Anthony96

Aircraft Update Review : McDonnell Douglas MD-11 v1.08 by Rotate
 
Up at dawn, time to load the freight...  we are at Leipzig/Halle Airport EDDP, for a routine flight to the UPS Facility at Philadelphia, US, KPHL.
 
God it's a "Beast" of an aircraft is the McDonnell Douglas MD-11, but Airhaulers love the "Diva". Those ghost pilots that fly at night, unseen, unknown, but moving tons cargo around the world for your livelihoods or self-indulgence.
 

 
You start the centre positioned No.2 Engine first to provide power and air-conditioning and other AUX systems, then pushback on time (note the BetterPushback issues have now already been fixed). Then once out of the bay, you can start the other two General Electric CF6-80C2D1F high-bypass turbofan engines, rated at 52,200–61,960 lbf each.
 

 
I'm not going to shy away from the reality. To get the DC-11 ready for flight, there is a lot of filling in of data and setting up of the route. There are a few helpers in the menu. But overall the developers approach is to make this aircraft as realistic and authentic as possible, that is good obviously, but a bit daunting if you are not familiar with these machines and their complex Honeywell Pegasus MCDUs. The instrument panel and DU (Display Units) have very different layouts as well, their operation are also different from most other flightdecks. But these aspects are also the attraction to the aircraft, you are flying and mastering something entirely different, that is also the seduction of the MD-11.
 

 
The focus with the release of X-Plane 12 in it's beta phase...  a Version 1.05 beta (September 26th 2022) allowed the Rotate MD-11 aircraft to function in the new Simulator version. Then two updates followed with v1.05 (October) and v1.06 (December) and both were focused on X-Plane 12. The final DC-11 (official) release for X-Plane 12 was the v1.07 update in March 2023.
 
For a comprehensive look at the aircraft, here is the X-PlaneReviews review of the XP11 release; Aircraft Review : McDonnell Douglas MD-11 by Rotate
 
If you are a "hauler" in these "Heavy, Heavy" aircraft, say a B744F, B748F and the MD-11F. The critical phase is just after you leave the runway. You need to climb (obviously), but with a really heavy aircraft, brimmed with Cargo and Fuel, then you need to coax the machine into the air, then have the skill to keep it up there. You pitch is critical, too low and you lose height, too high and you stall, badly and literally fall out of the sky. Between the two barrier zones to a perfect climb-out, and you usually do it very carefully and slowly... the MD-11 is totally like this.
 

 
Once settled in at 12,000ft you, then have more flexibility on setting speed (usually for me around 295 knts) and an altitude climb-rate (1800 fpm), down to 1,000 fpm from 26,000 ft up. You would never go to full cruise altitude either, usually say 32,000 ft for the first 500 nm to burn off weight in fuel, then step up 2,000 ft at a time to your cruise altitude, here 36,000 ft, you step the speed as well, from m.76, to the cruise speed of m.82. I learnt these tricks/skills well on an underpowered Boeing 747-200 F with 46,300–54,750 lbf of thrust, compared to the 66,500 lbf thrust of the latest GEnx-2B67 on the B748F and the 52,200–61,960 lbf available here.
 
Before we get into the update... In doing reviews you are also evaluating the current situation of the Simulator as well (X-Plane12.07r1), and how it interacts with your flying. There has been a lot of development around the weather this year in X-Plane 12 by Laminar Research, some changes were really bad very early in the year, but with lots of improvements of reading GRIB forecasts which are based on the National Weather Service (NOAA) since v12.06.
 
But real world simulations are getting very good in X-Plane...  Here I was approaching the European Coast and the weather was getting quite nasty. Navigraph have this year added a weather component to there excellent "Charts" application, and you can see the weather topographic mappings, look outside of the MD-11 and I have the same precipitation areas around me... I needed to climb, but instead stayed at FL320 until I saw a gap (shown on the topographic) to finally climb from below the weather, to be on the top (FL360)...  I was impressed with not only the exact weather mirrored on the Application, to the weather situation around me, and to take advantage of that...  it also shows how X-Plane in this area is also getting very close to the real weather situations we crave, admittedly there is still more development needed for upper level Cirrus clouds and shading, but the improvements are there to not only see, but to feel as well.
 
 
 
Update v1.08
But to the business at hand, the latest v1.08 update. There is again a massive list of fixed and improved areas on the XP12 MD-11 in this update, but first three new additions.
 
Added into the MD-11 cockpit are two EFB (Electronic Flight Bags) or tablets, one positioned each side of the pilots. 
 

 
You can adjust the angle of the EFBs to your personal preference, but you can't hide them.
 

 
Power switch is lower left corner.
 

 
There are eleven tabs to select from. They are an amalgamation of the MD-11 Menu, and AviTab (Plugin Required). The list is HOME, W&B, GndOps, Fails, Man, Chart, Maps, Apts, Rtes, Data and Notes.
 
All HOME (Options), W&B (Weight & Balance), GndOps (Ground Operations) and Fails (Failures) are all direct copies of the same Menu items found in the Plugins/Rotate MD-11/Aircraft Menu.
 

 

 
Basically they have been repositioned there in the tablets for convenience. The other seven tabs are the various AviTab tools set differently.
 
MAN - Manuals
This MAN option allows you to navigate folders to find Manuals or Tutorials within the Computer's file system, here set in Windows, and you can display pdfs on the screen. Its clever, handy but pretty basic as well.
 

 
Chart - AviTab
You can insert a navigation chart or other document in the AviTab "charts" folder (X-Plane 12/Resources/plugins/AviTab/charts) and have it appear in this tab...   It will also show pdf files, ideal for loading in SimBrief "Briefings".  Basically this option would be used if you didn't have a Navigraph or another chart account.
 

 
Maps
Is the standard AviTab Maps function.
 

 
Apts - Airports
Airports is the standard AviTab function to get airport information, and if you have a Navigraph account and access to their charts
 

 
Rtes - Routes
This is the "Route Wizard", A tool to compute a route for you to enter into the aircraft's FMC. First you add in your Departure Airport, then your Arrival Airport and it creates a route for you.
 

 
Data
You use the "Data" tab to authorise accounts, like for Navigraph and ChartFox, both charts can be viewed in the "Apts" (Airports) tab when selected.
 

 
Notes
This tab uses the AviTab "Notes" Function...  Honestly I can't get it to work, there are no manual notes and the Rotate Developer doesn't know either...  but the idea is to write down notes, but how do you save them? it is supposed to be for VR (Virtual Reality) users.
 

 
Basically most users are very familiar with AviTab functions and tools, and having it built in well in here is obviously a bonus to the pilot.
 
The last two additions to the v1.08 update, are both for those long distance pilots that move away from the Simulation. There are two options now to pause the Simulator...  the first is to pause the Simulation on a "Master" warning alert, the second is again to pause the Simulation before T/D or Top of Descent.
 

 
The list is split between "Improved" Areas and general fixes. In the improved focus there has been a lot of attention on the ATS (AutoThrottle) in the Servos behavior, in the AFS (AutoFlight) there is improved altitude capture, speed on pitch guidance and better system stability and accuracy. There is also better lateral guidance for NAV/VOR/LOC modes and improved LAND sequence guidance.
 
For engines there is better N1 trim and thrust precision and and engine drag near idle. The VNAV descent prediction has also had attention, drag prediction for non-clean configurations, and finally there are Improved navigation lights textures.
 

 
I do really like the nice strobe effect, not one strobe but two in sequence.
 
Rotate is always very serious about bugs, finding those nasties in there and improving the Simulation. The list here is very long...  35 fixes that covers a lot of areas, we can't cover every item here, that would drive you nuts, so we will take only the important items.
 
There was a radio bug in the VHF2 Channel, in that it could receive but not transmit, it's been fixed. Flight Mode Annunciations (FMA) has had attention as well, in Altitude mode blinking during capture, and PROF TO (Profile) reading during climb. There was some negative values in the altimeter tapes that have been corrected, a bug in the PERF page predictions. Finally a rounding error in some lat/lon readings (mostly Oceanic coords).
 
 There was a discrepancy between active and shown flight plans... fixed. And a problem with direct bearing to AT/B restriction during descent calculation. Also speed used for flight path prediction below speed transition altitude was not working properly. speed tape logic has been refined, and a bug in Vspeeds boxes color codes has also been rectified.
 
On hardware, there was a bug in the start lever sounds, and intermittent repose of TCA hardware handles, toe-brakes didn't work either without a joystick plugged in. The wingflex has also been refined a little better, and for XP11, the wingtip glass (floating) has also been fixed.
 
My thoughts with the UPS flight are actually few, but worth noting. The LWR Cargo TEMP LO warning (yellow) is still (very) persistent, even though Rotate acknowledged the bug very early in the release phase. My other thoughts are with a lot of current classes of complex aircraft, as there is no SAVE feature for the aircraft. Using the default "Situation" save creates a not very realistic return to the cockpit, and a major reset to make the aircraft flyable again. So you are restricted to do a flight from block to block in one go to get a smooth Simulation. Biggest offender is the non-working ATS (AutoThrottle), that refuses to reset, and the gymnastics when you restart the Simulation... it can be reset to fly correctly, but you will need patience and skill to do so. My point is this is very long-haul flying, and sometimes for ten hours in the left seat, and sometimes you have to break up the simulation, of which you can't do here, it also hates the replay and the X8-X16 speed changes with the complexity... And I loath the ghost throttle simulation, there should be an option to hide the distracting animation.
 

 
The rear rest cabin still has extremely low-res textures and a non-working toilet, and the cargo loading feature, while well done, is still restricted to 4 containers that disappear when loaded, you need better here if you are a serious cargo hauler.
 

 
MD-11 is a seriously nice machine in the air, one of the best simulations in X-Plane 12. Internally it is a very nice environment, again with the long hours you have to have change from the left seat options, like a snooze in the third rear seat, or a break in the rear...
 

 
Great to watch is the excellent fuel management system on the MD-11. It has a fully automatic aircraft balance system, like Concorde it pumps fuel forward after takeoff to keep the CG (Centre of Gravity) within limits, shown upper left on the Fuel page display. 
 

 
In flight the pumps are always switching on or off, you don't just have a Tail Tank, but an Auxiliary tank as well. All fuel tanks are simulated here, including the separate outboard and inboard wing compartments, 18 fuel pumps, 16 valves, 5 manifolds and the 4 fuel feed valves...  The full system is modeled for as a physical model for fuel flow and thermal behavior. There are also Automatic and manual modes.
 

 
Quantity, pressure and temperature for each of the fuel tanks are computed separately. All this data is processed in the custom Fuel System Controller, where logic for most of the sub-systems have been written to simulate most of the system’s functions, including fuel scheduling, cross-feed, CG management, ballast fuel management, anti-ice re-circulation, tip transfer, fuel dump, and abnormal operation. Manual mode, failures and electrical dependencies are also simulated. It's altogether very authentic and realistic.
 

 
Interesting on the MD-11, is that you can only set your departure Takeoff details, but not the Arrival/Approach settings. This is done as you reach your TOD (Top of Descent) phase by pressing the TO/APPR button. Then you set your Flap position and speeds. Secondary is setting your Arrival Radio Approach Frequency, here at Philadelphia, KPHL, Rwy 27L... the Freq is 109.30 IGLC, but you have to wait until it is available from the list to insert. So you insert the ILS Freq 109.30, then you are taken to selection page to select the correct frequency, here LK6 as it has just shown up on the list, selecting the correct frequency will then insert it into the ILS/CRS box, adding in the Course º degree and the ILS name "IGLC. This is a change in selecting from the list, instead of just earlier inserting the ILS Freq late into the the flight.
 

 
I'm now over Pennsylvania, tracking into JIIMS4 STAR, but I had to make an adjustment to the flightplan with an extra way point VC177 to make a cleaner rounded turn to finals on Rwy 27L.
 

 
Going into the final turn it's time to drop the gear! "Chunk, Clunk,Clunk" and its down and we are ready for landing.
 

 

 
You press the upper large centre APPR/LAND button centre FGCP to ARM the approach phase (as noted this also arms only the LOC if you selected that option)
 
If you have activated the ILS Frequency correctly it will show lower left in the PFD with the set Flap degree, you can also now set the APPR screen in the ECP, for better approaches. Notable is the auto selection of "Single" or "Dual" landing (Land) selections (green banner top right PFD) , it will flash the selection it will use then LOC it in.
 
I'm sitting at 175 knts, but in reality the MD-11 is certainly a gut sort of aircraft in this phase like I found in the release review, the throttle response is very slow on resetting the speed, so you have to be ahead of the aircraft, sometimes by a long way, to get the right speed in the approach phase, same with the ILS landing phase in resetting the approach speed to the descent angle.
 

 
Yes your always nervous, it's a tricky approach to get right, with a very heavy and fast aircraft rushing towards the ground. MD-11 as we were told, had the fastest VAPP of any civilian airliner. At MGLW (Maximum Gross Landing Weight), it was usually known to be landing at around 168kts.... and you are aware of that aspect and all that weight in the back.
 
In landing again the MD-11 is very much like the Airbus, as there are landing modes, certainly the callouts are very good, with also "LAND and FLARE on the PFD...  I was however seriously again very impressed on how I could just pitch the nose up nicely in the flare to touch the main gear down first.
 

 
I'm on the runway, so you activate everything you can, in reversers, airbrakes and stand on the toe-brakes to stop the momentum of a landing weight of 204,331 kg, thankfully it all works...
 

 
...  it's a real substantial beast of an aircraft, so mastering it with skill and ambition is certainly a challenge, but also the MD-11 gives back huge rewards for all the effort...
 

 
If we are looking at substantial Simulations then the Rotate MD-11 is certainly it, not for the absolute novice, but certainly for the brigade of users that have Long-Haul experience and want a "Heavy, heavy" aircraft to master.
 

 
Summary
The release of X-Plane 12 in it's beta phase...  a Version 1.05 beta (September 26th 2022) allowed the Rotate MD-11 aircraft to function in the new Simulator version. Then two updates followed with v1.05 (October) and v1.06 (December) and both were focused on X-Plane 12. The final DC-11 (official) release for X-Plane 12 was the v1.07 update in March 2023.
 
This is the v1.08, with three new features and along with another long bug and fix update. Biggest addition is two EFB (Electronic Flight Bags) or tablets for each pilot. They have four tabs that mirror the Rotate MD11 Menu in... HOME, W&B (Weight & Balance), GndOps, Fails (Failures), the rest of the; Man, Chart, Maps, Apts, Rtes, Data and Notes tabs are the same tools as in the AviTab plugin (required). Other additions are to pause the Simulation on a "Master" warning alert, and the second is again to pause the Simulation before T/D or Top of Descent.
 
There are thirteen improvements to systems, and 35 fixes that covers again systems and hardware intergration, it is a very extensive upgrade here in the fix department. But there are still a few areas that need attention, a warning light for the cargo hold is beyond annoying, the ghost throttle that requires a hide option is another annoyance. But most of all the MD11 needs a SAVE option as it is difficult (not impossible) to restart mid-flight, or if you have a CTD, it is simply too complex to rebuild the systems to work effectively from the standard X-Plane Situation save.
 
I will again state if you are going to think if purchasing the aircraft,  is it just too far in it's complexity? I'm not going to waver from the fact that this is noted as a "Study" aircraft, yes you need a skills and heavy aircraft skills to fly it. But once you understand the systems and preferences, it is simply a brilliant aircraft to fly, and a very good simulation, if one of the best currently in X-Plane 12 (also available for XP11).
 
Being a Long Hauler, I obviously really love this aircraft, and with any chance or free time it is one of my prime simulations to fly. The images in this review highlight the the brilliant look and feel the aircraft delivers in X-Plane 12, a top simulation, and a prime simulation for those serious Cargo Jockeys out there.
_____________________
 

 
Yes! the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 v1.08 by Rotate is currently available from the X-Plane.Org Store here :

Rotate MD-11
Price is US$83.95
 
The feature list is HUGE, so if you want to read it, then open the text file.
Feature List.txt 5.83 kB · 147 downloads
Requirements X-Plane 12 or X-Plane 11 Windows 8 or  Mac OSX 10.12 or newer (using Rosetta for ARM Processors) , Linux Ubuntu 64b 18.04 or newer 4 GB VRAM Minimum - 8 GB+ VRAM recommended Current version: 1.08 (November 1st 2023)   You can download this updated v3.0 Updater free here; SkunkCrafts Updater Standalone client
 
AviTab Plugin is now required.
 
Navigraph
Subscription only on a monthly or yearly basis or EUR 9.05 / mo or EUR 81.64 / year
 
Designed by Rotate
Support Forum at X-Plane.org or http://support.rotatesim.com/
 
Full v1.08 changelog is here;
 
Changelog v1.08.txt
_____________________
  Aircraft Review by Stephen Dutton
7th November 2023
Copyright©2023: X-Plane Reviews
 
Review System Specifications: 
Windows  - 12th Gen IS1700 Core i7 12700K 12 Core 3.60 GHz CPU - 64bit -32 Gb single 1067 Mhz DDR4 2133 - PNY GeForce RTX 3080 10GB XLR8 - Samsung 970 EVO+ 2TB SSD
Software:   - Windows 11 Pro - X-Plane Version 12.07r1 (This is a release review).
Plugins: JustFlight-Traffic (X-Plane.OrgStore) US$52.99 : Global SFD plugin US$30.00 : Skunkcrafts Updater
 
Scenery or Aircraft
- EDDP - Leipzig/Halle International Airport by JustSim/Digital Design (X-Plane.OrgStore) - US$20.00
- KPHL - Philadelphia International Airport by StarSim (X-Plane.OrgStore) - US$24.00 - Full review available here: Scenery Review : KPHL - Philadelphia International Airport by StarSim
 
(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
 

 

Problem with SAM3 is that it is seriously bloated for this job, yes I agree the developers have been MIA for awhile, and SAM needs attention

Behind the Screen : April 2023
 
On average over a 20 to 30 year commercial flying career, professional pilots will fly usually about 4 to 5 types of aircraft, first in the right seat, then a command in the left. I'm not counting their non-professional activities like private general aviation, gliding or even to the extreme of aerobatic flying. This is the core total of flying airliners, either domestic or international.
 
Do pilot's have to be more flexible in today's aviation industry? that is a big question, because, say in the 60's you could fly aircraft types from the BAC-1-11, progress to a Trident, then a Vickers VC10, then a Boeing 707 or a Boeing 747 Jumbo, or even on to the supersonic transport in Concorde. That career road would be far harder today, as you would mostly jump between types of the same design, say start in a A319, move to a A320, then a A321 and now an A321LR, you are progressing, but mostly on the same type, not "Types' of aircraft. Same with the A350 or Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
 
Progress to each aircraft type would mean going back to class, instruction, training and finally the hands on evaluation that you could handle the new machine, a jump from say the VC10 to a Boeing 747 would be a large challenge, but nothing like the jump from a VC10 to Concorde, of which most crews of the supersonic transport were nominated from. Today the line between a A320, to a A321, is not as large, and a conversion would be in weeks rather than the months like in the past.
 
Compare that to X-Plane, or with being a reviewer. God knows how many "Types" of aircraft and let us even include even the "weird" strange machines at that. Obviously I have lost count, but a thousand over 12 years is a rounded off figure, maybe even more than that, so you have to be pretty adaptable.
 
Like driving a car, aviation still has it's basics in controls and instruments, so you can be "so called", adaptable. But unlike driving a car on a road, aviation machines comes with a lot of different variations, weights and sizes, again you have to be adaptable.
 
A lot of Simulator users will also mostly stick to one type, or a variation of that type, a lot won't even progress from say a Single-Engined aircraft to a Twin-Engined aircraft, never mind a Commercial Jet. Another crowd will only fly heavies, big airliners, but most will usually use the Two-Hour rule of flying a Boeing 737 (Zibo) or Airbus A319/A320/A321 (ToLiSS), fair enough.
 
Me I do like variety, always have, call it a challenge if you will, I couldn't be a reviewer otherwise. But I do have my core "Top Ten" aircraft that I fly personally, a few General Aviation machines, but mostly Airliners, the bigger the better.
 
Also there is the aspect of getting "back into the groove". You would think with all that reviewing experience and skills, that I would easily slide into the seat and fly the aircraft like a pro, yes...  well no, it is not as easy as that.
 
One big bonus of doing reviews in that when a new aircraft or type is released, you do what I call a "Deep Dive". Reviewing in detail allows you to spend a lot of time on that aircraft, sometimes weeks, study it, understanding all those minute details. Then to learn to fly it correctly... then pass on the information of what has been learnt to you the users of the X-PlaneReviews site.
 
You would think that in say six months when the same aircraft from the same developer comes around with an update, with all that intimate knowledge learnt earlier, I should simply slide into the same seat and fly it again perfectly like the total professional I am, except that is very far from the truth. I even make copious notes, the Concorde review notes went for sixteen pages, yet I still need to revisit and revise them all every time to step back into that cockpit. And here is the thing...
 
My first flight back in that seat is usually atrocious, totally laughable...  a professional, mostly a joke in watching my efforts. At least I don't have a check captain sitting over my shoulder rating my poor flying abilities, and ready to give my career the total thumbs down.
 
Let's be clear, that is with the complex complicated detailed aircraft we are talking about here, sure I can pilot a GA around a circuit or two with my eyes closed, but something happened in X-Plane around eight years ago when basic PlaneMaker aircraft went to Plugins. Now the systems are real world duplication, so is now the way you also fly the aircraft in real world conditions in the Simulator.
 
Triggers...  notes can give you triggers, and then you fly the aircraft and then release all that the stored information in your brain, it does come back to you quite easily, but some machines do have their peculiar idiosyncratic natures, not only in their systems, but their flying characteristics as well, say the Dash Q400... One flight will release the learnt peculiar tricks on using and handling the machine, the notes help, but going over the learnt procedures and you will soon fall back into that aircraft category groove. I'm an odd one as well.
 
I just won't jump in and go flying (unless there is a reason), I go through the whole set of procedures from "Go to Woe", more so with an update (or upgrade) to cover the changes in the new updated/upgraded version, the differences between the Old and the New.
 
