Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'stma'.
-
NEWS! - Aircraft Released : Sherpa K650T Turbine Bush Plane X-Plane 12 by STMA STMA - Shade Tree Micro Aviation have released the Sherpa K650T for X-Plane 12. Although based on the Sherpa X-Plane 11 version (Still available here). This new X-Plane 12 version is heavily revised, with an Improved float package, 3D instruments, Improved autopilot response with flight director steering, totally new FMOD v2 sound pack and X-Plane 12 performance tweaks and effects. The Sherpa cockpit has also been completely rebuilt to include a G530 navigator and comm package plus a Garmin GFC 700 autopilot. The aircraft specifications are interesting in being an experimental bush plane of the Sherpa design. The K650T concept includes a 1050hp Garrett turboprop engine, Wipaire 6100 amphibians, Rossi-Fernandez skis, and Alaska Bush Wheels in a configurable package. Features Short field performance – 300’ takeoff with full payload, 350’ landing with reverse prop Improved float package from the XP11 version – better stability and tracking 3D instrument package with sync and select features for airspeed, altitude, and VVI A great instrument flyer – stable and responsive Improved autopilot response with flight director steering Revised flight manual and operator manuals for systems FMOD Sound Package. Rain and reflective glass package for realistic weather in Alaska or northern Norway Along that last line – a complete anti-ice package to keep you on mission Images are courtesy of STMA STMA Developer Support : STMA Hangar and repair shop .Org The Shade Tree Micro Aviation Sherpa K650T for X-Plane 12 is now available from the X-Plane.OrgStore... ______________________ Yes! the Sherpa K650T Turbine Bush Plane XP12 by Shade Tree Micro Aviation is NOW available from the X-Plane.Org Store here : Sherpa K650T Turbine Bush Plane XP12 Price is US$29.95 Requirements : X-Plane 12 (not for XP11) Windows , Mac or Linux 8 GB+ VRAM Recommended Download Size: 175 MB Current version : 12.1 (April 9th 2024) ______________________ News by Stephen Dutton 10th April 2024 Copyright©2024: 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
-
NEWS! - HpH 304 S Shark 18 Meter Sailplane released by STMA STMA? know that one, but "haven't they been quiet for quite a time?". Shade Tree Micro Aviation are what you would call "oldtimers" in the lexicon of X-Plane Folklore. In fact their own explanation by STMA staff about the origin of “Shade Tree”. Jim indicated that the name reflected “our laid-back philosophy of creating models”. Todd Denning replied: “It was because it started as an amateur effort like shade tree mechanics”. So the gang are back, but the release is a Sailplane (glider), that is another shock, mostly STMA released Bush or Utility aircraft, so again a sailplane is a little odd, but we will go with that one. The HPH 304S is a high-performance single-seated, flapped racing class sailplane. It is offered in a convertible wing configuration with long and short wingtip extensions allowing both 15- and 18-meter wingspans. X-Plane 12 does have a very different and new thermal environment. And this STMA aircraft is fine-tuned into those finer behaviors. Features Full 3D cockpit with ample room for functional growth as demand dictates. GPS equipped for cross country tasks Polar data and soaring references included for your best start in soaring experiences Flap and Airfoil data modified for best negative flap experience LX-styled Instrument package featuring both Imperial and metric data MacCready number setting on the variometer for optimum energy management Variometer and Speed to Fly modes toggle to provide airspeed guidance Vario with both color and sound indicators provide instant energy gain/loss assessment Configured correctly for both winch and aerial tow pulls Ballast control from the STMA dock feature – load it or lose it from cockpit Rain windscreen for when the clouds let go Edge of envelope flight characteristics Accurate stall speeds for all configurations 45-degree dives in full spoiler configuration without overspeed Accurate approach and landing speeds The STMA guys are back, so check out the their latest (interesting) release. Images courtesy of STMA ________________ Yes! the HpH 304 S Shark 18 Meter Sailplane by STMA is NOW available from the X-Plane.Org Store here: HpH 304 S Shark 18 Meter Sailplane Price is US$29.95 (currently on sale for US$22.95) Requirements X-Plane 12 Windows , Mac or Linux 4 GB VRAM Minimum . 8 GB+ VRAM Recommended Current version : 12 (May 26th 2023) ________________ News by Stephen Dutton 29th May 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.
-
Classic Aircraft Review - DHC-2T Beaver Turbo by Shade Tree Micro Aviation The classic DHC-2 Beaver is seemingly everywhere, but its claim to fame is as the "workhorse of the north", Alaska north that is. But when production stopped in 1967 when the original line was shut down, there had only been 1657 aircraft built. But as the Beaver's reputation grew the de Havilland aircraft company of Canada had no choice but to put the aircraft back into production. It is one of those aircraft that should have been long out of production since its first flight August 16, 1947. But the DHC-2 solders on in not only are there hundreds still flying, but many have been totally upgraded and converted to modern powerplants from the original Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Jr. radial engine, with 450 hp (336 kW) to this modified version created by Viking Air of the versatile Pratt & Whitney PT6A-27 680 hp (507 kW) turboprop engine. Viking became the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of de Havilland spare parts for the DHC-2 Beaver in 1983 when they acquired all the original jigs, drawings and Type Certificate (STC) for the aircraft from de Havilland Canada. Performance : Cruise speed (km/h) 250 - Maximum speed (km/h) 280 - Range with max payload (km) 960 - Maximum operating altitude 15,0260ft (4580m) - Rate of Climb: 1,425fpm (feet per minute) Shade Tree Micro Aviation A motley crew of six talented individuals (Jim McNeill, Kerry Cross, Bob Feaver, Mark Roberts, Todd Denning and Benjamin Whitehead) make up Shade Tree Micro Aviation (STMA) and between them they have being creating great X-Plane aircraft since the early days. Mostly STMA design mostly small rugged bush aircraft like the Beaver Turbo here, but also the original Beaver and Sherpa K650T Turbine Bush Plane (Review - Sherpa K650T) and the Pilatus PC-12/47G (Review - Pilatus PC-12/47G), good solid flyable aircraft, and this Beaver Turbo is right there in the same context and design. DHC-2T Beaver Turbo The aircraft comes in various versions and variants, in this package you have three choices for different roles. Bush Tundra The "Tundra" is the wheeled version of the aircraft. "Tundra" is a noted reference to those huge balloon tyres that are created to land on subsoil that is permafrost, or permanently frozen soil which is abundant in these northern climes. There is no standard wheeled version. Float The float variant comes with a set of Wipaire 6100 