Just Flight's Flying Club

By Nigel C. Martin (26 October 2005)

When I mean OK, actually I mean you will not see a dramatic frame rate hit. Despite seeing slight screen hesitation FS it is still playable.

Just Flight’s recent offering Flying Club is an interesting departure form the norm, we hope will prove to be interesting and engaging, priced at £29.99/$44.99.

In this program we do not have a complete squadron of ‘tooled up’ aircraft ready to take on the world, nor do we have one superbly crafted offering for our delectation. No, we get four stunningly detailed general aviation aircraft, all presented in great detail internally and externally, and with sounds that quite frankly make the package complete. I can assure you, you will not be disappointed, this being the obvious result of hundreds of hours work.

Upon reading the text detail provided, Just Flight states the flight dynamics on all the aircraft offered are extremely accurate, based on manufacturers' tech data, and with the help of real world pilots. Well we will see.

You will be aware, if you refer to FlightSim.Com on a regular basis, this product has been, well, talked about, and has been eagerly awaited. And I am sure you will share my enthusiasm for this product. More recently, the aircraft have been on sale individually, via paid for download. (Fairly manageable download file size, if you broadband that is!)

Some of you will have had plenty of time to equate yourself with the aircraft, and eagerly await your flight instructor and commence your flying career located out of Shoreham Airport.

I had earlier downloaded the Seneca and Warrior, so you will understand my eagerness to get cracking. And after installation of the complete Flying Club package, have a ‘play’ with the Piper Tomahawk and Cessna 150, being the remaining two aircraft offered in the package.

I mentioned above, I have had some experience with two aircraft types, namely, the PA-38-122 Piper Tomahawk and the PA-28-161 Warrior. Why? What seems a life time ago, at the tender age of 20, I embarked on the wonderful experience of aviation, a la PPL.

I remember starting my experience on the Warrior and my CFI (Chief Flying Instructor) advised me that I really should transfer to the Tomahawk. Why? Well, if anyone has completed stall turns in both you will understand. For those who have not, the Warrior is a very fine and enjoyable stable platform a great mile eater.

   
Cessna 152

The Warrior in contrast has a more sedate experience. But it does stall!

Each to their own, but I loved the Tomahawk, and my view was if you learned to fly on an aircraft with ‘attitude’ flying 152s, 172s, Warriors or any other similar club style aircraft, would be all the better.

So, what are the other aircraft on offer? They are the Cessna 152 and PA-34-200T Piper Seneca, a twin which is very fast in the cruise. I have flown three aircraft types on offer, so I am very eager to have a go! A further twist of fate, I've flown in and out of Shoreham, Sussex, England on many an occasion (where this program is based). Why Shoreham, England, I hear you cry?

The reason? The airport is located east of Worthing and between Lancing and Shoreham by Sea, still in the county of Sussex, you can find the quite picturesque airport of Goodwood (not included in this program). The motor racing circuit surrounds the airport. I am always impressed with the way in which the airport is maintained to a very high standard indeed, and a delight to land and partake in the refreshments offered, great coffee, and sausage rolls! I digress.

   
Around Shoreham Airport

The airport terminal opened in 1930 with the current terminal building built in 1935. Leaping to the current time, the airport provides a wide range of scheduled services to Europe and the UK as well as raft of fixed and rotary aviation activity and servicing/sales and of course flight training.

So my friends, it is my humble opinion that Shoreham being stooped in history is a wonderful location to start your ‘flying’ career. Coupled with the obvious detail shown on the packaging I am sure you will agree too.

PACKAGING

Upon examination you will note that the program is housed in a sturdy plastic case, the front cover with some lovely illustrations leaving you in no doubt what lies within. Turn it over and you will see in all its glory the numerous screen shots that await. Some technical detail is presented. Note, this program is presented on a CD not the DVD format becoming the norm. I understand the DVD format has been introduced to limit illegal copying. No problems here, in fact, we should openly support it.

