Introduction

Let’s go for a change, let’s go for a famous Russian freeware aircraft model from one of the greatest Russian builders/designers,
Mr. Andrey N. Tupolev himself with one of his creations, the Tupolev Tu-154M. For many reasons I’ve decided to take this Russian aircraft model from the FS Pro Team. Those guys are not only famous of their Tupolev models but they also offer for free the IIyshin-62M as well including some scenery add-on programs and the airport of USNN.
Ok, back to my Tupolev review.
It’s not on unknown aircraft for me. While I worked for Lufthansa Technical Training, I travelled several times to Russia and Kazakhstan. Sometimes I flew with Lufthansa which automatically means with a Western aircraft, but other times I flew with a Russian model – Siberia Airlines - and that was the Tu-154M. Apart of this, my students where always proud of their Russian models and because of this, I was mostly invited to see one of the Russian models in the hangar or occasionally on the platform while hands-on training was given.

One of the reasons to write about a freeware model could be that it offers a highly realistic model with lot’s of features, great looking cockpit and many more of those things. That’s one of the mean reasons to choose this freeware aircraft and dig into it and hopefully I also come to the conclusion that it really offers a great piece of software. Enough about this, let’s start with it!

The “real” Tupolev Tu-154M

Before starting with this great Russian airplane, I think it’s a good idea that Andrey N. Tupolev introduces himself.
Andrey N. Tupolev - one of the greatest aircraft designers of the XXth century was born on the 10^th of November, 1888 near city of Kimry. He finished school in city of Tver, graduated from Moscow Higher Technical School, became a student and .companion of N. Zhukovskiy - a “father of Russian aviation”.

Together with N. Zhukovskiy A. N. Tupolev founded Central Aero hydraulic Institute. Following. Zhukovskiy’s precepts A. Tupolev developed aviation science and experimental and research facilities, in era of wooden airplane structures he became an inspirer and founder of Russian metal aircraft directing world aircraft production towards all-metal concept. In the 1920s A. Tupolev and his colleagues created heavy bomber which layout and design approaches defined for many years ahead trends of heavy aircraft development of both civil and military purpose. Soviet pilots landed Tupolev’s aircraft on Northern Pole, on board of Tupolev’s aircraft Chkalov and Gromov performed record flights from Moscow to the USA. By Tupolev’s initiative the first native jet passenger aircraft TU-104 was created which started mass operation of jet passenger aircraft in the world.

Due to his activities our country obtained powerful strategic aircraft which made it possible in post-war period to restore balance in “cold war” and to prevent world nuclear war. Under his leadership excellent military and passenger aircraft of different purposes were built which mostly defined tendencies in world aviation of the XXth century. A.N. Tupolev was elected as an actual member of Academy of Science of the USSR, honorary member of UK Royal Aeronautic Society and US Institute of Aeronautics and space; he was awarded with premium and golden medal named after Zhukovskiy, with six governmental premiums, the highest prize of International Aviation Sport Federation. He was thrice awarded with name of hero of Socialist Labor and with the highest medals of the Soviet Union. He did so much that his name entered for ever the golden fund of technical progress. After A.N. Tupolev’s death the most powerful creative collective of aircraft builders was left. He managed to do so much mostly due to his brilliant human qualities.

The Tupolev Tu-154 (Russian: Туполев Ту-154) is a Soviet medium-range trijet airliner similar to the Boeing 727. It was the mainstay of Soviet airlines for several decades and carried about half, or approximately 137 million, of the passengers flown by Aeroflot and its subsidiaries during that time. The aircraft has been exported to and operated by at least 17 foreign airlines. It remains the standard airliner for domestic routes in Russia and other states of the former Soviet Union, and to a lesser extent in eastern Europe. The Tu-154 is designed to handle unpaved and gravel airfields, and often operates in extreme Arctic conditions.

The Tu-154 is powered by three rear-mounted low-bypass turbofan engines arranged similarly to those of the Boeing 727, and is slightly larger than its American counterpart. The original model had Kuznetsov NK-8-2, while the Tu-154M has Soloviev D-30KU-154s. All Tu-154 aircraft models have a higher thrust-to-weight ratio than that of the 727 – this gives them superior performance, although at the expense of poorer fuel efficiency, which became an important factor in later decades as fuel costs grew.

The cabin of the Tu-154, although of the same six-abreast seating layout, gives the impression of an oval interior, with a lower ceiling than is common on western airliners (Boeing or Airbus). The passenger doors are also smaller than on the Tu-154's western counterparts. Furthermore, luggage space in the overhead compartments is very limited.

Like the Tupolev Tu-134, the Tu-154 has a wing swept back at 35 degrees at the quarter-chord line. The British Hawker Sidderley Trident has the same sweepback angle, while the Boeing 727 has a slightly smaller sweepback angle of 32 degrees. Like many other Soviet-built airliners, the Tu-154 has an oversized landing gear enabling it to land on unpaved runways, once common in rural areas of the Soviet Union. The aircraft has two six-wheel main bogies fitted with large low-pressure tires that retract into pods extending from the trailing edges of the wings (a common Tupolev feature), plus a two-wheel nose gear unit. Soft oleo struts (shock absorbers) provide a much smoother ride on bumpy airfields than Western airliners, which only very rarely operate on such poor surfaces.

