Shane mentioned in his plan for the Studio that he is open to various people giving brief aircraft and/or scenery reviews using a few screenshots. Well...here's the first.
Zlin Z-142
http://www.flightsim.cz/fsitem.php?act=exe&id=392&lan=&menu=4
Developed from the Z-42 Czechoslovakian trainer aircraft, the Zlin Z-142 is what I would consider to be a forgotten flight simulator aircraft. By that I mean, it is available, but not widely known about in the community.
This high-detail freeware aircraft is created by the team of Milan Lisner, Jiří Masník, Tibor Kokai, and Lubor Schwarz.
The Z-142 is most often used as an VFR and aerobatic trainer. It's aerobatic capabilities have been simulated well with this FS model, as you'll find snap-rolls, loops, corkscrews, and a variety of other maneuvers to be a breeze.
The first thing that stood out to me when trying this aircraft was it's highly unique soundset. This little plane really does sound like a very souped-up weedeater/weedwacker! This soundset is of course custom, and included with the package, featuring startup, in-flight, and shutdown sounds.
Another striking thing about this aircraft is the systems. The attitude indicator is "upside-down", with the brown on top, and blue on the bottom. Don't worry though! It is like that in real Zlin aircraft, and the gauge operates as it should! It may be a little unnerving at first, but you'll get used to it quickly. As with many Eastern Bloc aircraft, the systems logic is non-standard when compared to most small Western types. This Zlin is no exception.
You need to activate the gyro system manually through special switches. It does not come up properly with the simple flip of the battery switch like on a Cessna. Also, you need to align the arrow on your heading indicator with your compass heading manually. Unlike the default aircraft, this plane makes you make sure that every instrument is as it should be!
What about the radio stack? All you get with this gem is one com radio, and one transponder. No Nav Radios, ADF Radios, or even a second comm. And no navigation gauges other than your floating compass and your fixed-card heading indicator.
Beyond that, the gauges are in metric with no option for Imperial titles, so brush up on your math skills if you plan on flying this in an area that using Imperial units.
The plane cruises at roughly 95 knots, so it's not the fastest thing in the world, but it has excellent visibility, and makes for a great touring aircraft if you are not in a hurry.
Two flap settings (other than zero) ensure STOL-like capabilities, allowing you to take off and land inside a football field if you need to.
The plane is modeled to the highest levels of detail inside and outside, with every access door, handle, and switch represented. The nose gear even compressed realistically and properly when landing.
I urge anyone who enjoys light piston aircraft to at least give this one a try. It's free, it's off the highest-quality, it sounds great, and it even has its own special systems intracacies built right in!
This Zlin Z-142 is definitely a keeper in my virtual hanger.
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