Angle Of Attack 767 Training
By Nigel Martin (8 December 2006)
nce in a while a
product lands on your desk and it catches your eye. The first
release of Angle Of Attack 767 Training is one of those products. OK,
there are a number of 'on the cockpit' DVD's which I have to say are
very entertaining and frankly educational on a number of levels.
But, and it is a big BUT, this release covers an immense amount of
instructional footage. While this is great in its own right, why is
that bit special? Well, it is entirely made from time spent flying
the Boeing 767 within Flight Simulator 2004 (the 767 used in this DVD
is the
Level-D 767.)OK, you may not a heavy metal jock, and quite frankly I am not either. I love the fairly quick route into the sky, but you have to admire the obvious attention to detail, delivery complexity and 'viewer friendliness' of this DVD. If you want detail it is all here.
Angle Of Attack use a great one liner, "From Startup to Shutdown" that typifies the content of this DVD. If you have ever wanted to start a flight "cold and dark" and address all the procedures that are required to completed on the big bird to get it up and running, well sit back with a large coffee, notebook in hand, the DVD remote for pause, and rewind (these I used constantly).
Hands up, who reads the manuals provided in your many purchases? (Lost count how many times I have urged you all to read this valuable piece of print!) I bet it's a quick scan, then onto the computer and away...!
I have to admit that some manuals, despite being well written, cannot explain to the degree live footage can, hence my excitement for this product.
If your starting point is, well, realism, do what real 767 pilots do, and rest assured that this DVD has been checked and reviewed by real world 767 pilots.
I believe this release, the first of its kind I understand, will generate a myriad of instructional DVD's form within the Flight Simulator environment.
Let's face it, on most freeware, and definitely within a paid for title, the flight systems are incredibly complex. That I know is called realism, and that is what we all want, but at times having a CPL or ATP is an advantage. It comes as no surprise that the developer holds a Commercial Pilots License, and also holds the world of flight simulation in the same high regard as we do. And it shows.
Packaging
As mentioned this is the first release and is frankly excellent. The DVD is firmly held in a sturdy case, there is an inlay card with key data printed on both sides; it's rather small but the data is there. The inlay card has some graphics, as the rear. Four screen shots are shown, as well as descriptive text.
In Use
This is a DVD and as a result I had no installation issues, except spilling my cup of coffee as I switched on the DVD player, but that is another story. It becomes very clear that this is a product for the very keen, that is to say, if your interest is not getting procedures right and flying the 767 as it is supposed to be flown, but if you want to chuck it about like an F-16, and to hell with any procedure, then this is not for you.There is a useful 767 check list. Despite being a little hard to read in places, it displays procedural instructions, i.e., preflight to shutdown. Because of the color scheme the text was a little difficult in places to disseminate, however, the information is all there.
With over 5 hours of training on the 767 you will be in for the long haul. The detail is shown in amazing depth, for example, some 50 minutes is dedicated to the features of the Flight Management Computer (FMC). Other areas covered: Take offs, abortive take offs, navigation and some ILS procedures and experience some CATII approaches...
Armed with the newly acquired knowledge, you can follow in a Fun Flight Tutorial starting 'cold and dark' that ends up at shutdown. Now I bet you were not expecting that option!
Conclusion
I will be brutally honest, and say I doubted if I would enjoy this review. Why? As you already know I like a quicker route. But Angle Of Attack's 767 Training had me transfixed.I confess I was unaware of some of the amazingly complex systems available for the simmer to master in the 767. Of course you need not follow this quite complex path, but this offering is produced in simple to follow manner, it will appeal to the novice and master alike.
You will hear some music in the background, which in parts could have been more subtle, for me a little loud.
The voice-over was excellent, clear concise and purposeful.
I am certain that this release will do well, and attain the success it deserves. I sincerely hope this kind of instructional DVD becomes a major part in the add-on market. I can see many opportunities for the novice right up the 'career' ladder.
As more complex aircraft add-ons are becoming available, the instructional DVD is a fabulous way 'knowing your office' and understanding the potential of the systems.
Priced at $34.95 or £17.91 may seem a little high, but based on hours of instructional footage it represents a good buy.
 
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An important point to mention is that the 767 featured is the Level D 767, and not a default offering.
Information on the Level D 767 and purchase on line can be found here.
Nigel C. Martin
Read our review of the Level-D 767
here
For another way to learn to realistically fly the 767, check out
Mike Ray's Airline Pilot Simulator Checkride Manuals
here
nigel.martin10@tesco.net