The passenger cabin accommodates 128 passengers in two-class layout and 164 passengers in single-class layout, and up to 180 passengers in high-density layout. The layout can be modified to what is called a winterized version where some seats are taken out and a wardrobe is installed for passenger coats. The original requirement was to have a 3 man flight crew - Captain, First Officer and Flight Engineer - as opposed to 4 or 5 mans crew on other Soviet airliners. However, a fourth crew member, a navigator, is usually also present, at least in the former Soviet Union, due to the union rules. Navigators are no longer trained and this profession will become obsolete with the retirement of older Soviet planes. The plane's avionics suite, for the first time in the Soviet Union, is built to Western airworthiness standards. It includes an NVU-B3 Doppler navigation system, a triple autopilot, which provides an automatic ILS approach according to ICAO category II weather minima, an auto throttle, a Doppler drift and speed measure system (DISS), "Kurs-MP" radio navigation suite and others. Modern upgrades normally include a TCAS, GPS and other modern systems, mostly Western-made.

Early versions of the Tu-154 cannot be modified to meet the current Stage III noise regulations and are banned from flying where those regulations are in force, such as Europe. The Tu-154M may use hush kits to meet Stage III and theoretically Stage IV. However current European Union regulations forbid the use of hush kits to meet Stage IV. The Tu-154M would need to be re-engine to meet Stage IV within the EU, an extensive and potentially expensive upgrade.

Tu-154 production started in 1970, while first passenger flight was performed at 9 February 1972. Powered by Kuznetsov NK-8-2 turbofans, it carried 164 passengers. About 42 were built. The first upgraded version of the original Tu-154, the A model, in production since 1974, added centre-section fuel tanks and more emergency exits, while engines were upgraded to higher-thrust Kuznetsov NK-8-2U. Other upgrades include automatic flaps/slats and stabilizer controls and modified avionics. Maximum take-off weight - 94,000 kg. There were 15 different interior layouts for the different domestic and international customers of the airplane, seating between 144 and 152 passengers. The easiest way to tell the A model from the base model is by looking at the spike at the junction of the fin and tail; this is a fat bullet on the A model rather than a slender spike on the base model.

As the original Tu-154 and Tu-154A suffered wing cracks after only a few years in service, a version with a new, stronger wing, designated Tu-154B, went into production in 1975. It also had an extra fuel tank in fuselage, extra emergency exits in the tail, and the maximum take-off weight grew to 98 tons. Also important to Aeroflot was that the increased passenger capacity led to lower operating costs. As long as the airplane had the NK-8-2U engines the only way to improve the economics of the airplane was to spread costs across more seats. The autopilot was certified for ICAO Category II automatic approaches. Most previously built Tu-154 and Tu-154A were also modified into this variant, with the replacement of the wing. Maximum take-off weight increased to 96,000 kg. 111 were built. Tail numbers ran from 85120 to 85225.

The Tu-154M is the deeply upgraded version, which first flew in 1982 and entered mass production in 1984. It uses more fuel-efficient Soloviev D-30KU-154 turbofans. Together with significant aerodynamic refinement, this led to much lower fuel consumption and therefore longer range, as well as lower operating costs. The aircraft has new double-slotted (instead of triple-slotted) flaps, with an extra 36-degree position (in addition to existing 15, 28 and 45-degree positions on older versions), which allows reduction of noise on approach. It also has a relocated auxiliary power unit and numerous other improvements. Manufacture continued through 2006. Maximum take-off weight increased first to 100,000 kg, then to 102,000 kg. Some aircraft are certified to 104,000 kg. Tail numbers are 85616 (prototype), production aircraft from 85606 and on (except 85804, which is re-imported Tu-154B-2). About 320 were manufactured. Production ended in 2006. No new airframes have been built since the early 1990s, and production since then has involved assembling airplanes from components on hand. This is the most widely used version in the former Soviet states.

Ok, it’s now time to move on. It’s time to meet the simulated Tu-154M from the FS Pro Team!

Installation and documentation

Installation

The automatic installer is straightforward. No complicated questions, no online activation and more of those things. Even the correct FS2004 directory is found, which is not that complicated since the Windows Registry offers the exact information. The FS Pro Team made it very clear but in case you haven’t seen it – it’s hardly impossible but anyway – the Tu-154M is only and only available for FS2004 and not for FSX. Stated very clearly with lots of arguments, there will be no FSX version and that’s the end of discussion, if you like it or not!

Remember, when it was a payware product you could complain and having your thoughts about it. Since we’re dialing with a freeware product we can’t say anything and looking to those arguments, I think they have good points. Back to our installer which is by the way, already finished installing the 154M with two liveries. Other liveries are available on the FS Pro Team website but many more can be downloaded from – of course – AVSIM and AVSIM Russia.

FS2004 Tupolev Tu-154M version 2.02 Installer	I can’t read the text in the window, but below I do agree or not with the terms	Without any problem the correct FS9 location is found via the Windows Registry
Not really sharp and superior screenshots, but therefore you need to check on it or not? It’s always a good idea to do it else there was no need for me to add those here. One thing is clear, the installer works perfectly. Without any problems the Tu-154M is installed at the correct location including some liveries. Much more can be for example at our Library. Not enough, just do a special request at the FS Pro Team forum where there’s always somebody who’s willing to paint your favorite airline.

