Stephen Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 Aircraft Review : Piper PA28R Arrow III G5 - E1000 by vFlyteAir You are now requiring a spreadsheet to workout all the versions and the configurations of vFlyteAir's venerable Piper PA28R Arrow lll. And also not to be confused with the very similar vFlyteAir Piper Cherokee PA140 Original/Modern versions, the latter with the Aspen E1000 Evolution. There was three earlier versions of the Arrow lll, and this new version tends to bring everything together into one single package, but is this not an upgrade as in v4. But it looks like an extensive upgrade even though it is not listed as one, as the basic aircraft is still the same. Lost however now to the changes of time, is the original early version of the Archer lll. The first releases of the vFlyteAir Piper PA28R Arrow lll was a relic from the Piper's past with brown leather seats and woodgrain panels, and replicated on a real life aircraft in a 1977 PA28R-200 located in Texas, USA. You can check out the original 2014 release review here; Aircraft Review : Piper Arrow IIIv2 PA28R-200 by VflyteAir You can easily see that the external side of the aircraft has barely changed at all (except for better HD and PBR effects), but internally it is a very different world to this new release. Debatable is the fact if you wanted an olde world version of the Archer lll, then I doubt that original feel and look would now ever come back into our lives, but in a lot of ways I really liked the older deal of it all. That was then, and this is now. Notable is that this release of the Piper PA28R Arrow III is noted as an all new release, meaning it is a new aircraft and NOT a free update. But there is a release discount available (limited time) for previous owners of the earlier vFlyteAir Archer lll. Piper PA28R Arrow III G5 - E1000 by vFlyteAir As noted this release tends to bring together all the past different variants and elements into this one version... Basically there are three different configurations in the two aircraft selections. The two aircraft selections are the "Arrow lll E1000" and "Arrow lll G5" from your X-Plane "Flight Configuration" page... The "E1000" aircraft is the Aspen E1000 Evolution by Mario Donick. The "G5" is the Garmin G5 is also developed in house by vFlyteAir On either of the above configuration choices there is still the option of the use of the original traditional "steam gauge" analog panels. External Since the last HDR makeover not much has changed externally for the vFlyte Arrow lll, but that it needed any revision anyway. Brilliantly done, the Arrow lll is extremely well modeled. And it has some serious competition from JustFlight with their own extremely detailed PA28 Arrow lll. The external areas have been refined, but just enough to bring them up to date in the level of detail and the extreme quality that X-Plane in this category requires today. Internal Inside though the vFlyte Arrow lll is very different to the placid external changes. The cabin fit-out and the materials used inside are extremely different of the earlier brown leather and wood. It is bright in here, with the lux cream seating with grey inserts. Linings are also a modern cream and beige, so the whole cabin is very bright and airy. The detailing is of very high and lovely quality. It does feel lush in here... there is no exposed metal lower down, and the heavy grey carpet pile and rubber mats adds into the luxury feel... current X-Plane trend of Coffee (cups) in aircraft also continues. It is all very plush. Note the nice headphones on the seats. Unlike the older molded 70's style instrument panel, all three panels are now just a mottled sheet metal in dark grey for the G5 and Analog versions, and the light grey for the E1000 Aspen. Panel metal and texture feel is excellent, very realistic. Menu The menu system has sort of changed a little from previous vFlyteAir menus. You select the Menu via either the "Piper" tab lower left screen, or from the X-Plane Plugins Menu "Show/Hide Options Menu". Note the Piper Tab is fixed visible, one thing I don't like as I like a clear screen when flying. The menu can be moved around the screen, but also scaled from very large to very small... a nice change as early vFlyte Menus were over large and fixed. You can change the livery via the arrows (Previous and Next Livery). The main cabin door and behind right wing baggage door can also be opened as you can also add in "Ground Equipment" Chocks, Inlet covers and tags. Oddly