We’re 9 days into 2022 and I haven’t done a Flight Journal piece yet. Here comes my first of the year with a pretty stunning flight that I had over the island of Tenerife in X-Plane 11. The flight let me check out two new things. First, it was my first look at Orbx TrueEarth Canary Islands and also my first look at Aerobask’s DA62 v2 with a few upgrades. Let’s have a look!

DA62 version 2.0

I just finished a full review of the Aerobask DA62 a few months ago but I am pleased to report that Aerobask continue to give it a lot of support and a version 2.0 is now out replacing the original. Support is now being given to 2.0 with some follow-up bug fixing in 2.1 and 2.2. Check out the change log here.

There’s nothing earth-shattering about the updated aircraft but there are some very good changes. There are new ground options panels, fixed animations, fixed ECU test sequences, new passengers, slightly softer reflections, new synthetic vision on the X1000 PFD screen (matching other more recent Aerobask products), and a revised flight model that now uses the “experimental” flight model (which is now the default in X-Plane 11.55). Aerobask and their partners at X-Aerodynamics have revised airfoils, flying surfaces, thrust parameters to get fuel burn accuracy improvements, and fine tuned drag profiles as well.

Although the flight model doesn’t feel dramatically different, it does have a subtle feel of more fluid motion and I quite like it. And the synthetic vision really is a nice to have feature especially on some of the mountain flights that I’ve done.

Exploring Tenerife

Located off the coast of Western Africa, Tenerife is one of nine islands that Orbx have detailed in their TrueEarth EU Canary Islands package.

I started my flight at Tenerife Sur Airport (GCTS) with its 10,000 foot runway 08 / 26 that could easily handle the small DA62. My plan was a quick flight from there up to the north end of the island taking the scenic route along the way before ultimately landing at Tenerife Norte (GCXO).

After takeoff I gained some height before heading out over Los Cristianos, a resort town near the southern tip of the island. Then I turned north towards Teide National Park, a UNESCO-listed park and Spain’s highest mountain: Teide Volcano.

The ground was outclimbing my DA62 so I had to alter my course before eventually popping over the ridges and being treated with some impressive views. I flew past Teide Observatory (one of several observatories that is on the hunt for more exoplanets).

After a while longer, I found myself admiring the view over Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Here there are various ships in the harbour, historic structures and brightly coloured buildings making up the combination of hand placed and autogen scenery.

My flight continued over Parque Rural de Anaga (or Rural Anaga Park) which is a nature and rural area before turning onto a landing approach on the other side of the island for Runway 12, another 10,000 foot runway.

Both of these airports have several custom scenery options although I have not yet installed any. After my initial tour is over I might seek some out. For now, they are adequate with their default X-Plane 11 scenery gateway coverage.

Stay tuned for my next flight!