Review by Sam FSG Reviewer

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Dwain York
5 years ago
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2 Review by Sam FSG Reviewer i GHz NVidia GTX 560ti 2GB 8GB DDR3 RAM 1Tb HDD Windows 7 64 Bit Introduction: Used by flight training schools all over the globe, the Piper PA-38 Tomahawk has been a favourite amongst pilots since its introduction in The Tomahawk is a two-seat, fixed tricycle gear aircraft, originally designed to satisfy two main aspects, affordability, and the ability to carry out spins for training. At the time, the main training aircraft in use were the Cessna 150 and 152, but they were designed to naturally fly out of a spin whereas the Tomahawk required a pilot s touch to recover from the manoeuvre. The Tomahawk continued in production from 1978 until By that time 2,484 of the aircraft had been built. The later models built in 1981 and 1982 were classed as the Tomahawk II, after several improvements were made to the aircraft. Now-a-days, the Tomahawk is used primarily within flight training schools, but is also used for personal use in cross country flights. The Alabeo PA-38 does the real aircraft true justice and I hope to portray this feeling I have towards this model within this review. Throughout my testing time on the Alabeo PA-38 I have performed numerous take-offs and landings, inspections of the cockpit and external model, and a few cross country flights. I have also flown this model with a friend of mine who has flown some training hours in the actual aircraft out of Liverpool airport; he took me through flying this aircraft as per the real pilot s checklist, also giving me an insight as to how accurate this is compared to the real thing. Hopefully what I have learnt about the Tomahawk from my own testing and from his perspective, I should be able to provide an informative review on the Alabeo PA-38 Tomahawk. To complement this review, I have made a short and simple video showing off the PA-38 to demonstrate the looks of the aircraft and its sounds. The link can be found at the end of this review. Performance PDI External Model VC Flight Dynamics Other features

3 PDI: Purchase: N/A Download: I was given a link and serial key to the PA-38 from Alabeo. This of course will differ to the experience for those who have purchased it, as upon clicking the link, the download began immediately. The file was packaged in a RAR folder and came in at just 115Mb and downloaded in just 4 minutes. (Bare in mind I have a slow internet speed). Installation: As with all Alabeo and Carenado aircraft the installation is very straight forward and neat. The installer asks whether you wish to install to FSX or P3d (I have installed to both), it will ask for an address and serial key, and the aircraft shall install; nice and simple! Performance: One of the most important factors in a high quality add-on for FSX is its performance within the simulator. All I can say is I am very impressed! I have all of my settings set to the maximum, with fps locked at 40 and I was getting 40fps solid. This was whilst flying around some ORBX scenery. Normally people expect the fps value to differ in both the external views and internal, well with this beauty of an aircraft, it doesn t! Now, I do have a relatively high end computer so I expect a solid fps value with my add-ons, however, I strongly believe that the majority of computers out there will cope with this product without any problems. In Simulator Testing: Model detail: External Model: Amazing Alabeo have got their products spot on with the external models, and this fact didn t stop with the PA-38, it just looks stunning. The natural looking shine off of the metal, the detail over the wings, everything just looks great. Here are some images to prove it:

Firstly, there isn t a pitot heat switch, yet it is labelled as being there.

4 Virtual Cockpit: Once again, it looks amazing. However I do have some issues with it noting the accuracy of the cockpit. During the flight I had with my friend who has flown the aircraft, he pointed out some things which just weren t right. Firstly, there isn t a pitot heat switch, yet it is labelled as being there. The fuel gauges in the centre panel indicating the left and right tanks should be mirrored; the left gauge is fine, but the right one needs to be flipped. Other than that, the VC is fantastic, everything moves nice and smoothly, the gauges are crisp, and, well, it s just lovely overall. Check out these images:

6 Flight Dynamics To get the flight dynamics 100% correct within a model for FSX is always going to be a challenge due to FSX itself. However, I can say that the dynamics of the Alabeo PA-38 are believable, something which the guy I was flying with attested to. On the other hand, I was a bit disappointed that I couldn t spin the aircraft. This may have been an FSX limitation, but even with the realism settings up I just couldn t spin the aircraft. There isn t anything challenging when it comes to flying this aircraft, although do be weary when it comes to taking off; it isn t hard to smash the tail into the ground by being too eager to lift off! Other features: There isn t anything special included with the aircraft. It comes with 7 high quality textures and I do quite like the sound. Alabeo have actually added sounds for stalling where the aircraft will make creaking noises as it stalls. Also if you open the side window you can hear the air as it flows across the surface. Ideally it would be nice to see Alabeo add some nice extra features to their aircraft, for example, wheel chocks, covers, just things which add to the personal touch of flying on a flight simulator.

Overall impression: I know I haven t said as much in this review compared to my previous one of the Just Flight Typhoon, but this is because there really isn t that much to say.

7 Overall impression: I know I haven t said as much in this review compared to my previous one of the Just Flight Typhoon, but this is because there really isn t that much to say. It is a simple aircraft which has been modelled well with a couple of things that I am not that fond of. It flies nicely, it is an aircraft which you can either follow the manual with or just hop in and go, and it is frame friendly even after the fact that the model is fantastic looks wise. If you are after a nice looking prop aircraft to add to your list on FSX, something to jump in and go sightseeing or to do a few circuits in, then this will be a fantastic addition to your simulator. However, if you are somebody who demands perfection with their add-ons, with the best flight dynamics, and with everything working as per real life, then you might want to think about it, but at the low price that Alabeo are offering this aircraft for, you can t complain.

8 My overall rating for this add-on is: 8/10 click on the image for the video, if it does not work use the link below.

Cessna 172N Skyhawk II

AVSIM Commercial Aircraft Review Cessna 172N Skyhawk II Publishers: Carenado Product Information Description: GA aircraft. Download Size: 30 MB Format: Download Simulation Type: FSX Reviewed by: Jason