That second flight (basically the review flight) is usually "Back on Song", not flawless, but back in tune with the aircraft, the third flight has to be flawless, if not there is something wrong or something has been changed? The only thing about this process, it is time consuming, two flights take time, three flights is in days to do a review, but you internally and personally have to know you have everything right, in the interaction between yourself and the aircraft before reviewing. That is why I don't like a lot of VideoJocks, watching them power through procedures and incorrect flying, and missing SOP's (Standard Operating Procedures) makes me cringe by in the amount of mistakes made, some are very good, and yes even I can learn from a real line pilot doing video Simulations, but most are "Cowboys", and have bad habits that are being passed on to the unsuspecting junior (learning) Simulator users in picking up and using the same poor methodology.
 
Okay, I come from the strict school of being serious, and a lot of users reading this will say, Hey, lighten up, it's supposed to be "Fun" it's only a "Game", but my approach is strictly professional, if you want to "Fool" around and wizz upside down in a A320 (yes looking at you Austin Meyer) then your looking at the wrong personality type, to me "Professional", means being very good at what you do and to not fool around with a 80 Ton aircraft. Simulation was created as learning tool for real world pilots, we are just lucky, and if you have enough computer power, to be able to do the "EXACT" same things as the real world pilots do, that for me is where the excitement comes from, and my on line experiences.
 
Out of the "Thousands" of aircraft I have reviewed, a few go into my own personal hanger, the ones that are very special, but also fit my own personal flying needs, I keep the list to like I mentioned to around ten aircraft, but it is about four to five of those aircraft are what I use consistently, again these aircraft are also required to have a shakedown regularly, and the same process of a "trigger" flight and then a regular flight are required to get me again "Back in the Groove".
I know these aircraft intimately, and yet I still need to reset my brain to fly them correctly, lose one or two that has happened with the X-Plane 11 to X-Plane 12 transition and you feel a bit lost without them (both will be released for X-Plane 12 within the next month). Again I will stress that regular repeatable flying is still required to keep your skills in prime shape, yes it is more (even relaxing) fun than the serious approach of reviewing aircraft, but still serious in the way you approach in flying the aircraft professionally. To make it "Fun", is to set up a few scenarios, I have two.
 
The first is a real world day's flying, usually three sectors between regularly used airports (quality sceneries), In Australia say the "Triangle". Brisbane to Melbourne, Melbourne to Sydney and finally Sydney back to Brisbane, all in a days work and following real world services. It's more tricky than you think to fly on real world times and turnarounds with the same aircraft type. Exhausting as well, but that is what real world pilots do everyday, but it is fun to coordinate the lot together...  The second is real world airport hopping. Start a service from say Barcelona and fly to Copenhagen, then from Copenhagen to Dubai (combining European to International with different aircraft types), then Dubai to Hong Kong, then Hong Kong to Los Angles and so on...  if you wrap up a sector in say New York, then the next time you fly you restart in the same place, say, New York to Copenhagen, and hey, you have flown around the world with real life timetables and the same aircraft types used on the real world routes... both above scenarios are based on real world flying, but for me a fun factor as well. But all learnt during these travels, goes back into the reviewing, and the consistent practise on aircraft types means your skills are kept at a high level.
 
This April "Behind the Screen" edition, looks a bit into how I fly and do reviews, but also shows you the amount of practise it requires to keep your flying skills at a high level, same as the real world pilots...  I like to think so, dedication is everything in life.
 
See you all next month.
 
Stephen Dutton
2nd May 2023
Copyright©2023 X-Plane Reviews
 

 

NEWS! Updated - New Environmental tool VisualXP Ultimate by SimAdditions
 

 
This NEWS! item has been updated to cover the new options of package pricing versions, as set out below.
 
Personally I'm not attracted to applications or certainly the Lua app, that have interaction with the basic default X-Plane engine, don't get me started on the hundreds of different shader versions that we had to toil through as everyone had their own perspective on how X-Plane should look...  I had hoped with the release of X-Plane 12 and it's new complete environmental engine, those days would be in the past, obviously not.
 
I'm not completely honest here. I used throughout the X-Plane 11 run, the Dark Skies xEnviro, oddly not for it's clouds, but for the interface that allowed you to tune X-Plane's look and feel.
 
Odd is the fact that you can change the look of X-Plane via you Graphics Card (mine is Nvidia), but that only changes your monitor look and feel, and not actually the Simulator's. But with xEnviro you could actually do this management aspect and that is what is important here. Struggling with dark images coming out of X-Plane 12, I found I couldn't adjust them internally, so I missed that xEnviro interface, being honest I don't miss the huge xEnviro sucking down of my framerate either. I had hoped that X-Plane 12 would have put all that in the past?
 
But it didn't, and I struggled with the lighting in X-Plane 12, notable is the fact that X-Plane 12 is still in reality a working beta, but I did miss the interaction I had with xEnviro....  which brings us to this new environmental tool from SimAdditions.
 
VisualXP is a tool that will enhance your X-Plane Atmosphere, Clouds, Water, and Scenery(Lights and Shadow) visually.
 
The Atmosphere feature will enhance the Sun lighting, Ambient lighting, Scattering color temperature, Sky colors, Fog density, Aerosol, Visibility range, Horizon scattering, and Zenith scattering.
 
The Clouds feature can control the cloud formations, clouds visibility range, clouds brightness, clouds density, thickness, cloudiness, and clouds details, all of these will work together to give better clouds forms.
 
The Water feature can control the water wave foams, sun gloss, water wave strength, and scaling. there are sliders to control these functions as well.
 
The Lights feature can simulate real-life fog at night where there are multiple lights that illuminate the fog. We also can Enable one of the great features of X-Plane "the Fog Spotlights" which add realistic spotlights for all objects in X-Plane. we can control the light spots' strength on the ground as well, we have sliders to control the size and the strength of the lights as well as spots lights. A main feature in Lights is "the Fog Spotlights" which add realistic spotlights for all objects in X-Plane. we can control the light spots' strength on the ground as well, we have sliders to control the size and the strength of the lights as well as spots lights.
 
The Weather feature can deliver Live Weather, Weather Search, and Weather Briefings. The Briefing Tab will give you all the weather information including clouds altitudes pressure, all aloft for winds directions, winds speed, temperature, dewpoint, winds share, and turbulence, also the status of the water waves.
 
Notable is tha VisualXP is for Windows Only at this point, again like xEnviro. There are three Variations of VisualXP, which are called "Plugin Levels" these plugins level are "Ultimate, Premium, and Basic".
 
The Ultimate version will include all features of VisualXP, while the other levels have some limitations. The Premium level has the mentioned features except for the "Scenery" Tab (Lights functions and sliders) and the "Weather Briefing" tab which is included in the Weather Master Tab. The Basic level will have an Atmosphere, and Clouds Only.  These three variations to give the user the ability to choose the one that fits he/her needs.  

 
VisualXP Interface
 

 

 
Packages consist of:
 
VisualXP Basic Priced at US$9.99
The basic version only includes:
Atmosphere and clouds  
VisualXP Ultimate Priced at US$25.97
The Full package including
Atmosphere and clouds; Water; Scenery; Weather - Live Weather; Weather - Weather Search; Weather - Weather Briefing  
A considered Simulator tool, and an effective one...
 
Images are Courtesy of SimAdditions
VisualXP Support is here SimAdditions Support
__________________
 

 
Yes!...   VisualXP by SimAdditions is now Available from the X-Plane.Org Store here :
 
VisualXP Basic
Priced at US$9.99
 
VisualXP Ultimate
Price is US$25.97
 
Requirements
X-Plane 12 Windows Only - Not Compatible with Mac or Linux at this time Things Things To Be Considered Before Buying
If you are using DataRefTool or DataRefEditor, you need to disable them before using ViualXP, VisualXP will stop working instantly once one of these plugins is detected as Enabled. and it will inform you with a message in the user interface to disable these plugins. Do not use any other plugin, scripts, or mods that controls one of VisualXP features as that will make conflict and will make bad visuals. The performance will be different from one plugin level to another because of the features that each one has, the higher level will have more performance effects, but no worries with the plugin sliders you can lower the settings to fit your device capacity. The plugin can't work in offline mode, a connection to the internet must be available for the license system and downloading weather. We cannot offer any demos at the moment. The plugin has been developed using the windows 10 platform and will be for windows only at this time, sorry for Mac and Linux users, we will support these platforms in the future. The functions of the plugin can be increased or decreased depending on the X-Plane 12 version and the ability that Laminar Research offers. ___________________________
 
News! by Stephen Dutton
22nd February 2023
Copyright©2023: X-Plane Reviews
 
(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
 

 

Aircraft Review: DeltaWing Simulations CRJ 1000 X-Plane 12
 
By Michael Hayward
 
Introduction
The CRJ 1000, a product of Bombardier Aerospace, represents a remarkable evolution in regional jet design. As the largest and most advanced member of the renowned CRJ family, this stretched model was developed in response to the increasing demand for higher capacity and more fuel-efficient aircraft in the regional aviation market. With a seating capacity of up to 104 passengers, the CRJ 1000 allows airlines to maximize their profitability on medium-haul routes while maintaining a high level of passenger comfort.
 
The decision to stretch the fuselage of the CRJ 1000 was driven by the need to optimize its performance, operational efficiency, and environmental footprint. Equipped with state-of-the-art avionics, aerodynamic enhancements, and powerful engines, the CRJ 1000 delivers a smooth, quiet, and comfortable flying experience for both passengers and crew. Additionally, this aircraft boasts reduced fuel consumption and lower emissions, making it a sustainable choice for the future of regional aviation.
 
Beyond its impressive technical features, the CRJ 1000 also addresses the evolving needs of airlines in terms of route flexibility and fleet management. As carriers continue to adapt their networks and schedules to shifting market dynamics, the CRJ 1000 stands out as a versatile and cost-effective solution. Overall, the development of the stretched CRJ 1000 model showcases Bombardier Aerospace's commitment to innovation and continuous improvement in the highly competitive aviation industry.
 

 
Developers
DeltaWing, a small team of four members, primarily develops high-quality fighter aircraft for the X-Plane platform. Recently, through a collaboration with AD Simulations, they ventured into creating commercial airliners, specifically the Bombardier CRJ family.
The Bombardier CRJ is a regional aircraft produced between 1991 and 2020 when Bombardier Aviation decided to exit the commercial aviation industry and focus solely on private jets. With over 1,900 units manufactured, the CRJ family has led the way in low-capacity and high-efficiency jet travel.
 
In this review, we examine DeltaWing's CRJ-1000 and delve into how this team, experienced in virtual military aircraft development, has approached the creation of one of the most successful regional aircraft in aviation history.
 
Aircraft Specification
Crew: two Length: 128ft 5in/39.1m Wingspan: 85ft 11in/26.2m Height: 24ft 7in/7.5m Empty Weight: 51,120lbs (23,188kg) Maximum Takeoff Weight: 91,800lbs/41,640kg Powerplant: General Electric CF34-8C5A1 Aircraft Performance: Range: 1,650nmi/3,056km Service Ceiling: 41,000ft Max Cruising Speed: M0.78/473kts/876mph
Download & Install
The download and installation process for the DeltaWing CRJ is straightforward. After purchasing from the org store, you receive a ZIP file containing the aircraft's components. Simply drag this into your aircraft folder and launch the simulator. Upon the first load, you'll be prompted to enter your serial number. After pasting it and reloading the aircraft, you're all set.
 
The CRJ package includes four documents: two change logs, a checklist, and a comprehensive 90-page 'quick start' guide. This guide covers everything from the aircraft's operation to its various displays and hardware configurations for diverse yokes and joysticks. With its thorough coverage of the CRJ's details, I highly recommend studying this guide when familiarizing yourself with the aircraft.
 


Exterior Model
DeltaWing has meticulously crafted the CRJ model to closely resemble the real aircraft. Employing techniques such as bump and specular mapping, the plane features highly detailed markings and panel definitions.
 

 
The aircraft's surfaces appear clean and impressive from all angles, with each individual detail visible and well-defined – from the rope hooks on the wings to door levers and emergency slide panels, all animated. The CRJ's every detail has been painstakingly replicated, including the aircraft's skeleton beneath the wing, visible when deploying flaps, slats, and speed brakes. Other features include radar fins on the belly, antennae on the tail, APU exhaust at the rear, and AoA and pitot tubes on the nose. No detail has been overlooked, enhancing the aircraft's realism.
 

 
Upon closer inspection, the level of detail becomes even more apparent. The landing gear is particularly impressive, with each strut and bolt intricately modelled and weathered to resemble a real aircraft with years of service. The tires and contact points with the ground are also accurately depicted, giving the appearance of slight deflation under the plane's weight.
 

 
High-resolution 4k textures are used throughout, ensuring that even the smallest details appear sharp and visible across the body. Rivets and decals, including 'No Step' markings on the wing, are precisely rendered. The landing gear's attention to detail extends to the tires, which display the Michelin Man and logo through bump mapping. DeltaWing's commitment to producing a high-quality aircraft sets it apart from other developers in the industry.
 

 
The DeltaWing CRJ comes with a selection of nine liveries, including six airline designs, a Bombardier house colour, and two custom developer colours. The available liveries are as follows:
CRJ 1000 House Colors Delta Airlines British Airways Iberia Regional Air France (by Brit Air) Aegean Lufthansa CityLine AD Simulations DeltaWing Simulations
These diverse liveries offer a range of options for simmers to choose from, enhancing the overall flying experience.
 

 
Cockpit & Interior
The CRJ cockpit is incredibly well-designed, featuring every detail you'd expect from a high-quality jetliner in X-Plane. DeltaWing has used 4k resolution textures, giving the cockpit a realistic appearance, complete with light weathering and textured glare shields that look fantastic from any position. A combination of buttons and switches are spread across the main and overhead panels, all clearly labelled and easy to navigate. Manipulating aircraft systems is hassle-free, making the CRJ a joy to fly.
 

 
The add-on comes with a comprehensive EFB tablet system for managing weight and balance through fuel load and passenger count. It offers a weight calculation tool that provides takeoff and landing speeds based on the aircraft's configuration, which is invaluable for ensuring safe operation throughout the flight.
 

 
The Flight Management Computer (FMC) employs the default X-Plane system, but it has been customized to match the real-life CRJ's style. Though some finer details of aircraft management may be absent, the default X-Plane FMC is widely used for its realism and functionality. DeltaWing intends to upgrade the CRJ's systems with real-world CRJ pilot support, potentially leading to a complete system overhaul in the future.
 

 
Additionally, the aircraft features a fully modelled cabin interior, arguably one of the best in any flight simulator platform. The standard two-by-two seating layout is accompanied by interactive elements like window shutters, overhead lockers, and cabin lighting controls. There's also a lavatory at the rear and a flight attendant's jump seat that can be slid in and out of position.
 

 
 
DeltaWing has exceeded expectations by including such attention to detail, even though many developers maintain a basic cabin for smoother operation and fewer polygons to model. If you enjoy experiencing the flight from a passenger's perspective, you'll appreciate the effort DeltaWing has put into the CRJ.
 


Sound
DeltaWing has integrated authentic CRJ aircraft recordings into this add-on, delivering a high-quality and immersive sound experience both inside and outside the plane. FMOD has been employed to ensure accurate audio positioning relative to the listener. In the cockpit, engine noises are less pronounced due to the distance between the pilots and the rear-mounted engines. However, they remain audible, contributing to the immersive pilot experience. As you move towards the back of the cabin, the engine noise becomes increasingly noticeable, peaking when you're near the engines with throttles at full power.
 
The exterior sounds are equally impressive, featuring genuine CRJ sound samples skillfully integrated into X-Plane. The use of FMOD enhances the aircraft's realism, and the sound samples are of high quality, with no detectable loops. The combination of these elements results in a truly lifelike auditory experience.
 
Flight Dynamics
The CRJ is a joy to fly, thanks to its narrow body and relatively lightweight design for a jetliner, which make it agile and suitable for shorter runways. The CRJ-1000, being the longest in the Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet series, takes some getting used to when taxiing, especially given the position of the nose and rear gear. However, once familiar, manoeuvring the aircraft is not a problem. It's worth noting that the CRJ lacks autothrottle due to the engine's small size. As a result, pilots must manually manage throttles during different flight stages. This can be advantageous during descent, allowing for precise control over speed and descent rate.
 

 
During cruise, the CRJ is a stable aircraft with no noticeable irregularities in its flight dynamics. The autopilot systems are capable of guiding the aircraft from point A to point B, with minimal pilot input other than engine management.
 

 
Approach and landing in the CRJ require careful manoeuvring due to its T-mounted tailplane. Over-rotating the aircraft may lead to a deep stall, where the front wings obstruct airflow to the engines. However, this issue is unlikely to occur unless the aircraft is pitched unrealistically. With practice, pilots can consistently achieve smooth landings.
 

 
Valencia to Murcia
To truly appreciate the Nostrum CRJ 1000 in X-Plane, I planned a short flight from Valencia Airport (LEVC) to Murcia (LELC), which would take roughly 30 minutes at cruising speed. With the aircraft fueled and passengers onboard, I taxied to runway 12 at Valencia. As I lined up on the runway, I set takeoff power, and the CRJ 1000 accelerated swiftly. Rotate speed came up at 125 KIAS, and the aircraft smoothly lifted off the ground. Once airborne, I set the climb speed to 250 KIAS, with a climb rate of approximately 2000 feet per minute.
 

 
During the climb, the view of the Spanish landscape was mesmerizing. The CRJ 1000's large windows provided an exceptional view of the fields, villages, and winding roads below. Cruising at 25,000 feet, I had the opportunity to experience the aircraft's performance and systems. 
 

 
As I approached Murcia, I began my descent and prepared for an approach to runway 05. The weather had become overcast, with spots of rain. Despite the changing weather, the CRJ 1000 handled wonderfully during the final approach and touchdown. The landing was smooth, and I taxied to the ramp and shut down the engines, thoroughly satisfied with the performance and handling of the aircraft in the X-Plane.
 

 
Night Lighting & Performance
X-Plane, throughout its recent history, has consistently excelled in delivering realistic night lighting for both its default aircraft and scenery, as well as the many add-ons available, and the DeltaWings CRJ is no exception to this rule. The model features excellent night lighting in the cockpit and passenger compartment, along with exterior lights. The authenticity of these lighting effects is further enhanced by the fact that during my testing, I didn't seem to experience any performance penalty. With an Nvidia RTX 3080 graphics card and a Ryzen 3600 processor, I consistently observed exceptionally good framerates, free from lags or spikes.
 

 
Opinion & Closing Remarks
Overall, the DeltaWing's CRJ-10 00 is a fantastic experience. The degree of detail and care invested in this model is quite uncommon in the world of flight simulation. Priced at $50 for each variant (with a 30% discount for those who already own their -700 & -900 models and vice versa), the cost might seem high for a regional jet within X-Plane. However, the quality you receive makes it a worthwhile purchase.
 

 
While CRJ models have come and gone in X-Plane, it appears that we finally have one that meets the challenge in terms of detail and functionality. Although a custom FMS unit for the aircraft would be a welcome addition in the future, this minor issue doesn't detract from the overall excellence of the DeltaWing CRJ.
 
It's a fantastic aircraft, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in regional flying.
 
______________________________________
 

 
The DeltaWing CRJ-1000 for X-Plane 12 is available from the Org store here:
 
CRJ-1000
Priced at US$49.95
 
Features (not limited to):
General Notes
Basic Systems are programmed based on CRJ-1000 aircraft. In subsequent updates, we are making systems deeper and adding new ones. CRJ real-life pilots and a few simulator enthusiasts are helping us to develop and make them work properly Flight Control Panel knobs support fast scrolling via left mouse button press and hold and precise scrolling via mouse wheel scroll All switches now support new manipulators with Above/Below click for UP/DOWN movement and mouse wheel scroll Mode Control Panel SPEED and other modes simulate the real Autopilot modes on the CRJs.  Implemented Electrical System Circuit Breakers are all animated and ready to perform certain actions accordingly to their function in future updates Tablet/EFB on Captain and FO sides Functional Audio Control Panel with lit buttons and animations Rectangular and Arrows Flight Director Command Bars as an Options MFD Multifunction Display can display the following modes
HSI The horizontal situation indicator shows the compass card with overlaid selectable navaids, bearing and course pointers NAV SECTOR Navigation display with compass card and a background map. The navigation display shows course pointer and deviation bar. VOR bearing and DME distance information are shown FMS MAP Flight Management System Map shows the track and waypoints programmed in the CDU (Control Display Unit). FMS MAP shows the aircraft heading. TCAS Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System investigates the air traffic control transponders of nearby airplanes and identifies and displays potential and predicted collision threats.  FMS PLAN MAP shows programmed waypoints of the route. Shows north at the top of the display. Waypoints can be selected by using the UP and DOWN arrows on CDU (Control Display Unit) RADAR- to be implemented in future versions Flight Model
The flight model has been carefully adjusted to match the real-life CRJ-900. Real-life CRJ-200/700/900 pilots were involved in the process. Realistic wing flex
Wing Flex has been modelled and adjusted for realistic aircraft behaviour. FMS
FMS and its Pop-Up are customized as far as look but based on the Default X-Plane one.  Note: Default XP FMC is based on the Collins FMS-4200 and CRJ is using that one, no Honeywell and Thales types. 3D Modeling and Textures
Almost all maps are 4K High Resolution. The exterior is modelled with all details existing in real aircraft. Pilots are visible in external views and turn their heads slightly towards the camera view. Interior modelling has been made paying attention to details in the real-life CRJ-900 cockpit. The cabin and Stairs have adjustable lighting, see above. The liveries included in the package are listed below
Aegean Airlines, American Eagle, CRJ, Delta, Horizon, IBEX Ana, Lufthansa, Scandinavian 1, Scandinavian 2, Spirit. Unique Package Features
Stairs Rails can be raised and lowered (per customer request). Cockpit shaders slide and rotate as you need them. All Windows Shades, Overhead Bins and Seat Trays are animated and functional. VR Compatibility
The package is VR-compatible.
 
