A few Lionhearts Kodiak questions!

[J van E]

I purchased the Kodiak (incredible christmas deal!!!) and I've got a few questions. (I understood the dev visits this forum frequently (?).)
EDIT: I think I found some answers in the meantime, so I edited some questions. If I am wrong, I am sure someone will let me know.

1. The Condition lever: the manual says you should set it at 40% during starting and taxiing and at 100% during take off. But the manual says nothing about what to do with it then... Should you leave it at 100% all the way? Or doesn't it only look like a mixture but do you also have to treat is as such?

2. (ANSWERED: I need to watch TRQ for throttle and NP (RPM) for prop. I would still like to know what the normal numbers are! And btw the throttle needs to be pretty low in order not to overspeed! I am constanly cruising at top speed with TRQ way down in the green.)
I am a bit confused with the throttle and the blue prop control knob. The manual says that blue knob control prop RPM but also prop Torque... So... I should monitor the Torque for the latter, and I suppose that's the TRQ on the ECIAS...? But it seems TRQ shows the throttle control and the NP (rpm) shows the blue knob readout... Where should I focus on when using the throttle and where should I focus on when using the blue knob? And what are the usual readouts I should aim for? For the Cessna (for instance) I know the numbers, but I don't know the usual numbers for the Kodiak.

3. (ANSWERED: now I know that I've got to watch the NP (RPM) setting the prop is easier. Although I am surprised at how low I can set it.)
What makes question 2 a bit complicated is that it seems the blue knob can be pulled completely back to full feather without any problems during flight... Is that normal? On other aircraft you quicly get a different readout when you pull the prop lever, but it seems that on the Kodiak large movements have little impact...?

4. When I click on the Surface prop knob the Engine inlet bypass goes up...? (The Surface knob doesn't move.) What does that Inlet knob do anyway?

5. When I click on Icelight on the Landing light goes on (and vice versa)...? (They both move.)

6. When I click on the Pitot knobs they both move...?

7. (ANSWERED: Seems all knobs I mentioned are also dummies, apart from the Aux fuel pump: you can hear the pump pumping. I only need this one during take off and during landing, right...? Or should I also turn it on during startup? Not using the knob at all won't give any problems, it seems, but it's nice to do it all as realistic as possible ).
Some knobs are dummies, according to the manual (Ailerion, Emergency, Aux bus (although the manual says you have to click it... but it is linked with the Master knob...?), Igniter switch (called Ignition) and the APU Generator (called Generator)). But what about the Alternator switch...? Does it do anything? And the Aux fuel pump? And Artex Elt (whatever that is)? And Oxygen...?

8. (ANSWERED: I see you enter Pan mode when you press the Range knob... Stupid me.)
The range button on the map display doesn't always work...? Every now and then I am stuck at a certain level... Is there a reason for that?

9. (ANSWERED: I read in the Kodiak GPS tutorial 90 knots is a good approach speed ("don't let the Kodiak go below 90 kts or it will develop a nose high altitude"): 60 knots is stall/flare speed.)
The manual says I have to land at 60 60 knots at normal altitude. My plane is almost empty, but when I approach at even 80 knots the plane sinks to the ground, with full flaps. I really have to keep the speed high in order not to sink too soon...

Nice plane nonetheless. Wish I had a POH for it which explains everything! I really like to go into detail, but the manual seems to skim the surface. Maybe someone knows links to (legal) pdf-manuals/POH/performance charts/etc for this plane...?

 

[harleyman]

Welcome to SOH....


Being Christmad morning he may not show for a while..maybe not till tommorrow..

BUT our very own Bill (Lionheart) I am sure can and will answer all your questions for you...Just be patient...He is very good at customer support.

 

[J van E]

Thanks for the welcome! And I am patient: I didn't expect instant support this christmas. Anyway, I'm glad to know this is the right forum for my questions! :salute:

 

[harleyman]

You are indeed in the right place...

This is his second home...


Look uo in the sticky threads here too..he has numerous posts about his work and updates too...


