Revisiting the updated Carenado Pilatus PC-12 in Microsoft Flight Simulator

Tonight we take a short flight in the updated Carenado Pilatus PC-12 in Microsoft Flight Simulator - flying from Wycombe Air Park over to Elstree - just to test the aircraft out. I still don't like what Carenado have done with the altitude pre-selector - but at least it seems to behave somewhat predictably now.
Here's where you can find the checklist:
ko-fi.com/jonb...
(I didn't go ahead with using Notion for the checklist - it turns out it's not so easy to print it)
#msfs #flightsimulator #carenado #pc12 #pilatus #aircraft #aviation #flying #flight

[@jonbeckett]

Here's where you can find the checklist: ko-fi.com/jonbeckett/shop

[@flyboy1945]

I have about 3500 hours in PC-12s. The altitude selector works like that in the real aircraft. Taking off, SOPs usually dictate "Go around, heading, alt" selected. This sets the FD up for take off and arms the altitude selector with whatever altitude you have in the box, usually your first SID altitude. The controls for the PC-12 are all cable and pushrod controlled, no boost needed, so you can fully articulate the controls with no power on the aircraft. I also saw another comment about moving the condition lever to ground idle in the flare, you can do this to help reduce ground roll and help slow the plane down, but it goes against SOPs and manufacture directions. Every time you move the condition lever, you should expect a flame out.

[@captainmichael787]

Bought this plane about 2 weeks ago when it was on sale and I was so disappointed with how it flew now I’ve updated it and it feels 10000x better I love it

[@jonbeckett]

It's definitely better.

[@gflo2781]

I made the mistake of getting it on release, expecting a satisfactory level of quality from Carendo (based on a couple of previous purchases). Good to see it's finally feeling more like a plane than a Scalextric car, but these autopilot issues still persist annoyingly!

[@lvwpy]

Thanks for coming back to this beautiful aircraft! It's definitely my favourite GA aircraft in the sim, and although I've never had any performance issues, I'm glad Carenado keep updating their products. I hope to see you flying this beauty more often!

[@ItzChickenYall]

My fav is the PC-6

[@jonbeckett]

There are too many planes! lol

[@GumperVanLier]

I appreciate you revisiting planes that have been updated. I don't have this plane as another developer will release one in the near future. Also, Black Square founder says he plans on doing a TBM 850. I guess he'll use the 930 for that. But I will pick this one up when it's discounted. As for the autopilot, I like using my GTN 750's autopilot. Solves this problem. The GTN 750 Premium is, by far, my favorite pay ware add-on. The developer keeps adding features and updates it frequently.

[@jonbeckett]

The TDS GTN is very good also - it's essentially "the real thing" - but is limited by the Garmin nav data it comes with.

[@johncillis3431]

I've always liked the Pilatus as a real life aircraft because of its single engine, yet Beech King Air type of appearance, and hearing one fly over on approach into Goodyear AZ once, it sounded like a Citation jet overhead so I did a double take when I realized it was a PIlatus. I like the Carenado aircraft, I had it in other sims and was glad to see it ported over to Xbox MSFS. It is fun to fly, and since I have never flown a real one, as long as I can get the autopilot to aquire altitude and hold IAS, like this one can, and follow my flight plan with the gps, I am OK with that. I manually handle approaches and takeoffs for those portions of the flight, and plan my flightplan in the World Map according to weather enroute when using real weather. The PIlatus and smaller biz jets I like since they are more like the GA aircraft I've flown (single engine fixed wing) in real life, vs. a larger airliner (though the default 787 is my fav MSFS airliner along with the new A310 and new ATR 42/72). It is good to see the PC-12 still showing up in reviews like yours on this site, for those who have not got it but might consider it. The default TBM and Beech King Air are quite OK as alternatives for those with a light add-on budget.

[@jonbeckett]

Yep - it's an interesting aircraft. I think I still prefer the Black Square aircraft over it though :)

[@thomaswhalen3703]

- The only thing I've ever used the Avidyne for is the weather radar display. That leaves both GTN screens for other tasks. - For the altitude preselector, you need to manually arm it otherwise it stays in VS and blows past the altitude. If you manually arm it though, it works as it should. - On descent, I usually don't use VS mode but rather set my descent speed and enter IAS mode. That way the plane will automatically hold that speed and I can adjust my rate of descent with throttle input.

[@jonbeckett]

Yep - good feedback. I was purposely leaving it in VS mode because it (quite bizarrely) captured on the climb out. There's some whacky logic going on - I'll do a video specifically about it.

[@thomaswhalen3703]

@@jonbeckett Definitely some weird logic behind it. Like you said in the video, it should work more like the one found in the BQ aircraft which is also how they work irl.

