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Wilco Publishing Airbus Volume 2

Product Information

Publisher: Wilco Publishing

Description: Airbus A330/A340 Volume 2 (version 1c.

file:///E|/AVSIM/Reviews/Airbus%202/Airbus2.htm (1 of 22)03/01/2008 10:28:02 PM

http://www.wilcopub.com/


Download Size: 115 MB (FS9) 119 MB (FSX)

Format: Download

Simulation Type: FS9 & FSX

Reviewed by: Angelique van Campen AVSIM Staff Reviewer - January 3, 2008

Introduction

I could start with a header like “Again an Airbus A330/A340 add-on aircraft” for FS9/FSX. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s true. Not long ago Commercial Level Simulations (CLS) launched their A330/A340 package and some while before that, the A340-500/600. Then there’s also the old PSS A330/A340 family, but that’s old, not available for FSX and not updated anymore. Then there’s also the Overland Airbus package, which includes all the available Airbuses on the market these days including the older A310 Series.

This package is not taken into account since it’s not available for FSX. So, as far as I know these then are the only payware add-on Airbus wide body planes and I can tell you, there are huge differences between them. Due to the variety of the Wilco Publishing Airbus wide-bodies – A330-200, A330-300, A340-300, A340-600 and the A330 MRTT– it’s a little too much to write down all the characteristics of these types, so therefore I guide you to the official Airbus website. There is of course, a lot of information about all those types including range, performance, size, passenger and cargo capacity and much more.

A330-200 A330-300 A340-300


mailto:[email protected]


A340-600 A330 MRTT Wilco’s Airbus Volume 2 overview

Wilco’s collection of the Airbus Volume 2 package. The Airbus A330 aircrafts are equipped with the old fashioned CRT (Cathode Ray Tubes) displays while the A340-300 and A340-600

have the modern TFT EFIS/ECAM displays. More information can be found on the Airbus website or at the Wilco Publishing site.

The fact the A340-200 is missing is not really a shame. All those aircraft are like brothers and sisters and that’s exactly the way they were designed. Ok, the A330-200/300 and A340-200/300 were designed and manufactured at almost the same time. Lots of things between the A330 and A340 are the same. The cockpit is 95% the same except for the fact that the A330 has got 2 engines while the A340 owns 4 but that’s the biggest difference.

Of course, due to the performance, the pilots need different training but I believe that takes just 2 extra days. For the A340-600 it’s different. Although the model and name comes from the A340, the length, engine power and some other highly advanced systems are completely new. So basically, the A340-600 has lots of things from the older and much shorter A340-300, but many new systems are installed, and some were already introduced on the A318, the smallest Airbus airplane.

The A330 MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport) or also known as KC-30B is not a passenger aircraft, but you could see that already on the Wilco Publishing website. It’s just what the name says; it can transport military troops as well as functioning as a flying fuel tank for military fighters. It’s based on the A330-200 with some modifications to perform its job as a troop carrier and a fueling aircraft. The first A330 MRTT is supposed to have been ready for delivery to the US Air Force around November/December 2007.

By the way, the A330 MRTT was introduced after Airbus Industries had already created the A310 MRTT, which was modified based on requests from the Luftwaffe – German Air Force – and the Canadian Air Force, so the A330 MRTT is no more then a logical follow up. Ok, back to the Wilco Publishing product.

When needed, I will try to compare the Wilco Airbus Volume 2 product with the CLS (Commercial Level Simulations) package, which contains the A330-200/300 and the A340-200/300. The CLS package doesn’t have the A340-600 included, since they offer this aircraft separately.

Unfortunately, CLS doesn’t offer the A330 MRTT, however after consulting CLS, it came out that they are busy making/designing the A330 MRTT and this will be a free add-on for registered customers.

I left the PPS A330/A340 package out of this review, so I will not compare it since it’s too old a model with hardly any modifications or Service Packs available. Apart of this, the CLS and Wilco models are both recently developed and therefore I assume they are full of all known features, which is not available for the PSS.

Installation, Documentation and Additional Info

Installation



Although the installation process of Wilco Publishing products is more or less straightforward, there are a few things I would like to point out. After you start the FS9/FSX installer, you can choose one of the four different languages - English, German, French, Spanish. During the FS9 installation, the installer points to the correct FS9 directory, so there’s no need to modify this. This is because the exact FS9 directory is taken from the Windows Registry.

