FSX - Default DC-3 Enhanced

[Bjoern]

This might be of interest to the two or three people here flying the default DC-3 in FSX or using the VC model for the Eden/Murchison upgrade or the Jahn C-47.

Since the source file for the DC-3 is included in the FSX SDK, I've fixed a few long standing issues with the VC.
Most importantly, the right engine fuel selector now works like it's supposed to. The carb heat levers work again, the boost pump switches now have the correct "on" position (ditto for the tailwheel lock lever) and the fuel cutoff switches work.

The altered night lighting and plugged up holes for right seat operations as well as the other enhancements are just a bit of a bonus.


More information:
sites.google.com/site/fsxstuffbybk/aircraft-modifications/default-dc-3-fixes

Download:
drive.google.com/file/d/0B6K_xiE2GqmMak1UZi1BVjdNa2s/view?pref=2&pli=1

[Tom/CalClassic]

Nice job,thanks.

[Bjoern]

I'm working on the next step, which is a more comprehensive upgrade. The plan is to include exterior models based on the AWESUM4SUM ones and the Bitzer/Beaumont and/or Metzger FDE (adapted to the peculiarities of my mods). A lot more holes have been plugged in the VC.

The hydraulic system is almost complete and working, hand pump and everything. The landing gear works as described in the real POH. Gravity dropping is supported but I'm not sure how much gravity force should be required to latch it. 1.5 G?
I've only implemented a single circuit pressurized by both engines through a common manifold. As far as I understand, some DC-3s have a selector that can switch the primary system supply from engine 1 (left; default) to engine 2 in case of a hydraulic pump or engine failure. The second, "idle" pump supplies the Sperry autopilot's gyros. But I'm not sure if it would be worth the extra coding effort.

The next thing I'm looking at is the automixture control as in the real DC-3. As far as I understood, the mixture is set to attain a predetermined fuel-air ratio for combustion. The "auto rich" FAR is for best engine performance while the "auto lean" FAR is for best economy. "Emergency/Full" rich is self-explanatory and "Idle Cutoff" can be implemented as well.
The question is, however, what the target FAR for the AR and AL setting should be. From a book on aircraft range and endurance I've found via Google Books: 0.074 (13.5:1) for AR and 0.06 (16.67:1) for AL. Is that about correct? (I will put these numbers in as tweakables anyway.)
I know that this ratio is based on stochiometry to attain maximum combustibility for AVGAS, but I'm unsure whether I need to account for a certain quirk in the PW1830.

Engine startup procedures tie into the automixture simulation so I'd tackle this shortly thereafter.

After that, I might try to implement icing.

I'll leave engine operating limitations to RealEngine v1.4 which handily enough comes with a configuration file for the DC-3, but I need to adapt it a bit, should I succeed with the automixture implementation.


Does anyone know at what (true?) airspeed the cowl flaps will be closed when in "trail" position? That would be one more thing I'd try to implement.



Btw: The (hydraulic) wipers are already in.

[Bjoern]

Automixture is in with assumed FAR values. The overhead was slightly rearranged and you now have stuff like independently controllable landing lights and a more logical arrangement. The main panel is a continuous area now which should make implementng different avionics fits much easier.




The exterior fuselage is now based on James Eden's rendition, so you have proper mapping on the rudder.



And I still need a question or suggestion regarding gravity locking and the speed at which the cowl flaps are closed when in "trail" mode.

[Tom/CalClassic]

Hi,

In most propliners the cowls are in TRAIL (at CalClassic that's 4 degrees by default) during takeoff and climb. The setting during cruise will depend on the MAP used. The cowl flaps are adjusted manually to maintain around 190-200 C during cruise.

My DC-3 manual echos this. TRAIL during takeoff and climb, and set CHT using the cowl flaps during cruise to 120-230 C, normally 200-205 C. Max opening during flight is TRAIL. Max CHT during takeoff and climb 260 C, max during cruise is 232 C.

Hope this helps,

[Bjoern]

Yep, I can work with that. Thanks, Tom!

