LiVEinFSX BA270 Adventure For FSX Acceleration

By Rohan Nair
10 March 2010

Foreword

Some of us will remember the adventures offered in an earlier version of flight simulator. Sadly, they were greatly missed when they were removed from the following two versions of flight simulator. When FSX was released, it offered interactive objective based missions after what seemed like ages. Several companies and individuals started developing missions for FSX from there on. The newest payware company in the category is LiVEinFSX who recently released their maiden product: "BA270 Adventure" for use with FSX with Acceleration. That's what this review is going to be about.

Introduction

BA270 - Adventure is an interactive flight mission for FSX. The flight takes the pilot through all the stages of a complete flight from Rome Fiumicino (LIRF) to Athens Eleftherios Venizelos (LGAV). An interactive copilot, Steve Sanderson, will be there to assist you. Some of the events in the mission require you to make a choice that will lead to alternative endings. Cabin announcements, unexpected events, advanced animations, rewards and a bonus mission are some of the features of this mission.

Installation

The product comes as 133 MB zip file from the Pilot Shop. Installation of the product is very easy. Enter your name, serial key and follow the instructions on screen. The system requirement of this product is Microsoft Flight Simulator X Acceleration. Yes, that's it! I did the review with FSX Acceleration on a 32 bit Vista OS. A five page product manual can be found in the zip file containing the installer.

First Impressions

After installation, a single folder can be found in the start menu that contains a file to directly launch the mission in FSX. In FSX, you have to approve only one extension. It will be uninstalled when you uninstall the program. The mission can be found in the 'LiVEinFSX' category and is of advanced skill level. The tab selectors at the top of the briefing page are somewhat distorted. The details tab shows the product manual which can be found in the kneeboard briefing page also. The installer automatically installs a repaint of the default 737 in the British Airways livery and an Aegean Air Force F-16.

Mission Details

British Airways Flight 270 is a fictional flight made by the default Boeing 737-800. British Airways does not operate on this route or any next generation 737s at all for that matter. LiVEinFSX aimed for more fun and simplicity rather than a detailed level of realism. The flight departs Rome Fiumicino at 2:30 pm. The estimated time to complete the mission is 1 hour and 40 minutes. Your objectives are to takeoff from Rome and land safely in Athens. Some charts, though not all, can be found in the directory listed in the manual. The flight plan is actually is an NDB to NDB route. A flight information screen can be accessed via the 'Views>Instrument>' menu of the simulation menu.

Mission - BA270

I will not go into too much detail here as I do not want to spoil the fun. The mission begins with a welcome message and starts as soon as you set the parking brake. You start by powering up the aircraft from its cold and dark state. Some words are oddly pronounced. There are a few things here and there that are not done at the right time but you'll have to comply with them in order to make Steve happy. While climbing out, your copilot can give you some trouble with the autopilot. Oddly, there is turbulence right from takeoff to landing, even in cruise.

Sometime before descent, you will run into trouble and will have to make a decision as the pilot in command (PIC). Remember, only one decision here will unlock the bonus mission for you. Depending on your decisions, a variety of strange events will happen. You're going to have to combat them with the help of your copilot.

If you get the plane on the ground and are asked to taxi, you may have trouble doing so. Use the aerodrome chart here. Depending on the method of completion of the mission, you will be granted the code to unlock the bonus mission. Be sure to write it down as you can't see it again unless you do the mission again.

Mission - BA270 Bonus Mission

This mission is actually a mission during the time of BA270, but you're not in BA270! It's a military flight. You have to be familiar with the default F/A-18 in order to get this right. It's not that hard if you know to fly the F/A-18.

Rewards

You can get a total of three rewards in this package. Two of them depend on the method of completion of BA270. You get the third on completion of the bonus mission.

Conclusion

Well folks, that's it. This is a fun and exciting mission to do. I had a great deal of fun in reviewing it. Good pricing, somewhat educative, fun and adventure are what this mission package offers. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or suggestions or problems with this product.

Rohan Nair
rohannair10@yahoo.co.in

Learn More Here