The Robin DR400 is an aircraft that will be familiar to many pilots as it is one of the most used trainers. Conceived in the early 70’s by Pierre Robin and Jean Délémontez. It flew for the first time in 1972 and at least 1300 were build. In any sense of the word it is a successful aircraft. The wooden structure and the characteristic ’cranked wing’ make it seem an older aircraft then is actually was actually rather modern and highly efficient. It’s light and the fabric covered wings and fuselage have low drag compared to a metal aircraft with hundreds of rivets. It’s also easy to fly at any speed so flight schools loved it. It can pull gliders, carry 4 persons and has proven to be very reliable.
In FSX and Prepar3D it is an ideal aircraft for beginners as you can cruise around without much hassle. But experts will like the very advanced flight characteristics that are truly highly accurate. In some of the models they are so accurate that even they idiosyncrasy of an older aircraft are included. For example the D-EVEM model that is flown by the main developer has a rather serious tendency to turn left. On most models this is countered by a trim tab but it was not on this model till very recent. So this is one model that is not easy to fly without rudder pedals. Some other models in this product are better balanced and easier to fly. But it shows how detailed the actual aircrafts are modelled.
Feature list:
Engine failure due to overreving or high Oil temperature
Realistic engine priming through throttle “pumping” for cold starts
Enhanced propeller animation
Realistic RPMs during flight envelope including magneto tests and carb heat
Custom fuel pump
Aersoft Sound Control for special sound effects
Checklist with panel state selector
Special developed landing lights that light up objects
Cockpit shake effect on startup and stall
Airframe shaking on startup and shutdown.
Instruments needles react on vibrations and aero dynamical influences.
Two GPS versions – One version with color and one in monochrome – both backlighted Free positioning (monochrome not in Vista)
Setup page for selection of what to show on the GPS map.
Accepts FSX flight plans when loaded from the FSX flight plan menu page.
Direct-To function.
NRST station Airport, VOR, NDB and fixes can be selected for Direct-To`s.
Cursor mode where you can select any position on the map as a Direct-To.
HSI page showing ground track, flight plan leg bearing and cross track deviation.
Bendix King KX 125 TSO Com/Nav radio featuring:
Direct tune
50/25 Khz step selector for Com frequency
CDI mode VOR/LOC
Auto-to mode
NAV Bearing mode
NAV Radial mode
Becker Transponder
KR 85 TSO ADF radio
Compass that really floats in fluid
Advanced flight dynamics including realistic side slips and spins
Very accurate flight behavior
7 paints
3 different panels
2 different flight characteristics
High quality sound set recorded in and from the real aircraft in flight and on the ground.
Automatic warning signs in the VC if the user sets up FSX wrong.
Extensive documentation, including original checklist and specially formatted checklists for smartphones.
Detailed model of a used plane
Light on framerate.
No online activation needed, does personalize the installed files.
On attend la version pour MSFS 2020 ! C'est pour quand, svp ?
De plus, un ajout du DR401 (dernier né de la gamme "école") serait vraiment bien, surtout si le domaine de vol, les comportements moteur, structure, accessoires, l'instrumentation IFR, s'avèrent être présente.
Les DR : MAJOR, REGENT, PRESIDENT, AIGLON, verraient leur présence, dans votre futur mise à jour et nouveau pack, très appréciée !
update of my review after finding A2A aircraft (my favorite) to eat precious framerates in prepar3Dv3:
the robin is easy on the framerates and the update seems to have improved handling.
all in all very pleasant, however, i cannot compare it to the real thing as i still didn't fly the real thing.
framerates are hit hard by ever more demanding scenery like france vfr outstanding paris -ile de france scenery.
that is where this model comes in handy. the A2A aircraft make it impossible to fly on good framerate, (never mind one of the best benchmark graphic cards available)
This is an absolutely FANTASTIC addon for FSX and P3D! .... Beautiful visuals, textures and rendering, awesome HQ audio, wonderful flight dynamics. My favourite GA single engine aircraft ever released for FSX, and that includes RealAir and A2A products, because this one is as good, but also gives fantastic frame rates and smoothness. Just get it!
generally pleasant to fly, but i hope some issues will be adressed in an update:
1: torque roll is exagerated - and - 2 : the controls are to sensitive . About the torque roll : i would expect it at high RPM's vs low speeds (e.g take off) , but not so much during cruise ( around 2300 rpm)
On a positive note the speeds seem to be correct, flap setting too
It has been a very long time since i was in a Robin, so i tend to compare it with other real aircraft.
I was keen to try but won't use it again, until seriously updated. in my mind to far away from a good simulation.
small g.a aircraft tend to be hard to simulate it seems!
Je viens d'acheter ce produit. Après une 1/2 heure de test voici mes impressions.
Je précise avant tout que j'ai un PPL et que j'ai volé pas mal d'heures sur DR400.
1 : Modèle de vol extérieur : C'est jolie.
2 : Cockpit :C'est pas mal mais les textures ne cassent pas des briques, après tant de temps de développement je m'atendais à mieux.( d'où mon étoile en moins )
3 : Le modèle de vol : Juste un mot... SUPERBE.
-En appliquant le préaffichage comme en réel, les paramètre sont bons.
-La sensation au décollage est identique.
- Montée : Besoin de jouer du pied donc très fidèle
- virage : Idem
- Décrochage : sensation bien reproduite
- sensation descente moteur réduit, VI finesse max très bien.
- Comportement avec sans volet: Fidèl
4: Les sons : Identique.
5 : Effets : Aiguilles qui bouge moteur tournant, injection au démarrage ... super bien fait.
Pour résumer, ce soft est un bon appareil qui plaira non seulement aux pilotes réels de robin ou à ceux souhaitant piloter avec des paramètres fidèls à la réalité.
Rapport qualité/prix : Dans le monde d'aujourd'hui tout est trop cher mais il vaut la peine.
En espérant que mon retour d'essai soit assez clair. Bon vols à tous.