However, when you use the FSX installer look twice before you click the NEXT button. The standard FSX directory under Windows XP is not found. This means the window just shows you a basic path – C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X - as can be seen on the last screenshot. This could be OK for your PC but remember, it’s not checking with the Windows Registry, so when it’s somewhere else, you end up with no Volume 2 installed in your FSX folder. The rest of the basic installation process is without any problems.

I II III IV – only for FSX

The installation process shots are just to give you an idea. Unfortunately, there’s no Dutch language selection (screenshot I) but the offered languages are great. Special attention is directed to screenshot IV where you NEED TO CHECK the offered MSFS location with the one you have, else you end up in an installed Wilco Airbus with no links to Flight Simulator. By the

way, this is only applicable for FSX!

One last remark about installing FSX Wilco Publishing liveries. There’s no actual check of the real FSX Flight Simulator location. That means the installer for the A330-200 liveries just shows you the default directory as planned by Microsoft, like this: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X. Check it carefully to see if this is correct for your PC or not. If not, modify it, otherwise you will never see the installed liveries for your Wilco Airbus.

While writing this review, there’s still no sign of a paint kit. Apart of this, Wilco made a deal with the McPhat Studios painters. What I’ve seen so far from this group, I can tell you that the realistic paint factor is awesome. The painted McPhat Studios models do really look like what the aircraft already flying look like, complete with weathering effects.

Although it doesn’t directly belong to this section, I want to show you some screenshots from Wilco Publishing liveries and of the same airliners from McPhat. I personally like the McPhat onesmore, this is due to the realistic painting but that’s my opinion. One last remark about the McPhat packages; there’s no installer, so you need to follow the readme file and finally, these liveries are currently only available for FS9.



Wilco Publishing's FS9 house liveries for the A330-200 with GE engines from Air France, Air Lingus (Ireland) and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Additionally for the A330-200 with Roll Royce

engine, liveries for Qantas and Northwest Airlines are also available for both FS9/FSX.

McPhat Studios customized FS9 liveries for Wilco Publishing Airbus Volume 2 A330-200 GE engines. Although the external look is always a personal feeling, I think the McPhat liveries are very realistic. McPhat is busy creating more and more liveries, but currently those are

only applicable for FS9.

Documentation

Wilco offers four Acrobat files; A330 (A340) Documents, Airbus Specifications and Pilot’s Guide. A more important question is, are all those documents useful and well it help the customer in understanding the aircraft, its history, background, charts, tables, system description and operation. Especially for the latter, this depends on how deep the simulated model goes.

The A330 (A340) documents cover lots of performance charts like CG (Center of Gravity) limitations, flight planning, and integrated cruise, TO data and an original Load and Trim Sheet. It looks very impressive but how to handle this Load and Trim sheet? Some explanation was welcome but unfortunately it isn’t there. Apart of this, the other charts are great and will help the experienced user in flying as real as possible. However, this is just a collection of performance tables since it’s almost impossible to add all the tables.

The Specifications Airbus Series 2 is a small Acrobat file with aircraft dimensions, basic operating data and design weights. It’s no more than a collection of what Airbus Industries offers on their website. So if you decide to look at it, you will find the same data.


http://www.airbus.com/


The last document – Pilot’s Guide - is probably the most important one since it covers an introduction, setup, flight tutorial and system description and operation.

Let’s first start by writing that this document covers what is necessary to fly these Airbuses but nothing more, so there is no detailed system description available only a panel description. I think that this is normally enough for all kinds of users. Personally, as document designer/writer and technical aviation instructor, I do not like the didactical order or if you wish, the chronological order of the chapters. The document begins more or less with the flight tutorial followed by the setup/fly-by-wire system and instrument description/panel information and finally the FMGC.

Conclusion, the offered manuals are all ok, but for the Pilot’s Guide, a more didactical order would be logical and more readable for the customer.

Additional info

Important information, discovered during the release of a new product, could be added into the manuals before release and other important user data, including liveries, can be found on the Wilco Publishing website.

Wilco’s EXTRA web page Wilco’s SUPPORT web page

You have the choice with the EXTRA and SUPPORT menu buttons. The EXTRA button offers you the paint kit including the entire homemade Wilco liveries. The only additional liveries are currently made by McPhat Studios. The link for this can be found on the EXTRA page. As noted before, those liveries are made with a totally different idea; these are weathered, the ozone has done its work, and colors are no longer like just from the factory etc. The SUPPORT web page offers some FAQs, and more information can be found on the FeelThere forum.

