Class 3: ATR-72 comments

[EHM-2198 Didimo]

Having been promoted to class 3 I downloaded the Shorts, Dash, ATR and Pilatus and (attempted) to give them all a test flight.

So far it appears I will stick to ATR-72 because I like this model even before I joined EHM. It is a pity it misses the cabin anunciator sounds like the Dornier 328 does which makes for a great ambiental simulation

My only negative comment on the ATR-72 panel is that you can adjust the heading and course bugs but you get no numerical indication of WHAT the current setting is. Best you get is an approximate by looking at the compass rose. For ILS approaches an accurate Course reading is of utmost importance.

I looked all over the panel to no avail. Some other panels show you the current setting (as it changes) on the gauge tooltip but this tooltip simply shows the name and not the actual setting.

Any further ideas?

[EHM-1703 Philip]

Well.... We do have a repaint for the Flight 1 ATR 72-500, you could always PURCHASE that plane if you want the ultimate simulation experience!

[EHM-1953 Daniel]

i find the Flight 1 ATR 72-500 as a very nice aircraft indeed =)

[EHM-2198 Didimo]

I understand it is the best ATR around (the one from Flight 1). At the moment I have not decided what to buy. I like to fly airliners so Level D 767 probably becomes my choice. Every now and then (very rarely unless forced by the VA) I fly turboprops or piston engines.

I did buy some Airbus fleet from Abacus and it was a WASTE of money, that's why I don't want to rush.

[EHM-2029 Sotiris]

If you're into realism and love accuracy then PMDG is your choice and some of the PSS heavy Airbusses...
PMDG is a little pricey though, I think

[EHM-1703 Philip]

PSS are out of business but I think you may still be able to get their planes via Just Flight. My personal Top 5 are:

1. LevelD 763
2. PMDG 744
3. PMDG 738
4. Flight 1 ATR
5. PSS A330

I like the PMDG B1900D as well but this is an old version now and is not up to spec with some of the more modern stuff on the market. I have the entire PSS Airbus fleet and the A320 suffers much the same, it is an old product. I have the Wilco Airbus Deluxe fleet and they are really not that great, but if ultra realism is your thing hold off a while longer as the Airsimmer and Airliners XP versions of the A320 both look great.... I must say though, the plane I am really waiting for right now is the PMDG MD-11, this is looking like it will be a fantastic product!

[EHM-2198 Didimo]

Hey Philip thanks for the recommendations. I spend (out of EHM) most of my time on B738 and sometimes B767. I figured that should I go payware then perhaps LevelD B767 would be the best (I hope to build a cockpit someday). However, when I look at the cockpit screenshots they do not look "state of the art" like other cockpits. Could you comment on that based on your experience with it?

[EHM-1465 Dominic]

Well the 767 itself is not state of the art, although it was when it was new. I don't know if the actual look of the cockpit is what you mean...

The Level-D 767 is, in my opinion, one of the best payware addons you can get - it covers every system and possible failure and if you have the printed Operating Manual it really gives you a sense of immersion that is lacking from some other products.

So I guess it all comes down to what you mean by 'state of the art'.

[EHM-1944 Jaap]

Dom,I agree with you.
I bought the Level-D ,studied the big instruction manual,and started to fly with it.
Wonderful plane to fly with,it is real my baby.
Cheers,
Jaap

[EHM-1703 Philip]

I can only agree with the above comments, The LevelD 767 is about as state of the art as you can get as an FS addon although the plane itself is a little long in the tooth now and showing its age, true the cockpit does still have some of the old "Steam Powered" dials and the plane itself was one of the first major implementations of the Glass systems that we are so used to today. It is however still a beautiful plane to look at and fly!

[EHM-1242 Stef]

Hi guys,

Depends what you are looking for actually. With LevelD and PMDG you can do nothing wrong and is money well spent. PSS airbusses are indeed getting bit of age now. Although, must admit, when they were launched (don't forget, talking FS 2002 now!) they were the thing to go for!

Wilco airbusses? Flight dynamics look good, with the three laws implemented in the flight model etc. However, am still missing few things which i hope (and suppose) AirlinerXP and AirSimmer will include in theirs. Waiting for both and am sure choice which one to buy will be difficult...

I for one like the ultimate realism thing with lots of buttons and systems etc. to figure out and work with! Checklists, charts and operations manuals are just my thing, so to speak! Therefore, depending ofcours what type of aircraft you are looking for (and only flying big heavies also looses it's attraction after a while, believe me...), would recommend following if you are looking for 'ultimate realism' (in no particular order!):

1. Maddog 2006 MD-83 (http://www.flythemaddog.com/)
2. Flight1 ATR 72-500

These are both in my opinion the most advanced fs addons around. Imagine, in the maddog 2006 MD-83 even the circuitbreakers and their respective functions are modelled! No anti-ice on when required? Perfect recipe to come falling from the sky (even with all failures switched off!) Mistake at startup? You'll find yourself with an engine fire on take-off (as in the real one)! Hey, it even has a working black-box - amongst others! The ATR is more widely known and who owns it knows it has to be a superb rendition of the real aircraft (considering Aerospatial considerably assisted in the making of the FS aircraft)!

However, as said, PMDG and LevelD are up there on top as well and can't go wrong with them...

Oh, and the later PSS aircraft (B777 and B757) are definately not bad aircraft as well (still love the way they do panels) and certainly deserve to be mentioned here!

Hope to have not confused you too much..?

Aloha,

Stef
EHM-1242