   
Piper PA-28-161 Warrior

INSTALLATION

During the installation process you are prompted to allow a link from Flying Club to the default Flight Simulator's Flying Lessons. Well there you are, that’s where the tutorials are coming from. I did wonder as there was not a clear indication on the pre-launch publicity, at least I did not see any.

What was I expecting? Well actually I don’t really know. If this works, then great, the lesson list is very comprehensive. You can experience the basics of flight, through to commercial flying. Starting your lessons could not be simpler: from the FS2004 main menu select flying lessons. This will take you to the flying lessons main page. Select one of the lessons showing in the list.

The aircraft used for the lessons are:

If you wish to record your flight time, you can in your logbook. Each of the Flying Club aircraft come with a ‘running time‘ meter – normally referred to as a Hobbs meter, it seems, after the manufacturer's name. This meter runs every time you select the aircraft.

Setting up logbook entry is simple and is covered very clearly in the instructions within The Flying Club program.

TOUR AND FLYING

I had assumed the model would run along the same, or similar as the recently launched Commercial Pilot. Actually the default lessons within FS2004 make for some interesting sessions, especially as I have not visited the lessons within FS for a very long time. Please ensure sure you select the option to allow you to access the lessons as prompted in the install process.

The very first thing that hits you is the quality and attention to detail of the airport. The detail is, well, breathtaking. Not to mince my words: I LOVE IT.

If you have local knowledge you will appreciate my enthusiasm, if you do not, you will simply love the obvious detail on offer. The attention to detail is excellent. All the buildings are represented even down to an RAF Tornado which stands as a gate guard outside a pilots equipment shop--lovely.

I opted for one of my helicopters and had a ‘tour’, a slow pass over the airport. There was plenty of activity, private and club aircraft were parked in the appropriate locations, the Sussex Police Eurocopter parked and a collection of helicopters parked outside a helicopter sales and service centre, ground support vehicles, etc. Such is the detail.

Flying overhead there are plenty of cars parked in and around the airport both airside and public.

The attention to detail at ground level is excellent. Some of the best I have seen to date. Gate, taxiway, runway information is very well defined. The buildings are shown in crisp detail. Text where appropriate on the side of the buildings, tarmac taxiways, and runways can be read with ease.

   
Piper PA-38 Tomahawk

The train proceeds at a ‘fair’ pace past the airport and disappeared within a short time frame. It looks great, but as mentioned could have been on view for longer to be really effective.

The inclusion is to be applauded. I have a feeling we will be seeing a myriad of other activity in such scenery packages in the near future. I hope so! If you want to add a little more to South Coast, then download some lovely freeware (SUSSEXPI.ZIP) which will add piers at Selsey Bill and Beachy Head at Bognor, Littlehampton, Worthing, Shoreham, Brighton West and Brighton.

Some may recognise the route. Why? It was the route of Neville Duke who flew a world record low level flight in a Hawker Hunter in 1953 reaching 747 mph. After downloading, this package will arrive with two sets, one for use with the default scenery the other for use in VFR scenery as Just Flight Photographic Scenery and Roads and Rivers. I have the latter and it works superbly.

I taxied onto the active (gained permission first), lined up with the runway, flaps down one notch, throttle forward in three easy movements, checking the rudder to keep her straight, build the airspeed to 65/70 knots, and she should want to lift... Yup, there she goes, gentle climb on runway heading, at 1000 feet a hard bank and have a long look at the scenery that is below. And yes, it looks very accurate.

Climbing out on the runway heading, once airspeed built up I banked to the port. Some nice land based building detail, and with Roads and Rivers installed further enhanced the effect. Actually, over the coastline I noticed some localised shipping. I am sure these are additional elements in the scenery provided in this program, and they work well to further enhance the ‘feel’.

Use the Load Editor to set your plane's weight, fuel load, etc.

