I was impressed to discover that Aerosoft were working on a high-level Catalina for FSX, and was watching development news with more than a little interest.
This product was only released in May 2009 so you would expect the onscreen result to be state of the art (if it’s got Aerosoft on the box that’s basically a given anyway, they make some magic software – scenery packages for Lord Howe Island and Lukla (Himalayas) are just two that should be on your Xmas list).
Models covered in the package are the PBY-5, PBY5-A, and the PBY-6A, for a total of 11 different versions.
These include (you beauty!) a Black Cat, A24-362, flown by 43 Squadron during WWII.
HARS (Historical Aircraft Restoration Society) obtained a PBY-6A back in 2002 and flew it to Australia in October 2003.
HARS has recently constructed and fitted a pair of magnificent side blisters to A24-362, but unfortunately the sim version doesn’t have those - it’s based on what the aircraft looked like when it came to Oz.
First impression?
Wow, the level of detail is stunning, both outside and in.
Pan around the Spot view and prepare to be amazed by the accuracy – tiedown points, antennae, rivets (thousands of them), engine details, weathering, reflection on windows and paintwork sheen, it’s just top class.
Climb inside, sit yourself down at the controls and prepare to be gobsmacked even more – the level of detail is just incredible, all photo-realistic combined with weathering and sounds – even the latches on the sliding roof panels make little clicks as they open/close.
The first thing you notice is the unusual flight controls setup.
Ailerons are controlled by two steering wheels attached to a ‘steering bar’ that is hinged at the floor and runs right across the cockpit, with forward/aft movement of the bar operating the elevator.
Sort of reminds me of the huge bars that extend from the sides of the cockpit in Caribou aircraft, but this is completely different – the ‘steering wheels’ are a real giveaway as to the age of this iconic aircraft.
Panning around the VC you just keep seeing things that are different than anything you will have seen on any other aircraft.
For instance, the throttles and propeller control levers are mounted on the roof between the flightcrew, along with the controls for elevator trim, rudder trim, autopilot and mixture controls – the same central roof area also has indicators for the elevator/rudder trim.
On the back wall is an electrical panel and fuel levers.
Mounted across the top of the steering bar is a block of switches including start switches (fuel boost, carb heat and prime), pitot heat, prop de-ice, and the all important floats up/down.
Now for those of you who don’t know how the floats work on the Catalina, watch and learn – they are actually a part of the wingtips and cycle down/up along with actuators and support struts.
Fair dinkum, I watched that happen from all angles a dozen times and I still love to see it in action.
This block of switches also includes a switch for two speed windscreen wipers that actually work.
Enough of my ranting about the detail of this package, let’s go for a fly.
The first thing you need to do (unless you are an experienced Catalina pilot) is to choose Shift 2, bringing up the Pilots Checklist.
Click on the Configuration tab and you will have a choice of Cold and Dark Mode/Flying Mode (i.e. nothing working and you have some work to do/ready to fly) and, more importantly, Realistic Engines or Standard Engines.
Foolishly, I neglected to choose Standard Engines on my first flight and decided (I was in a hurry, OK) I’d leave the engines at 100 per cent throttle for a fast run across from Amberley to Lake Wivenhoe – Big Mistake.
Such is the accuracy of the software that both engines overheated and burst into flames and I had to make an emergency landing in a paddock about 10nm short of the water – how embarrassing!
Choosing Standard Engines makes sure this sort of problem doesn’t occur - watch the videos from the website and you can learn how to fine tune the engines at start-up, keeping those huge radials purring along after your delicate tuning before takeoff.
Flying the Big Cat is relatively hassle free, given that there are no flaps or speedbrakes, just that huge flat wing (no dihedral whatsoever) and those amazing wingtips that convert into floats.
Takeoff and landing is therefore straightforward and she’s a delight in the air, a little ‘ponderous’ perhaps but quite straightforward really.
One thing I did notice is that she’s quite easily trimmed for gentle climb or descent, so a careful combination of trim and throttle gets you where you need to go without hassle.
One major positive with this package is the soundset, so let me simply say this – if you do not have a subwoofer as part of your speaker system and you are considering purchasing the Aerosoft Catalina software, do yourself a huge favour and get the subwoofer asap!
My long-suffering aviation-tolerant wife puts up with a lot, but she couldn’t take the magnificent bellowing of those huge radial motors emanating from the study when I couldn’t resist turning the volume up – and I even had the door closed!
If you love the sound of radial motors, that alone would be enough excuse to get this software – it really is that good.
One final note here about Catalinas.
239 brave Australian aircrew lost their lives in Catalinas during WWII, and this review is dedicated to them – RIP.
The software for this review was generously supplied by our friends at The FlightSim Store.