SkyDecks 737NG Panel Version 3

By Ryan Butterworth (27 August 2006)

I encountered no problems during the installation. As a convenience for those who may not feel comfortable in performing a simple panel configuration file edit, SkyDecks provides a pre-configured aircraft package on their web site, complete with sounds and liveries. You may also choose to install the panel into other aircraft models, such as the Project Open Sky 737 series of jets. I'm using their COA 737-700 for my test flight around Boston today.

Reading the manual offers a few clues on installing the panel into your favorite aircraft model of choice. Though this panel is not as complex as others I would recommend reading the manual to familiarize yourself with the product. After you finish aliasing the panel to your aircraft you will notice a longer than normal load time for the panel. It will only do that the first time you load the panel and after loading you will notice the welcome aboard sign and selection box. There are two configurations of glass arrangement, the full and compact styles. Both yield similar readouts, but in different fashions. Try both and see which one fits you. I like the compact best.

The panel layout is realistic and looks great without being too complex. You can find your way around the panel without reading the manual - but read it anyway. There are also plenty of click spots incorporated into the panel due to the realistic functions. I've always been a fan of more click spots than icons. Still there are icons to toggle the pop up gauges like the throttle quadrant, HUD, overhead, radio stack, and more. Another interesting feature is the reflections in the glass. This adds more realism, but you can turn them off if need be. I like the fact that the EFIS control panel is quite functional. You can turn the airports on/off and display the navaids and change the range of the map. The Mode Control Panel, or MCP, allows for easy use of the autopilot, if you like to use it. This panel looks like the real thing!

There is a Head-Up Display (HUD) that you can use with your approaches. I like this feature as it adds more realism. If you are into panel modding you can easily add in JGHGSV2.ZIP from the file libraries for another HUD option. The night lighting is an improvement from the earlier version of the panel. The standby gauge lighting looks great too!

The overhead panel is quite detailed and will take some getting used to. Most every switch works with the exception of just a few. There is also a schematic of sorts in the manual describing how the electrical system works. If you enjoy flipping switches to make things go, this is the panel for you. You can also takeoff with a just few clicks if you are a fan of the "Ctrl + E" method. The overhead panel comes up and you can still see in front of you near the bottom of the screen. I'm glad the panel bitmap was created this way as you can still see things in front of you while you are looking at the overhead. Nice feature. Let me repeat myself, the panel looks real, and there are plenty of operative features, and you won't need to miss dinner to learn how to start the thing. There are plenty of simmers who meet that status, and I know I'm one of them.

I would also like to mention that all of the EFIS displays have had a major upgrade in their appearance since the last NG panel version. These are definitely full-blown realistic gauges, which can also be maximized as separate pop-up windows. This is a feature I think all developers should have with their main display gauges. As with the clarity of the gauges are concerned, I had no problems displaying the gauges, and the EFIS displays are nice and crisp. I'm using a 19 inch LCD monitor at 1280x1024 resolution. The panel also contains side and wing views so you won't run out of views on approach.

You'll also want to have a decent PC to run this (I'd recommend above 2.5 GHz), because the panel will eat some FPS, due to the size and number of panel bitmaps (1049 total .bmp files). I took a frame rate hit with this panel, but most payware panels hit me too.

I'd recommend getting some nice sounds for your engines; I'd search for Christoffer Petersen at the major sites and get some CFM56 sounds.

Support for this product can be found over at the Flight1 SimForums web site.

What we have here is a well-rounded product. The cost is low so you don't have to spend 50 bucks, but you are just paying for a panel. However, the details are nice, the look is realistic, and it doesn't take five hours to get the left engine spinning. In fact it will load on the runway ready to go. It has a HUD, three popup LCD's, a detailed and functional overhead, good looking quad and radio stack, and don't forget the compact versus full configuration. The manual contains all the necessary v-speeds and reference information too. It's worth the upgrade if you have version 2 (definitely get it if you don't have version 2) and the download size isn't too large. This one is staying in my hangar!

System Specs:

Windows XP Pro SP2
AMD 3700+
XFX 6800XT PCIe
1 GB Corsair XMS RAM
Creative X-Fi sound
Viewsonic 19 inch LCD monitor

About the author: Ryan Butterworth holds his private pilot license. He loves real world aviation, works for a leading GA manufacturer and has been using Microsoft Flight Simulator since FS5.0. He has graduated from UND and is awaiting 'the call' so he can become an air traffic controller in Minneapolis.

Ryan Butterworth
rpbutterworth@gmail.com

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