[Bjoern]

After taking a trijet break, I've finally finished the hydraulic system. The flap system now works as on the real DC-3, i.e. no detents; you can set almost any flap angle you want. Gotta love XMLTools and SimConnect.
The cowl flap system with the five-position selector switch is also in and works as in the real thing. The "trail" position will have the flaps close above 30 KIAS and closed at about 100 KIAS. Aerodynamic loads are taken into consideration, e.g. it will take more hydraulic pressure to open the cowl flaps and trailing cowl flaps will close more quickly at high speeds.
Side windows can now be opened so you can stick your nose into the breeze.

One thing I'm puzzled by is that you can apparently see the MLG wheels from your seat; at least that's what the C-47 training film mentions.
youtu.be/sA_N10PQtl0 (at ~23:00 min)
However, I couldn't create any usable VC camera view that didn't produce any ugly clipping. Can anyone shed some light on this?

The film also mentions a crossfeed valve. As far as I have seen, the default DC-3 doesn't have one. Was the crossfeed C-47-specific?
If I can find a photo of a placque which I can use as a background for the switch, I could put it in because it might just come in handy.


The next step would be the engine start procedure. Since this a two-handed affair on the real thing (one for mixture and magneto, one for starter switch and crank button), I'll adapt the procedure to a single-handed one.


Can anyone shed some light on the single-piece windscreen?
I guess it was put in because the small, opening outboard window saw too little use to justify its presence. And because it might just have been miles better than the leaky standard one. Photos also show a fillet at the fuselage centerline. Suppose it came for free with the new glass?


I'd also like to put in the R2000 for a HIPER conversion, but they all seemed to use different air scoops than on the standard models.
Any changes done to accomodate superchargers were exclusively internal, right?


I'll also see to better RealEngine intgration or come up with my own engine failure modeling, but this might take a while. Same for a better icing simulation.

[Bjoern]

The panorama windows are in and can be set persistently via "title=...MDL_SWS".

[Bjoern]

Startup is implemented. Battery - boost pump - motor engine for a few blades - energize/mesh - set magnetos - open throttle - mixture to auto rich. Still need some simple code to simulate hydraulic lock though. The boost pump sounds and starter motor sounds are authentic, btw.

Prop feathering also now works as on the real thing.

The to-do list is getting shorter. Still have to look at the oil related stuff though. And RealEngine.

[Erik]

It would not surprise me if operators still flying the real bird start adopting your version for initial training..!

Erik

[Bjoern]

Heh. The sites offering DC-3 manuals for download might see increased traffic once I'm done...

I also would not be surprised if there are complaints because I'm not depicting a particular equipment fit.

[Bjoern]

Here's a preliminary release version. It incorporates all paints from the Awesum4Sum package and depicts the current status of the aircraft as of my last effort a few months ago (no time for it since then). Wear and tear for the engines is not in yet.


Studying a real DC-3 manual and using the checklists is recommended to start and fly this bird.


Download:
drive.google.com/file/d/0B6K_xiE2GqmMLWNmSElLeGRhclE/view?usp=sharing

[Bjoern]

Uploaded an updated version.

Changes:
- Real world training documentation is now included since the web-based source does not exist anymore
- The fuel tank selectors and fuel indicator now support up to 4 tanks
- Removed the 2D panel (except for the radio and GPS) since it was still default and therefor pretty pointless with all the VC-based complexity
- Fixed the night lighting of the RPM indicator needles
- Added this:




Download:
drive.google.com/file/d/0B6K_xiE2GqmMLWNmSElLeGRhclE/view?usp=sharing

[Bjoern]

Published a very small update to fix the units in the fuel tank tooltips. Redownload (see previous post for the link) and replace the gauge folder with the updated one.

[Bjoern]

New version.

- Starter and fuel pump sounds split up and edited for each engine
- Starters and fuel pumps now require electricity to operate
- Fuel pump switches now animate regardless of main bus current
- Yoke visibility may be toggled
- Engine autostart, basically defying the purpose of modeling the startup sequence in the first place
- Fixed lightbulb in voltmeter
- Beacon light effect now added to the model file at the proper location
- Nav lights now require electricity instead of dark matter to work
- Instrument lights will now turn off when flood lights are on to work around nightmap handling on 2D gauges
- Expanded the readme with information about supported EventID/key combinations and visibilities of some visual gadgets

Download:
drive.google.com/file/d/0B6K_xiE2GqmMLWNmSElLeGRhclE/view?usp=sharing