Apart of the basic Tu-154M installation with some liveries, you will find some shortcuts under the Start button. You get them via Project Tupolev Tu-154M for MS FS2004 -> Utilities. The offered programs or control panel are:

-         Load Manager Tu-154M
Although the Load Manager and Fuel Planner in the manual (starting at page 41) covers the one belonging to the Tu-154B2, there’s no difference in operation and understanding, so it should not give you any problems. It’s more or less a self explaining tool however; keep in mind that you need to add/insert the correct fuel quantities, which are calculated by the Fuel Planner, within FS2004.

-         NVU Calculator 5.1.0 Installer
This is a stand-alone NCalc version 5.1.0 program. Oops, I’m sorry, NCalc means Navigation Calculator. All about this add-on program can be found in the Tu-154M manual, starting at page 87 till and including 91. It allows you to create your own flight plans and when created so, it can be exported as FS2004 format. This is important since it can then be used directly by the onboard KLN90B GPS (the Tu-154M contains an authentic replica of the KLN90B GPS, preferred navigation device for flights outside Russia). By the way, you’re also able to import MSFS flight plans - *.PLN – and modify them.

-         OSC PT 154 Installer
The purpose of this additional installable program is to process, analyze and study of data of records stored in flight using the MSRP-64 flight data recorder. It can be used to examine piloting techniques, educational purposes and studying of the functionality of systems, also for the analysis regarding reasons of flight incidents. More information about this data analyzer can be found in the Tu-154M manual, starting at page 218.

Anything more? No, except then the installed manuals, but that will be discussed right away.

Documentation

As expected, some of the manuals are offered in the Russian language, but lucky for all of those who can’t read that, there’s still a comprehensive and didactical written manual in English. I’m talking here about the “manual Tu-154M” Acrobat file. All the things you need to know can be found here but one very important item; you really need to read this manual!
It’s up to you if you read it via your PC screen or just for own convenience print it out. Watch out, it’s just 262 pages long!
Why it is this time so important to read the manual before and also read it during one of the many hours you’re going to spend in the cockpit. I assume by the way this is still known as a cockpit and not a flight deck. The other reason to read the manual is because this add-on FS2004 model is – as far as I can judge and after reading the forum – unbelievable well simulated. Since all the placards, text, words etc. are in Russian, you and I can’t just look around and think this is that and that is this .. oops! After spending so many hours in lot’s of Western and American planes as a licensed ground engineer, I do recognize lots of systems in the Tupolev and looking to the gauges or instruments tells me most of the time what it could be. However, there are lots of other switches I have no clue what it is and then there’s something else, not always the switches and/or instruments are mounted at the same “expected” location as in Western aircraft, which makes the guess even more difficult. Anyway, read the manual and you will have lots of fun with this Tupolev Tu-154M.

Apart of this manual, let’s first have a look which other manuals can be found:

-         I think it’s a Russian Operations manual (ÐËÝ Òó-154Ì.pdf), simply because I can’t read it and most of us can’t. Although I can’t read it, it’s still 257 pages!

-         Second Russian manual (Îïèñàíèå Òó-154Ì.pdf). It seems that this have something to do with system and panel description. It’s just 44 pages thick.

-         Here we go; the first English manual (Manual Tu-154M.pdf).
This manual covers the following comprehensive chapters; Installation, General- and Detailed panel/system description, two flight tutorials, system startup and quick setup, how to navigate with the Tupolev and an appendix.

-         Two readme – English and Russian - Word documents.
They deal with some background information of this version 2.02 Tu-154M as well as some tips and tricks.

This is it but its more then enough.
The previous discussed English Tu-154M manual is a nice, didactical and comprehensive written book with lots of examples of how to handle the aircraft, included are two flight tutorials and very important for some of us, quick startup procedures. Forget by the way the “quick” since there’s still a need to read and practice, but there’s more and this “more” can be found on the FS Pro Team website.
Ok, what do they offer more for rooky Tu-154M pilots?
For this we need to dig into the Support forum and to be exactly, you need to follow this link. This link guides you some video movies. Very handy but I’ll worn you, the biggest one is 81Mb and since I’m not a Rapid Share member, the download takes a little longer then normal. Anyways, very nice and handy *.wmv video format films. More information about other Tupolev features can be found via this English Pro Team forum.

External model

Where should I start discussing or criticize the external model? There’s no need for this. The external model looks with all its details and then I also mean “tiny” details, awesome. I know, it’s very easy to write down this but believe me, it really is.

The following screenshots are taken on Domodedovo, one of the major Moscow airports. I had a close look to the model from a certain distance but also some close-up shots. Even with the close up ones, there’s still a lot to see with enough tiny details. Let’s give you some examples; the main- and nose landing gear. Even at the nose gear wires or hydraulic lines are visible. The main gear looks very strange with the three wheels behind each other – these days we will find this also on the Boeing 777 – but it seems to me that every component is simulated, within the FS9 limitations of course. It could be that I’m wrong, but the offered basic livery of Siberia Airlines or known as “S7”, is still the old color scheme. These days some or probably all Siberia aircrafts are repainted into a “frog color jacket”. No, it’s not a frog but the fresh light green color with some yellow and red in between looks like a frog, which is of course free of charge available via the Fs Pro Team and AVSIM R US websites. By the way, what’s also well simulated or painted I should say, is the dirt on the tail area around the engines and the “simulated” grease behind the rudder and other places I didn’t mention or haven’t seen.

