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If memory serves me right it was about six years ago that Feelthere first came out with the first version of the ERJ145. I still remember like it was yesterday the very first time I saw it on the Wilco webpage and thought my prayers had been answered. If anybody ever read my review on the Ejets (ERJ190) package you will remember my admiration and pride for Embraer. First of all because it's the only competitor in the airliner industry from Latin America, and second of all because simply they just make beautiful airplanes. So when I saw that Wilco had released a second standalone version of this bird I jumped at the chance of writing about it so here we are.
The ERJ 145 is a very important product for Embraer for a number of reasons. The airplane basically saved Embraer financially, and it proved that private hands were better than government at managing an airplane manufacturer. It was one of the first aircraft ever to be designed almost entirely by computers, and last but not least it changed the regional aircraft market forever. Never again was the regional commuter routes mastered by turboprop aircraft. Embraer brought the turbofan jet airliner to the commuter market, and did it with style providing one of the most beautiful airplanes both inside and out, to take to the skies.
The second offering of this product is a definite improvement from the first. It uses the latest technology available for modeling and sound, and it also brings a couple of extra goodies such as a heads up display for landings in harsh weather, and the Call add on which brings a FO and a checklist manager to enhance the flight experience. I will say this is probably one of the most complete packages for FSX at a modest (not too pricey but not too cheap) price.
The download package for this aircraft comes in a 335.3 MB zip file which you can download directly from the Pilot Shop. Before the file is downloaded the system automatically sends you the license key, and any info you might need to install. After a couple of minutes you should have the plane automatically installed, you will need to manually enter the license key and the installation is a breeze.
It is necessary to have all service packs for FSX installed, and is always a good idea to have the latest FSUIPC version installed, as well as all your display drivers up to date. Once installed the airplanes will show up under the Embraer / Feelthere category. The software comes with an 81 page manual and pilots reference guide, which includes all information needed to fly the plane and all checklists. The software also includes an external configuration manager which permits you to choose a list of parameters before flight, such as panel state when starting a flight, weights, fuel load, units of measure selection, TOD pause, and other options to fly the airplane in the way most comfortable for the user.
The exterior model of the airplane is beautiful. It does not take the Captain Sim philosophy of showing you the normal wear and tear of the airplane as it looks in real life. The ERJ looks slick, shiny, and spotless like it just came out of the production line. If you have seen this airplane in real life the virtual representation of it is flawless. It looks as pretty and slick as it looks in real life. The package includes the three variants of the 145 which are the 135LR, 145LR, and 145XR, the three are basically the same on the outside apart from the XR is a little longer than the other two, and some variations have winglets. Liveries include almost 15 different companies from the US and Europe.
Animations include windshield wipers, hydraulic suspension, flaps, spoilers, ailerons, speed brakes, thrust reversers, landing gear, passenger and cargo doors, hatches and stairs. All animations have a natural feel to them and happen at the right times. Attention to detail is self evident in all the animations. For example when the door opens the stairs slide out naturally as the door comes down, and all the nuts and bolts are visible on the door and fuselage. The pilots look decent from the outside, this is one I still have not seen anybody do a great job on, but I'm sure there is something out there.
I have no complaints with the exterior model, the latest technology was used to model the airplane and it is a treat to watch it on the tarmac and in the air. The wheels have a great visual detail once the airplane is moving, and the effects on takeoff and flying are great. The liveries look great and give the visual model a great look. The only negative I was able to see was on the wing views where you can't see the spoilers deployed.
I am very happy to announce that after a fierce inner war which lasted for a couple of years I am now a virtual cockpit pilot, matter of fact I cannot fly any other way. I guess it's a good thing I came around when I did because 3D cockpits get better every time a new airplane comes out in the market. This offering of the ERJ is no exception. You can access all of the cockpit systems from the 3D view no problem. The displays are clear and crisp, knobs turn easily, and buttons get pushed when you click on them. As far as I could see there are no dead knobs.
The interior model of the plane as a whole is a beauty. Wing views from the inside windows are awesome and the 3D walkthrough is of the highest standards. The initial feel of the 3D cockpit is of being right in front of the left side with the seat way ahead. The panel gives you a feel of being high and your seat seems to be a bit low relative to the panel but a little playing around with the zoom, and orientation and you get a great view of the outside, as well as of the controls.
Now it is the other way around, I did not even bother to play around with the 2D display, but the little I saw of it is also good. Very similar to the Ejets ERJ190 package and I have the same critique for this one as the 190... the 2D panel is way too small, doesn't even feel like you are on a plane, you have to drag the end to increase to the size to feel like you are actually sitting inside a plane. Other than that I have to say I did not even try one flight in 2D. It's truly remarkable how our species tend to accept and embrace change.
The developers truly did a great job with this airplane. I went through every single system, knob, and button and they all work to the dot. The ERJ, although a small regional jet, has some pretty complex and high tech computer systems. For a small jet it has pretty much everything the big boys have: weather radar which works great, fully programmable FMC, TCAS, 100% digital primary flight displays, digital multi function displays, and all the aids and goodies offered by the Airbuses and Boeings.
