CLS’s Airbus A340-600Reviewed by Ludo Lambrechts
Innovation is the one word which could sum up the direction of the commercial flight sector of the aviation industry. It started out with aircraft such as the Douglas DC-3, then went through innovations such as Boeing 707’s. Then we saw a new company called Airbus emerging. Competition between the two corporations still remains strong until today and two of the main competing aircraft include Airbus A340-600 and Boeing’s 747. New aircraft such as the A380 and the B787 are in the works for both corporations, but until then these two aircraft remain competing for the highest passenger capacities.
The A340-600 is the longest commercial aircraft in the world. It measures 75.30 m long, with a wingspan of 63.45m. To put that into perspective that’s ¾ of the 100m sprint event. The interior can be modified from 380 seats to 419 seats. The A340-600 is able to perform long haul flights, and can easily make it halfway around the world. Now in dozens of airlines use the A340-600 is also an aircraft that deserves a spot in Microsoft Games Flight Simulator 2004.
Commercial Level Simulation has developed and released an A340-600 for MSFS2004 and the hype leading up to the release was very promising. The file is moderate in size, but can not be downloaded on a 56KB internet connection. However DSL users will not have many problems getting this file. The installation is very smooth, and is efficient. The only downside of the installation program is that it does not automatically detect which drive your FS is on. However that issue is solved by changing the C:\ to whatever letter you have chosen. The CLS A340-600 did require a service pack before it was ready to go at its full potential. Before you fly make sure you have the latest version!
Once you get the aircraft in the game you won’t turn back. The exterior model and liveries are among the best I’ve ever seen. There is a slight inconvenience as you have to download a livery pack, but there is not too much hassle. The modelling has been done with great accuracy, and the aircraft looks great in screenshots. The wings, fuselage, and engines are among the best I’ve seen so far in any development. The liveries look great and have been beautifully rendered. From an average simmers perspective there is nothing that has been overlooked by the team from CLS. I think only airbus engineers could point out flaws and errors, but the same could probably be said about PMDG’s 747.
The interior has been well done and there are quite a few options. The first option is no extras to help the lower end computers. You only get a 2D panel, but no VC or wing views. The panel is well rendered, and contains custom gauges. It again is not as developed as a PMDG aircraft, but also sells for a fraction of the price. The second option is a virtual cockpit model. This includes the 2D panel and a 3D panel. The 3D panel is very nicely modelled, and looks very realistic given the budget limitations. There is not much complaint that can be given about the VC as a lot has been included. The third option includes a 2D panel, wing views, a virtual cabin, but no 3D cockpit. The Virtual cabin is a very nice extra feature but did leave me slightly disappointed. The seats are well modelled and textured, but the floor leaves room for improvement. However in the past few days we have already seen average simmers create replacement textures.
The performance of this aircraft is key, just like any other aircraft. However the frame rates of the original A346 release where very dismal. These issues where solved with a complete overhaul of the gauges in service pack 1 and now the CLS A346 is one of the smoother running add-on aircraft on my system. The sound is amazing, just as it was with CLS’s first releases. The feeling of flight is captured extremely well by the team from CLS, the flight dynamics are terrific. Along with great frame rates and amazing sounds, this aircraft feels like an A340.
CLS has done an amazing job on the A346. A few months ago when they splashed onto the scene with their A306 there was a lot of promise for future developments. The A346 has exceeded many expectations and has really improved on a lot of previous issues seen in the A306 such as awkward taxiing. The eye candies are tremendous and this development by CLS earns a 9.5 out of 10.
Reviewed by Ludo Lambrechts for CLS
CLS's Airbus A340-600, My Review
[GK-customfield]FSX[customfield-GK] 
. I will consider it though when I move up. 
