Carenado’s Cessna 182RGIIReviewed by Ludo Lambrechts
“A mythical bird that never dies,” was the advertising slogan that Carenado used for their latest release- the Cessna Skylane 182RGII. Through their hard work and expertise in aircraft modelling, anyone who tries their 182RGII will understand this slogan. The ‘RG had a very special feature which set it apart from its fixed gear brother. The RG was more aerodynamic and was more efficient. With these advantages it became the “mythical bird that never dies”.
Carenado recreated the model and its systems beautifully. The detail and eye candy on this bird make it arguably Carenado’s best work yet. The retractable gear for the 182RGII are a very distinct shape, and present one of the toughest puzzles to model, but just like every other detail Carenado has recreated it beautifully. No details have been left behind or forgotten on this plane. Just like all past releases Carenado has made me believe that my flight simulator was real. This single-engine prop makes your flight simulation experience one you’ll mistake for the real thing.
Some of the most astonishing work on this aircraft was done on the inside. I was amazed by the detail on the outside, but when I looked at the virtual cockpit I was even more impressed. The cabin of the 182RG is a very beautiful one in real life but presents many challenges when modelling it. But with the use of photo real textures, time, and a wealth of experience Carenado’s developers have presented their customers with the ultimate experience of being a pilot. All gauges have been included in their correct positions, and work lag-free. Little extras have also been included into the cabin such as cords from the radio system, animated controls, windows, and much more.
Along with the ultra realistic model comes the unseen realism-the sound. I have spent some time at airports before, and I have been around a couple of Cessna Skylanes before. I have to say that the sound which Carenado included sounds like the real ‘182. From engine start-ups, to engine shut down, from the initial increase in the throttle, to cruise speed, you will feel and hear as though you where in a Cessna Skylane. Both interior and exterior sound is greatly done.
This latest add-on from Carenado no doubt doesn’t lack in quality, and detail-there is no arguing that. But from past experiences high detail and great animation lead me to worry about the performance. Nobody enjoys flying through a slideshow-like environment no matter how good their aircraft looks. This has always been a challenge to flight simulator developers (aircraft and scenery), but as their reputation shows they have preserved all of the quality, detail, and eye candy while keeping game performance at it’s maximum level. This makes their Cessna Skylane 182RGII an even more fun add-on to fly.
So far Carenado has given us the complete package, but there are still other components from this add-on that make it special. Besides the jaw-dropping detail on the Skylane 182RGII, the flight experience is still ultra-realistic. The flight dynamics are very real, and provide a great challenge to the pilot. The challenge although is a great one as you experience what a real 182RGII pilot experiences.
All together Carenado has put together a perfect package. The detail is unrivalled, the price is great at less than $20USD, and the extras you get with it is amazing. Carenado has included a couple of quality manuals with this plane which make it even more fun to fly. These manuals are very informative and cover all performance statistics, to panel operation. For $30USD or more you will not receive this kind of quality, but for less than $20USD you can purchase the Cessna Skylane 182RGII by Carenado. All of this taken together I would give the Cessna Skylane 182RGII by Carenado a perfect 10 out of 10.
Happy flying
Ludo
Carenado's Cessna Skylane 182 RG II, My Review
[GK-customfield]FSX[customfield-GK] 
