Vista Liners L-1011-100 TriStar
review
The Lockheed L-1011 TriStar is a medium to long range, wide body commercial passenger jet aircraft. In response to an American Airlines requirement for a medium range airliner smaller than the Boeing 747 that can operate on smaller airports, the development of the TriStar was launched in 1968. Initially, Lockheed studied a twin engine layout, but decided to develop a tri-engine layout instead to ensure it could takeoff at max weights from smaller runways. Despite the interest of American Airlines, they opted for the Douglas DC-10. Instead, Eastern Airliners became the launch customer with the first TriStar delivered to them on April 26, 1972. When the production of the TriStar ended in 1983, a total of 250 TriStar variants were built.
The Vista Liners TriStar is a good looking and frame rate friendly model. All the usual animations are present. The flight dynamics are quite good, its not very hard to control this aircraft. The behavior of the main landing gear is very realistic, although it can result in bumpy landings in FSX. This aircraft model is still in beta version, but there are allready a few liveries available on the Vista Liners website. The base package comes with nice sound package, but you'll have to look for a panel yourself.
--
the good
the bad
License |
: | Freeware |
Panel |
: | No |
Virtual Cockpit |
: | No |
Wingview |
: | Yes |
Sound |
: | Yes |
Developed for |
: | FS2004 |
Compatibility |
: | FS2004 FSX |
Wingflex |
: | Yes, gear compression/lift based |
Landing gear |
: | Realistic |
Rudder effect |
: | Insufficient |
FS2004 |
: |
|
FSX |
: |
|
Links
notes
-
Posted By: lamanogaucha
I'll mention here (in order of release date) the FS9 panels that I found at FlightSim:
1) Marco Spada: I did not try this one because this was designed prior to the Vista Liners model (and it also involves installing a small patch for it). This in itself is no reason to not give it a try (especially since the images at the website indicate that this is probably a nice looking/functioning panel), but since more recent ones are available, I decided to pass on it.
2) Chris Alevritis: This is a sweet looking panel and it was my first choice to try out; some of Mr. Alevritis' panels for other aircraft are quite good. Unfortunately, his panel for the TriStar seems to lack anti-icing and lights switches (at least I could not find them; my apologies if I'm incorrect on this). Granted, one can turn on the lights by simply pressing the "L" key and (possibly) one can do the same for the anti-icing system, but in my opinion, this is a fatal flaw if one uses a program like FSPassengers, which will definitely penalize you if you turn on all the lights at once, for example. It's too bad because this was indeed a rather nice looking panel...
3) Ken Mitchell: Mr. Mitchell's panel comes in two flavors, standard and ribbon. I downloaded both to compare them. I chose to install the ribbon version, as it is unique as far as TriStar FS panels go and because this aircraft was indeed sometimes equipped in the real world with such a panel. I also opted to install this one first because it seems to get high recommendations. Unfortunately, although this panel is very nice and has quite a few system features -- it's very much a "Mitch" panel -- it has problems correctly showing the amount of fuel in two of the tanks. I understand that it is possible to fix this but I simply could not be bothered. I also did not like having to start the engines from a "cold" state every time. It's OK to do that most of the time, but sometimes one just wants to fly. I suspect that the standard version of the panel is pretty much the same as the ribbon one, so I decided not to try it.
4) Horst Paetzold: I chose not try this one because the installation seemed a little tricky (no biggie though) and it also seems to be designed with (mostly) the Charles Dayhuff and Ray Lopez models. This panel should be compatible with the Vista Liners one, however, even if it may alter the wingviews. I would be very interested in hearing here from someone that uses this panel with this model.
5) Francisco Silva: This is a recent panel (only about 9 months old at the time of this writing; all the others are from 2004-05). I almost did not install this one because I assumed that I would have to keep Mitch's ribbon panel (see above). I'm glad that I did though because (although a bit simpler than Mitch's) it seems to work very well and it looks good. The only issues are that it uses a payware GPS gauge (but one can easily change the panel cfg to tell the program to use the default Garmin 500; the substitute cfg lines are provided) and some of the wingviews will no longer be available. Regarding this last issue, is it possible for users to change the panel cfg to restore the wingviews without messing up Mr. Silva's panel? If so, how?
And so, I chose to keep this last one. I'm happy with it and I think that most other users would as well. It is a pleasure to fly the Vista Liners L-1011 with it. This is fast becoming my favorite plane of all.
on 12/26/2008 at 11:45:54
I just want to do a quick "review" regarding panels for this wonderful FS model. As many of you know, panels for the TriStar are hard to come by, as not many people seem interested in designing panels for this awesome plane. That's unfortunate because the L-1011 is certainly one of the very best aircraft to have been put to production in the 60s-70s era and this Vista Liners model is great, even in its Beta release.I'll mention here (in order of release date) the FS9 panels that I found at FlightSim:
1) Marco Spada: I did not try this one because this was designed prior to the Vista Liners model (and it also involves installing a small patch for it). This in itself is no reason to not give it a try (especially since the images at the website indicate that this is probably a nice looking/functioning panel), but since more recent ones are available, I decided to pass on it.
