PAD Releases Beechcraft Model 99
- Thread starter dandee
- Start date
Anyone seen any VC shots yet? I checked the PAD site but only saw external views.
Well thanks for the thanks but it was 'dandee' who made the first post.
Drzook
Charter Member
Whups, my bad!
Thanks Dandee!
:ernae:
I am JUST THAT EXCITED about this bird!
I've been wanting one of these with a virtual cockpit since I got FS2004; back in my misspent youth (back in my FS98 days) I did some research about running an airline and my imaginary airline had two or three Beech 99's running from the main hub in Muskegon MI to far flung Midwestern venues like Milwaukee, Green Bay, Traverse City, Cleveland, et cetera. I figured out things like ticket prices, maintainence fees and what not. In the end I came to the conclusion that in order to get a small fortune in the airline business I would have to start with a large fortune.
Oh I just can't wait; gotta go check out the new airliner.
Thanks Dandee!
:ernae:I am JUST THAT EXCITED about this bird!
I've been wanting one of these with a virtual cockpit since I got FS2004; back in my misspent youth (back in my FS98 days) I did some research about running an airline and my imaginary airline had two or three Beech 99's running from the main hub in Muskegon MI to far flung Midwestern venues like Milwaukee, Green Bay, Traverse City, Cleveland, et cetera. I figured out things like ticket prices, maintainence fees and what not. In the end I came to the conclusion that in order to get a small fortune in the airline business I would have to start with a large fortune.
Oh I just can't wait; gotta go check out the new airliner.
I briefly looked at this offering yesterday. The exterior is pretty nice, the VC is also pretty nice. All gauges, avionics, and switches are 2D style, but that makes moving them an easy task. Night lighting is ok, the panel remains the same day color, but the rest of the cabin dims and the panel light casts a glow bright enough to see everything and would be useful during a night time start up. There are two fuel gauges in the VC, but both gauges are "left side" tank and both read at the total fuel capacity of both tanks combined, ie: full fuel for this aircraft is 804 lbs, both gauges register 804 lbs.
The passenger cabin is ok, decent seats, but overall the interior is a bit bland. The cargo version features a cargo cabin, but unless I'm doing something wrong, the cargo cabin is completely empty. It would have been nice to have had some cargo back there.
The belly pod can be toggled on or off, that's nice. The cfg file seems very simple, with only a few stations for placing the weight of passengers, crew, cargo, etc, but the cfg file puts all of the weight on one spot. Very simple cfg file. I did not get a chance to fly it, so I cannot comment on its flight characteristics.
I did notice that from the VC, looking over the nose, the nose is missing its skin. Kind of distracting to be looking into the structure of the nose.
A major annoyance I found was the shut down sequence. Shutting down the engines sends them into a restart loop. The only way I was able to cease the constant attempts to restart the engines was to turn off the master battery switch.
So far, I'd say this is a good offering, not as nice as their SAAB 340. I'd certainly like to see the nose skin and the shut down issues rectified and perhaps some cargo in the cargo version.
I'll try to give it some more test time this weekend.
The passenger cabin is ok, decent seats, but overall the interior is a bit bland. The cargo version features a cargo cabin, but unless I'm doing something wrong, the cargo cabin is completely empty. It would have been nice to have had some cargo back there.
The belly pod can be toggled on or off, that's nice. The cfg file seems very simple, with only a few stations for placing the weight of passengers, crew, cargo, etc, but the cfg file puts all of the weight on one spot. Very simple cfg file. I did not get a chance to fly it, so I cannot comment on its flight characteristics.
I did notice that from the VC, looking over the nose, the nose is missing its skin. Kind of distracting to be looking into the structure of the nose.
A major annoyance I found was the shut down sequence. Shutting down the engines sends them into a restart loop. The only way I was able to cease the constant attempts to restart the engines was to turn off the master battery switch.
So far, I'd say this is a good offering, not as nice as their SAAB 340. I'd certainly like to see the nose skin and the shut down issues rectified and perhaps some cargo in the cargo version.
I'll try to give it some more test time this weekend.
I can't say for sure, and won't be able to check until tomorrow, but could adjusting the viewpoint for the VC solve this; it sounds like it may be set too close, hence the 'missing' skin, which probably will reappear if you move back slightly.
Thanks to stansdds for his review of our Beech 99, a very fair assessment.
I can't reproduce the strange shut down behaviour he describes. If you use the recommended method of shut down ...pulling the fuel condition levers to 'fuel shut-off' position and then switching off the avionics, generators and battery, she shuts down perfectly every time.
The view of the nose from the VC is a fair point, the nose in VC view is not textured, but you do have to raise the viewpoint above what would be considered normal to see this. Maybe we should have textured it but every polygon less on the model is a fraction more of fps.
