[EthanPDX]

Type: FlySynthesis Storch S
Authors: Stefano Arruffati & Massimo Durando
Authors' Website
XP Version(s) 8.20 & up
Rating: 10
Cost: 8 Euro ($9.66 US on March 22, 2006)


The Storch is a pretty amazing little plane. While it has undeniable ultralight roots, it's performance, comfort and layout also make it a serious general aviation aircraft, so much so that it is finding acceptance as a primary trainer. For the money, it's an impressive package. I especially like the float model that is also offered by the manufacturer (not represented here). Speaking of the manufacturer, the authors publicly thank FlySynthesis for their participation and help creating the XP model.



IN THE COCKPIT - A New Level of Realism

What is quite obvious at first glance is that Stefano & Massimo have exceeded the detail level of anything that has ever flown in XP before. The Payware Otter (previously reviewed) and freeware MB339 have previously defined the state-of-the-art for XP (for me anyways) in terms of detail, 3D experience. When you glance down (and that's what it feels like) and see the weave of the safety harness and your ignition keys, you will know this Storch is a whole new ballgame. The Contol column is animated, transparent window vents are nicely modeled, but in essence all the little details add up, and look . . . convincing for a change. As i go over the screenshots i always find something new, like the brake calipers on the main gear, its simply amazing. At $10 (roughly) it's in the middle of the payware price range. With this level of detail i'd call it low-cost though.



Beautiful POH - Who says guys never read the instructions?
The included POH (PDF) is a sight for sore eyes. In English and Italian, it covers all the needed info and is pleasant to look at. My only challenge here is that all values are all metric, which for an American Neandertal like me is not super-pleasant. I'll live though, and try not to whine for the remainer of the review.





UP IN THE AIR
I have flown a bunch of lighter aircraft in XP, but usually I tend to not really enjoy planes smaller and lighter than say a Cessna 185. I have bought a couple lighter payware planes, but not often. This Storch is without a doubt the lightest bird in my hanger. The really amazing thing is how much it flies like it's big brothers and sisters. The only place where it really shows its size in in turbulence, where it really does get tossed around, at least compared to planes with much higher wing loading. It's huge wings and flaps give it pretty impressive short-field performance, making it a fun choice for my recent explorations up in Alaska. It seems a great deal of time was spent making this thing hit its (metric) numbers.



MORE SCREENSHOTS
In keeping with the plane's roots, I went on my photo junket on its home turf, starting in Milan (LIMB), then up into the Alps (LSZS), and finally over to Tortoli (LIET) on the island of Sardinia.





At and above Samedan (LSZS)


Overhead of the amazing cockpit


A little something for those of you who still prefer 2D cockpits

SUMMARY
Unless you only fly airliners or are against payware (lets not get into that here please) you should seriously consider this little plane, if only to reward the amazing work that went into it. Let us pray they release a CSL for this baby. I bet URF has something in his that will work as a stand-in until then.

Ciao!!

This post has been edited by EthanPDX: 03 August 2006 - 01:27 AM

[six7]

Beautiful aircraft. Lovely shots. Nice review. Thanks

[propsman]

Really nice piece of work. You might almost say it was as good as my free EC-120!

[jkallinen]

Really nice piece of work. You might almost say it was as good as my free EC-120!

Would you consider building a Pilot figure for this fantastic little sport plane? You are the master of it.

Can`t wait to test out your latest work of art to. That Hughes is awesome.

[propsman]

Flattery will get you everywhere... Seriously, I think this is an exceptional model - I bought a copy too, and am full of admiration for the team. They've taken a different approach, relying less on the textures and more on geometry for much of the detail - even in the space of a few months, the capacity of mid-range video cards to cope with the necessary processing has increased to permit this.

I'm guessing, but I suspect that one major reason that Stefano and Massimo have not included a pilot figure is simply the fact that it takes so much time to make one that looks even half as good as the rest of the model. I'd say that the pilot figure was responsible for at least 50% of the hours I put into the EC-120. That's why I'm using the same one in Brett's H500! And even doing that still involves a lot of tweaking, to adapt to slightly different seating positions, control travel etc...

Anyway - back to topic!

This post has been edited by propsman: 22 March 2006 - 09:21 PM

[jkallinen]

Thanks for the explaination Props, I had a feeeling that the pilot figure was probably the
hardest part of making cockpit objects. Anyways, looking forward to seeing the hughes
come together.

[marksuntri]

this plane is really amazing! i hope that Massimo will be able to find the time to make some more planes like this!

[Arrowhead]

Simply stunning!

[Jens Ansorg]

Would you consider building a Pilot figure for this fantastic little sport plane?

The Storch recently got an update - it does now contain a Pilot figure.

Makes the little plane perfect.


(Flying over X-Real, south of Munich)

And there is a little surprise in the updated package


Jens

This post has been edited by Jens Ansorg: 11 February 2007 - 03:10 PM

[jkallinen]

Cool , thanks Jens, I updated but have never had the time to test it since. Something to look forward to now