Amphib Floats, worn and extremely well done. The wheels are retractable and so are the rudders which can be lifted out of the water to lessen the drag for takeoff. Ski The Ski variant has two large plates on the front undercarriage struts and and a smaller plate on the tail wheel. They can be raised or lowered above or below the wheels. DHC-2T Beaver Turbo Exterior A bush plane is a workhorse, nothing more and nothing less, So these rugged aircraft have big job to do and their appearance can sometimes mask their abilities. STMA have done a great job in creating an authentic workhorse in design, and in someways the longer turbo nose of the aircraft is quite different from the original stubby faced Beaver that we all know and love. You are not short of options here. There is a menu panel that slips out of the lower left of your screen that covers a lot of good options when setting up the aircraft to the way you want to fly it. There is a coloured code to check what is active and what is not in Yellow just text, Red not active and Green for selected. First four options are for in the cockpit in: PFD (Primary Flight Display) Zoomed or MFD (Main Flight Display) Normal. You can also choose if to hide or show both or either of the Pilot's and co-pilot's yokes. There are five doors on the aircraft: pilot's, co-pilot's, rear passenger door left, rear passenger door right and an Alaska door or large cargo door. All can be opened and closed on the menu. And there is a large cargo pod on the bottom of the aircraft that can be installed or removed. Other menu features include wheel chocks and flags, controls (yoke) locked and aircraft tie-downs. Noted is that for the some menu items to work you have to install a plugin (HangarOps) in your Resources/Plugins folder this does include the "tiedown" feature. The "HangarOps" plugin is also required for the "Tug", a hug block like vehicle to move the aircraft around. You can control (steer) the tug either from the tab menu or the remote control inside the aircraft. It is straight forward in either: front, back or left and right, but it goes too fast in forward/reverse modes to look realistic. You can have the choice of two interiors in: "passenger interior" and "Cargo Interior", you get four seats and a cargo net with the "passenger" version and what looks like metal bars to strap cargo too in the "Cargo" version, but I think that actual cargo (boxes or crates) would have been more pleasing). The last menu item actions you can do is to lower the rear seat backs, blue colour notes down position and green notes up. The aircraft panels are engraved on the fuselage, which gives the aircraft its shape, but the rivet's are flat (painted) and not raised making the panels slightly flat in appearance, but overall the external design is good and well made, highlighted by the corrugations on the flaps and rudder. DHC-2T Beaver Turbo Internal There is another variant choice in the cockpit... You can select the "Retro" version which is based on the original Beaver panel or the... "Tundra" version which is to represent the more modern (Viking) style of a flat squared off panel. Both panels are fitted with add-on instruments and GPS navigation units, which reflects the approach that most Beavers flying around today are mostly in this guise. Personally I prefer the older "Retro" version and mostly because the black panel breaks up the bright blank facia look of the "Tundra" it looks the more interesting of the two. There is another Panel variation in the works from STMA is a GLASS feature "PILOT FLIGHT DISPLAY (PFD) AND MULTIFUNCTION DISPLAY (MFD): This variant is equipped with STMA's version of a EFIS (electronic flight information system) consisting of a PFD which is the primary flight and avionics (radios, transponder, and autopilot, etc.) display, and a MFD which has an identical set of bezel mounted controls but primarily is used to display the moving map navigation display and engine controls. This will be part of the package when released which is currently noted as "soon". So the combination of different variants you can choose to make up your ideal Turbo Beaver are quite numerous in "Retro" or "Tundra", "Tundra (Tyres)", "Floats" or "Ski" and finally "passenger" or "Cargo". All can be mixed to get the actual variant that you want. In the panel instrument layout and switch gear they are identical, so we will follow the design of the "Retro" version. The Beaver even in this guise is still a very basic aircraft, The standard six instruments (Airspeed Indicator, Attitude Indicator or Artificial Horizon, Altimeter, Turn Coordinator (old style) and Vertical Speed Indicator) are front and centre, but only on the pilot's side. Added to the standard six package is a fuel tank four set of indicators for left/right and two centre tanks and ADF pointer dial. Below is a an "Autopilot" that is easy to use, and then at the bottom of the panel a full row of switches to cover: Ing (Ignition), Fuel boost (two), Landing lights, Strobe, BCN (Beacon), Pitot (heat), NAV (Navigation Lights), INST (Instrument lights), MAP, Gen (Generator) BAT (power - battery) and Radio. A overhead light knob is on the right of the panel. On the far left is a fuel tank transfer/switch. There are a set of crude annunciators above the Standard six instruments and the flap setting position indicator noted as: Cruise, Climb, Take-off, Landing and Full-Flap. Right panel has the X-Plane large Garmin GNS 530 GPS unit (with pop-out panel), a great vintage ADF tuner and large Volts selection and fuse popper panel. The centre panel is dominated by large dials and the two main levers for Throttle and Conditioner (there is a third back-up Throttle lever), Below the levers is a twist knob for propeller feathering called here the Propeller Vernier Control. Above the levers are the two engine dials for Torque Pressure and Turbo Inlet Pressure and with a mid- screen mounted compass. Mid-Panel are two gauges for RPM and lower two gauges that cover (left) Oil Temperature Indicator and Oil Pressure Indicator (right). Lower panel is a working Hobbs Meter and Chronometer. On the roof is an outside Temperature gauge and great trim wheels, but they move quickly and with not much finesse. The rudder pedals are well done and there is the flap lever and a pump lever down on the floor by the pilot's seat, the flap lever is a pump/stroke affair to lower the flaps. Two levers on the lower part of the panel covers Shutoff (firewall) and a Cabin Heat. The park-brake is a push-pull action. Overall the instruments are large and the Standard Six are good, but instruments and mostly on the centre section don't have great resolution, this review was conducted in the texture resolution setting of "very high" and yet still some dials are still low-res and buzzy to look at. In the rear you can feel the space of the Beaver's square shape, but the textures are a bit plain and not very hard working dirty or worn. Flying the Turbo Beaver Of all the variants you can have with the STMA Turbo Beaver the one I liked the most is the Retro-Float version, especially for flying around Anchorage or the inside