there are two ground equipment options that do the same thing, actually there are three? "View Checklists" you can also pop-up the checklist panel that is also scalable, but under a certain size it is totally unreadable? There is a "Tow Tractor" that allow you to manoeuvre the aircraft on the ground. and a CG (Centre of Gravity) graph to find the best balance. Total Weight Lbs and Total Weight Kgs are also shown. Preferences cover; Hide/Show Interior Glass, Hide Passengers Interior View, Hide On-Screen Warnings, Hide Ground Equipment (that third choice?), Use Custom Engine Startup, Hide/Show Avitab (plugin required) and Use Shake Effects. The AviTab is positioned on the Left Yoke, which makes it very easy to use and view. Panels; Here you can select the Glass Panel or the older Analog Gauge Instruments Passengers & Fuel; There is always a Pilot, (you can actually hide the Pilot, but only by leaving the cabin door open? I mean leave the aircraft with an open door all the time when the aircraft is not being used? very odd, if even stupid idea... just have him disappear when the power is off) You can select the Pilot's weight, and then selecting the weights of the other three passengers will make them all appear in the aircraft... ... they are all very well modeled and lifelike, they are also all animated to the axis of the pitch, roll and yaw. Adding in the baggage weight will add in bags (in Lbs) into the rear baggage area. Fuel can be added into each tank via the sliders (38 Gals each) and everything is calculated on the CG Graph. Instrument Panel(s) First the twin-yokes are chunky and filthy dirty... fabulous. The A/P disconnect works as does the MIC (it brings up the X-Plane ATC panel). Both yokes can be hidden, but not individually. Oddly the yoke Electric Trim buttons don't work or move, usually de rigueur by now. Dial layouts are the same for the E1000 and G5 and the analog, however the G5 uses a different Garmin GFC 500/600 Autopilot Highly noticeable is the blackhole circle in the instrument panel? The glass seems to be not installed or it is non-reflective, it looks however very odd, and users have complained the instrument is missing? It isn't, it is just this blank dead hole in the instrument panel. Powering up the panel... and the dead instrument comes alive, it is the Garmin GI 275 EIS Engine Instrument System. It has two modes, first the Fuel Remaining, Flt Hours, HOBBs Hours and Tach Hours display, then press the "Continue" to go to the main EIS display. The engine instrument display can also be popped out and scaled. The EIS display covers; (top) Fuel GAL, RPM, MAN (Manifold Pressure) in, Oil Pressure and Oil Temperature, CHTº (Cyl Head Temp), EGTº (Exhaust Gas Temperature) FF GPH (Fuel Flow Gals per hour), Batt and Bus Volts and OATº (Outside Air Temperature). There are other EIS feature we will see in flight. Avionics As it is the main feature of this release we will start with the Garmin G5. Garmin G5 EFI Branded here as the vFlyte G5 EFI (nice Garmin touch on the logo), when you turn on the power you have to still manually activate the 3.5 inch colour displays G5s by turning on both units on via their retrospective power buttons. Then they both go through a short startup and alignment routine. The same start button activates a "Backlight" adjustment (hold down to turn off), or you can use the "Auto" lighting setting (far too low for me, as I found out over 200 nm!) Adjustment of the brightness is via the right knob. Both the upper ADI (Attitude Display Indicator) and the lower HSI (Horizontal Situation Indicator) displays pop-out for ease of use. And for a home cockpit installation both can also be set as a window and scaled to size. Another feature is that the G5 System has a battery backup, that can be used in time before the system shuts down (above). If you lose power, on the timer shutdown procedure you can press the adjustment knob to switch over to the backup battery that has a 4 Hour backup limit. The power or time remaining is shown on both displays upper left (arrowed). ADI (Attitude Display Indicator) Although only 3.5 inches in size the G5 displays cram in a lot of flight information. They look like a slightly larger central integrated standby instrument (ISFD). Speed and Altitude tapes dominate each side with V/S on the far right, with a Bearing Compass top. Banner top has Radio setting, and Autopilot functions. Centre is a large Artificial Horizon with Pitch and Flight Director Bars. Lower is a ball Rate of Turn