Now I don't see any...Do a search on his name here and you will find complets tutorials too on his glass guages too

 

[Chacha]

Thanks for the welcome! And I am patient: I didn't expect instant support this christmas. Anyway, I'm glad to know this is the right forum for my questions! :salute:

Hello J van E,

Welcome to the out-house.... Happy Holidays...

I believe that there is a read me instructions complete with visual effects in there... Be patient to read it and it is self explanatory....

I do not read read me's so I am really bad at learning the HARD way...

Congratulations on your KODIAK purchase, You will really love this bird, Fun to fly....

Our very own Bill (Lionheart) always pops up here.... He has the most posts in here, so you need not to wait longer...


And YES, follow what Harleyman said

 

[J van E]

Thanks all! I couldn't find any tutorials over here (using the name Lionheart), but I am progressing nonetheless (see the answers I posted into my own OP ). I just did a short flight and even managed to load a GPS approach. As soon as I had the runway in sight, I took over and managed to land the plane perfectly (without sinking to the ground ). This is indeed a GREAT plane to fly! I really love to have ALL information in the VC: no need to open popup windows etc. Really great! And btw I also really like the idea behind/history off this aircraft (I am flying the MAF Cargo version!).

 

[cheezyflier]

the kodiak is the best add-on to come out this year, (imo) and you're going to love it once you get to know it. you do need to carry a little speed coming over the fence, but it's not that big of a deal because the reverser is strong. it puts the woah on in a hurry. the manual that comes with it is pretty helpful. (at least it was for me)
you almost never need more that 1 notch of flaps and 1/2 throttle to take off, unless you're loaded down heavy on a short strip. the kodiak has mondo power. oh, and look at the add-on section. there's a ton of paints for it.
one thing is an absolute must - get the banana bob prop. it makes a great model even better.

 

[6297J]

one thing is an absolute must - get the banana bob prop. it makes a great model even better.

I agree. Some great repaints for it here (they include the prop replacement) - http://forum.siminsider.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=20

 

[J van E]

the manual that comes with it is pretty helpful. (at least it was for me)

one thing is an absolute must - get the banana bob prop. it makes a great model even better.

Hm, the manual didn't help me enough... (hence all the questions!). I like manuals and specially when they explain every single knob and switch and come with charts (like what is the usual rpm and trq etc.)... The site said it should be jam packed with diagrams but I don't see any. (BTW I've got another question: how does the VS on the AP work exactly...? When I press the VS x100 button, I see a 1 and when I click I get a 9...? The manual doesn't say much about the AP.)

I downloaded the prop: took some searching (it wasn't in the prop-forum), but I found it in this topic! Can't wait to give it a try!

BTW Don't mistake all my questions for complaining! I really love the plane and specially for the incredible (christmas)price I paid for it... It's the bargain of the year for me!

 

[harleyman]

Bill actually has a whole new tutioral on the AP for this..He will offer it up to you on his return back..

I have no clue where it is..but its here somewhere ...


Myself..i just fire them up and go....

 

[J van E]

Sounds cool (that new tutorial)! I'll be waiting patiently... checking this forum every minute or so, haha!

Just did another flight: it's an awesome plane! (But I did come up with yet another question, sorry! Is there any indication on any of the panels when you have reverse thrust on?) And o yes, bob's prop is awesome too! Indeed a must have. (I am also thinking about installing his MAF paint, but the readme says the files have to be converted in order to work with FSX...?) Aaaaah, I love it when I have so many questions... Life can be boring when you know it all.

 

[6297J]

And o yes, bob's prop is awesome too! Indeed a must have. (I am also thinking about installing his MAF paint, but the readme says the files have to be converted in order to work with FSX...?)

''This is a photoreal paint for Lionheart Creations Ltd. Kodiak for FSX, this paint will only work in FSX unless they are converted'' :mixedsmi:

 

[northtexas]

I also have a Kodiak question.
My problem is with the ailerons. Normally, in a turn, once the angle of bank is achieved the ailerons are returned to neutral and bank is maintained. To rollout ailerons are deflected in the opposite direction. All the default planes and my other aircraft add-ons including the Viking are modeled that way but with the Kodiak the aileron deflection has to be maintained in order to maintain the bank.

