Jump to content

Aircraft Review : PA28R Piper Arrow III by Just Flight - Thranda


Recommended Posts

JF_PA28_Arrow_Header.jpg

 

Aircraft Review : PA28R Piper Arrow III by Just Flight - Thranda

The forward march to the Holy Grail of simulation is ever on going. The constant steps in to recreate the almost exact feel and replication of an aircraft for casual fliers but more importantly for trainee pilots in the wanting to get experience on the aircraft before tackling the real thing.

 

In many ways the General Aviation segments in simulation are then always the most competitive in this field and as to get that right if perfect characteristics relayed through the controls and the general operations of the aircraft can easily deliver a mother lode of financial returns. Carenado have dominated this area for years and rightly so as their aircraft are extremely good in their quality and really deliver in the areas of flying characteristics.

 

But in the last few years it is now getting even more highly competitive in this category. Players including Airfoillabs, Aerosphere but mostly with vFlyteair in their quality and the shear design of their aircraft are now starting to crowd out a field that to a point Carenado had to themselves in X-Plane.

 

So here is a new player in Just Flight with a collaboration with Thranda or by another name one of the greatest of all developers in X-Plane in Dan Klaue. Just Flight are new to X-Plane as developers but they already have an extensive record for aircraft in Flight Simulator/P3D and so this is in the first significant crossover aircraft for Just Flight for the X-Plane platform and that their first foray is set the above US$40 price of this aircraft at US$41.99...  and in any point of view that is a lot of money for a GA aircraft (In X-Plane) and only Carenado with their larger aircraft have been nudging in the around the US$40 market, and even then in the sub US$40 pricing and not above.

So which ever way you slice this aircraft here in this review it always going to come down to that price and value as the main marking points, it also notes is that at that price you can nit pick here as well...  as you will be expecting it to be extremely good on just for that very pricey reason.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Head 1.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Head 2.jpg

JF_PA28_Arrow_Head 3.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Head 4.jpg

 

PA28R Piper Arrow III by Just Flight - Thranda

Your very first impressions of the Archer III are thankfully in the "wow" category, as the aircraft is very good in the flesh. Certainly well within the high quality detail that you get with any Carenado, but with even slightly more in the detailing quality....  The aircraft does look quite brilliant in X-Plane11's lovely lighting. So that is an excellent start as this is a very nice looking but more importantly in the feeling of a very nice aircraft in X-Plane.

 

The Piper Arrow III is also the first aircraft in X-Plane to use the latest in plugin's with the SASL v3.0. This is a totally rescripted engine and thankfully doesn't require those multiple Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables packs. It is a far more efficient script as well and far more framerate friendly. This is a very complex and heavy aircraft (in download size), but it ran very efficiently for me here. But this latest SASL v3.0 is also very new, and a few users have had installation issues (mostly in the authorisation setup). Overall I had no issues with SASL v3.0 but a few users may pick up a few early bugs, this new plugin is certainly the way of the future and with that it will bring a lot of new benefits to X-Plane and a few of those early v3 features are on this aircraft.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Detail 1.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Detail 2.jpg

JF_PA28_Arrow_Detail 4.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Detail 3.jpg

 

The quality of the detailing is shown by the wingtip and the perfect aerodynamic wing chord, the great reflections here above note the shape perfectly.

 

External Detailing

The chrome spinner is "see your own face" perfect with excellent shinyness. 3d modeling work is overwhelmingly very good, with perfect panel fit and no outstanding straight line points anywhere but perfect curves. Glass is perfectly curved and with depth and excellent reflections.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Detail 5.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Detail 6.jpg

JF_PA28_Arrow_Detail 7.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Detail 8.jpg

 

Panel riveting either painted or exposed is excellent. All appendages in latches, door hinges, fuel caps, access panels are all created as perfectly real. There is dirt, but the general view is that this is much loved machine with a regular wipe down after every flight. This aircraft is based on a real-life Arrow III in G-BGKU, that is based at Conington Airfield in the UK.

 

Roof antennas and radio aerials are perfectly cast and every aspect on the Arrow has been covered, you are wanting for nothing more here.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Detail 9.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Detail 10.jpg

 

Note the really well done rudder corrugation work...      and the same excellent work is also extends out on to the flaps and ailerons (below left).

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Detail 11.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Detail 12.jpg

 

Undercarriage is also top notch with all the struts, uprights and links perfectly recreated as is the brake hydraulic fittings. If you want to get millimeter close there are a very few slight small gaps, but nothing here to wipe the smile from your face.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Detail 13.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Detail 14.jpg

 

Front strut has the same detail and worn metal quality as well, and all tyres, rubber and wheel components are excellent. Internal Lycoming IO-360-C1C6 engine of 200 hp (149 kW) is roasted worn and it is a real shame the engine cover doesn't come off to see the same detailing inside the cowling.