Indicator. TAS, GS ALT and Baro are also displayed as are vRefs. Press the right button to bring up the G5 Menu, you can scroll through the menu via turning the rear knob... .... there are six menu selections; Back, Heading, Altitude, Baro, ESP and Setup. Heading and Altitude are basically the same as using the A/P panel... changes are again by using the rear knob. Baro adjustment is just the pressure adjustment.... ESP is interesting? Electronic Stability & Protection is a feature designed to keep a watchful eye on an aircraft’s flight condition. When it is selected on ESP shows the boundaries permitted before the aircraft will take action to protect itself, and bit like Lane Assist in a car. If you roll (or pitch) out of the aircraft safe parameters, then the system will correct the parameters to protect the aircraft. You can turn it off here, if you dare. But I think the feature is not yet active by vFlyte, it isn't mentioned in the Manual. Setup : selects a menu with three choices; Airspeed Units, Altimeter Units and BARO Units. Again it is a select and turn adjust system. When selected the option turns purple, then adjust the rear knob for the selection, here between Baro Millibars to hPa. Hold down the knob to hide the Menu. It is all quite simple to use. Airspeed Units are KNOTS-MPH-kM/h, and Altimeter Units are FEET and METERS. HSI (Horizontal Situation Indicator) The lower HSI (Horizontal Situation Indicator) is the rotating compass in a heading north orientation with 5º markings. Shown is anti-clockwise; Heading, Wind/Direction, Pointer (VOR1), CRS (Course), Heading Setting, Pointer (VOR2). Like the ADI the HSI has a Menu. This Menu has a few more the same selections on the ADI Menu, and some selections just for the HSI. HSI Menu : Back (ADI), Heading (ADI), Altitude (ADI). OBS Is the Course Pointer setting. Bearing Pointer : This selection will hide the Pointer tools and leave you with a plain compass ROSE. PFD : Changes the Lower HSI into the ADI or a secondary Primary Flight Display. Setup : selects options for the HSI. These include the Bearing Pointer options in Pointer 1; NONE - VLOC1 (VOR1), VLOC2 (VOR2), GPS1 (NAV).... Pointer 2; NONE - VLOC1 (VOR1), VLOC 2 (VOR2), GPS1 (NAV). The G5 here is a nice bit of kit. Extremely well done and very easy to use (once you work out the knob actions, as both knobs have double actions). I love it, and notable the screens are a little on the small side for the complex information they show, but there is always the pop-outs if you want to get closer. G5 Avioncs The G5 Avionics has the Garmin (sic vFlyte) GMA 340 Radio top, then two Garmin GNS340's below. There is also significant automatic in-panel support for up to six different RealisticXP RXP plugin configurations, including RXP GNS430W, RXP GTN650 and RXP GTN750 options. on both the E1000 and G5 versions. The G5 uses the Garmin GFC500-GMC507 attitude based Autopilot, it has all the built in Heading, Altitude and V/S adjustment knobs. Right are three avionics in top the Bendix/King KR 82 ADF Reciever, VDYNE AXP 340 ADS-B Transponder and a Bendix/King KN 62 DME Aspen E1000 Evolution Flight Display Another avionics ADI/HSI system is the Aspen E1000 Evolution by Mario Donick. The system in here is almost identical as the Aspen E1000 in the vFlyteAir Cherokee 140 C Modern. Like the G5, the Aspen has a nice startup sequence. Power is via the REV button top right. Here though (thankfully) the E1000 isn't on the 140 C rotating VR angle idea... but the more simple (and effective) Pop-out and Window arrangement for home cockpit builders. You can also move and scale the pop-out. The Aspen EFD1000 is far larger but still a very compact but highly functional pro display that is split into three sections. With at the very top section is your speed and height in the PFD (Primary Flight Display) or ADI with Artificial Horizon with a built in pitch and rate of turn indicator that also comes with both airspeed and altitude tapes (switchable on/off.) In the middle section is your TAS/GS speeds, OAI (Outside Air Pressure), Wind Direction/Speed and Baro. In the lower section is the Navigation Display HSI with 360°/ARC heading, but the third Map function on the 140C Modern is not separate here but part of the ARC option. Left tuning dial (SYNC /MODE) is for CRS (Course) and IAS (Speed). Right tuning dial (SYNC/MODE) is for HDG Heading, Target Altitude, Baro Pressure adjustment. Blue is currently set and Magenta is for adjusting, the selection is changed by pressing the centre