, or fly it... overall you can see the immense attraction to pilots it has.

 

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Also it is a taildragger, or in this case a dragging tail with a load of power at the other end, so you really have to put the throttle up sensitive slow unless you don't want to cartwheel into scenery, really all you need is slight bit's of power until the tail lifts and you get some aerodynamic control, easy? no.

 

That unusual tail design feels a bit small against the power and huge asymmetrical side thrust, so you really need to work hard early to keep the Porter straight, and you will use a fair bit of left rudder to counter the powerful thrust effects in the lower takeoff speeds.

 

Once that tail is in the air you can now feel more control of the aircraft and also put the throttle up to takeoff power, but still build up the speed slowly...

 

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....  certainly the weight of the aircraft (say fully loaded) and then using flaps can make a huge difference in the takeoff run distance, but around just under 90 knts in the white zone you can finally leave the runway...  If you have the runway then I say use it, as you have more control that way.

 

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The PC-6 has a rate of climb of 1,010 ft/min, or a 1,000fpm. But it can easily climb that rate at the limit and still gain speed. Service ceiling is 8,197 m (26,893 ft).

 

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Thranda do note the engine limits and to certainly the need not to exceed the parameters, as that would be easy with the power you have available, but now in the air and at your altitude it is time to trim the Porter. The electric trim is on the joystick and very easy to use (I have a keyboard trim setup), the trim display is left top on the instrument panel (arrowed).

 

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The PC-6 is super easy to trim via the vertical and a couple of flicks left of the rudder trim should have you easily flying hands off stick neutral, in fact you don't need an autopilot as the Porter will fly trimmed straight into the horizon very easily...

 

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Maximum speed is 232 km/h (144 mph, 125 kn) Vno, Vne: 151 knots or cruise at 213 km/h (132 mph, 115 kn). Range is 730 km (450 mi, 390 nmi) with maximum payload and Ferry range is around 1,612 km (1,002 mi, 870 nmi) with maximum internal and those twin-underwing fuel tanks.

 

Banking requires a bit of back-stick pressure to keep the nose up...

 

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...  trimmed correctly the PC-6 is more like playing a musical instrument than flying as you are so tuned into the feel and controls, with then only the slight stick movements to guide or move the aircraft...   you are flying like an artist.

 

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You can even adjust your altitude just by reducing the power, pull the throttle back and down you go, too steep then you can climb by pushing the throttle back up to counter the fall, and all without moving the stick...

 

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If you are quite good at this flying thingy... you can set the approach into a nice glide down just by using only the throttle, and with only slight direction movements that can point you directly onto the runway...

 

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... at the right height flare off the nose down attitude to rub off the speed...    when the speed is around 80 knts and a good 15 knts into the white zone you can drop the flaps to 28º, this effect will then drag the speed down to the approach speed of 60 knts, lovely is fact there is no flap lift, or unbalance as the aircraft slows down, you feel the lift but not that secondary sinking feeling with less power...  and it is all smooth as.

 

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Drop the flap to the full 36º and your speed will rub off to 55 knts, you are still flying at this speed but any less power and then you will lose height. Stall speed is only slightly below your approach speed at 96 km/h (60 mph, 52 kn).

 

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Approaching the runway you become extremely aware of that huge four poster prop sticking right out there in front of you...

 

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...   so I do an almost three point landing to keep the nose up, this also gives me a very short landing distance, but I don't have to touch the brakes either to run off the last of the speed., two wheels landing are fine, but you habitually still keep the tail down, braking too quickly of course could tip you up nose first, broken propeller second.

 

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Yes the flying was easy, but let us not get too cocky here as this aircraft is not for total amateurs, skills were needed to do the right procedure, right speed at the right place to get that extremely exciting landing, but if you are good at flying like this, then the Porter will reward you back a thousand times over...   the PC-6 is brilliant to fly.

 

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Note that you can update the PC-6 Porter by the SkunkCraft's updater, also you can opt in to the "beta" program on the updater if you want to be brave, but to be aware in having some interesting things happen to the Pilatus, as Dan Klaue is always coming up with something different.

 

Lighting

Overall the PC-6 lighting is quite basic, but still good. The main instruments can be adjusted via a knob left panel. Overhead cockpit lighting is one simple on/off red light. In the rear are just two rear sidewall cabin lights. I wondered if the Porter should have a couple of those adjustable map spotlights that Thranda do so well and one for the pilot and one for the front seat passenger? 

 

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External has two end of wing drop down LED landing/taxi lights which are quite powerful, and you can adjust the beams angles to suit your landing approach which I like to do...

 

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Nice red flashing beacons can be top or both, but you can switch to flashing strobes (whites) instead. Navigation lighting is very good for wings and tail.

 

Only note is that the lighting panel is slightly confusing to use, and it's placement lower right panel is also hard to use (reach) so the menu is usually the better option.

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Summary

One of the most versatile and even a workhorse background utility aircraft, the Swiss built Pilatus PC-6 Porter is on of the most coveted pilot dream machines for its basic but powerful design, extremely flexible for its amazing STOL capabilities this is one of the most rugged and the best get in and then out of remote areas fixed-wing aircraft available.

