I've been messing with the yf23 some more. I think it flies a bit better now
and has more reasonable auto-pilot take-off characteristics - just apply full
power and go, and it doesn't go into such a steep climb.
Out of curiosity, I've also taken the rudder control input and linked it to
the stabilators/elevators and ailerons. Now, with some slick joystick
manipulation it's possible to fly it at about 30 deg off-axis in more or less
level flight (actually, with full 'rudder' input, it looks nearer to 40 deg
to me and you end up tracing a very long curve).
If no rudder input is used it flies 'normally'.
I'd like to be able to 'tune' it so that it's more stable while transitioning
but I'm not sure if that's going to be possible. It's also high-lighted some
problems I'm having with my Sidewinder joystick - when I use the rudder
control, the engine No.2 throttle jumps to 50% unless auto-throttle is
engaged (this also happens with the b52 too), and there seems to be some
interaction between the different axis if all three (roll, pitch and rudder)
are changed at the same time - difficult to be sure on that one though.
I'll probably un-map the throttle control from the joystick as I tend to use
the keyboard for engine control anyway, especially for landing.
The original textures are nice, but probably should be updated at some point.
When we do update them though, we should shoot for generic/variety in order
to give different parts of the flightgear world different looks (as best as
we can with our course land cover/land use data set.)
Here's a quick update to the yf23 fdm and auto-pilot settings. It flies and
takes-off reasonably well - still haven't tried landing it yet;) It can
still be a bit wobbly at times though and It's not very good at terrain
following either.
Taking off on auto-pilot is quite fun. Set full flaps and CTRL-a (assuming
you're near sea level), hit F6 to make it go straight and apply power - about
50% until it rotates then apply full power. Retract the gear as soon as it
gets off the ground and by the time you#ve done that, retract the flaps.
Quite entertaining from a tower view:)
It's not really an ideal a/c to model but apart from the aesthetics, which
appeal to me, I was curious about not having a rudder.
There's a new texture sheet too but it only makes the a/c a paler shade of
grey.
I've attached an update for the yf23 and I think I've included all the right
files - the model is unchanged (I think I'll eventually paint it in an
imaginary NASA scheme, perhaps a bit like the HIDEC F-15, until I can get
some newer pictures and see what they've done with it) so I've not included
it again.
The fdm still needs quite a bit of work - it can be a bit twitchy and wobbly
at times, and the auto-pilot roll-out and smooth need tightening up, but it's
flyable. Haven't tried landing it yet though;)
- HSI GS needles shouldn't disappear when they hit their limits, only when
there is no GS signal.
- Make vac/amp gauge driven by new minimalistic amp model.
- Update digital clock face color to look more "LCD-ish" based on a real
C172-S cockpit photo.
- Add an OAT gauge to the old C172 2d panel.
currently exist carried over. (Sorry for the previous screw up David, I
found a logic error in my script that prevented the carry over from not
working correctly.)
here's an update to the b52 - it's just some relatively minor changes to the
fdm and panels.
I've been trying to improve the take-off and landing characteristics, or at
least get them to fit the pictures and film I've seen.
The best way to take off is by using the autopilot - at sea level just extend
the flaps, punch in the altitude hold on the autopilot (and heading if you're
lazy), and apply full power. It'll also take of with the default the default
elevator trim of -0.07 but it 'staircases' a little bit - the auto pilot
smooths that out.
I've included some notes and observations about taking-off and landing in the
readme.
While I wouldn't claim any sort of accuracy for it, I hope it manages to get
some of the characteristics right.
