Aero Boero

[Hortense Malovich]

TheAero Boero AB-115 is an Argentine civil utility aircraft. It was developed from the AB-95-115, a refined AB-95 with a more powerful engine and improved aerodynamics. Specific differences included wheel spats, a redesigned engine cowling molded of fiberglass, and aluminum ailerons and flaps.

The AB-115 is a high-wing monoplane, with strut-braced rectangular wings (NACA 23012 profile). The wings are made of metal, the fuselage and empennage members are made of fabric-covered welded steel tubes. It is a development of Aero Boero's earlier AB-95.

The trainer version, the most common variant, contains two seats in tandem configuration, with the pilot-flying/student pilot in the front seat, and the instructor/pilot-not-flying seating in the rear. Behind the rear seat there is a cargo hold, with capacity of up to 25 kg (55 lb). The front seat has a three-point seatbelt, while the rear one has a simple, abdominal belt. Both occupants enter and exit the aircraft through one single, large door in the right side of the cockpit.

The flight commands are duplicated, with the front seat's center stick, throttle lever, rudder pedals and brake pedals mechanically connected to the rear seat's. The rear stick and the throttle lever can be disassembled when carrying passenger(s).

The primary flight commands are actuated by cables and pulleys. The ailerons and flaps are made of aluminum alloy, while the rudder and elevators are made of steel tubes and fabric. The flaps have four positions (neutral, 15, 30 and 45), and are actuated manually, by a lever in the upper left part of the cockpit. The pitch trim tab is located in the trailing edge of the left elevator, and is actuated by a handle in the left side of the cockpit. The rudder and the left aileron also have ground-adjustable trim tabs.

A Lycoming O-235-C2A air-cooled engine, rated at 115 hp (85.8 kW), drives a Sensenich Propeller model 72 CK-050, metallic fixed-pitch twin-bladed propeller. The fuel system uses a FACET MA 3PA carburetor, equipped with carburetor heat. Electrical power is supplied by a Prestolite alternator. The ignition system is driven by dual Bendix Scintilla S5LN magnetos; the starter motor is also by Prestolite. The engine incorporates a wet crankcase, and the lubricant is cooled by an oil radiator in the front of the engine's air intake, which is triggered by a bi-metallic thermostatic valve.

The maximum fuel capacity is 115 liters, with 110 liters usable. The engine can use gasoline of 80/87 to 100/130 octane. Each wing contains an aluminum fuel tank in the root. Fuel quantity is indicated by sight glasses in the wing roots. There are two separate fuel selectors, for each tank, which can be independently opened and closed.

The instrument panel is, since the AB-115 is mostly used for basic flight training. The flight instruments are an airspeed indicator, altimeter, VSI a turn coordinator, and a magnetic compass. The engine instruments are a tachometer, oil pressure and oil temperature indicators, and an ammeter. The panel includes one Bendix/King VHF radio and one Bendix/King transponder. The cabin instruments are flood-lit; the light operates when the running lights are on. The right wing has two landing lights, which have a five-minute continuous operating limit.

Aero Boero S.A. is an Argentine aircraft manufacturer, established in 1956 by Hctor Boero in Morteros in Crdoba Province. It manufactured a range of light civil utility and agricultural aircraft.

The company began as a repair and maintenance facility for light aircraft. Since the major civil aeronautical activity in the area in the 1950s was crop-dusting, most of the company's activities centered on agricultural aircraft. By 1958 the company principals felt they could build aircraft which could be used in such applications, and a trio of designers, brothers Cesar and Hctor Boero and Celestine Barale, began work on the -95. They continued upgrading and adding models until the middle of 2000, when a combination of political instability and economic downturn caused the company to cease aircraft production. Since that time the company has continued providing repair services and supplying spare parts for aircraft in the field.[1]

The Aero Boero AB-115 is a basic two seat trainer from Argentina and was exported to Brazil. It was developed and refined from the AB-95 with a more powerful engine and improved aerodynamics. Specific differences included wheel spats, a redesigned engine cowling molded of fiberglass, and aluminum ailerons and flaps. This is the trainer version, the most common variant and it contains two seats in a tandem configuration, with the pilot-flying/student pilot in the front seat, Both the instructor and the student are connected together by a very simple cable arrangement between the left side mounted throttles, rudder pedals and the control sticks. (The rear stick and the throttle lever can be disassembled when carrying passenger(s)).