 

Daniel Klaue needs no introduction if you have been in X-Plane for a period of time, certainly one of the most innovative but talented developers that is highly regarded within the simulator. This is Thranda's second official release after the Kodiak of which was another if larger utility aircraft.

 

This is a Dan Klaue aircraft and so you expect a lot of ideas and clever features and certainly the PC-6 Porter does not disappoint in that department. Modeling and detail is absolutely first rate, this is an excellent Porter aircraft with a lovely design and high quality. Detaining is excellent, nothing to comment on as every detail and more is covered. You can though a innovative menu system create your own instrument panel layout or layouts as up to 14 different layouts of 44 instruments and avionics can be saved with 6 default layouts including a Aspen EFD 1000 with S-Tec 55x autopilot, and the panel is also RealityXP GNS 530W/430W or GTN 750/650 Touch with 3D bezels ready. A huge selection of 20 liveries is still complimented with a feature to create your own colour scheme and livery, then you can save them as well. Advanced FMOD-based sound system is of course recorded from a real PC-6 and PT6 engine, a full audio-mixing desk gives you total control with detailed cockpit sounds... in other words it is pretty damn good.

 

Negatives are very few, internal lighting is basic and some lighting controls are hard to use (reach) but compensated for in the extensive menu. Really wanted a cargo version, but that is noted as still coming?

 

Simply a pilot's aircraft to fly and love, the Pilatus PC-6 Porter is extremely responsive to your inputs, but that is why you love this aircraft, skills are required to get the very best out of the machine as it is a powerful taildragger, but even the most early cadet pilots will love it.

 

Huge feature list and a great value price, this is the perfect PC-6 Porter you always dreamed of, what more can you ask for!

_______________________________

 

Yes! the Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter by Thranda Design is NOW available from the X-Plane.Org Store here : 

 

Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter

 

Price is US$34.95

 

Features

  • First plane to include FULLY configurable 3D instrument panel
    • Move any instrument to any location on the panel, or even between pilot and copilot's seat!
    •  Supports 3rd party RealityXP GTN750 instrument.
    •  Save your own presets, and even share them with the community!
    •  Instruments can be moved in 3D directly, on a 2D pop-up preview window, or by numerical entry for precise placement.
    • GNS430 and 530 can be swapped out, but a restart of the plane is required, as 430s and 530s are mutually exclusive in terms of compatibility.
  • Dynamic livery editor (like in the Kodiak)
    •  Create "virtual" liveries, based on one common design layout, and assign any color to any available paint segment.
    •  Quickly create preview of livery in real-time, using intuitive controls
    •  Apply selected livery in real-time
    •  Option to include/hide manufacturer logo and "PC-6" sign
    •  Option to change the tail number in real-time, or disable it altogether
    •  Easily and quickly create dozens of paint schemes in-sim!
    •  Also supports 12 traditionally painted liveries, all visible in a convenient pre-selection preview window
  • SkunkCrafts Updater
    • Option to participate in Beta program, via check box in SkunkCrafts Updater
  • Excellent hi-res PBR realistic materials, featuring true-to-life plate deformation and to-the-rivet precision
  • Feature-rich elegant fly-out menu with the following features:
    • Realism settings for engine and tail wheel (simplified vs. realistic modes)
    • Innovative electric tug, with in-panel controls to move forward/backward at the desired speed, and steer proportionally
    • Control over chocks, individual tie-downs, covers, internal lights, external lights, engine compartment enclosure
    • Option to enable/disable wing tanks, with realistically simulated weight, momentum, rotational inertia, and drag characteristics
    • Option to start up running (all systems ready), or cold-and-dark, for realistic startup procedures
    • Control retractable landing lights via scroll wheel (independent left/right, Infinitely variable tilt, to use lights for both taxi and landing purposes.)
    • Ground power unit, with modeled cart
    • Detailed weight and balance manager with visual chart, individual passenger seat weight control, Lbs/KG unit toggle, CG control, external tank control, and the option to save and load configuration
    • Multiple camera snap points, above and beyond what's available by default in X-Plane, so you can perform your walk around checks
    • Adjust your camera's Field of View without having to go to an X-plane menu, allowing for real-time adjustments
    • Audio mixer: individually control audio channels in real-time, so you can adjust volumes while hearing them play
    • Slew control: move your plane around the world, temporarily bypassing flight physics.  Includes ground mode and air mode
    • Dynamic panel control page, with a separate view for the entire panel layout preview, or a per-instrument view, allowing for fine-tuning of instrument position, as well as copy-paste function to quickly replace instruments
    •  The "Misc" page will be updated as progress on the expansion pack continues. Now it's a placeholder page that provides links to support forums, SkunkCrafts Updater, and the Kodiak
  • Flight dynamics and systems:
    • The PC6 has quite a few very unique flight characteristics, including the ability to enter Beta mode in flight, and these are faithfully reproduced. (This allows for very steep descents.)
    • The real PC6 is considered to be a real STOL workhorse, whose flight characteristics and excellent STOL capabilities are calibrated to maximum precision in the sim
    • Details, such as the condition lever latch mechanism and a functional throttle gate add to the realism
    • Sliding passenger doors respond to G-forces, so when returning from a parachute drop, while on a steep descent, the doors will roll shut.
    • Over-torquing the engine will cause shaft damage, when in "realistic" mode. This can result in prop loss, cabin smoke, terrifying turbine shaft friction sounds, etc
    • Smoke in engine can be brought under control by killing the "Firewall Air" via cabin lever
    • Tie-downs and chocks actually keep the plane from moving, even in high winds
  • Advanced FMOD-based sound system:
    • High fidelity, multi-track sounds with smooth transitions
    • Individual volume control over different aspects of the sound experience, adjustable in real-time (while listening to the sounds)
    • Different sounds for front of plane than for back of plane
    • Panning around the plane in exterior view yields awesome 3D audio effects, including "blade slapping" sound when view is perpendicular to prop
    • Prop pitch produces characteristic aerodynamic aural effects, especially during Beta and Reverse mode.
    • Individual buttons and switches in the cockpit each have their own unique sound.
    • Realistic electrical sounds, based on bus load and other factors (Sounds actually give you clues as to what's happening under the hood)
    • Realistic oxygen flow sound effects
    • Combustion roar sound typical for turboprop engines -recorded from real PT6 engine
    • Outside wind intensity is affected by slip and AoA. (The more the surface area of the fuselage is hit by oncoming wind, the louder the sounds)