2) Chris Alevritis: This is a sweet looking panel and it was my first choice to try out; some of Mr. Alevritis' panels for other aircraft are quite good. Unfortunately, his panel for the TriStar seems to lack anti-icing and lights switches (at least I could not find them; my apologies if I'm incorrect on this). Granted, one can turn on the lights by simply pressing the "L" key and (possibly) one can do the same for the anti-icing system, but in my opinion, this is a fatal flaw if one uses a program like FSPassengers, which will definitely penalize you if you turn on all the lights at once, for example. It's too bad because this was indeed a rather nice looking panel...
3) Ken Mitchell: Mr. Mitchell's panel comes in two flavors, standard and ribbon. I downloaded both to compare them. I chose to install the ribbon version, as it is unique as far as TriStar FS panels go and because this aircraft was indeed sometimes equipped in the real world with such a panel. I also opted to install this one first because it seems to get high recommendations. Unfortunately, although this panel is very nice and has quite a few system features -- it's very much a "Mitch" panel -- it has problems correctly showing the amount of fuel in two of the tanks. I understand that it is possible to fix this but I simply could not be bothered. I also did not like having to start the engines from a "cold" state every time. It's OK to do that most of the time, but sometimes one just wants to fly. I suspect that the standard version of the panel is pretty much the same as the ribbon one, so I decided not to try it.
4) Horst Paetzold: I chose not try this one because the installation seemed a little tricky (no biggie though) and it also seems to be designed with (mostly) the Charles Dayhuff and Ray Lopez models. This panel should be compatible with the Vista Liners one, however, even if it may alter the wingviews. I would be very interested in hearing here from someone that uses this panel with this model.
5) Francisco Silva: This is a recent panel (only about 9 months old at the time of this writing; all the others are from 2004-05). I almost did not install this one because I assumed that I would have to keep Mitch's ribbon panel (see above). I'm glad that I did though because (although a bit simpler than Mitch's) it seems to work very well and it looks good. The only issues are that it uses a payware GPS gauge (but one can easily change the panel cfg to tell the program to use the default Garmin 500; the substitute cfg lines are provided) and some of the wingviews will no longer be available. Regarding this last issue, is it possible for users to change the panel cfg to restore the wingviews without messing up Mr. Silva's panel? If so, how?
And so, I chose to keep this last one. I'm happy with it and I think that most other users would as well. It is a pleasure to fly the Vista Liners L-1011 with it. This is fast becoming my favorite plane of all.
Posted By: andrew glover
on 12/29/2008 at 9:33:40
where can i find a suitable basic or complex manual for this and othe trijets. (any will do basic or complex)
Posted By: lamanogaucha
on 01/08/2009 at 14:28:03
Werner Schott has good checklist manuals for several tri-jets, including the DC-10 and the MD-11, both of which are quite similar to the TriStar (especially the former). You can find these at virtually all the add-on sites. And of course, Project Tupolev has an awesome manual for their ultra-complex Tu-154B-2, but that's in a different category altogether; it would not help much regarding this TriStar model...
Posted By: mycah kong
on 02/15/2009 at 15:05:56
The website is down now.
Posted By: lamanogaucha
on 02/16/2009 at 6:30:22
The Vista Liners website is working for me...
Posted By: theflightdude
on 03/15/2009 at 11:43:16
yea it is still down what happened to them I have the L1011 but I want some more liveries
Posted By: Adrian
Can someone please mail me a link for the the tristar base package if you have one.
Cheers
on 04/16/2009 at 1:57:16
HiCan someone please mail me a link for the the tristar base package if you have one.
Cheers
Posted By: marcelo
i dont have it and when i downolad it it appear me an error in my pc after the download i couldnt open it
and i wanna try again with the delta liverie
where can I download it??
on 05/04/2009 at 19:10:32
Hi chris!i dont have it and when i downolad it it appear me an error in my pc after the download i couldnt open it
and i wanna try again with the delta liverie
where can I download it??
Posted By: Chris
on 05/25/2009 at 14:26:09
The download link is working now...
Posted By: Mohammad
on 06/02/2009 at 22:21:28
Hey to all of you tristar fans. I was a pilot 20 years ago and i worked for Delta airlines and i only flew the MD-11 and L-1011 Tristar. Now i work for World Airways. I really want to fly the L-1011 but i can not find the model or base package anywhere. Can some one please help me/
Posted By: Chris
on 06/03/2009 at 7:34:14
Just click on 'download' on the right....the download url has been restored.
Posted By: Maryse
on 06/03/2009 at 19:53:09
How do i get more Liveries?
Posted By: Maryse
on 06/03/2009 at 20:05:13
Is there Air Transat?
Posted By: peter norton
1) on this model the port outer aileron moves in the wrong sense when the aileron h/wheel is rotated i.e. handwheel turned AntiClockwise should see the port aileron RISE - but instead it deflects downwards - and vice versa. All the other ailerons operate normally.