 

[J van E]

''This is a photoreal paint for Lionheart Creations Ltd. Kodiak for FSX, this paint will only work in FSX unless they are converted'' :mixedsmi:

Yes, thanks, I read that but I still don't understand it... (Maybe it's because English is not my native language). But it doesn't matter because I installed the files and it works. And BOY does it look GOOD!!! I will donate a few bob to bob tomorrow!

Oooooooo, wait a minute, I understand it now, haha! The files ONLY work in FSX. Period. If you want to use them in FS2004 they have to be converted. I was putting the emphasis on the wrong part of the sentence, lol...

Well, I think I better slow down a bit here, because I am beginning to make a (hyperactive) fool of myself. I really am a laidback and relaxed person, believe me...

 

[6297J]

Yes, thanks, I read that but I still don't understand it... (Maybe it's because English is not my native language). But it doesn't matter because I installed the files and it works. And BOY does it look GOOD!!! I will donate a few bob to bob tomorrow!

Oooooooo, wait a minute, I understand it now, haha! The files ONLY work in FSX. Period. If you want to use them in FS2004 they have to be converted. I was putting the emphasis on the wrong part of the sentence, lol...

Well, I think I better slow down a bit here, because I am beginning to make a (hyperactive) fool of myself. I really am a laidback and relaxed person, believe me...

There are some great repaints there, for this and other addons. Have a ball!!

 

[cheezyflier]

hit shift + 8 to get the bendix a/p and set your vertical speed and altitude from there.

 

[J van E]

hit shift + 8 to get the bendix a/p and set your vertical speed and altitude from there.

One of the reasons I like this plane is the fact that I can do everything in the VC: I hate 'shift + # windows'. And I like to do things the way they are done in real life (as far as possible of course). So no, I won't hit shift + 8, but thanks for the tip anyway. :ernae:
BTW: About Bob's (really awesome) repaints: I noticed you can order a high resolution pack of Bob's textures for 2 dollars on the Kodiak site. Do I miss anything when I don't order that pack but simply download what I like from Bob's forum? I'm not asking this because of the money (because I just donated 5 bucks to him before I remembered that pack... :salute: ) but I just would like to know if I should get that pack anyway or not.

 

[Cazzie]

Just to confirm B'Bob's Paints, you get your $$ worth!

 

[Lionheart]

Hello J van E,

Welcome to the Sim Outhouse.

Sorry not to catch your thread earlier today.

I'll try to answer these as best as possible.

I purchased the Kodiak (incredible christmas deal!!!) and I've got a few questions. (I understood the dev visits this forum frequently (?).)
EDIT: I think I found some answers in the meantime, so I edited some questions. If I am wrong, I am sure someone will let me know.

1. The Condition lever: the manual says you should set it at 40% during starting and taxiing and at 100% during take off. But the manual says nothing about what to do with it then... Should you leave it at 100% all the way? Or doesn't it only look like a mixture but do you also have to treat is as such?

You only use the condition lever at lower levels for when you do not require 'full torque/RPM'. For instance, on the ground, when taxiing, you would use say 50% Condition lever. At takeoff and at landing, you would use 100% condition lever.

2. (ANSWERED: I need to watch TRQ for throttle and NP (RPM) for prop. I would still like to know what the normal numbers are! And btw the throttle needs to be pretty low in order not to overspeed! I am constanly cruising at top speed with TRQ way down in the green.)
I am a bit confused with the throttle and the blue prop control knob. The manual says that blue knob control prop RPM but also prop Torque... So... I should monitor the Torque for the latter, and I suppose that's the TRQ on the ECIAS...? But it seems TRQ shows the throttle control and the NP (rpm) shows the blue knob readout... Where should I focus on when using the throttle and where should I focus on when using the blue knob? And what are the usual readouts I should aim for? For the Cessna (for instance) I know the numbers, but I don't know the usual numbers for the Kodiak.

