DeltaWing Simulations has released its ATR 72-600 for X-Plane 12, a study-level simulation of the twin-turboprop regional airliner. The developer says the aircraft’s systems logic, procedures and avionics behaviour are modelled in detail based on the real aircraft.
The ATR 72 is built by the Franco-Italian manufacturer ATR and is a common sight on short regional routes, from island hops to flights into small, remote airfields. The -600 is the modern version of the type, with a glass cockpit and Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127M engines.
On the visual side of the new ATR 72-600 for X-Plane, the team says the exterior, the cockpit and a full passenger cabin are all modelled in 3D, with 4K PBR textures. Rain on the windshields and visible ice build-up on the airframe are included. The cockpit has the six-screen glass layout, with a Thales-style FMS on dual MCDUs. The developer also lists an AFCS autopilot and flight director, and TAWS.
The systems are modelled in depth. They cover electrical, hydraulics, pressurisation and bleed air, and fire protection. De-icing boots run on their real cycle and shed X-Plane’s ice. The engines have realistic starts and shutdowns, including HOTEL mode with the propeller brake, along with ATPCS automatic take-off power control. The flight warning system carries hundreds of warnings and cautions, and electronic checklists cover normal, abnormal and emergency procedures. The developer adds that failures have real consequences, such as tyre bursts from brake misuse or overspeed and propeller ground strikes.
The add-on is meant to cover a whole flight from gate to gate. An interactive EFB tablet offers a moving map, flight-plan import and a route builder, as well as Navigraph Charts integration. Ground operations include GPU carts, chocks, refuelling, catering, cargo, stairs and lavatory and water service, with a choice of real-time or instant turnarounds. The aircraft also keeps its state between sessions, even after a crash to desktop, and is VR ready. Ten free liveries are included: Air Nostrum, BahamasAir, Binter, Clic, Loganair, Maldivian, Olympic Air, Satena, Silver Airways and Sky Express.
And finally, to answer a very frequent question in the flight simulation community – yes, the lavatory is modelled.
The DeltaWing ATR 72-600 is available for around $70 on the X-Plane.org Store. The developer has also previously released, for example, a CRJ 1000 for X-Plane, about which you can read in our article covering the 2021 release.
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