Cessna 182T Skylane Publisher: A2A Simulations

Review Author: Nigel Martin Suggested Price: $49.99

With the myriad of offerings now available to the simmer, it is somewhat difficult to note a release that grabs your attention. Don't get me wrong, all FSX add-on releases truly enhance the virtual world we all enjoy! However, the offerings did not make me leap for my credit card, I guess I am just plain 'picky'.

I 'stumbled' upon the latest offering from A2A on the internet, and watched a trailer about the product, and was taken aback from the very obvious attention to detail. That is perhaps one of the biggest understatements I have made this year! The detail looked quite incredible, and amazingly accurate.

During this research, I noted the previous A2A Cessna 172 and Piper Cherokee, both it seems are presented in excellent detail; the comments from various blogs underpin this view.

So I guess if you have seen, used, or own one of the previous GA A2A aircraft, this package may well be a upgrade.

I have a personal interest in this aircraft, well the slightly older version of the Cessna 182 (real world), which a pal of mine part owns. I have a fair few hours spent aloft, so I really will be interested in this offering.

I guess if you are a civil or military aficionado and only flying commercial or military hardware, this may not 'light-your-candle' but I enjoy flying both my trusty 737-800 and GA aircraft.

Oh yes, if you have seen the intro from A2A, and read the excellent product overview, it does not leave me a great deal of literary latitude, but as always, this review will not be a 'rivet counting' (Not saying the previous ones were! Just being very comprehensive) offering, just a user overview, which I hope will shed additional personal view on this A2A product.

       

Purchase/Download

As always, purchasing the product in FS Pilot Shop could not be simpler. Download the program (this process can be a bit of time dependant on your system, nothing too onerous!) and you will have the 'bits and pieces' that will magically make four Cessna 182T Skylanes appear. Look out for the manual it is a PDF; more about this later. I have to say, the download process was simplicity itself.

After being informed there was a successful download, I hit the FSX icon and fired up FSX, looked at my virtual hangar and could not immediately see the Cessna where I would expect it. The aircraft versions were found at the very top of the list, obvious now I am typing this, alphabetical, A for Accusim, not C for Cessna. Phew, that panic over, but I demonstrated great reserve, and accessed the manual first.

However, falling fowl previously, by printing off a 'thesis' length pilots manual and pretty much emptied a ink cartridge, I decided I was going to print off ONLY the pages that I felt would be relevant to my immediate flying needs.

Before I move on, the Accu-Sim C182T Skylane manual has 104 color pages. This has to be one of the most comprehensive manuals around. As an example, the headings include: Designer Note Quick Start Guide, Combustion Engine data, Specifications, Checklists, Procedures explained, Performance, Emergency Procedures, Airplane & Systems Description, Airplane Handling Servicing & Maintenance, Accu-Sim & the C182T Skylane, Credits. All very interesting but not all needed to get a grip of the 182, and get it airborne.

Again, I would be selective which pages you opt to print, otherwise if you just hit the print button, you will get the entire 108 color pages. With a few pages in hand providing me with some important data, I selected one of the four versions offered, the Cessna 182T presented in various color ways and registration.