2) the horizontal stabiliser leading edge doesn't move when the control is pushed or pulled back and only the elevators move in response. But, on the TriStar, the pilot operated the HOR.STAB. with the control column - and the elevators, which are geared TO the hor.stab., move further IN THE SAME DIRECTION, i.e. when the hor.stab. trailing edge rises, the elevator trailing edges ALSO rise - but by a proportionately greater amount.
3) The Hor.Stab. on this model has a trim range where it has much the same deflection either side of neutral. On the real TriStar the hor.stab. Range Of Movement for AIRCRAFT nose up was around (minus) -30 degrees whereas for aircraft nose down it only went to about (PLUS) +1 (ONE) degree. It didn't need any more because the real TriStar has a Direct Lift Control (DLC) spoiler feature so that the cabin attitude when the airplane was descending was more or less horizontal, for improved passenger comfort. I don't suppose FS9 supports a DLC function.
3) on this model there is no 'donkey's dick' tail bumper animation when U/C down is selected. On the real Tristar a three-foot long ram on the forward baulkhead of the Number 2 engine bay extended a hemispherical 'dish' in case of over-rotation. when extended it looked a bit like its nick-name...The ram retracted to raise the tail bumper dish when the gear UP line was pressurised.
4) the inboard spoiler panels operate in flight; they should only operate when the gears are compressed because they are the Ground Spoilers. Probably a bit tough to simulate in FS9 when the spoilers of the real TriStar had a range of different modes of operation of which Ground Spoiler, DLC, roll assist and airbrake come instantly to mind.
5) on this model there is no apparent Yaw Damping so that the model oscillates in yaw during cruise. The real TriStar, much as with plenty of other aircraft of the ilk, did have Yaw Damping.
It's still an excellent model and, although it needs a Yaw Damper, it flies and lands very well.
on 09/06/2009 at 12:12:29
This is an excellent rendering of the L-1011 - the best I have seen, in fact. However, it is let down by a few discrepancies:1) on this model the port outer aileron moves in the wrong sense when the aileron h/wheel is rotated i.e. handwheel turned AntiClockwise should see the port aileron RISE - but instead it deflects downwards - and vice versa. All the other ailerons operate normally.
2) the horizontal stabiliser leading edge doesn't move when the control is pushed or pulled back and only the elevators move in response. But, on the TriStar, the pilot operated the HOR.STAB. with the control column - and the elevators, which are geared TO the hor.stab., move further IN THE SAME DIRECTION, i.e. when the hor.stab. trailing edge rises, the elevator trailing edges ALSO rise - but by a proportionately greater amount.
3) The Hor.Stab. on this model has a trim range where it has much the same deflection either side of neutral. On the real TriStar the hor.stab. Range Of Movement for AIRCRAFT nose up was around (minus) -30 degrees whereas for aircraft nose down it only went to about (PLUS) +1 (ONE) degree. It didn't need any more because the real TriStar has a Direct Lift Control (DLC) spoiler feature so that the cabin attitude when the airplane was descending was more or less horizontal, for improved passenger comfort. I don't suppose FS9 supports a DLC function.
3) on this model there is no 'donkey's dick' tail bumper animation when U/C down is selected. On the real Tristar a three-foot long ram on the forward baulkhead of the Number 2 engine bay extended a hemispherical 'dish' in case of over-rotation. when extended it looked a bit like its nick-name...The ram retracted to raise the tail bumper dish when the gear UP line was pressurised.
4) the inboard spoiler panels operate in flight; they should only operate when the gears are compressed because they are the Ground Spoilers. Probably a bit tough to simulate in FS9 when the spoilers of the real TriStar had a range of different modes of operation of which Ground Spoiler, DLC, roll assist and airbrake come instantly to mind.
5) on this model there is no apparent Yaw Damping so that the model oscillates in yaw during cruise. The real TriStar, much as with plenty of other aircraft of the ilk, did have Yaw Damping.
It's still an excellent model and, although it needs a Yaw Damper, it flies and lands very well.
Posted By: Chris
on 09/06/2009 at 17:10:12
Interesting insight on the tristar. I guess when a developer like PMDG or Level-D would develop a tristar, it would incorporate all those features.
Posted By: Hernan1
1DLFlyer
on 10/10/2009 at 18:00:57
I've been looking for this model for a long time and I am very lucky I found it. I have a couple of questions, and I hope someone here can help me. I noticed that the strobe lights are not working, just the anti-collision and navigation lights work. I also noticed I cannot get the wingviews to work. Could it be that the model available here to download has a good panel that may have prevented those features to work?. If so, is there a way to find an alternate panel that will restore the wingview and make the strobe lights to work?. I will appreciate some help, as I have been through many websites and cannot find an answer. thanks1DLFlyer
Posted By: Hernan1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zJDxpItADg&feature=email
on 10/17/2009 at 0:28:01
I just uploaded a video to YouTube using this beautiful model in Delta colors. My only dissapointment was that I wasn't able to show a wingview and couldn't see the strobe lights on the wingtips. Also, after landing, I couldn't activate the thrust reversers, meaning, they were not visible as with the Aerosim payware model. Here is a link to the video, in case you have a comment or, maybe a tip where to find the controls to activate them:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zJDxpItADg&feature=email
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