The Beginning…
Although RealAir Simulations is a new entry into the flight simulation add-on market, the individuals themselves are all well known to the readers of AVSIM Online. Peter Sidoli, a real world freelance pilot, probably became best known for N95D - the real Seneca V he flies which became the basis for one of flight simulations most popular aircraft add-ons of all time. He has become a regular in many of the forums here at AVSIM providing great insight into the intricacies of flight to those of us not fortunate enough to have flown much if at all.
In addition to Peter's talents, RealAir Simulations benefits from the expertise of Rob Young. Rob has become quite established as a leader in the field of flight dynamics modeling for flight simulations. In particular, his V88 series of updates to the original Fly! aircraft brought about the demand for Rob's talents in other projects. He has developed techniques in flight modeling, in particular for the Fly! series of simulations, which provide a certain fluidity to the aircraft which is difficult to put into words.
Then there's the extraordinary talents of Andrew Farnaby (Learjet 35A add-on for Fly!) and Sean Maloney to complete the team. Andrew and Sean are responsible for all the wonderful detail you see when flying these aircraft. From the panels to the 3D model and more, the combined work of these two individuals is no less than top-notch and you will see in the following review that the Citabria/Decathlon package is no exception.
The Software
The software package includes the Citabria and the Decathlon in one purchase. At $16.50US, a better bargain would be hard to find. After purchase through the RealAir website, you'll be sent a download link via e-mail from which you will then download the software package.
The software comes in the form of a .zip file which you then extract to a new working directory making sure to allow for pathnames to be retained. Then you simply locate the Citabria.exe file in this new directory which starts a pretty impressive interface. This program not only makes the installation process painless (including optimizing the Fly! II program itself for these aircraft), but provides easy access to the documentation as well.
You'll want to take some time actually reading this documentation as much information is provided which will provide for a better flight experience. Included are the POH (Pilot's Operating Handbook), aircraft specifications and aerobatics tutorials as well as numerous tips for getting the most enjoyment out of these planes. Additionally, this program includes links to both the main page as well as the Support page of the RealAir Simulations website.
This interface is really snazzy, although be warned if you have the lights off in your room when you first start it up – the screen is black with white lettering and highlights in red which will send your eyes in a major adjustment mode for a few seconds! Otherwise it is very clear and easy to navigate. This makes getting your airplanes up and running quick and simple. This is one area that shows right away the quality you can expect from the rest of the package.
The Planes
Loading up Fly! II, I was ready for my first flight in the Citabria. Reading through the manuals prepared me pretty well what to expect of the plane's performance. However, I quickly found out what "fluidity" was all about. As I throttled up for take-off, I noticed I was instinctively reacting with the rudders to the correct feel of the torque and "P-factor" drift. As the tail-wheel rose off the ground, I could already tell this was going to be a very pleasant experience.
Once airborne, it became quite clear why Rob has gained such notoriety for his flight modeling skills. There was a certain sense of "being there" that I have not experienced in a flight simulator to this extent. You can feel the nose of the aircraft wandering through the air as if there was a real engine under the hood. This may be in part due to the visual modeling including a true perspective of the cowling visible over the instrument panel, but I have to believe that the actual dynamics of the flight model come into play as well. You'll even find that the aircraft responds quite realistically to changes in the wind, but this is very easy to manage with normal corrections of flight controls.
The Decathlon has a bit more power than the Citabria and as such climbs out from take-off at a greater rate than her less powerful sister. Combined with a more efficient wing, this creates a wonderful aerobatics trainer. Both aircraft have the right combination of parameters to give each one a unique feeling over the other.
Sean and Andrew have created a marvelous treat on both these airplanes (check the strobe light on the tail, for example.) The visuals are exceptionally crisp and provide additional emphasis to the "immersion factor." The colors selected for each model add emphasis to the intent for which they were designed—a gentle aqua scheme for the light duty Citabria and a bold red and white for the more aggressive Decathlon.
Furthermore, you will notice that along with the standard moving parts such as ailerons, elevators, etc. the planes include a moving tail-wheel that moves with proper input from the rudder pedals. The truly remarkable part of this feature is the detail worked into the linkage that makes this all work. There are also details in the textures of the aircraft such as the ribbing of the skin or the "slip-stream" effect of the fuel stains behind the filler caps which make things seem just a little more "homey" from the first look.
Finally, you'll begin to notice something a little odd as you begin getting a feel for this plane. The pilot's head actually moves side to side as you swing the ailerons from one extreme to the other. This has to be a first in flight simulation. In the past you were lucky to have a pilot in the aircraft at all—and then if you did, it was a very rigid, motionless figure sitting there doing nothing. But now you have a representation of a pilot who seems to be on top of things.
During the time I have spent getting familiar with these aircraft, I have also gone through the aerobatics tutorials. This has become my personal vendetta of sorts. I realize that this type of flying takes not only skill but much practice as well. Unfortunately, I would have to hold this review for about six weeks or more if I were to wait until I became proficient at these maneuvers. In fact one or two of these moves have taken about a week or so just to be able to perform them at all!
