3100 photographs of the actual king Air b200 and 18 months of hard work was necessary for the developers of Aeroworx to create the X-Treme King Air B200. For the last fifty years the most popular selling general aviation manufacturers is certainly Beechcraft which produce models from the most intriguing Starship to the small single Bonanza. The B200 designated in the early 70’s roll out for testing in 1972 and certified in December 1973.

 

The noticeable feature of the King Air 200 is its size with a typical corporate layout and power is delivered by two Pratt and Whitney PT6A42 turboprop engines with an 4 blade constant speed Hartzell propeller which gives us a 850 HP each The aircraft can operates from shorter fields which are unable for jets and with its comfortable cabin and an effective range with maximum fuel  and reserve of 1974nm the combination of this makes the King Air B200 one of the most versatile corporate aircraft in the sky. The small turbo props offered by default with the MSF2004 leave something to be desired in terms of realism and performances capabilities. Since the version 1 was a success for Aeroworx they promptly announced a version 2 and surprised us with a new version of the product with a whole new level.

The King Air B200 can be buy trough Flight 1 downloaded or the CD box, this last one contains of course the CD Rom and a small manual (but far complete) with the checklists and procedures but trough the site of Aeroworx you can download in PDF format the Pilot’s Operating Handbook and two tutorial flights. With all the latest aircrafts add on you will have one or more manual concerning this aircraft and as always they are hot item, and the one more comprehensive than the other.

In this case for the X-treme King Air B200 Aeroworx did a great job and in clear understandable language from installation to flight procedures and accompanied with many screenshots. Also the two tutorials are very interesting one going from Calgary to Castlegar. Very complete and with the Jeppesen charts and the second one takes you from Phoenix Sky Harbour to Lake Havasu city (Arizona) and may be more interesting as this tutorial will introduce you to some of the free resources that are available to you on the Internet, and will show you how to use them to enhance your sense of realism and increase your enjoyment of the B200.

 

The installation process of the B200 King Air with is 129 MB takes the normal course and a few minutes after you can discover it.

 
The aircraft as 3 liveries with 4 different configurations and the package includes several model variants which gives the user the possibility to take the model with only 2D panel. Or the model with 2D and virtual cockpit or also all of it with a 3d cabin this according the user PC performance of course.

The aircraft modelled in GMAX is very accurately detailed to render to perfection as shows pictures hereunder:

 
The animated control surface is again accurately placed including the doors, flaps, ice vanes, feathering props but Aeroworx did pay attention to fine details too which giving the visual model a real touch such as animated windshield wipers, pitot tube covers, wheel chocks, hazard cones  and even the passengers bag as not been forgotten.

 
And with the same accuracy you will find the cabin configurations just see the pictures they say mores than words: Executive configuration and / or ambulance configuration

Let’s jump to the cockpit and the B200 Aeroworx gives you the possibility to choices either analogue or Efis panel here under the feature list:

Analogue Version:

• Sperry Analogue ADI, HSI and Flight Information System
• BFG Skywatch TCAS
• Custom C++ and XML gauges
• Backlit gauges in 2D and VC for improved night flying visibility
• Accurately modeled Cabin Pressurization System
• Aircraft Maintenance Module
• Enhanced sound effects, flap and gear call-out’s etc.
• Model built using 3D Studio Max and Gmax
• 1024×1024 DXT-3e Exterior textures with reflections
• Model includes variable dynamic shine
• Virtual cockpit with animated, interactive controls
• Animated pilot, landing gear and control surfaces
• Animated windscreen wipers controllable from overhead
• Animated passenger door
• External extra’s such as pitot covers and wheel chocks
• Comprehensive Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH)

EFIS Version:

• Collins EFIS-84 Electronic Flight Information System
• CAS-66 Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System
• Custom GDI+, C++ and XML gauges
• Backlit gauges in 2D and VC for improved night flying visibility
• Accurately modeled Cabin Pressurization System
• Aircraft Maintenance Module
• Enhanced sound effects, flap and gear call-out’s etc.
• Model built using 3D Studio Max and Gmax
• 1024×1024 DXT-3e Exterior textures with reflections
• Model includes variable dynamic shine
• Virtual cockpit with animated, interactive controls
• Animated pilot, landing gear and control surfaces
• Animated windscreen wipers controllable from overhead
• Animated passenger door
• External extra’s such as pitot covers, wheel chocks and cones
• Comprehensive Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH)

 
By the analogue panel the instrumentation are very well reproduced as from the real one gyroscope style gauges  and the animations of it are smooth responsive  and readable  by day as well as by night flights. And if you want to fly the older fashion way this is a must.

By the Efis panel the engines instrument are replaced by gauges with digital readout and the primary flight instrument is an CRT style EADI and EHSI and by using the KLN-90B you will be able to read out on your EHSI the listed waypoints of your flight plan while the EADI includes the ability to read out the current functions of your autopilot and other flight information.

 
The Collins WXR270 MAP/NAV weather display is not featured. Here also all instrumentation are working accurately smoothly and responsive and readable by day or night flights. By both panel you can cal up all the sub panel which of course can be moved to your second screen and will keep you working during the flight. The KLN-90B GPS is taking care of your navigation system. The performance of both panels is great and optimized to use the latest technology of the GDI+

 
The virtual cockpit  of X-treme King Air B200 is one of the best, a piece of art and all switches, dials , buttons etc. all are functional, and everything very smooth and fluid and readable. This aircraft for which a spend more flying hours in the virtual cockpit than any other.

The sounds of this B200 King Air are great especially on the outside at idle relatively quite but once you give some power you can hear that typical engine spool roar of the two PT6A42 engines and at full power it is very loud just as the real one. Aeroworx did here a great job again.

How it’s flying? well quite some times ago you could download an aircraft a jump into it and fly these where to good old days, today as we progress trough our PC performance the developers are able to give us more complex aircrafts and closed to the more “real one” and by this reading the manuals and follow the tutorial flight is crucial for flying the aircraft correctly.

 
The new or more experienced virtual pilot will not escape of reading the POH (Pilot Operating Handbook) for the Aeroworx B200 but be sure you will not regretted the flight model is very impressive and holding the POH performance charts you will discover that the correct amount of fuel is burned according the power and torque settings. All phases of the flight are impressive and the accurate responsive of the aircraft make hand flying an approach an exciting and rewarding task and especially when using the weather program active sky.
 
And by reading the comments of real King Air pilots the flight dynamics of the Aroworx X-treme King Air B200 are very closed to the real one and we are sure that updates will come in near future to made this piece of art as perfect as possible. Another thing to mention is the good working support on which every comments finds is answer. To finalize this reviews the Aeroworx X-treme King Air B200 is not such “ one more add on “ but a simulation on it’s own with one of the best turbo prop model on the market for FS2004 and for sure this is value for money and must have for every one.

Review by Flight Simulator Club Belgium (FSCB)
For further information about FSBC, click here

Developper: Flight 1
For further information about flight 1, click here