FSX Sounds Air Shuttle Cessna 208B Caravan

This enhanced repaint set for Microsoft Flight Simulator X provides a specialized Sounds Air Shuttle livery for the default Cessna 208B Caravan. It was meticulously created by Jon Murchison to capture the airline’s distinctive color scheme. Enthusiasts who are interested in the high-wing, single-engine turboprop design of the Cessna 208B will find this repaint adds another level of authenticity. It does not include the base model but can be paired with the default aircraft files. All texture files in this package remain freeware.

Highlighting the Sounds Air Shuttle Identity

Sounds Air is a regional carrier known for ferrying passengers across scenic routes, especially within New Zealand’s rugged landscapes. By combining practical operations with shorter flight sectors, this airline sees a lot of action from the versatile Caravan. The 208B’s large cargo door and sturdy airframe design (based around the PT6A turboprop) make it perfect for these shuttle missions. With this repaint, you can emulate real-world schedules or craft your own cross-country expeditions.

Technical Details and Installation Steps

In order to make the most of this repaint, you need the default Cessna 208B Grand Caravan included in Microsoft Flight Simulator X. The steps below outline how to integrate the textures. If you wish to find the base model, you can locate it in the Fly Away Simulation mod library.

1. Copy the Texture.SOUNDSAIR_SHUT folder to your FSX directory under:
   ...SimObjects/ Airplanes/ C208B
2. Open your aircraft.cfg file in the C208B folder and add the following lines after the last [fltsim.n] section. Be sure to change [fltsim.x] to the next sequential number (e.g., [fltsim.5]).

[fltsim.x]
title=Cessna Grand Caravan "Sounds Air - Shuttle"
sim=Cessna208B
model=
panel=
sound=
texture=SOUNDSAIR_SHUT
kb_checklists=Cessna208B_Check
kb_reference=Cessna208B_ref
atc_id=ZK-PDM
atc_id_color=0xff000000
atc_parking_types=RAMP
ui_manufacturer="Cessna"
ui_type="C208B Grand Caravan"
ui_variation="Sounds Air - Shuttle"
ui_typerole="Single Engine TurboProp"
ui_createdby="Microsoft Corporation"
description="Wherever you want to go today, the Cessna Caravan can get you there. First introduced by Cessna in 1985, the Caravan was designed to land nearly anywhere, on land or water. Undoubtedly, it has lived up to its creators' intentions. Whether supplies need to be brought to a flooded village in the mountains of Peru, an injured person needs to be flown out from a remote lake in Alaska, or an archeologist wants access to a tiny site in the African desert, the Caravan has what's needed to do the job."

3. Save the configuration file and load up the aircraft in FSX to see the new livery. Your Sounds Air Shuttle repaint should now display correctly.

Developer Notes and Usage

This entire repaint project has been authored by Jon Murchison. It is distributed free of charge, so flightsimmers can expand their collection without any cost. As it only supplies exterior visuals, you must possess the original default Caravan files to fully experience the new graphics. With these steps completed, you are ready to shuttle passengers just like the real Sounds Air fleet. Enjoy the crisp textures and the unique look of this genuine airline livery.