Discus Glider X - AVSIM Online

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guide carefully.
The virtual cockpit
gain altitude when the air around them is rising faster
than the glider's rate of descent. The vario is designed
to take the sink rate of the glider into account, and
shows when the external air mass is rising or sinking -
vital information for the long-distance glider pilot.
Also included is an instrument called the C4
Competition. This device combines the functions of a
vario, flight computer and altimeter, and Aerosoft has
worked hard to replicate the exact functions of the real
world instrument. In fact, rather than create a user
manual, Aerosoft has simply supplied the real-world
documentation from the manufacturer. A detailed
description of all functions of the C4 would take too
long, and I heartily recommend that you read the user
Briefly, the C4 is designed to maximise the glider's speed over the ground during a cross
country flight. It takes into account the strength of the thermals that the pilot can use, and
recommends the speed that the pilot should fly to reach the next thermal. If you think gliders
are basic, this may change your mind!
The GPS is mounted to the right of the main
instruments and is designed to replicate the PDA-type
device that is popular with glider pilots. When in use,
it works in a similar way to the default GPS showing
course, speed and altitude. I noticed a slight drop in
the frame rate from 35 fps to around 32 fps while the
GPS was activated, and the display stutters slightly.
The overall effect of the cockpit is very pleasing. The
textures of the instruments are crisp, even when
viewed closely, and the gauges are very smooth. The
body of the pilot is visible when using the virtual
cockpit - you can see his feet on the rudder pedals and
his hand on the control column. If this is not to your
taste, a simple click of the mouse removes him. A
nice touch.
A close up of the panel showing the
C4 Competition Gauge
One final feature deserves comment. Gliders are not equipped with turn and slip gauges – they
use a piece of string! The yaw string is affixed to the outside of the canopy, directly in the
pilot’s line of sight, and shows whether the aircraft is yawing left or right. To keep the aircraft
coordinated, just keep the string horizontal against the canopy. The Discus is equipped with a
yaw string which works exactly as in the real world glider.
Sounds
Flight without power doesn’t mean flight without sound, and the Discus demonstrates this well.
The package comes with over 100 custom-made sounds, controlled by a special gauge which
responds to the FSX environment. From the whistle of the air flowing around the cockpit to the
rumble of the wheel over a rough field, the sounds are handled exceptionally well. You can
even hear the creaking of the wings as you fly through turbulence.
The one exception to the subtlety of the sounds can be experienced when the engines of the BT
and BM models are started. The manual warns that both engines are extremely noisy, and in
use they do sound like a buzz-saw just inches behind the pilot’s head. It definitely makes you
appreciate the quiet once they are turned off!
Getting Into The Air
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