I'm looking forward to a review of the flying experience.
Bob
PAD
I can't reproduce the strange shut down behaviour he describes. If you use the recommended method of shut down ...pulling the fuel condition levers to 'fuel shut-off' position and then switching off the avionics, generators and battery, she shuts down perfectly every time.
The view of the nose from the VC is a fair point, the nose in VC view is not textured, but you do have to raise the viewpoint above what would be considered normal to see this. Maybe we should have textured it but every polygon less on the model is a fraction more of fps.
I'm looking forward to a review of the flying experience.
Bob
PAD
Hey Bob, I did notice one thing. Don't know if it's just on my system since no one else has mentioned it, but the flaps appear to have negative lift...? trimmed out for level flight, cruising at 175 knots, drop the flaps to full and she will fall like a rock at about 1200 fpm, even with nose up. I went into the aircraft.cfg and in the flaps section changed the lift scalar from 1.00 to -1.00 and now she behaves perfectly.
Other than that, I have no gripes at all, I have been looking for a good short field cargo craft, and this one will fit the bill to a T.
I have no idea what the real world perfomance of this aircraft is, but I love the way it flies.
Nimble on the controls without being twitchy, plenty of power for short field takeoff and climb out.
Full flaps and 60% power she rides the ILS approach at 110 knots, touch down and apply thrust reverse and she comes to a quick stop.
Thanks for this, I have been looking for a good bush freighter, and I think I found it.
Other than that, I have no gripes at all, I have been looking for a good short field cargo craft, and this one will fit the bill to a T.
I have no idea what the real world perfomance of this aircraft is, but I love the way it flies.
Nimble on the controls without being twitchy, plenty of power for short field takeoff and climb out.
Full flaps and 60% power she rides the ILS approach at 110 knots, touch down and apply thrust reverse and she comes to a quick stop.
Thanks for this, I have been looking for a good bush freighter, and I think I found it.
I wonder if, two left tank guages, is the reason that the plane flys extremely left wing low when on auto pilot and set on a heading? Has anyone else run into this left wing low problem when using the autopilot?
Nope, mine flies nice and level.
Again, this is something I can't reproduce in testing, the problem doesn't show here. One thing occurs to me tho', sometimes if a flight is started from a saved situation the model 'inherits' some properties from the previously saved flight and the fuel system seems particularly prone to this. It's best to start clean from the "create flight" menu.
Bob.
Was thinking maybe it was my control stick, I just got through flying the Cessna 414 and put it on autopilot and it had no problems. Went back into the Beechcraft 99 and it the problem was still there.
I have been starting off with the B99 from a fresh startup of the FS, which is default but is from a saved flight so I could base out of my hometown airport.
I looked to change the default back to KSEA but I can't remember how to revert back to the FS default start off airport.
Well it is not that important anyway Bob. A very nice B99 you guys have made. She still flies and looks very nice. I'll just pretend my co-pilot forgot to strap down that big round bar of cold roll back in the cargo hold. He's going to be in big trouble when we get to our destination.
I have been starting off with the B99 from a fresh startup of the FS, which is default but is from a saved flight so I could base out of my hometown airport.
I looked to change the default back to KSEA but I can't remember how to revert back to the FS default start off airport.
Well it is not that important anyway Bob. A very nice B99 you guys have made. She still flies and looks very nice. I'll just pretend my co-pilot forgot to strap down that big round bar of cold roll back in the cargo hold. He's going to be in big trouble when we get to our destination.
wombat666
Administrator
I'd just like to throw in my personal 'Thank You' to Bob and the PAD team, the odd glitch or two appears from time to time (which is always sorted out) but I'm very grateful to have some good 'odd' GA aircraft that will probably remain overlooked by the 'Commercial' developers and are FS9 capable as well.
Bravo PAD!
Bravo PAD!
racartron
Charter Member 2016
Really nice workhorse gal. I gave it the Shockwave treatment for those out there with this awesome add-on.
[LIGHTS]
//Types: 1=beacon, 2=strobe, 3=navigation, 4=cockpit
light.0 =3, 0.756000, -22.870000, 1.320000, fx_shockwave_navred
light.1 =3, 0.756000, 22.870000, 1.320000, fx_shockwave_navgre
light.2 =3, -25.200000, 0.000000, 2.100000, fx_shockwave_navwhi
light.3 =2, 0.400000, -22.870000, 1.320000, fx_shockwave_strobe
light.4 =2, 0.400000, 22.870000, 1.320000, fx_shockwave_strobe_2
light.5 =1, -24.000000, 0.000000, 9.590000, fx_PADbeaconh
light.6 =4, 4.910000, 0.000000, 2.220000, fx_shockwave_vclight,,
light.7 =4, 0.000000, 0.000000, 2.300000, fx_shockwave_vclight,,
light.8 =4, -5.500000, 0.000000, 2.300000, fx_shockwave_vclight,,
light.9 = 5, 17.40, -0.3, -1.30, fx_Shockwave_landing_light
light.10 = 5, 17.40, 0.3, -1.30, fx_Shockwave_landing_light
light.11 = 6, 17.40, 0.0, -1.80, fx_Shockwave_landing_light_small
Plus added this to the panel.cfg [Vcockpit01] so raising the gear automatically turns off the lights.
