Amazing Aerobask Panthera (mini review)

[ryanbatc 12,815]

This is my quick review (it's getting late!!) of the Aerobask Pipistrel Panthera v3 for XP10 and 11.  All shots in XP11.  I did forget to set volumetric prop but otherwise your addon looks identical (with the exception of extra liveries) in XP11.

The release reminds me of my very favorite plane the Realair Legacy v2 in P3D.  Like the Legacy, this Panthera is sexy and speedy.  The glass panel is easy to navigate, and the controls are fairly intuitive.  There is a bit of a performance hit because of the glass but I also have an older system.  I'd recommend setting low or coarse on the GTN map page for lower res terrain if you have an older system.  The Panthera cruises around 198 KTAS at 75% power at 8000 ft.  There is an autopilot as well (and I think it's 3 axis).  The textures are smooth and superb, the sounds are pretty good too.  I am getting some jaggy shadows in the cockpit but it might be my settings.  Flying the Panthera is enjoyable - the controls are light and snappy.  Visibility from the cockpit side to side is very good, the forward view is somewhat blocked by the panel but it's not a big issue if you use Track IR like I do.  Compared to P3D addon prices this Panthera for X plane is a steal.  I haven't delved into all of the aircraft yet but many switches/elements are functional.  Aerobask stresses the GTN's are custom modeled so they'll work in Mac and Linux OS.  Curiosity does get the best of me from time to time...  I might play around and try a RXP GTN insertion hehe...  but at a much later date.  Anyway, the shots!

[Guest Mik75]

Thx a lot for your review and the wonderful pics! This is an outstanding release, can't wait to get my hands on it! ;-)

[wolke85 150]

Oustanding shots Ryan!

[Pugilist2 878]

Beautiful shots and great mini review!  The cockpit textures look a lot better now.

[Andrej 1]

Outstanding!

[Novation 534]

Great pics Ryan, and what a wonderful sleek looking bird. I'll add it to my wish list.

[pilot83 387]

Nice shots! Thanks for the mini review!

[MindYerBeak 73]

Looks nice. Thanks !

[Phantom88 3,284]

W O W ! Those shots are Stunning!!!

[ryanbatc 12,815]

Thanks everyone.  I got some proper flying in this evening on Pilot Edge.  The book figures of 198 ktas at 8000 are pretty accurate (and that's 75% power).  It can easily do over 200 KTAS if you push it.  I can't seem to find any perf figures in their manuals so I tend to go with a climb of 120 kias which yields about 2000 fpm.  Up at 8000 FF is around 14.5 g.  There are a few quirks with the GTN units.  Unless I'm missing something pressing ENTER when entering a comm/nav frequency doesn't place it in the stby position.  And when entering airways the choices are available from nearest to furthest from your waypoint.  Wish it were alphabetical.  But like a few others said... for that fact that they wrote a GTN from scratch (or a semi working GTN), is darn amazing!  Anyway I really recommend the plane!

[YBAF 0]

Thanks for the post Ryan.  I have decided to purchase this aircraft as my first addon for X-Plane 11 and I am excited to fly it tonight.

[N1G 88]

Ryan, I had read another review and the author mentioned that he could not find an instrument brightness control. Were you able to find one?

 

Thanks

Bob