Boeing 757 - 200 Cap Sim

Once again, the Developers of Dynamite Detail over at Captain Sim have done it again! This time with the Boeing 757. There's a little something different about this product package though. It's what's known as the '123 Captain'_TM Sim series. The first in the series is the Boeing 757. What makes the "Block" series, another name for the product, different, is that it lets you purchase what you want, as far as the "extras" go for the model. Here's how it is broken down for you...

THE 757 FAMILY INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING 7 PRODUCTS:

AIRCRAFT SPECIFIC BLOCKS:
• Block B (Base Package - 757-200) - released

• Block 300 (757-300 Expansion Model) - released

• Block Freighter (757 Freighter Expansion Model) - Q3 2006

GENERAL '757 Captain' BLOCKS:
They are good for and work with all 757 variations (-200, -300 and Freighter)
• Block C - ACE (Aircraft Configuration Editor) utility - released

• Block D - Custom Flight Model - Q3 2006

• Block E - Custom Sound Set (RR+PW Engines) - released

• Block F - Advanced Systems Programming - Q3 2006

What I will be reviewing here is the Block B, C, and E version of the 757. The "Aircraft Specific" Blocks are just that, the model of the 757 that you prefer. The "General 757 Blocks" are the "extras", if you so desire them. Blocks D and F are not released as of this writing, but should be coming out soon, as the announced release date was the third quarter of 2006. Various upgrades have been made along the way with this product. As an example, when I first downloaded the product, there was no 2D panel and the overhead panel was this tiny little image, which was not too functional. With the upgrades, you get a very nice looking 2D panel as well as the VC panel mode that originally came with the product. So basically, it boils down to this...your choice of 757 model, and your choice of the "extras" that are offered. You'll definitely need the base model, whichever one you choose, and the optional Block C, the Aircraft Configuration Editor comes in handy for setting up the various views that you may want to have loaded into the model, i.e., wing views, passenger cabin, deleting or adding liveries, etc. Block E, although it's an option, is worth the extra bit, as it provides you with an excellent soundset for the 757.

There are loads of liveries that come with the product download, along with liveries that have been uploaded to the Captain Sim site by the repainters out there. Animations, both inside and out are numerous, from the covers over the engines, to the food cart trays that come sliding out in the galley. Instead of listing all the goodies here, I strongly suggest a visit to the Captain Sim site for a comprehensive list of everything that is included. Once you see this list, you'll see why I directed you to their site instead of retyping the entire list! Suffice it to say that I was very impressed with what you get with this product, and the room for expansion that is allowed.

The exterior of the model is done in the same detailed way that Captain Sim is known for, right down to the RAT, Ram Air Turbine and all flight control surfaces. Animations also include such things as wheel chocks, engine covers, and operating hatches. Exterior night lighting is very nicely portrayed, and very realistic looking. All are done with great attention to detail. Here are a few screenshots of various views of the exterior...

Please note the panel that is in a couple of the above shots, located in the upper left corner of the screen. This is an extremely handy control panel that allows you to operate all doors, and various hatches, all in one convenient location. No need to "Shift + E" to open doors! One click on this panel and you have control. I was impressed once again with the various extra animations that were provided to add to the detail of the overall aircraft. These animations may seem to some to be unnecessary, but they do in fact add to the overall realism of the aircraft. They make it more of a "functioning model" rather than just a shell with a cockpit.

The interior of the aircraft model is done in the usual fine detailed manner also, that we have come to expect from Captain Sim. If that's not a realistic looking flight deck, I don't know what is! If you own any of Captain Sim's other products, you already know about the detail of the cockpit and panels. For those of you who haven't had the opportunity to fly one of their models, you'll find an extremely well rendered flight deck, with great detail everywhere you look. The Navigation Display is functional and by clicking on it, you change display modes. All gauges and panels in both 2D and VC are easily read. The Virtual Cockpit is also very well rendered,

With the "Blocks" that I have installed, the functions of some of the avionics are limited. An example of this is the FMC. It shows the basic aircraft info, such as weights, location, etc., but it is not programmable in this model. An upcoming version will have more advanced avionics for the "hard-core" simmer, but with this package, I think beginners in the "Heavy" class may enjoy the simplicity of flying this model. The Autopilot functions are both easily understood and used. The aircraft will fly the GPS route when the Autopilot is engaged, along with the FLCL, VNAV and LNAV buttons activated. You still need to monitor your altitude though, as well as your speed. The Overhead Panel has enough buttons and switches that work to keep most simmers happy, although not everything is workable. The Radio Stack is basic and functions well, as does the EFIS Control Panel, although there are limited functions here as well. Keep in mind that this is the basic model, with a few less bell's and whistle's that the more advanced versions will have, but on the other hand, this is a very fine model of the 757-200, and I found that it was both fun and easy to fly. All gauges and panels are clearly legible, with various click spots on some of the glass panels that will change the modes for you. All in all, a great job was done on this model, both inside and out. The sound pack, or "Block E" is that of the Pratt and Whitney and the Rolls Royce engines, and they sound great. Very realistic wind ups, flap sounds, and even the door latches sound real!

