AVSIM Online - Flight Simulation's Number 1 Site! - Front Page ...

AVSIM Online - Flight Simulation's Number 1 Site!
file:///C|/Users/Aidi/Desktop/Avsim%20Review/b747/b747.htm (1 of 8)02/12/2008 22:42:04
AVSIM Commercial Aircraft Package Review
Boeing 747-200/300/F
Product Information

AVSIM Online - Flight Simulation's Number 1 Site!
Introduction
Publisher: Commercial Level Simulations
Description: Civil Air Passenger Transport Aircraft
Download Size:
384 MB
Format:
Download or CD Package
Reviewed by: Laurie Aston – Staff reviewer - December 1, 2008
Simulation Type:
FS9 & FSX SP1/2 but NOT DX10 Compatible!
The Boeing Company started work on the Boeing 747 in the 1960’s in response to a growing demand for more passenger capacity per aircraft, and the decision
was further spurred by a request from the now defunct American Airline “Pan American” to produce a 400 seat aircraft, which they would buy in large numbers, to
lead the World aviation market.
Thus the “Jumbo” otherwise known as the Boeing 747-100 was born. Technically it was a demanding product to produce, for one thing its vast size, which had
never been seen before, required a totally new factory to be constructed for the erection of this monster, resulting in a new plant in Everett, Washington, just
outside Seattle, to be constructed with the biggest indoor covered areas in the world. Secondly, new construction techniques were required, in order to achieve a
mating arrangement of upper and lower decks, and due to the length of the fuselage, special jigs to ensure that the whole fuselage sections fitted together
perfectly. The landing gear was another amazing feat of engineering, with steering units required for some of the main gears as well as the nose gear, and a total
of 18 wheels in all to carry the weight of the aircraft on the ground. A capability of a fuel supply for 4 engines resulted in a total uplift in excess of 136 tonnes of
fuel being carried, and a total aircraft weight therefore of 374 tonnes was envisaged. The first flight of the B747 took place in 1969, and the first passenger service
between New York and London for Pan American Airlines took place in 1970.
I was on duty as an Engineer with BOAC on the morning of the arrival of the first Pan-Am 747 into London Heathrow, and along with thousands of other airport
workers, lined the taxiway to see this behemoth touchdown, and what a monster it was. I had been familiar with the Boeing 707 and Vickers VC10 up to this
point, and although it wasn’t difficult to understand the measurements of the Boeing 747, it was a shock to actually appreciate its size when it taxied ten meters
from where you were standing. The intakes of the engines were gi-normous compared to the B707, and the engines themselves looked absolutely huge, which of
course they were, to say nothing of the height of the fuselage, and the flight deck perched some 60 feet up looked an impossibly difficult position to actually fly an
aircraft from.
My wife was employed by Pan-Am at the time of the first 747 arrival, and that afternoon she actually boarded the aircraft for an internal tour, which changed the
illusion of passenger comfort for ever. A lounge and Bar on the upper deck, hundreds and hundreds of seats, a wingspan which exceeded the total length of the
Wright Brothers first ever airborne flight distance, and more and more innovations. A horizontal tail surface which itself is bigger than the wingspan of a
Supermarine Spitfire for instance. Scary or what?
In 1971 I had my first technical course on the Boeing 747 in preparation for BOAC’s own deliveries, and I remember the Instructors first sentence very clearly. It
was to announce that nothing on this aircraft was reachable without steps or ladder, and he wasn’t kidding either. Even routine engine maintenance required
sturdy platforms, and climbing up the gear legs to install safety pins was a feat on its own.
On that day in 1971, the Air Transport market changed forever, as aircraft got bigger, engines got bigger, crashes got bigger, although less in number over the
period of years from then until now, and now we have the Giant A380 Airbus, which is another story.
Installation and Documentation
Loading the program onto my computer was easy, although lengthy, and reading through the comprehensive manual which accompanies the download revealed a
lot of information, some relevant to the operation and some not, but a good read anyway.
file:///C|/Users/Aidi/Desktop/Avsim%20Review/b747/b747.htm (2 of 8)02/12/2008 22:42:04