 

The Arrow is a part of the PA28 Cherokee family, but in this latest more modern reincarnation as it is a four-seater that includes a five inch fuselage extension, wing span increase, a larger horizontal tail, gross weight increase and other minor changes over the earlier Cherokee and the Series III here also has the retractable landing gear arrangement.

 

There is only one entrance door on the right, and a substantial baggage area behind the rear seats. It is beautifully kitted out and detailed inside, but no luggage...

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Doors 1.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Doors 2.jpg

 

The right side door is an amazing piece of work by itself...   construction and fittings are amazing in detail and quality, and yes we are talking just about a door here on an aircraft.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Doors 3.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Doors 4.jpg

 

The 3d modeling is exceptional, latches, paneling, aircraft plate, door locking mechanism and that lovely red cloth door covering that is worn on the edges....   and we haven't finshed there yet as it is animated, not just open the door animated, but you actually open the door by yourself animated by sliding your pointer across the lower panel and then when the door is actually open, you have to be careful as it moves around in any wind!

 

Internal Detail

As you would have gathered by now is that the aircraft's upholstery is a bright red woven cloth and it is simply sensational in the sheer detail, form and fittings.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Cabin 1.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Cabin 3.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Cabin 2.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Cabin 4.jpg

 

I have seen some great and well created internal upholstery, but this cabin is probably one of the very best, but the really significant aspect of the interior is that you can feel that overwhelming redness surrounding you in the cabin as it reflected off the seating and out and on to the harder surfaces...   

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Cabin 5.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Cabin 6.jpg

 

...    and that creates another level of awareness in realism.

 

Close the door (or opening) and there is first your own movements to do the action and then there are two latches to fasten it tight, it is clever in that when you tighten or release the latches then the door moves in that much more tighter shut (or the open) position and the latch sounds and movements are incredibly good, small but very clever details that makes the aircraft come alive with realism.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Cabin 7.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Cabin 8.jpg

 

Detailing freaks will need oxygen while looking around this cabin, there is so much to take in and so much to love.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Cabin 9.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Cabin 10.jpg

 

Instrument Panel

The design of the instrument panel is early 1967 Arrow clockwork and not the later glass-panel Aspen Avionics EFD1000 PFD fit-out that comes with the latest Arrows, mostly in the Turbo's. Here it is straight classic dial, all the way.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Panel 1.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Panel 2.jpg

 

You get that moulded imprinted 70's look and feel and it is all not that bad for that...  it is a very classical feel. The thin style yokes can be hidden just by clicking on them a' la Carenado, but overall it is a busy instrument panel.

 

Under the panel the detail is very good as well, but get right under and it does stop in detail once out of normal seating eyesight. Note the three-way fuel tank switch left.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Panel 3.jpg JF_PA28_Arrow_Panel 4.jpg

 

Between the front seats is your elevator trim and flap handle, there is an emergency gravity assist gear drop lever here as well that works.

 

Panel design is absolutely first rate, beautiful detail and with all the sheer realism you can get in simulation today, a highlight is the lovely glareshield with realistic stitching...  you just feel and touch it, or is that a caress for the sheer ownership of it all.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Panel 5.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Panel 6.jpg

 

Panel actually comes with two conditions in "loved and cared for" and "worn" or unloved and scruffy. This panel condition changes with the change of the liveries, the difference is set via the default "worn" or the insertion of the "clean" version files in the appropriate livery folder in I1, I2, I1_LIT and I2_LIT... it it would be very easy to cut&paste the files if you wanted a clean version on a certain aircraft's registration.

 

Worn is the top row and the clean version is the bottom row, for the review I am using the clean version. As you change the livery then the aircraft's registration also changes on the panel which is a nice touch.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Panel Worn A.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Panel Worn B.jpg

JF_PA28_Arrow_Panel Clean A.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Panel Clean B.jpg

 

Instrument panel is set out with the Standard Six instruments that are centred in line of sight of the flying pilot with the Airspeed Indicator, Artificial Horizon and the Attitude Indicator on the top row and the Turn Coordinator, Heading Dial and Vertical Speed Indicators set out directly below. Left of the six pack top is the Gyro Suction dial with the Bendix/King ADF indicator set below. On the right top is a Garmin OBS VOR indicator (VOR1) and the same OBS VOR indicator (VOR2) below. I prefer the pointer VOR needle than this version as it is better for circuits and runway lineup (that is if the VOR is placed close to the runway). All the main dials are older black/white in design and not with the coloured Artificial Horizon you can also have in this aircraft.