of the tuning knobs. When set you just leave the knob alone and it will reset back to the blue (lock) setting. There is the right side button/menu options selections. REV on/off RNG (Range) adjusts the map range + or -, the range distance is shown lower left display. MENU (Preferences): There is a Menu button to access two more menu selections. One is GENERAL SETTINGS and the other is UNITS SETTINGS, selected by the right selection knob and shown lower left of the display. GENERAL SETTINGS; include... BARO (In or mB millibars), VSPEEDS on/off, AUTOCRS (Auto-Course), TPS (Tapes) on/off, DECLTR LVL (De-clutter Level). TPS (Tapes) allows you to hide the Speed and Altitude tapes in the ADI, giving you a cleaner Artificial Horizon. UNITS SETTINGS; include ASI (KTS or MPH) and ALT (Feet or Meters) HOT KEYS: There are five "HOT KEY" buttons to select in two page menus. (top HOT KEY button 1/2). Page one selections include MIN (Minimums), 380/ARC, GPSS (GPS Steering Mode) and Baro. Second Page selections covers NXRD (Weather), TFCU (Traffic) and again Baro. MIN (Minimums) is selected via the right SELECT/MODE... When you adjust your minimum landing altitude there is a slider on the altitude tape, go outside the slider boundaries and you will get a MIN warning. The centre three selection buttons select (right to left) Single-line Pointer (VOR1, VOR2, GPS1) – CDI source (BLANK, VLOC1, GPS1) – Double-line Pointer (VOR1, VOR2, GPS1). Data displayed is excellent, with all frequencies, distances and waypoint ICAO. Two last E1000 features include a "ON BATTERY" and a percentage of the power left in the battery available. Second is that the X-Plane weather works very well in the HSI. The EFD 1000 is excellent and thankfully bright, but it comes two oddities, one is the EFD brightness is adjusted by the RADIO brightness knob instead of a intergrated lighting action, and the REV as the Power switch? Bendix/King "Aerocruze" KFC 230A Autopilot On both the E1000 and Analog variants, is the Bendix/King "Aerocruze" KFC 230A Autopilot. This is a very nice "Touch" selection autopilot. Like with all the Avionics here there is a very good start up "Self Test" procedure... Upcomes up first the manufacturer's logo and model number. Then a "PreFlight Test" in 1-10 seconds, then a test "PASS" before starting the system, very good it is as well. Actions are "White" off, "Green" active and you press the symbol required for the action, AP (autopilot) YD (Yaw Damper), FD (Flight Director), LVL (Level) square the display, ALTS can be selected via the twin-knob right. Pitch can be held... the V/S (vertical Speed) is selected via the twin UP/DN (Down) buttons also right, ALT (Altitude) can be "ARMED as can the BC (Back Course)" Finally centre the HDG (Heading) shown can be held All in all a lovely system and so easy to use, it looks very up to date and modern on the panel... the display also pops out for ease of use and scalable, it comes with also a popout window option for home builders. Analog Instrument Panel All instruments on the Analog layout is the same instrument layout for both the G5 and E1000 panels, there are a few exceptions. Obviously the centre analog Artificial Horizon and lower HSI are replaced, as is the upper far right Manifold Pressure/Fuel Flow gauge from the GI 275 EIS. There are two rows of five main instruments. First upper far left is a VTRON M803 Chronometer (a full manual is provided). Notable only on the analog panel is the SA 200 Altitude Selector (GMC 507 Control Head). Two switches cover the AAS (Audio Advisory System) and the NAV/NAV2 selection. Panel and Radio dimmer knobs are here as well. Lower centre is the "Trim" electronic display. Airspeed, Artificial Horizon, Altimeter, Manifold Pressure/Fuel Flow gauge covers the top row. Course Deviation Indicator CDI (Nav2), Turn Coordinator, HSI, Vertical Speed Indicator and RPM, and far lower is the Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGTº) gauge. Right panel is top a ADF gauge, Suction gauge and backup Altimeter, far right is a HOBBS hour meter. In reality all the instruments not replaced with the avionic packs could be noted as "Backup Instruments" or "get you home" in case of the G5 or E1000 system failure, that is the way the panel has been set up. The same (as G5) GMA 340 Radio top, then two Garmin GNS340's below, then right Bendix/King KR 82 ADF Reciever, VDYNE AXP 340 ADS-B Transponder and a Bendix/King KN 62 DME are present right panel. Lower (knee) panel is the main starter switch far