msfs Carenado PC12 Mini Review

[ryanbatc 12,837]

Finally I can share my thoughts...  The initial release of this addon was not pretty.  I had low fps after a short while, an electrical system that completely died, a semi frozen CDI needle paired with the GTN (and no lpv glidepath), and low power on initial departure (and or low ASI reading).  It was a hangar queen for the last two months.

I'm happy to report that Carenado has recently released a patch, version 1.1, that has fixed these issues for me.  It did take a while (we know the marketplace is fairly slow so it's not completely Carenado this time).  I am finally able to enjoy this aircraft.  And I do recommend it!  It's fast, all weather capable including Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI), pressurized, has onboard radar, and supports the TDS GTN 750Xi and the PMS GTN 750.  It will run the early access WT GNS530/430 combo but I would not call the two compatible at the moment.  I was experiencing partially inop AP functions such as vertical guidance during an RNAV approach to lpv mins and non functional altitude selector.  This is to be expected as the PC12 patch just came out and so did the WT GNS.

Flying the PC12 by hand is enjoyable, it's a smooth and stable, yet nimble airframe.  Takeoff or landing with short runways is a simple task.  It does appear to hit performance numbers (google a manual for the PC12/47) in cruise with a top speed of around 270 ktas.  Down low you can easily do 200 KIAS with a psi around 36.0 (typical cruise setting).  Stall speed in the flaps down config (dirty) is a measly 67 kias with max gross weight.  (Just fast enough to hurt yourself).  Sounds are pleasing to the ear - I don't think they modeled accurate beta range but you will hear the sound once bringing the throttle to reverse detent.

Now is the time to take your PC12 out of the hangar and enjoy flying with it (don't forget your update via the Content Manager).  Here's some various screenshots that I hope you enjoy!

Freeware KEDC airport

KEDC1 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

KEDC2 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

(You'll find a host of freeware repaints such as this one at flightsim.to)

KEDC3 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

(And a few repaints by me)

dlh11 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

cockpi1 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

CO1 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

CO3 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

brasil by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

bras3 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Well equipped for IMC

tdspc121 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

suisse1 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

The PC12 in its happy place...

suisse2 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Air Ambulance ops

rfdsflying by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

rfdsflyingsunrise by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

orangetoronto by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

orangelanded by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

And of course personal transport - skiing anyone?

ribbons1 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

chronos1 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

chronos3 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

It also includes multi-level cockpit/cabin lighting

cockpitnight by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

 

 

 

[helberger 72]

Thanks Ryan for you mini review with the new patch 1.1, had a short flight as well and was quite pleased, one item that is not working for me is

when trying to enlarge the TDS Gtn to 2d by clicking on the GTN and holding the Alt key, it brings up the 430 below something I may

do wrong???

 

[ryanbatc 12,837]

43 minutes ago, helberger said:

Thanks Ryan for you mini review with the new patch 1.1, had a short flight as well and was quite pleased, one item that is not working for me is

when trying to enlarge the TDS Gtn to 2d by clicking on the GTN and holding the Alt key, it brings up the 430 below something I may

do wrong???

 

To tell you the truth I didn't even know you could pop out windows in msfs.  I'm not sure why it wouldn't work though.

[efis007 884]

Thanks for the wonderful pics 😃

[ozzieblr 134]

An excellent summary, thanks Ryan.  This is a big improvement on the original aircraft, despite the few things that were still not addressed.

In terms of physical modelling, Carenado have changed the profile of the winglets from the more upright originals to the more raked shapes on this model.  However, I noticed on most add-on liveries (and you can see in some images above) this resulted in an area on the leading edges of the winglets which have glaring and unwanted artifacts that show much lighter in direct light, but turn black in shade.  This is not a problem in the original liveries using the default decals ... but it will show in all add-on liveries created with the original model.  

The differences are not obvious in the textures until you examine this areas when painted with the new LOD1 model - the change in shape of the winglet textures is quite subtle and easily overlooked. 

SOLUTION:  repaint the additional area of the new winglets in the desired colour, and copy the new CPCD_EXT2_COMP.PNG file from the base texture folder and replace the file of the same name in the texture for all affected add-on liveries. SEE IMAGE at:

     https://www.dropbox.com/s/zkudd2eopp82c57/Carenado PC-12 new winglets.jpg?dl=0

Hope this helps anyone else with add-on liveries displaying those leading-edge winglet problems.

[ryanbatc 12,837]

7 minutes ago, ozzieblr said:

 

Hope this helps anyone else with add-on liveries displaying those leading-edge winglet problems.

Oh weird you're right.  Didn't even notice the changes.  The newer winglets seem to match the PC12 NGX and the old ones seem to match the classic PC12/47

[ozzieblr 134]

1 hour ago, ryanbatc said:

Oh weird you're right.  Didn't even notice the changes.  The newer winglets seem to match the PC12 NGX and the old ones seem to match the classic PC12/47

Have they even released a change log anywhere yet?  It would have been nice to know before spending hours trying to figure out what they did with the winglet textures.

[John F 2,418]

Very complete presentation. And some beautiful repaints.

[RichieFly 728]

Really nice!

This had me thinking that 3 or so years ago, I wouldn't think something like what your shots display would be possible.

[Jack_Sawyer 4,600]

What a beautiful set of screenshots Ryan!

[GACSavannah 227]

Ryan,

   How do you get the GTNxi 750 to work? I can not get mine to accept any thing that I click. I can click-clickity-click all day long and it doesn't accept any of it.

[Ed_S_Pilot 227]

Thanks for the Mini review and pic's. Looks great!

[GACSavannah 227]

1 hour ago, GACSavannah said:

   How do you get the GTNxi 750 to work? I can not get mine to accept any thing that I click. I can click-clickity-click all day long and it doesn't accept any of it.

Just incase others are experiencing this, I found the cause of the GTNxi failure. Probably others already know of this, but I did not, but there is a conflict between the GTNxi 750 and the Working Title GNS430/530 in the Marketplace. Removing the 430/530 returned functionality to the GTNXi750

[ozzieblr 134]

I was wrong about Carendo appearing to have fixed the failing displays of the NAV2 and transponder on long flights;  they just failed on the flight I am currently flying.

Edited November 20, 2022 by ozzieblr

[bobcat999 8,475]

11 hours ago, ozzieblr said:

Have they even released a change log anywhere yet?  It would have been nice to know before spending hours trying to figure out what they did with the winglet textures.

There is a change log, but they are very much like Asobo, where the changelogs are fairly useless, because they don't include everything!    For instance, the winglet change isn't mentioned. 

As this winglet thing was never an issue raised by anyone, why did they do it?  Now, third party painters have to revisit and modify all of their repaints.  Meanwhile, other issues remain for some people.
This is what we have to suffer from Carenado.  I love their planes, but they can be so frustrating sometimes.  

@ryanbatc  Thanks for this!  I will be getting back in the seat, and I am even considering using it for my round-the -world over the Christmas Holiday.