It is a simple but clever arrangement and Dreamfoil has done a very good job of replicating the system. In fact the whole design is very well done. This is a basic utility aircraft and nothing more than that. so instrument wise you are not going to get a very complicated aircraft. On the panel the flight instruments are an airspeed indicator, altimeter, VSI a turn coordinator, and a magnetic compass. With the engine instruments are a tachometer, oil pressure and oil temperature indicators, and an ammeter. The panel includes one Bendix/King VHF radio and one Bendix/King transponder. As noted the throttle handles sticking out of the side panel are very well done, as is the Flap handle located high on the left with four flap positions (neutral, 15, 30 and 45).

The AB-115 is powered by a Lycoming O-235-C2A air-cooled engine, which is rated at 115 hp (85.8 kW) and drives a Sensenich Propeller model 72 CK-050, metallic fixed-pitch twin-bladed propeller. The fuel system uses a FACET MA 3PA carburetor, equipped with carburetor heat. Electrical power is supplied by a Prestolite alternator. The ignition system is driven by dual Bendix Scintilla S5LN magnetos; the starter motor is also by Prestolite. The engine incorporates a wet crankcase, and the lubricant is cooled by an oil radiator in the front of the engine's air intake of which is triggered by a bi-metallic thermostatic valve.

Utlity aircraft are hard to do, no matter how good you are at modeling they can still look flat. Your best aim is to do the details very well and that is what Dreamfoil has done here. The AB-115 is a high-wing monoplane with strut-braced rectangular wings. The wing, the fuselage and empennage members are made of fabric-covered welded steel tubes. The ailerons and flaps are made of aluminum alloy, while the rudder and elevators are made of steel tubes and fabric. The aircraft detailing is excellent with great sets of wires and showing the tube based construction. main gear is fixed to the fuselage at three points - two articulated joints, plus one shock absorber. The wheels are made of aluminum alloy and magnesium, and are equipped with independent hydraulic-actuated brakes. In all areas these items are well covered and created by Dreamfoil. With excellent detailing around the rear wheel and the brake system on the front wheels. The maximum fuel capacity is 115 liters, with 110 liters usable. And you can fill the tanks (on the top of wing) by pressing Shift + 4. The aircraft comes with the Geforce head view simulation feature. This feature will follow the real characteristics of human head behavior.

The AB-115 is a trainer... period. If you can't fly this aircraft then give up your flying career and do something else. It is a very simple aircraft to fly and manoeuvre. Nothing is going surprise you here. It does everything in a very stable manner, and that makes it great for learning or practising the basics... The Aero Boero is really in a sense a more modern metal Tiger Moth. In the air it will turn, slip, climb descend in an very orderly manner, the flaps give a bit of drag (45 is severe) on landing but nothing to worry you. In the flare it will glide or land on your whim. Just watch the brakes until you have lost enough speed and the rear wheel is firmly planted on the ground or you tip you forwards head over heels. On the ground the AB-115 is a tail-dragger, and that can mean it can be hard to steer. But I found it quite easy with the rudder if you control the speed correctly.

There is a menu system available by pressing the centre of the top of the panel. Included is: An adjustment of the sound (Dreamfoil pioneered the DreamEngine sounds, and they are all very good here), FOV a point of view that allows you to change the angle (field) of your view and a smart view menu that gives you custom views. At the top of the menu circle is an easy way to change the liveries.

The AB-115 is a basic trainer pure and simple. Great and very easy to fly, you can fly around all day and enjoy the scenery or practice your runway touch and goes with ease. Dreamfoil makes quality aircraft and the AB-115 is no exception. In every area it is very good (sounds are the stand out feature with 70 custom sounds). Mostly it is the best fun you can have in the rear seat of a tandem trainer (Leaving the front pilot in the seat as a feature, maybe a great idea?) and flying from this perspective is the best way to learn. Overall and all-round the Aero Boero AB-115 is very good.

This plane used to be payware. Now available as Freeware as a gift from X-Plane.org, Dreamfoil and Lidimar.

It is a superb aircraft with many smart features, as found in other DreamFoil Aircraft.

The Aero Boero AB-115 is an Argentine civil utility aircraft. It features a 115-hp Lycoming engine and can carry 2 people.

The AB-115 was successfully exported to Brazil, and used extensively as trainers by aero clubs.

Very high quality aircraft, and a massive amount of fun to fly.

The looks are great, the sound is great and it flies great.

I have no clue what the original feels like but I think this model is not far off.

Sadly it is nearly impossible to taxi in crosswinds starting just from a couple of knots windspeed.

My guess is the original has a bit more control authority on the ground. A bit less slippage, at least.

3a8082e126