Nice tail overview including the igFly Domodedovo airport	The cockpit is situated far in front of the nose gear	Engine covers still in place
Impressive tail and even the dirt is free of charge	Still strange, three wheels behind each other	Very well with full of details simulated nose gear
Although it’s an older Siberia Airlines livery, it’s still a nice one. Nice because it’s well painted with many weathered components but above all, these guys have sharp eyes for details!

Is there nothing wrong or else to find? Probably there is but that’s not that easy to find. First of all because I don’t have the possibility to make a real walk-around the Tu-154M and secondly, don’t forget it’s a freeware model. At the same time while writing this I must conclude that the overall quality of the model reflect the same or even a higher one then some add-on payware models, so these guys did a great job!

Virtual cabin/cargo compartments and animations

This will be a very short chapter, although it depends on what you expect, what you want to see and if it has your interest. As written in most of my reviews, I’m not so interested in having nice looking cabins and cargo compartments unless the cockpit or flight deck is the state of the art. Here the available cockpits are looking good and very realistic as far as I can judge, but there’s no virtual cabin, except then for the very small cabin area related to the movable passenger doors. The lower cargo compartments are- when the doors are opened – simulated but I doubt this offers the real side wall panels and ceiling as in the real Tupolev. Does this mean it disappoints me? Absolutely not since it’s not on my priority list.
What else is more animated?
When active or selected; engine inlet covers – looking very realistic – and wheel blocks, pitot covers with red flags. Related to the aircraft model itself there are lots of things and during a thorough walk around check at EDDF, I lowered the flaps and slats and shoot some pictures. Impressive to be honest. Even if the slats and flaps are down, there are still lots of details visible, like the slat tracks or flap spindles. Have a look for yourself, while I’m enjoying the great Aeroflot painting.

Slat tracks very well developed	Three wheels at a row? Ok, even the picture and text on the small panel is very good readable	Cano, boat or whatever you can’t to call it, holding the gear when it’s retracted and locked.
One of the animations; passenger- and service door	Visible the animated FWD cargo door. Just behind the wing is the second cargo door	It’s time to remove the engine covers before flight but it seems not an easy job to do I think so.

Overall conclusion / quality of the external model, animations and virtual cabin- and cargo compartments; very good and can compete with many payware models and certain components are even of a higher quality.

Available cockpits

2D Cockpit

Normally a 2D cockpit doesn’t offer anything more then a view sub-panels however, this Pro Team Tupolev offers lots of panels and before you know, you’re lost. Not completely thru as long as you follow the manual. Don’t try to figure out yourself unless you can read Russian. I can’t so therefore I need to follow the manual step –by-step. Even with my long real aviation maintenance experience, I’m lost in this aircraft. Certain instruments look familiar for me because of the instrument look / plates and lay-out but others like light switches or even connecting APU or External Power, is suddenly more difficult since I don’t understand what’s written on the panel itself. Whatever, the freeware Tupolev Tu-154M offers a lot of sub-panels and although I’m not able to show you all, find here some screenshots of what can be selected. I need to write it again and again; please print out the manuals and read them carefully and take you time for that! You really need to do this since the aircraft systems are very well simulated thus the aircraft is pretty complicated. I wrote it before and it’s also applicable for me, when Russian is not your native language, you’re lost in the cockpit with all those Russian signs and inscriptions so therefore they made these wonderful 263 pages manual for all those who can’t speak and understand Russian!

First let’s have a look to these screenshots, showing you the main instrument panel and many sub-panels including the ones from the flight engineer. Is there no co-pilots panel? No, that’s indeed missing and why, they –Pro Team – have for sure a good reason for that.

Captains panel	Throttle panel	Condensed overhead panel, TCAS, Joystick CP and KM-5 instruments
Checklist Card, KLN 90B GPS	Auto Pilot parameter panel	Magnified Overhead Panel
Flight Engineer Panel	Added to it the upper section of the flight engineer panel	Doors Panel
Is this all and is it all clear for you? I hope so but one thing is for sure, this is not all. There are even more panels but it’s all explained in the manual and else, playing around on the designated spots offer you all the possible panels. Forget what you know about Western aircrafts with all the NDB-, VOR-, VHF COM- and other panels situated in the pedestal. This is not the case with this Russian Tu-154M. Most of the navigation equipment is mounted on the overhead panel. You find it a strange location? That depends on what you’re used to. See it as a new challenge to learn something new, something exiting to dig into the comprehensive Tupolev Pro Team manual, which unfolds almost every aspect of this 154M.

