I decided to test out the freeware turboprop on a medium route, the results are pretty outstanding, considering you don’t have to spend money.
The LET L-410 Turbolet comes in two versions: passenger and cargo version.
The review is made on the cargo version with ICAR Air livery from Ancona (LIPY) to Sarajevo (LQSA)
Flight Model
The flight model is pretty accurate, even if the plane is freeware.
The STOL peculiarities of the UVP version (the one developed) are well simulated.
The fun comes as soon as you disengage the autopilot and fly manually. The commands are not too responsive so you have to execute smooth movements on the yoke like you see in this video
As you extend flaps you’ll notice a strong nose-up attitude (like in the other turboprops) that you have to contrast using trims.
So that, you’ll find very comfortable to use a yoke.
The flight model, anyway, is a bit less accurate when it comes to simulate unusual situations like stall. And, in my opinion, the speed is too stable, the planes barely decelerate when you are in idle and barely accelerate in full thrust once in flight.
That’s not a problem, you can deal with it.
One thing I do not understand is how the propeller levers work once associated to a joystick axes, but I think it’s only a problem on my side.
The Auto-Feather function is simulated really well.
Flight model mark: 8/10
Design
You don’t have to forget that is a freeware plane.
Do not expect to feel like in the real cockpit as you could do in payware liners.
Indeed, the internal textures are well done but quite far from very realistic, but you have reflective screens, windshields and dials. All the switches are modeled, even if some is not simulated yet.
One really good feauture is that as you increase the payload you’ll see more cargo in the fuselage.
And that will, of course, affect performance in a realistic way.
The external model looks good, the textures are detailed even if they do not affect the performance at all (it’s a very light plane over all).
The 3d model, though, it’s a bit too raw as you can see in the following pics. But I would expect way less from a freeware plane that is also rich of animations!
Design mark: 7/10
Systems
Hats off to the developer for the way he built the systems of this plane.
Not all the switches and knobs are working, but the plane is very similar to the real one.
And it’s not finished yet!
I really like the choice to implement the real autopilot without IAS climb mode or the ALT selection.
You have to choose a proper Vertical Speed during climb, then calculate the descent performance manually (like I do) or with the assistance of the X-Plane GNS430.
If you have a calculator or a sheet and a pencil near you, don’t hesitate to calculate all manually. It’s way more interesting and fun!
Like all the old eastern planes this feautures the speed indicator in Km/h and the vertical speed expressed in m/s.
It’s not hard to convert ft/min in m/s, and honestly it’s useful to learn the conversion between feet and metres, that is uknown to many users.
I noticed that there is a digital screen that indicates the distance to the VOR or navigation point and the current speed in knots. Useful during ILS approach.
Don’t forget: the course must be selected by moving the yellow arrow on the navigation dial.
System mark: 8.5/10
Sound
The engine sound is quite realistic.
Many sounds are not simulated or barely hereable as the switches sound or the ambient sound in the cockpit with engines off.
I hope someone will develop a sound pack for this plane, because it lacks of a realistic sound experience.
Sound mark: 6.5/10
Documentation
The plane itself comes without documents.
Don’t worry, you’re not alone in learning this complicated plane.
The developer shared the official airplane flight manual here.
That’s very well done as you can access the manual from any device or location without visiting the airplane folder.
The manual is full of informations, normal and non-normal procedures, cockpit schemes, system schemes and more.
After all, it’s the official document written by LET.
Documentation mark: 10/10
Conclusions
This add-on is really well developed and I’m sure it will be more ehnanced step by step.
I must agree with the users who describes it as the best freeware plane available.
I didn’t forget Zibo’s 737, but that plane was totally developed, not edited. That’s the difference.
Actually I don’t mind spending real moneys for this plane because, under some points of view, it’s better than the famous payware twin otter, STOL as the L-410 and with similar feautures.
TOTAL MARK: 8/10