 

Requirements

X-Plane 11 
Windows, Mac or Linux
4Gb VRAM Minimum. 8Gb+ VRAM Recommended
The plane comes with an auto-updater. Free auto updates for the life-cycle of X-Plane 11
Current and Review version  1.1 (June 6th 2020)

_______________________________________________________________________

 

Installation and documents: Download is 1.60gb and the aircraft is deposited in the "General Aviation" X-Plane folder.

Installation key is required on start up and is supplied with the purchased download file.

 

Documents supplied are:

  • PC-6 Manual.pdf
  • Thranda Pilatus PC6 Joystick Settings.pdf
  • Thranda Pilatus PC6 Graphics Settings XP11.pdf
  • X-Plane G430 Manual.pdf
  • X-Plane G530 Manual.pdf
  • Thranda PC6 Documentation.pdf

 

A Blank Livery (PNG) of four files are provided for painting. Checklists and loads of Performance graphs are provided in the manual.

______________________________________________________________________

 

Aircraft Review by Stephen Dutton 

6th June 2020

Copyright©2020 : 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)

 

Review System Specifications: 

Computer System: Windows  - Intel Core i7 6700K CPU 4.00GHz / 64bit - 32 Gb single 1067 Mhz DDR4 2133 - ASUS GeForce GTX 1080 8Gb - Samsung Evo 1TB SSD 

Software:   - Windows 10 - X-Plane 11.41 and X-Plane 11.50b10 (fine in the beta, but the Librain effects don't work?)

Addons: Saitek x56 Rhino Pro system Joystick and Throttle : Sound - Bose  Soundlink Mini

Plugins: Skunkcrafts Updater

Scenery or Aircraft

- CZST - Stewart by Beti-x (X-Plane.OrgStore) - US$25.80

Logo Header X-PlaneReviews 200px.jpg

 

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Merci THRANDA, ce Pilatus PC6 Turbo Porter est absolument sublime, les possibilités de configurations sont ENORMES. Il est très agréable à piloter. Votre choix pour cet avion mythique est excellent (surtout pour les parachutistes j'habite à Royan en France et je vois cet avion voler tous les jours). J'ai évidemment acheté ce PC6 dès le 1er jour.

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  • 8 months later...

I believe people (on or in) these forums and social media are promoting (Aircraft's, etc, etc.) for personal gain.

I believe, (my guess)....about 10% are giving true assessments of these products.

I believe social media started out with people being (honest).

I believe its turning into cooperate media. (lie after lie.)

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  • 4 months later...

C'est effectivement un avion très robuste et performant très bien modélisé à tel point que je rencontre toujours un problème de dérive de l'avion après l atterrissage et il semble que je ne sois pas le seul.

Ma roulette de queue est bien bloquée le compensateur de dérive au centre ou a droite, cela n empêche pas l'avion de partir soit sur la droite soit sur la gauche, solution?

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Translation: It is indeed a very robust and efficient aircraft very well modeled to the point that I always have a problem with the aircraft drift after landing and it seems that I am not the only one. My tail wheel is properly locked with the stabilizer trim in the center or on the right, this does not prevent the aircraft from leaving either on the right or on the left, solution?

 

As noted... There is the selection of a SIMPLIFIED or REALISTIC tailwheel actions. in Simplified mode the tailwheel is standard X-Plane rudder connected yaw in a range of +- 30 degrees, In Realistic mode it functions as in the real aircraft. There is a section in the manual relating to steering in the freewheeling mode.

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