Just Flight hat mit Thranda Design die Piper PA-38 Tomahawk für X-Plane 11 in die Luft geschickt. Der kleine, zweisitzige Trainer kam Ende der 1970er Jahre und wurde auf Feedback von US-Fluglehrern entwickelt. Die damals verbreitete Cessna 150 ging auf die 50er Jahre zurück, worin die Piper Aircraft Corporation ihre Chance gesehen hat und die PA-38 mit T-Leitwerk, 758kg MTOM und ihrem 112-PS-starken Lycoming-Vierzylindermotor aufgelegt hat. Für 34,66€ inkl. MwSt. ist die Just Flight PA-38 Tomahawk X-Plane 11 bei simMarket erhältlich.
Just Flight wirft hier typisch für seine GA-Flugzeuge wieder einiges in die Waagschale. Man wirbt mit der detailliertesten, die sich bis heute im Just-Flight-Portfolio für X-Plane finden soll und verweist dabei auf zahlreiche Animationen, wie beispielsweise den vibrierenden Zündschlüssel und komplett einstellbare Luftdüsen.Dazu komt noch einiges mehr an Eye-candy, das bei Just Flight zu erwarten war und für das ich auf die am Ende folgende Featureliste verweise.
Weiterhin dabei sind interaktive Checklisten, die die Aktionen des Piloten automatisch abhaken, IFR-fähige Avionik, einen Flug-Assistenten, der einem Treibstoffverbrauch, Reichweite, Geschwindigkeit und Wind anzeigt, falls man nicht selbst rechnen möchte.
Wie bereits in vorigen Modellen gibt es auch hier ein wenig etwas von einer Systemsimulation. Man muss sich also auch hier Gedanken ums Verkoken der Zündkerzen bei zu fettem Gemisch machen, genauso um Vapour-Lock-Conditions, wenn Treibstoffdämpfe das Zünden und damit unter Umständen den Motorstort verhinden. Die Batterie hat ebenfalls nicht Saft für ewig, und selbst die Knöpfe für das Funkgerät sind speziell per Plugin implementiert, um größtmögliche Genauigkeit und Übereinstimmung zum Klickgeräusch beim Drehen zu garantieren. Worauf man nicht alles kommt…
Mit der Featureliste geht es im Folgenden noch weiter. Habt ihr euch den Flieger bereits zugelegt? Wie findet ihr ihn?
Model
• Our most detailed GA model yet, featuring numerous animations right down to a vibrating ignition key and fully adjustable cockpit air vents
• Accurately modelled PA-38 Tomahawk, built using real-world aircraft plans and comprehensive photography of the real aircraft
• Ground equipment including chocks and tie-downs
• 4096×4096 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 and accurate simulation of waves in aluminium plates
• Support for rain (requires free Librain plugin)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
• Dimmable cockpit lighting
• Interactive engine start checklist that responds to user inputs and sim variables
• Interactive checklists for every stage of flight
• Panel state system which will automatically save the panel state whenever a flight is saved and reload the panel state whenever that flight is loaded
• Aircraft configuration system that will allow you to choose between ‘cold & dark’ or ‘ready for take-off’
• Fully functional and comprehensive IFR-capable avionics fit including:
– GMA 340 audio selector
– SL30 COM1/NAV1 radio
– SL40 COM2 radio
– GTX 328 transponder
– Support for Reality GTN750 (sold separately, Windows only)
• Flight computer panel with useful information such as fuel burn, endurance, speed and wind speed/direction
• Interactive logbook panel for logging your flight details (X-Plane native)
• GoodWay compatible
• Option to activate flashlight from within pop-up window, to aid in those pitch-black cold and dark starts at night
• Option to remove window and instrument reflection effects
• Radio knob animations routed through plugin logic for optimum movement fidelity and sound synchronisation. All knobs, buttons and switches are configurable via the ‘Manifest.json’ preference file and have tooltip pop-up hints to make hooking up to hardware easier. (Just enable ‘View>Show Instrument Descriptions’ in X-Plane for tooltips).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.
• Functioning carburettor and primer controls
• 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
• Custom external light logic with custom strobe light pattern and custom light halos for added realismLiveries
The PA-38 Tomahawk is supplied with ten liveries:
• G-BNKH (UK)
• G-BMVL (UK)
• G-BNNU (UK)
• N2432G (USA)
• N7803Q (USA)
• D-EEQI (Germany)
• C-GTAO (Canada)
• F-HVFA (France)
• PH-MEC (Netherlands)
• VH-UFA (Australia)Other features
• Realistic and accurate flight dynamics based on real-world performance and handling data, and input from pilots
• Authentic sound set, generated using X-Plane’s state-of-the-art FMOD sound system
• Custom sounds for switches, doors, warnings and more, featuring accurate location placement of sounds in the stereo spectrum, 3D audio effects, custom atmospheric effects for both internal and external sounds, adaptive Doppler (affected by temperature) and headphone simulation
• Exterior sounds spill in when window or doors are opened, different sound characteristics depending on viewing angle and speed, custom external sound effects that are weather-dependent and engine sounds which are affected by user interaction (engine temperature, throttle position, manifold pressure etc), engine even makes ticking sound when cooling down after shutdown!
• Comprehensive manual with panel guide and performance data
• 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
• Custom weight and balance manager window
