Specially selected freeware and videos of flight sims reviewed in the July/August 2019 issue.
Issue 122 Online Contents Full Download
As requested by our readers, the complete file set accompanying Issue 122 can now be downloaded as a single zip file.
The videos are supplied as links to YouTube links, we are unable to include them in the file due to limitations with file size.
If you are on a low-bandwidth connection, we recommend you download the files individually in the sections below.
Movies
X-Trident’s AV-8B Harrier II
This impressive and atmospheric video highlights the superb detailing that has been incorporated into this simulation – both from an internal and external perspective. In particular, the photorealistic appearance of the 3D external model is shown off to good effect. The Harrier is also shown operating from both land and sea and in all modes of flight – notably in the hover. Our review starts on page 28.
Just Flight’s VC10 Professional
Reviewed on pages 12-15, this video showcases the included variants and liveries of Just Flight’s VC10 Professional package - covering its time in airline and military service. This trailer, amongst other things, highlights the detailed animations, the distinctive sound of the Rolls-Royce Conway engines and the highly detailed 3D cockpit – including the lighting system.
RAZBAM’S DCS: MiG-19P Farmer
This trailer contains a dramatic opening sequence of MiG-19s frantically scrambling and climbing to intercept an incoming group of high-flying enemy fighters and bomber aircraft. The ensuing swirling dogfights are awe-inspiring to watch! Our review starts on page 16.
Airfoil Labs’ King Air 350
This upbeat video presents some of the main features of Airfoil Labs’ King Air 350. Highlighted are the aircraft’s sleek lines, the photorealistic external 3D model, the interior passenger cabin, plus views of the exquisitely detailed instrument panel and exposed engine. Read our extensive assessment starting on page 20.
Just Flight’s Duchess Model 76
This video is included to accompany our cross-platform comparison of Just Flight’s Duchess Model 76 - starting on page 24. In this case, it is the trailer for the Aerofly FS 2 version, which highlights the beautiful 3D modelling and photorealistic quality that the graphics engine affords. The video also draws attention to the realistic engine management, the detailed cabin and cockpit areas, the nine liveries and the simulation’s numerous animations.
imaginesim’s Singapore Changi Airport
This complex and accurate rendition of Singapore’s Changi Airport is shown off to good effect in this presentation. The level of detail included at the airport and surrounding area is staggering. The night shots are particularly spectacular. Our review begins on page 32.
Tutorials
Back to Basics
Download the updated flight planning spreadsheet and flight plans using the link below. Courtesy of A2A Simulations, the full C182 Pilot’s Operating Handbook and an extract of the C182 performance charts are also available.
Flight Adventure
A full list of both commercial and freeware add-ons used, as well as the flight plan, can be found in the download link below.
Challenging Airports - Petersburg (PAPG)
Flights to Petersburg can be replicated using any X-Plane or FSX/P3D aircraft suitable for operations to a 6,400ft runway.
Single-engine bush aircraft are regular visitors in VFR conditions, while regional scheduled services can be simulated with the Beechcraft 1900D and various models of Boeing 737s. ORBX FTX Southern Alaska and NA Pacific Fjords contain the areas immediately outside Petersburg, while the nice Tongass Fjords X scenery package brings the Petersburg area into FSX.
Free approach plates for PAPG can be found at Airnav.com.
Downloads
Once again we have a collection of high-quality freeware files for you to enjoy. These aircraft, scenery and utilities easily compare with many commercial products but don’t forget, if you’ve enjoyed a particular file please let the author know, it’s their only payback. By the same token we’re always interested to hear from you if you’ve downloaded or designed a file that you think is worth sharing.
Permission
Although the authors of these files have very kindly given us their permission to include them on our website, they still remain the property and copyright of the authors. You are free to enjoy them for your own use but they must not in any circumstances be distributed, copied, uploaded to any other websites or disassembled in any way whatsoever.
Library files
Most X-Plane users will already know that many freeware airport designers make use of the freeware Library files to enhance their creations. Consequently, it’s important to read the documentation within each file to find out which libraries have been used. These library files need to be installed in order to experience these airports as the authors intended.
Featured Download
ATR 42 Series of Aircraft
The ATR 42 is a twin-turboprop, short-haul regional airliner developed and manufactured in France and Italy by ATR, a joint venture formed by French aerospace company Aérospatiale and the Italian aviation conglomerate Aeritalia.
