Author’s Note:
The Just Flight 727 is a boxed version of the Captain Sim 727
previously reviewed
here This article
will focus on looking at the package on offer from Just Flight
as opposed to reviewing the aircraft again.
Included
For starters there’s a box, which means that there is also a
large printed manual. Whilst I like the ease of downloads and
the speed at which you can get going with your latest toy, I
still prefer boxed versions as I feel as though I really own
something. The printed manual is also a welcome change from
having to print of PDF files or spend ages staring at the
computer monitor reading them.
The manual weighs in at a nice 120 pages, although it is small text, and includes:
· Introduction
· Installation notes
· Aircraft Configuration Editor utility notes
· Panel layouts – with annotated diagrams to help with familiarisation
· A tutorial (at last!)
You may recall from my original review that that I mentioned how comprehensive the manuals from Captain Sim were. Even though Just Flight have included a printed manual they have also included part 3 of the Captain Sim operations manual as a PDF file.
The Captain Sim version only included the 727-100, whereas the Just Flight version includes the -100 -200 and freighter models, as well as winglet and non-winglet variants along with the unique UDF (Un-Ducted Fan) version. 17 liveries are included as standard which is enough to give you some variety but not enough to clog up your hard drive. If you do wish to install more liveries, there are lots to be found around the internet which can be installed using the ACE. Alternatively, use the paint kit to create your own.
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Installation
With this being a boxed product all you need to do is insert the
DVD into the drive and let the autorun start. Follow the on
screen instructions and the 727 will be installed quickly and
easily. Keep the DVD in a safe place as you will need it in
order to install any updates which Just Flight may release in
the future.
Aircraft Selection
The 727 now sits proudly in your FSX aircraft menu under the
Captain Sim heading. I did expect to see it show up as Just
Flight/Captain Sim or some other combination, but it’s not too
big a problem. Select your aircraft and load up at the gate
ready for your flight.
Performance
Captain Sim models are incredibly detailed and are amongst the
highest quality add-on aircraft for FSX, but this comes at a
price. This is due to the highly complex systems modelling, and
also the vast array of views which are available inside the
aircraft. These views are nice once in a while and it would be
nice to have the option to de-select some of them to help with
performance. It may take you some time to find the sweet spot
within FSX that allows you to have a smooth flight whilst being
able to run higher levels of detail. Not that it will be a chore
making a few flights in this aircraft to get it right! That
said, the 727 does not have as big an impact on performance as
some of the other Captain Sim add-ons I own, but it is worth
bearing in mind if you are using a lower spec PC.
727
UDF
The UDF is a modified turbofan engine with the fan placed
outside of the engine nacelle, but on the same axis as the
compressor blades. It was intended to offer the speed and
performance of turbofans with the fuel economy of turboprops. As
far as I am aware this is the first time this has been modelled
by a pay ware developer for FS and it’s nice to see something a
little different, even if it does look a bit strange.
Tutorial Flight
At long last!Captain Sim make no apologies for not including
tutorials for their products, they firmly believe in people
learning to fly the aircraft themselves from the included
documentation. Part of me agrees with this philosophy as there
is a lot of fun to be had learning to fly something from
scratch, but I think that a tutorial would help speed up the
process.
Just Flight recruited Jane Rachel Whittaker (of PC Pilot fame)
to write a tutorial for this add-on. Jane loves procedural
airliners and this short tutorial from Los Angeles to San
Francisco won’t take too long to complete, but will enable you
to get a good understanding of how to operate the 727. It walks
you through VOR navigation, preparing the aircraft all the way
down to landing at San Francisco.
Whilst the tutorial does do its job and will help people get to
grips with the 727, there are very few pictures included. You
are told which buttons to press but not told where to find them;
this is where having a printed manual at your side comes in
handy for finding where things are. Despite that small problem
it’s a very good tutorial. If you are still struggling there are
some very good videos on YouTube which will be of help.
Verdict
Whilst this is the same model as previously
reviewed, this review/article is aimed at looking at the
whole package on offer from Just Flight.
For £34.99 (correct at time of writing) you are given 3
aircraft with several variants and liveries, along with the
unique UDF version.
In my opinion the biggest selling point is the inclusion of
a printed manual and the long awaited tutorial, although
more pictures could have been included.
This is the same model as is available from the Captain Sim
website, but the complete package is much better as you pay
one price and get everything.
The same pros/cons in the earlier review still apply, but
based on all that I am pleased to award this package a
Mutley's Hangar score of 9/10
/Rob Scott
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System Requirements
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