Cockpit

2D cockpit

It’s always difficult what you, the reader, or I, the reviewer, wants to see what kind of 2D cockpit panel lay-out is created. Either we agree with a photorealistic panel image or we prefer to have a painted version, which looks very similar to the real A330/A340 panel. I like both but it depends on the quality of either the photorealistic digitalized or painted panel. My first impression is that a


http://www.wilcopub.com/


lot of work was done in creating a good looking and realistic painted panel, which looks very similar to other Wilco products like the A320 Family, the 737PIC, Embraer ERJ 450, Legacy and the Cessna CitationX. Let’s put it in other words, you can see that the Wilco’s panel designer has got taste and an eye for detail.

I - LH lower corner (yellow square) for clickable area of

sub-panelsOverhead panel Pedestal

FMGC CDU Enlarged EFIS and upper ECAM display

II - LH cabin window view

(RH window view is the same)

A330 300/200 2D cockpit sub-panels. The A340-300 has a more or less similar panel design except for the fact that some controls, switches, knobs etc. are related to the 4 engine aircraft. Activation of the sub-panels (picture

I) is done by placing your mouse is the yellow area. Pop-up icons come into view and selections can be made. One remark related to picture II (cabin window view) is that the

outside view is nice but the simulated cabin window panel is far from realistic with all those lines. It should be round and not like this. I hope this will be changed in a new Service Pack. Probably it’s an idea to replace those views with real digitalized cabin panel window pictures,

but that’s up to Wilco Publishing or FeelThere!

There are minor differences between the A330’s and A340-300s cockpit, just as in the real aircraft except for the cockpit display and a few other items not related to the Flight Simulated model. Of course, the A340-300 has 4 instead of 2 engines, so therefore more controls can be found in the cockpit, but the general lay-out is, let’s say, 95% the same.



For the A340-600 it’s different. Although the design of the A340-600 is based on the A340-300, lots of new technology is implemented in this aircraft. Not only are the engines different – Roll Royce Trent 500 instead CFM56 Series – but there are also many modifications in standard systems. Not all those things are interesting for the flight simmer since you don’t see them except for cockpit related items like the EFIS and ECAM displays, but I mentioned that already. Let’s have a look to some screenshots of the A340-300 and A340-600.

I - 2D MAIN panel A340-300 II - Overhead panel A3400-300 III - Pedestal A340-300/-600

VI - 2D MAIN panel A340-600 V - Overhead panel A340-600 IV - Enlarged display A340-300/-600

Although the A340-300 and -600 are like a young and old sister, there are some differences. Look to the 2D MAIN panel view AUTOBRAKE buttons, just above the GEAR handle. Or have a

look at the overhead panel, the fuel system and related buttons of the A340-600, they're completely different. The rest of the panels are the same.

2D Cockpit – FMS MCDU

Before continuing with how real is real, I would like to say some words about the MCDU (Multi Function Display Unit), which is used to communicate with the Flight Management part of the FMCG. Let’s say for the moment it’s the FMS, which can be updated via the 28 day updated AIRAC version. It seems to me that Wilco has simulated a FMS MDCU as far as possible. How far, that’s always the question since the real system is very complicated and programming data from the real life vendor is mostly not available. The real A330/A340 FCOM (Flight Crew Operation Manual) tells the pilots a lot on how the handle this MCDU but at the same time - based



on my own experiences – pilots need to play within limits with this MCDU during flights, since due to all its possible pages, it’s too complicated to explain this in a book or via CBT (Computer Based Training) programs.

Ok, back to the Wilco MDCU and the belonging FMGC description and operation. In the Pilot’s Guide, starting at page 70 up to and including page 99, all the possible MCDU pages are well discussed in combination with screenshots and examples. I do agree that this is the base to understand something of the MCDU but unfortunately, the practical part of read how to handle the unit during a typical flight is hardly available. On half of page 99 and partly on page 100, there’s a very short description of the page sequencing, while the tutorial doesn’t add much to this.

What I personally miss is an extensive explanation of a flight tutorial with different MCDU handlings. Ok, you could say or think “but that’s already discussed in the description of the MCDU in the Pilot’s Guide”, but from my experience people want to have an example/tutorial in a practical manner.