left, ALT AMPS, Fuel Pressure and below the Fuel Left/Right QTY (Quantity) 38 GAL per tank and Oil Pressure, Cylinder Temperature and Oil Temperature gauges. Gear Switch (UP/DOWN), Throttle, Propeller RPM and Mixture levers. Above are the Electical Power and Lighting rocker switches and far right is the active Circuit Breaker (Fuse) Panel... full details of the Arrows electrical system is provided. ______________________________________ Flying the Arrow lll (G5) In reviewing you fly everything. But there is always that aspect of how well the aircraft is refined. Starting out in some aircraft and the average handing and refinement is immediately noticeable and certainly in the General Aviation category, so the question arises are we, or myself is expecting too much on how the aircraft can perform on a desktop computer. Then an aircraft from a polished developer, and in this case vFlyteAir comes along and blows that whole theory completely out of the water. The startup procedure of a light single aircraft can give you nightmares. Get it right and it is easy. Get it wrong and you can sit there tearing your hair out and not loving this simulation gamey-thingy not very much at all. The procedure here for the Arrow lll is - throttle open 1/4", prop forward, mixture idle cutoff, master on, fuel pump on, mixture full rich until fuel flow indicates, mixture idle cutoff, fuel pump off, starter engage, mixture forward as engine cranks, ensure oil pressure within 30 seconds, RPM to 1000, mixture leaned for ground operations. Simple yes.... and it WORKS! Well it does work now, but not originally as the vFlyte start-up logic was not correct. If you can't start the Arrow lll then make sure you have the v1.1+ update installed. So lets do that again... 1/4 Throttle, Fuel Pump on, Full Mixture then watch for the Fuel Flow for pressure. Then the Mixture to cutoff and Fuel Pump off. Start by turning the key, then bring in the Mixture up until the Arrow lll fires, once running then you adjust the mixture, let the Lycoming IO-360-C1C6 settle and slightly warm up, then bring the throttle back down to idle... simple really when you know how to do it. Flight is taking two passengers from Berlin (EDDB) to Leipzig/Halle (EDDP) with a 1160 Lbs full up weight, fuel is set at 67 GAL. Up comes a warning? You get on-screen warnings (that you can turn off in the menu), but they are very handy... this one here is for the Baro. The Baro change also has a trick way of switching between hPa or inHg. This is done via pressing the centre dial of the barometer.... clever and easy to do. I was assigned Rwy 25L at EDDB... WHAT! that is halfway across Germany from my stand 73 position near the older Berlin gateway of Schönefeld Airport. One bonus is that it is always a good runway departure to go south, but getting there is a roadtrip in itself. Brakes off and the Arrow lll does not move... that is good not bad. There is nothing more worse than unlatching the brakes and heading straight off for the scenery! Here you need a little thrust to get the Arrow moving, in doing so you feel the weight of the aircraft and the throttle required to move the mass... a very nice start to the day. Another Warning. This time to set the Transponder to "ALT", a lot of popups, but I still don't turn the warning feature off, it is helpful. It is taxiways K to K4 to L7 to the long C taxiway towards the newer EDDB in Berlin Brandenburg terminal area, now this airport is finally open and usable in X-Plane. Taxiing is really, really nice. I hate fighting GA aircraft while they are taxiing, too much power and if the aircraft starts to weave badly, so all you do is drop the power and it then does the opposite and crawls to a stop... not very realistic. But with this vFlyte Arrow you can get that perfect power to weight feeling that is so nicely needed. So you simply adjust the throttle to the speed, a bit more on the straight, a bit less in the turns and if you lower the throttle the aircraft will slowly but perfectly slow down as it should with the weight and it's rolling mass. So you have less artificial simulation here and much more realism. Across the BER flightline Apron B to taxiway V2. The view of all the parked domestic aircraft is keeping the passengers busy, but the odd glance of concern is across their eyes in wondering "Where the bloody hell am I taking them". "Better than walking" I quip, but they don't seem that amused... through V2 to Taxiway A and finally down M8 and the hold-point for Rwy 25L. Thankful