 

Mid-left panel gauges are standard Cherokee with Oil Press, Oil Temp and Alt Amp on the left side and Left Fuel tank, Cyl Head Temp and Right Fuel tank on the right of the yoke.

 

Lower-left panel has a basic Piper "AutoControl IIIB" Autopilot, which we will cover more in detail later, the start key and a Manifold Pressure (inHG) and Fuel Flow gauge (Gallons per hour). Another gauge here is a Tachometer/RPM dial with built in Hobb's meter.

 

Avionics

The basics of the avionics in the Arrow are old, the only modern gadget is the centre stack mounted X-Plane default Garmin GNS530, and yes of course it pops out. There is also the provision to install Reality XP's GTN 750 unit, but this is an addon extra and costs you another $49.95.

 

The audio panel is a very early model Bendix/King KMA T20 TSO which is above the GNS530, below bottom is the Benedix/King 76A transponder.

The right side stack has a Bendix/King KX 175B radio for VOR in COM2 and VOR2 (COM1 and VOR1 is set via the GNS530). Then below is a Bendix/King KN 62A DME (Distance Measuring Equipment) set, the Benedix/King KR 85 ADF radio is set out below the KN 62A.

 

I would certainly be interested in a glass panel Aspen Avionics EFD1000 PFD system in an aircraft like this, there is Arrow aircraft out there suitably equipped and that system would be great for the more later and modern style training.

 

Lower right panel is an Exhaust gas temperature (EGT) indicator and you can rotate the screw to control the position of the red (maximum value) needle and left of the EGT is a comprehensive set of active circuit breakers. There is a fan switch and heating controls as well.

 

The only instrument on the right side is a standby Altimeter and spare hobbs meter.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Panel Avionics 1.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Panel Avionics 2.jpg

 

There is a set of rocker switches mid lower panel for (L to R) Power (Battery & Alternator), Fuel pump, Landing Light, Anti-Collision Lights in rotating and navigation and Pitot Heat. Either end of the switch panel are two scroll wheels for Avionic brightness and instrument brightness.

 

The centre mini-pedestal has the familiar Throttle, Propeller and Mixture levers, but also a mixture lever lock on the side that restricts the mixture lever from moving below a 40% setting. The levers are a bit odd in that you have to move your movement upwards to move the levers down and vise-versa and in busy traffic conditions it can be annoying in the actions being the wrong way around. Also you have to use your switch gear before moving the Propeller and Mixture levers to the full forward position as they cover the avionics lighting scroll wheel, main power switches and fuel pump switch.

 

Below the mini-pedestal is your aileron trim wheel and park brake lever.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Panel 7.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Panel 8.jpg

 

The yoke is fitted with a digital chronometer. The mode button allows you to toggle between either the clock mode or the timer mode. On top of the yoke but very hard to see is a black electric trim button with down (forward) and up (rearwards) adjustments.

 

Menus

The menu is situated on the left-centre of your screen and is activated by pressing the large ugly arrow tab...

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Menu 1.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Menu 2.jpg

 

...  thankfully you can adjust the transparency if you have a scroll wheel on your mouse and in hiding it (tab still works hidden).

 

The menu block is quite old fashioned and activated tiles show up in a red tint way that went out of style in the mid- 2000's

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Menu 3.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Menu 4.jpg

 

There are seventeen menu tiles to use including:

Top row : Open/close cabin door - Open/close baggage door - Toggle GNS 530 GPS pop-up window (or the GTN750 payware add-on by RealityXP) - Toggle window reflections and interior glass dynamic reflections - Toggle dome light if the engine is running, or flashlight when starting cold and dark.

 

Middle Row : Toggle autopilot pop-up window - Toggle altimeter barometric pressure scale between InHg and mb - Toggle automatic fuel selector (switches fuel tanks automatically) - Toggle refill menu window - Open weight and balance window - Toggle volumes window

 

Bottom row : Select ‘ready for takeoff’ or ‘cold and dark’ state - Toggle checklist pop-up window - Toggle flight computer pop-up window - Toggle logbook pop-up window - Toggle ground handling pop-up window - Toggle chocks and tie-downs.

 

The arrows at the very bottom of the menu panel allows you to select the livery you require and far more quickly than the X-Plane menu.

 

Doors (above right) include the side door and baggage door and the static elements include chocks and tie-downs, but no engine covers or pitot "remove before flight" tags.