Since the way you need to handle the MCDU pages in an Airbus, including the used colors, I want to at least show you what you can expect. Using different MCDU colors with their own meaning, makes it easier for the pilots or flight simmers to understand what the status of the system is. The older Boeing’s like the 737NG, 747-400, are using only the green color for the CDU. The 777 uses more then one color, but if it’s the same as with the Airbus, I don’t know.

Last item regarding the MCDU, and that’s loading and saving flight plans. For those who prefer to make their flight plans with Microsoft’s own FS9/FSX Flight Planner, I have good news. You’re able to create them, following by loading them into the MCDU. A more realistic option is creating your flight plan with the help, for example, of Route Finder. You enter the necessary data in RouteFinder and the program calculates for the conditions, the correct flight plan. Let’s say, you’ve create at RouteFinder a flight from LFPG (Paris/Charles de Gaulle) to LFMN (Nice/Cote d’Azur), which looks like LFPG SID PILUL UM975 PIXIS UY612 PODEP UL612 MILPA UM730 VANAS UM623 VEVAR STAR LFMN. With this data string you enter the information step-by-step – this could be waypoints, airways, VOR or NDB stations - into the MCDU to create your own flight plan. Via the DATA key on the keypad, you can save and afterwards load your flightplan(s).



These FMS MCDU shots are just examples of the many possible pages. It’s just to give you an idea which colors are used, how the page looks and the MCDU keyboard itself. Knowing Boeing, then you will find lots of differences but that’s the Airbus philosophy. Once familiar with the Airbus way, it’s a very user friendly approach and I not only mean for the flight simmer,

but also for the real pilots.

But how real is real or …. how real are the different Wilco Airbus Volume 2 and CLS cockpits? How far are the systems simulated, I don’t know but not all are simulated is a fact, but how it looks when compared with a real A330/A340 can be seen on the screenshots below.

Real A340-200/300 Real A340-500/600 Real A330-200/300 Real A330-200/300

Courtesy of Airliners.Net The Airbus A330/A340 can still be found in real life in the original and NG (Next Generation) configuration. Apart of lots of differences, one quick and visible difference are the EFIS/ECAM display units. The newer Airbuses have TFT screens with

squared corners while the CRTs have round corners.



Wilco’s A340-200 Wilco’s A340-600 Wilco’s A330-200 Wilco’s A330-300

Wilco Publishing screenshots are made in that way that they should look like - more or less – as the real cockpits from Airliners.Net. My general impression is - apart from a latter discussion about the VC – very good with a good realistic

representation.

CLS A340-200 with old displays

CLS A340-200 with old displays CLS A330-200 CLS A330-300

Commercial Level Simulations shots are made for the same reason as the ones from Wilco Publishing, to see and judge for yourself how real these screenshots are. Since the review covers the Wilco Airbuses, I leave the comparison up to you!

Virtual Cockpit and Cabin

Normally, a good looking 2D panel doesn’t guarantee an impressive looking VC. But in this case, I have to admit that the VC looks very good but more important, very realistic. You already saw some VC screenshots where I wanted to compare the Wilco cockpit with the real A330/A340 cockpits. The only thing that’s a little cartoonish is the cockpit seat(s). I have to admit - since I’m not a programmer/designer/3D modeler – that I don’t know if this is difficult to model, but I’ve seen better seats which look more realistic.

Ok, apart of the seats the VC looks good, even when zoomed into a panel. Let’s first have a look at the following screenshots. I know, more screenshots, but pictures say a 1000 words.



The overall impression and thus conclusion of the offered Airbus Volume 2 “2D and VC cockpits” is very good. I like the way they have designed the 2D cockpit and the realistic/photographic VC look. Even here, if I want, I will find something and one of those things are the pilot seats. Compared to the cockpit panels including the sharp instruments, those seats could be much better. The question now is, is a flight simmers really happy with that.

Personally, my intention goes first to the VC cockpit panels and instruments and then to the seats and back wall, doors and other side panels, but I think that depends on what you want the most like in the lower 4 screenshots of the cabin. They look not too bad but it doesn’t give me a real cabin view feeling or is it because other add-on vendors can make it better? Then there’s the question, do we really need a completely equipped cabin with seats, galleys, toilets etc.? I don’t know the reason of cabin views but for me personally, the most important part of the interior is the cockpit and that worked out well with this product.

