Development

When did you start developing for flight simulators and what got you interested in it?

When did I start developing? Well it was long time ago and it began way back with FS5.1. My first aircraft was a Zlin Z-142 (what a surprise). Because of the limitations that came with Flight Simulator at that time, my model only contained a few polygons. It also had no custom sounds, no custom panel, but...importantly, it flew!

The next project I worked on, and a big graphical step up (for me), was the Zlin 526AFS for FS2000. This aircraft was made with FSDS, a fantastic tool which made creating MSFS add-ons a whole lot easier. With this aircraft, I learnt a lot of new techniques and the results were quite pleasing. With the knowledge I had learned creating the Zlin, I started on my next project, which was the PZL 101A Gawron. This aircraft I dedicated to my friend and also owner of the real aircraft. If you download this aircraft, you can actually see that I modeled his face onto the model pilot!

With the release of FS2004 however, everything changed, as here was a simulator that could finally produce what I wanted. My first aircraft for FS2004 was the Zlin Trener family of aircraft which proved to be very popular among simmers. This aircraft had three updates in all, with major fixes in each update.

For a short time after this I created repaints for my aircraft, but after a while my friends starting pushing me to produce another aircraft, a bigger aircraft! With this in mind, I set about designing the Tu-154. This was a large project, but the end result was the first Tu-154 for FS2004 with a photoreal virtual cockpit. This aircraft proved to be immensely popular with simmers and was downloaded over 50,000 times (from various web sites).

A while later, I met up with Bence Benedek, a very talented 3D modeler, and together we founded Pannon Wings Design Team (PWDT). After setting up the team, we began working on our first project which was the Let L-410 family of aircraft. As neither of us had any experience making gauges, we looked for help, and help came in the form of Jirka Masnik, from the Czech Republic.

Jirka offered to create the gauges for us, and so with his help, the Let L-410 project became our first international collaboration. All together we ended up creating the whole of the L-410 family; beginning with the FG and finishing up with the UVP-T variant.

Before the release of the L-410, we were unsure of how popular it would be, but when we started to see the amount of downloads it was accumulating, we (as a team) decided to continue with our freeware venture.

Our next release was another classic Czech aircraft, the Zlin Z-43. As with the Let L-410 project before, Bence created the model (his work really is outstanding), I created the semi-photorealistic textures, and Jirka made the gauges. In my opinion, and judging by the downloads, I think the end result of the Zlin Z-43 was pretty good.

With the release of Microsoft's latest (possibly last) simulator, FSX, we moved all development over to this platform. Our aircraft model of choice? You guessed it, it was another Zlin, but this time the Zlin Z-142. This aircraft however was quite difficult to create, especially to FSX standards. With all animations and texturing finished, we only had the 3D gauges to complete, but they were proving difficult; mainly because of the standards we had set ourselves. In the end, Bence, decided to leave the team and for a long time our connection was broken.

So, there I was, with an aircraft that was nearly complete, but unable to release it because the gauges were proving problematic; how frustrating! So for the next few years I put the Zlin project on hold, and decided to concentrate on other projects. As well as creating numerous repaints for aircraft, I also participated in the development of some LHSim sceneries. These included: LHPP Pecs-Pogany, LHPR Gyor and the last one, LHBP Budapest. My job for all of these sceneries was to create the static aircraft and minor objects.

It was near the end of LHBP that my mind returned to the Zlin. I really wanted to get the aircraft finished, but I still had the issue of completing the gauges. I had a lot of interest from other developers, but none really worked out. I even discussed the Zlin with Mathijs at Aerosoft, but for one reason or another nothing came of it, so it was left in limbo.

Then one day, something unexpected happened; my good friend Bence contacted me and said that he wanted to finish the gauges. It was fantastic news. So finally our little gem was released (for free) and our story comes to a happy ending!

What is it about Zlin aircraft (in your opinion) that makes them special?

In my opinion, there are many things that make the Zlin special. For a start, each one has been made with care and precision and if you've ever flown one for real, you'll notice that there's no control surface backlash, no wobbling and everything just seems to work as it should. Then there is the visibility the aircraft offers. Its bubble canopy offers the pilot a wide panoramic view which makes flying the aircraft a joy. I really like Eastern-Block aircraft and I used to say: Czech engineers don't build aircraft, they dream aircraft!

How to did you get the flight dynamics to resemble the real aircraft?

Achieving the correct flight dynamics was a long and arduous process. Arduous in the sense that we followed the classic, 'if at first you don't succeed, then try try again.' As I have actual flying time in a real Zlin, I have a pretty good idea of what is good, what needs to be changed or what needs to be adjusted. I think the end result was pretty good. I'm saying that because we have had no complaints (yet) to say otherwise, LOL.

Out of the projects you've participated in, which do you consider your best or most popular work?

