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EA-7 Edgley Optica

Orbx

AIRCRAFTORBXOPTICAEA7

2.9/5 (707)


The EA-7 Edgley Optica is a British designed aircraft for low-speed, long-range observation work.

With a similar cockpit to that of helicopters; the Optica offers a 270 degree panoramic view and almost vertical downward view. With a loiter speed of 81mph, around 40% power, the Optica's fuel tanks can allow for flying up to nearly 8 hours and has a range of over 650 miles.

Orbx have faithfully recreated the aircraft with a high level of model and texture detail, engine and cockpit sounds, fully interactive and clickable cockpit, comprehensive checklists and realistic flight model including the Optica's ballast system.

With the panoramic views the Optica affords, she is the perfect aircraft for exploring Orbx Landmark City packs, airports and regions, especially in VR.

The pack comes with several paint schemes representative of aircraft still located around the world, including a unique observation skin with front nose camera model.

The sense of freedom with the cockpit views is second to none and an aircraft you should have in your hangar for exploring the world in Microsoft Flight Simulator.

The EA-7 Optica is a single-engine, three-place monoplane produced by British aerospace firm Edgley Aircraft Limited. Built to suit the needs of aerial observation and reconnaissance, the EA-7 has a highly distinctive form, making it instantly recognizable to those familiar with it. It took its first flight on December 14, 1979 and a total of 22 of the model rolled off the assembly line.

The EA-7 features a straight main wing with a span of 39 feet, 4 inches, a tricycle landing gear, and a twin-boom tail. The bulbous crew cabin, which maximizes field of view, is located at the very nose of the aircraft. It is propelled by a mid-fuselage ducted fan system that is powered by a 260- horsepower Textron Lycoming IO-540-V4A5D six-cylinder reciprocating engine. Its empennage consists of twin rudders interconnected on their upper extremities by a single horizontal stabilizer.

The EA-7 cruises at 81 miles per hour, has a top speed of 132 mph, and a stall speed of 67. It has an endurance of eight hours, a range of 650 miles, and a service ceiling of 14,000 feet.

One of the most notable purpose-built aircraft in the history of aviation, the EA-7 Optica wows pilots with its exceptional visibility due to its cockpit design and silent performance thanks to its ducted fan. Whether embarking on a low-level flight to explore a favorite terrestrial location, or soaring through the clouds thousands of feet aloft, this unique flyer will always deliver broad, gorgeous panoramas.

Specifications


SPEEDCruise: 70 knots, Max: 115 knots
CEILING14,026 ft
TYPICAL RANGE1,056 km / 656 mi
LENGTH8.15 m (26 ft 9 in)
WINGSPAN12 m (39 ft 4 in)
HEIGHT2.31 m (7 ft 7 in)
MAX TAKEOFF WEIGHT1,315 kg (2,899 lb)
FUEL CAPACITY250 l (66 USg)
ENGINETextron Lycoming IO-540-V4A5D
COCKPIT CREW3

VERSION 1.2.3 RELEASED MARCH 22, 2023

VERSION 1.1.0 RELEASED JULY 6, 2021

Initial Marketplace Release

VERSION 1.2.0 RELEASED MARCH 1, 2022

Transponder fix Additional liveries