AVSIM Online - Flight Simulation's Number 1 Site!
The Boeing 747-200/300’s are included in the download and opened with the provided code, but the Freighter has to be downloaded separately from the website.
Not a problem, and gives the 747 fleet at your disposal a large fleet size potentially.
The problem which then arose is from the fact that the programming is lazy, faulty or non-existent, when it comes to downloading liveries. OK, there are
explanations of what to do if the “Livery Manager” doesn’t work, and if the liveries are not recognized properly, but frankly, after 3 days of constant work trying to
download liveries, using every method I could think of and read about, I gave up on the idea, so what you see in this review is what you get, I’m afraid! A couple
of times liveries did load, and revealed aircraft without engine pylons on the inboard section, or a hole where the engine fan should have been. I loaded and
unloaded the whole program three times, and still got limited results. The annoying thing is that what liveries did download, by luck or judgment, look absolutely
fantastic, but more on that later. The website has a lot of Forum comments regarding the liveries, and liveries themselves uploaded by simmers, but some had
been flagged as disrupted links and wouldn’t download, and some just wouldn’t work at all because configuration messages or wrong file name messages popped
up. All in all totally unsatisfactory, which is a shame, because CLS has a lot of potential to be a software simulation leader in the marketplace, but this isn’t the
first time I have been disappointed in the results of testing for a review based on a CLS product. At a cost of Euros 33.95, or £27.10 pence, Aus$ 69.73 and US$
45.95, It is a fair outlay for an honest product, but it is faulty.
The Exterior Model
Wow! The exterior models are stunning! (when they load properly) The detail is nothing short of superb, with fine detail to the markings and decals, the liveries
in correct colors and design. With engines off and parked on stand, the ground equipment is neatly appointed and very accurately positioned, even giving the user
the ability to open passenger doors and cargo doors, and in the case of the through main deck loading version of the freighter, the ability to raise the nose and
have a full cargo front loader positioned correctly. The engines look great, in any of the three flavors decided by the operator, Pratt & Whitney, General Electric or
Rolls Royce, and the attrition linings in the front end of the engines are visible even. Fan blades are clearly seen, exhaust cone or tailpipe is visible, and thrust
reverser blocker doors are revealed upon selection of reverse thrust.
The aircraft are correctly proportioned, accurately sleek and chunky where required, the wing flaps and leading edge flaps deploy correctly, in accordance with
schedule for the deployment, the spoilers/speed brakes deploy accurately, and the split rudder sections are designed properly and look very good.
I have worked on Boeing Aircraft since 1969 for the World’s Favorite Airline, and in all that time have spent years on the Boeing 747-200, 400 and Combi as well
as the main deck freighter which BA once owned, through a continual change of liveries and included other companies aircraft as well, so I feel well qualified to
know the liveries and models designed by CLS, and in my opinion CLS have hit the spot with this set of Boeing Aircraft.
See for yourselves!
British Airways Virgin Atlantic Atlas Air Freighter CLS Plain Combi
file:///C|/Users/Aidi/Desktop/Avsim%20Review/b747/b747.htm (3 of 8)02/12/2008 22:42:04

AVSIM Online - Flight Simulation's Number 1 Site!
Cockpit/Panels
Combi with Gear Down Atlas Air - Heavy Rain Engine and Gear Detail Virgin leaving the UK
TWA B747-200
The Flight Deck has been duplicated very nicely, and looks the part, although not all the control switches and buttons actually move, but there are enough controls
available to select the AFDS (Autopilot Flight Director System), control the engines, manage fuel including dumping of if required, start and stop the APU etc.
It is possible to use 2D panels if required, but once set up, the Virtual cockpit is a much nicer environment to work in, and something extra is the ability via a little
download to use the INS ( inertial Navigation System) rather than the FMC lite which is fitted as standard. There is a bit of code changing to do, but it has
instructions provided to make it (allegedly) painless. I have stated that because I have no idea if readers have the ability to change configuration files or not, and I
would not be as rash as to say that if you can fly the 747 it is not beyond your capabilities, because you don’t actually need the INS to fly the plane. FMC lite is
available and functional to a degree. In the provided manual there are pages devoted to the instrument and control panels, and CLS have indicated which portions
are controllable and which are not, which is very useful information.
I discovered that if you start from a “dark” cockpit, fuel must be added to otherwise empty tanks, and the payload can also be juggled to the requirements of the
user. What is frustrating is that there is no matrix for loading a Combi (a combination of passengers and Cargo on the main deck) or the Freighter, which can carry
all cargo on the main deck by loading through the front end. Racing cars for F1 racing all over the world is a lucrative part of the Cargo business, but none of the
loads can be realistically organized to indicate an all up weight, together with fuel and crew, so hope of a realistic freighter flight from one country to another is
not going to work properly. It is a shame, but try as I might; there is no way round it. Do you think I am being picky? Look on the internet and see what other
packages you can buy for the 747. See what they offer in the way of realism, and then spend your hard earned money accordingly.
The colors of the panels are realistic, and the seats are also the right color and shape. The switches are colored correctly and the indicator lights look pretty good
too.
file:///C|/Users/Aidi/Desktop/Avsim%20Review/b747/b747.htm (4 of 8)02/12/2008 22:42:04