External Modelfile:///E|/AVSIM/Reviews/Airbus%202/Airbus2.htm (12 of 22)03/01/2008 10:28:02 PM


Ok, I wrote already that the glossy paintings are not my favorite but that’s a personal matter. However, here I have the option to compare the Wilco model with the CLS (Commercial Level Simulations) A330-200/300 and A340-300 airplanes. Keeping that in mind, the overall look of both manufactured models are more or less the same. But when looking closely to certain details like rivets on any surface, panels, dirty stripes or spots, gear details, windows and many others, we do see differences in quality in the flavor of both.

I know, that sounds strange but sometimes Wilco offers better details like the tail picture but at the same time, CLS has more eye for the trim scale in front of the horizontal stabilizer. Without any pictures, I think this doesn’t say anything, so let’s have a look at these FS2004 screenshots.

Wilco Publishing A330-200 (General Electric CF6-80E1 engine) with close-up pictures. I would like to bring at least one thing to your attention and that is the fan blades of the engine. I can tell you from personal experience that the fan blades look unbelievably real. Here’s a great job! Also the tail picture – blue strips with A330 text – is

awesome, so real!

Commercial Level Simulations A330-200 (Pratt & Whitney PW4000 Series) model. There are – apart of the overall model – several differences. Some close-ups are more precise than the Wilco model, but

there are also examples where the CLS offers a better and more realistic view. Generally, one has something what the other doesn’t have and visa versa. One thing that correctly simulated with CLS are the NLG (Nose Landing Gear) steering

actuators, which are unfortunately with the Wilco model not correct.

I could take more pictures from Wilco or if you wish from CLS, but my general impression is that the Wilco model and livery looks file:///E|/AVSIM/Reviews/Airbus%202/Airbus2.htm (13 of 22)03/01/2008 10:28:02 PM


very good. Some details are missing but after seen so many other add-on models, there’s always something which some have and others do not.

How does it fly …..?

Not that easy!

That’s a short sentence, but what I really mean is that the aircraft seems to behave like a real Airbus. How real, that’s difficult to say since I’m not an Airbus pilot but just a PPL holder, licensed to fly a Cessna 152 and its bigger sister, the C172.

When looking around on the Internet, it seems that the real Airbus family isn’t that difficult to fly. Ok, flying the A330 or A340 on your PC is a completely different experience than flying a real Airbus A330. To find out how the Wilco Airbus flies and handles, I planned a short test flight from LFBO (Toulouse/Blagnac) to LFPO (Paris/Orly) with an A330-200, so please join me on this AVSIM test flight and see, feel and read for yourself how I experienced this baby.

One thing that doesn’t directly deal with flying is the configuration level. You are able to indicate that you’re a beginner, intermediate or expert user, which can be adjusted in the configuration manager. In the Wilco manual you will find the necessary details about these settings starting on page 12. Since we are busy with the Configuration Manager, this is also the place to make the necessary adjustments for passengers and cargo (load manager) and planning the amount of fuel we'll need for our trip.

Ok, let’s go back to the Wilco test flight. As a reference I used the flight tutorial from the manual. I do this for two reasons. First, it gives me a guide while testing the flight model and secondly, to see if the tutorial is logically built up and precisely written. In plain English, that any user can follow the sequence, understand what has to be done in a step-by-step description.

One thing that disappoints me is that there are no pictures linked to the whole tutorial text. As a real life technical Airbus instructor it seems and it’s my personal opinion, that the tutorial is not written through the eyes of the customer/user. I think that visualizing text with the help of pictures or drawings or what ever you want, helps the user in doing something and learning from it.

I will follow the tutorial and give you, when needed, a feedback about its behavior of ground and flight movements. According to Wilco, the aircraft models were tested by real pilots so they know and operate the aircraft much better then I can. The only thing I want to mention is that a MSFS add-on aircraft has no motion like the FFS (Full Flight Simulator) or, of course, the real airplane. No motion means a totally different feeling than when it’s there. Unfortunately for us as flight simmers, motion on/in a PC will be something for the future, so keep that in mind.

After all the cockpit handlings are done, we are cleared to taxi to runway 32L. During the taxi, I’m facing that this is not that easy. This is partly due to the size and length of the aircraft, but it’s a good practice to do my best. Everything is settled and I’m turning onto the runway. All set and there I go.

I don’t see the cockpit – simulated – shaking, like with the Ariane Boeing 737 models, but we have to accept that. At Vr I gentle pull the joystick and the aircraft starts climbing. I don’t connect the AP yet since I want to feel the real flight feeling of this. Due to its size/length, a small pitch movement doesn’t directly result in a movement. No, it takes some time; let’s say some seconds



before the aircraft is responding. This is not only applicable for a pitch input, but the same for a roll or yaw.