Requirements:
X-Plane 12 Only (not for XP11)
Windows, Mac, or Linux
4 GB VRAM Minimum - 8 GB+ VRAM Recommended
Download Size: 1 GB
Current version: 1.0 (March 8th, 2023)
 
Reviewers System:
Windows 10 Professional
AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Processor
32GB RAM
Palit GeForce RTX™ 3080 GamingPro
 
Aircraft Review by Michael Hayward 
29th April 2023
Copyright©2023: X-Plane Reviews 
  
(Disclaimer. All images and text in this review are the work and property of X-PlaneReviews, no sharing or copying of the content is allowed without consent from the author as per copyright conditions) 
 


 

Yes!

I've never yet tested it, but the PM 2.0 should work for both, as it is independent of X-Plane, working with the X-Jet framework.

Aircraft Update - C172 NG Digital X-Plane 12 by AirfoilLabs
 
This is Version 1.4.0-Beta of AirfoilLabs Cessna NG 172SP, and an aircraft with X-Plane 12 elements as part of the package. It is signed as a "Beta" version and not as a X-Plane 12 compliant aircraft, it works and flies (actually very well) in X-Plane 12, but as the development Beta goes on, this is not the final form of the aircraft for X-Plane 12.
 
The C172SP NG Digital was introduced into X-Plane 11, early December 2021, so it is basically only 10 months old. It comes with a very extensive package of features (yes the feature list is one of the longest in X-Plane), but also brilliant modelling and quality detail.
 
A full comprehensive review of the X-Plane 11 aircraft release is here: Aircraft Review : C172SP NG DIGITAL by AirfoilLabs
 
With the introduction of the KingAir 350. AirfoilLabs also introduced their own plugin system called XJet. (most developers use the SASL System). Which can be a tricky thing to do and that proved to be just so as the Plugin on release was quite buggy in the KA 350 aircraft. But this is now a few years on, I found this time around that the XJet Plugin is now very refined (now up to version v2.0.0)  To use the XJet System you have to download the "Product Manager" program and install it on your computer: Product Manager / Xjet 2..0.0)
 
The installer can be downloaded in all Windows (.exe), Mac OS (.app) and Linux (.Jar) forms for your own type of operating System.
 
Notable is that for X-Plane 12, is that you have to download a new "Product Manger" for X-Plane 12...  which can be done when you update or purchase the C172 SP aircraft. So it is a completely new install for X-Plane 12.
 
The "Product Manger" is installed in your X-Plane/Plugins folder, and is accessible via the Banner/Plugins Menu. If the aircraft is available it will show up in the Product Manager, the initial release version is v1.4.0-Beta, just select to load...   First you must find the X-Plane 12 "Aircraft" install address, then insert your authorisation number (key), if correct you will get a "Activated" signal. Then you install the aircraft remotely which is around a download of 1.2Gb in size...  to wrap up the installation, you have to agree to the "License Agreement".
 

 
The Startup screen with a rotating aircraft scenario (You can disable this startup option if you want to) is still quite impressive.
 

 
First a few notes...  This review is in X-Plane 12 v12.7b (brand new Beta). Secondly I was only going to do a orientation flight (YBBN - Brisbane to YBCG-Gold Coast), but it looked so good I switched it around for it to be the main update review... it is "Dark" or darker that what I usually put out (Sorry about that), but the visuals deserved to be seen with the real weather exactly the same as outside my window, but in also being an early dawn flight.
 

 
"It hits you between the eyes". WOW it was so dramatic, sensational with the AirFoilLabs C172 SP in X-Plane 12...
 

 
Great morning for a flight!
 

 
X-Plane 12's clouds here are overwhelmingly good, and yes as noted in being exactly like it is outside my window, heavy low cloud with breaks of light.
 

 
X-Plane 12 lighting (external) is still not right here, so don't look at the taxi/landing lights as the final version. Notable is that the toe-brakes are now more refined, and not as so sharp, so softer means more control while taxiing and even for the initial start of the takeoff run.
 
Just look at that centre image, the realism is now utterly simply unbelievable, "Viva X-Plane 12"...
 

 
Once clear of the field (YBBN) you track south.
 

 
The main feature (Besides X-Plane 12) in this release is the "External Camera Enhancements" and "Internal Camera Enhancements" (G-Forces), that can be found on the "Settings" menu panel. Note the lower new adjustment selection for the toe-brakes.
 

 
On the External effect, you get a pull to the tail on the animation (note, if you start up in the earlier rotating aircraft scenario, it is best to turn the feature off, as it interferes with the rotation effect?)
 

 
Internally you get movement to the G-Forces, and they are very similar to the XPRealistic Effects.
 
We have complained about X-Plane's weak weather for as long as I can remember, but you have to admit X-Plane 12's weather engine here is bloody impressive! Real clouds with real immersion, I'm totally in love.
 

 
X-Plane 12 features include a total rebuild of the Flight Model from the ground up for XP12, with new (dynamic) Airfoils. There are also new Weight & Balance corrections, Failures and the Wear (and tear) is better tuned and sensational X-Plane 12 Rain, Fog, and Ice effects are also now active on the aircraft.
 

 
The modern FMOD system is now better in FMOD2, but still with the 320 sounds plus all the detailed layered engine samples and full audible failures. 360º dynamic sounds are also still spectacular, if the best in the business, so yes of course I really like them.
 
G1000 custom features compatibility for XP12, including the new ATC boundaries, and I like the "GARMIN" titles as well for authenticity.
 

 
Both PFD and MFD displays can not only pop-up (out), but can be separated and lose their bevels for Home Builders.
 
We mentioned the new "Flight Model" before and basically I think it is excellent, but currently overshadowed by the Beta issues, as I find excessive wind (at all levels) is not currently realistic, so it is pretty hard to make judgements while being thrown around the cabin, ditto the internal lighting, which still feels too dark. Lighting fully adjusted it doesn't really affect the cabin much? But this is not a developers issue(s) but Laminar Beta issues, so ignore them.
 
The cabin textures have been tweaked for X-Plane 12, and they feel basic compared to say Aerobask, but still in tune with a basic C172SP in trim. Overall the cabin fitout and detail is impressive.
 

 
I hit the coast just south of Surfers (Paradise), then a turn right to line up to YBCG (Gold Coast) Rwy 14...
 

 
  Burleigh Hill, then Palm Beach and over Currumbin Creek, now on finals. I'm fighting excessive wind, but with only 2 knts on the instruments says something's not right with the Beta?
 

 
"Steady, Steady",
 

 
The AirfoilLabs C172SP is incredible to fly, you have complete control and a perfect balance to show off your flying skills, realism 101.
 
It is why you do simulation. You want that totally realistic experience and the level of immersion goes up every year, but with X-Plane 12, you have jumped a graded few years into the future, but that futuristic realism is available here to you now. VR compatibility is now also initiated on the AirFoilLabs C172SP for X-Plane 12, so you can go even deeper if you have a Vertical Reality setup.
 
Landing is tricky with the crosswind, but the revised Landing Gear forces have been given a tune-up in X-Plane 12 to give you more feel on the touch. Note the realistic exhaust effects, I like the way the effect changes to the power outputs.
 

 
The menu options list is sensational, the best in the business.
 

 
There are also 47 liveries provided with the 172, yes FORTY SEVEN. That covers most areas that has this aircraft still in operation. The USA gets the bulk of the action with 23 liveries, the rest are Europe (but only one G- Rego) and two in Australia. Four are shown here.
 

 
At the bottom of the internal view icon is the "QuickLook" system. Here you can assign keys or a HAT SWITCH with the AirfoilLab's Camera Commands to navigate visually more quickly around internally in the aircraft, you can customise the view settings as well...  it is just another take on the X-Plane Number views system, but with far more options. This has also been revised for X-Plane 12.
 

 
"It's love at first flight"...
 

_____________________
Summary
Only ten months since it's X-Plane 11 release in December 2021, and here is the AirFoilLabs Cessna 172SP update version for X-Plane 12.
 
Notable that this version (v1.4.0-Beta) is the X-Plane 12 Beta configuration, and not the full compatible version for X-Plane 12. The C172SP comes with a very extensive package of features (yes the feature list is one of the longest in X-Plane), but also brilliant modelling and high quality in detail.
 
This X-Plane 12 update is free for current X-Plane 11 purchasers, but you have to download a new version of the "Product Manager" to install the aircraft for X-Plane 12.
 
New features include; External Camera Enhancements and Internal Camera Enhancements (G-Forces), VR Capability, Toe Brake refinement, better internal textures, and no bezels on the G-100 avionics package.
 
X-Plane 12 revisions include; New Flight Model (very good), New Airfoils, better Wear and Tear simulations, Rain, Fog and Ice, Landing Gear forces retuned and G-1000 X-Plane 12 capability.
 
Although already a very highly featured package with a huge amount of detail, the AirFoilLabs C172SP delivers now even more in X-Plane 12.
The Cessna looks sensational in the new X-Plane version, and flies far better as well.
 
This was the most immersive and hugely realistic flight I have done yet in X-Plane 12. It was simply really overwhelmingly brilliant, those cloud and skyscapes bring home the real 3d effect of flying an aircraft in a simulator. I'm not going to shy away from the niggles of the Beta v12B7 here. They create over strong winds, dark interiors and shakes to the aircraft that are not realistic.
 
But the brilliant totally overwhelms the niggles, this is the future of X-Plane Simulation, and the AirFoilLabs C172SP is a really big part of that overall experience, this possibly the very best Cessna 172SP for X-Plane, maybe even in Simulation. So what more could you ask for....
 
Highly Recommended!
________________________________  
 
The C172SP NG DIGITAL v1.4.0 by AirfoilLabs is NOW available here at the X-Plane.OrgStore
 
172SP NG DIGITAL
Price is US$49.95
 
This aircraft is X-Plane12 supported, but to note it is in Beta form.
 
Requirements
X-Plane 12 or X-Plane 11 - both versions included
Windows, Mac Intel, Mac Silicon, or Linux  4 GB  VRAM Minimum -  8 GB+ VRAM Recommended Current version: 1.4.0 Beta  (October 11th 2022)   Download for the AirfolLabs 172SP NG DIGITAL is done via an installer "AFL+Product+Manager+Windows+installer"
 
To use the XJet System you have to download the "Product Manager" program and installed on your computer: Product Manager / Xjet 2..0.0)
The installer can be downloaded in all Windows (.exe), Mac OS (.app) and Linux (.Jar) forms for your type of operating System.
 
And the final install in X-Plane folder is 2.95gb. Authorisation is now done via the Product Manager. Updates are also done via the same Product Manager.
 
Version 1.4.0-Beta Changelog:
Version 1.4.0-Beta (October 10th 2022) Changelog.txt
 
Designed by AirfoilLabs
Support forum for the C172 NG Digital _____________________
  Aircraft Review by Stephen Dutton
13th October 2022
Copyright©2022: X-Plane Reviews
 
Review System Specifications: 
Computer System: Windows  - S1700 Core i7 12700K 12 Core 3.60 GHz CPU / 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 11 Pro - X-Plane 12.00B7 (This is a beta review).
Plugins: JustFlight-Traffic (X-Plane.OrgStore) US$52.99 : Global SFD plugin US$30.00 : RK Apps XPRealistic v2 - US$34.99
Scenery or Aircraft
- YBBN - Brisbane International by Orbx
- YBCG - Gold Coast International by Axonos  
(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
 

NEWS! - Aircraft Released X-Plane 12 : King Air 350i by AirFoilLabs
 
 

 
AirFoilLabs have released their second aircraft for X-Plane 12 in the Beechcraft King Air 350i. Their earlier X-Plane 12 aircraft release was the C172 NG Digital back in October 2022.
 
The King Air 350 is based on the King Air 300 with a 3.4 ft (1.0 m) span increase and winglets, a 2.9 ft (0.88 m) fuselage stretch for an over 17 ft (5.2 m) main cabin, long enough for double club seating. By 1988, Beechcraft had begun work on the replacement for the 300, it was introduced in 1990 and initially marketed as the Super King Air 350. All 350's (350i, 350ER) used twin Turboprop PWC PT6A-60A engines at 
1,050 shp / 783 kW - Maximum cruise speed310 kt / 574 km/h.
 
The AirfoilLabs aircraft come with their own unique plugin architecture, called X-Jet, it is a plugin system for X-Plane that provides licensing, software distribution, and automatic updates as well as full integration in X-Plane via the newest X-Plane SDK. It works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
 
This release is noted as an "Upgrade", as it is a standalone X-Plane 12 release, however owners of the previous King Air 350 XP11 can get the new XP12 version for only $29.95.
 
X-Plane 12 - New Features! Introducing the ultimate software overhaul for an unparalleled flight experience! Our latest update brings a suite of exciting enhancements, fixes, and features that will take your simulation to new heights: * New Custom Failures Logic * Flight Model Rebuild from Scratch * New Engine Logic and Performance * 3D Model and Texturing Enhancements * Windshield Rain, Ice, and Wipers * Anti-Ice System Redesign * New Governors, Prop Pitch, and Feathering Logic * FMOD Sound Updates and New Features * Enhanced Cam Implemented * Pressurization System Fix + Explosive Depressurization Failure * Automated Checklists Fixes  

 

 
* It is a STUDY SIM level aircraft. * But you don’t have to be intimidated by the complexity of the systems - You are always just one click from the sky. If you are a deep learner and enthusiast, you can plunge yourself and study complicated systems in detail. All this is possible down to our super-friendly interface logic. * Stopping the aircraft, starting the engines, was never easier. But if you like a specific state of the aircraft, you can choose, for example, the Before Taxi state or Save and Load your own state.   Designed by AirfoilLabs Support forum for the King Air 350 XP12   Images are courtesy of AirFoilLabs  
This is only an X-Plane 12 aircraft! The AirFoilLabs King Air 350 XP11 is also available, but not both in the one package.
________________
 

 
Yes! the KING AIR 350i for X-Plane 12 by AirFoilLabs is NOW available from the X-Plane.Org Store here : 
 
KING AIR 350i for X-Plane 12
Price is US$49.95
 
Owners of the previous King Air 350 XP11  can get the new XP12 version for only $29.95. No coupons required, the discounted price will show when you are logged in. if you don't see the discount please contact X-Plane.OrgStore sales.  
Requirements
X-Plane 12  (not compatible with X-Plane 11)
Windows, Mac Intel, Mac Silicon, or Linux 
4 GB  VRAM Minimum -  8 GB+ VRAM Recommended Current version: 1.6 Beta  (April 13th 2023)   Requires the full X-Jet Installation via the AFL (AirFoilLabs Product Manager) ________________
  News by Stephen Dutton
14th April 2023
Copyright©2023: X-Plane Reviews
 
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 Right Reserved.  
   

NEWS! - Aircraft Update - Magknight 787 Aviator Edition v1.8.0
 

 
Almost monthly now, here is another update to the Magknight Boeing 787-8 and version v1.8.0. There is still no sign of a custom FMS, but this is still however a heavily customised version of the default FMS, so it doesn't look that out of place in the cockpit. But there is still no ETA of when the full custom FMS version is going to be installed.
 

 
v1.7.0
last months update focused on an Improved fuselage and cockpit art, Improved fuel system, automatic checklists and an active enroute CPDLC/ACARS using HOPPIE.
 
v1.8.0
There are a few new additions to the aircraft...
EFB performance calculations New flightmodel New GE3 engines including independent mapping Updated FMOD soundpack  
Most obvious is the new General Electric GEnx engines (69,800 lbf (310 kN)) in version -1B70, so now you will have both RR (Rolls Royce, top) and GE engines (lower). And notable is that the FMOD sounds and EFB performance have been upgraded to cater for the new engine variant.
 

 

 
In the bad news, your livery collection is again invalid, yes again...  so you will need to update all your liveries to v1.8.0, and there has been a special page set up to re-download the newly converted version liveries; 787-8 Liveries
 
X-Plane 12 will change a lot with the default graphics on the PFD (Primary Flight Display) and the MFD (Multi-Functional Display) after years of some very basic graphic elements. This v1.8.0 aircraft comes now with the updated SASL 3.14.5, which is also X-Plane12 compatible. This is shown here by the now much more custom graphics in the CDU and the PFD/MFD. We won't see the full dynamic impact until X-Plane12 is released, but you are now seeing these newer dynamic interfaces now actually being implemented, and that aspect is highly noticeable and exciting here. Notable also is to make sure you have the current Dr Gluck v1.28 TerrainRadar plugin.
 
The CDU has had however a few new features including;
Added new CDU pages Added NAV RAD and POS INIT/REF CDU pages Custom IRS/AHRU simulation Added CDU button highlights Added CDU help box Added custom nav radio simulation Added new CDU graphics
 
Brand new custom ND
Added custom PFD minimap, including TCAS Added DU startup sequence Added MFD screen popups Added ND/minimap turn rate indicator Added new custom moveable ND, including, terrain, weather and TCAS views Added PFD ADF visuals Changed MFD keyboard entry to not require focused components Increased ND max range to 1280nm Optional AviTab
Added optional avitab (required avitab plugin) Tablet shown on left and right cockpit sides, and is rotatable There is now also the option of the AviTab tool...  set besides the EFB (Electronic Flight Bag) it is very handy to use on both sides of the cockpit, but does also cover the tiller in horizontal mode. But yes it can also be rotated from the horizontal to the vertical positions. The AviTab is selected via the EFB/Settings menu
 


 
Other Items changed or updated are noted below, and notable is the removed GNS430 data set, the Magknight 788 only uses the main X-Plane default data from now on. Slowly but surely the default beginnings are being removed for a fully custom aircraft.
Added @cajunjosh cockpit hotspot to vrconfig Added custom wiper simulation Added ENG FUEL PRESS L,R eicas messages Added FUEL CONTROL commands Added N1 prediction arcs Added new mono typefaces Added optimum and maximum altitude calculations to EFB Added yaw-roll linkage Fixed next waypoint time Fixed NWS sensitivity changes at 80kts Fixed overhead panel button typefaces Improved cockpit textures to be brighter Improved keyboard entry to MFD displays Improved PFD artificial horizon colours MFD position reverts to default on double tap Reduced the size of some textures to save vram Removed dependency on GNS430 navdata Removed glass from legacy liveries Removed inactivity unlimited fuel Updated SASL to 3.14.5  
In the last few days we have seen the influence of X-Plane12, and here again it is noticeable in the update notes, your not going to get your goodies earlier, but you are seeing the aircraft already being converted ready, the next update should be even more significant in that regard.
 
Again the Magknight Boeing 787-8 makes another large stride forward, and it is now coming together, but I have to verify the performance and flying aspects...   Overall this aircraft is now emerging very nicely with here in this release a new GE engine option, AviTab, PFD/MFD and ND improvements, and making the Boeing 787-8 certainly now far more removed from it's very default beginnings.
_____________________
 

 
Yes! the Boeing 787-900 Aviator Edition Dreamliner v1.8.0 by Magknight is available from the X-Plane.Org Store here :
 
B787-9 Aviator Edition
Price is US$44.95
 
Requirements
X-Plane 11 Fully updated
Windows, Mac or Linux 4 GB VRAM Minimum - 8 GB+ VRAM recommended Download Size:  1 GB Current version : 1.8 (May 23rd 2022) ________________  
NEWS! - Aircraft Update by Stephen Dutton 
24th May 2022
Copyright©2022 : 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) All rights reserved
 

First Magknight don't do the usual update/upgrade cycles. It is a continuous build, but when they feel like it, it goes into a upgrade. Confused, well we all are. So they don't follow the norm. In other words when they feel like charging (that should be an Upgrade), they do.

Update Review : JARDesign A320neo Version 1.5

JARDesign have updated the A320neo to version 1.5 from the interm beta1.5 that I covered on the 7th August 2013. Although noted as just an tuning upgrade there is significantly far more in this release that warrants a look over to see what has also been released.
 

 
First there is a common theme coming out of these upgrade releases and that is that JARDesign are intending to keep you on the ground as long as possible before letting you fly anywhere. Most of the items added are all features that getting ready for flight is becoming a ritual and not just a set this or that and then start your engines and taxi out.

The aircraft GPS alignment to which I have honed down to 12 minutes, Has now been lengthened by three extra features.

Fuel Truck
Load Panel
FollowMe Car
 

 
Fuel Truck (released in update 1.2)
In my haste to get airbourne I noted in the 1.5b notes that I took off from Brisbane (YBBN) to go south to Sydney (YSSY) and promptly ran out of fuel over Northern NSW.

(menu : Fuel) The Fuel panel allows you to select your fuel (preselected) requirements and then allowing the fuel truck to (refuel) your tanks in its own time is great reality simulation, watching the fuel numbers go up in the cockpit while your are programming the FMS (or FMGS in Airbus speak) shows how good this simulation is getting.
Any fuel load left in your tanks after your last simulation will be still there on the startup of the new one.
 

 
Load Panel
The Load Panel (menu : Load) has now been added over the Fuel Panel. This allows you to set the aircraft load of Passengers and Freight. Passengers are listed as (F) First Class and (A) the rest of cattle class, and Cargo (CRGF) front and (CRGA) rear. The menu will tell you your Payload Weight in (Tons) and shows you your CG% (Centre of Gravity) and your THS ((Trimmable Horizontal Stabilizer) which has to be set manually.

The panel allows you to quickly set your load factors, but does not have the adjustable CG settings that (FlyJSim’s) aircraft use.
 


 
FollowMe Car (Option)
You have now the option of purchasing the option of a “FollowMe Car” (Ver 1.3 and over)

Cost US$2.99 - FollowMe Car for A320neo
 

 
First of all there is already a FollowMe Car folder in the Custom Avionics folder of the A320neo, It won’t work unless you replace it with the purchased version and then the FM (in the menu) will then be activated.

Secondly you must have two items available to use the function.
1) The Airport must have the ATC routes set out correctly.
2) you must set your FMGS (route) into the FMS system (in other words you must set the Departure and Arrival - Airports and runways into FMS before they show up on the FollowMe Car Menu)

First the popup menu screen will show your Departure and Arrival Airports. Then when you select the airport it will give you a selection of taxiways. You select you first taxiway and then your second selection and then each taxiway you want to select until you reach your hold point on the runway.

