Specially selected freeware and videos of flight sims reviewed in the May/June 2020 issue.
Issue 127 Online Contents Full Download
As requested by our readers, the complete file set accompanying Issue 127 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
DCS: Supercarrier
This video showcases the upcoming Supercarrier module for DCS World. It highlights some of the deck procedures and the convincing deck crew animations. The most striking thing about this trailer, however, is how totally photorealistic it looks. We have an interview with Matt Wagner, senior producer of this stunning-looking add-on starting on page 68.
Orbx TrueEarth US Washington HD
This highly polished video of Orbx’s TrueEarth US Washington HD begins with a striking opening and then goes on to highlight the rich and varied terrain, the VFR landmarks, such as wind farms, the crisp and photorealistic detailing, the lakes and rivers and much more besides. Our review starts on page 16.
Orbx TrueEarth Florida and Key West International Airport
The second and third Orbx products reviewed in this issue TrueEarth Florida and Key West International Airport (starting on pages 20 and 24 respectively) are shown off to good effect in this video. This presentation highlights the wide and varied colours of the scenery.
Simworks Studios T-37B Tweet
With our review starting on page 28, this video of Simworks Studios’ T-37B Tweet is a short but detailed introduction to the simulation and highlights some of its unique internal and external features - some of which are quite innovative.
Tutorials
Cessna C208 Caravan Flight Adventure
The outstanding freeware Bahamas package by Gregory Goodwin (www.avsim.com) is a superb rendition of the western Bahamas, Exumas and the Turks and Caicos, with work continuing on the eastern and southern Bahamas groups. Thanks to his generosity, a copy of his current Bahamas package is available here, along with details of all the products used, plus alternatives for X-Plane as well as flight plans for FSX/P3D and X-Plane.
Cessna Flight Adventure Download
Back to Basics - New techniques for when things don’t go to plan
Copies of the flight plan and charts for the Back to Basics lesson for this issue are available via the download link below.
Freeware Files
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.
By Joe Lavery
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 know that many freeware airport designers make use of Library files to enhance their creations. Consequently, it’s important to read the documentation within each airport to find out which libraries have been used. These libraries need to be installed in order to experience these airports as the authors intended.
Featured Download
English Electric Lightning F.6
We have a British icon for you in this issue - it’s an aircraft that at the time of its introduction was way ahead of its rivals. It was designed, developed and manufactured by English Electric, which was later absorbed into the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC). Of course, I’m talking about the English Electric Lightning F.6, which was operated by the RAF, the KAF and the RSAF.
The aircraft depicted here was designed for X-Plane 11 by Dom Henry. It’s a brilliant piece of work that’s further enhanced by the inclusion of four colourful liveries, based on some of the squadrons that flew the Lightning.
Most of you will know that the Lightning features a fairly unique design, incorporating two Rolls Royce Avon turbojet engines stacked one on top of the other. This gave the Lightning an incredible rate of climb, allowing it to accelerate almost vertically up to its maximum speed of Mach 2 at 36,000ft. It was retired from the RAF in the late 80s when many of the remaining aircraft ended up in museums. Sadly (or perhaps happily) only one Lightning is currently airworthy; it’s based at Thunder City in Cape Town.
Dom has created a new 3D exterior, a full 3D cockpit and added many new animations. He’s also made it easy to start; you simply flip on the switches on the right side forward panel and press the starters. It’s also great fun to fly!
Author: Dom Henry
Platform: X-Plane 11
Electric Lightning F.6 Download
Star Performers from the Internet
Bellanca Cruisair Senior
This Bellanca Cruisair Senior 14-13 is a four-seater six-cylinder Franklin flat-bottomed sightseeing aircraft manufactured by Bellanca from the year 1946. Designed for X-Plane 11 by Stéphane Tolédo.
Author: Stéphane Tolédo
Platform: X-Plane 11
Bellanca Cruisair Senior Download
Flight Visualizer
Flight Visualizer comes with 629 pre-imported commercial AI flight plans that can be visualised on a map-view, the idea being to use the program as inspiration for your own flights. It also includes a search facility. Created by Pelle F S Liljendal.
Author: Pelle F. S. Liljendal
Platform: All platforms
Aeropuerto de Pichoy SCVD
Here we have another very nice airport from Otavio Bonomi. This time the airport is based near Valdivia, a city in the Los Ríos Region of Chile. This package includes various files and is (as usual) very highly detailed, particularly when it comes to the rendering of the terminal.
Author: Otavio Bonomi
Platform: X-Plane 11
Aeropuerto de Pichoy SCVD Download
KFMN Farmington Regional Airport
KFMN is also known as Four Corners Regional Airport. It’s 50 miles east of the intersection of the borders between Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. The scenery was redone by Sidney Schwartz as per the current charts and satellite images.
Author: Sidney Schwartz
Platform: X-Plane 11
Boulton Paul P.120
Named the ‘Black Widow Maker, the Bolton Paul P.120 was a British experimental high-speed delta-wing research and test aircraft that first flew on August 6, 1952. However, it had a short-lived career of just 23 days. This model was designed by Tyler Gladman.