The feeling flying this aircraft is really different than a non add-on product. It seems to me that the aircraft is indeed flying like a real Airbus. While writing this I would like to emphasis again that since Flight Simulator doesn’t have any option for real motion, it stays difficult to judge the real flight characteristics. It’s time to take a short brake by selecting the AP ON.

You can decide to fly the Airbus either completely manual, or with the assistance of manual selections on the AFS panel (Auto Flight System) or completely in the managed mode. This is indicated on the AFS panel by dashes and dots. Here the FMGC calculates and controls the flight path. If you’re a Boeing user, forget the LNAV and VNAV buttons. Airbus doesn’t have those buttons. Airbus' philosophy is simple for the pilots; select the AP and AT, and bring the AFS panel in the Managed Mode (dashes with dot) and that’s it. Leave the job to the aircraft!

A typical Wilco test flight from LFBO (Toulouse/Blagnac) to LFPO (Paris/Orly). The flight plan is unfortunately not available as written in the tutorial but RouteFinder helps us creating the following plan: LFBO – FISTO – PERIG – DIBAG – TUDRA – BEVOL – AMB – LFPO as a CR level of FL260. Additionally, these external shots also give you an idea, apart of the previous close-ups, of

the Wilco Publishing A330/A340 models



Flying this short flight was fun. I tried every possible configuration setting, so I flew the beginners, intermediate and expert mode. Flying those different modes and consequently the difficultness of the airplane makes you a good and experienced Airbus

flight sim pilot. Lots of hours are needed to handle the aircraft in the expert mode. Therefore, even if you are an experienced flight simmer, try to begin at the beginner’s level. The screenshots are just a collection of how it was and what I’ve seen during

this flight.

When we reach our cruising altitude and it’s time to do some exercises. No, not a loop, steep turns, stalls or simulating a spin, but just to feel how the aircraft flies when at cruising conditions. To do this, I disconnect the AP and bring the AFS panel managed modes back to manual selections.

While in a stable condition, I play a little with my roll and purposely, I give a large roll input. In the real Airbus, the computer will decide if the large roll input is safe and within the margin. If not, you can steer what you want but nothing happens. I’m positively surprised … a large input will not automatically result in a large output to the flight controls. In other words, this part of the system works like the real Airbus. That’s really great!

Test System

Dell Precision 650 Dual Intel Xeon 3.06Ghz 4Gb RAM DDR 533Mhz nVidia 7800GS+ 512Mb AGP RAID-0 HDD’s - SCSI 340Gb Windows XP Professional SP2 FS9 with update 9.1 FSX with SP1 CH USB Pedals CH USB Flightsim Yoke

After some other tests I’m very pleased with and come to the conclusion that this simulated Airbus model performs/acts, from what I can judge, as a real Airbus keeping in mind the Flight Simulator limitations.

Since Orly (south Paris) is not that far from Toulouse, we need to make a hurried descent otherwise we will have lots of problems. With the tutorial in my hand I’ll try to follow the steps but since the Airbus Series are so simple and developed for pilots comfort, it doesn’t cost me too much effort to descent and prepare myself for the approach.

Before I know it, the ILS is captured and the rest of the landing, with a full AUTOLAND capability including FLARE and AUTOBRAKE functions, make this flight phase very simple. The only thing that is not simple is the fact that I’m trying to do it manually, so no AP connected. I leave the AT ON else I have a second thing to look for. The FD (flight Director bars) helps guide me during my approach, final approach and landing. Half way down the runway, I turn the aircraft to a parking location at the cargo ramp. Once there, I do the necessary preparations and bring the aircraft back to the cold & dark configuration.



Flying Time: 28 hours

As far as my knowledge goes and what I’ve seen during this partly manual flight, I’m very satisfied with this product. In my opinion it reflects a good simulated Airbus A330 or A340.

Sound

It’s always difficult to say if the produced engine sound is the real one. In this case, it’s even more difficult since the aircraft comes with different engines – GE CF6-80E, RR Trent 500, CFM56 and RR Trent 700 – thus, different sounds. Each engine produces its own characteristic sound. As far as I can judge, it seems to me a good and realistic sound level but I say this with some caution.