It is all very clever but with a couple of issues. One if you make a mistake you have to start again using the (CLR) button... your route is built up on the bottom of the screen and it would be great just to go back one entry to fix the wrong selection than straight back to the start to input in the points all over again.
Secondly if the airport is big (I used KDFW Dallas Fort Worth) it can be extremely hard to find the right taxiways and the right route.  too many options and too many the same taxiway points means starting over and over again to get the right route you want.

When all the taxi points are inserted (in the right order) then press RUN to activate.

This will bring up the main menu. And it will note your:
Distance to FM Car in feet
FM Car speed
FM Cars position (Taxiway)
Show path Markers
Change the FM car’s speed (knts) in either to DEC (slow) or INC (increase speed)
 

 
Showing path markers gives you the route the FM car will use. It’s a great feature but wouldn’t they be better to help you lay out the route?... here it is too late. To see a line of markers from one taxiway point to the next would be ideal in choosing your route and direction around the airport.

FM Car will appear when you pressed the RUN button and it will come and set itself in up your windshield and wait there till you start to move forward

The FM Car speed adjustment is a great feature (I use 15knts which is ideal) and once you start your forward movement the FM Car will move along before you... Setting the 15knts means the car will stay at 15Knts even if you go faster, in doing that it allows you to set your correct pace and speed as to not run it over...  I loved this in that you have to pace the aircraft to the FM car and it will just not stay at the same speed as the aircraft but the distance between the two objects do contract and expand as you move - clever yes!
 

 
When the route is completed the FM Car will move out of you way and park up behind you...  The takeoff bit and flying the aircraft is your job.

It works very well. And when you arrive at your destination if you have set up the route, the FM Car is waiting for you.

A bit of practise would make this FM Car work really well. But I would like a better quicker way of laying out complex routes. (there is a video by JARDesign on how to install the FM Car and use the system - the video is at the bottom of this update)

You start to see the workload coming into focus here (And don’t get me wrong this is great simulation). You have to set up the GPS alignment, put in the fuel, set the aircraft load program, input the route into the FMGS and preferences and now  if you have the FM Car set up the route at your departure and destination airports - so how long does that all take?

A long time and especially if you have a long route to program into the FMGS, you can’t save routes remember?
So every time you start a flight you have to have the route listed and ready to input into the system. Why can’t you save routine routes?...

Terrain on ND
This newly added function allows you to use the TERR ON ND button the main panel (one for each the Pilot and Co-Pilot)
 

 
The button has three modes: Normal (off), display camera view and display terrain. All items are shown on your ND (Navigation Display).

The first selection is really the X-Plane MAP on the screen, but how handy is this as it can show you your position at the airport. Great for finding taxiways and then to find your terminals and gates and you can easily align the aircraft correctly.
Up in the air and you can see your position relative to the ground on the map. Slide into to a turn and the map goes into an angle position again relative to the ground and if you don’t go “woah!” with that you then owe me a dollar.

The “display terrain” selection will put the ND into blocky squares to show the terrain under the aircraft.
 

 
On the ground the screen is full of large squares. In the air you have to find some terrain to see the system at work. I don’t recommend flying at 280knts and at 10,000ft, straight into a set of mountains in a fully loaded A320. But you get the idea.
Does it work? - not really no, as the squares are to big and I was brushing the snow off the tops of peaks and they only went into two colours of green. far smaller squares would give you a better pattern, but overall another clever feature.
 

 
So how does all this feel like?   Once refueled, loaded, and everything programmed into the FMGS I flew the standard sector between Brisbane (YBBN) to Cairns (YBCS) of which I have done countless times.

Using the pushback I have taught myself to leave the park brake alone, turn to the “off” position can confuse the pushback truck, It will release and lock the brakes for you on the movement backwards and after finishing the pushback. Just that old habits die hard. Taxi was great with no issues in holding my correct taxi speed. You would be surprised on how many other aircraft it is hard to do just this.

Roll and takeoff was none eventful, but again I had to adjust to setting the V/S (Vertical Speed) before the system allows you to select “speed” on the throttle and engaging the A/T (Auto Thrust).

Familiarity is a great learner, and especially here. It is a complex system that has been made easy to operate. but you have to be aware of how complex this aircraft is to operate. Get it right and the rewards are overwhelming.
 
The 1.5b fixed that 3º nose down issue and here in the final 1.5 update it is great and you can now also change the pitch in flight. watch the speed though as I pushed m.83 it sent the A/P into alarm, stay at m.82 and that speed will keep it happy and contented.
 

 
Arrival at Cairns was through three waypoints (fixes) UPOLO, SUNNY and CODIE. It is a tricky approach and I wanted to be closer on the turn but the FMGS would not accept the fix BCSNI for some reason, and I felt that CODIE was to far north. The problem with RWY 15 approach is that if you get the turn wrong there is a row of mountains that can ruin any simulation.
I rarely get this approach quite right, as an adjustment to the runway angle is always needed. This time I was impressed as the A320 turned a very nice wide arc from the SUNNY fix to the CS15 approach fix (using CODIE as an alignment fix) and lined me up perfectly with RWY 15. I was tempted to use the OVERFLY key at this point in the route to create the same sort of course, but it wasn’t required.

A noted irritant is the fact that you can’t use the mouse to set things on the pedestal, The flaps, the trim wheels or the airbrakes are not adjustable with the mouser, and only the park brake is accessible?

So you can’t set the flaps (I have to use my joystick buttons via the key menu) and worse arm the airbrakes of which there is no key mode (and only the "all airbakes up") and so the automatic deployment is not available.
 

 
On the ground the easy menu system turns the aircraft into a credible parked visual experience. Doors open, ground power in attendance...  Catering truck in position. I loved it all. As the night was falling I noticed that the tail lighting lit only on the right side with HDR off?...  To check I turned the HDR on and the lighting was now correct.
The cockpit lighting in HDR was incredibly good, but destroyed your frame-rate sadly, In fact all through this simulation the frame-rate had felt far better than in past flying on the JARDesign A320, and even at the point of sitting in the 3d cockpit tuning the aircraft for flight, of which in the past sometimes would put my frame-rate below that crucial 19fr and less and give me the shudders... here it did feel far better all though the flight and at each end with the heavier airport sceneries in context.

One final note on that if you like to replay your landings. Just make sure you close all your doors and stowaway any vehicles before hitting the replay selection...  

...  If not you will have all the doors open in flight and your catering truck is still loading the aircraft while on finals!

I like in-flight catering but this is going to far.

The A320neo from JARDesign is certainly one of the great experiences in X-Plane. It does require a lot of attention and routine to get the very best out of the aircraft...  but incredibly rewarding this aircraft is. With the A380 Airbus from Peter’s Aircraft and VMAX’s Boeing 777, the Airbus A320neo is one of the best aircraft you can invest in. And the 1.5 upgrade is another decent upgrade that sets out some really great features and fixes a few issues that needed attention, It is challenging this A320neo and it is complex, but you will love it for years.
 

 
 
 
__________________________________________
Stephen Dutton
13th September 2013
copyright©X-PlaneReviews 2013
 
You can get the 1.5 update here : A320neo update 1.5
 
The JAR Design A320neo is available from the X-Plane .org Store:
 
For US$39.00  - Airbus A320 Neo
 
Developer site: JARDesign A320neo
 
Version 1.5 list of changes:
+Tuned flightmodel.
+Change pitch when flying at high speed and altitude.
+Add ability to show Terrain On ND. The TerrOnND button now has three modes – normal, displaying terrain, displaying camera view.
+Add Load panel at left Ground menu. Now you can select how much pax and how much tons of cargo you have load. IMPORTANT – for Takeoff you need set THS manually, as calculated at panel.
 
Review System Specifications:
Computer System:     
- 2.66 Ghz Intel Core i5 iMac 27”
- 6 Gb 1067 Mhz DDR3
- ATI Radeon HD 4850 512mb
Software:     
- Mac OS MountainLion 10.8.2
- X-Plane 10 Global ver 10.22 (final)
- ExtremeSceneryMAXX
Addons
- Saitek x52 Pro system Joystick and Throttle
 

 

Aircraft Update : Airbus A321-231 V1.3.1 by ToLiSS
 
The release of the Airbus A340-600 from ToLiSS was very significant aircraft for the developer. Most of the essential aspects including the modeling was brought in house by ToLiSS on the A346. And with those changes also came a more in-contact or hands on approach to more of the aircraft. This has created a breakthrough of more elements and systems being available and installed in the aircraft, plus the point that more external X-Plane features have since been released.
 
The Airbus A321 added on the NEO or the "New Engine Option", in the more modern new-generation engines developments like with a larger by-pass ratio (around 10-11:1. ) and Geared Turbofan (GTF) technology engines in exactly one year ago.
 

 
So here is update V1.3.1 including an update to the NEO addon package.
 
Changes from build 1373 (V1.3) to build 1463 (V1.3.1)
Minor new features:
- Electrical system now allows both batteries to feed the same bus simultaneously
- Electrical system now supports Battery charging test by switching them off and on.
- Added cargo heating simulation
- Added fuel temperature simulation
- Added IDG temperature simulation
- Rework of the SD COND, FUEL, and ELEC pages for better representational accuracy
- Added overflow management for the SD status page
- ISCS sliders now allow editing the values with keyboard for better precision
- Cargo fire extinguishing test is now operational
- Fault injections can now trigger on increasing or on decreasing values of altitude and air speed
- Added approach procedure on status page in case of alternate or direct mode reversion
- Added Backup Nav tuning to RMPs 1 and 2
- FCU lighting knobs below the FCU are now functional.
- New external lighting
- Addition of the smart thrust lever idle lock
- Simplified CHOCKS option to allow switching off the park brake
- Improved manual engine start procedure
- Added NavAid Deselection capability to MCDU
- A321 NEO now features appropriate NEO-specific pitch rotation and derotation laws
Bug fixes:
- DC BAT indication on SD ELEC Page becomes invalid, if both Batteries are selected off
- Generator is now cut off, as soon as the ENG fire push button is pressed, even if the engine is still running on the fuel in the line
- Fuel system crossfeed works correctly now, feeding equally from both tanks even when all pumps are on.
- When preselecting a heading on ground, the FCU heading window will initialize with the current heading
- Reduced IRS drift values by half for more realistic values
- Engine Fire lights now work on battery power to faciliate procedure completion on ground
- Corrected behaviour of FADEC ground power switches, they are now momentary switches that will power the FADEC for 5 minutes when depressed once.
- Made behaviour of CLR button XPDR panel more realisitc
- When selecting flaps 1 for landing, the Status page will now be called (As it should) if status is not normal
- When status paged called automatically, the STS key now lights up and can be used to remove the status page
- When Using Auto Brake to full stop, pressing pedals won't disengage it like is the case in real life
- Now properly converting fuel amounts from kgs to lbs on PERF pages when imperial units selected
- Miscellaneous FMGS fixes
- Fixed FBW roll angle limits
- Improved AP turn direction depending on FCU heading rotation knob
- Corrected altnernate law reversion and AP loss logics for elevator loss cases
- Fixed erroneous ECAM fault messages for center tank pumps
- Fixed ECAM action logics for dual pack faults
- Fixed Air conditioning sound loop in XP10
- VR manipulator improvements
- Removed CTR TK FEEDING Memo from ECAM (exists only on aircraft with 5 wing tank fuel system config)
- On FLS approaches, the message "DISCONNECT AP FOR LDG" disappears now on GA initiation
- The SEC PERF page of the A321 NEO now correctly shows BARO and RADIO instead of the old MDA/DH
- Improvements to the list of inop systems for electrical bus failures
- Manual engine start now uses both igniter channels
- MCDU Prog Page shows flight number again
- If landing without retarding the thrust levers, firewalling the levers correctly changes A/THR modes
- Added missing wind field on Data/IRS page
 
The A321 aircraft feature changes almost mirror the A319-112, so many of the images shown and notes below are the same as we reported in the A319 update v1.6.3
  The integrated standby instrument system (ISIS) is now scalable via scrolling, it doesn't make it bigger, but does make it far more smaller.     The SD (Systems Display) has had the COND, FUEL, and ELEC pages for better representational accuracy and also added is overflow management for the SD status page.     On the ELEC, the electrical system now allows both batteries to feed the same bus simultaneously and you can do battery charging test by just switching them off and on. Switch off both batteries and then turn them back on to see the test and the voltage irregularities.     On an Airbus aircraft the IDG(Integrated Drive Generator) is an aircraft power generation device which houses a Continuously Variable Transmission(CVT) to generate 400Hz constant frequency power regardless of the engine speed. That generation temperature (one per engine) is now simulated on the ELEC page.     Fuel temperatures are also now simulated (on the SD ELEC page).     Cargo Heating temperatures are also now simulated (on the SD COND page). And the Cargo fire extinguishing test (button) is now also operational.     On the "ToLiSS Interactive Simulation Control System" TISCS pop-up Menu panel. You can now insert the numbered data directly into the slider selections. Certainly a big fan of this aspect as I like to insert the correct Fuel Load to the EXACT block amount required for the flight, I find that sliders are just a little too wishy washy.       When the STBY NAV button is selected it enables remotely tuning the respected navaid and desired course. Each RMP (Radio Management Panel) tunes to it's respective navaid. Tuning and ILS on either RMP tunes both ILS receivers if both RMPs have their NAV button pressed.     Now in v1.6.3 the two under glareshield knobs work. These adjusts the  FCU (Flight Control Unit) lighting. The right knob adjusts the brightness on the display, the second left knob adjusts the main instrument back lighting.     The downlights are  still adjusted via the FLOOD LT knob (Captain's Side) and improved here. In the A321 it has the secondary down lighting knob adjusters which are usually situated both under the glareshield of which provide illumination for the pull-out work-shelves, that are available now in the A346, but with a hope they will also become available also on the A321 (and the A319).     The A321's external lighting has had some nice tweaking. Turn on your main landing lights and get now two beams striking boldly forward into the distance, brilliant in cloud. The Navigation lights,Tail and Wing lighting is all far tighter and better, but the strobes are still a bit too blobby for me, exactly again like the A319.     On approach the forward lighting is certainly more efficient with very nice effective wing and tail lighting. I really like the cockpit atmosphere for the night landings, almost perfect now...     ...   and on the ground the Taxi lights are certainly better, as is the efficient Runway Turnoff lighting. So overall a great improvement. Not that there is more work to do, as there are still dead overhead lighting in the cockpit, and the cabin lighting is certainly still far too brightly lit... but it is a nice forward improvement.     It is already Christmas in Vienna, with lots of pretty snow.     ____________________   Summary ToLiSS has updated the Airbus A321-231 NEO to v1.3.1 The updates include both the Basic A321 package and the addon year old NEO option.   Mostly this update was to bring to the A321 some of the features that were presented on the newer A340-600, that was released back in October 2021 and the A319 which was updated last week. There is nothing really outstanding here, but still includes those small intricate system details that create a whole experience, the main feature is the far better tweaking of the cockpit and external lighting, the RMP STBY NAV intergration and TISCS Menu panel direct numbered data input.   Over the last few years this very popular version of the Airbus A321 Series has become extremely popular in X-Plane, and it is not hard to see why as it is a brilliant airliners to fly in both CEO (Current Engine Option) and the NEO (New Engine Option). And not only for it's complex systems but even in manual flight it is dream handling aircraft, and certainly a must have if you love short-haul airliners. This v1.3.1 update just adds even more of those intricate features on to the cake, like a lot of airlines at this development stage the ToLiSS versions are moving into a more mature context, certainly more features can still be added (and probably will be)... but it is already extremely good aircraft, and certainly and will always be a firm fan favorite...      Highly Recommended ________________________
 

 
Yes! the ToLiSS321 (A321-231) v1.3.1 by ToLiSS is now available from the X-Plane.Org Store here :
 
Airbus A321 by ToLiSS
Price is US$79.00
 
A321 NEO ADD-ON to the ToLiss Airbus A321
Price is US$29.95
 
Note make sure you have v1.3.1 and both CEO and NEO Packages when downloading, All previous purchasers can now update via your X-Plane.OrgStore Account
 
Officially licensed Airbus product Highlights Detailed FMGS with SIDs/STARs/Airways, performance prediction, temporary, alternate and secondary flight plans, fix info, etc. Choice of CFM or IAE engine, affecting aircraft performance and fuel burn Choice of sharklets or classic wing tip fences. (Affects aircraft drag.) Very accurate FBW implementation, including reversion to alternate and direct law Detailed systems including fault injection for currently about 90 failures. (Electric, hydraulic, flight controls, engine, etc.) Officially licensed by Airbus Commercial “Turbine Sound Studios” sounds for CFM and IAE engines included. Detailed FMGS: Support of SID/STAR, including all leg types (Arc, course or heading to intercept, Radius to Fix, Holdings, etc.) Temporary and alternate flight plans Secondary flight plan Full VNAV guidance with TOC, TOD, Deceleration point, speed limits, fuel prediction, etc. Altitude and speed constraints as the real aircraft deals with them Ability to change the selected STAR while already in the STAR Support for go-arounds and diversions Step altitudes Airway support Fix Info page Latitude/Longitude crossings 2 independent MCDUs and autopilots Drag, thrust and fuel consumption models adapt to selected engine type and wing tip device Choice between new FMGS with temporary flight plan even during preflight phase or old FMGS with direct editing of the active plan during preflight phase. Top-notch aircraft systems: ToLiss uses the QPAC Fly-by-wire and autopilot module with numerous improvements Flight control system with hinge moment modelling giving realistic float angles for surfaces that are lost due to system faults Custom TCAS with Traffic and Resolution Advisory based on real aircraft logic Brake temperature model based on the detailled physics of heat transfer between the individual brake components Hydraulics model in which the pressure is dependent on usage. This is most notable when dropping to RAT mode or with and engine wind milling Detailled model of each ADIRU including alignment, small pressure sensor differences between the units, switching of sources for PFDs Custom air conditioning model supporting high altitude operations at airports like Cusco in Peru or La Paz in Bolivia without spurious warnings Flight warning system with ECAM actions supporting numerous system failure scenarios, e.g. engine failures, generator failures, hydraulic failures Fault injection system allowing to trigger system faults either at a specific point in flight or randomly during a flight phase Eye- and ear-candy: Detailed 3D cockpit with high quality texturing 3d exterior model with CFM and IAE engine Choice between classic wingtip fences or modern sharklets (controlled via livery names) Each aircraft comes with licensed high definition sounds from Turbine Sound Studios, the market leader for aircraft sounds in the FSX/P3D world Rain effects thanks to the librain library provided to the x-plane community by Saso Kiselkov Custom particle effects for engine heat trail, landing gear smoke on touch-down etc.  Standby compass that can be stowed, cockpit door that opens, fully modeled cabin, etc. Usability features: Situation loading and saving. It is possible to save the flight at any point in time and resume it another day. This can also be used, e.g., to save the position just before approach and practice just the approach many times Autosaving allows recovering where you left off, should the Xplane session end unexpectedly Jumping waypoint-to-waypoint through the cruise phase: Shorten your flight to focus on the more interesting parts as you like 4 different startup configuration from Cold and Dark to engines running and ready to go In-screen popup displays or use of x-plane windows for popups    NEO Highlights: 2 additional engine types for the ToLiss A321 The 3 subvariants of the A321 NEO family: the NEO, the LR and the XLR 3 new exit configurations aligned with the Airbus Cabin Flex concept for the A321 family. New engine types CFM LEAP-1A33 and PW1130G-JM Accurate aircraft climb performance as function of engine selection Appropriate fuel burn as function of engine selection System adaptation to reflect new engine functionalities, such as PW engine cooling cycles Detailled 3d model for each engine model Specific TSS sound sets for each engine type A321 NEO subvariants Configurable to A321 NEO, LR and XLR Fuel system adapted to the individual configurations Specific weight envelopes for each subvariant System specific changes per subvariant, e.g. single slotted flaps for the A321 XLR with improved aircraft drag Airbus Cabin Flex exit configurations Choice of three additional exit configurations  Maximum number of passengers changes in accordance with the selected exit configurations Doors system and DOOR page indications adapt to exit configuration Separate 3d models for each exit configuration   Requirements
X-Plane 11
Windows , Mac or Linux 4 GB VRAM Minimum - 8 GB+ VRAM Recommended Download Size: 680 MB Version 1.3.1 (December 8th 2021)  
_________________________
 
Update Review by Stephen Dutton
9th December 2021
Copyright©2020 : X-Plane Reviews
  
(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)
 

 

Thanks Anthony, I'm glad you liked the review. 
 
Michael certainly had fun with the 747 🙂
 
Cheers
 
Dominic

Nice review 

Aircraft Update: B 747-8 Series Anniversary Edition X-Plane 12
 
Since its first flight on February 9, 1969, the Boeing 747 family of aircraft has become an icon of the skies. Dubbed "The Queen of the Skies", it has served for well over 50 years since its first iteration of -100 in 1969 with four generations following subsequently. A legend in aviation, it adores the hearts and minds of passengers and crew that have flown it. The -8 is the latest and final variant of the Boeing 747 which at the time of writing this review, has only one more delivery to be fulfilled in early 2023, meaning sadly we find ourselves right at the very end of its production lifespan, but certainly, with a few decades more to go for it to fly under commercial and freight operation.

I was fortunate enough to have flown on the -8 myself back in September, traveling with Lufthansa from Frankfurt to New York. I always said that my first visit to America would be on a Boeing 747, so as soon as they took their aircraft out of storage and back on the pecking order, I just knew I had to take it on the first opportunity I got!
 


Supercritical Simulations Group (SSG) are a well-respected developer within X-Plane and has recently updated their aircraft to include all the features and extras available to them for X-Plane 12. In this review, we take an in-depth look at the Boeing 747-8 and see how it stands as a fully-fledged simulation of one of the most iconic aircraft to ever grace the skies.