the Arrow lll is so good on the ground, I wouldn't have wanted to fight an aircraft for that long over such a distance, I would be swearing and cursing by now.... but not in this sweet Piper Arrow. Mixture to rich, and were rolling... takeoff on EDDB Rwy 25L. The Arrow (depending on the weight) with 200 hp (149 kW) at your disposal will gain speed quite quickly.... asymmetrical prop thrust is not a major issue here, small inputs (mostly to the left foot) will keep you directly on the centreline, as noted, you don't fight this Arrow, but to basically flow with it and it is a beautiful thing. Once the speed is around 75 knots (clean, as I have plenty of a long nice wide runway), you can lift the nose, up she will come nicely. Climb-out is around 400 fpm, 660 ft/min (3.4 m/s) is the official vertical speed, but say 400 fpm to even 500 fpm is perfect, Click up the gear and you get a hydraulic sound, but watch the gear go up and it is not clean, but authentically slightly jerky... I love it. There is a Yellow light high on the glareshield to note the "GEAR * TRANS", love that as well, because the three blue gear lights are buried very low down on the panel. The FMOD Sounds come with Spatial Effects, but they are far more than that... they are exceptional. You feel the levels of sound within sound, they sound but also feel totally and highly realistic, under load, and the release of load when you reach your altitude, or any of the changes to the mixture or throttle settings, they all felt here, but they can also be quite loud. That is good in one way, but after a while also slightly annoying, so you have to adjust the volumes to what is best.. or select the headphone jack on the panel to replicate wearing a headset (lowering the volume). But I don't doubt the sounds as they are as pure to the Arrow as you could get... they also do come from a real Arrow lll available to vFlyteAir. I manoeuvred the Piper easy, or expertly, because the aircraft allows you to do that. Trim is perfect in adjusting, you feel the changes with the adjustment, not in a "chunk, chunk" kind of way, butin a smooth liner adjustment, again very, very good... in fact all the rolls, turns and direction changes are sublime... old and tired of saying this, but you "really feel" this aircraft... the best yet in general aviation handling, it really has to right up there with being the exceptional. I could easily fly manually all the way to Leipzig/Halle (In fact I did earlier in the reverse first flight). But the G5 is really good with the intergrated GFC500-GMC507 attitude based Autopilot. Easy to use as well. The AP system selections is shown on the banner of the ADI. Vertical speed is noted, and a pink line of the V/S is shown far right in the ADI. At altitude the aircraft will automatically level off at the set altitude... So it is more a modern setup, than a simple set the altitude manually when reaching the your altitude (2 axis) for an aircraft of this age bracket. As is the distance to the next waypoint on the HSI is nicely displayed, but you still have to use the default GNS340 CDI (course deviation indicator) selection to select GPS on the flightplan set GNS... it is not set as you would expect on the G5 HSI? That could also cause confusion in finding the NAV setting. We covered the main display of the Garmin GI 275 EIS Engine Instrument System earlier, but there are three other modes you can select. First is "Fuel" in Fuel Est (Estimated) in GAL, Endurance and Range (NM) and Total (Fuel) Used (GAL). Second mode is the EGTº (Exhaust Gas Temperature) but per each cylinder, and CHTº (Cyl Head Temp). Last mode is the same but swapped around to show the CHTº (Cyl Head Temp) of each cylinder, and the EGTº total. Maximum speed of the Arrow lll is 123 kn (142 mph, 228 km/h) with a cruise speed around 108 kn (124 mph, 200 km/h). Both MPH and KNTS are both shown on the Airspeed indicator which is helpful. Range is 465 nmi (535 mi, 861 km and the service ceiling is 14,300 ft (4,400 m). Lighting The Arrow lll lighting is excellent. Two knobs upper panel adjust the instrument dials and the avionics, as noted the G5 has it's own adjustable brightness system, the E1000 as part of the avionics brightness. Looks brilliant at night. There is an adjustable overhaed forward red cockpit/panel light that is very effective, and one large cabin on/off light via the overhead button, or the far right panel rocker switch. External lighting is perfectly refined as well... In the nose there is a nice single