What I can say for sure is about the interior sound, like those from switches, electronic fans for the air stream, selector knobs, and the APU sounds via the simulated speakers. Believe me, an aircraft with this length and all passenger doors closed, APU start and begining sounds, you don’t hear them in the cockpit but it sounds ok. What is also simulated are the additional sounds of an aural warning or caution, AP disconnect and many others.

Airbus Volume 2 - FS9 versus FSX

Since this review covers not only the FS2004 product but also the FSX version, I want to expend some words in relation to the FPS and the differences between the VC’s of the two systems.

As you can see in the “test system” configuration, I don't have a slow PC but it doesn’t have a PCIe slot, but it uses an APG 8x slot. The rest of the configuration is, for the moment, not so important. In FS2004, all my sliders are set to the right and no traffic selected, which gives an average FPS on the ground and building storms selected, of 20 FPS. I write “average” since it jumps between 15 and 25 or sometimes it even goes to 30FPS. After arriving at cruising conditions, the FPS counter stops at 30, since I’ve limited the setting to 30 FPS.

When I compare these FPS with FSX, then those FPS are definitely not the same; they are much lower. Let’s first have a look to my FSX settings, as can be seen on the screenshots below.

With these FSX settings in mind, this results are the following: Aircraft on ground with building storms, gives an average of 12 FPS. The average is a result of external view (13-15) and VC view (9-11FPS), while in the air it increases to roughly 10-14 FPS. The



range is because of the external view or the VC. The best result gives the 2D cockpit with 13-16 FPS.

Additionally, I thought it’s a good idea to offer some comparison screenshots from the VC/2D cockpit between FSX and FS9. More and more add-on airplanes, sceneries, airports, environmental enhancements and many others, are made for FSX so here you are. The upper screenshots are made in FSX, while the lower ones represent the same positions/conditions in FS9.

FSX FRAMES/SEC -= 10.3 FSX FRAMES/SEC -= 8.6 FSX FRAMES/SEC -= 9.6 FSX FRAMES/SEC -= 10.5

FSX VC screenshots with the right hand side 2D view. Just to compare with the screenshots below, I made those pictures with the FPS in view. As you can see, and not surprisingly, those are much lower than the ones from FS9. The TRAFFIC tab is

missing because no selections are made here.

FS9 FRAMES/SEC -= 20.0 FS9 FRAMES/SEC -= 18.6 FS9 FRAMES/SEC -= 18.8 FS9 FRAMES/SEC -= 19.3

FS9 screenshots with the same VC positions and made under the same environmental conditions. Clearly it can be seen that the FS9/FSX 2D (right hand screenshots) cockpits are more or less the same. I don’t see any differences but for the VC views there are some differences like the EFIS/ECAM display units. The ones in FSX are much brighter then under FS9, which gives me a better impression. It looks like the FS9 panels have a little more realistic look, but that could be also my own opinion.

At last, I’m positive about the FS9/FSX differences, except for the FPS.

I didn’t put any external screenshots here concerning differences between FS9/FSX. I looked to both the Airbuses under either FS9/FSX and couldn’t see any difference, so it seems there is nothing to add to it. Finally we can see and say that the Airbus Volume 2



under FSX has a FPS impact but as I stated in this sub chapter, this could also be due to my PC configuration or it’s just a FSX problem.

I tweaked FSX as far as possible and did the same for FS9 but if this really helps, I have no idea. Since there is hardly any difference between the FS9/FSX versions, I prefer FS9 but again that’s personal preference.

Summary / Closing Remarks

This is probably the most important part when you’re interested in buying this product. Thinking back of what I’ve seen of Wilco Publishing's Airbus Volume 2, I think they made a good product. Although there is a competitor – CLS with its A330/A340 package - on the FS2004/FSX market, there are still some differences, but it also depends on your need. One thing is for sure, you will either choose Wilco or CLS. With both vendors, you pay one price for the FS2004 and FSX version.

To give you any idea what CLS and Wilco Publishing packages offer, I made a comparison list for you with the most important things to look for.