AVSIM Online - Flight Simulation's Number 1 Site!
2D Fwd panel in the air 2D Overhead Panel VC Overhead VC Centre Console
Ground Equipment
With the engines off and the aircraft parked, there is an opportunity to appreciate the ground equipment required to load and offload the cargo ULD’s (Unit Load
Devices) and main cargo pallets, as well as Hold 5 at the rear of the fuselage and the Catering trucks that have to service the Galleys through the main passenger
doors.
There is also the ability to use a towing tractor to move the aircraft around the airport.
Fwd Loading Cargo Side Loading Cargo Rear Fuselage View Tow bar-less Tractor
file:///C|/Users/Aidi/Desktop/Avsim%20Review/b747/b747.htm (5 of 8)02/12/2008 22:42:04
Nose raised for loading Combi door loading A hole lot of trouble here!

AVSIM Online - Flight Simulation's Number 1 Site!
F/D Doors Control Panel
As can be seen from the above shots, the detail is phenomenally good, with the exception of some loading problems I had with graphics not appearing as they
should, as can be seen from the nose cargo door view, and also engine fan detail disappearing for no reason. Try as I might, no amount of tweaking of the FSX
graphics selection could correct the errors, so I gave up on it.
Sounds
With a choice of three engine types, the sounds actually presented are very good, which falls in line with the rest of the engine detail, which is superb. The
“sound” team at CLS has presented a fine set of sounds and I have no complaints with them personally. Flight deck sounds are reasonable and again, with
everything else to do I did not find them intrusive or tiresome at all.
Flight/Air file
So finally to the flying bit, and It is and always has been a monster of an aircraft, and with the 200 series presented with ribbon indicators for engine parameters
etc. Concentration at take-off is quite high, but once established in the climb after rotation and the gear selected up, there is time to look at the main instruments
and then to select the autopilot command paddle and let FMC-lite take over the running of this ship. Banking the airplane is manually is a steady but slow process,
given that you are in control of 300 tonnes of sheets of metal, rivets and bolts and nuts etc. All flying in formation, and likewise, even with the flaps down for
landing and flying the approach pattern, with a speed of about 200 knots on the clock, one needs to line up with the runway a good way out, if manually, because
minor movements are not snap commands, and keeping a 747 lined up and descending at the right rate is not easy, but how satisfying it is when the throttles are
pulled back and the mains just kiss the runway and the aircraft rumbles down the runway and the brakes are applied with reverse thrust to slow the aircraft to
walking speed.
As you can see I like this airplane, and CLS have done really good job of presenting the exterior and interior accurately. OK, there are some problems, basically
programming errors as far as I can see, but those aside this is a very nice addition to the simulator world, and being a simulator of the early Boeing 747 days, is
worthy of a place in the general aircraft hangar of any self respecting Boeing operator.
In Cruise, this thoroughbred performs with style and grace. Climbing to cruise is never boring, so to the descent, which again is flown with interest and a
steadiness which is very satisfying both as the operator or captain. CLS have at least put a lot into getting the model to fly properly within the flight envelope.
Taking it outside the flight envelope is carried out at your peril, because 300 tonnes of airplane can get dangerously out of control and getting it back from over
the edge is not for the feint hearted. It is a tribute to Boeing that an aircraft of this size has been taken from a paper model on a drawing board to the very
reliable full size or should I say Giant size machine that it is today, and CLS should take credit from the fact that they got the aircraft right in most respects. Only
the programming and attention to practical organization of liveries and downloads is amiss.
Summary / Closing Remarks
And so to put this airplane back in the hangar for servicing, ready for another flying day tomorrow. To say that it is a pleasure to own this CLS model of the Boeing
file:///C|/Users/Aidi/Desktop/Avsim%20Review/b747/b747.htm (6 of 8)02/12/2008 22:42:04