 

The window and instrument reflections are significant in the changes they make between in being switched off than on...  instrument reflections are simply excellent with the setting switched on in that lovely red glow again being reflected back at you, off and everything is just bland and boring.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Menu 5.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Menu 6.jpg

 

There is a nice red (more redness!) overhead light which is adjustable on the roof with the light option on. Power off and you have the torch light to find your way around in the darkness, this is a nice if only the basic built in X-Plane tool used well.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Menu 7.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Menu 8.jpg

 

The checklist is good, but average to look at, but there is a reason for that...  in parts to start the aircraft you are given a helping hand by having a "Dynamic Checklist" that if you press the checklist line it will do the action for you....  there is also the over-riding option of using the Full Start/Full stop menu tile.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Menu 9.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Menu 10.jpg

 

There are two menu options that give out data. One is the "Refill menu" but it is more of an aircraft situation panel that allows you to reset the fuel and battery voltage, there is sort of Centre of Gravity marker for fuel balance but not for the entire aircraft. Common now are great Weights&Balances setup pages and vFlyteAir have one of the best in this class...  but not here on the Arrow III which is very surprising and sadly missing?

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Menu 11.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Menu 12.jpg

 

Second data page is the "Flight Computer" that shows you a lot of relevant information for your flight, certainly very handy for longer distance flying as it shows you your fuel flow and estimated endurance and range and used fuel.

 

There isn't a full failure menu per se. But there are active elements that cause spark plug fouling, vapour lock and battery drain of which all are very realistic and can be reset...  Following the onscreen instructions can allow you to also learn what the cause is and how to fix them, like when I left the mixture too high and started to foul up the spark plugs (in my defence I was warming up the engine).

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Menu 13.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Menu 14.jpg

 

It is very realistic though in that your actions (in this case adjusting the mixture) that the engine takes time to recover and runs rough and then slowly clears as it burns off the fuel and the details of the action in progress is shown on the "refill" panel.

 

There is really good sound adjustment panel that covers  Master, Avionics, Gyro/Pump, Radios, Enviro and UI sound volumes and the look of the panel and use is excellent.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Menu 15.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Menu 16.jpg

 

The Piper "AutoControl IIIB" Autopilot has a popup menu panel, but it is quite basic and strangely the only one without a scale adjustment? And this is the one that needs a scale adjustment more than any other popup panel...  very odd. More on this later.

 

The last few menu tabs are a bit odd as well...  because they all just activate the X-Plane default menus. They include the X-Plane logbook, weight, balance and fuel, Ground handling??? and even odder the GNS530 popup ????....

 

Flying the PA28 Arrow III

Your senses are far more heightened flying this Arrow III. I consider myself a pretty good flyer in X-Plane (for god's sake I have had enough practise) but the Arrow III does take your skill level again still a notch higher. Which is really hard today as flying quality is already high in so many excellent aircraft, but yes it is even better here...  and will note the fact that I do require far more time yet to get the very best out of this aircraft, it is that challenging and has such a depth of feel and movement.

 

Both power switches on...  fuel pump and strobe light. The setting (from cold) of the mixture lever and throttle is important, too much fuel and you will flood it (or foul the plugs) so a half way position between low and high mixture is about right and then an inch of throttle.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Flying 1.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Flying 2.jpg


Get it right and the PA28 will start easily, but check the park brake is on before you churn the engine as it seems to load the aircraft with it set off? so when the engine starts you suddenly start going forward as well. If you do foul the plugs then it will take awhile to clear them and to get going again, but overall I found the PA28 far far better in starting than some aircraft that makes churning over the engine a career option...

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Flying 3.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Flying 5.jpg

 

This Piper from cold is not really a start up and fly aircraft (use the menu quick start for that). Time is needed to get some heat into the engine and so a little time on warming it up is really needed. Again the mixture and throttle position has to be in the right place to keep it ticking over until it feels more loosened up and will idle with out stuttering or killing off (stuttering) the engine power altogether.

 

First sense on startup is that excellent engine sound, the churn and start is formidable and highly, highly realistic, certainly the best sounds yet on a GA aircraft and that is said with no boast.

 

Taxiing is excellent with the right mixture settings, slow enough not to conk out but not too fast in that you are on the brakes all the time, you know already that this Arrow III is something very special just by the feedback it is giving you, and you haven't even left the ground yet!

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Flying 4.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Flying 7.jpg

 

I love the shiny curve of the front engine cover and the oil check flap detail on the right side of the engine cover, small but significant details. The oil flap is supposed to open, but I couldn't work it out?

