127 replies to this topic

[Ted_Ball]

My new ride...

 

The Cessna 208 Caravan is a commuter and civil trainer, also employed as a military utility airplane, manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc., formerly Cessna Aircraft Company.

 

 

Officially named the 208 B Caravan, but marketed as the Grand Caravan, the very first version of this Cessna multitasker was certified in 1986, with the modern Grand Caravan EX arriving over 25 years later in 2012.

 

Engineered to handle challenging missions, high payloads and short, rough runways, the rugged and versatile Grand Caravan EX has quickly become a favorite of regional airlines, charter operators and cargo carriers worldwide.

 

Building on a proven airframe design, this single-engine utility turboprop boasts numerous enhancements to the Garmin G1000 avionics suite, the interior and the ice protection system – however, the real-deal appeal of the EX is power.

 

The updated Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 engine generates 867 horsepower, plenty of muscle for increased speed, improved climb capability, and greater payload performance – all the while delivering superior efficiency and single-engine simplicity. 

 

It's a nine seater and cruises at 360 km hr - twice as fast as the Robin. It has a range of 1785 km for long flights across oceans and can fly at 25,000 feet.   Nice.

 

 

I'll let Courtney show you around. (Courtney came on board in Seattle. She wanted a lift to LA. She's a bit wild but that's OK.)

 

 

[Perculator]

That is my bird of choice. Great money maker over on FS Economy. Can land almost anywhere and has the latest avionics. Enjoy,

[Ted_Ball]

I wasn't aware of FSEconomy Perculator. I've watched some Youtube and that looks very interesting. It seems it's not available on Xbox but could be included in expansions later on. Would that be right? It would be good for longevity for the sim after my trip.

[Perculator]

I wasn't aware of FSEconomy Perculator. I've watched some Youtube and that looks very interesting. It seems it's not available on Xbox but could be included in expansions later on. Would that be right? It would be good for longevity for the sim after my trip.

FS Economy is an add-on that runs on it's own and connects to FS via a small program (simconnect). It really is a great business and financial addition and frankly, I would not fly without it. I have used it for years going back to my FSX days. I highly doubt it is available for Xbox though, and I can't imagine the small team of developers (old school, hardcore flight simmers) making it available in the future.

Perc

[Ted_Ball]

I've sold out again.

 

 

 

I've traded up from the fabulous Caravan EX and acquired the Citation CJ4. Business is good. LA to Mexico - how can I fail.

 

 

 

Once I tried the EX I was hooked on power. It's like with bikes - you can only ride a Honda 175 for so long. But the other reason was the single prop on the EX was really annoying in my view. I checked out a twin prop but then thought, "What the hell?".

 

 

 

The Cessna Citation CJ4 by Textron Aviation offers an amenity-rich and tech-savvy passenger space tailored for corporate clientele, along with impressive speed, range and cabin size.

 

The flight deck is ergonomically organized around a Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite and a host of advanced componentry: Flight Management System with GPS navigation, MultiScan weather tracking, integrated electronic checklists and active crew-alert system.

 

The Citation CJ4 is powered by reliable Williams Intl FJ44-4A turbofans, which pair nicely with its large, moderately-swept wing to deliver fast climb, smooth flight, and high airspeed – while on the other end, modulated speed brakes are key for slow-down and descent, and long-stroke, trailing-link retractable gear provide the soft landing that pilots and passengers expect from Cessna's famous CJ line.

 

 

She cruises at 835 km hr, can climb to 45,000 feet and has a range of 4,000 km. 

 

 

I've had enough of playing the tourist in the US (on the west coast anyway) - LA was a bit disappointing (not even the Hollywood sign was rendered and I couldn't find Disneyland), Pebble Beach Golf Course was badly done, Santa Monica Boulevard was boring- so now it's down to business. I've had my adventures with a small plane and that was great but I've got too much world to see.

 

 

Anyway here's a little video from Mexico. I've had some copyright issues with this one. Good luck opening it. Let me know if it doesn't work.

 

 

[Perculator]

Wow, You did not give the C208 much of a chance. Anyway, I can assure you that the Hollywood sign is there, and so is Disneyland. At least on the PC version. Anyway, glad you are having a good time.

[Ted_Ball]

The C208 was great. A really good balance. Good speed, good altitude and aviatronics etc. But the prop blur was too prominent for sight-seeing and was annoying me. I thought props on the wings would be better but I couldn't take my eyes of the CJ4. Having the jets at the back makes it so quiet and comfortable. Very stable in flight so I don't have to use the auto pilot when I go for a break. And the view out the front is perfect. But that's where my buying spree ends. I think.

[Ted_Ball]

[Ted_Ball]

[scrambler]

I went through the canal in 1970 when I was in the navy. I had duty the only day we were in Panama City so I didn't see too much. Thanks for the great overhead view.  I also went around the Horn in 1967. Pulled into to Rio, Argentina, Chile, and Mexico on the trip. Great times!!!!! Looking forward to flyovers in South America if you are going there. Buzz of Sugar Loaf Mountain in Rio would be great. Thank you ,thank you, thank you.

[Ted_Ball]

[scrambler]

Wow!!! The graphics are so good. I hung out in the Copacabana Beach Area which was quite something for a farm boy from North Dakota. The people were so friendly. One day while walking down the street a few locals came out of a bar and wouldn't let us go until they bought us a drink.  One of the locals said he was a pro boxing champ of Brazil and looking at him I'm sure he was telling the truth. Thanks again!! Thank you for helping bring back these memories!

[Buck]

You are still really happy with your Xbox Series S, yeah Ted?

[Ted_Ball]

Yeah Buck. It really is console gaming for me. I can never see me buying a PC again. 

 

The Xbox has it's drawbacks as far as FS2020 goes - with pop up issues but I can't complain. I'm not sure if the X has that problem. But it performs well with other games. Looking forward to EA golf, new Nascar game etc. (I see PC graphics cards are horribly expensive at the moment. Might be just woeful Australian retailers.)

[Buck]

The Xbox has it's drawbacks as far as FS2020 goes

Beyond Pop-in, what else?

I’m starting to get there also with console vs PC
GPUs don’t show any signs of being reasonably priced or even “available” anytime soon and I’m just sick of it.

Plus..I’d like to play the new NHL game a bit I think.

[Ted_Ball]

Beyond Pop-in, what else?
 

 

I can't make a first hand comparison on landscape/habitation rendering between PC and Xbox S but videos taken from PC look better than the S. That's probably a given. I'm no hardware expert.

 

They've done a mighty job though on FS2020 as a new generation of flight sims. It's a wonderful experience. At the moment I'm flying south along the Nile at about 4,000 feet to check out the Aswan Dam before flying east to Dubai across the desert today.

[Buck]

Xbox Series S on the way!

[Ted_Ball]

That's the way and the light and the future (until the next gen).

[MERACE]

Waiting for another video of Ted’s Great Adventures. 😉


-MERACE

[scrambler]

If you get back to the USA fly over area 51 and see if you can land without being shot down or arrested. Watch for aliens.