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Reviews
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Richie
Barrett reviews Project Skyworks Boeing 717..
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Aircraft: Boeing 717-200 for FS2002 & FS2004
File name: boeing_717_200.zip
(8.5MB)
Author: Project SkyWorks Date Tested: September
21, 2003
Computer Specs Processor: AMD Athlon XP2500 (2.0GHz)
Ram: 512MB PC2700 Graphics Card: 128MB ATI Radeon
9500 Pro
Test Pilot: Richie Barrett (RichieB31619@yahoo.com)
Do you fly for Real? No (well-not yet anyway)
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Introduction: Well, I haven't done any
reviews in quite some time because I have been
rather busy. I have decided to try and standardize
the way I do these aircraft reviews a little so
I have come up with a point grading system (out
of 100 points) which I'll use from now on. The
review is divided up into five categories and
the total amount of points available in each is
in parenthesis next to the title.
External Model (30pts): The first thing
that jumped out at me when I first flew this aircraft
is the amazing external model. It is far superior
to any other Boeing 717 made yet and is just beautiful
in the sky. One of the nicest features of this
model is the vast collection of animated parts.
It not only has the typical features of a good
model (rolling wheels, rotating engine fans, flaps,
ect.), but it has several small moving pieces
such as opening doors. Overall this model is very
well done; it is an obvious combination of a very
skilled designer and many hours of hard work.
I rate the model a 29 out of 30!
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Texturing (20pts): Along with the beautiful
visual model comes a really nice texture featuring
the older Delta Airlines paint scheme. Something
that stuck out to me with this paint scheme is
that nothing stuck out. Now, what does that mean?
By that, I mean that there wasn't a particular
feature that caught my eye because the texturing
looked so balanced. The little bit of reflection
underneath the plane is a very nice feature that
completes a beautiful paint job. I feel the texturing
is a 20 out of 20.
Panel (15pts): 2D Panel (10pts): The
panel included with this aircraft is a rather
nice one. It includes all the necessary gauges
required to fly this aircraft and a few others
that are very helpful. On the down side, there
isn't a lot of room for the windows but that is
a feature on a true Boeing 717 and is therefore
authentic. Overall, this is a nice panel and I
give it an 8 out of 10.
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| DVC (5pts): The other
five points that I give for the panel is for the
Dynamic Virtual Cockpit (DVC). Unfortunately, this
plane does not come with a DVC and that is really
the only drawback on this aircraft. So, I have to
give it a 0 out of 5 for the DVC. |
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| Sounds (5pts):
One feature that many add-ons for the FS programs
don't come with are a custom sound pack. Not only
does this plane come with custom sounds, it has
a very good sound pack. This makes flying this plane
just that much more enjoyable. 5 out of 5 for the
sounds. Flight Characteristics (30pts): Where Tested:
Honolulu, Hawaii (FS2004). Takeoff Characteristics:
I found that this plane was rather enjoyable to
get off the ground. With the flaps extended at about
50%, a slight pull back on the joystick can get
the nose to lift off at about 180 knots while the
rest of the plane leaves the ground at approximately
190 knots. In-flight Handling: While in the air
this planes handles like an airliner is expected
too. It flies very smoothly is easy to control provided
the pilot avoids trying to make extreme maneuvers.
As is expected, it is a little sluggish in the air
but that is simply due to the size of the plane
and is normal among airliners. It's really a joy
to handle in the sky because it turns very nicely
and it has a nice feel to it. Landing Characteristics:
As with any large aircraft, the best way to handle
the landing is a long approach with a minimal course
corrections and a slow downward angle. I found that
this plane can be landed at about 160 knots or a
little faster with the flaps fully extended. I found
if I dropped much slower I would have a problem
with stalling and making a harder landing than desired.
So, I feel that anywhere from 160 knots and 170
knots is a good way to go, Overall: I feel that
this planes handling is exactly what an airliner
should handle like. So, I have decided to rate the
flight characteristics a 30 out of 30! |
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Rating: 92% This is one of best airliners
out there! I fully recommend this aircraft. Repainter's:
For those of you out there who like to contribute
to our hobby by making repaints of aircraft, PSW
has just released a paint kit for their Boeing
717 that provides a perfect template to make new
liveries for this plane. If you're interested,
the paint kit can be found here: http://www.simviation.com/fs2004jets8.htm
From the Writer: Thanks for reading my
review of the PSW Boeing 717-200. If you have
any comments about what I have said about this
plane please feel free to let me know your thoughts.
Also, if you enjoy this plane as much as I did
I recommend e-mailing the designers and letting
them know. The kind words of those who love their
designs can really help inspire the designers
to make more aircraft of equal quality.
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