A lot of my recent simulation research has been focused on improving visuals or haptics of larger simulations. Shifting focus a little, i thought its time to devote some effort to flying GA. When it comes to General Aviation, my favorite is the Piper Cherokee family. The Archer or the Warrior would be my pick. Hence i set out to find a realistic Warrior or Archer. I first downloaded a freeware Warrior download for FS9. The aircraft turned out to be reasonably true in looks and appearance. Soon i found that flight model was not true to the real aircraft. The first discrepancy was the P-factor. It made taxiing very difficult and unrealistic. Even at slow speeds, smooth steady taxi was impossible. In flight, the plane had a serious left yaw. I tried centering the controls. It was still there. Was unable to find out whether the rudder had a center issue or the ailerons were not centered. In the end, i figured it was still engine center-lining that was causing the yaw.
The search had to be extended. A quick search showed a few products. Carenado, Australian Simulations, JustFlight were a few.
Aus Sim product is known to be a very good product and has numerous reviews. However, the company closed out operations and hence the product wont innovate any further.
Carenado is a very active with products. New products, incremental releases and rich variety are its hallmark. Their products are packaged independently for FS9 and FSX which is a little bit of an issue for those of us who use the product for either simulator. Carenado has an Archer product for FS9 and FSX.
JustFlight has a Warrior product packaged for FS9 and FSX combined. The product was on sale and it was my choice.
My larger interest in simulators is more attuned towards accuracy in procedures and flight characteristics. Given this, I am a little less concerned about the livery or about the door opening correctly.
The install was flawless and simple. The product came up on FS9 immediately without any more effort. I setup for an initial flight. John Wayne airport, the SOCAL area, runway 19L. Turned off all WXR and ensured winds were set to zero.
Taxi was very accurate. P-factor representation is well done. Rotation speed matched real-life behavior. A mild tug of the yoke and the plane began to climb. Climb was around 550 fpm. Prep for level flight – pitch, power and trim. Level flight was easy to maintain. Very life-like.
Performed a cruise climb at 87 knots. Leveled out at 2500 feet. Cleared the area with clearing turns. Performed slow flight, power off stalls, power on stalls, and then steep turns. The flight model performed i would say within 10% of the characteristics of the real PA28-161. Not bad for a simulation product flight model.
Returned back to John Wayne. Performed cruise descent, approach, GUMPS check and dropped engine down to 1700 rpm abeam the numbers with one notch of flaps. At the 45 to the numbers began my base turn; another notch of flaps and plane slowed accurately to 70 knots. Called my final and dropped the third notch of flaps half way into the threshold, 65 knots all the way down to the numbers. Just over the numbers, leveled out, the nose came up nicely and i held it up just to the point where i could transition my eyes to the end of the runway. Continued to hold it up till the stall horn came on and the wheels touched. It was nicer when i could hold the nose up even after touchdown till the plane slowed further and the nose wheel came down and touched.
Will come back another day to check flight characteristics under density altitude and various wind conditions.
Taxied back to parking…. Glad to have found a realistic model of my favorite GA plane.
CPJ
