Piper Pacer Super Pack, releasing!

[glennc]

I am really enjoying these airplanes. One thing with the SP: The Red Bullet Tripacer has a Pacer thumbnail. It took me a while to find the new crinkle panel with a master switch. I had a about a half hour real Tripacer right seat time, no hands on, a whole lot of years ago. I really like the handling of these machines.

Glenn

 

[Barnes]

Here are some candidates I had been looking at for the package but decided not to go with as we already had quite a few.

The first three are gorgeous jewels, well restored and cared for. Show planes. The last one is a work horse that has seen some extreme environment conditions. I didnt feel I was capable of modelling all of the fading in the textures in it. There is a red that seems to either be under or on top, fading out.

Note that there is a 'zone' right around the A pillars that goes 'fuzzy' as its on the very edge of the curves of the mappings where they join. Its not a happy place for painting if you have fine stripes that blend right at the windscreen bottom line.


Bill

Great suggestions - i will do N5191Z this week.

 

[kdl]

This Piper Pacer Super Pack has received a lot of praise for its textures and instruments.
I agree the package offers a lot for the money.
But before I make my decision to buy this software I would like to know:
- how does it look with the flight characteristics (FDE)?
Is there an expert/real pilot who can make a qualified statement, please?

Dieter

 

[Nick C]

There were two gentlemen involved with development and beta testing, both who I believe have flown and possibly owned a Piper Pacer. They are listed in the manual which can be downloaded from the product page on Bill's website. This may help your decision making until those with more experience surface.

 

[griphos]

I hesitate to respond both because I think I may be a bit biased, and because I have not had that much stick time in it yet and have not fully explored the flight envelope, but I'll offer my thoughts as they stand at he moment.

The bias is because I fly an Aeronca Chief, which is a very similar plane in terms of overall structure and cabin layout. It's so nice to finally have an FSX plane that captures my RW experience in the Chief. The Pacer is much faster of course. But the overall experience is very close and my pleasure at that may color my sense of it a bit.

With that said, I've been very pleased with it. It has that feel of being an airplane rather than a pretty cockpit. Particularly on the ground. I'd give its ground handling high marks at capturing the tailwheel feel. Using proper control movements while taxing across the wind moves the body more than it should, but it's nice to have that lumbering feel I have in the Chief. It flies the numbers as it should. I've only done one crosswind landing in it so far, but that felt right, both on touchdown and rollout. I've done one roll, and that may have been both faster than it should and retained too much energy, but then I've never rolled my Chief. I need to test out the stall envelope and spin characteristics, and slip her to see how she feels there. She does drop like a brick, as she should, when power is cut.

Overall, I've found flying her very believable. I think I've finally found a nice, faster, companion to my trusty old A2A Cub. I love the Classics Hangar Taifun, but she floods and so I can't fly her in MP. She is excellent in every other way. Is the Pacer that good? I don't know yet. But she is quite promising. I can't think of another classic airplane other than the A2A Cub I'd put above her so far.

 

[Lionheart]

Dave and Wayne who worked with me on it were excellent advisors and testers, both having owned and flown tons of time in the Pacers. The 180 is the faster model, which we decided to make instead of the earliest 120/125/150 (tri).

The numbers should be 'on the spot', the flaps, they say, are dead on, the turn/sink rates, the descent with power off, etc, etc, they say is exact to their own planes. The one thing I couldnt do which they demanded I put in, is 3 notches of flaps instead of the stock 2. They said everyone modified their flaps to have 3 notches, more travel. So thats in there.

Wayne actually wanted to do the airfiles and even though I tried to take them over, they both demanded Waynes airfiles. They are very good.


You will note, as stated in the manual, that the tail dragger will at first bolt right, then pull left long and hard, so you must be quick on the right/left counters with rudder pedals. You will not have this on the Tri-Pacer model. This is a reality with tail draggers, the pulling of left and right, so get ready. The pulling, if you didnt know, is from gyroscopic and torque and turning wind flow over the fuselage during accellerations from a stand still.


Bill

 

[T6flyer]

hi all

Im happy to consider any repaint requests - preferably UK reg aircraft.

Meanwhile - dont try this at home!!! lol

http://jeremy.zawodny.com/blog/archives/009561.html

Can I say a big thank you for creating your British registered example, but for some reason am having a spot of bother with it after installing the update. Up comes a box on the screen saying if I remember 'multiple entries'?.

I only have a small amount of time in the Tripacer and all in the same aeroplane which was G-ARHP:
http://www.abpic.co.uk/search.php?q=G-ARHP&u=reg

As to the Pacer, I used to fly in the aptly registered G-PAXX:
http://www.abpic.co.uk/results.php?q=G-PAXX&fields=all&sort=latest&limit=10

I've over 650 hours on Super Cubs, 150 on Austers and then bits and pieces on other taildraggers, and am loving her to bits. Feel very much at home in her and although only flown the Pacer for a couple of hours now and not stalled, or spun her, am enjoying every minute. Side slipped nicely yesterday down onto a local grass strip and had one of the best virtual flights I think I've ever had. One of the nicest models I've ever come across.

Happy Landings,

Martin

 

[Barnes]

Can I say a big thank you for creating your British registered example, but for some reason am having a spot of bother with it after installing the update. Up comes a box on the screen saying if I remember 'multiple entries'?.