passage areas of lower Alaska. Here I am flying from Lake Hood, central of PANC (Anchorage International Airport) to Finger Lake which is slightly north-east of the city. I have become quite good at flipping float fitted aircraft in and out of X-Plane water, so this was a smooth transition from terra-firma to a liquid runway. On the float version there is an extra panel for the operation of the float undercarriage and to lower or lift the rudders out of the water (yes up for takeoff for less drag). One thing is noticeable is that the aircraft is very manoeuvrable on the water and far more than most float aircraft have been in the past, that makes it easier to set yourself up for takeoff even with a slight wind from the south. The turbine and power of this aircraft overcomes most of the Beaver's oldest liability... power. You very easily overcome the drag and sheer long hesitant runs to struggle to get airborne like you do in the standard radial Beaver, It just flies to state a cliche. Top speed Vne is around 139kts with floats attached and the 152knts Vne is 13kts faster than the standard Beaver in wheeled trim. But it is that torque that you have that is more usable, and the engine is more smoother and flexible. Overall you cruise at around 145kts, so no Beaver is going to break the sound barrier is it. Climb rate is better as well with only 1,000fpm maximum for the standard Beaver and 1,400ft fpm available here, so can very easily climb to 5,000 - 7,000ft and quickly, even with a full load on board. If one thing that stands out is that STMA are very good at getting the flight model and performance really good. You love to fly the aircraft because it responds very well to that stick and rudder person in you, it gives the meaning "flying by the seat of your pants" a whole new meaning, because you do love flying the Beaver... even if the aircraft's low speeds does take you some time to actually get there. I feel so comfortable with the Beaver that I can choose to land on the smaller cross section of Finger Lake, reducing the speed to around a stately 70knts with full flap and the aircraft is quite docile there in that speed range, and it is quite easy to pitch directly to the point of just popping it quietly on the water. Even a then little reverse thrust (beta) will stop you almost dead. Lower the rudders and you can easily steer to your mooring point, flexibility is one of the Beaver's strengths. Carry anything anywhere is great fun and a lot of different scenerios with this aircraft can easily be created. No doubt the power of the Turbo-Turbine version is the aircraft's advantage, you miss the noise and rattle of the radial, but this a smoother ride with more versatility, it is the way you want your Beaver that counts here, and this is the best for the longer faster routes. Liveries The "Olivia" C-GODH is the default livery with RCMP Services, A great TurboBeaver, Epoch Air, Black Beaver and white Jet Share All liveries are available with each Tundra, Ski and Float variant. Summary Shade Tree Micro Aviation have a huge reputation in X-Plane and they rarely fail to deliver interesting and highly flyable aircraft. No doubt the Turbo Beaver is in that same category, it delivers what you expect, huge features, lots of ideas and many different aircraft fit-outs and variants, so anybody who has purchased STMA before knows what they will get and they will be more than happy with the aircraft here. They will also overlook the low-resolution panel and instruments and interior design, they are not bad of course, but X-Plane is now getting down to very high-resolution in quality in this area, realism is very much in vogue and those annunciators are just really average today, and worse they are right in your sight line. These few items distract the aircraft from being very good to being really excellent as everything else is very good. Overall the Turbo Beaver is great value, a great aircraft and certainly a great addition to your "bush Pilot" experience. Fly around to your heart's content and enjoy the scenery and that is the Beaver life. __________________________________________________________________ The DHC-2T Beaver Turbo by Shade Tree Micro Aviation is available from the X-Plane.Org Store here : DHC-2T Beaver Turbo Package by Shade Tree Micro Aviation And is priced at only US$25.95 _____________________________________________________________________________________ Features: X-Plane's new GNS 530 approach-capable GPS with fully functional bezel in both the default panel mount view and when popped up (this is an intermediate size between the panel mount and the X-Plane pop-up). A Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI) A new 2 Axis Autopilot with GPSS (GPS Steering) A full-functioning ADF, which receives all 3 HF frequency bands, and includes NDB loop homing, a feature which virtually all ADF have but is unique to our ADF in X-Plane. A fully animated 3D cockpit with manipulator controls. We strongly recommend our ChaseViewDeluxe (CVD) and TrackerXP (TXP) head tracking plugins to maximize viewing both in the cockpit and in exterior views. TXP requires only an inexpensive webcam to provide the same look-around viewing offered by other head trackers at a fraction of the cost. Shade Tree Micro Aviation's Dock which provides control over functions such as the popped up GPS, opening and closing doors, and raising and lowering passenger seat backs to increase light cargo storage. Both passenger and cargo interiors. Detachable cargo pod. Tiedown ropes. Airplane will not move with Tiedown engaged. Tiedown works on land or water. Storable remove-before-flight flags, inlet covers, pitot tube covers, and wheel chocks. Our new airport tug which uses Dock commands or our STMA Remote to maneuver the airplane into and out of our STMA Hangars or into and out of parking spots on the ramp. Installation : Download file size is 301.30mb to your X-Plane - GA Aircraft Folder. Installed file size is 389mb Notes: You have to install the "HangarOps" folder in your Resources/Plugins folder, and this operates the tie-down straps, Push-Back Truck and the Hangar door animation feature. There are also enclosed textures to create hangars to be placed in your X-Plane scenery (via the OverlayEditor) and when used with the aircraft you can open close the doors at your command. There is also a "deHavilland DHC2T Turbo Beaver X-Adventure" coming as part of the package. Documents : There are three sets of Checklists for main, Emergency and Abbreviated. Great original De Havilland performance charts and a History document of the "Beaver" and there is POH (Pilots Operational Handbook) but it is not in the "Documents" folder but in the aircraft folder under "DHC2T_Owners_Manual" Requirements : X-Plane 10.30+ - Windows , Mac or Linux - 1Gb VRAM Video card Developer Support Site : DHC-2 Turbo _____________________________________________________________________________________ Review by Stephen Dutton 30th September 2015 Copyright©2015: X-Plane Reviews Review System Specifications: Computer System: - 2.66 Ghz Intel Core i5 iMac 27”- 9 Gb 1067 Mhz DDR3 - ATI Radeon HD 6970M 2048 mb- Seagate 512gb SSD Software: - Mac OS Yosemite 10.10.1 - X-Plane 10 Global ver 10.40 Addons - Saitek x52 Pro system Joystick and Throttle : Sound - Bose Soundlink Mini : WorldTraffic Plugin Scenery or Aircraft - PANC - Anchorage International Airport by Aerosoft (X-Plane.Store) - US$29.95
