Lange war sie angekündigt, Mario Donick hatte immer mal wieder Impressionen der virtuellen als auch der realen Ikarus C42 geteilt. Nun ist sie für 28,74€ inkl. Mehrwertsteuer bei simMarket für X-Plane 11 erhältlich.

Das beliebte Ultraleichtflugzeug, auf dem Mario Donick, seines Zeichens Entwickler bei vFlyteAir, seine Flugausbildung absolviert, hat ein Leergewicht von mindestens 279 kg und kommt mit einer Startrollstrecke von deutlich unter 300m aus. Damit ist das Muster geeignet für jeden, der das Fliegen “low and slow” genießt und gefühlt auf jeder Piste starten und landen können möchte.

Wenn man sich die Featureliste ansieht, kann man nur zu dem Schluss kommen, dass vFlyteAir sich sehr eingehend in das Flugzeug eingearbeitet hat und so einige “Quirks” und Besonderheiten des realen Vorbildes übernehmen konnte. So zum Beispiel, die sehr geringe Leerlaufdrehzahl beim Kaltstart des Rotax 912 oder auch einfach mal das Gesamtrettungssystem, das im Realen schon so manchem Piloten das Leben gerettet hat. Ganz konkret hat man die D-MYSF, ein Ausbildungsflugzeug aus Magdeburg umgesetzt.

Im Folgenden die ziemlich extensive Featureliste, die ich einfach mal für sich sprechen lasse.

• Created from actual hands-on experience flying an Ikarus C42C (D-MYSF)
• VR compatible – fully optimized for VR use
• Two different panels included:
  • The Basic Trainer has the essential gauges and instruments for VFR training flights (Altimeter, Airspeed, Vertical Speed (variometer), Slip Indicator, Magnetic Compass, COM radio (no NAV radio), and engine monitor gauges
  • The Full Panel version adds a transponder and a “vfamap L” glass panel instrument loosely modeled from the flymap L® – includes a simple GPS Flight Planner, an Artifical Horizon with waypoint information, and a moving-map display with GPS flight plan overlay (used the X-Plane G1000 moving map). The Full Panel version also has a simulated FLARM traffic alert monitor that will track your AI aircraft
• Accurate flight characteristics based on input from our own in-house C42C student pilot Mario
• Semi-transparent fabric-covered wings and empennage
• FMOD sounds – more than 85 original, actual sound recordings used for FMOD sounds, including engine running (forward, aft, left and right), flaps, switches, doors, ground roll, propeller turn-by-hand, sun visors, engine starter, engine shut-down and many more
• Fully animated hi-res model with PBR effects inside and out, HDR lighting and very highly detailed modeling creates an immersive, realistic experience
• Interactive, animated virtual pre-flight inspection takes you on guided walk-around of the Ikarus (VR compatible using teleport hot-spots) using interactive check lists. If you conduct your pre-flight in early morning or late evening, spot lights are automatically provided at each of the six inspection stations. We even simulated the famous Rotax engine “burp”!
• User-customizable air charts feature allows you create a matrix of nine air charts that can be scrolled up/down and left/right and “stitched together” to form a large, virtual “paper” chart that can be popped up inside the cockpit
• Pop-out gauges make it easier to see and operate the gauges and instruments (VR friendly)
• COM radio allows you to save up to (30) radio frequencies in memory and recall them for use anytime you fly. Store your most-used frequencies!
• Choice of female or male animated copilot
• Engine choke operation is functional (simulated)
• Realistic engine effects unique to the Rotax 912, such as slow idle after first starting the engine
• Realistic BRS parachute, including safety pin that must be removed prior to operating the BRS, and a blow-off parachute hatch with actual BRS rocket sound
• Choice of metric or imperial units for gauges and instruments (your choice is saved each time you quit X-Plane or unload the airplane)
• Choice of English or German language for instruments and menus (your choice is saved each time you quit X-Plane or unload the airplane)
• Kneeboard allows the pilot to choose Options and settings, remove ground elements, select nose gear steering, select a copilot (or none), add or reduce fuel payload, adjust pilot and copilot weights, select your language choice (English or German), and select your units preference (metric or imperial)
• 14 different liveries provided, including the two actual liveries flown by Mario (D-MYSF and D-MNLN)
• Over 75 different save-states are recorded each time you quit X-Plane or unload the Ikarus. Save-states are reloaded the next time you fly. Save-states include options choices, settings, switches, doors, vents, etc.
• Pop-out check list for quick reference
• Realistic vibrations on control surfaces due to prop wash and engine vibration
• Realistic vibration effects inside the cockpit due to engine vibration
• Illustrated User Manual provided
• German and English-language POH provided (not for real flight!)
• Custom 3D propeller disc effect
• Includes an AI (Artificial Intelligence) – Only version – use for X-Plane AI aircraft. Only 18 MB
• Paint kit available – create your own livery
• Supports the wonderful, free AviTab plugin – available at X-Plane.org (https://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?/forums/topic/145820-avitab-moving-maps-and-pdf-charts-in-vr/)
• ShadeTree Micro Aviation Autoupdate plugin included – stay up to date with new features and fixes, right to your desktop