With the manuals in my hand I’m able to run literarily thru the cockpit and find my way. Does it look realistic and are digitalized images used to create this cockpit? As far as I can judge no digitalized images are used but on the other hand, the kind of sea green/blue panel paint is simulating a mat surface and so the choice of doing it in this way works perfectly and no digitalized images are needed. Surfing on Airliners.Net tells me that this green painting is not the only configuration, which exists. I’ve seen a kind of light blue, dark blue and even light grey. Also the gauges or instrument lay-out is not always the same. Even here differences can be found and thus the Pro Team instrument lay-out is based on “a” particular version. This is not strange since that’s always the case with simulated cockpits. There’s never a cockpit over the years of an aircraft which is and stays the same. Personal airline wishes are always implemented which results in different equipment and locations. By the way, the light grey cockpit seems to me showing a totally modernized lay-out. There’s no need to add some screenshots here since those pictures are easily to find on Airliners.Net and have nothing to do with the simulated Pro Team model.

The old fashioned ADI (Attitude Direction Indicator) and HSI (Horizontal Situation Indicator) are still there but for example, the weather radar is replaced by a modern version, a kind of FMS is installed (not sure if this is the correct name) or at least I see two (m)CDUs; one on the main instrument panel and one on the pedestal. The separate AP LATERAL. AP VERTICAL and AT (Auto Throttle) control panels are still on the same location. The flight engineer panel looks for me so far the same. Ok, just to give you the idea that modern technique is implemented here as well.

Ok, back to the “Pro Team Tu-154M” configuration. Unlike with other flight simulator vendors, the pedestal is created in a different way. You won’t find a complete pedestal as with others, no, you will find a divided pedestal in two parts and when requested, it’s nicely repositioned on the main instrument panel. It’s a different way of presenting the pedestal. Nothing wrong with that. As you can see on the screenshots, not only the pedestal but many other panels are different then we’re used – sorry for the words – with Western airplanes. Different means that certain controls are re-positioned to another location like for example the FLAP/SLAT selector, stabilizer trim and GEAR handle, which are located on – let’s say – the glareshield panel. That the AP is divided into a separate lateral and vertical mode control panel is not strange since older Western planes had the same. Remember, don’t compare this Tu-154M with an Airbus A320, 737NG, 777, 747-400, MD-11 or Fokker 100 or whatever. It’s basically an older model with old fashioned systems and instruments, the same as we had in the Western world with older planes. Most important is the way the 2D cockpit is made and that looks very good or should I write “highly realistic”? That I can’t read anything of all the letters, I can live with that and at the same time I do see this as a challenge to learn the complicated Russian language. Conclusion; well drawn, created, simulated panels, system and instruments!

Virtual Cockpit

Based on the available gauge programming, the Virtual Cockpit looks good! Ok, sometimes it seems to me that a possible 3D effect of the sidewalls, window struts is missing or that it offers a cartoonish look. Is that fair? Yes and no. It’s my personal opinion and feeling, but on the other hand I know that the mat paint reflects very quickly an unrealistic look, while the real cockpit looks the same and that means that it looks good. Confused again! No, I’m not and carefully studying the following screenshots tells me that every detail can be found here as well. The instruments look even from close-up sharp, the ADI sphere offers a kind of 3D effect, as far as I’ve seen and tested, all instruments, switches, knobs etc. are working, even the flight engineer panel. What’s a little less and without any depth are flight engineers- and third (behind the pedestal) seat supports. At some locations digitalized images are used with the standard consequences of it. While some images are nice and realistic, others look unrealistic and blurry.

Is this all due to a critical look? A critical look it is, but that doesn’t mean its bad programmed. No, and I would like to remember you again that this is a freeware model. That doesn’t mean I can’t give any critic! As long as the critic is fair and thru, there’s nothing wrong about that. Ok, let’s first look to the following six screenshots.

Overview of center panel with weather radar scope and pedestal	Co-pilots seat and sidewalls. Walls look a little blurry	Grey part of LH window strut seems missing any 3D effect
Cockpit overview	Close-up captain panel	Flight Engineer panel. Almost every switch, light, knob, selector is working!

Apart of my critical look I’m on the other hand very enthusiastic about the simulated aircraft systems including the “door open/close simulations, which is bounded to the pressurization system”, thus the normal Shift+E doesn’t work. I’m happy with the “custom autopilot, which is designed for this Tu-154M; with its sophisticated features such as authentic nose wheel steering modes, delay of airplane device reaction, trimming, reverse thrust and AP/AT handling including the Go-Around Mode can be introduced”.

For this a special procedure is created while the joystick device gets access/inputs via DirectInput instead of API functions, with the benefit to increase the quantity of axes and control buttons. Because of this a special calibration window is created, which can be requested via the Pro Team menu within the 2D cockpit. I tried and followed this procedure for my Saitek Pro Flight components and although it seems to be a difficult procedure, it’s well explained in the manual, starting at page 36 till and including 40. With this and many other VC items I’m happy and thus forgetting the sometimes to my personal opinion cartoonish look of certain components.

Does it belong here; the available FPS? Yes, I think so and those are within FS9 very good, keeping in mind the level of programming. Ok, this aircraft doesn’t have complicated EFIS, ECAM, EICAS, EADI, EHSI, INS, IRS or a FMC to simulate but on the other hand, it offers very detailed old fashioned instruments, a complete functional flight engineer panel, and thorough system simulations. One last word about the FPS. Remember one thing, which is not that strange compared to other add-on products; when undocking the overhead panel, and the flight engineer panel, it will reduce the available frames and not a little to be honest. A drop of around 5 FPS is quickly the results of having too many additional panels open.

