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Review: Shade Tree Micro Aviation AT-11 KansanBy Paul Mort /images/reviews/kansan/t/1.jpgOur review today is all about theAT-11 from Shade Tree Micro Aviation (STMA). For those of youunfamiliar with STMA, this talented team have been creating X-Planemodels for quite a few years now, and are well regarded in the X-Planecommunity. /images/reviews/kansan/t/Scenic2.jpg /images/reviews/kansan/t/Scenic3.jpgHistoryDerived from the Beechcraft Model 18, the AT-11 Kansan (named aftera native of Kansas) was the bombing and gunnery trainer variant of theaircraft. In this mode, the AT-11 carried ten 100 pound M38A2practice bombs, or ten 100 pound general purpose high explosives. Thetypical crew consisted of a pilot, the instructor and two students.Each student would take a turn in the nose behind the Norden or Sperrybombsight as the instructor looked on from his right side. Thetrainee would then drop one bomb per run for five separate bombingruns and would trade places with the other student when done. Thetrainee who was not at the bomb sight, would use a 35mm motion picturecamera to film each bomb run through a hole in the floor so as torecord the other student's bombing scores. /images/reviews/kansan/t/Top_Gunner_1.jpgExterior ModelAs any good pilot should, I first performed a visual inspection ofthe STMA AT-11. The image below shows the STMA AT-11 sitting onrunway 01 at Teterboro Airport (KTEB) in New Jersey. On thisparticular flight, my destination was Greenwood Lake Airport (4N1), ashort hop of just 21 miles. The main feature at the front of the aircraft is its transparentbulbous nose. This contains the front gunner's station and was nicelymodelled, with both the seat and gun being in full view. Walkingaround to the side, I could see that the top turret had also beenrecreated, and again, the machine gun was clearly visible. /images/reviews/kansan/t/2.jpgIn this particular package, STMA have kindly provided two models, atrainer (guns removed) and also a bomber. Walking around further andzooming in, I noticed that the developers had included panel rivets inthe textures, which was great to see. Also included were fiveliveries, and these work for both versions of the aircraft. They addadditional variety to the package and each one is done to a highstandard. Going back to the textures, both the props and exteriordecal textures were crisp and highly detailed, with the undercarriageexhibiting the same level of quality. In the image below, you can clearly see the rivets and crisp decalsin the exterior of the AT-11. /images/reviews/kansan/t/3.jpg InteriorAs this is where we 'virtual pilots' will spend most of our time, acockpit should (in my humble opinion) be a friendly place, withinstruments being both easy and clear to read, and here the AT-11doesn't disappoint! Anybody familiar with the Beech 18, will feelright at home in the AT-11. Yes, there are differences, but thegeneral layout is pretty much the same. STMA have supplied a GarminGNS 530 GPS module with their model, and also a fully functionalautopilot located underneath. Whether you think an aircraft of thisvintage requires these aids, is down to your own personal preferences,but I for one very much like it. Why? Well in my opinion, it'simportant to remember we are using a simulator here and not the realthing. Some virtual pilots are bound to disagree with me and say thatreality is key, but like most things in the world of flightsimulation, it's another topic for debate. /images/reviews/kansan/t/Bombsight2.jpg /images/reviews/kansan/t/Cockpit1.jpgOne thing which isn't open to debate though, is the superbdetailing that STMA have given to the cockpit of the Kansan.Everything is wonderfully clear (good for my eyes) and the greencockpit padding is very effective! /images/reviews/kansan/t/4.jpgIt's not just the cockpit which is nicely modelled though, as it'salso possible to explore the entire interior of the aircraft;something I wish more developers would allow you to do! Another nice feature of the interior model, is that if you click onthe copilot's rudder pedals, it will take you to the front gun turretstation! Getting GoingIn my humble opinion, some of the study aircraft for X-Plane arebecoming excessively complex to start, which