Testing/Reviewing the new ATR 72-500 pacakge.....
Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 1:25 pm..this is one fine pacakge! 
The ATR 72-500 (found here) is a large download, and quite worth the wait, I'd say. The exterior model and sounds are great!
Model/Textures
The model comes with 7 (if I remember correctly) textures, these being:
The model is very detailed. The landing gear is very realistic, the props (stationary and spinning) are pleasing, and the aircraft is a good rendition of the real thing.
Sounds
The sounds are quite new, it sounds as if the author has put together the default Cessna Grand Caravan and Kingair 350 sounds together. It does indeed sound interesting, but on activatin the reversers, the reverser sound is abrupt coming and not as smooth as other aircraft.
Panel
The panel has lots of instruments for all you IFR flyers. The windows which you can pop up are GPs and Throttle Quadrant and VOR/Radio switches. The panel may be built with some default instruments, but it is suitable and good.
VC
The VC, for me, is quite blurry and has no instruments. I'm not sure if I installed it correctly, but that's what I see.
However, the rest of the aircraft's VC is great! F1View users will be please to know that the cabin is fully modelled and looks very nice indeed.
Flight Dynamics
I'm not too sure on the flight dynamics. I took off, having pressed F7 once for some flaps, and climbed at about 15 degrees. I know this is rather steep for the ATR 72, but I was at 180KIAS and stalling. (Shouldn't the ATR 72 be able to climb at 15 degrees with full power shortly after takeoff?)
(EDIT: I just took it up for another flight and found that if you pull up too sharply, you stall.)
(EDIT 2: Looked at Fuel and Payload, and the aircraft is 6758 (I think) punds overweight, so that probably explains the odd flight dynamics.)
Conclusion
Well, this is a fine aircraft indeed. The VC and flight dynamics may not be the best, but everything else about this aircraft is to like. With some getting used to, this ATR 72 could make a very nice aircraft to fly on shorthaul flights, and I look forward to more flights in it.
Rating = 7/10
Hope you like the shots and review!
The ATR 72-500 (found here) is a large download, and quite worth the wait, I'd say. The exterior model and sounds are great!
Model/Textures
The model comes with 7 (if I remember correctly) textures, these being:
- Air France by CCM
- Aurigny Air
- British Airways (Chelsea Rose)
- British Airways (Colum)
- British Airways (Union Tail)
- LOT Polish Airlines
- Lufthansa Regional
The model is very detailed. The landing gear is very realistic, the props (stationary and spinning) are pleasing, and the aircraft is a good rendition of the real thing.
Sounds
The sounds are quite new, it sounds as if the author has put together the default Cessna Grand Caravan and Kingair 350 sounds together. It does indeed sound interesting, but on activatin the reversers, the reverser sound is abrupt coming and not as smooth as other aircraft.
Panel
The panel has lots of instruments for all you IFR flyers. The windows which you can pop up are GPs and Throttle Quadrant and VOR/Radio switches. The panel may be built with some default instruments, but it is suitable and good.
VC
The VC, for me, is quite blurry and has no instruments. I'm not sure if I installed it correctly, but that's what I see.
However, the rest of the aircraft's VC is great! F1View users will be please to know that the cabin is fully modelled and looks very nice indeed.
Flight Dynamics
I'm not too sure on the flight dynamics. I took off, having pressed F7 once for some flaps, and climbed at about 15 degrees. I know this is rather steep for the ATR 72, but I was at 180KIAS and stalling. (Shouldn't the ATR 72 be able to climb at 15 degrees with full power shortly after takeoff?)
(EDIT: I just took it up for another flight and found that if you pull up too sharply, you stall.)
(EDIT 2: Looked at Fuel and Payload, and the aircraft is 6758 (I think) punds overweight, so that probably explains the odd flight dynamics.
)Conclusion
Well, this is a fine aircraft indeed. The VC and flight dynamics may not be the best, but everything else about this aircraft is to like. With some getting used to, this ATR 72 could make a very nice aircraft to fly on shorthaul flights, and I look forward to more flights in it.
Rating = 7/10
Hope you like the shots and review!
I'll post some of my ATR's from this package when I get home. Maybe it's just coincedence. Is one the liveries some sort of dot com scheme with some yellow on it? I havn't flown them (ATR's) lately because I've been on this crazed Airbus kick. It's disgusting. With their custom RR/GE/PW sounds and what have you. I've got close to 25 some odd variants. 380's,330's,.....Just sick I tell you!! I need profesional help. I have almost as many Airbus's as I do Boeings 
Off topic....sorry. Great shots BTW 