[@lvwpy]

Yeah, most of the real PC-12 pilots also climb in IAS mode at around 130-150 Knots.

[@frozenn00b]

@@jonbeckett It captured in climb out because at 12:50 you clicked arm, but you didn't on the descent.

[@StallthenTurn]

I have never had any issues with the autopilot altitude set. If you set the desired altitude first (ascending/descending) then select the rate - not set the rate then the desired altitude it works fine. In your case, set descend to 3000' then say 1500fpm, it will work. Makes sense when you consider ATC always assigns an altitude to get to and you determine the rate.

[@petemichel8011]

UK looks so nice in this simulator. Thanks for sharing.Cheers from Germany !

[@jonbeckett]

You're welcome :)

[@PilotPlater]

Appears to replicate the pc-12/47 variant perfectly. Looks really good!

[@jasonbrackstone]

Jonathan, I got this plane a while ago, and the vs arm caught ne out for a while but now I have it sorted. Its a lovely plane. And one, not that I know it as a pilot, that's a dream to fly in the sim. Great video

[@jonbeckett]

Once you figure out how Carenado have made the preselector work, you can get around it :)

[@Ngamer834]

Look forward to flying this again, was already a fan of this.

[@jonbeckett]

It's better - no idea if it's perfect - but it's better :)

[@woltri68]

I don't know if someone mentioned it already nor if you found it. but at 7:48 right as you are seeing the transponder section in the 750 the "classic" transponder is kind of waving from behind the copilots yoke =D As always - great video.

[@jackwoud]

Good morning from the Netherlands Jonathan. Enjoyed watching your video, after all the PC-12 is my favorite but can't fly with it. Before the last update I couldn't fly it for more than 30 to 40 minutes, then the frame rate dropped below 10 and then it doesn't work anymore and after the last update nothing has changed. Soon there will be another revision, I understand, but I don't dare to buy it again and I do so with pain in my heart. My system is Ryzen 9 5900 and RTX 3080, which should be more than enough to fly with it, no problem with the other devices. Thanks for the video and greetings from Jack.

[@jonbeckett]

That's really odd about performance - I've had no issues with it for a while now.

[@localizer363]

Nice landing Jon.

[@jonbeckett]

Cheers :)

[@LuisArgerich]

That was a fantastic decrab!

[@jonbeckett]

Getting better at it :)

[@gorano8895]

It did not capture 3000ft while descending because you did not click the arm button. And I've seen some pilots of pc12, real life bringing the condition liver to ground idle right before the touchdown, power to idle and condition liver to ground idle. Not sure if this is correct but pc12 pilot did it.

[@jonbeckett]

Yep - I realised my mistake as soon as I saw what was going on. I think the fact that arming happened on climb threw me. The altitude preselector is very odd in this version of the aircraft.

[@Ngamer834]

PC 12 is broken for me now but no idea why tried a reinstall or perhaps I am doing something wrong. The vertical speed/attitude selector is causing me issues now and didn't before. Shame really I liked this plane.

[@planecrazyOnUtube]

Might have to try that ‘flight’ when I get home from work. Was on a business trip to Elstree last week. Had lunch in Soul Deli in Elstree studios. Curious to see how that looks in the sim. Don’t care much for the pc12 though. Not a very sexy plane in my opinion.

[@jonbeckett]

I was only trying it out because it (apparently) got updated :)

[@planecrazyOnUtube]

I hear you. No judgement :D

[@ukar69]

I don't bother with the pre selector. I've got a Logitech autopilot panel which does the trick. I like the night lighting in the cockpit and cabin. Annoying thing for me is if you have the door open and turn off the avionics it closes it.

[@jonbeckett]

Yeah - I imagine that makes it a bit more sensible :)

[@jay-rus4437]

Who has this plane, and how do you like it? Worth purchasing?

[@jay-rus4437]

Anyone? I realize the SWS is “almost” ready for release, but would really like some owners of the carenado pc-12 to offer some input and opinion. Is this plane worth buying? After multiple updates, is the overall quality good?

[@nickdesai6829]

Great as usual. Do you have a vid about your settings? Thanks

[@jonbeckett]

I just run the sim on Ultra.

[@andreasv9496]

​@@jonbeckett Graphics looks so smooth! What set up are you using?

[@ironknobair]

I could not get the vertical speed to read down on the indicator and so the plane will not descend. from which ever height you are you have to take over manually and if the weather is bad, I don't know how you could fly. It would be good with a try before you buy with some of these planes.