gauge51=shockwave_lights!SW Lights_gear, 1,1,1,1
gauge52=shockwave_lights!SW Lights_taxi_gear, 1,1,1,1
BTW, I don't have an attitude problem with the plane on full auto. She stays very level on my rig.
[LIGHTS]
//Types: 1=beacon, 2=strobe, 3=navigation, 4=cockpit
light.0 =3, 0.756000, -22.870000, 1.320000, fx_shockwave_navred
light.1 =3, 0.756000, 22.870000, 1.320000, fx_shockwave_navgre
light.2 =3, -25.200000, 0.000000, 2.100000, fx_shockwave_navwhi
light.3 =2, 0.400000, -22.870000, 1.320000, fx_shockwave_strobe
light.4 =2, 0.400000, 22.870000, 1.320000, fx_shockwave_strobe_2
light.5 =1, -24.000000, 0.000000, 9.590000, fx_PADbeaconh
light.6 =4, 4.910000, 0.000000, 2.220000, fx_shockwave_vclight,,
light.7 =4, 0.000000, 0.000000, 2.300000, fx_shockwave_vclight,,
light.8 =4, -5.500000, 0.000000, 2.300000, fx_shockwave_vclight,,
light.9 = 5, 17.40, -0.3, -1.30, fx_Shockwave_landing_light
light.10 = 5, 17.40, 0.3, -1.30, fx_Shockwave_landing_light
light.11 = 6, 17.40, 0.0, -1.80, fx_Shockwave_landing_light_small
Plus added this to the panel.cfg [Vcockpit01] so raising the gear automatically turns off the lights.
gauge51=shockwave_lights!SW Lights_gear, 1,1,1,1
gauge52=shockwave_lights!SW Lights_taxi_gear, 1,1,1,1
BTW, I don't have an attitude problem with the plane on full auto. She stays very level on my rig.
Sunny9850
SOH-CM-2024
I'd just like to throw in my personal 'Thank You' to Bob and the PAD team, the odd glitch or two appears from time to time (which is always sorted out) but I'm very grateful to have some good 'odd' GA aircraft that will probably remain overlooked by the 'Commercial' developers and are FS9 capable as well.
Bravo PAD!
I will second that statement whole heartedly. And not only does PAD deliver quality aircraft that otherwise would not be there, they still keep in mind that not every FS PC out there is a CRAY on steroids. Their airplanes look right, generally feel right and run great on virtually any machine out there.
Personally I am a little miffed by a multiple post dissection of a new offering to the community. At the very least fly the airplane first before critizing the effort.
Does the MTOW really matter in the simulated world of FS ?? What if the rest of the FDE perfectly compensates for the possible difference ?? Does it still matter ??
I am quite certain the comments were not meant to be derogatory or mean, but I can't help bit think if I just spent a good bit of my time to build a free model for the community to enjoy I would feel just a bit of disappointment to see it "picked apart" without even getting off the ground once.
Part of the great fun and longevity of FS airplanes is the customization that inevitably seems to happen to FS airplanes. New skins, new effects, new panels and sometimes completely new FDE creations. Some airplanes that have lingered in the back of a hangar suddenly come back to brilliant life because someone comes up with a new tweak and shares it with the world.
So I am all for that. Some of the greatest additions to the Connie project came after the initial release. Such as redrawn bitmaps for the flight deck.
Just fly the thing first before writing a pirep. Road and Track still test drives 911s before doing a detailed write up..
:ernae:
Stefan
Drzook
Charter Member
Far be it to say that I could write a professional level pirep (Budd Davisson I am not), but I did a quick flight before RL grounded me
and all I gotta say it flies very much what I expected. In FS one gets a feeling about if a plane 'feels' right and this one feels pretty much right. I absolutely love this plane; it is a keeper.
I just want to give a hearty THANK YOU to Bob and Premaircraft for getting this out (among other planes that have a special place in my heart); I've been wanting one of these for a LONG time.:ernae:
and all I gotta say it flies very much what I expected. In FS one gets a feeling about if a plane 'feels' right and this one feels pretty much right. I absolutely love this plane; it is a keeper. I just want to give a hearty THANK YOU to Bob and Premaircraft for getting this out (among other planes that have a special place in my heart); I've been wanting one of these for a LONG time.:ernae: