The other day I found that vFlyteAir updated their PA30 twin comanche for XP12.  I absolutely enjoyed the plane in 11 so I naturally went for the updated version (about 20 USD - 35 USD for the full version).  Aside from ever so slightly dated visuals, the systems depth and avionics just blew me away.  The plane comes with a classic analog panel or a mix of glass/analog.  The product also comes with excellent paper manuals including charts, POH, and detailed guides to the glass systems.  They did a lovely job modelling the Garmin G5s, the Garmin TXi engine monitor (don't think I've ever seen a TXi in any sim!), and the GFC 500 Autopilot.  They've also done a nice job with the older KAP140 AP and the traditional (but capable) instruments like the ADF, and HSI.  I fly a small Beech with G5's so I was very excited to see VFA's rendition.  Long story short - they are excellent simulated versions.  Anyway, the PA30 cruises just shy of 180 ktas at 75% power around 8000 ft.  Unless you've got a monster headwind you'll be doing about 3 miles per minute - plenty of endurance especially with the tip tanks.  This plane also has a nice feature I wish some MSFS addons had - ability to put on headphones and essentially mute the engine noise.  But perhaps you don't want to do that as the product has nice sounds 🙂

I'm doing a short flight from Syracuse NY to Saratoga County 5B2.  We cruise at 7000 at 75% power, but we've filed IFR as we're likely to encounter rainshowers.  We'll plan to shoot an rnav approach into 5B2.

Hope you enjoy the pics and I really recommend this addon!

I thought the rampies were going to untie me?  

Untitled-1 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

This is the Verticalsim KSYR rendition in XP12 - it's well done!  (yes I have the MSFS version too)

Untitled-3 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Turning on course and we'll pickup a cruise climb of about 113 knots (typically the top of the white arc in most planes)

Untitled-5 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Their version of the Garmin TXi is honestly wow!  It's well done an lean assist works too

Untitled-6 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

I was hoping to view the countryside but we're in and out of IMC the entire trip

Untitled-7 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

On top for just a moment...

Untitled-8 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

And then into the soup.  These G5's do pretty much exactly what my real ones do!

Untitled-11 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Untitled-12 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Lake Otsego 

Untitled-13 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

It really started to get bumpy so we requested lower from air traffic

Untitled-14 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Still in moderate rain we did get clear of most of the bumps

Untitled-16 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Great Sacandaga Lake

Untitled-17 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

It'll be the RNAV 05 via ZANVA (with lnav mins only - we'll get the field in sight well before)

Untitled-19 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Untitled-20 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

The GFC500 allows for fully coupled approaches - I did not test vnav - but the plane also supports the RXP GTN 750/650 - so vnav may function with those

Untitled-21 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

A little hot so we drop the gear to slow down a little

Untitled-22 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Untitled-23 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Untitled-24 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

(Maybe all this rain will help the brown grass haha)

Untitled-25 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Where to next?

Untitled-28 by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the review. I have the XP11 version and I am happy with that. How does the XP12 version differ to the previous version. The panel graphics quality look the same to me. Many thanks.

Edited July 4, 20232 yr by johnbla

Great review! I purchased the update just this weekend, but haven't had the time to test it yet. Your pics definitely are driving me to launch XP12 before the weekend ;-D

Thanks for sharing!

 

1 hour ago, johnbla said:

Thanks for the review. I have the XP11 version and I am happy with that. How does the XP12 version differ to the previous version. The panel graphics quality look the same to me. Many thanks.

Yeah I think they are the same visually.  I think the Garmin suite is mostly new though?  I don't recall having these options in the xp11 version.  I really like the G5s and Txi.  Wish xp12 would stop blurring gauges from far away though.  

Excellent review Ryan! And wonderful pictures as always. Are you using Active Sky?

This isn't an aircraft I would normally buy, but you have really sold me on this one. The Garmin suite looks just too tempting and your recommendation makes it even more interesting. Plus, it is currently on sale for $24.47.

nice stuff, good review

Lovely set of shots, Ryan. Great to have two good-looking sims to play in, isn't it!

Can I be cheeky and ask if that's any special scenery in use there (not the airport, but the region generally)? I haven't been up that neck of the woods in XP yet, been sticking pretty much to where I have True Earth stuff, but that looks pretty good.

Nice shots Ryan.

Excellent!!

4 hours ago, andy1252 said:

Lovely set of shots, Ryan. Great to have two good-looking sims to play in, isn't it!

Can I be cheeky and ask if that's any special scenery in use there (not the airport, but the region generally)? I haven't been up that neck of the woods in XP yet, been sticking pretty much to where I have True Earth stuff, but that looks pretty good.

Well I am using Sim Heaven's "autogen" stuff but it looks weird without Ortho.  I have Ortho for my local areas.

2 hours ago, ryanbatc said:

I have Ortho for my local areas.

Ah. sorry to bug you, but are you talking ortho4xp stuff you generated yourself or something else? I used to use Forkboy's stuff for US with XP11, and ortho4xp for a few other places, but I'm not sure I want to get back into all that stuff again now. But it does look nice!

Edited July 5, 20232 yr by andy1252
typo

I'm using Verticalsim's free V states for any USA flying.  I think it's ZL16 or so

https://verticalsims.com/vorthos-2/

 

5 minutes ago, ryanbatc said:

I'm using Verticalsim's free V states for any USA flying.  I think it's ZL16 or so

https://verticalsims.com/vorthos-2/

 

Thanks Ryan, I'll give them a go.

2 hours ago, andy1252 said:

Thanks Ryan, I'll give them a go.

And your post reminded me to go grab the NE USA region because I tend to also fly there