I've been enjoying flying this aircraft and getting to know it over the past couple of hours.
Here is a run-down on its features and operation:
TABLET:
The tablet in the cockpit, which can be added/removed, provides four different screens covering all of the different options, engine monitoring and settings. . From the tablet, you can load/unload pilot/passenger (and choose whether to see them in the VC or not), add fuel and oil, monitor the engine health, and many settings to customize visual and dynamic aspects of the aircraft inside and out.
STARTING:
The fuel on/off control is operated by holding down the mouse button and pulling/pushing the lever forward/aft (same as with the carb heat control).
The primer pump is operated by clicking once on the primer handle to unlock it, then clicking and holding down on the mouse to pull/push the primer pump. Then clicking on it again to lock it. The amount of strokes of primer required, based on conditions, is stated on the engine tablet screen.
The magneto switch is located on the upper left of the cockpit, and can be rotated by using the mouse wheel.
To actually start the engine, you have to pull on the prop clockwise (from the cockpit).
If the engine is flooded (the engine tablet screen will let you know), the method to drain the fuel out is to open the throttle fully, and then rotate the prop backward by pulling on it counter-clockwise (from the cockpit).
UNIQUE FEATURES/ANIMATIONS:
With regard to liveries, there are both clean and weathered versions of each of the four liveries included (so eight in all). The main four paint schemes are yellow with fuselage reg, yellow with tail reg, black with tail reg, and white with tail reg.
The physics-based animations are fun to watch, such as the side doors when in-flight. The bottom door never latches, so it will flop up and down based on the prop wake as well as G-forces generated in flight. The upper side door, when opened, should be latched on the underside of the wing, but if it is left unlatched it too will flop all about based on various dynamic conditions.
The aircraft seems to have very accurate flight and ground dynamics. In the air, it has the very accurate and noticeable yaw instability when banking just the ailerons left/right. You can also slip it really nicely with the rudder. On the ground it requires some practice to get it to turn well (brakes, power, rudder, and sometimes even some forward stick to lighten the tail).
If you load the product developer's female passenger in the front seat, you can watch her sway from side to side based on the attitude of the aircraft. Also, using the mouse, you can push her from side to side in order to see the instrument panel, and when you let go she'll center herself again.
The cowling can be removed, but you have to unfasten each and every one of the cotter pins around the cowlings in order to do so (there are a couple that are partially hidden by the exhaust). Once you remove the last pin, the cowlings will come off automatically.
You can check the oil level by taking the dip stick out from the starboard-side of the engine (you can also open the fuel filler cap).
The luggage compartment behind the pilot's seat can be opened by releasing the catches on both sides of the baggage door and then lifting up on the center handle. Inside you will find the wheel chocks, which you can use by clicking on them. (If you forget to properly latch the baggage compartment door, it too will flop around when you're flying depending on G-forces/attitude).
From the in-cockpit tablet, you can remove/install various pieces of equipment inside and outside the aircraft, including wheel chocks, pitot tube cover, tie-downs, wheel spats, different engine rocker covers, different instrument options (including installing/removing bank/slip indicators in two different locations), and you can choose to remove/install the limited modern avionics. You can also change how the registration numbers are displayed (or not displayed) on the wings.
There is damage modeling for the engine, prop and landing gear.
