Following is a review of the Zenith CH 650 flight simulator for X-Plane, developed by Olivier Faivre / HydroZ for Zenith Aircraft Company:

ECBF + Cerfontaine is located is SW Belgium, and this grass-stripped airfield is home to all kinds of ultra-light and sport-flying schools. Marking this indelibly, XPFr has emblazoned the effort with a half dozen or so parachutists descending downward towards the ramps, and as they swirl around and down it’s hard not to conclude that this just may be the ultimate “visual chaos” one could include in a scenery file! You’ll also want to note the night textures here, as they’re subtle but excellent. As always, charts included, and this is simply another grand XPFr classic, and a must have download.

Seen in the pattern above ECBF is HYDROZ’s latest, the Zenith CH650 (click on the aircraft image on that page to go to the download link). This is a deceptively simple little aircraft (I want one, badly, now!), and the panel is really quite well done with dual glass panels and a Garmin 430, all interfaced, all functional, and finished out as complete 3D objects.

In the image below, the highlighted button “A” will take you through the various engine and NAV pages on the main display…

…while the highlighted buttons below (“1″, “2″, and “3″ in the next image) set your NAV freqs on the 430 and set your OBS lubber line on the main panel. Don’t forget to map CARB HEAT to your stick, and then you’ll be good to go.

And “GO” is a good word to use here! This is a nimble GA ride, but you’ll want an easy hand on the stick as the flight model is very, very tight. The aircraft responds instantly to easy input, and if you’ve been out driving A380s all day long the feel is remarkably different. Refreshing is a word that comes to mind. And FUN!

STOL performance is simply wicked-kewl. Unbelievable, for that matter. If there was a way to stop and get out and measure stopping distance with a tape measure…I surely would have! Hit the numbers with full flaps and hovering just over stall, then stand on the toe pedals and hang on! I’d guess this thing screamed to a stop in less than 200 feet. [Remember folks, this is a simulator!]

Like I said…I want one, and if I were 10 years younger I’d get one ASAP.

And as this is the next best thing, I’ll take it! Most highly recommended for some outrageous weekend flying, and don’t forget…this one is freeware…so have a go at it and don’t forget to buy the Hydroz Catalina in order to support ongoing efforts to keep the real bird flying! The new 650 and the freshly revised Cat are both Must Have files, and we think you’ll enjoy this new Zenith CH 650 for all your GA adventures off the beaten path.

• Download the Zenith CH 650 files (free) for X-Plane

View the original review, by "x+sim+reviews": http://xsimreviews.com/2012/08/15/x-sim-reviews-15-august-2012/