Not sure about you, butI have not used the default lessons at all. Well, once or twice, that may be a little remiss, but typically like most males we ‘know’ best, no instructions needed. Well something like that (my wife would make some quip about the fact I did ‘not need’ instructions for that Swedish flat pack piece of furniture! Another embarrassing story…).

So, I guess I will select the ILS lesson. The process of selection is very easy.

The four aircraft included in this package are excellent, and quite frankly, I have not flown any else for weeks. I love them.

The look from outside and from within the detail is there. Opening hatches, engine detail on offer, pilot detail, passengers, I don’t know where to start?

If you choose any of the collection of the four take time to study the external detail. Despite zooming in, the detail remains clear and precise. Pitot tubes, aerials, alt pressure sensors, trim tabs, fuselage steps, they are all there.

Internal detail again is very well represented. Clear instruments, easy to disseminate and ease of use, even in the virtual cockpit mode, often the downfall of many a aircraft.

I particularly love such attention to detail as sun visor being able to be lowered, side windows can be opened and closed. Lovely attention to detail.

One might say saving the best to last: the sound. This single element has the capacity to make or break a program. I can honestly say on all four offerings this single element is superb, clearly recorded from reality. If any of you are aware of Mike Hambly's work (many of his sound packs area available as free downloads) it will come as no surprise that the excellent sound is his work. Cheers, Mike.

AIRCRAFT

Use the AeroFace tool to customize the pilot

If I was to review all four aircraft separately I would be typing until Christmas. In general, the main thrust of detail is typical, quite superb with just minor observations/comments and no real criticism made. Accolade indeed.

I found the add-on tools interesting, i.e. altering the weight/fuel luggage via the Load Editor, and place your own face onto the pilot's head, etc. A nice feature. The passenger modelling and repaint tool will keep you busy! The short cuts will be found either on the desktop screen or within FS program. You can opt to have ‘friends’ on board. These do look a little stilted and unnatural, but I guess serves the purpose.

One word encapsulates all four aircraft within this program…Authentic.

MOANS AND GROANS

My word, let me see, my wife does not make a good cup of coffee… The grass needs cutting once a week and my daughter’s hamster has become my responsibility...you get my point.

A few light observations though. I appreciate the release of the club aircraft offered us the chance to experience the collection before the total package was released, via paid for downloads. But, you do not get any additional aircraft types in the Flying Club program. There are however, more aircraft versions (from the four supplied) on offer within Flying Club menu, if that is a consolation.

It is my opinion that more aircraft should have been included, unique to the program, call it, added value if you wish. If I had paid for all four aircraft, would I be happy seeing all the same aircraft in the package after buying Flying Club program?

Did I expect unique flying lessons? I guess I did, not founded on anything that has been said, or referred too, but the option of linking with the default FS2004 lessons portfolio work very well, and I have no problem at all with this feature.

   
Piper PA-34-200T Seneca

A pedantic small point you may say? I kind of agree, it would have improved the visual package though. The program cost’s £29.99/$44.99 so is it good value? It has to be, with four quite superb aircraft and wonderful ‘local’ scenery.

I must confess that I had expected something more from the flying lesson element. Flying the four club aircraft within the default lessons offers a new angle, but I am not sure meets with my personal expectation. But it has to be said, I have enjoyed flying the Seneca in the lesson mode. It would have been nice to see some bespoke flying set up in the ‘Choose a flight’ option, and a few there to choose from generated from the program. Oh well.

One more final point, I would have loved to seen Goodwood represented as well within the package. All right, it is another entirely separate airport, but, it is only a stones throw away and shares the same heritage, or very near it, and is quite stunning airport location, within the race track of Goodwood. (No trains, but how about seeing racing cars around the track?)

CONCLUSION

The four quite superb aircraft and wonderful ‘local’ scenery, and linking with the default flying lessons provides a well rounded package, which will yet further enhance the simming experience.

Happy landings.

Nigel C. Martin
nigel.martin10@tesco.net

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