Flight Dynamics

Now it’s time fire up the whole aircraft by following the step-by-step procedure “plane and panel setup”. On purpose I write “step-by-step” procedure. The manual helps you to start the APU and engines as well as pressurizing the aircraft and a few other things that needs to be done but remember, you need to do this by carefully reading these pages. It’s better or more convenient when you print them out, but that’s up to yourself. Anyways, don’t run thru the pages else you’re lost. Lost because the ground- and cockpit crew voices are all in Russian and when you don’t understand anything of that like me, you’ve got no idea what they are saying and further more carefully following the steps is needed because of the complexity of this aircraft and its designed systems. In normal English this means; it’s behaving like in a real aircraft.

It works great, that’s what I can tell you. We’ve said bye bye to the ground personal and there we go. Our parking spot – V111 – is lucky for us very close to runway 25L. Runway 25R was even closer, but for some reason we didn’t get this approval. Anyway, a little taxi is nice and feels good. I don’t feel, or hear the rumbling noise the taxi lights in the middle of the taxiway, but I can live with this. While arriving at the holding point 25L I’ll take enough time to check everything. Normally it isn’t that complicated but here I need to re-check every item with the book.
Before I know, I’m cleared for takeoff but oops, I forget something. I need to reduce the nose wheel steering from 63° to 10° via a switch on the LH lower part of the overhead panel, visible via the main instrument panel. And guess what, it works! The nose wheel steering is dramatically reduced during the takeoff roll. I know, it’s just a simple action but its simulated and dammed good!

At VR we nicely rotate the Tupolev. I decide to keep the AP OFF, so I can feel and smell how this aircraft flies. I’ll retract the gear and select the FLAPS/SLATS UP before climbing to my higher assigned altitude.

By the way, very strange and at the same time impressive how these main gears are retracted into the special designed areas. Not like with most Western aircraft into the center fuselage but as said before mounted in the wings, in a wing canoe area.

The FD bars are normally during the whole flight out of view and are only used during ILS guidance; is it strange? Compared to what we’re used to, yes it is but when you’re used to Russian planes and procedures, it’s normal. Again something learned because that’s really the last thing I expected! Steady and gracefully the Tupolev is climbing to our cruising altitude and since I haven’t real ATC, I can climb to any level I want. I’ve chosen for 11.100 meters (page 243 of the Tu-154M manual). Oops, you’re lost? I’m sorry but within the Russian airspace we don’t work with feet, inches and PSI. All what is used is according to the ISA Standards and that means also meters instead of feet. Ok, for all the others; 11.100 meters equals around 36.400 feet. By the way, when you want to fly the aircraft, keep this in mind. You can forget all those things you know from Western airplanes since Russian models use own standards and for a good reason.

Ready with pushback and cleared for taxi to runway 25L	That’s’ the look from the VC while taxiing to 25L	Takeoff clearance received but first lining up on 25L
Initiated GEAR retraction	GEAR hanging completely down, now they can retract	Turning out of EDDF area

While climbing I decide to fly by hand and not connecting the AP. Nice but it means a lot of things to check like my IAS speed, VS of the aircraft and many other things. One thing that immediately can be seen is the way things are made. Although all kind of tiny external details are created, all kind of performance items are as well very well simulate like for example the engine RPM increase/decrease. That’s goes unbelievable realistic – read spooling up and down and that’s even the case when you use the F1, F2, F3 or F4 keyboard buttons. This is also applicable for the spoilers extend/retract command. Suppose you use for this the keyboard command “/”, even then the spoiler panels move slowly UP or DOWN and not as seen with many other free- and payware models, boom UP and boom DOWN!

This is just an example of the many “special home made” features. It’s really great flying this model and reviewing it although it cost a lot of time mastering it. Don’t think you can straight on fly away after the installation process is finished. Forget it; PERIOD OUT!
This freeware model is simulated at a very high level with many “things” and because of all those “things”, you can’t use regular MSFS commands to get it running. Because of this and the Russian cockpit inscriptions, you need to read a lot before getting an idea how this baby works. Is it then a nightmare to master it? Oops, that’s difficult to answer. When you don’t want to read the manuals and your native language is not Russian, forget it then. You need to study and mastering aircraft and then slowly you’ll get it all together and before you know, you’re promoted to co-apprentice co-pilot. Lots of words but believe me; it will cost some time understanding this FS Pro Tram aircraft.

In the mean time we’ve reached our cruising altitude and playtime is over. It’s now time to connect the AP and separate AT unit, which costs me also a view moment to understand how this all works. All together, impressive! The flight time to UNNT (Novosibirsk Tolmachevo International) is around 5 hours, depending of course on many other things, which gives me the time to look around in the VC and of course on the outside, which is for this occasion the green colored S7 livery.

S7 tail close-up with all three engine, but what a colors!	Sliding wing to fuselage view	GEAR DOWN and LOCKED, busy with the approach phase
There should be somewhere the airport of Novosibirsk (UNNT)	Yes, there’s the airport and this from the VC captains view	A little of line of the runway but I can handle that!
Although it’s a totally different color then the old original livery, I still like these colors and believe me; in real it looks even better. A flying frog, ever seen that? I haven’t, but here I’ve proven that frogs can fly!

