DJ Called it...F1 Kingair mini review! *Please Read*

[ryanbatc 12,800]

This plane was released nearly five years ago for FSX, and now is available for FSX boxed, FSX:SE, P3D v3 and v4.  F1 addressed some minor bugs and added a few nice features like ability to load airways into the flight plan and P3D v4 native items like dynamic lighting and dimmable interior lighting.  If you're new to the king air there are some sublime features such as icing modelling, the "banana" on the MFD (vertical planning tool), WAAS support for RNAV (GPS) approaches with LPV minimums, and a few more.  I'd call it a medium-deep systems depth addon.  It's a 20 dollar upgrade if you had the original for FSX or P3D v2.  Otherwise it runs you about 55 bucks (USD).  It is well worth the money!  

This is one of the few addons I have a laminated checklist for, but I didn't use it lol - I did everything from memory and I think I did well.  I'd even call myself savvy when it comes to this addon.

Here I did a short and (hopefully) realistic flight from Block Island (short field!) to Nantucket - cruising 11k.  

Anyway about the addon, the interior and exterior models still hold up very well for its age, the animations are smooth, and the interior cabin is customizable via popup app.  There are some 2D popups for the PFD/MFD as well as the controller for the MFD.  I've found that to be the most helpful as the real controller is located on the bottom center console and it can be "fun" to enter your flight plan and keep looking up and down.  There is a way to enable wear and tear, and items will break if you mistreat the aircraft, there are some other options in the P3D v4 addon menu.

The sounds are superb, as always were a shining part of this addon.  F1 has the prop beta sounds set just right I think, and you can taxi in beta (and should to save your brakes).  Click sounds are present for switches and other misc sounds are just so well done.  You'll feel quite immersed as you fly the king air around.

This G1000 is the most powerful and in depth G1000 for the FSX/P3D market.  I won't beat around the bush so I'll come out and say that it does not have VNAV, or the autopilot mode usually called VPATH.  That being said it does have the Selected Altitude Intercept Arc, or more commonly referred to as the Banana.  What this banana does is tell you where on the map you'll be if you've got a altitude dialed into the autopilot panel.  It's a useful aid to navigation and frankly is awesome for altitude planning.  So it will display on the MFD for TOC if you've got your final cruise alt dialed in or if you're planning for an approach it will show your straight line position when you'll be at final approach altitude.  The banana is dynamic so if for instance, you change your vertical speed or airspeed, the banana will update on the MFD.  As mentioned above the G1000 will now load airways (huge time saving feature!), or you can fly the "needles" using the HSI or bearing needles for VOR1 or VOR2.  Essentially this G1000 has approx 90% of real world features (in my experience).

Pressurization works and is modeled, engine anti icing, prop feathering, ice vanes, fuel transfer is all functional.

It hand flies well.  In my shots I hand flew the RNAV Ry 24 at KACK to LPV mins.  With the upgraded Blachawk engines this aircraft will do approx 320 ktas at FL280.  For initial climb rates with anti ice off I typically pitch for 160 KIAS and get around 2500-3000 fpm with a lighter load.  It doesn't take long to climb into the flight levels.  At cruise pull the props back to 1800 for noise (sometimes I do 1900).  At a more economical cruise you can easily get 260-280 ktas.  On approach the plane handled the crosswind just fine, use your rudder pedals in conjunction with ailerons and you'll be fine.  If you're like me and truly are a child of the magenta, you'll be happy to hear the autopilot is very well modelled.  There is indeed a FLC mode (aircraft will climb at a fixed airspeed) and the ALTS will engage and it will level off at your selected altitude.  It will also fly GPS approaches with LPV minimums (WAAS) and follow the glide path.  Of course it will do the rest of the basic items.

So, kinda short on the text there, but if you're a airliner guy and new to GA this is a perfect plane to transition (to the better way to fly muwhahaha)

In short:  Go support the developer and purchase this addon now!

routing by ryan b, on Flickr

Untitled-1 by ryan b, on Flickr

Airways!

Untitled-2 by ryan b, on Flickr

The short runway here at Block Island was no problem for the -52's

Untitled-3 by ryan b, on Flickr

Untitled-4 by ryan b, on Flickr

Untitled-6 by ryan b, on Flickr

Model looks great

Untitled-7 by ryan b, on Flickr

Ohoh- icing

Untitled-8 by ryan b, on Flickr

Lovely interior

Untitled-9 by ryan b, on Flickr

Untitled-11 by ryan b, on Flickr

Untitled-13 by ryan b, on Flickr

Untitled-14 by ryan b, on Flickr

Loaded the RNAV (GPS) Ry 24 at KACK

Untitled-15 by ryan b, on Flickr

Untitled-16 by ryan b, on Flickr

Land Ho

Untitled-17 by ryan b, on Flickr

Untitled-19 by ryan b, on Flickr

Field in sight but continued the approach for practice

Untitled-20 by ryan b, on Flickr

Untitled-21 by ryan b, on Flickr

Untitled-22 by ryan b, on Flickr

Money Shot

Untitled-23 by ryan b, on Flickr

 

 

[RichieFly 726]

Thanks, Ryan. Good summary.

Does F1 provide extra paints or should I search the Avsim Lib?

[MartinRex007 390]

Nice summary Ryan, thanks for posting!

 

Martin

[MartinRex007 390]

14 minutes ago, RichieFly said:

Does F1 provide extra paints or should I search the Avsim Lib?

Here is a good place to start for repaints...there are some nice ones here!

http://library.flight1.net/?cat=31

[Dean33 69]

Ryan.

What a great report within 24 hrs of relaunch. You are a star!

Thanks  

dean

[CFIJose 5,485]

Thanks Buddy. You da man!

[tamsini 278]

Agree with everything above - Ryan. great job and pics!

[MarkW 1,490]

Does anyone know if the G1000 rotary dials can be tied to hardware buttons/dials like with VRInsight MCP panel?  I could not get this to work on the FSX version but wonder if they added this feature now.

[joherszch 21]

Great shots! Nice to see correct Flight Phase Annunciation, but I miss the track bug! I still wonder why they does not model it out of all things.....

Edited March 10, 2018 by joherszch

[ryanbatc 12,800]

What is the track bug?

[joherszch 21]

Ryan, it is a magenta diamond symbol that is visible on the HSI and shows your current track. Having flown G1000 equipped aircraft for 1000 hours in real life it is an invaluable tool, especially when flying IFR. When being established on the CDI, all you need to do is place the track bug on the course and you will stay established (as shown on the image below):

Edited March 10, 2018 by joherszch

[ryanbatc 12,800]

Ok - I'm aware of that little diamond. It's not displayed on the g1000 in the ka?

[joherszch 21]

Not in the V1 at least, and I cannot see it in any of your pictures above even though you have approx 31 kts of crosswind on the "Untitled-15 by Ryan b, on Flickr" picture.

[Anxu00 176]

Thanks for the review Ryan.  How's dynamic light performance in P3D V4.x ? Is it configurable off as an option for those who do not have the monster HW?

[ryanbatc 12,800]

I don't know / DL is disabled on my machine