Aircraft Specification
●    Crew: 2
●    Length: 250ft 2in (76.25m)
●    Wingspan: 224ft 7in (68.5m)
●    Height: 63ft 6in (19.4m)
●    Empty Weight: 485,300lb (220,128kg)
●    Maximum Takeoff Weight: 975,000lbs (442,253kg)
●    Powerplant: 4xGEnx-2B67
Aircraft Performance
●    Range: 7,730nmi (14,320km) 
●    Service Ceiling: 43,100ft (13,137m)
●    Max Cruising Speed: Mach 0.86 (504kn, 933km/h)

Download & Install
After purchase of the SSG B748, you are given a download page with two versions of the aircraft, one for X-Plane 11 and another for X-Plane 12. Select your chosen version (in this case we opted for XP12), download the file and extract it into your X-Plane “Aircraft” folder.
On the first launch of the aircraft, you are asked to input your Serial Number. This can be copied and pasted from the download page to the pop-up. Then, after an aircraft reload, you are good to go.

The SSG B748 comes with two PDF files and several text documents. These include a 238-page in-depth analysis and operations manual for the aircraft, a 45-page step-by-step quick start guide for the aircraft illustrated with pictures and screenshots as well as several change logs and license agreements. The Operations Manual I found rather special as while it marks each page as not for use in real-world flying, you can see that SSG took the time to analyse the real-world operators' handbook for the Boeing 747-8 and translate this into simulator terms, bridging the gap between their product and reality.

The two guides are certainly worth a read as these go into great detail about the operation of this aircraft as well as tips and tricks on how to get the best performance out of it. When it came to start-up and procedures, I found these guides more than helpful in pushing for the best out of the 747.

Exterior Model
SSG have included both the -8i passenger and -8F freighter variants of the Boeing 747-8 family. The biggest difference between the two is the upper deck which has been stretched for the passenger variant to include seats, while the freighter sticks to the original length (this also slightly lowers the weight of the aircraft as there are no seating requirements).
 

 
The -8F also features a nose opening for cargo, but apart from that, everything else from the wings back is nearly identical.
 


From the get-go, I have to say the models look fantastic, as within the X-Plane 12 environment, you really do get a sense of the scale of this incredible aircraft. The Boeing 747 is the second largest commercial aircraft in the world, and as such, when you stand up close to it, you certainly get a feeling of its immense size, something I can attest to, having stood next to the real thing only a few months ago!

Detailing on the SSG 747 includes 4K resolution textures across the body, allowing for warning labels and text to be both clear and visible. There is also bump mapping across the fuselage where panel gaps and bolts will sit in place, as well as several animations across the aircraft - this also includes the freighter variant of the 747-8. As per real-world operation, cargo is loaded through the front nose of the aircraft. To allow for this, Boeing made the entire front portion of the aircraft in front of the cockpit raise up, thus providing ground crews unparalleled access to the cargo bay of the aircraft. This is quite some spectacle to see in real life and is well recreated within X-Plane 12.
 

 
Looking up close at the engines, the GEnx units used by the Boeing 747, share the same diameter as the entire body of the 737! These are extremely well-detailed, with the ability to see inside the engine through the fan blades and vents that appear when the reverse thrust is active. When combined with the wing and flex when in the air (remember, the Boeing 747 uses tungsten bricks in the wings to counteract flutter when airborne!) you can appreciate the size and weight of the aircraft as it flies.
 


Cockpit and Interior
The Boeing 747-8 gets its designation from the 787, with many displays and systems crossing over from Boeing’s newest jet to their longest in production. This means several digital displays as well as several backup EICAS units. Having once required three pilots to operate, there is now a lot of space behind the pilots where the flight engineer once was, giving you a lot of room to move around. 

The 747 is also the only Boeing aircraft of this generation to use the brown cockpit colours, as opposed to the grey they now use within their jetliners. Boeing used brown as it was light and pleasing to the eye of the pilots and SSG has certainly replicated this within their own rendition of the aircraft. Textures are done at 4k resolution, with text, panels, and gauges all clear and easy to read. The overhead panel can appear cramped at first, especially with all the systems in which to manage and maintain the four engines, but I found myself having no issues whatsoever when it came to reading and manipulating the various systems of the aircraft. The 747-8 is also surprisingly well-optimised for what it is too. A lot is going on both inside and out, so it was pleasing to see that everything performed smoothly when it came to framerates. 
 


You also have a different interior for both the passenger and cargo variants of the aircraft, and as such, the 747-8i includes a full passenger cabin interior for you to explore. This is both the upper and lower deck modelled in a tri-class configuration, textured and detailed to the same level as you would find inside the cockpit.
 

 
I decided to position one of X-Plane’s custom camera points on the seat I had occupied when flying on this type myself. When up at cruise altitude, I was taken aback by how the cabin looked and felt - it was almost as if I was back onboard the 747 I had used just a few months previously! The detailing on offer, combined with the sound (something we will cover later in this article), really helps bring this aircraft to life and is something I have really appreciated.  
 


The 747-8F features the entire lower deck with cargo box mountains and trails for the movement of containers. This once again looks superb within the simulator environment and fits with the scale of the aircraft. The space is indeed massive, with a number of containers modeled into the aircraft, sitting two-by-two towards the centre of the cabin where the centre of gravity would be.
 

 
You can decide on the number of containers and load factor and adjust this in the EFB tablet. The upper deck has also been modeled into a small crew rest area, making use of the small hump behind the cockpit. This includes a toilet, beds, galley, and seats for the crew – somewhere to enjoy a bit of shut-eye when flying ultra-long haul.
 
Buttons, Gauges & Functionality
For an aircraft of this size and complexity, I think it’s fair to say that a lot is going on within the SSG Boeing 747-8. Your core panel features your main Primary Flight Display, Navigation Display and EICAS screens as you would expect, but with several buttons and switches surrounding it that control your lights, displays and other features within the cockpit. The glare shield is also massively used with all of your autopilot systems sitting ready to take over once your aircraft is airborne and en route. This will be familiar to you if you fly Boeing (and even Airbus) jets often, but it’s the overhead panel that really takes time to learn.
 


The overhead is littered with switches and buttons that maintain each aspect of your flight. Here you will find your lights, anti-icing and engine systems to keep all four power plants alive and burning. With the development of the previous 747-400 which removed the need for a flight engineer, the overhead panel became a lot busier with extra engine management systems included. This was carried over to the -8 and SSG has utilised this well. Everything is laid out in order of use, with most checklists on the aircraft starting in the top-left and slowly working their way down section by section. 
 


The Flight Management Computer is also custom-made and developed for the 747-8.
 

 
This includes all of the route inputs and calculations that the pilot would make on the real aircraft as well as system management and planning that helps you in guiding the aircraft through each stage of flight. This has been well-developed and shows in operation when planning your different phases, allowing for each detail of your flight plan to be tweaked and perfected before you depart.
 


Getting to grips with the 747-8 took a few moments to get going but having spent a lot of time in virtual Boeing jetliners, as well as having flown the -8 that comes packaged with Microsoft Flight Simulator, I didn’t find myself too out of depth. Familiarity with the aircraft is key, especially when planning to take it long-haul, which can take up most of your day. I would certainly advise spending time just looking around the cockpit and gaining an understanding of where different systems are located so that when it comes to flying, you know exactly where to look and know what you are expecting to see and do. As with any aircraft, the more practice you put into it, the better and easier you will eventually find the operation to be. 

SSG has also included an EFB tablet within the cockpit which serves as the loadmaster of the aircraft, allowing you to input your fuel and payload as well as interact with ground services and calculate your departure speeds. It also allows you to control the doors and exits on the aircraft which in the case of the freighter, includes the nose rising to allow for cargo to enter via the front. As more developers include these within their add-ons, I find them incredibly useful to procure my Flight Management Computer with the numbers it needs to programme a perfect departure and landing.
 

 


Sound
To put it simply, the SSG 747-8 sounds fantastic! There’s no other way of putting it, you can sense that a lot of time was spent recording audio samples from both within and outside of the aircraft, with fine-tuning in which to replicate the actual environment of the real aircraft.
The spool-up of the engines sounds great when making that take-off run or listening to the rumble behind you as you start to pull back on the yoke and take the aircraft to the sky. The whir of the engines during start-up is also really well-defined, especially when you focus on all four engines being activated during the pushback procedure of the aircraft.
 


One thing I have always enjoyed and appreciated about X-Plane is its fly-by-camera view. Not only is it visually appealing, but it also enables you to hear the sound variations from around the aircraft as well as the Doppler effect that is applied. Listening to the engines purr as the aircraft glides past your camera is great and a real testament to the time that SSG has put into getting that effect right for their aircraft.
The immersion doesn’t just end within the cockpit. Moving my camera over to the passenger cabin and sitting myself down on one of the seats, I found the audio to be rather immersive; I was back in the seat of that Lufthansa 747 flying to New York!

Flight Dynamics
The SSG 747-8, as expected, feels very heavy when in the air. I find myself putting a lot of input on the yoke to bank and make turns. I haven’t had the pleasure of flying the real-life aircraft myself, but you can certainly (as a passenger) get a feeling for how the aircraft behaves, especially since using far more nimble jets and props in X-Plane in the past. As the 747 grew with each generation, and despite advancements in fly-by-wire technology to make control easier, I can still imagine it takes a lot of input from the pilot to tame the aircraft.
 


The aircraft has a strong rate of climb too, more than you would perhaps expect for its sheer scale and mass. The GEnx-2B67 is a powerful engine and having four of these, helps propel the 747 into the sky. Descent too is quite something as the 747 can drop like a brick, especially with flaps and spoilers to help slow you down. When trying it out on a hop from Frankfurt to New York following the same flight plan as my trip in real life, I had one or two late descents which I could easily manage by dumping the spoilers and watching the altitude go without much movement from the pitch. 
 


During cruise, the aircraft is a joy to fly. With the autopilot on and FMS navigation in control, it will glide through the sky getting you to your destination with ease.
 

 
This especially comes into play when performing a landing with crosswinds involved. You need to make a lot of small corrections to keep the aircraft on course, but the moment those rear wheels touch down and you find yourself gliding down the runway to come to a halt, you can certainly feel the sense of accomplishment of having performed an expert landing.
 


Taxiing the 747-8 is also worth commenting on. It’s the longest commercial aircraft in the world (beating the Airbus A380 by 3 meters) and you’re looking out from the upper deck.
 

 
This means you have very little coverage of the ground below you, with little sense as to where your nose gear is. Airbus achieved the ground control of the A380 by placing the cockpit on the lower deck, but with Boeing, and using 1960s technology, combined with the need for the cargo variant to load through the nose, this was never going to be the case for the “Queen of the Skies”. The more you practise ground movement the better you will get at positioning the aircraft, as well as learning to fine-tune and steer the aircraft with the throttles, adding power towards the direction you want to go. It’s certainly a beast in that regard!
 

 
Liveries
SSG has also included several liveries for the Boeing 747-8, both freighter and passenger variants, while there are also several more available on the org ready to download. The sets included are as follows:
Intercontinental
•    Air China
•    BBJ
•    Boeing Family
•    Boeing Sunrise
•    Korean Air
•    Lufthansa
Freighter
•    Atlas Air
•    Boeing Family
•    Boeing Light
•    Cargolux
•    Cathay Pacific
•    Silkway Cargo
 
They are a nice selection of liveries, but all are new. Again there has been a change to the file structure, and so the sets of older liveries don't work anymore, they have to be v2.5+ or higher to work with the X-Plane 12. There are six Internationals liveries and six cargo liveries included.
 

 

 


Opinion & Closing Remarks
Overall, I have had an absolute blast flying the SSG 747-8 within X-Plane 12. The aircraft is a joy to fly and while it does take some practice getting used to, especially when performing banking turns once airborne, I have enjoyed virtually every minute since adding it to my virtual hangar.

With an extremely well-defined model, cockpit, cabin, and audio, what SSG have is a complete package for one of the world’s most popular aircraft, with their passion for this project showing in every detail they have included. A great deal of time and effort has been put into getting the best they possibly could out of the X-Plane platform, and it certainly shows.

The Boeing 747 has been around for well over 50 years now, and whilst not necessarily a ‘rare’ aircraft type to fly on (especially between popular destinations), I just knew I had to fly on it. Being able to recreate my two real-world flights within X-Plane 12 has been a wonderful experience and I am very impressed by the end product that SSG have managed to create.

The aircraft is also very much in active development, meaning we will likely see updates and improvements for it for some time to come. SSG’s 747-8 is a product that I would be more than happy to recommend to anyone looking to fly the Boeing 747 within X-Plane 12.
______________________________________
 

 
Yes! the Boeing 747-8 Inter Anniversary Edition X-Plane 12 By Supercritical Simulations Group is available from the X-Plane.Org Store here
 
B 747-8 Series Anniversary Edition
Price is US$69.00 (currently on SALE for US$54.90)
  
Features:
Officially licensed by the Boeing Corporation.
 The entire external 3D model for v2 has been redone, including the following: All new fuselage closely modeled on the real one with added details Each door can be opened individually and is more detailed dded animations and details (almost all parts that can open/move on the aircraft are modeled). New external details such as a satellite antenna and tail camera New cut passenger windows instead of textures New vertical and horizontal stabilizers with added details New nacelles and engines with more details and new animations Reworked and more detailed landing gear/gear doors with additional animation Improved and more detailed leading and trailing edge flaps and added flap mechanisms Upper deck interior with seats/galleys and stairs to lower deck  New wing flex and nacelle animations  The textures for the entire aircraft have been redone to match the new model, along with decals for certain detailed areas, right down to most of the external placards, working closely with our technical advisors to ensure all the main details are present and that we have gotten them right. COCKPIT The entire cockpit 3D model has been largely redone and completely retextured.  New overhead panel and buttons/switches New forward panel and buttons/switches New pedestal and buttons/switches/handles New miscellaneous panel and buttons/switches Side panels and window frames completely redone New cockpit seats Various added details SYSTEMS/FMC Almost all switches function properly and independently  IRS alignment process implemented More realistic fuel system with different pumps and tanks along with FUEL TANK / ENG logic Realistic AUTOSTART and RUNNING indicators on secondary engine displays Improved and more realistic air conditioning system and logic Better track representation on ND Clock and chronometer on ND working like on the real aircraft More realistic baro pressure logic (STD, preselected, transition altitude) Captain and First Officer FMCs are now independent FMC FIX page added FMC Route 2 function added FMC Diversion function added Librain rain effects (currently not working on Macs) Skuncraft Updater Now with Skunkcraft updater. No need to download anything for updates, the plane will automatically be updated  
Requirements:
X-Plane 11 or X-Plane 12 
Windows , Mac and Linux
4 GB MB VRAM Minimum - 8 GB+ VRAM Recommended
Current version : XP12: 2.6b4 (December 21st 2022) XP11: 2.5.1 (June 7th 2022) NOTE: Framerate requires a decent graphic card, minimum of 8gb is RECOMMENDED, so I would also recommend a power machine as standard.    Installation : Download is 1.17gb which is unzipped and is inserted in your Heavy Aircraft  folder as: 1.80gb    Key authorisation is required.   Documentation : includes  SG 747-8 V2 FCOM.pdf SSG 747-8 V2 Quick Start Guide.pdf SSG License Agreement.txt SSGCUSTOMLIST.TXT    ______________________________________________________________________

Aircraft Review by Michael Hayward 
13th January 2023
Copyright©2023: X-Plane Reviews 
  
(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)    The Technical Bit
Review PC Spec
•    Windows 10 Professional
•    AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Processor
•    32GB RAM
•    Palit GeForce RTX™ 3080 GamingPro
 

X-Plane11
 
As Laminar Research's X-Plane11 is getting nearer to its release, then it is warranted that articles, posts and items related to the X-Plane version have a home or place on X-PlaneReviews...  so here it is.
 
X-PlaneReviews will cover the the version in depth with features and articles allowing you to get the very best from X-Plane in this new generational version.
 
So check back here often to see what is new in X-Plane11.
 
X-PlaneReviews
 

NEWS! - Aircraft Updated : Gulfstream 550 v1.03 by AKD Studio
 

 
The GulfStream G550, a global executive jet of some renown. Was released for both the X-Plane 11 and X-Plane 12 simulator platforms on 1st October 2022 by AKD Studios. In the comprehensive review I really liked the aircraft, but it had a too many bugs and in reality it was not finished on release.
 
The X-Plane Reviews GulfStream G550 review is here; Aircraft Review : Gulfstream 550 by AKD Studio
 
I will be honest, I don't at all like the current disinclination by developers to release an aircraft that with just a few more weeks of development could be top notch. But the idea is to put out the product then get the response and "we will fix that later". It is cutting out the former beta phase of development, and going straight to the masses to find the obvious faults. A lot of purchasers will take this on the chin, but as noted I don't like the strategy, it creates a messy situation for all and for a product that has great promise be damaged early by the wrong assumptions that the product and hence the developer is poor at developing the aircraft, notable is that with a ton of bugs then the reviews can be quite detrimental to the sales, but developers continue to do it.
 
This was the case with the G550 from AKD Studios, a really great aircraft let down by a load of bugs and areas not and quite clearly not finished. This v1.03 update and the earlier v1.02 update (31st Oct 22) shows how much just a few more weeks in development with the aircraft it could have been released in a more quality form. Yes X-Plane and it's aircraft is always an ongoing development. But there is the line between not being finished and fixes not foreseen, when you are asking for money, then you expect at least a little better quality for it.
 
The update list is long between the two updates....
 
Version 1.03 (November 18th 2022) New features: -Added Automatic landing elevation(XP11/XP12) -Added Pilots 3D model(XP11/XP12) -Added ENG Vibration indicator (XP11/XP12) -Added Inegration with Terrain radar + Vertical Situation Display(Terrain radar Update soon)(XP11/XP12) -Added support for 8.33 kHz radios(XP11/XP12)   Bugs fixes: -Improved textures(XP11/XP12) -Improved VS line on DU1/DU4(XP11/XP12) -Improved throttle 3D Model(XP11/XP12) -Improved EFB Clickspots(XP11/XP12) -Improved engines start-up time(XP11/XP12) -Fixed ILS/RNAV Intercepting(XP12) -Fixed Autopilot logic(XP11/XP12) -Fixed APU and Engine bleed air switches(XP11/XP12) -Fixed incorrect CRS on DU1(XP12/XP11) -Fixed Rain Effect(XP12) -Fixed FMA indicators on DU1/DU4(XP11/XP12) -FIxed Minor bugs(XP12/XP11) Version 1.02 (November 4th 2022) New features: -Added 2D “pop-up” and “pop-out” panels(XP11/XP12) -Added time at destination to Cabin Display(XP11/XP12)   Bugs fixes: -Removed custom LNAV logic(after XP12 beta 10 LNAV works fine)(XP12) -Improved ILS Intercepting(thanks:jetspeed)(XP11) -Improved Cockpit textures are somewhat blurry(thanks:jetspeed)(XP11/XP12) -Improved engines start-up time(XP11/XP12) -Fixed WPT List(DU1,DU2,DU3,DU4)(XP11/XP12) -Fixed main Landing gear panel(XP11/XP12) -Fixed external Lights position(XP11/XP12) -Fixed Minor bug fixes(XP12,XP11)   New features include, 3D Pilots (that look suspiciously like the Laminar default pilots?), ENG VIbration outputs and Terrain Radar (Dr Gluck)...  but more is coming here. Support for 8.33 Khz radios and Auto Landing Elevations adds in the new.       But a few important areas have still not been addressed, like the METAR tool freezing the aircraft, and those poor window surrounds and there are still no cabin blinds? so there is still a fair way to go.  
 
But the G550 from AKD Studios is still overall a very nice aircraft and comes recommended.
________________________________  
 
The Gulfstream 550 by AKD Studio is NOW available here at the X-Plane.OrgStore
 
GLF550 - Ultimate Business Jet by AKD Studio
Price is US$31.95
 
This aircraft is X-Plane12 supported, but to note it is in Beta form.
 
Requirements
X-Plane 12 or X-Plane 11 - both versions included
-Plane 12 or X-Plane 11
Windows, Mac or Linux 4 GB VRAM Minimum - 8 GB+ VRAM Recommended Download Size: 1 GB Current version : 1.03 (November 18th 2022) _________________________________  
NEWS! by Stephen Dutton
21st November 2022
Copyright©2022 : X-Plane Reviews
  
(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)
  

Aircraft Review : Gulfstream 550 by AKD Studio
 
In the utopia world of elitism, then a 110 ft Mega yacht is high up on the scale. But there is still another level again that says I'm far richer and more powerful than you. Welcome to the world of business jets and in reality only one word here fits in with cache. That word is "Gulfstream".
 
The Gulfstream world of this upper exclusive club is again segregated with the latest G800 being the current Blue Ribbon holder. But the G600/G700/G800 Series was built upon the last series of G500/G550 Series, that series evolved out of the Gulfstream V as the GV-SP.
 
Complicated? well these business class aircraft do have a complex heredity. Niches, mostly at the whims of their exclusive customers creates variants of variants to satisfy their exclusive needs, but one thing that will always win out is range and speed. But let us not forget the real reason you have a Gulstream in this upper echelon of society, money and wealth.
 
A variant of the Gulfstream V or GV-SP with a new flightdeck display system, airframe aerodynamic and engine improvements and the main entry door is moved forward, this aircraft is marketed as the G-550.
 
Presented here is a Gulfstream G550 version for the X-Plane Simulator and the price is US$31.95, but in that you will get both an X-Plane 11 and X-Plane 12 versions. Oddly there are very few Gulfsteams in X-Plane, a few but not one really worthy of our talents, so obviously we welcome a quality aircraft to fill in that empty void from first time developer AKD Studios
 
Compared to the Gulfstream V, drag reduction details boost range by 250 nmi (460 km) and increase fuel efficiency. Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) is increased by 500 lb (230 kg) and takeoff performance is enhanced. A seventh pair of windows is added and the entry door is moved 2 ft (0.61 m) forward to increase usable cabin length. The PlaneView flight deck features cursor control devices, Honeywell Primus Epic avionics, standard head-up guidance system by Rockwell Collins and enhanced vision system by Elbit, improving situational awareness in reduced visibility conditions.
 
Initial long-range cruise altitude is FL 400-410, first hour fuel burn is 4,500–5,000 lb (2,000–2,300 kg) decreasing for the second hour to 3,000 and 2,400 lb (1,400 and 1,100 kg) for the last hour. Flight hourly budget is $700-950 for engine reserves, $250 for parts and 2.5 maintenance hours. It competes against the Bombardier Global 6000, which has higher direct operating costs and less range but a more spacious cross section, and the Dassault Falcon 7X with fly-by-wire flight controls, better fuel efficiency and a wider but shorter cabin. More importantly Range is an astounding 6,750 nmi (7,770 mi, 12,500 km), the aircraft is a transcontinental, trans oceanic capable aircraft.
 