AVSIM Online - Flight Simulation's Number 1 Site!
747-200/300/Freighter, even with its irritating faults, which I sincerely hope are put right soon, certainly before producing another big airplane. Because this
machine is very popular throughout the world, and the liveries are very much in demand, but it isn’t funny when hours and hours are wasted attempting to load
them, without success. The only solution offered on the CLS forum only states the totally obvious, and still doesn’t help the operation. Am I being critical, sure I
am, and rightly so, it’s my money that goes into the development fund for such an ambitious venture, as well as boost the company profits, so I am slightly miffed
when I lose out by default and cannot review the aircraft totally to my liking because I cannot get it all to work. My fault or that of my equipment? No way, it’s
down to CLS to do what is required of them by general consensus and produce a COMMERCIAL LEVEL SIMULATION that does what it says it will do, first time and
every time, just like the 747 is expected to operate. Defects are not tolerated on a commercially operated 747, and neither should defects be tolerated in a CLS
product.
file:///C|/Users/Aidi/Desktop/Avsim%20Review/b747/b747.htm (7 of 8)02/12/2008 22:42:04
What I Like About the CLS 747-200
Computer Specs
Test System
Asrock K7S41GX Motherboard
AMD Sempron 2600+ CPU
2Gig DDR Memory
Nvidia Gforce6200 256 Graphics
2x80 Gig HD + 1 x 400Gig external
USB HD
Windows XP Pro SP3
FSX SP1 SP2/Acceleration Microsoft
Force feedback Sidewinder + Rudder
Control
CH Flightsim Yoke
Flight Test Time:
50 hours
● Fantastic interior and exterior attention to liveries and detail.
● It flies just like it was meant to, in every respect.
● The inclusion of well detailed ground equipment adds to the realism and atmosphere.
● The cost of the product is fair and is balanced to the average person’s disposable cash rate.
● The manual is comprehensive and useful in its content.
● Somehow the view from the flight deck gives exactly the impression of sitting high above
the ground, which of course is correct. A well modeled detail.

AVSIM Online - Flight Simulation's Number 1 Site!
What I Don't Like About the CLS 747-200
● It doesn’t all work as it is supposed to. I felt cheated out of an otherwise rich experience
by not being able to download the liveries I wanted and finding bits of the airplane missing.
● The download method is easy but not including the Freighter in the package is a bit
shortsighted. OK, it’s free from the website, but why look for it when it should have been
in the full package in the first place.
● CLS had better re-invent the livery manager because it doesn’t work properly, and what’s
more if you try to manipulate the files the result can be that the livery files will never load
without a de-install and re-install of the package. How frustrating is that?
Printing
If you wish to print this review or read it offline at your leisure, right click on the link below, and
select "save as"
CLS 747-200
(adobe acrobat required)
Comments?
Standard Disclaimer
The review above is a subjective assessment of the product by the author. There is no connection between the
product producer and the reviewer, and we feel this review is unbiased and truly reflects the performance of
the product in the simming environment as experienced by the reviewer. This disclaimer is posted here in
order to provide you with background information on the reviewer and any presumed connections that may
exist between him/her and the contributing party.
Tell A Friend About this Review!
© 2008 - AVSIM Online
All Rights Reserved
Powered by AVSIM SimWords Become a SimWord Publisher!
Flight Sim Super Store
Over 1000 flight sim products in
stock. Hardware, instant
downloads and more are all here.
Great prices & worldwide shipping.
www.FSPilotShop.com
AVSIM Reviews
Want to stay on top of the most
recent ad ons? See our Reviews!
www.avsim.com
file:///C|/Users/Aidi/Desktop/Avsim%20Review/b747/b747.htm (8 of 8)02/12/2008 22:42:04
Make Money with SimWords!
Join the ranks of websites earning
an income from SimWords.
Become a Publisher today!
www.avsim.com
VRS F/A-18E NOW
PREORDERING!
The first military add-on with the
sophistication, realism and beauty
of a high-end transport package.
PRE-ORDERING NOW!
Vertical Reality Simulations
Advertise Here!
Want your advertising to count?
Advertise in this slot for pennies a
day!
www.avsim.com