The SIAI-Marchetti S.211 (later Aermacchi S-211) is a turbofan-powered military trainer aircraft designed and originally marketed by SIAI-Marchetti. Some 60 aircraft have been sold to air forces around the world. Aermacchi bought the production rights in 1997. The redesigned M-311 (now M-345) is currently under development by Alenia Aermacchi.
SIAI-Marchetti began work on the aircraft in 1976 as a private venture basic trainer, hoping to offer it to the company's existing customer base of small air forces operating their piston-engined SF.260. Formally announced in Paris the following year, interest was strong enough to justify the construction of two prototypes, the first of which flew on 10 April 1981. The Singapore Air Force placed the first order for ten aircraft in 1983.
The S-211 is a small tandem two-seat shoulder-wing monoplane with a retractable tricycle landing gear and powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-4C turbofan. Also, the aircraft was designed for a secondary close air support capability with four underwing hardpoints for the carriage of weapons and other external stores.
The S-211 design evolved into the Aermacchi M-345. The airframe has been strengthened, and a glass cockpit and modern avionics have been added. As a basic trainer, the aircraft is designed to complement the Aermacchi M-346 advanced trainer. The aircraft was designed with a secondary close air support capability with five underwing hardpoints.
The prototype aircraft first flew in June 2005.
Features:
Three high detail visual models: S-211, M-311/M-345 demonstrator and M-345 High Efficiency Trainer Prototype
High fidelity virtual cockpit.
High detail texture sets, based on real aicrafts including prototypes, Philippine Air Force, Singapore Air Force and Frecce Tricolori liveries
Realistic flight model closely based on flight manual data.
Custom sound package.
Configuration manager and weapon functionality (gun pods, rockets and bombs).
NOTE: TACPACK IS REQUIRED FOR WEAPON FUNCTIONALITY
Requirements
Simulation platform: Flight Simulator X Acceleration, Gold or Steam Edition; Lockheed Martin P3Dv2.5, V3.X and V4.X
CPU: 4 cores, 2.4GHz or better
GPU: Nvidia 660 or better, with 2Gb dedicated video memory
RAM: 6Gb minimum
Hard Disk space: 1Gb required
VRS Tacpack required for weapons functionality.
Review based on use with FSX Steam Win 10 2.3 ghz i7 16GB Ram Intel UHD 630 integrated GPU with 128MB dedicated visual mem.
Only used offline without TAC PAC. I have all IFE add on aircraft thanks to their give away at the time of my review. All run extremely well on my system as I described above without any troubles. Even smooth flying around complex photo scenery, add on airports and cities. No frame rate issues at all.
These nimble little trainers are a blast to fly. You only get forward seat view. River runs or canyon runs in these amazing little jets is so fun! I love that both the S211 and M345 models are included! Very nice cockpit detail. I can’t say enough good things about this pack.
Good for general flying around, but TacPack integration is very minimal and leaves a lot to be desired. Avionics controls and HUD symbology for weapons are completely absent. No aiming cues or weapons control other than hot keys, and no visual indications anywhere except for the master arm switch. Be prepared to guess using the FPM and waterline HUD markers.