Carenado sneaks up on you at times and just screams in your ear, scaring you half to death. Well, not quite, but seeing the release of their Cessna C337H for X-Plane was a big surprise. Now this means that I have yet another awesome aircraft to buy… Who knew running a flight simulator blog could get so expensive??
< Carenado’s Cessna C337H page >
Anyway, you X-Plane Cessna fanatics better get over to their store and buy it.
The Beechcraft KingAir B200 (wikipedia) represents a magnificent blend of economy, comfort and speed. Perhaps this is why the B200 is popular with the business segment.
Carenado’s KingAir B200 is the latest of their lineup
< Carenado’s KingAir B200 Product Page >
While the B200 has been done before by many modelers both as freeware and payware, this is the first time the B200 graces the Carenado product page. Available now, the gorgeous lines, detailed cockpit and awesome turboprop engines are up to the quality of what we expect from Carenado. Optimized for both FSX and P3D, the only question is, how fast can you buy it?
Carenado continues to expaned their X-Plane hanger by adding a modern, sophisticated and rugged Cessna, the Cessna Caravan. Available for around $30 US and available with HD textures, this is going to be a great addition to anyone’s hanger that appreciates sophisticated ruggedness. Check it out at their homepage…
When Microsoft sold FSX to Lockheed Martin Corporation, my heart skipped a beat. The very foundation of one of my favorite hobbies just handed off to an unknown owner with a further unknown future. However, Lockheed Martin has kept FSX alive in a product called Prepar3D, which is FSX, but with improvements and a whopping price tag of $199.
Regardless of how you feel about the price, Prepar3D is a viable alternative X-Plane 10 and a decent upgrade from FSX. This is probably why Carenado is extending support to Prepar3D, with new installers for their Cessna 337 Skymaster, Piper Malibu, King Air C90, and the rest of the FSX lineup. The new installers will be available to purchasers of these products.
So now you really have an excuse to give Prepar3d a good look. In fact, A Reality of My Own is in the process of putting Lockheed’s product through its paces and so far, we are impressed. We can’t wait to get our hands on the Carenado installers and take that Malibu out for a flight in the improved FSX experience.
This evening I was flying Carenado’s beautiful Mooney M20J around Mooney’s home of Central Texas; Kerrville to be exact. Not only did I spend a few years of my childhood in this area, but I have family located not far from the airport and my Grandfather worked at Mooney for a number of years. So, flying around central Texas is sort of like going to grandma’s house.
<livery by John Glanville> < aircraft by Carenado >
The weather made this flight fairly interesting with gusting winds, variable clouds, and high humidity. A storm front was moving in from the north and west. Taking off from Kerrville, already in the midst of the storm is proof of this pilot’s questionable discretion, was a little hair raising.
Once airborne and above 3,000 feet, the wind was calmer, but the visibility was close to nothing. Good thing we are in an IFR equipped Mooney as we cruised southeast.
ATC asked us to approach from the south due to incoming traffic and clearer weather, so we paralleled downtown San Antonio, banked left over the DPS field and hooked back north.
The approach to runway 21 was tight due to traffic on the inbound. We hugged the runway tight, made our sweeping, descending turn and landed safely, despite the winds best attempts at making us crash.
Just announced is the release of Carenado’s Beechcraft Bonanza F33A. We’ve been seeing the previews for weeks now and we finally get to load the model up in X-Plane and take her out for a orientation flight. Does Carenado’s latest live up to the hype?
After taking the F33A Bonanza out for a short flight around Moab, UT, I am quite pleased with my $26.95 purchase. While I need a lot more time behind the yoke, I can tell you this: The F33A is worth every penny and will make a great cross country cruiser.
One thing I noticed immediately was how long it took the power to come up and get the plane moving. Granted I was taking off from 5,400 feet in elevation on a gravel runway, so this issue might be limited to my choice of orientation flights. (Update: Flew from Camarillo, CA and the power came up quickly and smoothly. Elevation has a lot to do with engine performance and that is definitely modeled well here.)
Once airborne though, it handled like a dream. Throwing the yoke left to right and feeling the nimble reaction of the aircraft, reminded me greatly of the performance Mooney models (the M20J is also available from Carenado). With entertaining handling and relatively fast cruise speed, I really can’t wait to take this baby out on a longer flight!
On this inside, there are plenty of things to click that also have automation. On this orientation flight, I started the F33A cold and dark, so flicking the switches, setting mixture and throttle, and turning the key were superbly modeled and really made me believe I was a real pilot sitting in a real Beechcraft. All I missed was that strange aviation smell.