landing light, and below a taxi light built into the front strut. Navigation lights are all nicely refined, strobes nicely timed, and so is the beacon tail top. Even though I am going to do a hand's on manual landing... the G5 HSI tools are very good to first find and then lineup the Arrow lll for EDDP's Rwy 26R. Modern tools on an old aircraft design. Gear down and the familiar "thump, thump, thump" is again brilliantly done. There is a bit of a trick or tricks to landing the Arrow lll. This is my fifth try! Flap extensions are very smooth if you get each speed zone correct, and you feel the buffet forces as they come in, but no ballooning. Flaps are beautifully done. The flap indicator on the floor is simply impossible to see... so you have to count; 1, 2... 3 and hope you are down at full flap, but you feel it anyway. You settle in around 86 knts at full flap on approach, which is quite fast... ... the trap is not strangely being totally in tune with the aircraft. As the Arrow will easily lead you into a false sense of security. This is not a vFlyte issue but an X-Plane issue. So you feel you are going in too fast, and probably you are, so your instincts are to slow down with less throttle... ... but if you reduce your power too low (which feels natural), then the X-Plane ground catcher will simply drag/pull/force you straight down to the ground, and you will have no power to overcome the quick fall... so you will do a very bouncy nasty fast landing. The trick is to actually put the power ON (slightly) to arrest the fall at the critical point in the descent, but then to also pitch the nose up slightly as well to drain off the speed... ... in keeping that nose slightly up, then both these actions should counter that dragging effect down, but then finally and slowly also then reduce your landing speed. Don't be afraid not to use most of the runway to perfect this approach, it will take a few goes to get it really right. Having a real T throttle handle and not a sliding push/pull knob, really helps in getting the right position of throttle power, in the real aircraft this would have been a worthwhile bonus in flying the PA28R. Finally you should touch around a slower 70 knts... and smoothly. Again get it wrong in landing too fast and you will lose the Arrow to the nasty in swerving all over that damn wrestling place, and trying then feverishly to control the aircraft... it is really a focus, skill set sort of stuff to getting it all right.... but it is very if extremely rewarding. Your stall speed is 47 kn (54 mph, 87 km/h), but unless you do something stupid, you would never or should go under 60 knts while landing. Welcome to Leipzig/Halle But landing on 26R means another long, long taxi around to the GA Stands by the terminal? So it is Taxiway A4 to Taxiway C, at the end of the long C, was another obstacle on Taxiway W1... a taxiway bridge over the A14 motorway? The Piper Arrow "Huffs and puffs" its way over the bridge, so you will need a fair bit of throttle to climb the slope... ... then you have to be careful in controlling the descent down the other side... it is all very tricky. Once back again on the flat it is another domestic flightline... I feel I have taxied around for most of this flight than actually flying it... Finally I am in EDDP's GA area.... and I find the parking stand. In most cases that flight would have been a quite an ordeal, but not with this aircraft... the vFlyteAir Arrow lll is just simply extraordinary! Liveries There are nine liveries, and all the same liveries as with the earlier Arrow lll versions. Still they are all very good and of very high quality. Default is the Grey, black stripe and white. ______________________ Summary This is the fourth generation of the Arrow lll from vFlyteAir. And in every reincarnation it has changed, mostly in the avionics or in the internal style. Gone now is the olde world earlier brown leather and wood of the original 1977 PA28R-200 located in Texas, USA, to be replaced by a lux White, grey insert and cream/beige cabin. Externally the aircraft is very much the same, and the same brilliant perfect modeling, except for the higher texture qualities to match today's modern requirements. Focus and the main features here in this package are of the avionics, not just in the small units, but in some of the big avionic options available today, and you don't get one choice here but three, and all in one exceptional package. First is a new avionics package and a built up custom unit of the Garmin