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Bombardier CRJ700 series: Difference between revisions
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Copied Thorsten's review from the FG forums. I hope he doesn't mind.
m (Update versioning information/use new rating in infobox) |
(Copied Thorsten's review from the FG forums. I hope he doesn't mind.) |
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Version 1.0.0 is available in FlightGear/Git. Latest stable 1.0.1 is available [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=11863&start=150#p128000 on the FlightGear Forums]. | Version 1.0.0 is available in FlightGear/Git. Latest stable 1.0.1 is available [http://flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=11863&start=150#p128000 on the FlightGear Forums]. | ||
=Aircraft of the Week/Month= | |||
The CRJ700 was reviewed by Thorsten B as part of the "Aircraft of the Week/Month" feature on the FlightGear Forums. | |||
====Model==== | |||
The 3d cockpit of the CRJ-700 is very detailed and contains not only functionality on the main panel but also on the central console and an overhead panel. However, as often seen, the cockpit surfaces not covered by instrumentation are very simply textured by a monochromatic grey color - a more natural texture resembling a real material with some wear and tear could add a lot here. | |||
[http://www.phy.duke.edu/~trenk/pics/crj700-cockpit.jpg View image] | |||
There is a lot of functionality in the cockpit - a startup procedure using the APU is supported as well as a full set of external lights and no-smoking and seat belt signs for the passengers. A nice touch of the model is that it also contains an interior view of the cabin in which the signs can be observed. Switches and knobs are usually animated, and the clickspots are placed fairly intuitively. The MFD's all have various selectable functions. | |||
The exterior model of the aircraft is also very nicely done, contains good animations and shows all the light switch settings in the cockpit faithfully. An option to switch livery exists as well. | |||
[http://www.phy.duke.edu/~trenk/pics/crj700-model.jpg View image] | |||
====Flight characteristics==== | |||
The FDM of the CRJ-700 is quite plausible for an airliner of its size. I haven't really tested the behaviour at the edge of the performance envelope, but during normal operations, the plane behaves well and reaches basic performance characteristics. All in all, the plane is an airliner (albeit a small one) - it turns slowly, it does not descent rapidly without picking up a lot of excess speed and all maneuvers need to be planned well in advance. Having said that, it's actually fun to fly. | |||
I found the AP nicely tuned and able to fly turns, climb or dive at all altitudes without oscillations or weird behaviour. Unfortunately, the support for AP modes involving navaids is not as good: While I could home in on a VOR station, the AP seems to be tracking the station rather than the chosen radial, i.e. the angle under which I approached the station kept changing. Also, I was unable to intercept an ILS glideslope automatically. However, the plane can be operated well in IFR conditions just using the instruments to display the navaid signals and the heading and altitude modes of the AP to control the plane. | |||
====My personal wishlist==== | |||
Fixing the AP to a more consistent behaviour with navaids would be high on my priority list - there are currently very few airliners with a well-tuned AP capable of tracking navaids. Some more natural texturing in the cockpit would also be nice. I realize that the CRJ-700 is a fairly recent addition to the aircraft repository of Flightgear - but I like where the model is going very much. | |||
====Things to experience==== | |||
Try flying at night - the CRJ-700 has one of the best light concepts I've ever seen. The instrument lights are very beautifully done and can be dimmed at need, the cabin lights likewise, and all lighting is visible both from internal and external views. | |||
''Editor's note: The autopilot VOR-LOC/ILS holds have been fixed in the CRJ700's master branch at Gitorious.'' | |||
=Development status/Issues/Todo= | =Development status/Issues/Todo= | ||