Author: Tyler Gladman
Platform: FSX/P3D
Arado 95 biplane
The Arado-95 is a German pre-war biplane, designed for coastal patrol, reconnaissance and light attack roles. The prototype, fitted with wheels, was intended to serve on the never-completed aircraft carrier Graf Zeppelin. Another fine model by Erwin Welker.
Author: Erwin Welker
Platform: FSX/FS2004
CAC Boomerang
The CAC Boomerang is a fighter aircraft designed and manufactured in Australia by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation. Although outmatched by the Japanese Zero, they were excellent ground attack aircraft.
Author: A F Scrub
Platform: FSX/P3Dv3-4
KHOU - Houston Hobby Intl.
This highly detailed rendition of KHOU – Houston Hobby is the result of a collaboration between Verticalsim Studios and 3rdWatch. Hobby is Houston’s oldest commercial airport and was its primary hub until Houston Intercontinental Airport was built.
Authors: Verticalsim Studios and 3rdWatch
Platform: X-Plane 11
Reviews - Screenshot Galleries
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.
Orbx’s TrueEarth US Washington - A new Orbx region covering Washington State
PC Pilot Verdict
At a glance: This is one of the best TrueEarth products to date. If you want to try one, this is a good place to start.
Developer & Publisher: Orbx Simulations
Price: Orbx TrueEarth US Washington HD £36.07
Price: Orbx TrueEarth US Washington SD £30.40
Website: https://orbxdirect.com/product/us-washington-xp11
3D Modelling: Excellent
Graphics: Excellent
Documentation: Very Good
Performance: Overall good but is
obviously directly linked to the
available hardware.
PC Pilot Score: 90
Orbx’s TrueEarth US Florida - Explore the sunshine state, courtesy of Orbx
PC Pilot Verdict
At a glance: Florida was one of the first TrueEarth products released by Orbx, so I’m glad I had the opportunity to visit this beautiful state.
Publisher and Developer: Orbx Simulations
Price: Orbx TrueEarth US Florida HD £36.07
Price: Orbx TrueEarth US Florida SD £30.40
Website: https://orbxdirect.com/product/us-florida-hd-xp11
3D Modelling: Excellent
Graphics: Excellent
Documentation: Very good
Performance: Overall very good but can obviously be affected by your own hardware specifications. I had no issues with my system flying the default Cessna 172.
PC Pilot Score: 90
Orbx’s Key West International Airport (KEYW) - A stunning scenery area for X-Plane
PC Pilot Verdict
At a Glance: Another high-quality Orbx airport with stunning detail providing an immersive experience.
Publisher and Developer: Orbx Simulation Systems
Price: €19.41 / $21.90 / £16.80
Website: https://orbxdirect.com/
Performance: Excellent on good hardware with obvious advantages to having large ocean areas.
3D Modelling: Excellent
Graphics: Excellent
Documentation: Very good
PC Pilot Score: 90
Simworks Studios’ T-37B - The venerable military trainer
PC Pilot Verdict
At a Glance: A visually stunning model that also includes excellent systems simulation, realistic flight dynamics and is feature-packed.
Developer: SimWorks Studios
Price: €35.99 (£31 approx)
Website: www.simworksstudios.com / www.justflight.com
Flight Model: Excellent
Graphics: Excellent
Documentation: Very good
Systems: Excellent
PC Pilot Score: 90
Nimbus’ UH-1 Huey - An iconic helicopter for X-Plane
PC Pilot Verdict
At a Glance: A high-end helicopter product that may make beginners, and even a few experienced rotor heads, very pale.
Developer: Nimbus Simulations Studios
Price: $37.95 (£29 approx)
Website: https://store.x-plane.org
Flight Model: Very good – but hold on to your hats!
Graphics: Excellent
Documentation: Good
Systems: Very good
PC Pilot Score: 85
Carenado XL560 Citation - Cessna’s ‘rocketship’
PC Pilot Verdict
At a Glance: A nice package with good systems details, poor documentation and overall high quality.
Developer & Publisher: Carenado Download Price: $39.95 (£33 approx)
Website: www.carenado.com
Flight Model: Excellent
Graphics: Excellent
Documentation: Poor
Systems: Good
PC Pilot Score: 90
IPACS' Lynx Mk7 - A stunning freeware helicopter for Aerofly FS 2
PC Pilot Verdict
At a glance: An excellent rendition of an iconic helicopter inside Aerofly FS 2. The complexity isn’t for everyone but once mastered it’s great fun to fly.
Developer and publisher: Steve (larrylynx)
Price: Freeware by direct download
Website: www.flight-sim.org
Flight Model: Very Good
Graphics: Very Good
Documentation: Excellent
Systems: Very Good
PC Pilot Score: 90
PC Pilot Article Index
Looking for a review on a particular product, feature or tutorial? 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.