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Flying 6.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Flying 8.jpg

 

Mixture set to high and power up....  rotation is around 90knts, and you are flying.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Flying 9.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Flying 10.jpg

 

Your concertration is high and you are so focused on the feedback the aircraft is giving back to you...  and those sounds are just amazingly great and realistic, it is time to bring out that wide grin on to your face...

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Flying 11.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Flying 12.jpg

 

Handling is very realistic, it is so realistic and so engrossing in fact that I forgot to stow up the undercarriage...  twice?  God knows how because the gear creates such drag in the air and a lot of wind noise...   but I did....  and again twice.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Flying 13.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Flying 14.jpg

 

Your focus is so high on the flying, with the roar of the 200hp Lycoming heavy in your ears....   you are working hard in this pilot's seat.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Flying 15.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Flying 16.jpg

 

You do have a autopilot in the guise of Piper's version called "AutoControl IIIB" which is about as basic as they come.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Flying 17.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Flying 20.jpg

 

It is situated on the left lower section of the instrument panel, but as noted there is also a popup in the menu. The popup is plainly annoying in that you can't scale it? It is huge and covers a large segment of your instruments, so there is absolutely nowhere to put it to keep it handy, so you have to keep opening both the menu and the autopilot popups to do any changes, so after a while you just don't bother to use it.

 

The "AutoControl IIIB" has only two functions in holding the heading and roll L&R. You can adjust the heading (thankfully) via the Heading instrument knob, or switch off the heading on the AP and roll the aircraft to your new heading. There is a hidden function to hold your altitude (not on the real system) by pressing the "Piper" text above the coupler knob on the left part of the panel, It is hard to find and almost half-hidden but you do get a  manipulator hand or finger to say it is actually there and but not when activated? It does work very well but the aircraft has to be perfectly trimmed before pressing it on...  it deactivates with a kick as well when you adjust the trim wheel, so be ready for that. There is also a third item which is a button hidden behind the yoke that activates the electric pitch trim (on the yoke), but it seems to have no effect when pressed in when moving the pitch trim?

 

 JF_PA28_Arrow_Flying 19.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Flying 18.jpg

 

So how do you adjust the pitch?  I used my elevator trim and that works well, but it is very sensitive and it is not easy to use either as it is positioned down low between the front seats. My fix was to use a knob on my Saitek 56 Rhino (RTY 3) throttle system to adjust it...  I'm not saying the electric trim will not do the same adjustment, which I suppose it would do....   but the RTY 3 knob I found was the best solution all round for trim changes with the RTY 4 knob is also set for the aileron/roll adjustment trim, but I rarely used that.

 

Once in level flight, you have the heading selected and then come back off the yoke slowly while adjusting up the elevator trim to match until they are even. But that trim is highly sensitive and any rolls or changes in the throttle position will annoy the trim, so you have to control the aircraft via the yoke until it settles down or is then re-trimed adjusted into the new heading. So if there is a lot of manoeuvres (up or down, or a lot of heading changes) then it is easier to do all the changes and then just reset the elevator trim to hold position, as constant manoeuvres or changes is very work load heavy.

 

You are very aware of the systems working behind the scenes. Fuel Flow, engine and oil heat and any changes in the electrical systems are noted on the dials and you have to make adjustments to cover the items like heating in cabin heating. Circuit breaker logic is linked to X-Plane's internal failure logic, so if the plane is set to fail a certain electrical component after a certain number of hours, then the circuit breaker for that element will pop out. There is also the simulated fan and vent system with realistic blower sounds ( also linked to circuit breaker logic and electrical system for realism)...  The Arrow III is a very alive machine.

 

The Arrow III's lighting is basic but it is very good in what it does. The panel is really very sepia and black/white in its design, but it does make for a very readable panel in the dark or in low lighting conditions. Note the nice glow off the GNS530.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Lighting 1.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Lighting 2.jpg

 

There is only one internal light and that is guess what?  Red...  This large light is set up on the roof with a big knob for adjustment, and very effective it is.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Lighting 5.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Lighting 6.jpg

 

It does give you a nice comforting feeling and surprisingly it is very effective. It does illuminate the whole panel well to find what you want...

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Lighting 3.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Lighting 4.jpg

 

...    but you can tone it down enough to give you just the panel's outline when you require that better vision outside, like for takeoff or landing, so it is quite perfect.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Lighting 7.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Lighting 8.jpg

 

The external lighting is the same in just basic lighting with a strobe on the tail and navigation lights (or noted here as "anti-collision") There is a very strong nose landing light and the bright flashes of strobe lighting that don't strobe together which is interesting, in that you get the left wing and then the right wing in multiple flashes on each side. All external lights are very different in colour and in the more modern LED halogen bright than X-Plane dull, you get a brilliant star feel effect as well.

