Hey everyone, just finished judging the Trainer Challenge.

Contestants page:
Clicky

Entry 1: XM-12

Realism: 10, The design sort of looks like a prototype for a test aircraft for vtol, and the weapons are placed in every possible position.
But the taillerons are good considering you didn’t use a rotator. I also liked the use of a gyro as if it was fly by wire for the VTOL mode.

Creativity: 10, not bad, it looks like a VTOL bullet which I was amused by when I first saw it. However you should use the smoothing feature and try to make your aircraft look suitable for the role they play.

Weapon systems: 5, It’s alright, but don’t stuff weapons everywhere, I don’t mind having lots of weapons but please use the XML editor to give them a cool name or something. Even custom weapons would’ve given me some eye candy and probably given a better score.

Description: 7, good backstory! Next time try to use a few more names which might come to mind and maybe make some more of your own! Good work though, much to improve but a lot of potential.

Total: 27/70

Entry 2: P-87 SparrowHawk

Realism: 2.5, This is clearly unfinished, I can’t turn it properly and it can barely fly straight. Needs lots of work.

Creativity: 15, Strange design, I’d love to see this become finished.

Weapon systems: 0, none included

Description: 0, there’s nothing there!

Notes: Please finish your builds, I’d love to fly this if it was finished and tested but it just doesn’t seem to feel right.

Total: 17.5/70

Entry 3: Milano Aircraft Works idk some italian word 421

Realism: 15, Pretty good, only draw back is it’s strange ability to cobra, I find it so strange. You could move the CoM forward a bit then it’d be a great trainer. Remember trainers are designed to be safe!

Creativity: 17.5, This is really creative! It definitely rings Italian (except the Irish flag on the side haha) I would honestly see this and think it’s Italian. Great work.

Weapon systems: 1, strapped a cannon on the front, cool, but maybe add some more stuff, it needs to train future pilots!

Description: 2.5, I get you weren’t really up for it and that’s alright but at least give me the controls and activation groups.

Notes: Not bad, could improve. Try to make a custom wing! That’d really improve this build.

Score: 36/70

Entry 4: THA-X3* Super Hawk Trainer "Firehead"

Realism: 2.5, Barely flies, it would require one of the world’s greatest pilots to fly it.

Creativity: 10, I like what you’ve tried here, especially with the F-35B and Yak-141 vibe, I think it’s great.

Weapon systems: 5, Nothing fancy, all in-game stuff, would be able to do a fair bit of damage, but the flight model would really make this a fear for some people.

Description: 10, this is good, tells me all I need.

Notes: work on the flight model and it’d be good, work on the looks and it’ll be great.

Score: 27.5/70

Entry 5: Ya 13z

Realism: 5, Missiles are broken, which is easily fixed, the plane can barely turn which is odd, I would think that the high tail would allow this to turn well. Takeoff speed is way too high too.

Creativity: 10, It’s a creative design, But it just lacks some sparks in it like maybe some lining or something.

Weapon systems: 5, good try at SRAAMS, but the missile doesn’t seem to work. Not much else

Description: 10, good backstory, the one thing you forgot was controls and It took me a while to figure out how your aircraft worked.

Score: 30/70

Entry 6: North American T-6 Texan

Realism: 15, Flies really realistically for a plane of its time, but it should be a touch more agile. I like it nonetheless

Creativity: 12.5, I love the face on the tail, got me chuckling a few times. It’s a nice touch, some of your techniques are unique and I like them. I’d just like to see a bit more detail.

Weapon systems: 5, you could’ve at least added the 7.7mm gun and a few 250lb bombs or 500lb bombs, I liked the bomb trainer varient though.

Description: 9, good stuff there, no criticism except your spelling

Score: 41.5

Notes: Great entry, could use some work but it’s really good and fun to fly.

Entry 7: [HOS] KAC Xiangling Xia-10B Vanguard -Unit 72, KPAF-

Realism: 17.5, very nice build, looks like a real jet trainer and flies amazingly. Might need a little more manoeuvrability but it’s really good nonetheless. There’s a problem with the front landing gear but I’ll let it slide.

Creativity: 20, Amazing work with your thinking. I really liked it. Everything screamed creativity on this build. Your FT skills are good too, those slats work like a treat.

Weapon systems: 20, Custom weapons!!! These were so good, and handle amazingly. The missiles didn’t seem to hit all the time which is really realistic. However but they did work at closer ranges in between 2 odd kilometres, which is also realistic.

Cockpit: 4, I think you could do better, but you wanted it to be mobile friendly so hey, thanks :)

Description: 5, Perfect.

Score: 66.5/70

Notes: Amazing work! Hope you get a similar score in your studies :D

Entry 8: Yakolev Yak 130

Realism: 15, pretty good build, the gear is great, the only thing is the stall speed and weight, you should take these into consideration next time.

Creativity: 15, Not too bad here, you gave it a nice red canopy, and some landing gear.

Weapon systems: 0, none included.

Description: 8, not bad but give me a back story!

Score: 38/70

Prize for Interesting design and creativity: Ya 13z

Prize for most realistic looking design: [HOS] KAC Xiangling Xia-10B Vanguard -Unit 72, KPAF-

Prize for best weapon systems: [HOS] KAC Xiangling Xia-10B Vanguard -Unit 72, KPAF-

1st place: [HOS] KAC Xiangling Xia-10B Vanguard -Unit 72, KPAF-

2nd place: North American T-6 Texan

3rd place: Yakolev Yak 130

Disclaimer: Prize winners, cannot receive a spotlight, but they can gift it to someone if they like.

Congrats to all winners!