The Boeing 757 is the little brother of the widely renowned and highly successful wide-bodied 767. Both aircraft share the same early generation EFIS flightdeck thus enabling a flightcrew to fly both planes using the same license. The 757, after a slow sales start turned out to be a resounding success in the commercial aviation market in the mid-range, single aisle category. The 757 features the same cross-section as that of the 737 thus giving airlines an option of extra capacity in the single aisle category. After being launced in March, 1979 after orders placed by British Airways, the 757 took to the air for the first time on February 19 1982 and entered service in January the following year. The aircraft subsequently evolved into the frieghter version and then the stretched -300 version. Of late, the 757 in the FS world has been given a step motherly treatment by the payware addon developers. But that seems to have changed now as Captain Sim after their resounding success with their C-130 addon have come with a gem of an addon based on Boeing's 757-200 aircraft. Csim's 757 is by far the most accurately designed 3d model for FS2004. Not only this, the aircraft comes loaded with full features ranging from a fully working FMC, TCAS right down to highly detailed eye candy that one can only expect to be added by a thoroughly professional developer like Captain Sim. The addon also includes a variety of liveries alongwith both P&W and RR engine variants and a realistic sound package. It also comes with the Aircraft Editing utility that makes the job of configuring the aircraft a lot more easier. Lets take a closer look at Csim's "new kid on the block"- The 757-200..

Csim's 757-200 features wide array of animated parts ranging from animated control surfaces to passenger and cargo doors, animated engine cowlings to even an animated radar in the nose cone. Not only this, there is even a flight attendant to greet the fellow "virtual" passenger.

An excellently rendered 3D model of a flight attendant that greets the "virtual" passenger when the passenger door is opened. Also notice the photoreal metallic and window textures on the fuselage and the passenger windows.

Immaculate detail is the hallmark of Captain Sim's 3d designers. The radar can be viewed by opening the nosecone of the 757. Whats more exciting is that you an actually see the radar in animated mode once it has been turned on.

Notice the finely designed flight crew of this 757. Also notice the opening pilot windows and the accurately detailed passenger door. In addition you can also see the excellent texturing on the cockpit windows that feature reflection.

The 757 features one of the most complex undercarriage of any commercial jetliner and when it comes to rendering it in FS2004, nobody does a better job than Captain Sim. Seen here is the nose gear. The struts, suspesions, tires and the taxi lights all seem to be in the right place. The animation is accurately sequenced and smooth.

Seen here is the main undercarriage of the 757. Notice that every minute detail is finely rendered to give you an impression that you're actually there. The geardoor is beautifully designed and the dirt textures are more pronounced. Even the Rat turbine is included which is located just behind the main undercarriage.

The P&W engines on this 757 generate 127,520lbs raw thrust. These engines are extremely detailed on Csim's 757 giving its cross-section a "round" finish as in the real thing. The 3D engine blades are rendered with utmost realism. If you wish to simulate maintenance mode, you even have the option of opening the engine cowls.

Here you see the open passenger, service and emergency exit doors. The animation is smooth and accurately sequenced to give it a realistic touch.

Seen here is the aft passenger door, the vertical stabilzer and the animated APU doors. The tail is superbly designed with superb photoreal texturing. The dirt textures on the rudder are simply awesome.

Csim has left no stone unturned when it comes to minute details. Here you see anti-collision and strobe light bulbs along with antenneas.

Flaps being put to test. Finest of details in all their glory. The immense detail in this addon gives all the more reason to spend time inspecting this aircraft instead of flying it.

The star attraction in this addon is the stunningly detailed virtual cockpit. The accuracy is simply amazing. The texturing is simply breathtaking. And to top it all, almost everything in the VC is functional. Not to mention the opening cockpit windows, adjustable pilot seat headrests and arm support.

Impressive night lighting at night makes the virtual cockpit experience all the more realistic!

The overhead panel in VC is an exact rendition of the real thing. Almost every knob is functional. The knobs are all 3d rendered giving it a more realistic feeling of actually being in the cockpit

Seen here is the main EICAS (Engine Indication & Crew Alerting system) CRT display. The Airspeed indicator, Altimeter, Autobreak knob alongwith flap and gear function controls are also seen in this screenshot. The panel can be compared to any real photo of the real 757 panel, You'll be amazed by the accurate detail featured in the virtual rendition.

Seen here are the primary flight displays which include the artificial horizon and the navigation display.

The Autopilot is the primary aid to the pilot with regard to navigation. Seen here is the glareshield of the CSIM 757-200. The glareshield panel is superbly designed with accuracy. Also notice the Compass just below the overhead panel above.

The trademark Boeing flight yoke in all its glory! The ultimate Boeing pilot's companion on this Csim 757 designed with flawless accuracy. Realism knows no bounds!

The best seat in the office! Seen here is the highly detailed captain's seat. The fine leather headrest and arm support are animated. The reflection on the cockpit windows is also something thats not to be missed.

Highly detailed centre console that includes the throttle quadrant, flap and speedbreak levers, fuel control levers and trim levers.

The highly detailed and accurately rendered 3d centre console that features the communication radios.

The forward section of the centre console features the ND display and TCAS knobs and FMC. A 2D window of the fully functional FMC appears upon clicking the FMC in the VC.

Even the wipers work in Csim 757. A closer look will reveal the wipers wiping away rain drops. Now thats what I call realism!

Animated wipers as seen from the exterior.

A breath of fresh air becomes the order of the day after a long flight. That can be made possible by opening up the cockpit window pulling the handle.

The addition of a partial virtual cabin is a welcome addition. It gives the virtual pilot a chance to stretch his/her legs on longer flights. The cabin consists of the business class section with working display screens in the front.

Accurately rendered passenger windows are delight for the virtual passenger. On Clicking the windows you are able to close the shutter to avoid the glare of the sun.

The kitchen section of the Csim 757. The service box with all the eatable and dutyfree goodies is also animated.Way to go Csim!

Want to answer the call of nature? No problem! The toilet has been provided in the 757 virtual cabin courtesy of Captain Sim :-).

Conclusion

Captain Sim has come up wtih another gem of an addon in the form of the their latest 757 addon. As far as I know, this is their first attempt at developing a modern jetliner and they've done a pretty good job. The Csim 757 flies like a dream with systems like FMC and TCAS that function just like as they would in real. This project has been the outcome of months of hardwork put in by Csim delevopers and to me this is the best Boeing 757 addon for FS2004. I'd give 5/5 for this fantastic piece of addon and like Csim's C-130, the 757-200 will remain on my hard drive for a long time to come.