:

: and thank you all as well. Especially to those of you downloading and flying this craft. Without you, It would only be a construct.
Its a bit addicting isnt it?? this plane i mean. the richness of the wood, the sheen on the brass and the way the light gently curves around the glass on the instruments.. Even the wicker on the chair looks comfy.. This plane is "special". Very special, and i want to thank Matt for inventing the original mesh and hanging in there with us all through the project, and Craig for taking that mesh and turning it into an amazing almost living breathing thing.. but most of all I want to say "Thanks Guys". It was an honor building this thing with you folks, for you folks..
OK, Tips on flying this thing before you come back and kill me :;chuckles::
1. The Sopwith had a twin magneto ignition system. One magneto was used by pressing a button on the stick and would engage all nine cylinders or cut the power to that magneto. it was called the "blip" switch. The other magneto had a three position selector switch which allowed you to use either three, six, or all nine cylinders. there was no throttle as we know them today. The closest we can mimic this in FSX is to suggest that you fly withyour throttle at either 33%, 66% or 100% settings. You can also set up FSUIPC to create a type of "blip" switch too.
2. "Before" removing the chocks set your stick to give the aircraft approximately 80% right aileron. That will hel keep you from rolling over when the front wheels come off the ground.
3. As you accelerate down the runway, gently and smoothly apply right rudder to keep the plane straight. once in the air, continue holding right rudder until the airspeed reaches the planes speed of equilibrium ( approx 70 mph ) where weathervaning takes over to keep the plane as straight as it can get ( the Sopwith is legendary for never quite flying in the direction its pointed ).
4. before you even start it up, climb out of the plane and get in front of it.. now press the starter, and watch it rock and roll. hit the throttle a few times and watch it dance..
5. Spins are rare, but they do happen. The tail on the plane was so heavy it could flip around in a heartbeat on an unwary and under trained pilot. If you find yourself entering a spin, there are three choices you can choose from: learn fast, pray, die. there is no centering the stick and reducing throttle to get out of it. There is no dropping the gear. and theres no one single way this plane enters a spin. It demands respect. It rewards you with knowing youve mastered the single most difficult to fly plane ever created..
Love you all..
Pam