Like the Cessna 172N, the interior includes a pop-up from the brim of the dash cover that gives quick access to panels like switches and the fuel lever. There is even a rear seat view, but it is not as cool as that included in the 172N. Why? Because the view is from the luggage deck, so a large portion of the screen is useless compared to the full cinematic view of the 172N.
The sound of the virtual Continental engine is spot on. I always thought these engines sounded like they were over revved up all the time and this feeling came through in this package. Even subtle changes to the throttle position produces variations in pitch (and you can almost feel the vibration) of the engine. While not as entertaining or throaty as the Lycoming engines, this one still provides an authentic experience for the ears.
Even still, the overall package of the Beechcraft F33A is superb. While I am critical of the chosen rear seat view, I am quite happy to report that the Beechcraft does live up to the hype we’ve been seeing on Carenado’s Facebook page for the past few months. The only thing better would be the V-tail model (which my grandfather was part of the engineering team that designed it), which shares the same fuselage, but uses the distinctive V-tail design.
So, if you haven’t already, buy this thing… the virtual pilot inside you will thank you later!
The Cessna 172 is a very familiar sight at many airports. There is at least one or two in every flight school’s fleet and just about every pilot flew one as a student. Flying the 172 is like a blast from the past and reminds me frequently of those tough lessens learned.
With Carenado’s entry into the X-Plane marketplace, it was only a matter of time that their FSX model made its way to the other side. And, it just did. Welcome the latest release from Carenado, the Cessna 172N model.
Carenado's Latest X-Plane model: Cessna 172N
Available with wheels, floats and skis, the model can be wrapped in one of four liveries depending on you preference of era (modern vs classic vs somewhere in between). In addition, the package includes a lively sound set and some awesome animations including a pilot and suspension.
Suspension and Brake Detail
I had the chance to take the 172N faring model out for a quick touch and go at Oceano Airport (L52). One of the first things I noticed was the throaty, deep rumble of the engine, which immediately brought back some interesting memories of doing run-ups as a student.
The second thing I noticed was the shine / reflection on the “glass” of the cockpit and exterior of the fuselage. Details like this bring a sense of realism to the simulator. Walking around the outside, other details emerge, like the suspension detail of the front wheel and the brake pads on the main gear.
Moving inside, the usual detailed cockpit is all there. Having spent time in a real 172, I immediately felt right at home and familiar. Panning around with my joystick, I can see the cockpit from all angles and sure enough, it looks like a Cessna 172 interior.
The Camera Pop-up
One feature that really, really stood out to me was the quick reference “cameras” pop-up. If you click the indentation where the N-number place would normally be, up pops a little click-able placard that gives you different views. Included are options to enable skis and farings on the exterior as well switch interior views including Co-Pilot view, Nav and Switches, Fuel, and my favorite, “View From Rear.”
The "View From Rear" will surely entertain.
The “View From Rear” makes me appreciate how my grandmother felt during while recording (with an 8mm camera) my grandfather performing aerobatic maneuvers in a Piper while he was a test pilot. I spent a few minutes flying from this view and quickly became air sick.
Upon taking off, those throaty sounds gave me a very real feeling. As I pushed the throttles forward, the deep bass in the sound (enhanced by my sub-woofer) started vibrating my desk and I could feel it in my joystick. It really did feel real there for a bit. Sweet! Talk about bringing back memories as a student pilot!
The model with floats.
So, what is there to not like about Carenado’s Cessna 172N for X-Plane? Not much. It seems to be a little heavy on the frame rates compared to the Mooney they offer, but it is not as bad as the Saratoga (which kills my video card every time). The included liveries don’t excite me much, but I am sure painters will take care of that issue shortly!
Lifting off on another X-Plane flight.
Would I recommend paying the $25.95 for this model? Hell YES! The package that you get is very complete and rivals payware costing twice as much. With three models (including skis), a great set of sounds, multiple views and the awesome X-Plane community to support you, how could you go wrong with this purchase?
So, quit reading and go get! Start reliving those tense moments as a student pilot!
Cheers!
This will be short, Carenado’s third X-Plane model is out, the low and slow trainer by Cessna, the C152 II.
< get it here >
If you are a fan of Carenado like me, then just about anything they publish, you will buy. Its not because they have some strange power over us, but because they produce some of the best payware models available for FS9, FSX, and X-Plane.
Taking off Runway 1 - Paso Robles, CA
So, now that they officially released their Cessna C340II for FSX in HD, you simply must run over to their website and check it out.