-
News! - STMA... All aircraft are now X-Plane11 All Shade Tree Micro Aviation aircraft (STMA) are all now compatible with X-Plane11, the only exception is the Kaman Kmax Helicopter. The list includes the... DHC-2 Beaver Turbo Piper PA-18 Super Cub Husky A-1A Husky Sherpa K650T Turbine Bush North American Rockwell OV-10 Lockheed U-2s Dragon Lady F-86E Sabrejet The PC12 - 47G, DHC3 Otter's and the Beech D18S or Beech AT11 are already X-Plane11 compatible. All aircraft now come with STMA's AutoUpdate (AU) which is the same as X-Updater, for direct updates to all future X-Plane11 updates. And all aircraft have been tuned to the new X-Plane11 dynamics and incorporate many of the X-Plane11 features. All Shade Tree Micro Aviation aircraft aircraft are now available at the X-Plane.OrgStore here: STMA - X-Plane.OrgStore _________________________________________ STMA has also released the Diamond DA40-180 Diamond Star for X-Plane11. This Diamond DA40-180 Diamond Star was originally commissioned by Precision Flight Controls, Inc, and was developed using the airplane’s Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS), the DA40 Flight Manual (POH), and has gone through extensive development and flight testing by DA40-qualified pilots. Features include: Two models: The original one with analog (“steam”) gauges and a new G1000 glass panel model. STMA’s unique AutoUpdate (AU) which automatically downloads any changes to the aircraft when it’s loaded into X-Plane. Transparent windows, realistic instrument panel with accurately positioned gauges. Detailed, fully animated 3D cockpit& instrument panel! Animated canopy and window/door. Airframe,flight model, speeds, performance and super realistic handling. Realistic landing gear struts and structures. Another superior paint job by master painter Peter Fisher, another superb fully animated pilot figure by Bob Feaver. Operational tips, the actual pilot checklist in Word format, and an extract copy of the airplane'sPOH is in the documents folder. Requirements X-Plane 11+ Windows , Mac or Linux 2Gb VRAM Video Card. 4Gb+ VRAM Recommended The Diamond DA40-180 Diamond Star for X-Plane11 is NOW available from the X-Plane.Org Store here : Diamond DA40-180 Diamond Star XP11 Price is US$29.95 _____________________________________________________________________________________ News by Stephen Dutton 1st December 2017 Copyright©2017: X-PlaneReviews Images are courtesy of STMA
-
News! - Aircraft Upgraded to XP11 : Husky A1-C XP11 by STMA After only a week since their DHC-2 Beaver upgrade, Shade Tree Micro Aviation (STMA) have upgraded their Husky A1-C XP11 to X-Plane11 as well. The Husky A1-C is one of the better aircraft from STMA's already distinguished fleet. X-PlaneReviews did a full review on the STMA Husky A1-C here: Aircraft Review : Aviat Husky A-1C from Shade Tree Micro Aviation This upgrade covers the changes to X-Plane11 in the flight model aerodynamics to match the performance of the actual aircraft with the latest power modifications, climb, cruise, and descent performance. Cockpit is as basic as you can fly, and any of the requirements for switchgear, dials or gauges have been updated to X-Plane11 specifications. The default GNS530 was already installed as is the large digital engine instrument panel known as the "JPI EDM 930 Engine Monitor". The various undercarriage options are also included with the default Float version, Tundra tyres and Ski version... but no standard wheeled version. Features include: Full featured VFR and IFR flight and navigation suite 3D cockpit with 3D instruments using day and night textures Laminar G530 GPS Dual VOR/ADF RMI HSI Dual COM/NAV Garmin Interphone panel Becker Radios (Light weight soaring favorites) Custom simulation of the Trio Pro Pilot autopilot system JPI EDM 930 Engine monitor Custom All-Season Gear and Flap indicator Engine and prop sounds created from actual Husky operations And the new STMA AutoUpdater (AU) that is now delivered with every new STMA aircraft is also installed that allows with the AU turned on and an internet connection the aircraft model updates are automatically downloaded to your model whenever it is opened in X-Plane. You can turn the updater off is you wish as well. As with any upgrade now to X-Plane11, STMA are charging an upgrade fee of US$5 to the new version for any older purchases of the STMA Husky, so go to your X-PlaneStore account and the Invoice for the coupon code for your upgrade deal. The Shade Tree Micro Aviation Husky A1-C for X-Plane11 is now available from the X-Plane.OrgStore... ______________________ Yes! the A1-C Husky XP11 by Shade Tree Micro Aviation is NOW available from the X-Plane.Org Store here : Husky A1-C Price is US$24.95 Requirements : X-Plane 11 Windows , Mac or Linux 2Gb+ VRAM Video Card Minimum . 3Gb+ VRAM Recommended The aircraft is very light and performance enhanced on frame-rate. No issues reported ______________________ STMA site : shadetreemicro - Aviat-A1-C-husky STMA Developer Support : STMA Hangar and repair shop .Org Images shown here in this update is the X-Plane10 version, not the upgraded STMA Husky XP11 ______________________ News update by Stephen Dutton 27th June 2017 Copyright©2017: 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 Upgraded to X-PLane11 : DHC-2 Beaver by STMA Shade Tree Micro Aviation (STMA) have upgraded their (de Havilland Canada) DHC-2 Beaver collection to X-Plane11. The DHC-2 Beaver is one of STMA's most successful aircraft, consistently updated and great to fly. This upgrade also allows STMA to bring to the aircraft some of their newer features found on other aircraft in their range. These tools including the AutoUpdater (below left) and STMA Dock with the PreFlight Group with aircraft towing tug also now added to the aircraft. New Additions include an update to the latest default GNS 430 GPS and the complementing modern Autopilot. A canoe is also now fitted to the floats. As with any aircraft that is upgraded to X-Plane11, the flight model and engine thrust parameters have now been updated to work correctly in the different X-Plane11 environment. The Beaver flies very nicely in its new environment, but is still quite tricky on takeoff and landing. Ground details There is a nice selection of ground details with all the doors opening, chocks and tags, tiedowns, yoke/rudder pedal lock and menu controllable pushback truck. Three types of Beaver are included with the Wheels, Ski and Float versions that all makes for a very versatile aircraft. The "Float" version includes the float retractable undercarriage and the new canoe. The aircraft is easily manoeuvrable on the water as well. Instrument panel is quite cluttered for a Beaver. The pilot gets all the flying instruments in the six standard flight instruments in the Artificial Horizon, Heading Indicator and the