This package from Team SDB is a fully-featured aircraft carrier add-on for Microsoft Flight Simulator X, including the Steam Edition, and Prepar3D versions 3 and 4.
The CVN-65 USS Enterprise “Final Cruises” Aircraft Carrier package actually began as an enhancement project to bring the previous add-on more up to date with next-gen sims with a few bug fixes and quickly morphed into a completely separate add-on in its own right. And what’s more, it is available for immediate download.
Initially, the team had planned to bring the RFN Carrier gauge of the previous version up to a 64-bit version (for P3Dv4) and also add F/A-18 Hornets and SH-60 Seahawks replacing the slightly outdated F-14 Tomcats, or the SH-3 Seakings, for example.
However, it soon became apparent that the upgrades were worthy of a new, fully original development. And the slick, finished product suggests they were indeed correct.
While we will look at the actual cruises selected in a moment, we will first examine the static aircraft that will be visible on deck (although the option exists to run an “empty deck” should you wish.
Static aircraft visible on deck:
- F/A-18C Hornet
- F/A-18E Super Hornet
- F/A-18F Super Hornet
- EA-6B Prowler
- S-3B Viking
- E-2C Hawkeye
- SH-60 Seahawk
Furthermore, servicing vehicles and the crew themselves are also available to add those extra touches of realism - they are even animated.
And that realism continues with the masterful launch procedures (including Landing Signal Officer announcements) which make every aspect of virtual flight missions from the cruisers available here are unique, intriguing, and exciting.
Even the working elevator taking the aircraft between the hangar deck and the flight deck (which you can see in action in our video above) is just another example of the finer, discreet details that make this program an almost must-have for all those with an interest in flight simulation, whatever their level of experience.
Features include:
- Full FSX Acceleration carrier operations compatibility
- Night Operations Lighting (which includes sequenced flashing centerline lights)
- Carrier Traffic Files (available for both cruises near NAS Oceana, Virginia, and the Persian Gulf)
- Dynamic Night Lighting (only available for Prepar3D version 4)
- Steam Effect on Catapult (only available for Prepar3D version 4)
- Advanced Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System (FLOLS) – including correct glide slope
- RFN gauge for Tactical Air Navigation System (TACAN) and Instrument Carrier Landing System (ICLS)
- Long Range Line-Up System (LRLS)
- Configuration file for AI Carrier utility
As ever, the details, markings, and the aircraft available on all of these liners are authentic and accurate. There are also several “Advanced Features” that allow users much more interaction with each other, as well as a plethora of other options that allow you to configure your surroundings (such as lighting, for example) exactly as you would wish them.
In short, these features include:
- Advanced Aircraft Launch Trigger
- Realistic Launch Speed (which is unique to each specific aircraft)
- Audible Landing Signal Officer (LSO) Announcements
- Animated Catapult Officer (Shooter0
- GOTO Feature (which allows you to place your aircraft in a choice of four different decks)
So what about the cruises of the Enterprise themselves. Ultimately, two cruises were selected for the new, exciting program:
- The final World Cruise from 2006
- The Mediterranean/Arabian Sea Cruise from 2012
Incidentally, the Mediterranean/Arabian Sea Cruise from 2012, which was the Enterprise’s last official journey before it would return to the United States where it would ultimately be decommissioned five years later.
Also included is the Arleigh Burke-class Destroyer in two different schemes (which include both the Flight IIa Class 2 and Class 5 vehicles) and can be visible near the aircraft carrier if wished.
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