 

You can lower the nose just by pulling the throttle back (slowly) then readjusting the trim to keep the lower speed and level out the flight...

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Landing 1.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Landing 2.jpg

 

Your focus has to be 100% and be aware of what the aircraft is doing, any throttle reduce requires adjustment in pitch.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Landing 3 LG.jpg

 

Lowering the gear gives you a huge amount of drag, if you are trying to rub off speed then use the gear to do so, but be aware they can act like flaps in killing your speed badly, it is skill set you need to learn in first lowering the gear and then later the flaps and all the time controlling your height and speed correctly, It is not as easy as it sounds but practise does help, but your really have too work through your flying abilities, this Arrow III is certainly not an aircraft set on rails or a predictable flying machine, but the experts will revel in its realism.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Landing 4.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Landing 5.jpg

 

The aircraft is also extremely sensitive to winds, so even a slight 7knt wind is making you sweat to hold the on to centreline correctly on approach.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Landing 6.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Landing 7.jpg

 

Is flying this aircraft fun? Most certainly yes but in a tension physical way.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Landing 8.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Landing 9.jpg

 

80knts and throttle control only required to lower the aircraft in speed to 60knts-65knts and your height down to the runway, no yoke input is actually required unless you want to rub off some last minute speed....  in this area then the PA28 is a very, very throttle sensitive machine.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Landing 10.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Landing 11.jpg

 

The aircraft will track true, but as noted it is very sensitive to wind and if that is factor then you will work for it.

 

Back at the ramp you shut the aircraft down and hop out...

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Landing 12.jpg

 

...    you will crouch down and look over at the aircraft...   hard. You know from now on there is going to be a serious relationship that is going to be long and ongoing here with this excellent Arrow III, but who will master who? 

 

Liveries

There is one blank and eleven liveries provided : G-BGKU (UK) - G-BNSG (UK) - D-ERIN (Germany) - F-GJCB (France) - C-GQYI (Canada) - G-TEBZ (UK) -- G-TSGA (UK) - HB-PJA (Switzerland) - N4131C (USA) - N751LU (USA) - VH-SGE (Australia) and all are of exceptional 4K (4096 x 4096) texture quality.

 

JF_PA28_Arrow_Livery Blank 1.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Livery G-BGKU.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Livery G-BNSG.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Livery G-DBRN.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Livery F-GJCB.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Livery C-GOVI.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Livery G-TEBZ.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Livery G-TSGA.jpg

JF_PA28_Arrow_Livery HB-PJA.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Livery N4131C.jpg

JF_PA28_Arrow_Livery N751LU.jpgJF_PA28_Arrow_Livery VH-SGEjpg.jpg

 

___________________________

 

Summary

The biggest impact here with JustFlight's and Thranda's Arrow III is in the...    "Quality detail - Sounds - Flying&handling" triangle. In all corners in these areas then this PA28 is just exceptional, even a step forward in simulation awareness and feel. And for most purchasers these are the main requirements that will bring them to the table and do the deal.

 

And that price here is high as noted in being above that US$40 marker for a GA light aircraft. But there are still a few notes to consider. In that there are a few quirks but not with the aircraft actually but with the extra features. The menu system is quite average in keeping with today's standards, in its layout and to a point its functionality. It is basic to a point, but it is however easy to use and thank god you can hide the awful menu arrow.

 

No dedicated Weights&Balance menu is a major loss with this aircraft, there is a sort of basic version, but in today's market even sub$20 GA's have a decent Weights&Balance menu, the loss here is highlighted as the aircraft is sensitive to set up, and a weights vs Centre of Gravity graph is a high requirement. A menu that highlights fuel, baggage and passenger weights (yes all four) is a certain requirement and the items should be shown in either passengers and baggage in the aircraft (yes in 3d) and no in that the X-Plane native weight&balance menu is not a decent replacement.

 

There is a nice pilot, but he isn't animated? and he still sits in there even if the aircraft is shut down and you are heading home with the keys. The non-adjustable for scale popup autopilot panel is really useless in this form, and I question if a few of the functions in altitude hold and trim adjustment are working. And what is in the idea that native X-Plane menu items are noted features, only the flashlight is really handy, but that is still only a keystroke away.

 

But we are then only just noting the slight negatives... the rest is simply superlative.

 

The detailing and quality is just overwhelmingly great, there is nothing you are left wanting for, and with that exceptional lovely red interior that is well... very red. But you can admire in the evolution in that the quality of materials used is still going upwards.

