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AeroSoft - Piper PA-31T Cheyenne

By Stacey (Dagger 117) Elrod - 17th Jan 2008
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What a beautifully designed twin turbo prop aircraft for FSX. Digital Aviation and Aerosoft did an outstanding job with this bird giving it an abundance of realism and great looks. I had the great opportunity of putting it to the test and came away with nothing but smiles. I would highly recommend this aircraft to any flight simmer that has a desire to fly an aircraft that will give them the ultimate experience of simulated flight.

Let’s get right to it.

I will be straight forward with you. This is not an airplane for the beginning simmer when flying in realistic mode. Its realism rivals the Aerosoft Do27. I have been flying and navigating the flight-sim world for about fifteen years and have learned to always read the supplied manuals before hopping into a new plane, but I had to go back and re-read them a second time to completely understand the autopilot avionics and how to execute their functions. Once this was done, I found that this baby flies just like it’s supposed to.

Onward!

In the beginning there was the digital download. Yep. One of the coolest and best things to come along since apple pie and this plane falls into that category. It can be digitally downloaded, and at 160KB/Sec it will take you about 23 minutes, which is a big plus in my book. Then there was the self install .exe file; another big plus. It automatically finds where FSX is installed and points you in that direction. The install interface is very professional and quite nice to look at. In the installation they also included this cool little option to make the landing lights on all aircraft in the sim look nicer if your system can support it. It’s nothing like Shockwave’s 3D lights, but adds a cool effect.

This is what you get

4 Models:
PA-31T1 Cheyenne I
PA-31T1 Cheyenne IA
PA-31T Cheyenne II
PA-31T2 Cheyenne IIXL

12 paint schemes from around the world, a one of a kind in-sim aircraft configuration menu, and a very nicely done engine-off, in the chalks parking scenery.

The Pros

The plane handles like the real deal and it has an excellent sound package to boot. Every model comes equipped with weather radar and a virtual cockpit that is extremely detailed. You can sit in the pilot seat, co-pilot seat, and in the passenger cabin. It’s nice and smooth on the ground while taxiing. The exterior views are superb and offer great static camera positions. The plane has all the bells and whistles of the actual aircraft. 12 paint schemes, 4 models, a very cool in-sim configuration menu, and an excellent parking scenery. It can be digitally downloaded, and utilizes an auto-install method.

The Cons

I only found one minor problem. In the Cheyenne IIXL models when night flying and the console lights turned up, you see light flickering on the forward-head and side consoles while panning around the virtual cockpit. It can be a bit annoying to see, but does not affect the performance of the aircraft. Oh and of course one thing that would have been nice to see included is a repaint kit.

In conclusion

I have to say this was the most enjoyable twin engine flight-sim experience I have ever had. This aircraft is outstanding and should be in everybody’s flight sim hangar. Beginners get some time under your belt; learn your navigation instruments well, and then get this plane and have the most realistic, and rewarding experience. Advanced pilots, this is the perfect aircraft if you want realism at its best. I give it two thumbs up and a 9 out of 10!

History Lesson
From www.pilotfriend.com a certified aircraft database; verbatim.

The Piper Cheyenne is a family of turboprop corporate aircraft based on the popular Navajo and Chieftain Piston twins. In 1977 the PA-31T with two 325hp engines became the PA-31T Cheyenne II, after the production of the ill powered PA-31T1 Cheyenne I (2xPTA-11 of 500hp). Then, in 1981, Piper produced the PA-31T2 Cheyenne IIXL with a lengthened fuselage and two 750hp PTA-132 engines. By 1986 only the PA-31-350, PA-31T1 and PA-31T2 were still on the production line, and Piper decided to roll out the PA-31P-350 Mojave, a Cheyenne with 350 hp engines.


*This aircraft was tested on a PC with a 3.2GHz Intel Pentium dual core processor, 4GB of ram, 512MB ATI 1900XT video card, and Saitek X52 Pro control system.

Presentation 9 out of 10 – An excellent presentation with a digital download, auto .exe file to install, excellent documentation and a very professional looking installation interface/menu. Every model comes with weather radar and a very cool in the cockpit aircraft configuration menu to adjust fuel loads, and passenger weight, etc. A repaint kit would have been a nice addition.

Graphics 8 out of 10 – This aircraft has outstanding textures and looks very nice inside and out. One minor problem with the Cheyenne IIXL’s console lights when turned on bright and panning around the virtual cockpit. They tend to flicker and dance around.

Sound 8 out of 10 – The sound package for this aircraft is very realistic and has been recorded from the actual aircraft. It sounds very nice, but I think it could be better.

Gameplay 10 out of 10 – Very realistic! It handles very well in the air and on the ground. The avionics in the aircraft are right on in their operation and roughly 95% of the cockpit’s switchology has a function.