LOOP Features

Flight1 King Air B200 & A36 Bonanza

SOME of the aircraft add-ons are amazingly detailed, with working glass cockpits, fully functional controls and systems and accurate flying characteristics. Flight1 has recently launched two such add-ons, the Beechcraft King Air B200 turbine twin, and A36 Bonanza piston single.

The first thing to say is that these are serious pieces of kit, just like the real aeroplanes. Trying to jump straight in and takeoff, as we did, has just as predictable results as if you did that with the real thing. Learn the POH, become familiar with the controls and systems... to get anywhere with these in-depth add-ons you almost need a type conversion course. You also need a seriously powerful PC with a shedload of RAM to avoid a jerky 'flight'.

Two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42 turboprop engines power the B200, delivering 850 shaft horsepower each. Four-blade propellers are three feet in front of the cockpit and turn at a slow 1700 RPM at cruise power.
Flight1 says the B200 add-on has extremely accurate flight dynamics, tested by two real world B200 pilots. The POH contains an entire section with performance charts for 1700, 1800 and 1900 rpm under various atmospheric conditions.

It realistically animated wipers, control surfaces, and an aircraft maintenance module that monitors engine hours, airframe hours, oil usage, tyre wear, engine wear and prop wear. The panel has a Rockwell Collins EFIS-84 and Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System, or you can opt for an analogue conventional panel.

The Bonanza is one of Beech's iconic aircraft but a bit of a shock for the average single-engine pilot at first. The panel seems almost like a wall of instruments in front of you. Like the B200, this add-on has a fully working cockpit and systems, with working gauges and moving controls, and huge amounts of detail everywhere. It's based on an actual aircraft and the program designer worked with the aircraft owner to match its flying abilities.

Both add-ons feature highly realistic sounds; obviously you need a good set of speakers to get the full benefit but with the bass turned up, you can almost feel the smooth running of the engines!
If you have the time, there's hours of virtual flying to be had with both programs as you get used to the aircraft and fly various missions. They're so competent that they could be used as an introduction to either of the real aircraft, especially to learn the systems.

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LOOP Features

Flight1 King Air B200 & A36 Bonanza