I only have a small amount of time in the Tripacer and all in the same aeroplane which was G-ARHP:
http://www.abpic.co.uk/search.php?q=G-ARHP&u=reg

As to the Pacer, I used to fly in the aptly registered G-PAXX:
http://www.abpic.co.uk/results.php?q=G-PAXX&fields=all&sort=latest&limit=10

I've over 650 hours on Super Cubs, 150 on Austers and then bits and pieces on other taildraggers, and am loving her to bits. Feel very much at home in her and although only flown the Pacer for a couple of hours now and not stalled, or spun her, am enjoying every minute. Side slipped nicely yesterday down onto a local grass strip and had one of the best virtual flights I think I've ever had. One of the nicest models I've ever come across.

Happy Landings,

Martin

Hi Martin - It may be worth checking the aircraft file entries to see if there is a number or something duplicated and just change what ever is repetitive. Hope that made sense. Or try this cut and pasteing this...........

[fltsim.X]
title=Piper Tri Pacer PA-20-180 GARHT
sim=PA-22-150
model=Tri Pacer
panel=new
sound=
texture=GARHT
kb_checklists=
kb_reference=Piper PA-22-150_ref
atc_id=N4948D
atc_id_color=
ui_manufacturer="Piper"
ui_type="Tri Pacer"
ui_variation="GARHT"
ui_typerole="Single Engine Prop"
ui_createdby="Lionheart Creations"
description=

 

[olderndirt]

This Piper Pacer Super Pack has received a lot of praise for its textures and instruments.
I agree the package offers a lot for the money.
But before I make my decision to buy this software I would like to know:
- how does it look with the flight characteristics (FDE)?
Is there an expert/real pilot who can make a qualified statement, please?

Dieter

Dieter - my forum mate from 'Bushpounders'. The red and white model, N6948K, was mine for a little over twenty years so flying Bill's package is pure nostalgia. The Pacer, with its shorter wings. was an excellent handler in the air but those same short wings made it less of a glider - power off. Ground handling is typical taildragger - attention required.. After nit picking Bill over interior and exterior details, he has provided an excellent package - makes me feel like a real pilot again.

 

[Barnes]

Started this repaint but have a bit of trouble with matching the breaks on the front of the fuselarge

 

[kdl]

Gentlemen,

Thank you very much for theses convincing and enthusiastic words about the flight dynamics of the Pacer aircraft.
This brings me a huge step closer to purchase this software.

Dieter

 

[Barnes]

Gentlemen,

Thank you very much for theses convincing and enthusiastic words about the flight dynamics of the Pacer aircraft.
This brings me a huge step closer to purchase this software.

Dieter

Go on - Treat yourself!

 

[teeboy]

Well, looks lovely (except the Tri-Pacer ) but...

I have tried 3 flights in the orange/brown stripe bush model after the update and each time I drop the flaps all the electrics quit! Thought it was a generator bug at first but its each time I drop the flaps! Going to try a few others but I guess its my install. Funnily enough it was okay when I first got it, but I only flew it a couple of times. I'm not having much luck with new stuff at the moment - Razbams Harrier is playing up too..

For what its worth - Win 7 64 bit, FSX Acceleration in the standard Program files x86 folder.

Nice features tho'..

EDIT - Grrr! Another restart of FSX and everything is good with the Pacer. Think I may have to start again (again...) with an install.

 

[Barnes]

Almost finished this repaint........

 

[T6flyer]

Hi Martin - It may be worth checking the aircraft file entries to see if there is a number or something duplicated and just change what ever is repetitive. Hope that made sense. Or try this cut and pasteing this...........

[fltsim.X]
title=Piper Tri Pacer PA-20-180 GARHT
sim=PA-22-150
model=Tri Pacer
panel=new
sound=
texture=GARHT
kb_checklists=
kb_reference=Piper PA-22-150_ref
atc_id=N4948D
atc_id_color=
ui_manufacturer="Piper"
ui_type="Tri Pacer"
ui_variation="GARHT"
ui_typerole="Single Engine Prop"
ui_createdby="Lionheart Creations"
description=

I cut and pasted this into the file and then found that the instruments weren't lined up in the cockpit. So changed the panel from 'Bush' to 'New' and everything now is back to normal. Still loving it all and even had phone calls from my drinking friends this evening wondering where I've been for the last two nights.......well am at present between Compton Abbas and Dunkeswell!!!

Thanks to all again,

Best wishes,

Martin

 

[Barnes]

Sorry Martin - I changed it to "new" after realising that the set was changed with the latest update. Anyone using the original product will need it set to "bush"

 

[IFlySWA]

I purchased the Pacer Pack today and am extremely happy with her!! This is a work of art, Bill. Congrats!! It brings back very fond memories of being on Bill Lyons' beta team when his Tri-Pacer was being produced. Speaking of Bill Lyons, Bill have you ever thought of building a model of...the Globe Swift?

She's sleek, fast, and a true classic. Right up your alley Bill. Thank you so much for the Pacer/Tri-Pacer models. :salute:


Brian

 

[Sundog]

I would love a Globe Swift as well, including the Lopresti version.

 

[Killbilly]

Thanks, Bill, for the amazing plane!

Here's a WIP of my first paint for it. I'm still figuring out the mapping below the windscreen . . .

 

[Lionheart]

Dang, KB! That is a brilliant paint scheme! Nice....!


On the windscreen texture sheet, the circles are the gauge glass.



Bill
LHC