Fortunately all our work (so far) has been very popular with the flight simming community and I hope this continues. If I had to choose one which I considered my best, then that would have to be our last project: the Z-142. In my humble opinion, this aircraft represents my best work and brings together everything I have learnt through the years.

/i

What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of a project?

All areas of a project can be challenging. It doesn't matter if it's making textures, gauges (still a dark spot for me) or 3D modeling, each area represents its own unique challenge.

What have been your favorite projects?

My favorite is always the next project! And our next project is...going to be a secret...for now!

Do you develop payware/freeware or both and why?

Our work will always be free; it's what we enjoy. Our payment comes in the form of emails, sent by flight simmers, who thank us for all the work we have done. Reading the emails and seeing the amount of downloads our aircraft have achieved, makes it all worthwhile.

The Team

Are the three of you still working together?

No, now it is just Bence and myself. Jirka, left the team and now concentrates on X-Plane development.

You mentioned that you worked with the LHSim team. Could you tell us more about them?

LHSim are a Hungarian development team, full of talented and fantastic guys! Working with them was immensely fun and satisfying. The work they produce is stunning! If you fly over Budapest Ferihegy, Gyor, or Pecs, you'll see the static aircraft I developed for these sceneries.

Real Life

Do you have any experience in real aviation?

Yes, I have PPL (Private Pilot License) with about 400 hours flight time with a Cessna 150, Cessna 172 and of course...a Zlin Z-142!

Which do you prefer to fly, the Cessna or the Zlin (why)?

Dominic, you should know that answer to that question already, LOL! The answer has to be the Zlin!

The Cessna is very simple to fly, a bit like a car, in that if all the gauges are in the green, then you're ready to fly, but in the Zlin there is so much more that you have to look at. Things such as the engine compressor, propeller pitch (which has numerous setups, depending on the phase of flight) all need constant monitoring. Another aspect of the Zlin I love is the precision if offers. Unlike other aircraft I have flown (Cessnas), the Zlin will respond to even the smallest of stick inputs and always immediately. That makes a big difference!

What started your interest in aviation?

When I was six years old, my father took me to our local airport which housed a Zlin 526F cockpit. All I can remember from this experience was that I was crying, but for some reason this aircraft and experience have stayed with me ever since.

Any memorable flights in real life?

Each time I get the chance to go up in the air is a memorable occasion for me, but if I had to choose one that was the most memorable, then it would be a flight I took one cold and cloudy November day. Taking off in our Zlin 142, we flew through the clouds (only about 600m above the ground) into bright sunshine and puffy white clouds. You really had to be there to know what it was like, but it was amazing. Once through the clouds, we performed some aileron rolls and even flew inverted for a time. In all...it was incredible.

Would you like to share what you do in real life?

My real life (much like my flight simming life) is taken up with aviation as I work during the week in an RC model shop. During the evenings I'll spend my time learning new techniques for my newest and latest projects, or fly from point A to B in FSX.

What other hobbies or things do you do for enjoyment?

This might surprise you (or not), but all my other hobbies include aviation! Sometimes, if the weather is good, I'll spend time flying my own RC models. I have a good old Sukhoi 26 (more than 20 years old, and without injury, LOL) and a Yak-55M which has a wingspan of 1.4 meters! I also own a little electro-glider with a V-tail and a Cessna 182 with flaps. So, as you can see aviation is everywhere!

Have you ever considered doing flight simulator development full-time?

Yes, I've thought about it, but as of yet, no developer or studio has approached me.

Future

How do you choose your next new design or project?

Bence and myself really enjoy aircraft from the former 'Eastern-Block', so anything small with either Czech or Russian roots is considered. As we both like the same sort of aircraft, I can't see this changing anytime soon.

What simulators do you design for now and which ones do you plan to develop for in the future?

It took us a long time to switch from from FS2004 to FSX, so I think for the time being we'll just stay where we are. P3D is not a platform we are concentrating on but luckily the Zlin seems to be fully compatible with it.

Your Thoughts

How do you feel about the future of flight simulation in general?

I really hope that sometime in the future Microsoft, or another studio, will make a fully new simulator that will remain compatible with FSX, whilst at the same time, implementing new and improved features. Not so much with eye candy, but rather in areas such as intelligent AI traffic and ATC. Perhaps the most important area of all though concerns the flight dynamics. An improvement in this area will make flying far more realistic.

What would you like people to know about you or your team and work?

We are just a small two man team here in Hungary, but we are so happy when we see how popular our aircraft are. Each day we receive emails thanking us for our work, and this inspires us to go that one step further. We might not be the fastest development team in the world, but Bence and I hope that the results we achieve compensate for the wait.

Thank you to everybody who has supported us over the years! Enjoy flying in your PWDT aircraft.

Tibor Kokai
Download Tibor Kokai's Files