The last part of the flight I’ve decided to fly the Tupolev manually. Not that easy by the way but the AP is so complicated that it needs a lot of practice to understand how it works but more important, that you can fly with it. The offered manual offers enough information how to master this Russian AP and separate AT, so I guess I’m the problem. Is it then that I’m not able to understand this AP and how to use it? No, that’s not true but thinking how a Western old AP works comparing with this version, that’s something you can forget. Mainly I think because of the Russian language since everything on the AP and AT panels is abracadabra for me. Whatever, we’re descending to an altitude of 1000 meters, while coming close to UNNT. There are some clouds but in between them I can see the airport and lucky for me, the ground as well. I can’t say it enough; the simulated freeware Tupolev doesn’t fly at all like the default FS9 ones, no instead of that it flies like a real aircraft. I have to admit that I really don’t know how a real Tu-154M flies, but this replica gives me a very realistic feeling.

Touchdown at UNNT	Following a high-speed turn off taxi way to the apron of UNNT	Engines shutoff, APU running, doors open en maintenance already waiting for us.
Welcome in South East Siberia, near the city of Novosibirsk. The airport scenery is not the default FS9 version but again a freeware add-on. Together with this great replica of the Tu-154M, it gives me the same feeling during my business times in Novosibirsk (June/July 2003).

The final approach – flown by hand – goes pretty good. Ok, I’m a little off track from the center line but I can manage that. Together with virtual visitors who made the necessary screenshots for me, I’ll taxi towards the apron. We’re not allowed to park at one of the gates but that doesn’t interest me. We made it! I didn’t use all the navigation, AP and AT systems because flying by hand is sometimes nice and also because of the complexity of for example the navigation systems. Don’t worry; the manuals, tutorials etc. should give you more then enough information and when you’re not happy or still can’t follow it, there’s the FS Pro Team forum. There’s always somebody who is able and willing to help you.

What else can I write about my flight experience with the Tupolev Tu-154M? I’m impressed and not only about the flight dynamics as far as I can judge, but also impressed about its tiny external and internal (cockpit) details. No more words about this awesome freeware product.

Sound

Normally I’ve got a good idea of the recorded sounds from the engines, APU, cockpit environment and others. Although I’ve flown with the Tupolev Tu-154M, I can’t remember all of that. Looking back to the Tupolev model including the available cockpits, I think I can truly say that every recorded piece of sound equals the real one. I know, I’m not sure with this statement but since every part / component of this aircraft is made with so much love, I think that so much love is put in recorded sounds as well. Apart of the aircraft sound, it’s also nice that they included voices from the cockpit crew and ground personal, to make at “just” a little more realistic then it is already. The only problem for me is that I’ve got no idea where those guys are talking about but realistic, oh yes, it is!

Unique interview with Denis Okan from ProTeam.

Due to his real life job – instructor pilot on the Boeing 737NG for GloBus, it took some time before we where able to offer you this interview. Finally we made it and I sincerely would like to thank Denis for his time, effort and the whole ProTeam for this great free ware product.
Ok, here we go.

Question: How was it to fly the Tupolev compared with the 737NG?

Answer:
My favorite comparison is - "Tu-154 needs to be "piloted", B-737 - "pedalled". It much better sounds in Russian, but it means that Tu-154 requires much more attention through all flight time. It is less automated and has strict speed limitations that all of us, pilots, afraid to overcome.

Question: Was it a complicated aircraft to handle/fly during ground/flight operations?

Answer:

But nowadays, due to long economical crisis in Russia in 90s, there is a lack of middle-aged pilots that were best candidates in Soviet period. And also, there are few airlines which use regional jets, so the best way for recent students is to find a vacancy in airline business, which has big jets in park. So, I was young and un-experienced 6 years ago, and became Tu-154 F/O. But it was surprising for me that this aircraft may be flown much easier, than expected. This aircraft has a lot of limitations, for example - speed limitation for Flaps 45 is 300 km/h but the normal approach speed for high weights may be 270-280 km/h. In turbulence and wind shear it is not easy to maintain below 300. If you fly manually - you are not allowed to use the auto throttle, so after each landing the pilot can feel himself as a "hero".

Question: For which airline do you work?

Answer:
Nowadays I work for "GloBus", it is a daughter of S7 Airlines - the second airline in Russia.

Question: The navigation, was this done by the pilots or the navigator?

Answer:
Formally, Tu-154 both pilots should do it together with navigator, but really all navigation is on navigator's shoulders. There was a period when Tu-154 has 3 members in crew - without navigator, but it was discovered that cabin ergonomics are not optimized for that.

Question: Is it not full / crowded in a small cockpit like the 154M because of all the persons?

Answer:
No. Really, the cabin is big. Not big as in Ilyushin-86, but much bigger than B-737.

Question: Within the FS9 limitations; how real does it fly?

Answer:
We spend a lot of time improving flight dynamics. Several test pilots flew hundreds of hours to provide graphs and tables, which Dmitriy Kolesnik used to compare with real ones. So now, most of parameters are very close to real. You should know that Project Tupolev - 154 is certified with Russian CAA as a material that can be used in training.

Question: What was your relation/function within the FS Pro Team?

