Virtavia A-4 Skyhawk available

Thanks guys.

I wanted to update my findings a bit. I tried a wingover in the A2A P-51 and it also has the ball well out to the side. so this may be just a common "-ism" in MSFS.

...that or my twenty year old aerodynamics memory may be off. ;-)


In any case though, I still think they could turn down the rudder requirement a bit. The ADI is clearly not operating quite as it should, but I would think they should be able to fix that. The climb performance, I just don't know. Either my installation of the sim has some engine issue or my climb schedule is way off. I'd love to hear if everyone has this problem or if not, what altitudes they can reach and what climb schedule they use to reach them.


I have some high hopes they can address these. It's a fun airplane to fly!


Deacon
 
Unfortunately, the inclinometers in FSX don't always accurately represent uncoordinated flight - they're over-reactive. Unless the developer has tweaked the ball action somehow to look more realistic, you pretty much have to rely on visual tracking of nose movement. As far as altitude performance, normal tuning of the airfile will typically give you either realistic low altitude performance or higher altitude climb/cruise performance, not both, so it's a compromise. Just a problem with FSX code.... like almost anything in FSX there are workarounds, and there are a few developers that have succeeded in building realistic thrust/drag modeling throughout the performance envelope, notably Milviz. I don't do coding myself, just flight test, and not in a position to pass on 'trade secrets' on how to fix this model, but it is exceptional work and I'd love to see the few bugs worked out! Thanks for posting Deacon, hopefully the developer can find some solutions.
 
Barfly said:
Unfortunately, the inclinometers in FSX don't always accurately represent uncoordinated flight - they're over-reactive. Unless the developer has tweaked the ball action somehow to look more realistic, you pretty much have to rely on visual tracking of nose movement. As far as altitude performance, normal tuning of the airfile will typically give you either realistic low altitude performance or higher altitude climb/cruise performance, not both, so it's a compromise. Just a problem with FSX code.... like almost anything in FSX there are workarounds, and there are a few developers that have succeeded in building realistic thrust/drag modeling throughout the performance envelope, notably Milviz. I don't do coding myself, just flight test, and not in a position to pass on 'trade secrets' on how to fix this model, but it is exceptional work and I'd love to see the few bugs worked out! Thanks for posting Deacon, hopefully the developer can find some solutions.
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Thanks Barfly! That really answers a lot of questions for me. Typically, I fly the fighters down low and the airliners higher so I often couldn't tell you the "completeness" of their envelope. Your explanation makes perfect sense.

Let's see what Virtavia can do...I'm hopeful.

Deacon
 
The solution to the altitude problem lies in expanding tables 1503 & 1504 to include more reference pressures; this enables altitude variation of engine performance to be non-linear.
 
Victory103 said:
Continuing to follow this until the other developer releases their version of the Scooter.
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The "other developer" has been putting more and more emphasis on DCS lately for military subjects and even suggested on FB that they are contemplating finishing up the few scheduled FSX projects (A-4 probably isn't on that short list) and switching all future military work to DCS. You may have to switch sims.
:ernae:
 
Kind of disappointed in the lack of progress on the A-4 FDE. I understand that it does take many hours to go through each and every FM and make things right.

But, isnt this something that should have been done in the first place prior to release? Wasnt it checked out by real A-4 drivers, or am I imagining that part?

Its tough for me to purchase any of their new stuff, while waiting on a previous model to get fixed.

I've sent an email or two, but they dont even answer back.
 
FYI...I finished the A-4 Skyhawk FDE updates a couple of weeks ago.

They are now in the hands of Virtavia and have been for a while.

Anyone who has purchased the product and wants the new files should email Virtavia support and request them. Please be sure to include your original purchase information.

Here's the address: tech.support@virtavia.com
 
Thanks Mal Easter mail sent :salute:... better scoot :running:<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><input jscode="leoInternalChangeDone()" onclick="if(typeof(jsCall)=='function'){jsCall();}else{setTimeout('jsCall()',500);}" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">
 
Hi All,
Just a quick update for those customers who requested updated FDE files for the A-4. While reviewing the set I found a few issues in the files and am working feverishly to get them modified. Please bare with me while I go through the set and test them one more time. I apologize for the hold up and promise to get them finished and over to Virtavia as soon as I can. Sorry for the hold up!

Thank you for your patience.

mal
 
There is a new version available in simmarket.com: 1.1
Can´t see a changelog but i think it has to do with a new FDE. Maybe someone from Virtavia Staff can elaborate more.

This is for Mr. fsafranek: Hi! Any chance to the very nice Brazilian Navy paint be published? :salute: That´s an amazing work. Thanks again!
 
Just downloading the v.1-1 now. I guess there is a readme.txt file with info?

Nope - the the PDF manual - nothing there about any changes - however some incorrect info (especially about the former bad AoA Indexer) has been changed, always a good thing.
 
ST0RM said:
Hoping for some NATC red/white test schemes.

Looking forward to the schemes.

-Jeff
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I had the privilege of several backseat rides in NATC TA-4s in the early 70s. Sooo much fun! Oftimes the pilot, usually USMC, would try to get me sick. Not happening. The more barrel rolls, high speed turns, flips, etc... they would execute, the more fun it was!! Working on the Skyhawk was simple, easy. When I went through maintenance training at Millington, TN, the Skyhawk was what we learned on. Egress AND Environmental systems were basic. Dependable too.

I compare sitting/riding in the Skyhawk cockpit to the comfortable feeling of wearing a snuggly fitted glove. Definitely NOT an aircraft for a portly-built pilot!

I think my most memorable ride was a hop, flying dogfight maneuvers with another USNTPS (US Navy Test Pilot School) aircraft. Think of the best roller coaster ride you've ever been on, times 100:salute:.

Navy Chief
 
Just noticed in a previous thread that a Ver 1.1 is available (Simmarket). Picked up up the Virtavia A-4 at The Flightsim Store during Virtavia's 50% off sale . Checked high and low on my Flightsim Store A-4 account for a version # but couldn't find one . Any Flightsim Store purchasers (A-4) have the newer 1.1 version ? I have checked the PDF Manual it still states 1.0 .

Thanks ,

Rich
 
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