Airspeed, Altitude, Vertical Speed. Above the three levers on the DHC-2 iconic designed upper central panel are the Throttle, Propeller and Mixture and higher is a DME/ADF finder. Lower centre panel are two engine dials for Manifold Pressure and Prop RPM (in a pop up window as well) and with a mid- screen mounted compass. Mid-Panel are two gauges that cover engine Temperature Indicator, Oil Pressure Indicator and Fuel Pressure Indicator, lower panel is the three fuel gauges. Both yokes can be hidden or seen separately. Avionics are basic but very usable on a bush aircraft. Small Comm panel is top, then below the new default GNS430 (pop-out). Autopilot panel is basic, lower Bendix/King transponder and two radios for NAV2/VOR2 and ADF. Cabin is basic and very small. Nice selection of ten liveries are all Alaskan or Canadian designs Summary Shade Tree Micro Aviation (STMA) have been around X-Plane for eons, and have a huge following in users that understand and love their certain style of aircraft. The de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver is one of the most iconic and versatile aircraft ever built and put together you have a great selection of aircraft to explore the Alaskan or Canadian back countries. The upgrade to X-Plane11 is good with a few new features, but textures have not been upgraded or the PBR effects have not been tuned either and the panel resolution even set on high is not very good in this day and age and there is even some of the main instruments that are quite blurry? The lovely polished metal upper panel could have looked simply gorgeous, but that is again slightly blurry so the effect is lost. No doubt that STMA is the best for flight modelling and most users purchase their aircraft for the flying and not really to look at the aircraft, and this DHC-2 Beaver is very good in that department. Like most upgrades to X-Plane11 there is an upgrade cost for owners of the previous DHC-2 to this X-Plane11 version of $12.50. Look at your original invoice for the coupon code or send an email to [email protected] to qualify for the discount on the X-Plane.OrgStore. So this is a nice from STMA upgrade for an old favorite and there is a lot if old style avionics to use, and the usual users will love the aircraft even more to fly it now in X-Plane11. __________________________________________________________________ The DHC-2 Beaver by Shade Tree Micro Aviation is available from the X-Plane.Org Store here : DHC-2 Beaver XP11 Package by Shade Tree Micro Aviation And is priced at only US$26.95 Owners of the previous DHC-2 by STMA can buy this new XP11 model for only $12.50. Look at your original invoice for coupon code or send an email to [email protected] _____________________________________________________________________________________ Features: New X-Plane 11 Model Flight Model optimized for X-Plane 11 STMA Dock AutoUpdater Preflight group with tug Optional canoe for float model New panel mount GNS430 New modern autopilot Incredible Virtual cockpit Fully 3D animated. Animated pilot, controls, surfaces. Use of manipulators Accurate flight model Data used from the type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) and from the pilot operating handbook (POH) Based on real pilot's experience 3 models in one easy package Animated retractable skis, Animated amphibious floats (Includes a detachable canoe), and a "wheels" Beaver 5 exciting liveries Atlin Air, Army SAR, Moe's Fishing., Alaska Air Taxi, and LoneWolf. Main Features: Flight model optimized and tested by Alaska bush pilots. Goodway and FSE compatible A totally redesigned and updated 3D cockpit & cabin with animated: flight controls, trim wheels, cockpit and cabin doors. engine primer, wobble pump, emergency fuel shutoff and more Dynamic rheostat-controlled cockpit and instrument lighting Checklister checklist Requirements X-Plane 11+ Windows , Mac or Linux 2Gb+ VRAM Video Card. 3Gb+ VRAM Recommended Developer Support Site : DHC-2 Beaver _____________________________________________________________________________________ Upgrade Review by Stephen Dutton 16th June 2017 Copyright©2017: X-PlaneReviews (Disclaimer. All images and text in this review are the work and property of X-PlaneReviews, no sharing or copy of the content is allowed without consent from the author as per copyright conditions) Review System Specifications: Computer System: Windows - Intel Core i7 6700K CPU 4.00GHz / 64bit - 16 Gb single 1067 Mhz DDR4 2133 - GeForce GTX 980/SSE2 - Samsung Evo 512gb SSD Software: - Windows 10 - X-Plane 11.02 Addons: Saitek x56 Pro system Joystick and Throttle Plugins: Environment Engine by xEnviro US$69.90 Scenery or Aircraft - CYBD - Bella Coola by beti-x (X-Plane.OrgStore) US$24.00
-
News! - Aircraft Released! - Beechcraft AT11 Kansan by STMA Shade Tree Micro Aviation (STMA) have released a military version of the Beech 18 called the Beechcraft AT11 Kansan. This aircraft is based on the Khamsin version and is not to be confused with the STMA version of Heinz Dzuirowitz's Beech 18 that was acquired after his passing and was reviewed here. Beechcraft Model 18. Features: 1. Two completely new models, Bomber & Navigator, created using the Type Certificate Data Sheet, aircraft manuals, Internet files and photos, and our extensive knowledge of similar aircraft. 2. Includes all of the upgraded features of our Beech D18S Twin Beech models. 3. New military-style aircraft interiors. 4. The Bomber has a fully functioning, controllable, fuselage-mounted turret gun and a bombardier’s station is in the nose. The Navigator has a navigator’s station in the nose, work tables in the cabin and a celestial navigation astrodome in place of the gun turret. Our custom STMA_Guns plugin rotates through the available stations letting you be the pilot, the gunner/navigator, or the bombardier/navigator. Simply press the Gunner Station button or program a key or joystick button to STMA/Guns/RotateGunStation. Perfect for engaging in a little aerial combat with your online opponents! 5. Copilot rudder pedals and yokes are manipulators which, when clicked, move aside to permit the bombardier/navigator to enter the nose compartment. 