Thranda Releases Wilga PZL-104 for X-Plane

Thranda Design has just released their PZL-104 Wilga, following the first announcement in 2018. The aircraft comes packed with features and is a must have for anyone who wants to have the real bush flying experience within the simulator. The developer pleasantly surprised the community with a video of the aircraft being uploaded to the X-Plane.org Store YouTube channel.

The aircraft features some special features such as: the option to choose between multiple tires, a fully configurable 3D panel, a dynamic livery editor and a new advanced flight dynamics engine. The full feature list can be found below. 


The PZL-104 Wilga is a polish STOL, utility designed aircraft, originally built by PZL, and later by the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company(EADS). The Wilga flew for the first time on the 24th of April 1962 and has seen many continuous improvements over many versions.

Here’s the full feature list:

Special features:

  • NEW: DynaFeel - Advanced custom flight dynamics, affecting control input effects at different airspeeds. Adjust the heaviness of the controls in real-time via sliders in pop-up windows.  
  • Regular Tires, Tundra Tires, Skis
  • FULLY configurable 3D instrument panel.
  • Over 50 instruments to choose from! (Including Aspen EFD 1000, and support for RealityXP GTN750)
  • Move any instrument to any location on the panel, or even between pilot and copilot's panel!
  • Comes with 3 panel presets, but can easily be expanded by moving instruments around, using a simple and intuitive interface.
  • Save your own presets, and even share them with the community!
  • Instruments can be moved in 3D directly, on a 2D pop-up preview window, or by numerical entry for precise placement.
  • GNS430 and 530 can be swapped out, but a restart of the plane is required, as 430s and 530s are mutually exclusive in terms of compatibility in X-Plane
  • Dynamic livery editor (like in the Kodiak, the Pilatus PC-6, and the Beaver)
  • Full PBR control! Create stunning metallic liveries, or matte, sand-blasted look in mere seconds!
  • Additional control over dirt/grime, scratches/nicks, adjustable in real-time to dial in the exact desired amount of wear and tear.  Affects airspeed. Clean plane will fly 2-3 MPH faster.
  • Control over interior dirt, grime, scratches, nicks, also adjustable in real-time.
  • Create "virtual" liveries, based on one common design layout, and assign any colour to any available paint segment.
  • Quickly create preview of livery in real-time, using intuitive controls.  Previews now include visualization of metallic materials and dirt overlays. 
  • Apply selected livery in real-time, right in the sim, without the need to even touch a 3rd party image editor or load extra software.
  • Option to change the tail number in real-time, or disable it altogether. (Enter a "space" instead of a call sign number to create a blank tail number.)
  • Easily and quickly create dozens of unique color schemes in-sim!
  • Also supports 12 traditionally painted liveries, all visible in a convenient pre-selection preview window.
  • Uses SkunkCrafts Updater.  Option to participate in Beta program, via checkbox in SkunkCrafts Updater. 
  • Excellent hi-res PBR realistic materials, featuring true-to-life plate deformation and to-the-rivet precision.

Feature-rich elegant fly-out menu with the following features:

  • Realism settings for engine and tail wheel (simplified vs. realistic modes)
  • Checklist pop-up controls
  • Innovative electric tug, with in-panel controls to move forward/backward at the desired speed, and steer proportionally
  • Control over chocks, individual tie-downs, covers, internal lights, external lights, etc.
  • Option to start up running (all systems ready), or cold-and-dark, for realistic startup procedures.
  • Control landing lights, strobes, beacon, and nav lights via pop-up window
  • Detailed weight and balance manager with visual chart, individual passenger seat weight control, Lbs/KG unit toggle, CG control, and the option to save and load configuration.
  • Multiple camera snap points, above and beyond what's available by default in X-Plane, so you can perform your walk around checks.
  • Adjust your camera's Field of View without having to go to an X-plane menu, allowing for real-time adjustments.
  • Audio mixer: individually control audio channels in real-time, so you can adjust volumes while hearing them play.
  • Slew control: move your plane around the world, temporarily bypassing flight physics.  Includes ground mode and air mode.
  • Dynamic panel control page, with a separate view for the entire panel layout preview, or a per-instrument view, allowing for fine-tuning of instrument position, as well as copy-paste function to quickly replace instruments.
  • The "Misc" page in the fly-out window contains options to customize the plane, such as:
  • Skis
  • tundra tires
  • bubble windows
  • DynaFeel intensity

Flight dynamics and systems:

  • DynaFeel: an increase in airspeed doesn't just limit the control surface deflections, as normally done in flight sims... but control deflections feel increasingly heavy. Tiny deflections still feel nimble, even at higher speeds.
  • The Wilga's trailing link front suspension provides ultra-plush damping and shock absorption, but also has some unique quirks during taxiing that are also simulated.
  • The Wilga also has permanent leading edge slats, contributing greatly to its docile flight and stall characteristics.
  • This model of the Wilga has the most powerful engine of the series, making it excellent for STOL operations and bush flying.
  • Tie-downs and chocks actually keep the plane from moving, even in high winds.
  • Doors can be jettisoned.

Advanced FMOD-based sound system:

  • High fidelity, multi-track sounds with smooth transitions and amazing atmospheric effects.
  • Individual volume control over different aspects of the sound experience, adjustable in real-time (while listening to the sounds)
  • Different sounds for front of plane than for back of plane
  • Panning around the plane in exterior view yields awesome 3D audio effects, including "blade slapping" sound when view is perpendicular to prop
  • Individual buttons and switches in the cockpit each have their own unique sound.
  • Sound of engine cooling off after flight realistically implemented (based on temperature)
  • Outside wind intensity is affected by slip and AoA. (The more the surface area of the fuselage is hit by oncoming wind, the louder the sounds).

Thranda’s rendition of the aircraft packs a Lycoming IO-540 engine in the front, with an improved Hartzell 3-blade propeller. The engine puts out 290 horsepower at 2550 RPM, making it perfect for bush flying and STOL operations.

The Thranda Design Wilga can be purchased for $39.95 on the X-Plane.org Store.

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