G5 glass ADI/HSI avionics suite. Second choice is also a glass ADI/HSI avionics suite in the Aspen E1000 Evolution which is also a customised vFlyte unit. Finally there is the older choice of the Analog (steam-gauge) panel layout. More avionics features include two Autopilots, in a sensational Bendix/King "Aerocruze" KFC 230A Autopilot (E1000 and Analog), and a Garmin GFC500-GMC507 attitude based Autopilot in the G5 setup. A Custom GI 275 EIS Touch-Screen Engine Monitor, VTRON M803 Chronometer, GMC 507 Control Head and AAS (Audio Advisory System). There is also the significant automatic in-panel support for up to six different RealisticXP RXP plugin configurations, including RXP GNS430W, RXP GTN650 and RXP GTN750 options. on both the E1000 and G5 versions. It is a A LOT of avionics in choice and choices. Probably even the best glass/avionics set up for a general aviation aircraft in X-Plane. Menu is very good, with weights, CG Graph, pilot and passengers, basic static elements, checklists and Tow Tractor feature. The Menu can also be scaled and moved around the screen for convenience. Notable there are a few bugs, and mostly in the E1000 unit, the black hole for the GI 275 EIS in the panel is not that at all nice either. The Pilot won't disappear unless you have the door open? And I still hate the popping up STMA updater... the "Piper" menu tab can't be hidden either, which ruins a clean screen. The above extensive list of features in most cases would surely be enough. But the dynamics, lighting and the excellent sounds are just as brilliant, again the vFlyte Arrow lll is probably again the the very best flying and realistic general aviation aircraft today in X-Plane, the one that sets the high standards and the goal of any other developer to match. Price is an excellent low US$34... a bargain... Only the word "extraordinary" comes to mind. The full summary here is quite simple. The vFlyteAir Arrow lll G5-E1000 package sets the current highest standard in the X-Plane Simulator. The best in every respect, if you want the best and most versitile general aviation aircraft in X-Plane, then here it is... you won't be disappointed, but to just fly it always.... Absolutely Recommended. ______________________________________ Yes! the Piper PA28R Arrow III G5 - E1000 by vFlyteAir GA is now available from the X-Plane.Org Store here : Piper PA28R Arrow III G5 - E1000 Price is US$33.95 Requirements X-Plane 11 Windows, MAC, or Linux 4 GB VRAM Minimum - 8 GB+ VRAM recommended Download size: 475 MB Version 1.1 (January 28th 2022) For a very limited time, owners of the Arrow III by vFlyteAir can get a discount on this model. Please find your discount code in the original Arrow III invoice. Note: This is not an update, this is a brand new model. The discount code will only be active for a few weeks. ___________________________________ Installation and documents: download for the Arrow lll is 451 Mb and the aircraft is deposited in the "General Aviation" X-Plane folder. Full Installation is 1.26 Gb Documents supplied are: vFlyteAir_LimitedUseSoftwareAgreement.pdf vFlyteAir_KN62A_PilotsGuide.pdf vFlyteAir_GMA340_PilotsGuide.pdf vFlyteAir_KR82_PilotsGuide.pdf vFlyteAir_AXP340_PilotsGuide.pdf vFlyteAir_GI275EIS_PilotsGuide.pdf vFlyteAir_M803Chrono_PilotsGuide.pdf vFlyteAir_GFC500_GMC507_PilotsGuide.pdf vFlyteAir_E1000_PilotsGuide.pdf vFlyteAir_KFC230Autopilot_PilotsGuide.pdf vFlyteAir_G5_PilotsGuide.pdf vFlyteAir_ArrowIII_G5_and_E1000_PilotsGuide.pdf PA28R-201_POH_NotForRealFlight.pdf Extensive Avionic manuals covers all systems and POH Manual, original Arrow lll POH is also included, Impressive. vFlyteAir Support is here: Piper PA28 Arrow Use of font required an author credit link<a href="http://www.onlinewebfonts.com">oNline Web Fonts</a> _____________________ Aircraft Upgrade Review by Stephen Dutton 9th February 2022 Copyright©2022: X-Plane Reviews 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 M2 2TB SSD - Sound : Yamaha Speakers YST-M200SP Software: - Windows 10 - X-Plane 11.55 Plugins: Global SFD plugin US$30.00 : Environment Engine by xEnviro US$69.90 : RK Apps XPRealistic v2 - US$34.99 Scenery or Aircraft - EDDB - Berlin-Brandenburg V2 XP by Aerosoft (X-Plane.OrgStore) - US$29.99 - EDDP - Leipzig/Halle International Airport by JustSim/Digital Design (X-Plane.OrgStore) - US$20.00 (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) All Rights Reserved Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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