The ERJ 145 is one of the most automated jets that fly in the world today. Hence the overhead panel is not a place where you will be spending much of your time. Other than anti ice, APU, cabin signs, lights, and bleed switches, all the other systems are by default set to AUTO and the plane automatically handles its own without much interference from you. In this sense the normal checklists for this airplane are surprisingly small. The autopilot works differently and it is laid out differently than what you might be accustomed to if you are coming from a Boeing or an Airbus. The autopilot has all of the functions modeled to the dot, but in this particular aircraft the auto throttle works differently. You only have speed hold while on climb or descent, for cruise you rely on the thrust management mode selector which automatically regulates the engines depending on the part of the flight you are in. They also work like a charm by the way.
The FMC is another department where you will need to do a small training prior to flying the bird. Although it pretty much has the same functions as that of the FMC you see in the 767 or 737, it is structured and laid out differently so it does have a small learning curve which should be mastered quickly if you have the basics of FMC programming down already. The way to enter the initial performance is different, you enter the fuel weight manually, cargo weight manually, and passenger weight, the computer then makes the calculations. Entering the flight plan you have to enter the ICAO code of the destination airport so the computer knows the plan was entered. Another small difference is that the V speeds are not entered or calculated by the FMC, they are entered in a separate part of the panel where you control the aircraft reporting system. Other than that it's got the normal features you expect from the FMC.
If you already own and fly the Ejets 190, it will take you maybe 15 minutes to get familiarized and fly this airplane. Although they are VERY similar, there are a couple of things that differ between them such as engine start procedure, and location of systems that control the airplane in the cockpit. But all in all you should be familiarized quickly. My learning curve started with the first version of this airplane, it took me a couple of hours to learn to operate it correctly. After that I moved to the Ejets and it was a breeze, and now back to this new version no problem.
In general the airplane is a beauty. It handles great on the ground, great in the air, great with the autopilot, great on approach, and great back to the gate (given you didn't wreck the landing gear on touchdown). Before and during this review I made numerous flights in this bird, short, medium and super short and I had no problems whatsoever. The pictures you will see in this review are of a flight that pretty much edges on the limits of this aircraft and it was fun as hell. I did MMMX (Benito Juarez International in Mexico City) to KLAX (Los Angeles International) which is about 1,400 nautical miles. Supposedly the XR version of the plane is designed for a range of up to 2,000 nautical miles but at economy cruise, something I don't think I have ever done so I landed in LAX with about 2000 pounds of fuel left.
There are a few things that are necessary to make clear before you go get your credit card. Although the ERJ is a turbofan aircraft it does not handle like the big jets we are used to such as the 737 and over. The ERJ is slower on the climb, and cruises at a considerable slower speed than its bigger counterparts. For example with 40 passengers, and taking off with 80% fuel for a 766 mile flight the aircraft cruised at 28,000 feet at around 455 knots. Some of the add-on 737's out there can cruise over 500 knots depending on the winds so don't expect a bullet out this airplane.
For the sound pack I only have one word.... AWESOME. So far it is the best sound pack I have gotten on an add-on airplane. It is hard to explain why because we are talking about sound, but I guess when you people hear it you will know what I was talking about. For once while the airplane is taxiing it makes a very familiar sound that the real birds make when the wheels strike the concrete divisions on the tarmac and taxiways. I don't know if any of you readers have noticed that distinct sound, well this is the first virtual airplane (at least to my knowledge) that does it, and does it beautifully. If you add FS Passengers to the mix that makes a nice huffing sound once you press the brakes, it truly does give you the impression you are taxiing a real bird. Now that I think about it, I would ALMOST tell you it is worth getting this new version of the ERJ just for the sound, it's that good.
Last but not least, since the developers have to convince a bunch of us who have the earlier version of the bird to upgrade without a discount they threw in two extra treats. A HUD (Heads Up Display) unit for landings which I got to tell you works beautifully, but when you are old fashioned like me it takes time to get used to, and a CALL add-on for adding checklists to the ERJ. The last one I did not try because I use my custom checklists except for the Voice Commander for the Wilco 737 obviously!.
Highs - Great second offering for the ERJ 145 series by Wilco and Feelthere. Once again they produced a high quality airplane that is fun to fly, and challenging to master. The plane has awesome exterior and interior design, INCREDIBLE SOUND PACKAGE, and flawless system programming.
Lows - The 2D cockpit was a disappointment much like the Ejets 2D offering, and in wing views it is not possible to see the spoilers deploying.
The Verdict - Another great job by Wilco and Feelthere. It is was a gutsy move to completely redesign a previous offering and charge it like new, but I must say if you do decide to spend the money again you will not be disappointed.
Microsoft Flight Simulator X/2004 with Windows XP/Vista/7
Flight Simulator X SP1 and SP2 (or Acceleration Pack)
Windows XP/Vista 32 bits - Windows 7 32/64 bits - Pentium 1 GHz - 256MB RAM - 1.20 GB available hard disk space
Microsoft Flight Simulator X (SP2)
Windows 7
3.22 Quad Core Extreme Processor
4 GB High Speed RAM
526 MB Nvidia graphics accelerator with DirectX 10
Gustavo Mercado
gusifer@gmail.com
Learn More Here
Other Reviews By Gustavo Mercado:
FS2Crew 737 Wilco Voice Commander Edition
Air Hauler
Zinertek Ultimate Airport Environment X
FSX Missions Eurowings CRJ-700
Captain Sim Boeing 757
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