The Boeing 757 is a twin-engine short-to-medium-range jetliner incorporating advanced technology for exceptional fuel efficiency, low noise levels, increased passenger comfort and top operating performance. The 757 offers great versatility by reducing airport congestion. It can fly both long- and short-range routes and its broad use effectively lends itself to "hub-and-spoke" planning.
On Nov. 28, 2005, Boeing concluded the remarkable 23-year run of the 757 passenger airplane by delivering the final one to Shanghai Airlines. The airplane is the 1,050th Boeing 757. The 757 is one of seven commercial models that have sold more than 1,000 airplanes, and more than 1,030 of the 757s are still in service. After initially successful sales, the sales of the 757 dropped dramatically from the middle of the 1990s onwards. The 757 was first bought mainly by airlines wishing to tap long and thin (as well as young) routes. However, due to airline deregulation and ever increasing range of smaller planes, these routes fragmented and the 757 proved inefficient. The 757 was discontinued just after sales had reached 1000. The 737-900ER was the replacement for the 757, though it falls slightly short on passenger capacity.

Loads of work went into the service pantry areas and the passenger cabin as well. As stated earlier in the review, the animations are numerous and include doors that work, with accompanying sounds, a washroom (I'm glad that the developers haven't figured out a way to render "odor's"!), and service pantry with pull out food trays. I couldn't help myself, and had to see if the doors would open at altitude, and they did, as they do in most models that I have tried this trick on! No warning bells went off, so there was no need for panic! It does give you a rather unique perspective out of the plane though, sort of like the wing views that are available, only with a bigger window! As I've said in the past, there are some that may think that all the fuss over the cabin areas is a waste of the developer’s time, but I have actually come to enjoy my little "walk-about's", while the aircraft cruises along on autopilot.

As far as the Flight Dynamics are concerned, the model handled very well compared to other aircraft models in this size class. It was smooth and responsive to the touch, and I found that landing it manually was not an exceptionally difficult task at all! I want to take the opportunity here to comment once again on Flight Dynamics. I have absolutely no idea how a 757 handles! I have flown a DC-3 and a Cessna 172 though. The DC-3 flight was in the good old days when people trusted people, and was for about 15 minutes! An event that I will never forget, and undoubtedly will mention again in other reviews! ;-) There was loads of difference in how the DC-3 and the 172 handled, as I imagine there would also be loads of difference between how a DC-3 and a 757 handles! Since I'm not yet a pilot, I'm going to have to trust the developers on getting the right information and input from actual Boeing pilots. I think it's safe to say that the model handles close to what the real thing may be like. Open question here to Boeing...Want to let me try to fly one of your big boys and see how much of this simming experience actually soaked in? Hmmmm...Maybe not huh? Well, never hurts to ask!

Block D - Custom Flight Model and Block F - Advanced Systems Programming are due to be released soon, and will enhance this already great model even further, if you so choose. That's what the "Block System" is all about, letting you put your own package together.

The 757 - 200 reviewed here is part of the "Express Line" in this series of downloadable products, with the "Pro Line" Block System giving you the whole nine yards, but this "Pro Line" set is still to be released as of this writing.

The Block B package is $24.99 USD, and this is the Base package. The Block C is the Configuration utility and is $4.99 USD. Not absolutely necessary, but it gives you the opportunity to adjust your various view and livery settings, along with easy importation of additional liveries. The sound set, Block E, is $6.99 USD, and is worth the money for the excellent sounds that are created for this package. So for a total of $36.97 USD, you get yourself a very nice model of the 757. Even without the advanced avionics, this is a great price for what you are getting with this product. Both new and experienced simmers will enjoy this model of the 757 - 200, for it's ease of flying, and the great looks of the aircraft itself, plus the potential to upgrade to more advanced systems if you so desire. As usual, very nice job Captain Sim!

and just as easy to use as is the 2D cockpit view. Pop up panels are available in both 2D and VC mode, and can be accessed by the use of the simicons that are on your screen, in the lower left, and can be toggled with the Shift + 2 keys. Various views are also accessible with the use of a small pop up panel that displays the viewpoint location in the aircraft.