I think all of us flight simulation enthusiasts dream of a 'super package' containing all models of a specific series and several liveries. Often, we are anguished at the fact that several developers release a single aircraft from a series for a hefty price. Fear no more, my friend, because Overland have released a 'super package' containing all aircraft in the Airbus line-up (except the A318 and A310) from the A300-600R to the A380. All models are passenger versions only. Freighter versions are not available.
Overland or Simmer's Sky (SMS) developed this package for FS2004 and FS2002 only. I have reviewed it for FS2004 only. The package includes the following aircraft: Airbus A300-600R, A319, A320, A321, A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, A340-600 and the Airbus A380. Several liveries are also available. All models have their own 2D panels and 3D virtual cockpit. You have the option to choose whether you want the virtual cockpit or not. If the virtual cockpit is not selected, wing views are available.
Giving the history of all eleven aircraft is a tedious job and it's going to be boring for you and me so I'm going to skirt the topic here. There are a lot of documents and articles out there detailing these aircraft's history. Try Wikipedia or the Airbus web site itself.
The product comes as a 388 MB zip file from the Pilot Shop. Installation is done in a slightly strange way. You have to extract the contents of the zip file and run the installer which in turn installs another installer. This installer along with a manual can be found in a file within the temporary directory to which you extracted the contents of the downloaded zip file. When you run that installer (the new one), you can select whether you want to install it for FS2002 or FS2004. After selecting the version, you enter your name, serial key and follow the instructions on screen. You can choose between a simple install and custom install which has more options. Please note that the installer will not detect your installation of FS2004 if you have installed somewhere other than the default location. And there, you're done. System requirements haven't been stated. So, it's fine if you have a system that can run FS2004 or FS2002 comfortably.
After installation, no folder in the start menu is created. A manual can be found in the directory of the secondary installer. It details on how to install, uninstall the product, selecting the aircraft in flight simulator, door operations, technical support and the included liveries. In FS2004, you can find and select the aircraft under the 'Simmer's Sky' manufacturer from the aircraft selection menu.
The 2D cockpits of all aircraft are designed quite nicely and have a touch of realism too. The gauges may not be completely realistic but they're quite decent in my opinion. The overhead panel is simple and easy to use. Perhaps the most realistic aspect of the panel is the FCU (Flight Control Unit) or the MCP (Mode Control Panel) as it is called in Boeing aircraft. In some aircraft, the doors can be opened via a special doors display screen. The throttle quadrant looks quite realistic. Some small icons are available to bring up several sub panels. Unfortunately, the radio stack is adapted from the default 737. Some of the buttons on the FCU may not yield expected results. Luckily, tooltips come for a rescue. The EFIS is quite limited in function. Night lighting is quite good. You'll be relieved to know it's not that silly red glow.
The 3D cockpits of all aircraft look nice too. If the VC isn't selected, wing views are available when the view is panned 135 degrees left or right. Almost all parts of the VC are fully functional. However, the non-simulated part of the overhead panel on some aircraft doesn't look really pretty. The radios aren't functional in the VCs. You have to bring up the 2D radio stack, then. Night lighting in the VC is fine.
The exterior models of all aircraft look good. The liveries are not of high quality but they're quite nice. A realistic aspect of the A380 exterior model is that only the inboard engines have reversers. As we will see in the 'Aircraft Systems' section, this isn't absolutely realistic. I experienced some issues with the models though. On landing, the nose wheel seems to be bobbing up and down with the aircraft. This is realistic but I feel the effect is exaggerated. The A380 has this problem on takeoff too. Wing flex is dynamic and realistic and I really like them. Exterior lighting (day and night) on most aircraft are fine.
Well, all of these aircraft are more like the default aircraft. Only the most necessary systems are simulated. You have to navigate using the default GPS. The avionics on these aircraft work just fine. The autopilot behaves realistically although it's not that responsive and may overshoot/undershoot the desired target heading or altitude. The flap detents and positions have been realistically modeled. On the A380 exterior model, only the inboard engines appear to have reversers. But when you monitor the EICAS, all engines generate reverse thrust. So, that's not completely realistic and I don't know if any limitation of the simulation software is involved.
On a broad basis, I would rate the flight dynamics of all aircraft in this package as above average. They are good, but not very good. The larger aircraft do have that heavy feel but it may be over exaggerated in some places. The A380 hardly turns at bank angles less than 10 degrees. Also, the whole VC and viewpoint seems to be set a little high so you will have to judge your approach angle a little more accurately. For some reason, making smooth landings are a bit difficult in these aircraft. The flare doesn't really do much. Climb performance on the A300 is unrealistic. It climbs and accelerates like a rocket even when fully loaded.
Unfortunately, none of the aircraft have their own sounds. All of them use the default 737-400 sounds. But there are several sound packages available here on the library.
These aircraft hardly affect the frame rates. I get a smooth 25 FPS (locked on 25) all the time. To keep it simple, if you get good frame rates on the default jets, you'll get the same with this product.
In my opinion, this package is a good one for a beginner or veteran flight simulation or Airbus enthusiast. It has several aircraft which are detailed enough to be flown by them. Some may find the lack of an aircraft manual a bit quirky but there are lot of places out there where you can learn about them. So, I'll say get it to any beginner or veteran flight simulation or Airbus enthusiast. Please feel free to contact me.
Rohan Nair
rohannair10@yahoo.co.in
Learn More Here
Overland has created a patch to make these aircraft compatible with FSX;
Download Here
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