I took the C340II out for a test flight from Paso Robles, CA to Santa Barbara, CA. I am highly impressed with the model, fully functional virtual cockpit and cabin, and flight dynamics. The C340II lifted off the runway effortlessly and flew well. I can only describe the FDE as having the feel of a larger aircraft, perhaps the Cadillac of the skies as opposed to a Mazda. Still, the aircraft responded well to inputs and nothing too unpredictable happened.
A view of Paso Robles from the "office".
The only criticism I can offer is that the price tag seems a little steep at $34.95. I am used to flying mainly freeware add-ons, so that could be why. Still, the level of model detail inside and out is superb and it comes with a number of repaints in HD. There are also a number of preset aircraft views (below is one example) to choose from. Perhaps, the true value comes to those who will spend countless flying this add-on. How much do you pay for memories? According to Mastercard, they are priceless.
AN example of the many views, Santa Maria is below.
I am looking forward to a much longer flight in this bird and am planning a cross country flight. Maybe a flight from Santa Barbara to Aspen, CO would be a good way to really put his bird through its paces. In the meantime, head over to Carenado and grab this bird (link above).
The weather at Renton Municipal Airport was less than favorable. With blowing wind at 19 knots, heavy rain and limited visibility to 1,500 feet, I knew taking off now was going to be a challenge. In reality, I could either sit on the runway, waiting for the weather to clear, playing with the ashtray and all the click-able knobs, or I could attempt a takeoff and see what Carenado‘s latest model for X-Plane could do in such poor weather conditions. With white knuckles, I took off.
Carenado's Piper Saratoga leaving Renton field in dismal weather.
With such a strong crosswind, maximum deflection on the rudder pedals were required to keep this bird on the runway. Forget about maintaining center line, keeping it on the runway was challenging enough. Once airborne, the Piper Saratoga (PA-32R-301), took lightly to the skies, responding abruptly with every gust of wind. I struggled to maintain visual reference outside the window, blurred by the driving rain, but scanned the instruments quickly to maintain climb rate and speed as much as possible.
As I moved the yoke around struggling to keep the aircraft pointed in the general direction of 350 degrees, I learned how forgiving the inputs were. I then realized that I was over controlling the aircraft and just let it settle in to with the wind. The big problem was the driving rain… not only was it obnoxiously loud hitting the metal fuselage and windows, but it was making it difficult to maintain visual reference.
The goal was to fly directly north of Renton to Arlington field. A very short flight, but long enough to get a taste of the Saratoga’s flight dynamics in X-Plane. So, I started flying around rain cells using the weather map on my iPad (Carenado’s model doesn’t include one, but this is A Reality of My Own). The nice thing about dodging rain is that it presents an excellent opportunity to put the Saratoga through its paces and mimic an acrobatic pilot. I am happy to report that it handles quite nicely, predictably, and controlled. It is certainly not a Mooney, but in a high banking turn, a predictable correction to the yoke brings the nose back to level.
On approach to Arlington, runway 11
The six person cabin is a great place to spend sometime, especially when it is raining outside. The window curtains make you feel like you are visiting grandma’s house and there is that distinct aviation smell that really can’t be confused with that strange smell emanating from grandma. Whether or not the curtains turn you on, Carenado did an excellent job delivering detail inside; the seats are nicely covered in fabric, the ashtrays open and close, the visor contains a quick reference guide, and the door actually opens when you click on the door handle. Imagine that.
Deer on the runway! Quick, hand me my rifle!
More seriously though, passing Everett (KPAE) the weather cleared up and I firewalled the throttles. With Arlington field in site, I made a shallow circle of the field from the south and prepared for landing on runway 11. Unfortunately, the deer were out and force today and they tempted the hunter in me by running across the field on short final. A distraction that would not deter me from a near perfect landing.
However, near perfect it was not. I wasn’t paying attention to speed and stalled the aircraft about 8 feet from the surface. Ouch! That was a hard touch down, but oh well, no one was bleeding. Besides, after a flight through horrendous rain storms around Seattle, it was a good idea to make sure the passengers knew they were safely on the ground.
The Saratoga's classic lines.
In all seriousness folks, Carenado‘s Piper Saratoga for X-Plane 9 is a true gem. It belongs in your virtual hanger along side their exquisite Mooney M20J. The level of detail, both internally and externally, sets a new standard for realism. The flight dynamics are not scary and mimic the real thing (based on one flight in a real Saratoga). The only improvement for Carenado is to somehow bring that unique aviation smell to our desktops.
Cheers!
Author: Carenado
Price: $25.95
PS… here is one more exterior detail shot… checkout them rivets! The cool thing is that you watch the black antenna shake with aircraft movement! Sweet!
Exterior detail, even on the white paint kit, is impressive.