 

Sounds are again simply exceptional that feature accurate location placement of sounds in the stereo spectrum, 3D audio effects, atmospheric effects, and adaptive Doppler effects, but overall it is the realism of the sounds that give you that real feel of the Piper aircraft

 

Flying characteristics are superbly excellent as well. Your awareness is heightened and your skills do require another level again (unless you are an actual pilot). Only for the experts? It is a good question as I like all aircraft to be accessible to everyone, but experience is certainly an advantage here especially in the hand to eye to throttle control input. A decent throttle system is also then an advantage here.

 

So do I actually like the Arrow III?  Ohhhh yes, totally absolutely, is it worth the high dollar cost? Oh yes absolutely again, but there are a few areas that need attention as noted above, and if they had been covered then it would have been simply an absolute total clean sweep.

Is this the best General Aviation Aircraft in X-Plane? then that question is always going to be a subjective question to any simulator pilot, but I think it is certainly one of the very best right now, and a well worthy future investment for your flying career.

 

______________________________________________________________________

 

X-Plane Store logo sm.jpg

 

Yes! the PA28R Piper Arrow III by Just Flight - Thranda is NOW available from the new X-Plane.Org Store here :


PA-28R Arrow III

 

Price is US$41.99

Features

  • Accurately modelled PA-28R-201 Arrow III, built using real-world aircraft plans
  • Numerous animations including multi-animation passenger door that, when open, responds to G-forces and air resistance, baggage door, cockpit window, sun visors and oil cover
  • Ground equipment including chocks and tie-downs
  • 4096 x 4096 textures are used to produce the highest possible texture clarity
  • PBR (Physically Based Rendering) materials with real-time environment reflections for superb quality and realism
  • Detailed normal mapping for down-to-the-rivet precision of aircraft features.

 

Cockpit

  • A truly 3D virtual cockpit right down to accurately modelled seat belts and screw heads - every instrument is constructed fully in 3D with smooth animations
  • Cockpit textures feature wear and tear based on reference photos taken in the real aircraft to produce an authentic environment
  • Heavy and reduced levels of wear and tear in the virtual cockpit (changes according to selected livery)
  • Interactive engine start checklist that responds to user inputs and sim variables
  • Interactive checklists for every stage of flight
  • Aircraft configuration system that will allow you to choose between 'cold & dark' or 'ready for take-off' (if aircraft is stationary on the ground)
  • Fully functional and comprehensive IFR capable avionics fit including:
  •  - KMA 20 audio selector unit
  •  - Fully featured X-Plane-native GNS530 (supports procedures out of the box, and supports Navigraph and Aerosoft custom nav databases)
  •  - KX 175B COM 2 / NAV 2 radio
  •  - KN 62 DME unit which can display information from NAV 1 or NAV 2
  •  - Piper Autocontrol IIIB autopilot unit with navigation, heading and roll hold (hidden autopilot altitude  hold system included for convenience)
  •  - KT 76A transponder unit  
  •  - KR 85 ADF unit
  •  - Support for RealityXP GTN750 (sold separately, Windows only)
  • Interactive logbook panel for logging your flight details (X-Plane native)
  • Flight computer panel with useful information such as fuel burn, endurance, speed and wind speed/direction
  • Yoke-mounted flight timer/clock
  • Independently operated left and right (standby) altimeter
  • GoodWay compatible
  • Ability to change barometric units from InHG to MB in altimeter adjustment
  • Option to activate flashlight from within pop-up window, to aid in those pitch-black cold and dark starts at night
  • Pop-up autopilot window
  • Option to remove window and instrument reflection effects
  • Animated toe brakes
  • Functional throttle quadrant tensioning system
  • Radio knob animations routed through plugin logic, for optimum movement fidelity and sound synchronisation

 

Aircraft Systems

  • Custom-coded fuel system, including the option of automatic fuel tank switching for use on those long distance cross-country flights (this option is remembered for future flights)
  • Custom-coded electrical system with functional circuit breakers. Circuit breaker logic is linked to X-Plane's internal failure logic, so if the plane is set to fail a certain electrical component after a certain number of hours, the circuit breaker for that element will pop out.
  • Realistic landing gear system with intricate retraction animation, slow/fast tyre rotation animation (blurry when rotating fast), precise shock absorber animation with multiple linkages animated accurately, and wheel chocks and tie-downs
  • Functioning alternate air and static source controls
  • Fully implemented back-up landing gear system
  • Dedicated interactive engine pop-up window displaying values such as fuel tank weights and imbalance, fuel pressure, oil pressure, oil temperature, battery charge (with quick charge option), and information about spark plug fouling and vapor lock condition
  • Simulated vapor lock condition, with warning pop-up and suggested actions
  • Simulated spark plug fouling condition, with indication of percentage of fouling
  • Lighting system includes separate lighting control for gauges (via rheostat) and realistic implementation of navigation light / radio light rheostat
  • Functional electric trim control on yoke (requires electric trim button to be pushed)
  • Functional ELT which is automatically triggered above 4.6 G
  • Simulated fan and vent system with realistic blower sounds (linked to circuit breaker logic and electrical system for realism)
  • Custom external light logic with custom strobe light pattern and custom light halos for added realism