Now this is not to say that there is anything wrong with the flight models or anything. In truth, it is quite the opposite. If I can jump into a new aircraft and immediately begin performing advanced maneuvers such as the hammerhead, I would quickly think things were suspect with regards to the flight modeling. I honestly feel better if I am challenged with a new flight envelope that I must learn. Putting both the aircraft through the paces shows how different things can be with only slightly different performance characteristics, and again Rob Young has done magnificently in this respect. These are indeed two distinctly different planes.
Finally, Rob has worked yet another (in my opinion) miracle with his flight modeling prowess. Through some magical programming he has managed to develop an aircraft which gives the most realistic feeling side-slip I have ever experienced in a sim. You'll have to ask Rob about the details on this if you're interested since I don't quite understand the specifics, but suffice it to say that whatever he did works!
Additionally, I have found that these aircraft are quite capable of true spins! There is a difference between spins and spiral dives. The most noticeable of these differences is that in a spiral dive your airspeed will increase as the maneuver progresses while a spin is kept at or near stall speed and you will hear the stall horn sounding continuously throughout the procedure until recovery. What can't be put into words very well is the feel of the spin. This is where Rob's magic shows through yet again. You can almost feel the changes in the lift (or lack thereof) on the stalled wing of the aircraft.
The Panels
In a nutshell, the panels are simple, effective and a work of art! Obviously, in a light aircraft one can expect to find less complicated instrument clusters. The Citabria and the Decathlon are no exception; the Decathlon being even less cluttered, as it is more specialized as an aerobatic aircraft.
However, don't feel as if you are being deprived of any sort of functionality. There are many switches, knobs and levers to play with. All of these items are important to the operation of the aircraft, too. For example, the throttle is properly situated on the left quarter panel view and can be used as a control with the mouse if you don't have a throttle on your "rig". (Of course if you do have an actual throttle on your flight gear, this will override any settings you make here.)
There are ample views available once situated in the pilot's seat of these aircraft. Each view in the cockpit has been painstakingly replicated on-screen and provides great immersion to the pilot. You will find some interesting features here as well—several of which are "firsts" in the Fly! series.
Among these new features are:
Other items which lend to the feel of "being there" are the over-the-shoulder switches (which look downright realistic), fuel gages mounted right into the wing root and the placards located throughout the cabin. The design of these panels underscores the simplicity of the aircraft and belies the talent that must have been involved in implementing them.
One important note here is that many of the switches over the left should seem to get into a logic incongruity. For example, when shutting down the aircraft you will find you need to click the magneto switches ON before they will allow you to switch them off – even though they are already ON! This is apparently a problem with Fly! itself and is really only a minor inconvenience since you generally only use these switches at start-up and shut-down.
As an added bonus, there is a nicely designed abbreviated panel. This panel is accessible by pressing CTRL-I. It is a wonderful tool to provide additional visibility when performing advanced maneuvers or just taking a sight-seeing adventure, but I find I feel like I have been cheating when using this panel. Also, without the benefit of the perspective when looking over the engine cowl in the main view it becomes difficult to perform precisely in all phases of flight.
The Sounds
While visuals and performance are essential to creating a good aircraft add-on package, the flying experience just isn't quite complete without hearing things as well. RealAir Simulations hasn't let us down in this respect either.
In flying the two planes, it took a while to realize I hadn't even paid particular attention to the sounds I was hearing. This really is a good sign since sounds should be subtle. They become more a part of the sub-conscience thinking if properly implemented. When the sounds of an aircraft are in the front of your mind then either a) there is something wrong which requires the pilots immediate attention or b) the sounds were not implemented very well and keep nagging you. I can assure you that the Citabria/Decathlon does not fall into the latter category.
All sounds enhance the experience while flying these planes. There is a nice "Clear Prop" when starting the engines and good sound files for the wind slipping along the fuselage with appropriate levels and pitch. This is barely noticeable when the engine is running, but flip the Citabria over while in flight and you'll soon be noticing this effect quite readily as the engine will quit in an inverted flight profile (or any time there are negative "G"s on the aircraft.) The Decathlon is different being an aerobatics aircraft since it has a fuel delivery system capable of providing fuel flow at any attitude.
To sum things up, there are really no new and innovative features within the implementation of sounds but the fact remains that RealAir Simulations has made good use of the existing capabilities of Fly! to supplement all the other senses.
Summation
This is one very solid package which implements several features never before seen on an aircraft in Fly! (or possibly in any simulator currently on the market). The flight model is a class act which provides the simulator pilot an experience not soon forgotten. The visuals are crisp and clean with no distractions to be found.
I have tested this package on both the 210 and 230 patches of Fly! II and it performs equally well on either version.
For further information including frequently asked questions (FAQ), and to order the Citabria/Decathlon package go to the RealAir Simulations website.
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