6. AutoUpdater (AU) equipped. Under customer control automatically updates the models when they are loaded into X-Plane 7. Package includes STMA’s latest AutoUpdater (AU) equipped HangarOps plugin. KANSAN Version notes (wikipedia) Bombing and gunnery trainer for USAAF derived from AT-7, fuselage had small, circular cabin windows, bombardier position in nose, and bomb bay; gunnery trainers were also fitted with two or three .30-caliber machine guns, early models (the first 150 built) had a single .30-cal AN-M2 in a Beechcraft-manufactured top turret, later models used a Crocker Wheeler twin .30-cal top turret, a bottom tunnel gun was used for tail gunner training, 1,582 built for USAAF orders There are two versions in the package: Navigator Version Bomber Version Half panel cockpit is unusual and interesting and both the yokes for the pilot and co-pilot can be hidden. Panel is comprehensive and can be seen from both flying positions. In the rear there is seating (Navigation) or Bomb Racks (Bomber), and the bombs shake around quite turbulently and it feels quite unnerving with all that explosive power bouncing around just behind you. There is both Navigation and Bomber positions forward, the bomber panel has a full set of controls and built in moving map to drop the armaments. You can switch between the pilot's position and the top gunners position by pressing a button on the panel. Good pop-out Menu has all doors (open/close), Yokes (hide), Ground Elements and tow tug represented. Both variants come with four liveries: M78, MS JO, US Navy and V-203 The US Navy is the best of the bunch. The aircraft comes with STMA's new automatic update system (you can turn it off if you wish to) that will check everytime you fly the Beech AT11 and do any updates automatically, it works and is very clever and you will know you will always have the latest version. The Beechcraft AT11 Kansan is now available. _____________________________________________________________________________________ The Beechcraft AT11 Kansan by Shade Tree Micro Aviation is NOW available from the X-Plane.Org Store here : Beechcraft AT11 Kansan And is priced at only US$29.95 Requirements: X-Plane 10.50+ (any edition) Windows or Mac ( sorry no Linux version at this time) 1Gb+ VRAM recommended ______________________________________________________________________ Stephen Dutton 22nd September 2016 Copyright©X-Plane Reviews: X-PlaneReviews 2016
-
Aircraft Review : Aviat Husky A-1C from Shade Tree Micro Aviation Flying in its purest form is a personal journey. Just yourself and the machine in perfect harmony, moving through the air in a momentum of power, noise and being completely free with the elements... It is a glorious thing. You are certainly close to the elements in an Aviat Husky A-1C, there is no doubt about that. This utility aircraft is a strong structure of steel tube frames with a Dacron (known as Terylene in the UK) which is a hard plastic that is covering over all but the rear of the fuselage of this aircraft and metal leading edges of the high-set monoplane wings. Noisy power is provided by a Lycoming IO-360-A1D6 of 200 hp (149 kW). The 200 version has a gross weight of 2,200 lb (998 kg). Outwardly you would think the Husky design is far older than the aircraft actually is, more 60's than 1980's. For design work by Christen Industries began in 1985. The aircraft is one of the few in its class designed with the benefit for at that time the newly-fangled CAD (Computer Aided Design) software. The Husky prototype first flew in 1986, and the aircraft's certification was awarded the following year. Performance - Maximum speed: 145 mph (233 km/h; 126 kn) - Cruise speed: 140 mph (122 kn; 225 km/h) - Stall speed: 53 mph (46 kn; 85 km/h) flaps down, power off - Range: 800 mi (695 nmi; 1,287 km) at 55% power - Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,096 m) - Rate of climb: 1,500 ft/min (7.6 m/s) ______________________________________________________________________ I am flying this Husky from the Miami Seaplane base (X44) in Florida, right down the keys to KEYW (Key West). A delivery flight, but an enjoyable one at that. Just me, flying and taking in the scenery, and note that this aircraft package is the A1-C version and not the earlier STMA A1-A aircraft that has been released for a few years now. There is no doubt it is spartan in here. You sit in the frame with your rudder pedals, long stick and frame mounted one piece instrument panel. Your seat is basic and the seat in the rear is not there but instead what you have is simply just empty space, but the controls for a rear pilot are present, and you can carry 880 lb (399 kg) in this empty space if you require it. The aircraft is used for a multiple of roles in bush piloting, observation duties, fisheries patrol, pipeline inspection, glider towing, border patrol and other utility missions. Notable users include the US Department of the Interior and Agriculture. Instruments are basic, but with surprisingly powerful tools for such a bush utility aircraft. Centre panel is dominated by the standard six set of instruments that are large and clear with the Airspeed Indicator, attitude indicator (also known as an artificial horizon), altimeter, heading and Vertical speed indicator (VSI), the missing large instrument is the turn indicator, but that is built into the lower part of the artificial horizon. Instead in its place is the bearing indicator for VOR(2) and ADF bearings. Left is a large digital engine instrument panel known as the "JPI EDM 930 Engine Monitor" that is very powerful for such a small aircraft. It covers in rotary dials: RPM and Manifold Pressure. EGT (Exhaust Gas Temperature) and CHT (Cylinder Head Temperature). Three levels of strip gauges cover top to bottom Oil Temperature and Oil, Fuel Pressures. Middle layer is the electrical outputs in Volts, Amps and Carb-T (Carburettor Temperature). Lower line is Fuel in fuel pressure and left and right wing tank levels. Besides the two panel fuel indicators, there is a unique fuel gauge system noted directly on each of the wing tanks high above your head. How simple and easy is that, great idea. Right panel has a Garmin GMA 340 comm unit and a large Garmin GNS530 gps (standard X-plane) that pops out. Highlights here are the four Becker radio tuners in VOR 2 and ADF top, and a COMM 2 with a transponder tuner lower. (VOR 1 and COMM 1 is on the GNS530). Across the bottom of the panel is a row of power and lighting switches and on this float version of the aircraft, there are two levers for the (inside float) undercarriage up/down position lever and another lever to high/lower the rear float rudders. Left bottom panel is a (standard) chronometer. Two push/pull knobs cover your propeller (blue) and mixture (red) settings, throttle lever is high and to your left with a large "Elevator" trim wheel on the left side panel. The Trio Avionics Pro Pilot autopilot is not a standard issue on the Husky, but it is installed here. Basically it is a simple autopilot that allows you to hold a heading, hold an altitude and change altitudes by a set vertical speed (V/S) to a designated set altitude. The Pro Pilot will also lock into a planned route on the GNS530 gps and that makes it versatile tool. But is quite tricky to use. The main knob has two sets of manipulators both sides of the knob for each adjustment of the side of the instrument you want to adjust. The left is the HDG (heading), NAV (GNS530), VOR LOC and the right side is IAS, V/S, ALT (Altitude) and ALT SEL (Altitude Select) and ALT HLD (Altitude Hold). You change the selection modes by the buttons on the lower corners H MODE left and V MODE right. Activation is via the selection on the top two corners in H NAV and V NAV. The small lights in yellow for in progress and green for active (or locked in). Overall it is a simple system but complicated until you get familiar with it, once you work it out then it works fine, but the manipulators are difficult to use, in that when selected usually you click on the mouse button to change the numbers (say V/S) but here you have to