Wilco Publishing Airbus Volume 2 (version 1c): - Offering the A330 Series and the A330 MRTT with old fashioned EFIS/ECAM displays, while the A340-300 and -600 are equipped with the modern TFT screens, apart of other items. - The A330 Series come with General Electric and Roll Royce engines. The PW4000 Series is not added to the package. - Highly photorealistic realistic Virtual Cockpit with lots of digitalized cockpit panels. - Realistic looking 2D cockpit main captain’s panel. There is no Co-pilot 2D cockpit view available. - External model very realistic with eyes for detail including the engine fan blades however, certain things could be better. The NWS (Nose Wheel Steering) on the A330 Series is not a correct representation of the real strut/steering system. Behind the great looking A330 engine fan blades, there’s nothing or in other words, you can look straight thru the engine, which is not real. In reality you can partly look thru the engine at the outer circumference. These thoughts are based on real life experience as an Airbus aviation technical instructor. - Frame rate friendly although there’s a slight – higher - drop compared to the CLS version. - According to Wilco Publishing, the sounds are all real life recorded. What they offer seems to me a good and realistic representation of the different engines and environmental sounds. - The offered Wilco manuals cover what the beginner, intermediate and advanced user need, but personally the didactical order is not that logic. - A configuration manager is supplied for specific adjustments, including a load manager, fuel planner and key assignment manager. - Although certain systems and/or selectors/knobs are not simulated, the IRS and FMS are fully functional and real simulated. Systems which are not controllable are for example the ENGINE/APU FIRE switches including the belonging test, ENGINE MAN START pushbuttons, the VENTILATION and CARGO SMOKE sub-panels. - Currently there are 25 official Wilco liveries available with some available on the McPhat website.

Commercial Level Simulations A330/A340 Package (SP1 and SP2 included): - Offering the passenger A330 Series and A340 Series, which are all equipped with the old fashioned EFIS/ECAM displays. They do not offer the A340-600 since this is a separate package. An A330 MRTT is coming soon for free for registered users. - The A330 Series are available with the General Electric, Roll Royce and Pratt & Whitney engines.



- Good looking 2D cockpit with only the main captain’s panel but the overhead panel and pedestal are not that realistic as the ones from Wilco. - An average looking Virtual Cockpit where photorealistic panel parts are used but there are still lots of panels which have no depth or realistic look. - The external model looks very realistic with eyes for details. - Frame rate friendly. - For the sounds provided by CLS, I can say the same as I did for Wilco Publishing. - The provided Acrobat manual covers a user’s- and operations manual, panel description for both the A330/A340, no charts/tables but a highly detailed flight tutorial. - There is no load manager, fuel planner or other manager offered. - Certain systems are not simulated like there’s no IRS (Inertial Reference System) and the offered FMS is a lite version, which means limited functions. - CLS offers a huge amount – 150 paintings - of realistic liveries, apart of many other liveries, which can be found on the AVSIM library.

Keep one thing in mind: this review covers a thorough description of Wilco Publishing's Airbus Volume 2 and not the CLS A330/A340 package. Theirs was easy to check, I took a quick look at the CLS but extensive tests on the CLS where not done. This results in only comparing the VC and the external model with each other.

I think with the help of the screenshots, you have got a good idea about those differences and therefore I hope with this review the choice is a little easier than before. Remember one thing, I could add many other detailed items to the above list but this content should give you a good impression about the pro’s and con’s of the product.

In the end, I can come to only one conclusion and that is that the Wilco Publishing Airbus Volume 2, which will cost you 36.95 Euros (39.95 CD-ROM), is worth your money. Ok, some systems on the overhead panel are not simulated, but the avionics related systems are suburbly simulated. With that in mind and the free offer of the McPhat liveries, you have enough choices to select you’re favorite airline.

What I Like About Airbus Volume 2



● Worth your money!● Highly detailed and accurate 2D and VC cockpit.● Very detailed EFIS/ECAM displays.● Different user experiences (realism) are available via the Configuration

Manager.● A very good looking and realistic outer model.● The offered manuals and especially the one with the charts/tables, is what

every user – beginner till and including experienced – wants to have.● Although the simulated cabin is not ranging the whole fuselage length, the

business- and economy seats including wall panels etc. reflect a very realistic look.

What I Don't Like About Airbus Volume 2

● The A330-200/300 only comes with the GE and RR engines. The PW4000 is unfortunately not offered.

● Certain systems related to the overhead panel are not simulated, which is a shame when looking to others like the Level-D, PMDG 747-400.

● Cabin panel round circumference for wing view is far from realistic.● The offered flight tutorial could be more detailed, thus to help every type

of user/customer.

PrintingIf you wish to print this review or read it offline at your leisure, right click on the

link below, and select "save as"

Airbus Volume 2o

(adobe acrobat required)

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