Socata TB9 Tampico Review

Socata TB9 Tampico (Freeware)

Description	Socata TB9 Tampico
Publisher	x-plane.org "nicolovitch"
Download Size	9.8 MB

TEST SYSTEM

1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo 2

ATI Radeon x1600 126mb VRAM

2GB 667 MHz DDR2 RAM

X-PLANE 9.70

Mac OS X 10.6.8

FPS with this package and high rendering options: 50+

Don't you like it when a payware quality plane is released as freeware?  I sure do.  The Socata TB9 Tampico is one of many great examples of that.  Before we get into the review, here is the link to download for free:

CLICK!

First, a little background on the Socata TB9 Tampico from pilotfriend.com:

The 160-HP Socata TB9 Tampico is the entry-level aircraft in the TB series, yet still offers all standard GT features: new design, composite canopy, flush-mounted windows, newly redesigned wingtips and enlarged baggage door.

Few aircraft used in flying schools may be described as "comfortable". But that's the word that comes up most often when talking about the TB9 flying classroom. The new TB9 offers high performance, thanks to the GT-series aerodynamic improvements, along with wheel fairings and a Sensenich propeller optimized for cruise.

A new trailing-link type fixed landing gear enables the Tampico GT to support high-cycle operation the durability demanded by flight schools.

The Tampico GT's high wing loading yields excellent response even in turbulence, and offers the solid ride of heavier aircraft. The centre console is easy to reach and controls are especially practical, making the airplane a joy to fly.

PANEL AND SYSTEMS IMPLEMENTATION

What better way to start a review than to talk about the place where you will be spending the most time, the cockpit?  My rules for reviewing a planes cockpit are as follows:

• Textures: Has the author used more than the default x-plane instruments?  Has the author implemented textures in the cockpit that are realistic to the real life aircraft?  Are the textures the same color as in the real life aircraft and how realistic are they?
• Instruments: Are the instruments in the right place?  Are all of the instruments that are in the real life aircraft included in the simulation?  Are all of the instruments textured as they are in the real life aircraft?
• Cockpit 3D modeling: Are the instruments modeled in 3D, for example, is the Garmin 430’s knobs a 3D object popping out in the 3D cockpit, or is it just a texture?  Is the artificial horizon a 2D texture just painted on the surface or is it a 3D model popping out?  Is the cockpit shell modeled correctly? Are all 3D instruments that move animated?  Are manipulators used?
• Systems: Are there any more systems simulated than the X-Plane default?  Is there a custom FMC? (When Applicable) Is there a plugin and or Gizmo used to simulate beyond what X-Plane simulates by default?

The TB9 has a native 3D cockpit and no 2D cockpit.

Let's take an initial look at our front office:

And here is the real one.  As you can see, every detail is there and the modeling is extremely accurate.  Every instrument is in the right place.

Look at that 3D modeling in the cockpit!  Woah! And all custom instrument textures too except for the standard six.  That is the type of 3D modeling that I said was lacking in my Pipers 970 review.  Here the modeling shines and really makes the cockpit a comfortable and beautiful front office.  All the textures are very accurate and the right color.  My only complaint about them would be that the resolution of them seems a little low.  There isn't any exceptional systems modeling because frankly, there aren't any

systems to model.  The only system that could have been modeled is the G430.


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OVERALL PANEL AND SYSTEMS IMPLEMENTATION SCORES

Textures	4/5	The only reason they aren't a 5 is because it seems they are low resolution.
Instruments	5/5	All the instrumentation is spot on!
Cockpit 3D Modeling	4/5	Exquisite, but a little rough.
Systems	4/5	Eh, not many systems to model in this case.  What is done is done well.
Overal Panel Score	4.5	Almost perfect!

Exterior Model and Exterior “Eye Candy”

We would all like to say that we spend all of our time in the cockpit and the exterior model doesn’t matter but that just isn’t true.  In today’s X-Plane world the exterior model is a very important part of the .acf.  Who doesn’t like to step out into chase view and fly from out there every once in a while? Here are my rules for reviewing a payware planes exterior model:

• 3D Model: Is it just a planemaker model or is an .obj model?  Are there any rough edges?  How detailed is the model?  Does the model like the real life plane to best of our eyes abilities?
• Model Texturing:  How detailed are the textures?  Are there details such as flap lines, fuel tanks, doors, and rivets?

The exterior model is simply put, amazing.  There are two livery options, a white and a yellow.  Compared to pictures, I can't find any flaws in the model.  The textures are very well done and the windows are nicely transparent.  My only complaint is that the detail lines and rivets look very bad on the textures.



OVERALL EXTERIOR MODEL AND "EYE CANDY" SCORES

3D Model	5/5	Perfect
Exterior Textures	3.5/5	The textures are good except the detail lines and rivets aren't that great.
Overall Exterior Score	4.5	Very Good!

Flight Model Realism

Flight model realism is a very touchy subject open to a lot of debate.  I am no pilot.  I have very little experience in real airplanes but I do have more experience than most people in a flight simulator.  After reading many reviews and flying planes that are verified to be realistic, you develop a sense of what is right and what is not.  My main test of flight model realism is how the plane behaves relative to it's specs.  I tested every spec of the TB9 against this x-plane model.  the results?  Most tests were almost spot on.  If the numbers were off it was only by a little.

FLIGHT MODEL SCORE

Flight Model Realism

4/5

Nicely done.

USER FRIENDLINESS

User friendliness is how well the aircraft interacts with the sim, how well the instruments can be seen, how readable are the instruments, if there is a POH included.  All that jazz.  This TB9 is very user friendly.  All the instruments are usually crisp and easy to read.  I wish there could of been a little bit more documentation about the instruments and the switches but I figured everything out after a few minutes.  There is a small spec sheet included.  It is not in english but is understandable.  A nice amenity would have been a yoke show/hide button but that's not a big deal.  Overall, the TB9 is very user friendly.

FINAL SCORES

Panel and Systems Implementation	4.5/5
Exterior Model and "Eye Candy"	4.5/5
Flight Model	4/5
User Friendliness	4/5
Final Score	4.5

VERDICT

This TB9 is a joy to fly.  It's main purpose in real life is a trainer so it is docile and slow but a great scenery exploring plane.  It's really a lot of fun and all the eye candy makes it all the much better.  I highly recommend it.

Cheers,

Simon B