hold the mouse down for it to work, and (laboriously) slow it is at the start, once moving it gets faster the longer you hold the manipulator down, but you miss that one click change for fine quick adjustment. But as with anything you get used to it but it is ponderous if you have a lot changes in heading, altitude or V/S speed changes to do. You can adjust the heading on the Pro Pilot or on the heading dial which is quicker to use. Quality and modeling is a good notch above STMA's range of aircraft. All the panel's text is clear, sharp and intelligible even at lower texture setting, unlike the fuzzy STMA text of the past and that gives the aircraft a more pro modern look than the others. Aircraft construction and detailing is good as well. The riveting could have been more pronounced than coloured dots, but overall it is very good from any angle. The Husky is called a utility aircraft for a reason, it is a very basic but flexible aircraft, sort of small van for the air. If either using the Pro Pilot which is great over longer distances like the Key's, manual Stick and Rudder flying is great fun. It is a nervy light aircraft so inputs have to be Mr Smooth, no over corrections or sharp movements as the aircraft will move quickly and some times mildly violently in the air and certainly at slow speeds. Fly too fast at around 135 MPH and the nose will dig in and pitch downwards and so you are using too much power (and fuel) to go at a slightly higher speed, Drop the speed to around 128 MPH and the aircraft will actually be more efficient through the air, and you lose nothing in time in the long run. There is push/pull knob on the left side of the panel to adjust the underside cooling vent, push it in for better airflow and pull it out when the oil and engine temperatures go skyhigh, as this knob is a management tool to be used wisely. I got permission to fly over the NAS Boca Chica Field, Key West Naval Station. It must have been a quiet day for operations because they were all smiles and waves as I flew over the airfield, you don't get this close without getting shot down usually. KEYW (Key West Intl) came in to view on my left. There is a small strip of water behind the airport that is my destination and landing point. It was an extremely tight approach and I kept the aircraft at full flap (a pump affair on the left side floor) and flaps are noted with 4 settings – faired (up), 10 degrees, 20, 30 and 40 degrees and I hovered the speed around just under 60MPH. It worked but only just in fact I cleared the beach with only meters to spare, but the aircraft washed off the speed quickly once in the water. I set the wave limit height to a low 0.5, but the A1-C still bounced around like a jack-in-a-box on steroids at this low setting... you would tip over on anything more than 1.0 meters, STMA notes to start at 1.0 meter but I think that is too high. I use an old trick to get on to the high terra firma. Stick right back and a fist full of high throttle and you clear the water and drop the throttle down to settle on the grass, then it a quick taxi over to the ramp. There is a split door on the pilot's right that is opened from the inside. But otherwise there are no menus or external features. You can use the supplied STMA Hangar's feature (open and close the hangar doors) and the plugin and notes are provided. Besides the "Float" version above there are two other Husky variants provided. Tundra The "Tundra" variant has those huge balloon tyres that allow you to land on wet swampy land. These are huge oversized tyres, that here look a little to large although modeled on the 28” AK Bush wheels. There is also provided an under-fuselage “lookie-loo” baggage container. There is no standard wheeled version which I would use more than the "Tundra" variant. Ski There is a "Ski" variant based on the Rossi Fernandez 8001 skis that are used on the real Huskys, they are well done and work well. Liveries There is a large selection of ten liveries in various styles, and a plain Black & White that could be used as a paint version. A paintkit is available on request. I liked the above Blue N7ZR cover and it looks great on the aircraft. Nightlighting Panel lighting is adjustable and it is nice, clear and easy to read. There is an above cabin lighting that is fine, but there are two spot lights on the frame with switches that don't work or spotlight areas below. The lighting switch panel is high on the upper right. External lighting is fine but they haven't yet been adjusted (to date) to the X-Plane 10.45 lighting specs, so they are big and blobby. There is a rogue strobe on the right wing that stays on (flashing) unless you kill all the power. Summary STMA (Shade Tree Micro Aviation) have a huge built in X-Plane fan club, and they won't be disappointed with the A1-C Husky. It is a utility aircraft or if you like a bare-bones machine that is what it is, and there is a lot to like there... a free flying personal aircraft that like its real world counterpart is a real winner and well liked. There are a few niggles that need cleaning up, like I had to create a key to start the aircraft as the panel key didn't work, but STMA are usually very good and quickly rectify those items within a few updates. For STMA the design and quality is up a notch here, but there is still a few items that are bare 3-D design and are not textured (mostly struts and internal bracing) but are not overly noticeable in this case and in fact work for the utility viewpoint. For a basic machine the instrumentation and flying tools provided are above the standard. You don't have to hang on to the stick for hours if you have to do a ferry flight or like in this case fly right down the Florida Keys, the Pro Pilot autopilot is good, but tricky to use. If you love your bush planes or simply love flying alone and with skill then the Husky A1-C is right in your hangar. You will love it and find many roles to use it for. But overall this is a simple aircraft flying on a mission that can give you your flight of freedom and the love of what real flying is all about, just you, a machine and being in the air. ______________________________________________________________________ Yes! the A1-C Husky by Shade Tree Micro Aviation is NOW available from the new X-Plane.Org Store here : Husky A1-C Price is US$24.95 Features Full featured VFR and IFR flight and navigation suite 3D cockpit with 3D instruments using day and night textures Laminar G530 GPS Dual VOR/ADF RMI HSI Dual COM/NAV Garmin Interphone panel Becker Radios (Light weight soaring favorites) Custom simulation of the Trio Pro Pilot autopilot system JPI EDM 930 Engine monitor Custom All-Season Gear and Flap indicator All Season Undercarriage options Oversize tundra tires Amphibious floats RF 8001 retractable ski package Cargo pod under belly Accurate Modeling throughout Detailed exterior model includes fabric textures Liveries match the best of Aviat paint scheme options Painted or polished spinner option selection in all liveries Animations on all internal and external equipment Paint kit available for your custom design Custom sounds Engine and prop sounds