3. (ANSWERED: now I know that I've got to watch the NP (RPM) setting the prop is easier. Although I am surprised at how low I can set it.)
What makes question 2 a bit complicated is that it seems the blue knob can be pulled completely back to full feather without any problems during flight... Is that normal? On other aircraft you quicly get a different readout when you pull the prop lever, but it seems that on the Kodiak large movements have little impact...?

4. When I click on the Surface prop knob the Engine inlet bypass goes up...? (The Surface knob doesn't move.) What does that Inlet knob do anyway?

I am not familiar with the 'surface prop knob'. Do you mean the Prop Deice by chance? If so, I had to tie that into an existing FSX function. The Kodiak does have a special bypass system which is for when you have ice conditions, hail, etc, which would damage the intake impellar of the turbine engine, thus the bypass scatters out debris before it can enter the turbine.


5. When I click on Icelight on the Landing light goes on (and vice versa)...? (They both move.)

This had to be rerouted as FSX doesnt have a 'Ice Light' function, so I merged it with the Landing Lights. (Similar function).


6. When I click on the Pitot knobs they both move...?

Yes. FSX doesnt have 2 Pitot Knob functionalities, only one, so it was merged into the first one, thus both move.

7. (ANSWERED: Seems all knobs I mentioned are also dummies, apart from the Aux fuel pump: you can hear the pump pumping. I only need this one during take off and during landing, right...? Or should I also turn it on during startup? Not using the knob at all won't give any problems, it seems, but it's nice to do it all as realistic as possible ).
Some knobs are dummies, according to the manual (Ailerion, Emergency, Aux bus (although the manual says you have to click it... but it is linked with the Master knob...?), Igniter switch (called Ignition) and the APU Generator (called Generator)). But what about the Alternator switch...? Does it do anything? And the Aux fuel pump? And Artex Elt (whatever that is)? And Oxygen...?

8. (ANSWERED: I see you enter Pan mode when you press the Range knob... Stupid me.)
The range button on the map display doesn't always work...? Every now and then I am stuck at a certain level... Is there a reason for that?

9. (ANSWERED: I read in the Kodiak GPS tutorial 90 knots is a good approach speed ("don't let the Kodiak go below 90 kts or it will develop a nose high altitude"): 60 knots is stall/flare speed.)
The manual says I have to land at 60 60 knots at normal altitude. My plane is almost empty, but when I approach at even 80 knots the plane sinks to the ground, with full flaps. I really have to keep the speed high in order not to sink too soon...

Altitude conditions and weight and fuel levels will govern your lowest stall speeds. When I was testing it, it wasnt a fully laden plane and was at sea level (Seattle Tacoma International Airport) in FS2004). There, I retuned the flaps and landing speeds where I thought it was more realistic. The original Kodiak will actually assume a slightly 'nose down' stance when at full flaps in a STOL approach. I thought it looked unrealistic and also wanted the plane to be able to 'nose up' on slow STOL approaches, so I retuned it for that.


Nice plane nonetheless. Wish I had a POH for it which explains everything! I really like to go into detail, but the manual seems to skim the surface. Maybe someone knows links to (legal) pdf-manuals/POH/performance charts/etc for this plane...?

I have requested this from Quest Aircraft, but obtaining an actual manual is a bit difficult. One must also realise that Flight Simulator X can only replicate 'so much' detail and not 'all' of the actual aircraft. Besides, recreating 'all' systems might take one to two years to create such an elaborate model.

I hope you enjoy it. Any more questions, just let me know. I do have a personal help email if you ever need to use that. Its; help@lionheartcreations dot com.

 

[northtexas]

I also have a Kodiak question.
My problem is with the ailerons. Normally, in a turn, once the angle of bank is achieved the ailerons are returned to neutral and bank is maintained. To rollout ailerons are deflected in the opposite direction. All the default planes and my other aircraft add-ons including the Viking are modeled that way but with the Kodiak the aileron deflection has to be maintained in order to maintain the bank.

I think my question got buried. :mixedsmi: