Short hopping the Solomans

[Captain Coffee 2,030]

I don't have any Solomans scenery yet, this is ORBx Global base and Vectors. The airfields are quite plain, but the islands look pretty nice from above at least. Sometimes the PacIslands in default look like simple tree covered un-populated islands. And spoiler, I'm going to have some uncomplimentary comments about this Payware at the end...even though I actually like it and plan to use it, but only because I really like the Short/Flying Shed concept...and it flys well, sounds "ok" and looks good on the exterior, the interior is far from "Great".

 

I'm hauling a cargo of Cigarettes in AirHauler from AGGN, Gizo to AGGH, Honiara Intl/Henderson Field. Apparently they haven't got word in the Solomans yet that cigs are bad for their health. Oh, well, we are not a Nanny Hauler Operation. Off to make some money helping Big Tobacco exploit Pacific Islanders.

 

Once up to speed it has a terrific climb rate.

 

ILS flying, almost canceled to VFR with all the blue showing, but a look at weather ahead changed my mind.

 

Approaching AGGH..about 30 miles to go...ILS is requesting I descend to 3,900....happy to duck below those clouds.

 

Rain Rings.

 

I was actually flying ILS...this steep approach is Tower's fault, not Netflix this time.

 

Great Short Field performance...easily stopped before the taxiway.

 

Shutting her down. Joining some Big Hauler bros on the Cargo Ramp.

 

 

Here are a few views of the Virtual Col-Short VC...it is Very Short on details and 3D modeling regrettably, although a fairly functional cockpit with quite a few working switches...lots are dummy switches especially on the hydraulic, environmental, and electrical panels. Yeah, any time you pop into a payware and see what looks like the default C-172 radio stack you know your are Not Far from Freeware...sigh.

 

 

Those trim wheels don't even move with the mouse wheel, although they "Move" when I use my yoke trims...wtf?...really Virtual Col?

 

And then seeing horrible "Joinery" work like this makes you search through the Aircraft.cfg to see if there are any freeware credits left in the .cfg from when this model may have been first created...coff coff.

 

Gotta love the type and want to Use it in Airhauler bad to recommend this Payware. I'm glad it was on deep sale for under 10 bucks or I'd feel a bit ripped off.

 

But not to end on a  Sour Note, it does haul a sweet amount of cargo in Airhauler, it is VERY STOL with a very powerful Beta Reverse and good brakes.

However I did have to adjust the nose wheel contact points on all the models...the front struts were so loose and mushy simply putting the brakes on during a slow taxi would drive the nose underground. I tripled the dampening and stiffness and now it looks similar to the motion I observe on YouTube vids of Shorts during ground maneuvering.

 

Very glad I took the time to figure out how to fix aircraft.cfg files.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 23, 2016 by Captain Coffee

[brett 2,316]

It actually looks like it an fs9 model updated for FSX. Still fun to watch it cruise the islands, thanks for the shots Matt and as long as it's making money..........

[wain 879]

nice, great shots....tad bit warmer there I expect...

[dodgy-alan 1,587]

I have several freeware S330s and the cockpits are all very similar to this one. As you say for a payware model you'd expect better attention to detail. That said, great captures of this lovely aircraft. She may look ungainly, but she more than pulls her weight in the load lugging stakes. 

[ShrewsburyFC 215]

Very nice, love that first shot!

 

Sam.