Reviews & Previews

[RRN1988]

Hi,

Well, since I'm the only reviewer who actively participates on the fourms, I thought it'd be nice to discuss about aircraft reviews.

First of all, a review holds no surprises so I'll tell you what you can expect from me:

Overland Japan - Airbus Edition (sent)
Vroute Premium (doing that)

The main reason I started this thread is because I want to know the true interests of all you. I mean, if there's any product you'd like me to review, please don't hesitate to ask me.

Of course, you'd rather not ask me just so you know the verdict because you'll have to really patient for that. Most reviews take atleast (remember, atleast) more than a week to climb up the list and come online.

So if you feel there's some product which all of us should know about, please let me know. That is, if it hasn't been reviewed already.

I'd also like to make a few corrections/additions to my past reviews. I know this wont reach everyone but atleast it will to you.

In my review of the WSSimulation Diamond Eclipse (http://www.flightsim.com/main/review/wssdiam.htm), I had stated:


Another problem is the difficulty in stalling this aircraft. Laughing, eh? But it's true. Even with zero power and full aft stick at the critical angle of attack, the airplane will momentarily descend with a slight pitch reduction, gain speed and start the cycle again and continue unless some other action is done.

A real world pilot who has flown the DA20 has stated this is realistic. You can smoothly descend at idle power at a very low speed without stalling. This speed is also known as the minimum sink speed.

In my review of the Carenado C172N II Skyhawk (http://www.flightsim.com/main/review/care172n.htm), I completely missed the absence of an autopilot. I am unsure about the realism of this but I will get back to you soon or if any real C172N pilot can confirm this, I'd be grateful. I also missed that there is no glide slope indicator on the VOR1 indicator. Carenado states the plane they were referring to didn't have one but another real world C172N pilot contradicts this. So again, I'm not sure. I apologise for these faults.

Don't hesitate to contact me as I'd me more than happy to help. All suggestions and questions are welcome.

A quick update on my Vroute Premium reivew. It'll take time as I am also trying to improve my review structure so I don't forget anything as I have above.

Happy Flying!

Regards,

[Propane]

Things like the VOR1 indicator missing a glideslope needle shouldn't be things you should worry about with reviews in my opinion. This is a variable from plane to plane as far as I know. At my flight school there are several Socata TB-9 planes, most of them without glideslope needles, but recently, the school bought another TB-9 which has an indicator with glideslope. So both Carenado and the RL pilot are probably right.

[RRN1988]

Things like the VOR1 indicator missing a glideslope needle shouldn't be things you should worry about with reviews in my opinion. This is a variable from plane to plane as far as I know. At my flight school there are several Socata TB-9 planes, most of them without glideslope needles, but recently, the school bought another TB-9 which has an indicator with glideslope. So both Carenado and the RL pilot are probably right.

Thanks for the information. I had already explained to the pilots that the plane that Carenado were using for tests might not have been 'retro-fitted' with a GS indicator but he believes Carenado have screwed up. What's the truth is is something none of us know...:)

Well, I normally do all my tasks perfectly so I don't like to miss out on things so that's why I'm providing the information here.

[n4gix]

A point far too many people don't even consider is this:

All development houses typically model a specific aircraft for which they either have access, or for which they have been able to gather the most information.

Even if the specific aircraft is "just off the assembly line," it is quite likely to have one or more unique differences from the one just prior to its completion or just after its completion!

IOW, every aircraft ever made is quite literally "one-of-a-kind..."

In the case of older aircraft that've been "upgraded," the differences become even more pronounced.

In this instance, your "real world C172N pilot" either isn't really a pilot, or is being willfully ignorant...

[RRN1988]

Thanks for confirming, n4gix.

[Flying Officer Jevans]

Exactly. For instance, we're modeling the Starship based on NC51RS - and there are several difference between what you find in the manuals and what you see on the plane. 1RS has an EGWPS, HF radio and GPS, all retrofitted.
Also, talking of tiny details, the panel has the Starship logo and turn coordinator ball positions swapped compared to the others - a point that was picked up by a couple of people, but it's because we're modeling one specific aircraft.

However, Rohan, I would be careful of glossing over small errors. You mentioned errors on tooltip labeling among others, but concluded these didn't make much difference. It's that kind of thing that makes the difference for me between amateur and professional addons - the extra few percent, the polish. Just a tip...;)

[NikeHerk67]

I agree, there are many different panel configurations in GA aircraft. Whoever told you VOR 1 needed to be glide slope equipped was wrong. I know Piper, where my sister-in-law worked, when it was located in Lock Haven, PA build planes to customer’s specifications. It’s not like buying a car where you just go into the showroom and buy pick from several models with a variety of bells and whistles. :) If a customer with a PPL wants to fly in VFR only conditions they don’t need IFR instrumentation and probably wouldn’t pay the price for a VOR with a glide slope. A glide slope radio receives signals on a separate frequency offset even though the radio is tuned to a single VOR, Localizer frequency. IFR instrumentation is more complex, thus more expensive.

[RRN1988]

However, Rohan, I would be careful of glossing over small errors. You mentioned errors on tooltip labeling among others, but concluded these didn't make much difference. It's that kind of thing that makes the difference for me between amateur and professional addons - the extra few percent, the polish. Just a tip...;)

I see what the readership wants so you'll get it...:)