Nach der Version für das FSX-Universum können nun auch X-Planer in den Genuss der Piper PA-28R Arrow III kommen. Seit heute ist der mit 200PS ausreichend motorisierte Tiefdecker bei Just Flight für 34,95€ erhältlich. Zusammen mit Thranda Design – verantwortlich für die beliebte Kodiak Quest G1000 – wurde hier ein vielversprechendes X-Plane-11-Modell umgesetzt. Ein tieferer Einblick durch uns wird noch folgen, die Featureliste liest sich aber bereits vielversprechend. Die üblichen und schön anzusehenden PBR-Materials werden von 4K-Texturen ergänzt, Ground Equipment wie Tiedowns und Chocks sind modelliert, die Cockpits sind je nach Lackierung (nach realen Vorbildern) mal stärker, mal schwächer abgenutzt, Fenster, Türen und Klappen lassen sich öffnen und die geöffnete Passagiertür wird sogar direkt duch G-Kräfte und den Luftwiderstand beeinflusst.

Auch implementiert ist eine Logik hinter den Sicherungen, die direkt mit X-Planes-Fehlersimulation gekoppelt ist. Wenn ein System (beispielsweise durch einen random failure) versagt, springt dabei auch die entsprechende Sicherung im Cockpit heraus. Eine explizite Fehlersimulation auf Basis der Abnutzung von Verschleißteilen beispielsweise konnte ich nicht ausmachen, allerdings wird man das Flugzeug dennoch nach Checklisten bedienen müssen, denn Kleinigkeiten wie Vapour Locks oder das Spark Fouling wurden berücksichtigt und können bei entspechender Fehlbedienung auftreten.

Solche Features klingen für mich nach einen sehr angenehmen Kompromiss aus etwas in Richtung Verfahrenstraining und Feierabendflieger.

Im Folgenden die Featureliste von Just Flight, da ich bei weitem nicht alle Punkte nennen konnte.

FEATURES

Model

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

Cockpit

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

Aircraft systems

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

Liveries

The aircraft is supplied in the following 11 paint schemes which can be swapped on the fly using a pop-up window:

• G-BGKU (UK)
• C-GQYI (Canada)
• N4131C (USA)
• G-BNSG (UK)
• F-GJCB (France)
• HB-PJA (Switzerland)
• VH-SGE (Australia)
• D-ERIN (Germany)
• G-TEBZ (UK)
• G-TSGA (UK)
• N751LU (USA)

Other

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