limits the fun factor forsome people (myself included). However, this is certainly not thecase with the AT-11, as STMA have provided two options in which tostart their aircraft. The first, is via the X-Plane 'Flight' menu;and the second, from the switches and dials in the cockpit. /images/reviews/kansan/t/5.jpgFuel tanks onMixture full richAll switches onSelect engineThrow the starterIt's as simple as that and you're ready to go. However, for those of you blessed with eagle eyes, you may havespotted that the lavatory is still shown as occupied, so in this case,it's probably best to wait until all crew business is done! /images/reviews/kansan/t/Parking.jpg /images/reviews/kansan/t/Scenic1.jpg Taxiing & TakeoffAs many of you will know, manoeuvring on the ground with ataildragger, takes a bit more skill than an aircraft with tricyclegear, and the AT-11 is no exception. However, locking the tailwheelat the appropriate times, makes taxiing a far more enjoyableexperience. Failure to do this, will result in the aircraftperforming doughnuts - which is not very good for your pilotcredentials! Once on to the active, it's time to select one notch of flaps andfull power. At around 100 knots, I gently pulled back on the yoke,and the aircraft rose smoothly into its climb. /images/reviews/kansan/t/6.jpgWith the GNS530 set for Greenwood Lake Airstrip (4N1) a distance of21 miles, it was time to connect the autopilot. For reference, I usethe VR Insight Pro Autopilot Box, but it's just as easy to use theonboard autopilot. Once in level flight, I disconnected the autopilotso as to see how the aircraft handled in the air. Performing a series of simple turns and power-off stalls, I foundthe aircraft to be both smooth and glitch free. There were no nastysurprises or bumps, which I guess is what made the aircraft such agood trainer! /images/reviews/kansan/t/Bombs.jpg /images/reviews/kansan/t/Bombsight.jpgWith the autopilot once more engaged, the aircraft intercepted theflight plan heading at exactly the right place, and held it therewithout error. After a short time, our destination airport of Greenwood Lake cameinto view, so it was off with the autopilot and back to manual control(far more exciting). As I headed straight in to runway 06, I selectedtwo notches of flaps and slowed. I remember thinking that I must benear the stall limit, but the aircraft remained stable and the warningbuzzer silent...phew! /images/reviews/kansan/t/7.jpgAs I floated down, there was the reassuring sound of the tirestouching the asphalt, and as I applied the brakes, the aircraft beganto settle. Slowing sufficiency, I exited the runway and continued toairport parking! Flight AnalysisSTMA's AT-11 Kansan takes a lot of beating. Visually, the modellooks great, is stable during flight, and has nice and intuitivenavigational features. The only fly in the ointment as far as I wasconcerned, was the apparent ease in which the aircraft performeddoughnuts whilst on the ground. Maybe the developers could have alook at this? /images/reviews/kansan/t/Cockpit2.jpg /images/reviews/kansan/t/Menu.jpgCostThe purchase price of the STMA AT-11 at time of writing is, $29.95,£22.97, AU$41.44. Where this falls in terms of other aircraftpricing, I would say roughly in the middle. However, unlike manyother similarly priced aircraft I have purchased over the years, Iwould have to say the AT-11 is more than worth it. Final ThoughtsThroughout my flight trials with the AT-11, I found the model to beboth rewarding and satisfying to fly. The numerous sound samples usedfor the engines, flaps, warnings, etc., were all of high quality, andin true STMA tradition, frame rates were never an issue (not somethingI can say for all aircraft developers). In terms of faults, there wasonly the previously mentioned issue of the aircraft's tendency to spinon taxi, but that was about it. /images/reviews/kansan/t/Navy.jpg /images/reviews/kansan/t/Night_Lighting.jpgWhich leaves me to give STMA's AT-11 Kansan a final score, and inthis case, it's a pleasure to award the aircraft 9 out of 10. Thank you for reading, and I hope you found this review bothinformative and interesting. See you next time. Paul Mort Purchase STMA - AT-11 Kansan /images/reviews/kansan/t/Scenic4.jpg /images/reviews/kansan/t/Top_Gunner_2.jpg