created from actual Husky operations Installation : Download file size is 58.40mb to your X-Plane - Aircraft Folder. Installed file size is 97.60mb Documents : Huge amount of documents and manuals provided with Owners Manual, Water Takeoff Techniques, Checklist and O-360 Engine performance table. ______________________________________________________________________ Requirements : X-Plane 10.40+ (Any edition) Windows 7+, Mac 10.6+ or Linux 512Mb VRAM Video Card minimum - 1Gb VRAM Recommended The aircraft is very light and performance enhanced on frame-rate. No issues reported Current version: 1.2 (Last updated February 12th 2016) ______________________________________________________________________ STMA site : shadetreemicro - Aviat-A1-C-husky STMA Developer Support : STMA Hangar and repair shop .Org _____________________________________________________________________________________ Review by Stephen Dutton 19th February 2016 Copyright©2016: 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: - 2.66 Ghz Intel Core i5 iMac 27”- 9 Gb 1067 Mhz DDR3 - ATI Radeon HD 6970M 2048 mb- Seagate 512gb SSD Software: - Mac OS Yosemite 10.10.1 - X-Plane 10 Global ver 10.45 Addons - Saitek x52 Pro system Joystick and Throttle : Sound - Bose Soundlink Mini Scenery or Aircraft - KEYW - Key West International Airport V1.0 by Fletcherj (X-Plane.Org) - Free - KNQX - Naval Air Station Key West 3.0 by Nicolas (X-Plane.Org) - Free (Note this scenery is part of the NAPS Freddy-de-Pues scenery packages)
-
News! - Aircraft Release : Aviat Husky A-1C from STMA Shade Tree Micro Aviation (STMA) have released the Husky A-1C. This is not to be confused with the STMA's A-1A as the A-1C is a totally new aircraft. This excellent bush pilots aircraft comes in three versions... Alaska Bushwheel tundra tires. Retractable Rossi-Fernandez 8001 skis with 8.5x10 tires. Amphibious Wipline 6001 floats. There is also an underbelly Cargo pod. Features Include: Detailed exterior model includes fabric textures Liveries match the best of Aviat paint scheme options Painted or polished spinner option selection in all liveries Animations on all internal and external equipment Paint kit available for your custom design Engine and prop sounds created from actual Husky operations The Aviat Husky is a two seat, high wing, utility light aircraft built by Aviat Aircraft of Afton, Wyoming. It is the only all-new light aircraft that was designed and entered series production in the United States in the mid to late 1980s. Internal Features 3D cockpit with 3D instruments using day and night textures Laminar G530 GPS Dual VOR/ADF RMI HSI Dual COM/NAV Garmin Interphone panel Becker Radios (Light weight soaring favorites) Custom simulation of the Trio Pro Pilot autopilot system JPI EDM 930 Engine monitor Custom All-Season Gear and Flap indicator The A-1C cockpit is fully equipped to give you an excellent piston-single instrument platform for training and proficiency as well as automated flight to reduce your workload in instrument conditions. There is a dual ADF capability and built in XP G530 GPS. There is a STMA version of the Trio ProPilot autopilot system that provides automated flight for the aircraft. The cockpit equipment is a collection of all the best instruments and indicator systems we would like to see in the aircraft and it is a pleasure to fly “in the soup” or in clear air on a steep approach to your favorite secret fishing spot. Aircraft performance of this A-1C model follows the improvements of the actual factory model. An improved wing design provides quicker roll response and wider Fowler flaps for more stable slow speed performance. To get you off the ground quickly and cruise efficiently we go to the top drawer of options and add the 200 horsepower Lycoming IO-360 with aftermarket Power Flow muffler system driving the best scimitar prop design. Flight model data was extracted from the Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) and from the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH), with actual flight experience, and the aircraft was built and flight-tested by the STMA modeler, a Husky owner, and flight instructor, Todd Denning. The aircraft can also be used with the excellent STMA "HangarOp's" plugin. ______________________________________________________________________ Yes! the Aviat Husky A-1C from STMA is NOW available from the new X-Plane.Org Store here : Shade Tree Micro Aviation : Husky A-1C Price is US$24.95 STMA Aircraft Site: STMA/Aviat A-1C Husky ______________________________________________________________________ Images and text are courtesy of Shade Tree Micro Aviation Stephen Dutton Updated : 15th January 2016 Copyright©2016: X-PlaneReviews
-
News! - Beech Model 18 updated by STMA The classic Beech 18 was created by Heinz Dziurowitz, who sadly passed away earlier this year. Goodbye and Fly High : The passing of Heinz Dziurowitz. Most of Heinz's work has been distributed around like minded developers to keep his work alive and current, One of the best is the excellent Beechcraft 18 that X-PlaneReviews reviewed here earlier in 2015. Aircraft Review : Beechcraft 18 by Heinz Dzuirowitz. This aircraft has been transferred into the capable hands of STMA or Shade Tree Micro Aviation, and STMA have done an update on the aircraft. Noted STMA notes are: New Features and improvements: "We pulled the Beech 18 into our STMA Hangar and Repair Shop and stripped them down to their basic components and rebuilt them using the Federal Aviation AdministrationType Certificate Data Sheet (FAA TCDS) and flight manual for the Beechcraft D18S as our guide." More custom gauges, many with Data Ref driven components Sun-visor added, just click on the sun-visor to toggle for use. Interior glass now employs textures that will enhance realism New 3D toggle and rocker switches for more immersive experience New higher resolution liveries Includes paint kit in PSD format New INN and OUT engine sounds New cabin interior with added animation Improved 3D bump maps. Our rebuilding efforts yielded performance and other benefits: Improved 3D modeling of the airframe, cockpit, and cabin. Realistic fuel system. Realistic ignition system. Realistic elevator, aileron, and rudder trim systems. GNS 530 bezel with fully functioning 3D controls without having to use the pop-up. A fully functioning 3D ADF which models a real world unit. A modern Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI) replaces the DG to compliment the GPS Other Instrument panel improvements which more accurately reflect the features of the D18S instrument panel. The v10 Beechcraft 18 by STMA (Heinz Dzuirowitz) is now available from the New X-Plane.Org Store here : Beech 18 Package And is priced at only US$20.95 As this Aircraft is now being developed by STMA and is now noted on their X-Plane.OrgStore listing and not Mr Dzuirowitz's Note: Owners of Heinz's Beech 18 should send an email to [email protected] or [email protected] to receive a discount code and will be able to purchase this new updated model for only $10.95. Stephen Dutton Updated 20th November 2015 Copyright©X-Plane Reviews: X-PlaneReviews