[@jonbeckett]

I've never had a problem with the PC-12. You must have something setup strangely :)

[@maity787]

The alt mode control works fine for me have no problems with it

[@jonbeckett]

It doesn't work as it should though. In ALT mode you should be able to dial an altitude, press the rotating knob to select VS, and the plane will do as instructed. It doesn't always in the Carenado aircraft :/

[@maity787]

Right click on knob

[@ironmanballer4868]

Seen a few pc-12s in real life I’m not entirely sure what system if any the controls are assisted by however I do know that if a pilot bumps the yoke when he is getting out the controls will move now I don’t know they maybe electrical or they haven’t modeled something here.

[@jonbeckett]

Thanks for the feedback :)

[@windogmassey1]

Hi all, great video thanks. Does anyone have an image or PDF of the Pilatus panel they could share?

[@jonbeckett]

Thanks for the feedback - don't have an image, sorry.

[@stefanblackadder5236]

In your opinion is the SWS version that much better than this for 25$. I have this one and it’s pretty good. I can’t find any direct comparisons.

[@philipfoster7269]

I still prefer the TBM.

[@caribbaviator7058]

​@@thesn00tyfox man that would be a dream! Would love something like the Hotstart equivalent in XP11

[@eracer1111]

I fly a Bonanza, and am getting more comfortable with a Baron. Both have the G1000NXi. I've been thinking of trying something a little more complex and faster. Maybe the HondaJet, or the TBM. Most people I've asked recommend the TBM. The PC-12 looks like fun, though.

[@mikecoffee100]

currently having a piece of Pizza and not to worry I won't make a mess in this new plane and another Splendid Video Thank You Sir. Oh Speaking of Current are you current in The PC 12 ?? ;)

[@mikecoffee100]

not that odd about the auto pilot realy after all it is Carenado and yes I have a couple of thier aeroplanes and despite their short falls I do enjoy them.

[@jonbeckett]

@@mikecoffee100 Same here - they're very reasonably priced (normally!)

[@mikecoffee100]

@@jonbeckett now I am going to have go at EGJA with the 170 only had it for a few days

[@jarrathhaigh8751]

My version of it makes me sim glitch so much. Sad because I do wsnt to fly it but don't now what is causing it to skip and jump beteen fps all the time

[@jonbeckett]

A lot of people get that.

[@ilexxis182]

Do you use the quadrants detents on the throttole ? If you’re using the airbus tca?

[@jonbeckett]

Yep :)

[@jjstevenz]

i feel like these little planes are always way too sensitive with input almost unrealistically Jon, what say you?

[@jonbeckett]

They seem fine to me ?

[@jjstevenz]

@@jonbeckett Looks a lot smoother in real life kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpyzgHtqpcmomtk&ab_channel=JustPlanes

[@JamesAtLarge]

how do you get the tablet ? i downloaded the update i dont see it

[@abstractbybrian]

I want a pc12, is it worth it or should I wait for the SWS version?

[@abstractbybrian]

Does the bravo throttle override the problem with the altitude vs problem?

[@andyholmes9485]

SWS are near launch on their PC12.

[@jonbeckett]

Will be good to compare them!

[@caribbaviator7058]

Wont be coming this year!

[@alexiclemeur4028]

I am having issues with the avionics not turning on. If any one knows how to fix that please let me know thanks

[@jonbeckett]

Power first, then engines, then avionics.

[@alexiclemeur4028]

@@jonbeckett Yeah i have tried that. But the screens remained blank. I have also tried spawning in the air and using the tablet to start it

[@rymdskrotet]

...on their webpage or in MS marketplace?

[@jonbeckett]

It was updated in the Marketplace around the same time World Update 13 arrived, I believe.

[@realLuisGiordano]

Excellent flight captain! How do you move the camera like that around the passenger cabin and leave the airplane like that?

[@jonbeckett]

The cursor keys :) I re-mapped them a little to make up/down move the camera backwards/forwards - but otherwise, yes - just drag with the right mouse button to turn, and use the keys to move.

[@britin23506]

Which is best? Carenado or SWS?

[@echobay5040]

SWS by a mile. Carenado are not faithful to the systems of the real aircraft. The pusher system for instance doesn’t seem to be modelled

[@britin23506]

@@echobay5040 thanks !

[@douglaskeane1792]

Flew this last night was coming into an airport on the Ap needed to start my descend and for what ever reason the plane clashed :/ idk what I did wrong no alarms or anything and what sucked was it was a 45 minute flight no way I was re doing it :(

[@richardstoffel6585]

Did u try to disengage the ap?

[@jonbeckett]

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt :)

[@GentlemanJamesWin]

The NGX seems a lot better.

[@KDogg_96]

Still sounds like a vacuum cleaner… still a waste of money in my opinion. Hopefully SWS sounds better

[@jonbeckett]

Very fast vacuum cleaner though :)