Answer:
I think, I have to tell you a little secret.
FS Pro Team it is slightly another project than Project Tupolev Team. We always wanted to have a site, where different teams could place their products. Another thing - we do not want to be a "team of one project". But it will be very strange, if we would like to create Cessna-172 for example, and call it "Project Tupolev Cessna-172"! So, we have spent a lot of days thinking how to find the new name which will be common to PT, but not a Project Tupolev! Seems, we've found the best solution - I often receive questions regarding PT Tu-154m on this support e-mail! So, FS PT is mainly my job - I upload files, news and so on. But, due to my lack of free time I can not implement another hundred of ideas I have in my head, though the new update of the site is almost ready.
If we speak about my function in Project Tupolev - first of all I was a "real-pilot-simmer-tester” that every team would like to have. Another thing - I've started development of PT Tu-154m by releasing GMax visual model more than four years ago. You will think that I am joking, but that time some of our key-members did not want to hear about Tu-154m, because Tu-154b was their only love.

Question: How long took it to make this Tu-154M replica and/or is it basic MSFS design based on the 154B?

Answer:
In autumn, 2004 I've made the first beta version of Tu-154m visual model. It is considered to be the startup. From time to time I improved the visual - as I became more experienced in 3d modeling. Recent version can not be compared with the first - the only common thing is that they are named Tu-154m! It was very hard for our Team to release Tu-154m v1.01 3.5 years later.... During two years we've "lost" several programmers. They simply refused to continue - this freeware project does not give a lot of money. You should understand that to find a good MSFS programmer is much more difficult than good 3d modeler. And for us - "real" systems are more important than any other thing.

And when it seemed that we would never make Tu-154m, we've met Sergey Popkov - our Chief Programmer nowadays. He has made a very huge amount of work, spending most of his free time (as well as others, of course). Though PT Tu-154m is based on PT Tu-154b, everything was improved or fully re-done. Now it is simpler to make a new Tu-154b from Tu-154m that try to improve Tu-154b v.9.6.1.

Question: Is there always a need to have a concrete runway to land or can you land on for example "grass" or “sand”?

Answer:
AFM of Tu-154b contains requirements for "land" or "earth" runways. So, there is a possibility for Tu-154b but for the Tu-154M not.

Question: Any new ideas for FS Pro Team to develop, perhaps an Airbus A310?

Answer:
We had several ideas in the past; Tu-334, Tu-204 and even A-32X. We even started and made interesting things that were new to MSFS. But very soon we understood that new projects need a lot of money - because only "crazy fans" (like us regarding Tu-154) can work for free. We do not have such amount of money and do not have a talented manager, so today we do not have any new project in development. Some of us use their talents to create own projects, but together – not.

Last question: Are all working within the FS Pro Team Russian or also foreigners?

Answer:
A lot of persons from different countries made contributions in the Project Tupolev's works. For example, Mike Maarse provided aircraft sounds, Mike Akkermann - is the Admin and the owner of Protu-154 website.
He helped us greatly in November 2004, when our Team was kicked away from ……

Summary / Closing Remarks

Ok, let’s start with the price. This download product cost you €0.00, which equals I believe 0.00 US$. You’re right it’s a free downloadable product! The offered quality, animations, eye for details and manuals and what else I’ve forgotten could be compared with payware models. Although you’ve got a hard time reading all the manuals because the whole cockpit is full with Russian characters, it’s still a huge challenge to go for it. Normally I go for payware products but this time I decided to go for this awesome freeware Russian model. I’m impressed and not because its freeware. I’m really impressed that may aircraft systems are simulated, even the flight engineer panel. I sound so logic; do this, simulate that, and combine that all together, but it isn’t. When it was that easy, then many payware add-on models could create the same high level simulation. Ok, the recently released PMDG MD-11 is also a great product but that’s not for free. Anyway, the simulated Tu-154M is a nice lane to fly, for short and longer distances and hopefully this Pro Team group comes with a new model, perhaps a Airbus A310-200/300? I know, that’s not a Russian aircraft but it would be great when there’s a freeware developers who’s able to simulate this great Airbus aircraft with the same level of details as this Tu-154M.

What else to say about this great FS Pro Team product? I don’t know. Does it mean there’s nothing wrong with it or aircraft systems do not operate as the real aircraft? That’s this time even difficult to answer for me. First of all because a developer will never say which systems aren’t simulated, secondly I can’t read Russian, which means I have to accept that all the signs, letters, words etc. on the panels are correct and last, I don’t know the technical details of the aircraft apart of the offered manuals. While writing this I do have the idea that many aircraft systems including the navigation equipment is simulated to give the flight simmer the “as real as it gets” feeling. Does it mean I covered every detail of this aircraft? I know for sure that I missed certain parts but the general impression is that I covered many parts. No, I didn’t go into the complicated navigation systems or other simulated aircraft systems but this review should get your attention and you need to see it as a challenge to try it out. Believe me, then you download and install this software, you will become an enthusiastic Tupolev pilot.

Postscript

Just a quick note from  Denis Okan;  The FS Pro Team is the website that hosts the projects. Those responsible for making the Tu-154,  use a different name, the "Project Tupolev Team". Further more I want to bring to your attention that the engineer's panel can't work in the VC.  It was planned but it presented  too many problems, so unfortunately it was left out.

Printing

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