Dash 8-100 released by VirtualCol - Marketplace Only

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vipgroup

SOH-CM-2024
Just released... An aircraft that's been much-missed. There are some flaws, and I have only made a couple of VFR flights so far, but it is still nice to finally have one of these in the sim.

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A lot of details in their video HERE
 
Might there be a -200 in the pipeline, one hopes?
Around here they are a staple of the regional routes.
 
I’ve been happily flying the aircraft intermittently through the afternoon. However, I am disappointed that I cannot seem to get the aircraft above 175 knots even at a humble 12,000ft. There is also a mild porpoising due to what appears to be constant fluctuation in torque. In VR I also noticed a misaligned structure to the right of the cabin which lets a thin slice of outside view show through. As long as I don’t look at it the VR is quite pleasant. But of course it’s hard to miss this. For the price it is really nice to finally have an early model Dash 8, but it would be wonderful if these issues could be fixed. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very much enjoying the experience of this aircraft in virtual reality. But it could be improved upon.
 
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Is that a YWG scenery VIP?

I've got about 1200 hrs in the -100 series, electro/mechanical panel like above, except without the FMS, all VOR/NDB stuff.
 
Nice to see this, and the price point is not bad. I've had a Dash in every sim going back to 98. Nice to have it back!

Don BP;)
 
Nice to see. I generally thing of that Dev as making low to medium quality models but this one looks good. Maybe they can get the performance bugs fixed at some point. The Majestic Dash 8 Q400 is still in build and coming along but it may be a bit before it is released.
 
There a couple of reviews of the aircraft on YouTube now, and both reviewers seem to get into uncontrollable flight at the drop of a hat, and then shout a lot in protest as if trying for an Oscar.

Well, I have now flown it for a reasonable amount of time, and although I stand by the points I mentioned before (the slow speed being particularly annoying), I can also fly it with good handling characteristics, and none of what these "screamers" are claiming as standard fare. But I will give this caveat.... If they are using FS2024 while I am using FS2020, things may be different.

Truth is, a good overhaul of the flight dynamics would make this very pleasant.. not perfect, but acceptable for recreational flying. In the meantime, flying it with finesse helps a lot.

Case in point. If you belt the throttles to the max as if you were "kicking down" the gas pedal on a car, it will act like a fighter catapulted off a carrier. BUT my instructors always told me to advance throttles gently and with consistency of rate. Do this with the Dash 8, and hold the power about 20% away from full throttle, and the aircraft acceleration is suddenly believable. It also helps to use flaps appropriately, and not to deflect controls like a fighter at higher speeds.

It is growing on me, but I am going to contact VirtualCol about the flight model. Here's hoping they will fix it because they intend to release the rest of the Dash-8 range beyond the 100. Hope they tweak this one and learn from it first.
 
Hi, just bought this aircraft. How do you get the VSI to work. I have a blank screen.
Many thanks for your help.
 
car767 said:
Hi, just bought this aircraft. How do you get the VSI to work. I have a blank screen.
Many thanks for your help.
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That got me as well for a while. But, there's a panel to the left of the pilot's seat with eight bronze switches on it. The top left switch turns on more panel lights and the VSI.
 
I was starting on the runway and expected it to be powered up. Switch is labelled “ circuit breaker panel lights “ so not obvious. All ok now.
 
I received a very cordial response from VirtualCol customer service this morning. They are aware of the issues of significant over power on the ground, and lack of power (hence about half the cruise speed) in the air. They have also heard from two customers who have been pilots and mechanics on the Dash 8, and they are now trying to figure out how to get a "balance" between these two power issues.

They also made note of my other concerns, and said they will make sure their developers know about them too. Clearly they are planning an update, but I don't expect it to be immediate, and that's fine with me as I would rather they get it right than rush out another imperfection.

I encouraged them to up their game in terms of quality as it would serve both their customers and their bottom line. After all, we have waited five years and the Majestic Dash 8's are still only a promise. Since VirtualCol appears to be the only developer interested in this very important type, they are sitting on a gold mine if they significantly improve it. I hope they do.
 
Hi, moving the condition levers doesn't seem to reduce the prop rpm. Trying to set an rpm of 1050 but impossible. Can't seem to turn on the pilots instrument lights. I have turned the knob on the left hand panel but no luck.
As others have noticed the torque fluctuates even though N1 N2 and fuel flow are stable.
Pleased the dev is looking into issues.
 
keithb77 said:
Long time ago I wasted a small amount of money and a lot of time on a virtualcol product...never again :(
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Only the Dash 8 appealed to me, I also wish it had been another company, but for casual local flights, it will suffice at the price. BUT for goodness sakes where are the other developers for this aircraft?
 
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