 
First thoughts are on that extraordinary 93 ft 6 in (28.50 m) wingspan.
 

 
Without doubt there is a notable talent here. But the G550 from AKD Studios is still a first project. As noted it is very good, but not at or to that extreme level that you would expect from say Aerobask. There are a few areas still here that are under fine development that can only come with experience, then add in the current X-Plane Beat phase (B9).  First impressions are of a clean but currently basic aircraft. 
 

 
The modelling is actually excellent, shape and contours are quite perfect, love those huge fine wings with vortex generators, in fact the vortex generators are positioned on every surface which is an eye for detail.
 

 
But there is still that absolute finer detail missing. Most notably around the windows with no screws or rivets..  the huge oval double the size of normal cabin windows needed that little (far) more attention to get their huge size looking right, the internal band does not fit well, and the glass needs more detail to stand out. I am not trying to nitpick here, but this level of this category it requires ultra detail.
 

 
Powerplants are two  Rolls-Royce BR710 C4-11 turbofan engines, 15,385 lbf (68.44 kN) thrust each. The pod design is lovely in shape and proportions, but they feel again slightly unfinished in the finer detail, mostly at the thrust reversers, exhaust.
 

 
Ditto the tail, again beautifully modeled but missing the finer detailing.
 

 
The nosewheel is exquisitely crafted, an amazing amount of small detail, down to links and nuts, but again feels slightly unfinished... with the lighting that has no glass.
 

 
Twin rear assemblies are trailing link, a normal gear arrangement on these executive jets. Again all the modeling and detail is first rate, but the unfinished look and it looks even more pronounced here on the main gear, is it just needs that something more to perfect.
 
Cabin
The entrance is via a tunnel like area, into a world of teak wood and gold highlights.
 

 
This generation of Gulfstream jets gives you a lot of space inside as they are 43.11 feet long by 7 feet wide by 6 feet tall giving it a total cabin volume of 1669 cubic feet, they are the crème de la crème of cabins in size and fitouts.  They can carry a crew of four, 2 pilots, 0–2 attendants plus 14–19 passengers plus a payload 6,200 lb (2,812 kg). This cabin is HUGE.
 

 
The layout here is two sets of club seating (eight chairs) and two large rear sofas.
 

 
The forward tables are both animated and fold out, but the tables hidden away show the excessive space is highly noticeable, so you feel there are two chairs or a row missing (crew seats?) so the layout doesn't feel quite right.
 

 
There are some nice gold highlights, and cabin fittings are well done...  but there are no window shades (very rare in this category) and the window surrounds are not fitted correctly and very noticeable if by any window. In fact  there is not a lot of functionality in the cabin as most switches are all static, except for the high downlighting switches.
 

 
Going through to the rear there is a nice bathroom with enough gold to satisfy any Arab Sheikh, not sure they would want to use this toilet though? In the very rear is the baggage compartment which is well done, but there is currently no external hatch (noted as a WIP).
 

 
The galley/buffet forward is extensive and well done with some nice highlights, at least there are not items sitting around waiting to be thrown around the cabin as most do.
 

 
The cabin is very good and even very nice, but in this jet category the competition in this area is extremely high, as noted you feel that more seating is required and a bit more functionality to compete at this level, but for a first development it is very good overall.
 
One odd thing is that there are no cockpit doors to separate the office from the cabin, a poor oversight? Another oddity is that there is a significant step up into the cockpit, so you feel there is a small step missing.
 

 
Cockpit
Most private jet cockpits are small, even cramped and the G550 is no exception.
 

 
The G550 cockpit is very fitted out, even the highlight of the aircraft...  looking in closer it feels a bit in not being totally finished. Mostly in areas like animations (movements) and hollow vents. Both well made pilot seats don't move and are positioned slightly too far back, the armrests are not animated either. The third crew seat behind the Co-Pilot is not workable either...   and so on.
 

 
Forwards and the instrument panel is huge as there is so much detail here, that you get your money's worth delivered here alone. There is an extensive Overhead Panel and you also have a very large even bulky centre console.
 

 
Power on....  Yokes are excellent, thin and tawny. There are the options to have the yoke clipboards, both on, both off, or even the choice of either pilot yoke.
 


 
Symmetry Flight Deck
The Gulfstream Symmetry integrated flight deck is based on the Honeywell's Primus Epic integrated avionics system, the Symmetry Flight Deck is one of the most advanced in business aviation. There are four huge displays Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Display (AMLCD) that use the Next Generation Flight Management System (NGFMS). Basically they breakdown to the two external PFD (Primary Flight Displays), and the two inner MFD (Muliti-Functional Displays).
 

 
Notable here is the detail of the Gulfstream specific glareshield "Display Controller"....  this system allows you to interface with the PFD and MFD and set settings.
 

 
It is basically a simple push-button controller and easy to access and set. Selections include; PFD, MAP, SENSOR, FLT REF, TEST, CHKLIST - SYSTEM, 1/6 - 2/3, TRS, NAV, HUD. By my estimation about 60% of the system is currently working? But this is a very deep system, I suppose more detail will come with updates.
 
Upper left buttons select the system area you want to access, and the right display has selection buttons to access the item, it is complex, but easy to use in the same instance. Once you work out where each selection is (or have a printed guide) then the system is easy to use.
 
Here you can select 2/3 of the PFD (or have the engine or data readouts left 3rd of the screen) or use FULL which gives you the full basic flight instruments Artificial Horizon top and the Horizontal Situation Indicator lower. Artificial Horizon, Speed and Altitude tapes, Bank roll scale and roll pointer, Vertical Speed markers, Pitch markers, ILS bars and AOA (Angle of Attack) guide.
 

 
There are 3 HSI selections with 120/180/360º options.
 

 
The left panel systems is separated into two sections selected from the "Display Controller" (DC) , "Upper" and "Lower". DUI 1 is the PFD, DUI 2 is the MFD.
 

 
These sections can be changed to show other system items, including; AC/DC Power, APU/Bleed, Brakes, ECS/Press (Environmental), Eng Start, FLT Controls and traffic. Selections are done by pressing the corresponding button to the line. The same sections can be selected in either panel via the Upper or Lower DUI.
 


 
MFD : The twin centre displays (DUI 2) have Left and Right main panel displays, Left is the Engine Outputs, Right is (Top) Centralised Warning Panel (CWP) or Caution Advisory Panel (CAP), (Bottom) Checklist
 

 
You have also a main panel have the same menus, you can change them from the DC, but also directly by the in-built menus.
 
Provided are; Map Data, Aircraft Centre (Heading or Plan modes), Hdg, Prev, Next, World and Map which is also a systems menu?
 

 
Both menus allow you to show Map data (Airports, VORs, NDBs...) as noted there is also a large system menu for each screen, including; AC Power, DC Power, Doors, Fuel, Hydraulic, MAP, CMC, ECS/Press, FLT Controls, Summary. And either display can be used.
 

 
It is very complex set of menus and required a fair bit of study, but it quite comprehensive as well that covers all the G550's systems. Notable is that currently none of the displays pop-out, but they are quite complicated with an interactive interface that created to mimic a pointer.
 
Overhead Panel (OHP) is really well set out and easy to use. Digital numbers are all used in the readouts. Systems covered are; the Electrical system with all its buses, Full Fire Protection system, the full Hydraulic system, Gulfstream Fuel system and APU system and start up timing.
 

 
Standard X-PLANE FMS system is at least easy to use, but I would have preferred the authentic Honeywell Avionics.
 

 
Pedestal is excellent. Top are the backup instruments in a G5 Tape/Artificial Horizon and centre heading instrument, the Gear lever and gear position panel is far right.
 
The main twin-throttles and rear reverser levers are a lovely chrome design, look nice, nice to use. Set each side are the standard Air-brake and Flap levers (UP-10-20-? but could be 30º). Rear pedestal is all radar and radio panels, nicely done is the use of a FMS frame to hold the Radio settings, a simple but clever way of doing it.
 

 
The Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) is positioned in the glareshield contained each end by each "Display Controller" system.
 

 
AFCS is dual system, fail-operational, for both the Autopilot (AP) and the Auto Throttle (AT) subsystems. This is accomplished by hosting each system in a different modular avionics unit with two lanes in separate processors. The purpose of the AFCS is to provide Flight Director (FD), AP yaw damper and trim functions. The autoflight system receives computed lateral (roll) and vertical (pitch) steering commands from the FD system for the autopilot and for display on the Primary Flight Display (PFD). In the event the AP is disengaged the pilot can manually fly the steering commands presented on the PFD. The AP and AT systems make up the subsystems of the autoflight system.
 
Menu/Tablet
ADK uses the interaction with a tablet for menus. There are two, both placed for each pilot on the window frame.
 

 
There are eight menu tabs; Fuel Payload, GND (Ground), AviTab, METER, PERF (Performance) Calculator, Checklists and Audio Volume.
 

 
FUEL : Here you can set your fuel load (Kgs and Lbs), Set Cargo, Set Payload, Passengers, and even the passenger weight. The changes are shown in fuel load, GW (Gross Weight) and ZFW (Zero Fuel Weight. You can see internally into the cabin as well. Three options are also available; Reset Data, Set, and Random. Shown here is reset on the lower left, and loaded on the lower right.
 

 
GND : There are a few options "Ground Handling Page". On the Static Elements there  is a GPU (Ground Power Unit) AC, but also noted a DC Unit and a ASU, but these last two are not currently working in the menu?
 
And there are Chocks and a passenger car. You can open the main door, again a WIP progress Cargo door. Open ALL Doors and Close ALL Doors. Both the static elements Passenger car have separate menus.
 

 
GPU, flags, pitot covers and chocks are all presented, but no inlet or exhaust engine covers?
 

 
The stairway is excellent with a drop down section and beautiful chrome rails. The Tesla 3 car is a bit odd? It is first not to scale and second the wheels don't rotate, so it sort of moves around like in a fairground. ADK have tried to do the same passenger delivery and return as with the Hot Start Challenger 650, but hasn't pulled the idea off as well, a rethink of the idea is needed here?
 

 
AviTab : AviTab (Plugin Required) is available and a nice to have.
 

 
METAR : This tab will give you the latest METAR (METeorological Aerodrome Report) weather report by entering your current ICAO. I found it crashed (froze) so I can't say it worked?
 

 
PERF (Performance) Calculator : There is a two page comprehensive performance calculator that can take data from the FUEL and METAR pages and fill in the required data, including : (Takeoff) DATA, AIRPORT INFO, TAKEOFF SPEEDS, FLAP LIMITS, (Landing) DATA, AIRPORT INFO, LANDING SPEEDS and FLAP SPEEDS.
 

 
SETTINGS : In settings you can set the various aircraft options, including; IRS Alignment (Time), Refuel (Time), Hide Yokes, Pause on TOD (Top of Descent), EFB Units (Kg/Lbs), Aircraft Temp units (Cº/Fº), Aircraft Weight Units (Kg/Lbs), Sync (Baro), Nosewheel (Roll/Yaw/Tiller, Tail Registration, Kill Objects and optional Yoke Clipboards.
 

 
CHECKLIST : There is a very good checklist that you can also check off (green), navigation is easy and so is the resetting of the lists.
 

 
SOUND : Sound panel is currently quite basic, with sliders for (Master) Volume, Exterior Volume, Interior Volume, Co-Pilot Volume and Radio Volume.
 

__________________
 
Flying the Gulfstream G550
 

 
Start up is easy. APU power on, then the Bleed (APU) and "Isolation", then you select Master Start and Crank (Ignition)....
 

 
...  selecting START, you flip up the cover and select the right or left engine you want to start...  then when the HP (High Pressure) gets to around 16%, you flip up the corresponding FF (Fuel Flow) lever on the "Fuel Control" panel below the throttles. All engine start is FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine (or electronics) Control) controlled. Notable are the excellent readouts for the voltages, every selection you make (even the switching on the Bleeds) is registered on the APU or voltages readouts, it looks and feels extremely authentic as is also the engine start up procedures.
 

 
Start up engine sounds are also absolutely excellent, very impressive, you really feel those RR engine at your back and externally by the aircraft which are both very forceful, throaty and purposeful... impressed. Once the engines are running, you clean up the OHP (Bleeds, Start, Crank and APU), and then you are ready to go.
 
Warnings in C-Caution and W-Warning are related to the Centralised Warning Panel (CWP), and a really big feature is in testing the controls and seeing your actions on the FLT Controls panels.
 

 
Another feature I like is the brake pressures being in your face...  here are my foot brake pressures being on show, a full regular (pinky finger) brake pressures are also registered, but have no effect on slowing the aircraft, so it is all down to the  footwork, but I love the readouts.
 

 
It is busy here today at LUX (Luxembourg Airport - ELLX).
 

 
Finally after a departure of a Cargolux B747F, I can line up on runway 06.
 

 
Power up those two two  Rolls-Royce BR710 C4-11 engines and your moving...  fast.
 

 
You get that awesome roar in your ears and your just gone!
 

 
ELLX runway 06/24 is as bumpy as hell but you can cope here, 165 kts and you rotate (Flap 10º)...
 

 
You have to be seriously careful in not to over-rotate, it is very easy in doing that and in setting the take-off trim quite low, this baby wants to climb!
 

 
In fact the G550 has an enormous climb rate of 3,650 feet per minute and almost straight up...
 

 
You have to love this...  a Gulfstream and X-Plane 12, Heaven.
 

 
Well you can stay in heaven for a very long time at a 6,750 nmi (7,770 mi, 12,500 km) range, with a High Speed Cruise: M0.85 at 41,000 ft (12,497 m) or the standard Long Range Cruise: M0.80 at 41,000 ft (12,497 m), and you can cover the ground with a Service ceiling: 51,000 ft (16,000 m) God that is almost as high as Concorde...   impressive isn't it.
 

 
Lighting
Cockpit lighting has about 12 adjustment knobs, but setting the different lighting options is a bit hit or miss, mostly it all works, but like a lot the different choices breaks down to that most work, but a lot don't... it feels all a "bit last minute to get it done ready". I'll explore more then add back in later into this section...  overall it looks like this, when sorted though it should be really good as the basics look good.
 

 
Cabin lighting is the same, buttons under each lighting panel only work the odd light, or even the set of lights on the next panel...  I don't know if there is roof lighting or any galley lighting?
 

 
External lighting is not refined either...  main land and taxi lights are a bit overexposed, however there is nice navigation, beacon and strobe.
 

 
Ice (wing lighting) is basic, the wheel-well lights work but the tail lighting doesn't. There is also a "Pulse" effect on the main landing lights? Overall again the external lighting is all a bit hit and miss.
 
 
 
There is a CAS (Traffic alert and Collision Avoidance System) that works with (in my case) Traffic Global, I never got the A/T (Auto Throttle) to work? and a note from the developer says it's coming in an update, doesn't matter here anyway as most Private Jets flying is usually using the manual throttle. Cruising at FL400 (40,000ft) is the only way to fly halfway round the globe.
 
    
 
TOD (Top of Descent) and it is time to go down. The G550 can climb high, very high. So you tend to be a bit more excessive in the rate of descent. Here I'm using a rate of 2,700 fpm to go down, and in doing that steep rate the aircraft will protect itself by deploying the airbrakes automatically, but be aware also to retract them later as they don't auto close.
 

 
I pass EVRA-Rika, Lativa while still screaming down at 2,500 fpm, but you need not worry as everything rubs off very quickly in both speed and altitude. The one thing you realise are that these Gulfstreams are incredibly versatile thoughout all their performance profiles.
 
Sounds I am liking. Audio here is not overly excessive or even brilliant, but with the long distance cruise you can do with this machine that you can arrive without a headache, so no repeatable loops or droning (thank god). Being a long distance hauler that is important. In time I would expect more and better sound detail, but for now they are fine. X-Plane 12 is quite spectacular when it wants to be...  a far, far cry from X-Plane 11.
 

 
First 90º turn to the centre line from  EVRA RWY 18, yes it is as brilliant in feel as it looks...
 

 
Second 90º turn to the centreline of the approach...
 

 
Riga is not a particularly hilly or mountainous approach but you do have a GPWS (Ground Proximity Warning System) if you need it. Final lineup to RWY 18...  Again Spectacular.
 

 
Full flap (30º) your approach is around 130 knts...    Flap detail and operation very good by AKD, in feel lowering the flaps doesn't throw you around either, so it is a smooth approach phase.
 

 
Final, final approach speed is around 125 knts, you don't get thrown around either with the size of this Private Jet of which can happen in smaller machines, it feels more like a commercial aircraft than a light jet.
 

 
(Shaking my head) Spectacular machine isn't it...  I struggled to get the G550 nose up correctly for the flare, honestly I need to find the right point on the pitch trim to get that phase right, practise as usual will always help.
 

 
I get the pitch I want in the end and it is nice touch landing at around  118 kts, very close to the stall speed around 115 knts. Powerful thrust reversers are nice, but they need a bit more detail than just showing the cans...  I didn't get the ground airbrake on landing because I couldn't find the selector, it is a "Arm" button far rear of the centre console under a flap?
 

 
The full landing configuration is shown on the PFD, I really still can't get over how much I like this visual FLT arrangement.
 

 
Hello Riga, Latvia....   but where can I go next, this Gulfstream gives me a lot of great global options.
 

_____________
 
Liveries
There are only five liveries with the package, but a full list is being created on a Google Doc site. A paintkit is included. I have selected a few off the Docs page here. AKD livery is the default. Included in the package are AKD House, N345LC, NetJets N528QS and the two Polish Airforce.
 

_____________
Summary
In world of the elite, then the word of Gulfstream is the biggest token you can play in this upper exclusive club. The Gulfstream G600/G700/G800 Series was built upon the last series of G500/G550 Series and that series evolved out of the Gulfstream V as the GV-SP.
 
Here we have the previous generation in the G550 which was discontinued in July 2021, but this aircraft is still a major global trotting machine with both oceanic and transcontinental in range, it can fly high as well to an almost sub-orbital 51,000ft.
 
First an almost disclaimer on the review and the aircraft. The Gulfstream G550 is a first time project by AKD Studios and obviously they have to pick an extremely complex aircraft to start with, add in a release in the middle of a new X-Plane 12 Beta run (B9) and you can expect a lot of bugs and weird things with the aircraft. It's not like that at all in context, in fact it flies very well.
But there are many areas here also not finished or refined, that includes also the missing manual with the aircraft that reflects here in less technical detail to be covered and features that can be missed. 
 
Impressive however the G550 still is. Systems are comprehensive and are excellent in operation, including the excellent Gulfstream "Display controllers" (menus) and all DUIs are covered by a four display screen arrangement that has the built in Gulfstream Symmetry integrated flight deck is based on the Honeywell's Primus Epic integrated avionics system. Custom CAS (warnings), Ice and rain protection system (X-Plane 12), IRS system and a full (menu) Electronic Flight Bag (EFB)... it's an impressive list.
 
Modeling is very good but your not going to get extreme Aerobask quality here, but many of the areas are really just not only refined or even completed, annoying are the cabin window frames that are badly (or rushed) designed, the missing external cargo door and all the lighting inside and out feels again only half finished. But I'm looking more and far down the road here as the basics are very good, if excellent in areas, it is the old adage of what a difference a month could make to the project.
 
Personally I absolutely love the Gulfstream G550. X-Plane has wanted a really excellent transoceanic Private Jet for decades and here it is, it is also available in X-Plane 11 and more importantly in X-Plane 12 in the same value package of just over US$30. For your money you get a lot of aircraft with it's Gulfstream related systems. in 2023 it will be certainly the power jet you need in the X-Plane 12 Simulator, like I said I love it, and now I just want a lot more of flying the machine to every corner of the Globe.
________________________________  
 
The Gulfstream 550 by AKD Studio is NOW available here at the X-Plane.OrgStore
 
GLF550 - Ultimate Business Jet by AKD Studio
Price is US$31.95
 
This aircraft is X-Plane12 supported, but to note it is in Beta form.
 
Requirements
X-Plane 12 or X-Plane 11 - both versions included
-Plane 12 or X-Plane 11 Windows, Mac or Linux 4 GB VRAM Minimum - 8 GB+ VRAM Recommended Download Size: 1 GB
Current version : 1.0 (October 28th 2022)   Download for the Gulfstream 550 by AKD Studio is 1.03GB
 
And the final install in X-Plane Aircraft folder with the above loaded liveries is; 2.53gb. Authorisation is required.
The AviTab plugin is also required to use this aircraft, and it is deposited in your X-Plane Plugins folder.
 
Simbrief proflie is;
https://www.simbrief.com/system/dispatch.php?sharefleet=256234_1658264083720
 
Documents
Only the standard Laminar Reseach FMS manual is supplied. And no aircraft manual is currently available
FMS_Manual  
Designed by AKD Studios
Support forum for the Gulfstream G550 _____________________
  Aircraft Review by Stephen Dutton
30th October 2022
Copyright©2022: X-Plane Reviews
 
Review System Specifications: 
Computer System: Windows  - S1700 Core i7 12700K 12 Core 3.60 GHz CPU / 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 11 Pro - X-Plane 12.00B7 (This is a beta review).
Plugins: JustFlight-Traffic (X-Plane.OrgStore) US$52.99 : Global SFD plugin US$30.00 : RK Apps XPRealistic v2 - US$34.99
Scenery or Aircraft
- ELLX - Luxembourg Findel Airport v2.1  by JustSim (X-Plane.OrgStore) - US$19.95
- EVRA - Riga International Airport v2 by JustSim (X-Plane.OrgStore) - US$18.50
 
(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
 

Update Review : B 747-8 Inter/8F Anniversary Edition v2.3 by SSG   
 
They made a promise, not a rare thing with X-Plane developers, but do they usually keep to their statements, most do, but a lot also fall far short of their high ambitions. One in Supercritical Simulations Group promised to deliver one of the most outstanding Boeing 747 simulations for X-Plane, it was at the time a very, very ambitious statement, and sadly it didn't get off to a very good start.
 
Extremely heavy, buggy avionics and crappy FMC, and even some of the modeling and detail work was a bit naff...  the B748 i/F series struggled to find an early audience, oddly again it was the more modern 8i International and 8F freighter, and not the most popular Boeing 747 with the -400 series being the most outstanding version.
 
But that was years ago in 2014, and a things have changed a lot since then...  first the original v1 was patched up and sorted, and ended it's term as a final "Legacy" version, which was not too bad in context...  SSG however soldered on and totally created a new from the ground up v2 B748i in a "Anniversary Edition" and later followed up with the 8F-Freighter version. Again the aircraft has had a considerable amount of development since the v2 release, including a whole new lower passenger deck (Update Review : B 747-8 Inter Anniversary Edition v2.2.1 by SSG ) and the Freighter, of which the Review is here : (Aircraft Update : Boeing 747-8 Series V1.9.2. by SSG).
 
V2.2.1 was however and still is a breakthough version of this SSG B748 aircraft, and even one to rest your laurels on for now, and this was only released back in January 2021, just a few months ago...  but no, SSG still kept on the road of significant development of the B748 aircraft, and here are those changes in another release in v2.3.
 

 
The biggest change in v2.3 is the one you can't see, but only feel...  framerate improvement. Be careful though in what you want to expect here, framerate is a tricky area in saying what you will get, is not what you actually get, and that for everyone it is different. The biggest issue facing your computer are two things with this SSG B748. One is the sheer size and mass of the aircraft in the simulator, nothing I mean nothing is going to make the footprint of the B747-800 any smaller. You are simply stuck with that settings wise. Secondly is the fact that you can't have this presented sort of extreme detail (Including large internal passenger decks) and a low, low framerate, that again is simply not going to happen.
 
So SSG have done several things here to try to make the aircraft a bit more framerate friendly...  one is at the core with a better efficiency with the Vulkan/Metal engine and even improvements in OpenGL (You still really use that... really?), so the complete external model has been revised and many new uv fixes was made, also there is a complete new set of PBR textures covering it all. They certainly look better, but to note it was extremely good before, so it is in the efficiency that the main gains have been made here.
 

 
Of course the changes also mean that huge list of add-on liveries created for v2, now don't fit or work either, so they will have to all go back to the drawing board, and boy "They are not happy about that" as noted on the dedicated forum, and with 300 liveries to be fixed, it has got them screaming...  currently only the default supplied liveries now only work. But it is worth the changes.
 
The undercarriage gear has also had details added, again good before...   the updated detail is simply astounding now.
 

 
The RAT (Ram Air Turbine) now also works, drops down and supplies power to the electrical system when deployed, it is installed inner wing on the right wing (but excuse me for not showing you the RAT in action, I am before a flight, and RATs are notorious to reset to back to normal)
 

 
There are better and Improved particle systems, including added fuel jettisoning and now the feature of potable water draining (The aircraft drops water onto the apron after a flight!)
 
On the Tablet, several things have been done. SSG have improved the fuel load sequence to match real loading behaviour, certainly the fuel loading is now more realistic for a B747, but I would have liked and even more slower refueling option (say real)...  as it is still pretty quick. There is an added cargo light box switches for the Freighter and also added "Cold and Dark" start options on the "Options" page, that will disappear in flight.
 
There are now three Cold and Dark options, in; "Powered and Aligned at Gate", "Not Powered - Normal Cold and Dark" and finally "All switches off".
 

 
There is a built in pushback system, but I still use the BetterPushback tool...  engine start up sequence is excellent, the No 3 Engine issues have now been resolved. Note don't start all engines too early as you already have a heavy aircraft and all that extra thrust to move backwards?
 

 
The weight and feel of this B748 is astounding, you feel it the movement and it is a great aircraft to taxi, note the low range airport map where available.
 

 
All the external (and internal) lighting which is extensive, has all been fine tuned and customised in v2.3 , and lighting source now quite minute, but highly effective as it is now all excellent.... more later.
 


 
Several items have been adjusted on the flight instruments... First there is the improved the FD bars to be more accurate during takeoff and prior to autopilot mode connection, (and I noticed better alignment with the flightplan). Second is that there is a better ND terrain display with automatic terrain detection, the look and feel is very different to the earlier terrain display pattern. (note when closing the terrain tool, you have to reset your WXR bands)
 

 
You feel the severe power of all those four General Electric GEnx ("General Electric Next-generation") -2B67B engines, generating 66,500 lbf (296 kN) thrust each as you set the throttle levers to the takeoff position, you move very quickly off the line and are soon at the 162 +10 knots takeoff speed, a slight rotation and you are in a positive climb... To be fair I am not very heavy here at a full 278.7 GW, as the sector distance is only a short 1000nm, but still the feel and control is exceptional.
 

 

 
The trick to a great simulation is that the aircraft responds to your inputs, but also so does the switchgear and levers, it is perfect here, then it allows you fly the aircraft that much better, as a heavy, then the SSG Boeing 748 is exceptional in both those areas, it is simply a dream to control and fly.
 

 
Added has been an altitude range arc (green), this is a target point arc of when you reach the assigned altitude, or you can set the Vertical Speed to achieve a certain altitude at a certain distance marker (or waypoint). Very common for descending (to achieve a target lower altitude), but this is the first one (I think) for climbing, but very useful and welcome.
 

 
Several other points. SSG have fixed the error when autopilot changed from FLCH to V/S mode and vice versa, and the aircraft (pointer) in the MAP which will now follow the route line perfectly, it was off usually center when the Navigation Display (ND) range was set at less than 2.5 miles.
 

 
You use tricks to get a big aircraft like the Boeing 747 to a high altitude, first a slower speed to get a steeper climb, then faster (first around 290 knts and up to .m75) to climb up at around 1200fpm... again the altitude target arc is a real bonus. Another tool is the improved steps (set at 2000ft per step) here...   as displayed on ND in MAP mode. I usually run /burn off 500nm in a B747 or A380 at a full gross weight, before stepping up to a higher altitude.
 

 
Current airliners fly high, not Concorde 55,000ft high, but in the 38,000ft to 40,000ft range, and here we are...
 

 
...  with a range of 7,730 nmi (14,320 km), then 13 hour flights are not uncommon in the B748, so you need to go to the toilet...  or even have a lie down.
 
In version v2.3 there has been added some comfort for your discomfort...  a toilet on the right side and a crew rest room on the left! Both are nicely detailed, and of course very useful.
 

 
The internal cabins were a bit bland to keep any framerate growth at bay, but some small touches have been done in v2.3....  mostly in first and business seating, which now have large video screens, and "Exit" signs have also been added, and all the galleys now have food carts, not much, but it all helps in filling in all that beige, and with no extra weight on the framerate either.
 

 
Internal and instrument panel lighting was good, but now even better... There is improved internal lighting and fixed is the CDU and general instrument brightness. Overall I found it excellent, but would have like more control over the rear cockpit lighting (brightness), both the toilet and rest room are lit. It easily passes my landing lighting comfort test, in low overhead lighting with nicely lit instruments and switchgear.
 

 
External lighting as noted is now also very good in the dark, the smaller focus of the lights are perfect, but the spread is nice and bright.
 

 

 
The FMC has also had a large amount of bug fixes and adjustments. Increased the route legs list to 25 page and both RTE 1 and RTE 2 can be used for to add in more waypoints for long routes. A big issue, as for in my last update report in that flying from Singapore (SIN) to Frankfurt (FRA), and I ran out of waypoints and had to edit a lot together to create the full route, but is 25 (up from 20) additions enough...  I am not so sure?
 


There is also Improved Navigation Display (ND) data, but still good in the first instance and improved VNAV and LNAV logic. Fixed a bug that when STAR was changed and the LNAV control was negatively affected, which was not also recognised in some situations, but I was never real;ly affected by that action?
The fixed airways when entering, was also related to the long route inputs when some waypoints would not enter, again annoying, but now fixed. Fixed some STARs that did not appear in the last DEP/ARR pages, again annoying, but again did not relate to me too often.
 

 
There is always something new to discover...  I found the "Hold" feature on the FMC, and it has been updated in v2.3. Press the "Hold" button and select (if in the flightplan) the hold choice you want to use, then activate it...  when the aircraft gets to the hold point, it will simply go into the "Hold" routine and loop around the set hold position until you select the "Hold Exit" button. Selected, when the aircraft reaches again on the loop the starting "Hold" waypoint the aircraft will simply resume it's flightplan, you can also set the FMC to go on to the next "Hold Position", it works brilliantly.
 

 
Nothing is more exciting (or nervy) than landing a fully loaded Boeing 747, complex and skillful...  it keeps you on your toes to get it right, and then have the huge satisfaction every time you do it right... the throttles if TOGA is pressed, now they will advance from their present position to full thrust, as they should do.... and Improved stability during strong crosswinds on landing is very much appreciated...  thank you very much.
 

 
You have gotta love a huge Boeing 747, and this Supercritical Simulations Group, Boeing 748 in both International and Freighter versions is certainly the biggest and best you can get, more updates and now even better than ever...   so if you want the full B747 experience, then this is certainly it.
________________________
 
Summary
Supercritical Simulations Group started out with the X-Plane Boeing 748 project, like forever ago. Over the years it has been transformed and expanded into quite an aircraft, in both Passenger (International) and Freighter (F) variants, and both in the same package.
 
This is the completely rebuilt v2 package, a total redevelopment of the original package, with the v2 Freighter added last year...  this is also the second serious update this year also, the Jan v2.1.1 update added in the full lower passenger deck (on the International) and a load of bug fixes....  this newer v2.3 version is more focused on reducing the framerate hit, and it comes with (again) totally revised textures and modeling improvements (Old even v2 liveries again don't work with v2.3)... the efforts have been worth it.
 
Other (nice) additions include a toliet (washroom) and a crew rest area, better external and internal lighting and updated terrain display. There is also a full list of fixes and bug repairs to the systems, and again the list is quite comprehensive (v2.3changelog is below), The aircraft uses the Skunkcrafts updater for quick updates and changes directly from the developer.
 
Basically as a simulation the SSG B747-8i and F "Anniversary" aircraft are both quite and very impressive simulations, coming with the huge feature set and it's perfect flying capabilities, yes I would also note it as study grade as well. Certainly the best by far in the only quality Boeing 747 in X-Plane currently, and with the current reduced sale price of only US$48.00 a total bargain to boot as well, but note you do need a quality and powerful computer to run the aircraft...   Absolutely Highly Recommended.
________________________
 

 
Yes! the Boeing 747-8 Inter v2.3 Anniversary Edition By Supercritical Simulations Group is available from the X-Plane.Org Store here :
 
Boeing 747- 8 Inter Anniversary Edition
Price is US$48.00 (You Currently Save:$21.00(30%)
 
Features  
EXTERNALS Fuselage closely modeled on the real one with many details. Each door can be opened individually and is very detailed. Almost all parts that can open/move on the aircraft are modeled. Many external details such as a satellite antenna, tail camera (Intercontinental) and various vents, drains, etc. Cut passenger windows with “glass” panes. Vertical and horizontal stabilizers with added details, such as fuel vent (Intercontinental). Detailed nacelles and engines with many details and animations. Detailed landing gear/gear doors with proper animation. Leading and trailing edge flaps, detailed flap mechanisms and proper animations (such as partial retraction of leading edge flaps during reverse thrust). Speedbrakes/spoilers with accurate function and logic for individual panels. Interiors with seats, galleys, lavatory and crew rest, with stairs to lower deck and some animations. Wing flex and nacelle animations. Separate and animated windshield wipers with accurate timing and rate. Functioning Ram Air Turbine (RAT). Pilot figures (can be hidden). Animated Angle of Attack (AOA) vanes. Fans windmill when engines are off. Several blocked windows on the Intercontinental. Various cargo types on Freighter main deck. Visible fuel vapor during fuel jettisoning. Custom external lights design with realistic width, direction and range. COCKPIT Detailed 3D cockpit with enhanced textures and accurate differences between the Intercontinental and Freighter models. Detailed overhead panel with most buttons/switches modeled and working. Accurate forward panel with most buttons/switches modeled and working. Detailed pedestal with most buttons/switches/handles working. Detailed side panels and window frames. Detailed cockpit seats. Option to set up various panel states from “cold and dark” to “through flight”.   SYSTEMS Flight dynamics tested by real 747 pilots and mechanics. Custom brake system with autobrake and antiskid, and hydraulic system dependency. Tailstrike protection. Gear system with sensed tire pressure, wheel temperature and associated advisory messages . Realistic warning/caution system with advisory messages at all 3 message levels with over 120 Messages. Hydraulics with system pressures simulated on all 4 systems plus brakes. Fuel system with opening/closing pump valves. FUEL TANK/ENG logic and warning, as well as fuel imbalance warning, and many others. Engines with fire bottle discharges simulated that empty when used. Fuel dump system. EICAS decluttering function. 3 radio consoles that can be used with any left or right channel COMM 1 / COMM 2 plus custom transponder panel. High resolution displays. Minimum callouts based on radio altimeter or barometric altimeter Display manager like in the real aircraft that shows over 10 synoptic pages in any MFD side and lower EICAS with electronic normal checklist. Lights switch test and dim implemented. Display brightness is controllable. Custom cockpit lights. External sounds (3D localized sounds) using the DreamEngine plugin. Fuel system with accurate tank loading. Detailed EGPWS implementation and displays. Realistic AUTOSTART and RUNNING indicators on engine displays. Realistic air conditioning system and logic. Detailed Navigation Display (ND) with many accurate functions like Airport Map, TCAS and Weather radar (default XP). Clock and chronometer display on ND. Detailed electrical system logic and switching. Realistic baro pressure switch logic (STD, preselected, transition altitude). Inertial Reference System (IRS) implemented with alignment function. FMC FMCs are modeled closely after the real 747-8 ones with most menus and functions implemented. Captain and First Officer CDUs. RNAV approaches (non-precision) implemented.  FMC FIX page implemented. FMC Route 2 function implemented. FMC Diversion function implemented. Custom navigation data supported by Navigraph and Simbref. Tablet with extra functions, such as: Realistic fuel loader with FMC fuel prediction. Payload options page. Ground service and door control page. Wheel chocks are selectable. Sound control page. Pushback function that permits joystick control. Cargo main deck light control (Freighter).   Requirements:
X-Plane 11
Windows , Mac . (Linux not supported)
4 GB MB VRAM Minimum - 8 GB+ VRAM Recommended
Current and Review version : 2.3  (June 23rd 2021) NOTE: Framerate requires a decent graphic card, minimum of 8gb is RECOMMENDED, so I would also recommend a power machine as standard.    Installation : Download is 1.52gb which is unzipped and is inserted in your Heavy Aircraft  folder as: 1.72gb    Key authorisation is required.    WebFMC Pro  and  "Ground Handling Deluxe" Plugin by JARDesign is highly recommended with this aircraft.   Documentation : includes  SSG License Agreement.txt V2.2.1 Change Log.txt SSGCUSTOMLIST.TXT librain license.txt SSG 747-8 V2 Quick Start Guide.pdf SSG 747-8 V2 FCOM.pdf  
Changelog v2.3
SSG_B748-changelog v2.3.txt
   _____________________________________________________________________

Aircraft Review by Stephen Dutton 
28th June 2021
Copyright©2021: X-Plane Reviews 
  
(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 - ASUS GeForce GTX 1080 8Gb - Samsung Evo 512gb SSD 
Software:   - Windows 10 - X-Plane 11.53
Addons: Saitek x56 Rhino Pro system Joystick and Throttle : Sound - Bose  Soundlink Mini 
Plugins: Environment Engine by xEnviro US$69.90 : Traffic GLobal Plugin - US$52.99 : BetterPushBack - Free : Ground Handling Deluxe Plugin by JARDesign US$14.95 : WebFMC Pro  US$19.99
Scenery or Aircraft
- EDDB - Berlin-Brandenburg V2 XP by Aerosoft  (X-Plane.OrgStore) - US$29.99
  

  

Aircraft Update : BAe 146 Professional v1.2.1 by Just Flight
 
In May 2021, JustFlight released for the X-Plane11 Simulator, the regional BAe 146 airliner in three variants -100/-200/-300. On top of that you also got Passenger/Freight/Combi versions as well. That is a pretty big spread of types for just one airliner. The equivalent later Avro variants were the RJ70, RJ85 and RJ100, plus the QT "Quiet Trader" and QC "Quick Change" variant.
 

 
As noted in X-PlaneReviews comprehensive review...  Aircraft Review : British Aerospace 146 Professional by JustFlight The BAe146 is an outstanding simulation, with real depth and that 80's classic dial and clockwork cockpit...
 

 
...  modeling and detail is absolutely excellent, you want that extreme quality, then here it is by JustFlight with a conversion by Thranda Design.
Notable is that there is an earlier release on the Prepar3D platform format, but the (X-Plane) Thranda version adds in more features and detail...  but one aspect on the P3D release BAe146 that was not on the formal release of the X-Plane version was a fully working FMS (Flight Management System) or as it is sometimes called the FMC. The reason was that the X-Plane FMS had to be rebuilt from the ground up, as the P3D to X-Plane conversion was not possible. So the FMS was replaced by the default X-Plane FMC in the release version.
 
BAe 146 Professional v1.2.1
This extensive update is mostly to update the BAe146 with that better UFMC (Universal Flight Management Computer). It is not the same unit as in the P3D aircraft version as that uses the UNS-1Lw SBAS-Flight Management System or UNS-1, here it is still a Universal system but with the long facia plate, that makes it look more of a default FMS than it actually really is. As a side note, releasing in X-Plane12 is the Honeywell Primus FMC, which has a very similar layout and facia plate to the UNS-1, so maybe that facia unit will come as an option later.
 

 
First is that each (left/right) CDU unit is individual, either can be changed or inputted separately, and that shows a depth of a good system. Both units have pop-outs for again individual use and are noted as either LEFT/RIGHT.
 
Only on the pop-outs is the feature to type in directly from the keyboard. This is done by clicking on the left MESSAGE pad and the symbol "K" comes up...  now you can directly key data into the CDU unit via the "Scratchpad".
 

 
From the first look, it is obvious this is a comprehensive FMS system, the layout and data is very well detailed, and the system has a lot of depth...  on the IDENT page you get the full data of the Aircraft and Engines, JF v121 version and date/co data, and of course the AIRAC (Aeronautical Information Regulation And Control) cycle. The POS INIT (Position) is also very good in that if you input your ICAO airport code (EKCH) - Kalstrop, and the Gate, the CDU will recognise both inputs (most FMSs, will allow the inputs, but are not actually active, but here the inputs are) with even the current Lat/Long position displayed.
 

 
The BAe146 uses the FJCC system, so the required (AIRAC) data folder goes into the X-Plane’s ‘Custom Data/UFMC/’ folder. I have one already as using the SSG Aircraft which uses the same navigation data, but if it does not yet exist, then you need to create a "UFMC" folder in the Custom Data folder, and JustFlight provides a AIRAC_2009_UFMC_Installer.exe in the BAe_146/Plugins folder to do that insert. A AIRAC_2009_UFMC.pkg for Mac's and Linux is also provided. All data can be updated each AIRAC (monthly) cycle via a Navigraph or Aerosoft NavDataPro subscription.
 
ROUTES
You can use two flightplans (RTE 1/RTE 2) on the ROUTE Page...  You can then access the route assembly (AIRWAYS) via pressing the "NEXT PAGE" key, noted via the upper right page number, to go back to the ROUTE Page you then press the RTE key.
 

 
Route waypoint data is easily inserted, with DIRECT (next Waypoint) that is added in automatically...  overall route construction is very easy.
 
Both DEP/ARR data is very good, with RUNWAY/SID/STARS/TRANS commands all provided.
 

 
I always mostly edit my Arrival (ARR) route, and in most cases the best data for doing that is using the RNAV approach (chart/data) for that runway. Sadly there is no PLAN mode on the BAe146 to visually see the created route, so you have to make sure the data is correct on when entered.
 
Here the approach to Zurich is via RILAX (STAR), going into RWY 34 (RILAX 28 34 RNAV)... the set CDU set STAR RILAX1A, is a bit ambiguous, so I am taking control of the arrival route. RILAX1A creates two nasty "ROUTE DISCONTINUITY' errors with LAMAX and AMIKI separated, worse is that the LAMAX and AMIKI waypoints go the long, long way around to the runway...
 


RILAX 28 34 RNAV (navigraph)
 
Far quicker is the inner route via the waypoints RILAX-ZH364 to ZH370 + ZH340 to the final approach waypoints of UTIXI and MILNI...
 

 
Starting after RILAX I then added in the series of numbered waypoints ZH364 to ZH370 + ZH340 then moved UTIXI into the first "ROUTE DISCONTINUITY' box to edit out both LAMAX and AMIKI waypoints and create the same approach RNAV route as on the above RILAX 34 chart.
 
The point here was that the route editing was excellent, however you do need to "EXEC" (Execute) every single time if you need to remove or change a wrongly inserted waypoint or DELETE a waypoint, it won't accept the action otherwise. Notable was the CDU was willing to accept numbered waypoints as well as the IACO five letter waypoints. So route building and editing on this Universal CDU is excellent. But shame you don't have a visual (even a pop-up) layout of the route to verify your data it is a noticeable omission.
 
PERF INIT (Performance)
The PERF INIT page is also very good...  this sets up the performance of the aircraft in flight, and is actually required to add in the VNAV calculations.
 

 
Press LK1 (Left Key 1) to set up the ZFW (Zero Fuel Weight) and GW (Gross Weight) that are both noted on the tablet...
 

 
Odd thought is the PLAN fuel entry? In most cases you add in the BLOCK fuel amount (9162 kgs), but it only gives you a INVALID FORMAT error message?
 

 
To set the PLAN amount you have to enter the COST INDEX (opposite), in a COST INDEX number (from 0000 to 9999)... the PLAN number shown is the TRIP fuel amount and not the BLOCK fuel (Block fuel is the 9.2 CALC), this is not the usual way of setting the PLAN fuel performance number? Notable is the setting of the STEP SIZE right lower.
 

 
TAKEOFF REF leads on from the PERF INIT page...   Here you can manage take-off performance. Take-off flap setting and V-speeds can be entered and verified. T/O flap position will give you your takeoff speeds v1, VR V2 of which you can select and set via the right side keys. (note you have to set the bugs yourself?). APPROACH REF can also be set.
 

 
ECON CLB, ECON CRZ (Cruise) and ECON 285 are all available via the VNAV button?
 

 
Notable is that you only have the TAKEOFF REFS on the ground as the page is whited out (above right).
 
HOLDS
A huge feature on this FMS, is that it has a very good HOLD function. There are two separate HOLD functions, a "No Holding Fix" and a "Holding Fix" in the route.  Press the HOLD button to access the hold options.
 

 
On the left is the five ICAO box input and on the right is the PPCS. In reality a "No Holding Fix" will create a racetrack course at any point around a Lat/Long fix... so pressing the PPCS will create the current Lat/Long fix (Image below left) and start the HOLD position.
 

 
The "Holding Fix" is selected via a ICAO waypoint, then inserted into the box input to select of which waypoint you want the hold to start, this is noted on the waypoint as "HOLD AT" and the waypoint is noted on the HOLD page via the HOLD button. You can edit it out anytime via doing a DIRECT-TO (DIR-TO).
There is no actual DIRECT-TO button on this CDU, so you select your next (DIRECT) waypoint (into the scratchpad) and then insert it at the top of the route list with the LK1 key, to get out of the HOLD you do the same DIRECT-TO action. All actions require the EXEC (Execute) action.
 
There are different HOLD entry procedures (direct, parallel and teardrop) which are computed automatically by the FMS. Distance Legs between turns is noted in minutes in 1.0 minutes below 14,000 feet and 1.5 minutes above 14,000 feet. Leg Times can be adjusted, but are calculated with airspeed and wind variables.
 
Pretty good isn't it...  You can't cover every feature here, but the provided manual and details is excellent. If you wish you can also now also replace this FMS with the 3rd party RealityXP GTN750 in the 3D cockpit
________________
 
Physical changes in v1.2.1 include a very nice GPU (Ground Power Unit), of which I complained about that was missing. And if you press the weather radar screen for it comes up now as a 2D pop-up window, (quicker than using the menu).
 

 
One of the big features on the JF BAe146 is the Thrust Modulation System (TMS), and the system has had a few significant changes in this v1.2.1 update...
...  now Pressing an active mode or TOGA button will return TMS to standby and freeze actuators in place, blue up-arrows and white down-arrows will correctly show whether the pilot needs to increase or decrease throttles, TMS actuators will now remain centered when the thrust levers are at idle and the TMS actuators movement rate is no longer dependent on frame rate...  

 
...   the TMS actuators will now remain centered when the thrust levers are at idle, and the TMS actuators movement rate is no longer dependent on frame rate.
 
The FUEL TRANSFER annunciators, will now properly indicate the center tank transfer valve positions on both the upper OHP and main annunciator panel.
 

 
Fixed engines #3 and #4 low oil temperatures in flight after a cold-and-dark start, improved Engine Overspeed test: If N1 is between 26 and 40%, this will shut down the engine.  This can be reset by either re-starting the engine, or powering down the ESS DC bus and the Oxygen test now requires the oxygen valve to be open.
____________
 
In Flight...
 

 
....  the BAe146 looks and is amazing.
 
PROG (Progress) page is excellent in action with three pages under the PROG button...
 

 
....  page 1 covers distance and waypoint progress, page 2 covers your Wind, Fuel Used and (current) Fuel Quantity. Page 3 covers RTA data. As both CDUs are separate, then the data pages can be shared between the two CDUs.
.

 
Not noted in any changelog, is that the cabin lighting has been adjusted for night conditions...  now the cabin is not pitch black, but a really enjoyable place to be when flying at night...  yes I complained about that aspect as well.
 

 

___________________
Summary
The Just Flight/Thranda Design British Aerospace BAe146 was released for the X-Plane Simulator back in May 2021. It is a highly developed simulation, but the release (v1.0) version was missing one main component in a fully working FMS (Flight Management System)
 
This v1.2.1 update fixes that aspect with the installation of a UFMC (Universal Flight Management Computer). It is not the same unit as in the P3D aircraft version UNS-1, but again a more highly developed and deeper Flight Management system for X-Plane.
 
And very good it is, and the system comes with individual CDUs, keyboard input, full editing, numbered and ICAO waypoints, PERF (Performance), PROG (Progress), ECON (Economy), TAKEOFF REFs and an extremely good HOLD system with both Lat/Long and waypoint holds. Navigation data is also provided for the custom FJCC system (or update via Navigraph or Aerosoft NavDataPro subscriptions).
 
The v1.2.1 update (changelog) list is quite long and detailed, but added is a physical GPU (Ground Power Unit) and new quick access pop-up (Weather) panel, RealityXP GTN750 is now optional, reflections have been toned down on instruments and windows. The unique Thrust Modulation System (TMS), has also had a few significant changes... Fuel Transfer annunciators have been adjusted as has the oil temperatures in flight after a cold-and-dark start, and an improved Engine Overspeed test. And the Oxygen test now requires the valve to be opened...  not noted but included is far better night cabin lighting.
 
The inclusion of the Universal UFMC is far more significant than it looks, as it sorts of completes the aircraft and it's system to be a far more and better simulation...  It just now looks and feels as a whole, and not as partly completed as before.
 
The title says "Pro" or Professional, and that is exactly what the BAe146 is. But that means it is study grade as well, so it needs time and study to get the best out of the aircraft, but notable now is the point in that you get the complete context of all the systems in the aircraft now with a fully decent FMS installed...    Highly Recommended.
___________________________________
 

 
Yes! the British Aerospace 146 Professional v1.2.1 by JustFlight is now available from the X-Plane.Org Store here :
 
BAe146 Professional - JustFlight
Price is US$74.99
Requirements X-Plane 11 Windows, Mac or Linux 4 GB VRAM Minimum - 8 GB VRAM Recommended Download Size: 3.8 GB Current and Review Version: 1.2.1 (September 21st 2021)  
Note!, you can use the Skunkcrafts updater to update the aircraft to the latest version.
 
Features
Eight variants of the 146 are included: 146-100 146-200 146-300 146-200 QC & QT (cargo) 146-300 QT (cargo) CC.Mk2 (RAF VIP configuration with countermeasure pods) C.Mk3 (RAF cargo configuration with countermeasure pods)  Accurately modelled using real-world aircraft plans and comprehensive photography of the real aircraft (G-JEAO, ZE701 and ZE708)  Numerous animations including:      - Trailing edge flap surfaces      - Wing-mounted spoilers and tail-mounted airbrake      - Ailerons and elevators feature servo tabs, and balanced, free-floating control surfaces which are affected not only by oncoming air, but also by turbulence, side winds, up and down drafts etc. during taxi or low-speed ground operations      - All passenger, service and cargo doors use custom animations and feature extra logic such as the auto-closure of doors above a certain speed      - Windscreen wipers with individual left/right animations and independent speed controls      - Distinctive retractable tricycle landing gear featuring complex trailing link shock-absorbing mechanism on the main gear      - Countermeasure pods, HF aerial and more Now with Custom FMC  Included UFMC (Custom FMC) support since version 1.2 COCKPIT A truly 3D cockpit environment right down to accurately modelled seat belts and screw heads Cockpit textures feature wear and tear based on reference photos taken in the real aircraft to produce an authentic environment Captain, Co-pilot and jump-seat positions are modelled with hundreds of functional controls, including over 200 buttons, 100 switches and knobs, with smooth animations, easy-to-use clickspots and precision sounds Fully VR compatible Aircraft configuration system that will allow you to choose between 'cold & dark' or 'engines running’. These configurations can be customised via the Manifest.json file. Custom throttle lever logic – fuel latch logic which is compatible with hardware (avoiding jitters due to conflicting throttle positions), cutomisable variation in throttle positions for added realism, clickspot for controlling all four levers simultaneously etc. Functional crank handles on knobs such as the altitude select and rudder trim, which allow for more intuitive, realistic and quicker operation Full support for command assignments, hardware and cockpit builders: All controls can be assigned to commands, with tooltips on every clickspot to indicate which command to use Parameters such as smoothing animation, number of positions, attached dataref, push-button depth, knob rotation multiplier, frame-skip (for optimisation), default position etc. can all be customised via the Manifest.json file, providing great support for hardware and cockpit builders. Default commands for landing and taxi lights, windscreen wipers, panel lights etc. are still respected, despite being implemented with custom functionality Custom features such as ‘hide yokes’ are controllable using default commands (e.g. 'Hide Yoke') as well as via clickspots EFB tablet with door and call-out controls and with AviTab support TEXTURES AND LIVERIES Physical Based Rendering (PBR) materials produce realistic metallic, plastic and glass surfaces. Certain liveries feature more metallic or more rough finishes to match the real-world materials on a per-livery basis. 4096x4096 textures are used to produce the highest possible texture clarity (external texture pixel density exceeds 330 pixels/m, very high for an airliner) X-Plane texture quality slider reduces texture dimensions and compresses textures in-sim in real-time, but textures that are crucial for hi-res clarity and legibility are protected from resolution degradation at lower graphic settings Authentic labelling and placards based on those found in the real aircraft The 3D model intelligently re-uses the same parts between aircraft variants, reducing download size and optimising in-sim resource usage. The numerous optimisation measures made to the aircraft’s geometry, such as unloading parts that are not in view, contribute to the aircraft’s FPS-friendly performance (in-house tests consistently yield between 70-135 FPS) Ground vehicles (X-Plane default) available at supporting airports.  
BAe146 Changelog v1,2.1
BAe146 v1.2.1 changelog.txt ________________________________________   Aircraft Update Review by Stephen Dutton
2nd October 2021
Copyright©2021: X-Plane Reviews
 
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 Right Reserved.  
 

Aircraft Review : Boeing 767-400ER by FlightFactor Aero/SteptoSky
 
Here is another variant and upgrade package from FlightFactor for their Boeing 767 product line. FlightFactor produce both 767/757 Twins in a load of variants and avionics packages, here the focus this time is on the Boeing 767, which is currently available in -200ER and -300ER/F variants.
This significant new variant is a very minor series version in the Boeing 767-400ER (Extended Range), as only 37 767-400ERs were delivered to the variant's only two airline customers, Continental Airlines (now merged with United Airlines) and Delta Air Lines.
 
The -400 type features a 21.1-foot (6.43-metre) stretch over the 767-300, for a total length of 201.25 feet (61.3 m). The wingspan is also increased by 14.3 feet (4.36 m) through with the the addition of raked wingtips. The 767-400ER has a range of 5,625 nautical miles (10,418 km), just slightly less than previous extended-range 767s at 5,980 nmi (11,070 km), because of restraints of the fuel capacity.
 
The exit configuration uses six main cabin doors and two smaller exit doors behind the wings, similar to certain 767-300ERs. Other differences include an updated cockpit, redesigned landing gear, and 777-style Signature Interior. Power is provided by the uprated General Electric CF6 engines. Most in service use the FAA granted approval to operate 180-minute ETOPS flights and even used for transatlantic services, for which the aircraft is ideal. The size difference of the -300 to the larger -400 is highly noticeable, it feels a far more bulky aircraft
 

 
As we can see the aircraft is a bit of a "Frankenstein" in design, and not a major part of current airline fleets. The benefit of course is the far higher payload for the same operating range, but the biggest attraction is in the cockpit...  First is what we currently have.
 
FlightFactor in the 767 Series have created two cockpit EFIS variations, the "Standard"...  basically the original B767 cockpit layout.
 

 
Second variation is the "FPDS" or "Flat Panel Display System" or commonly known as a glass cockpit conversion.
 

 
This FPDS was a conversion of the avionics to the IS&S - Innovative Solutions & Support’s display units, this layout is very similar to the ProLine 21 system and in the Boeing 737-800 but with four displays covering both pilots PFD and MAP/NAV. A full review of the FPDS system can be read here: Aircraft Upgrade : Boeing 767 Pro Avionics FPDS by FlightFactor/SteptoSky
 
The Boeing 767-400ER is however far more unique because the aircraft has the modern avionics of the Boeing 777. In other words the cockpit is a retro fitted layout of the Boeing 777 in a Boeing 767. And very, very nice it is.
 

 
Although it feels like a Boeing 767 cockpit FlightFactor style, there still the look and feel of a more modern textures and the more updated modeling, so it feels fresher and looks to the future of FlightFactor design, notable was that FlightFactor were always a little heavy-handed in their designs and modeling. So it will be interesting to see the fresher new designs of the coming Boeing 787 and Boeing 777 in this aspect.
 

 
There is no doubt the 777 avionics brings a far more modern feel, and the feeling of space and less clutter to the instrument panel. It is a six panel display. PFD (Primary Flight Displays) each end, MAP/NAV displays inner, Engine and Crew Alert Displays (upper) and MFD (Multifunctional Display) (lower). All screens have adjustable glow and dirt effects, like on the other FlightFactor B767s. 
 

 
You can switch easily from a B777 to this B767 hybrid, but notable is that a lot of the functions available on the B777 facia are blanked out here, mostly on the upper/lower central monitoring displays, in fact on the lower MFD there are only five selections; ENG, STAT, GEAR, FCTL and NAV.
 

 
And displays are switchable.
 

 
Through the EFB (Electronic Flight Bag), you now also access Navigraph charts. Access is via selecting Charts, then the OPTIONS (lower left pop-out box) then filling out your Navigraph login and password details, then a confirmation from Navigraph, will allow you to access your account and use the charts...  very nice.
 

 
Cabin in textures and design are exactly the same as the -300, now only longer to match the new layout of 40 Seats. 28 Seats. 178 Seats for each class, there are no suites here. It is actually a very, very nice cabin, and the lighting (adjustable) has been thankfully toned down. But still the EXIT lights don't work?
 

 
Externally the Boeing 767-400 the modeling and textures has been revised, it looks certainly far better, but not that much different in retrospect as it still has that Boeing 767 feel.
 

 
On the -400, Boeing had to upgrade the undercarriage to carry and take the extra forces of the extra weight and payload. So the gear is significantly different, and here also FlightFactor have redesigned it from scratch, and they have done an excellent job. Note the fine nosewheel tyre detail.
 

 
Detail, Wear and Tear as shown here is impeccable. All the gear components are highly visible and expertly modeled, impressed...
 
The aircraft comes with only the uprated General Electric CF6-80C2B7F1 with an output of 62,100lb (276.2kN). The design and fit of the GE CF6s on the airframe is excellent, they are well and beautifully modeled and look simply brilliant.
 

 
The raked winglets are unusual as well, they include creating additional wing span, so you get better and increased takeoff weight capability. They work by increasing the effective wing aspect ratio and diminish wingtip vortices, decreasing lift-induced drag. In testing by Boeing and NASA, they reduce drag by as much as 5.5%, compared to 3.5% to 4.5% for conventional winglets. The new 777X has the same theory.
 

 
Liveries
There are seven -400 liveries as part of the standalone and upgrade packages. In; Air Canada, China Eastern, China Southern,Delta, FlightFactor House, Turkish Airlines and United.
 

 
In the air
You basically have the best of two worlds. One is the Study aspect of a fully system aircraft directly from the Boeing specifications (the aircraft is officially licensed by the Boeing © Corporation). Two it is actually quite easy to fly when you know the aircraft and it's systems. The beauty is you can swap 767 versions and variants and feel right at home in everyone of them. The slightly different 777 layout was also very easy to adopt to.
 
A quick flight from KATL (Atlanta) to KIAD (Washington DC), and I was right at home from the moment of throttles up. Instantly long routes beckoned, and the routing over the Atlantic suddenly became a "Must do".
 

 
"ER" stands for "Extended Range", so why not, as you feel very comfortable in this environment, and the aircraft performs well. The -400 is a very interesting size, should the aircraft have been far more successful that it is? it is a big question as it fills in an important niche in the market, my guess is that 2nd hand -400 aircraft will be very popular.
 
Sounds are again a professional sound pack by BSS Studios, with several hundred custom sounds,  including In flight cabin announcements.
and Interactive communication with the cabin crew.
 

 
Landing at Dulles is trouble free and easy, should it be like that, yes when everything comes together and works this well.
 

 
To note that this B767-400ER release is a "Public Beta", so you are buying an aircraft that is in development and so bugs are in there, and also you will get aircraft changes as the beta progresses.
 
FlightFactor do have a complicated packages system, but basically it works like this, a Standard package of the aircraft, and then the addon Avionics or Variant versions, and there is also the choice to buy an all in one "Global" package. This order will now separate the 767-family into two base packages with the 767-300ER and 767-400ER respectively, which can be upgraded into a joined "pair", or to any combination of 3 possible upgrades.
 
Like with the FPDS upgrade, the 767-400ER, will be offered not only as a standalone package, but also as an upgrade to any previously bought 767 package. The 767-400ER standalone package which is on sale at US$69.00 for the period until XP12 is released (then it goes up to US$79.00).
And the "400" upgrade package will be available for US$30.00 as an addition to any previously bought package of the 767-family. If you want all three, ORIGINAL, FPDS and 400ER then that is called the "global PLUS".
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Summary
Here is another FlightFactor extension package for the FlightFactor 767 Series. Already there is the Boeing -200ER, -300ER and F-Freighter variants, and this new aircraft is the larger 767-400ER variant. It comes with a larger payload, a 21.1-foot (6.43-metre) stretch, but with the same range.
 
Besides the longer length, there is also the unique fitting of a Boeing 777 style six panel EFIS into the -400 aircraft, so it has the more modern avionics than the other 767s. Also a remodeled landing gear, raked winglets and remodeled CF6-80C2B7F1 engines. FlightFactor have also redone the fuselage modeling, and updated the texture quality. Navigraph charts are available on the EFB, systems and features are also as high a quality as before.
 
Notably this release is a "Public Beta", so there are still a few bugs and issues to be covered, but FlightFactor are reacting quickly and v1.5.1 is now released and the minimum version you should use. All updates and downloads of the 767 aircraft is via the X-Updater application. Personally I would like, a Global "Save" option, complicated aircraft require better saving features.
 
Your choice of a quality Boeing approved 767 has just got larger, well a lot larger with the -400 variant, and the rest of the quality from FlightFactor is still all here, and even improved.
 
I like the FlightFactor 767s, and yes this one is their best yet, and went straight to the top of my fleet usage list, it fills in a great category, and it is nice big aircraft, but a quality twin as well, and I love big heavy aircraft. It is really not hard to like and I totally recommend the aircraft, as a standalone, or as an $30 addon to your existing FlightFactor 767 fleet...   nice one FlightFactor!
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Yes! the Boeing 767-400ER Professional by FlightFactor/StepToSky is NOW! Available from the X-Plane.Org Store here :
 
Boeing 767-400 ER Professional
Price is US$69.00 (will increase to US$79.00 on the release of X-Plane12)
 
Boeing 767-400 UPGRADE
Existing 767 customers will automatically get the US$30 upgrade at checkout.
 
Boeing 767 Global Plus+
Price is US$145.00
The Global Plus Package Includes:
767-200ER (PW+GE) 767-300ER (PW+RR+GE) 767-300F (PW+GE+RR) 767-200SF (Cargo) 767 FPDS Variant 767-400ER Free Updates to X-Plane 12 (when available). This means you get 2 versions: XP11 version now and XP12 version later.
 
More B767 version details are available here; Aircraft Update : Boeing 767 Professional/Extended v1.2.7 by FlightFactor/StepToSky/VMax
 
Requirements
X-Plane 11, Will be compatible with X-Plane 12 for free. Windows 7+, Mac OS 10.10+ or Linux 14.04 LTS or compatible, 64 bit mode 8Gb RAM / 3Gb VRAM Minimum, 16-24Gb+ RAM / 6Gb+ VRAM Recommended Current version: 1.5.1 (14/06/2022) _________________________________  
Review by Stephen Dutton 14th July 2022 Copyright©2022: 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  -S1700 Core i7 12700K 12 Core 3.60 GHz CPU / 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 : RK Apps XPRealistic v2 - US$34.99 : Environment Engine by xEnviro US$69.90
Scenery or Aircraft
- KATL - Atlanta International UHD v2 by Nimbus (X-Plane.OrgStore) - US$28.95
- KIAD - Washington Dulles International Airport by Nimbus (X-Plane.OrgStore) - US$29.95 (Scenery Review : KIAD - Washington Dulles)
 
(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
 

News! - Announcement : Boeing 787-9 coming from FlightFactor
 
FlightFactor announced last month that a completely new aircraft to add into the line up of a B777, B767/B757 twins, A350 and the Airbus A320 Ultimate is coming from the development house.
 
This aircraft is the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and details are noted that the B787 will reach new heights in complexity, usability and have a variety of features. We are also taking our 3D and texturing to the next level with ever more detail in and out of the cockpit.
 
The first cockpit renders have been produced...
 

 
It is the first all new aircraft from FlightFactor since the A320 Ultimate, but FlightFactor note the B787 will be closer to the B757/B767 in design than use the Chromium Embedded Framework (CEF) than on the same A320U aircraft...  either way there will be a lot of expectations and a quality delivery expected on this aircraft as the CEF development was a long and testing one, but also the coming B787 at a study grade level will be a big shot in the arm for X-Plane with the MSFS onslaught.
 
FlightFactor also noted "v2 plans for other models are simultaneously on the way, we just don't want to reveal it all at once! " that will be the v2 Boeing 777 and the v2 A350. I would expect the v2 B777 even before the end of 2020, but not the v2 A350 as the v1 just went with a serious upgrade with version Advanced v1.6 just being released, so that aircraft will certainly be a mid or late next year release, but an upgraded Boeing 777 (the current version is now seriously old) will keep the punters more than happy until the Dreamliner arrives.
 
Overall FlightFactor has noted that with this aircraft it wants to take simulation to the next level....  exciting times.
 
Images courtesy of FlightFactor
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  News by Stephen Dutton
15th September 2020
Copyright©2020: X-Plane Reviews
 
(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)


 

Not yet, but there is one coming... Concorde by COLIMATA