It’s a full package depicting the ATR 42 Series and all the aircraft include virtual cockpits, turboprop sounds, fully functional gauges and a superb user manual. There are four models in the series: -320 -320F (cargo) -500, and -600, and they are accompanied by 37 repaints, representing most (if not all) of the airlines that flew them. This was originally a commercial product that the company has now released as freeware. The modelling of the airframe is nicely done, with crisp logos and insignia. As you would expect, the control surfaces and undercarriage assemblies are fully animated. Once aboard you’ll find that the cockpits are realistic, with controls and instrumentation that are for the most part functional.
The package is a welcome addition to those who prefer to fly airliners. The development of these aircraft and the subsequent kind donation of them to the freeware community is by Virtualcol FS Software: www.virtualcol.com/v.php. If you enjoy the ATR, its website might be worth a visit; it has quite a wide range of new products as well.
Author: Virtualcol FS Software
Platform: X-Plane 11
Star Performers from the Internet
Ant’s Tiger Moth Version 1.1
This is the latest version of Ant’s de Havilland DH82 Tiger Moth designed for FSX by Anthony Lynch. This iconic aircraft is now available as an FSX SP2 native model with 3D gauges, bump and spec mapping and original sounds by Don Putnam.
Author: Anthony Lynch
Platform: FSX
Grand Forks Airport
Grand Forks is a city in the Boundary Country of the West Kootenay region of British Columbia, Canada. The airport shown here was designed for X-Plane 11 by Charles Macelli. It also features the industrial centre just north of the town.
Author: Charles Macelli
Platform: X-Plane 11
Harare International Airport
This is a conversion of David Uzzell’s original custom-built scenery of Harare International Airport (FVHA) and Manyame Airbase; now ready for use in P3D V4. All buildings have been custom-built using Gmax and Flight1’s Instant Object Maker.
Author: David Uzzell
Platform: P3D v4
Grumman Panther
The prototype Panther, piloted by test pilot Corky Meyer, first flew on November 21, 1947. This version is for FSX/ P3D v3 and v4 and was compiled and modified by the prolific A.F.Scrub.
Author: A.F Scrub
Platform: FSX/P3Dv3-4
Weiser Air Park (ICAO: KEYQ)
This airport is located in Cypress - an unincorporated area of Harris County, Texas. It also includes photoreal scenery for the surrounding area and was designed for X-Plane.
Author: Justin Kissling (MisterX6)
Platform: X-Plane 10.3
USA Navigation Maps
USA Navigation Maps is a package for the general aviation community containing maps for 48 states, as well as continental maps in three sections. The maps include NDBs, VORs and elevation data. It was produced By Bob Baker.
Author: Bob Baker
Platform: Any Simulator
VFR Scenery for the Dresden region
This 3D object scenery is for the region of Dresden in Germany, roughly 5nm away from EDDC Dresden Airport. It includes some buildings of the town from Golßen, Castle Moritzburg and many more. Designed by Günther Kremp.
Author: Günther Kremp
Platform: X-Plane
ATR 72 Series Aircraft
This is another aircraft kindly donated to the freeware community by Virtualcol FS Software (www.virtualcol.com/v.php). In this case, the aircraft depicted is the ATR 72. It’s as good as the 42 and comes with a massive collection of liveries.
Author: Virtualcol FS
Software Platform: FSX
Screenshot Gallery
To help give our readers a better appreciation of the products reviewed in this issue, we have compiled the screenshots accompanying some of the articles into a series of galleries.
Just Flight's VC10 Professional Standard, Super and RAF - The relaunch of a British icon
PC Pilot Verdict
At a Glance: An excellent representation of an iconic British 1960s airliner with an authentic cockpit and complex systems, which is backed up by a realistic flight model.
Developer and Publisher: Just Flight
Price: £42.99
Website: www.justflight.com
Flight Model: Authentic handling
Graphics: Good inside and out
Documentation: Good
Systems: Detailed systems simulation
PC Pilot Score: 90%
Razbam's DCS: MiG-19P Farmer - The first Soviet supersonic fighter
PC Pilot Verdict
At a glance: An impressive simulation of the MiG-19 with fantastic graphics, excellent tutorials, deep systems and an exciting flight model.
Developer: RAZBAM
Download Price: $49.99 (£38 approx)
Website: www.digitalcombatsimulator.com
Flight Model: Excellent
Graphics: Excellent
Documentation: Excellent
Systems: Excellent
PC Pilot Score: 95%
Airfoil Labs King Air 350 - A longtime real-life King Air pilot assesses the Airfoil Labs 350
PC Pilot Verdict
At a glance: A true study simulation of the King Air 350 with nice systems accuracy, superb graphics, excellent flight model and many innovative additional features that add to the experience.
Developer: Airfoil Labs
Download Price: $49.95 (£38.50)
Distributor: X-Plane.org (https://store.x-plane.org/King-Air-350_p_969.html#tab-1)
Website: https://www.airfoillabs.com/
Flight Model: Excellent
Graphics: Excellent
Documentation: Good
Systems: Excellent
PC Pilot Score: 95%
Just Flight's Duchess Model 76 - A cross-platform comparison
PC Pilot Verdict
At a glance: The Just Flight Duchess is the ideal starter for pilots wishing to move to a twin configuration – whatever platform you use.
Publisher: Just Flight.
Developer: Just Flight, Thranda Design and Others.
Price all versions: £27.99 by direct download.
Website: www.justflight.com
X-Plane version
3D Modelling: Very good
Documentation: Excellent
Graphics: Excellent
Performance: Very good
PC Pilot Score: 90%
FSX/P3D version
3D Modelling: Very good
Documentation: Excellent
Graphics: Very good
Performance: Very good
PC Pilot Score: 85%
Aerofly FS2 version
3D Modelling: Very good
Documentation: Good
Graphics: Very good
Performance: Poor
PC Pilot Score: 75%
X-Trident’s AV-8B Harrier II - A Jump Jet for X-Plane
PC Pilot Verdict
At a glance: Military flyers will love the systems accuracy and weapons simulations. Fledgling warriors will need to commit some effort to get anywhere near mastering what the AV-8B has to offer.
Developer: X-Trident
Price: $38.95 (£30 approx)
Website: https://store.x-plane.org
Flight Model: Excellent
Graphics: Excellent
Documentation: Good – but needs those tutorials!
Systems: Excellent
PC Pilot Score: 90%
imaginesim's WSSS Singapore Changi Airport - ‘The world’s best airport’
PC Pilot Verdict
At a glance: An accurate and realistic recreation of Singapore’s award-winning airport.
Publisher & Distributor: imaginesim
Developer: imaginesim
Price: £25.99 by direct download
Website: https://imaginesim.net/product/wsss-singapore-p3d/
3D Modelling: Excellent
Graphics: Very good
Documentation: Good
Performance: Good (but dependant on hardware)
PC Pilot Score: 94%
Carenado’s S340 - The design that gave birth to the modern commuter aircraft
PC Pilot Verdict
At a glance: Swift, stable and fun to fly, Carenado’s S340 is a real beauty, only let down by poor manuals and a default FMC.
Developer: Carenado
Price: $39.95 (£30 approx)
Website: www.carenado.com
Flight Model: Excellent
Graphics: Excellent
Documentation: Poor
Systems: Good
PC Pilot Score: 80%
vFlyteAir Simulations’ PA-28 Piper Cherokee 140 - Bringing an old Piper back to life
PC Pilot Verdict
At a glance: For me this Cherokee 140 is one of the most realistic GA aircraft I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing.
Developer & Publisher: vFlyteAir Simulations
Price: $29.95 (£23 approx) by direct download
Website: http://www.vflyteair.com/piper-cherokee-140-original-version.php
3D Modelling: Excellent
Graphics: Excellent
Documentation: Excellent
Performance: Excellent
PC Pilot Score: 96%
Skyline Simulations' Billy Bishop - Toronto’s City Airport
PC Pilot Verdict
At a glance: A fine rendition of Toronto’s smaller yet perfectly formed airport.
Developer & Publisher: Skyline Simulations
Price: €20.30 (£17.50 approx) by direct download
Website: http://www.Skyline Simulations.com
3D Modelling: Excellent
Graphics: Very good
Documentation: Very good
Performance: Good (but is hardware-dependant)
PC Pilot Score: 90%
Honeycomb Aeronautical’s Alpha Flight Controls - A game-changing yoke
PC Pilot Verdict
At a glance: The combination of excellent build quality and high precision provides a truly authentic flying experience at a price that is hard to beat.
Developer: Honeycomb Aeronautical
Price: $249.99 (£199.99)
Website: https://flyhoneycomb.com
PC Pilot Score: 98%
PC Pilot Index
Looking for a review on a particular product, feature or tutorial? Then look no further. Our regularly updated PC Pilot Index includes references (with accompanying issue and page numbers) to all our past reviews of software and hardware as well as features, tutorials and more. Now you can find that elusive article you’ve been looking for.
Virtual Airline Listing
We have some interesting new additions to our virtual airline and flying club listing. Take a look to see if there is one to suit your taste. The experience and fun of being part of a virtual club or airline is second to none.
