Yes, there's a thread about the imminent release but it's buried and this thing - a comprehensive native update, that now includes Boris sounds, FREE to 2020 owners - deserves a post, for me to report on my initial findings.

It's absolutely stunning.  The sounds were ok in the 2020 version; they are now exactly what you'd expect from a Boris sound pack (sounds recorded from the real aircraft).  Engine sounds are fantastic and it has a headset simulation mode; something not seen enough, that I hugely value.

The flight handling characteristic feel very convincing and immersive. It's a plane where I felt compelled to delay AP engagement and just keep her nicely trimmed and balanced, in the climb up to FL400 😎

The "VAMS" EFB is improved and, while not the best EFB out there, is functional and provides Simbrief loading.

I've been flying a HJET a bit lately but this will comprehensively replace that now.  It just feel so much more alive, immersive and engaging.

So yes... if you have the 2020 version sitting somewhere at the back of your SSD, go and grab this new version for free!  To update, you go to the Marketplace listing and click "Get for free" (rather than from within the Library entry for the existing 2020 model).    If you don't own the 2020 version, it's still amazing value at $24.99.     (You can buy 3 of these for the price of an Aerosoft A346 😄)

From a short 20 minute sector, I will give this aircraft a solid 9/10. 👍

 

Edited March 12Mar 12 by JYW

IMHO this has again excellent price-performance ratio, It's a steal, even at the full MP price.

FlightFX really creates awesome addons!

This one really hasn’t been on my list since I have the Starship and love it, but for $25 I’m buying it. Sounds like an excellent plane with phenomenal value!

6 hours ago, MrLamb said:

IMHO this has again excellent price-performance ratio, It's a steal, even at the full MP price.

Thank you!

Very pleased FFX was able to secure a Bakar Piaggo license for the P.180, the new native update is outstanding, having it officially licensed makes me wish a dev like Contrail could secure a Dassault license for bizjets (Contraill calling their Falcon 50, FA50 in lieu of an license as AzurPoly has a license for Dassault fighter jets.

 

Edited March 13Mar 13 by amsfsx02501

This was worth getting up early and confusing the cat for. A massive advance on the 2020 version and I would have happily paid for it.  What a great aircraft! 

Definitely tempted by this one. 

I've been thinking about a light jet for some time now.  It's at the very top of my (semi) rational list for only buying aircraft that I would ever conceivably have operated as an owner/pilot.  Took a serious look at the H-Jet, but aside from my admittedly purely subjective lack of enthusiasm for the appearance and despite how well it's apparently been implemented, it's just too automated for my tastes.  I've also expressed an interest in the upcoming Phenom 300, but from all I can find I'm guessing it's going to fall into the same category.

This plane, on the other hand, seems to offer light jet speeds and capabilities, while still requiring the pilot to, well, be a pilot and manage systems rather than purely electronics.  There seems to be a lot of "stuff" to keep the pilot busy.  And quite honestly I have more of an affinity for turbo props than I do jets anyway.

I've no experience, real world or sim, with pro-line avionics, but I kinda view that as a net positive.  Something new to tackle and all that.  Any thoughts from some of you that have this on how well and how completely the avionics are implemented?

 

Scott 

13 minutes ago, tttocs said:

There seems to be a lot of "stuff" to keep the pilot busy. 

Not especially no, not much more than the HJet, and both can be flown without any autopilot of course 😉

I would not be surprised if I fly this more than the HJet though. It just has something magical about it.  

1 hour ago, St Mawgan said:

Not especially no, not much more than the HJet, and both can be flown without any autopilot of course 😉

Sure, just like all planes.  My comment is not really about the AP, though it does include the autothrottle a bit.  I just have little interest in AT planes.

FADEC vs no FADEC alone makes it more interesting to me.

And just in case it comes up - IRL for single pilot use, I'd absolutely go for the systems in the H Jet - FADEC, AT and the whole suite of automations.  In the sim, I just want a bit more hands on.

Still looking for comments on the pro-line implementation if anyone has thoughts.

 

Scott

 

dd

This is the best video I've seen for this aircraft so far, especially for those still on the fence.  

Edited March 13Mar 13 by St Mawgan

2 hours ago, tttocs said:

Still looking for comments on the pro-line implementation if anyone has thoughts.

The proline is WT-derived. So as a base it's the same as that in the CJ4, althought I think it has additional elements coded.  It's not intuitive for new users or those coming from Garmin!  Lot's of menus hidden behind tiny buttons around the MFDs.  But that in itself provides a challenge as it would be a rather boring plane if it had just another G1000/2000/3000.   

Put it this way, I've not seen the Proline depected any better than it has been here.  

1 hour ago, JYW said:

It's not intuitive for new users or those coming from Garmin!  Lot's of menus hidden behind tiny buttons around the MFDs.  But that in itself provides a challenge as it would be a rather boring plane if it had just another G1000/2000/3000.   

Put it this way, I've not seen the Proline depected any better than it has been here.  

In this case, not Garmin is definitely part of the appeal.  Thanks for the info.

 

Scott

6 hours ago, tttocs said:

Definitely tempted by this one. 

I've been thinking about a light jet for some time now.  It's at the very top of my (semi) rational list for only buying aircraft that I would ever conceivably have operated as an owner/pilot.  Took a serious look at the H-Jet, but aside from my admittedly purely subjective lack of enthusiasm for the appearance and despite how well it's apparently been implemented, it's just too automated for my tastes.  I've also expressed an interest in the upcoming Phenom 300, but from all I can find I'm guessing it's going to fall into the same category.

This plane, on the other hand, seems to offer light jet speeds and capabilities, while still requiring the pilot to, well, be a pilot and manage systems rather than purely electronics.  There seems to be a lot of "stuff" to keep the pilot busy.  And quite honestly I have more of an affinity for turbo props than I do jets anyway.

I've no experience, real world or sim, with pro-line avionics, but I kinda view that as a net positive.  Something new to tackle and all that.  Any thoughts from some of you that have this on how well and how completely the avionics are implemented?

 

Scott 

Just try the default CJ4 it's got the same avionics.  I like the pro line 21 myself.  Not as fancy as Garmin but still feels nice and intuitive.  Les O Reily had a navigraph charts mod but I don't think it works in the new 2024 versions yet?  Not sure.