Flight1 Software - Level-D 767-300ER

The third installment of my reviews will cover the Level-D Simulations Boeing 767-300ER commercial jetliner. This aircraft, made by Level-D Simulations, which is part of the Flight1 company, is created for both FS2004 and FSX, and is available for about 45 USD depending on which online store you get it from. Here's a bit of history on the aircraft:

The first 767 entered service in Sept. 8, 1982, since then 767 have flown more than 7.7 million flights, and carried millions of passengers. Passenger versions of the 767 can carry between 181 and 375 passengers, and have a range of 5,200 to 6,590 nautical miles. The first air carrier to buy the -300ER (Extended Range) version was American Airlines.  The 767 was also the first airliner to have a two-man flight deck. The purchased download from Flight1 comes with a configuration and fuel manager, along with a repaint manager, three versions of the aircraft with different engines (P&W, RR, and GE) and 5 different missions. The manual, combined with the multiple training missions, proves to be a highly helpful package for beginners to FMC's and people who are a bit intimidated by the extensive overhead panel.
I've had this aircraft for about 2 months now, and have read the accompanying manual which I purchased separately. Through the flight time I've acquired I believe I can make a fair judgement of the plane.

Here goes:

Exterior Model:
The exterior model of the plane seems to have found the perfect balance between good-looks and frame-rates. One (Yes, just one, to all of the FSX users out there) door can be opened and jetways in FSX are able to connect to it. New repaints can be downloaded at Level-D's website and come in two different versions; DTX3, which is more FPS-friendly and loads faster, and "Regular", which is somewhat better looking than the DXT3, although I don't notice the difference comparatively. More repaints can also be downloaded off of AVSIM and other FS add-on websites. I was pleased at the overall look of the aircraft just because of details like little stains on the winglets and defined cuts on the underside, a functioning APU inlet, and the windshield wipers are just plain cool. Even the RAT is deployed when activated and spins based on airspeed!

This section receives 8 out of 10

 Cockpit/Virtual-Cockpit:
Here is where the Level-D really earns it's value. It is by far the most complex and flyable virtual flight-deck I have seen. The Learning curve is high for the panel but once you get it, you will be addicted to it. Autopilot has Autoland capability, LNAV and VNAV, etc. No detail was spared creating the panel, the IRS, electrical, hydraulics, cabin temperature, and much more can be altered. Virtual FA's will even call the flight deck if it gets too warm. The only shortcoming in the virtual cockpit is that the overhead panel's buttons etc. are not 3D but flat objects. Not much of a problem though if you don't mind that.
And of course there is the FMC. If there is one thing you buy the aircraft for, make it for the FMC. Coming to this plane, I had never even used an FMC before but figured it out and it is really a blast to use. It even has offset and runway slope calculations, which as far as I know, no other payware FMC has.

This section receives a 10 out of 10

Flight Characteristics:
I'm not a real-world 767 pilot, (yet...) so the ability of me to judge exactly how realistic it is would be hard for me. However, I can say that I read an article written by a pilot of the aircraft and he basically said the aircraft goes where you want it to go. Well let me tell you it is awesome to hand-fly this thing. The general procedure is to take it up to 1500 AGL manually, then activate autopilot, but I usually take it up to 4000 just because it's fun to fly B). The feeling of power when you are in control of almost 40,000 pounds of thrust is nothing short of awesome. Also, the product has been tested out by 767 pilots and approved. All of the dynamics are based completely on the real-world model.

This section receives a 10 out of 10

Sounds:
Another great aspect of the aircraft is the soundset. One great part of it is that you get recordings of Flight Attendants, ground crew, co-pilot, and captain who interact. For example, when connecting external power, you talk to ground crew and request them to connect it. The sound of the engines are perfect. Very nice sound of air rushing through them, very different from the default jets. I'm not so sure about the sound of the gear, maybe a bit too loud of a sound but I really can't tell. I also enjoy all of the EICAS warning sounds, along with the GPWS standard callouts.

This section receives a 9 out of 10

Framerates:
Surprisingly, I haven't seen any decrease in FPS through the whole time I've been flying! I don't see any problems yet, in my personal experience.

This section receives a 10 out of 10

Fin:
In conclusion, this aircraft is definitely worth the money if you are looking for the most advanced payware at the best value.

It gets a 47 out of 50, thats a 94%!

Since, I've gotten it, it has quickly become my favorite aircraft in the Virtual Hangar and "Flyability" is huge.

P.S. If you are a Windows Vista user, always run the configuration and repaint manager as administrator, otherwise they won't work. See ya next time! :-)