 

Other

  • Realistic and accurate flight dynamics based on real-world performance and handling data, and input from Arrow pilots
  • Authentic sound set, generated using X-Plane's state-of-the-art FMOD sound system
  • Custom sounds for switches, doors, gear warnings and more, featuring accurate location placement of sounds in the stereo spectrum, 3D audio effects, atmospheric effects, adaptive Doppler, exterior sounds spill in when window or door(s) are opened, different sound characteristics depending on viewing angle etc.
  • Comprehensive manual with panel guide and performance data, adapted to X-Plane 11 usage
  • PSD Paint Kit included so you can create your own paint schemes
  • Dedicated pop-up window for sound mixing, allowing for individual adjustment of the volume of exterior sounds, in-cockpit sounds and various effects
  • Option to launch X-Plane's weight and balance manager window from the custom pop-up panel

 

Requirements:

X-Plane 11
CPU: Intel Core i5 6600K at 3.5GHz or faster
Video card:  4GB VRAM (GeForce GTX 1070 or better or similar from AMD)
Windows 10 / 7 / Vista / XP, MAC OS 10.10 (or higher) or Linux
2GB hard drive space

 

Installation
Download of the Arrow III is a huge 1,12gb and it is installed in your General Aviation Folder as a 1.38gb folder.
 
It is a fair size in gb's is this aircraft package and the question will be what of the framerates? Overall I found it very good, but it does take a fair time to load up in X-Plane depending on the size of scenery you are loading up with it. A fairly good graphics card is highly recommended and not less than a 4gb is required.
 
Documents
Documentation is excellent with two manuals included:
 
  • PA-28R Arrow III manual X-Plane
  • PA-28R Arrow III ODM (Operating Data Manual) manual X-Plane
 
The main aircraft manual covers everything including aircraft install, data with a fully detailed instrument locations and feature points and aircraft procedures (80 pages)
 
ODM covers aircraft performance and associated graphs (32 Pages)
 
_____________________________________________________________________________________

 

Review by Stephen Dutton
28th  October 2017
Copyright©2017: X-PlaneReviews
 
(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)
 

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 512gb SSD 

Software:   - Windows 10 - X-Plane 11.05

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

Plugins: Environment Engine by xEnviro v1.07 US$69.90 : XPRealistic Pro v1.0.9  effects US$19.95

Scenery or Aircraft

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

 

Logo Header X-PlaneReviews 200px.jpg

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

Well Darrell we have Arrows coming out of our ears, there are simply so many to choose from. On price and outstanding features you simply can't go past vFlyteAir's excellent aircraft. But the Just Flight has a special sort of feeling of realism, but you have to pay extra for that...  My choice by barely a whisker is the Just Flight Arrow lll/lV Turbo. It has two versions in the low and high tail and is faster as well with the Turbo power...  all are recommended with the rk Apps XPReality Pro.  Stephen

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Stephen. Yes it’s certainly a popular model and makes things harder to choose. Just Flight’s one does seem to have that little extra to the 3D modelling though vFlyteAir’s have added an optional Aspen EFD 1000 and they have there nice weight and balance menu but then it only has the basic GNS 430.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...
  • 1 month later...

Looks like a very nice aircraft but for the requirement in the x-plane.org store it says :

 

X-Plane 11+
Windows, Mac or Linux

Video card:  4GB VRAM (GeForce GTX 1070 or better or similar from AMD)
2GB hard drive space
But it doesn't say if we need an I5 3,5 GHZ or faster CPU. I would like to know if an I5 3,4 GHZ can run it.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mostly stores don't list the GPU requirements because it is a hard one to pin down as there are so many aspects that can affect the situation like in other hardware items as in bus speeds and system set ups, the way you configure X-plane is a big differential as well, were as graphic cards are really all about absorption in file sizes.

 

Mostly now a i7 is required, but you do have a faster i5 and not the slower version. One way to give me an idea is what other aircraft can you run now on your settings with room to spare, the other way you can find out is to post your comment on the .Org and see if someone with the same processors can give you an answer. SD

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...