Filename: Flying Lear45.txt *** NOT TO BE USED FOR REAL WORLD FLIGHT ***
Note: Print this file out from the DOS Editor to a Dot-Matrix Printer.
Those with inkjet or laser printers, please see "Install-Fly Lear45.doc"
file in MS-Word format.
The FS2002 default LEAR45 has a pretty good visual
model, but like its FS2000 counterpart, doesn't fly so good either. The
upgrade kit you now have matches the Learjet 45 "air" file I designed for
FS98/2000, to the FS2002 "visual model". This was no easy task, mostly
because of the "new way" they do things under FS2002. The upside is, there
are many more neat Aircraft.cfg parameters to play with now, so things will
be becoming more true-to-life. Now, to go over some of the improvements.
With the new FS2002 Aircraft.cfg parameters, I'm
almost sure the default Lear45 can be "repaired". But because the "CG" value
starts inside the "Lear45.air" file and can not be reset easily, I knew
it was time to see if I could adapt my own Lear45.air file to the 2k2 visual
model like I was able to do with FS2000. And, this is what you now have, an
older FS98 air file that has been successfully carried forward into FS2002.
Many aircraft developers will find this comforting, I'm sure, but it may
take much effort to re-tune the flight dynamics, yet again.
In addition, the better "CG" also enables smoother rotation, climbing,
cruising, and oh yes, better autopilot lockup to the ILS. The plane is now
perfectly hand flyable and the fuel usage is nearly correct too. It will now
feel more like the sleek jet it is.
A new PANEL.cfg file has been added as well. These lines were added.
VIEW_FORWARD_ZOOM=0.7 The full moon looked way too big!
VIEW_FORWARD_DIR=1.5, 0.0, 0.0 Better visibility on approach!
The View Forward, was just too high. If you go to Spot View, you will
see the two pilots heads and you can see that their downward view is really
good. The pilots can look "right down" the nose of the plane to the runway.
Now you have a good view for approach and landing.
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OPTIONAL GAUGES:
Here is a listing of 3 gauges that I never fly any aircraft without. The new
GPS.bmp file included will hold the ACS-GPS and Fuel gauges nicely. The
digital trim gauge will be on the Main panel. Download and install the gauges.
The Panel.cfg file is setup already to use them. My sincere thanks go out to
these gentlemen for these great gauges and textures.
1. ACSGPS20.zip -> http://www.acsoft.ch by Alain Capt
2. RG_FSTAT.zip -> http://www.SurClaro by Robert K. Guy
3. DigTrim1.zip -> http://www.SurClaro by H. Geier and H. Busch
OPTIONAL TEXTURES:
Put the finishing touch on this great aircraft with replacement textures.
1. DBLEAR.zip -> http://www.SurClaro by E. Capocasale
I will now discuss using the "Operation Checklist" (Lear45_notes.txt).
You might want to print this file for easy reference. I will give a brief
explanation of each section. Although not perfectly accurate in all respects,
it should help give the average user a better feel of what it must be like to
fly the real thing.
FUEL LOAD CHECKLIST
The weights are very accurate and reflect the values used in the
Aircraft.cfg file. The Zero Fuel Weight (ZFW) is set low enough so you
can load up full tanks and fly the rated 2,200nm range. The Pax/Bag weight
is set to 1,300 lbs, so the aircraft is not too light or heavy.
ENGINE START CHECKLIST
This is the easiest way to start the engines.
PRE-TAKEOFF CHECKLIST
This is self-explanatory except for this one line:
"Set Pitch Trim UP 1 Notch. (+15)"
The "1 Notch" refers to the A/P MCP trim wheel, while the "+15" refers to the
digital trim gauge value you get when using "one" notch. Using this gauge
allows you to fly the Lear 45 with much more precision. It is the addon gauge
mentioned earlier. (DigTrim1.zip)
TAKEOFF CHECKLIST
Just follow the steps in order for a good takeoff. After rotation,
stabilize your climb pitch angle, then do everything in the list. BUT,
DO NOT turn on the autopilot, until AFTER takeoff! Weird things might
happen if you do!
CLIMB CHECKLIST
The fun begins! Here I offer a "Step-Climb" procedure that is generic for
light jets. I know it's not perfectly accurate for this aircraft, but it
works! Finding reliable info for this plane,... has been difficult.
CRUISE CHECKLIST
Here's where we get serious. The "rated" maximum range of this plane is
2,200nm. But, how is it able to do this? First, it must use a full fuel load
of 6,030 lbs. Then it must be accurately "step-climbed" to an initial cruise
altitude, probably no higher then FL370 and Mach 0.76. (436kts) When the
aircraft weight reaches 17,000 lbs, you can then climb up to FL450, which is
this aircrafts best fuel efficient altitude, and always flying at M0.76.
The flight model you now have will reach the 17,000 lb weight when the fuel
load drops to 4,000 lbs. Normal cruise, M0.77, when used at FL350\370, yields
an effective "normal" range of 1,800nm. And use M0.78 for shorter mission
profiles. You don't need the special fuel gauge I mention above, but it does
give you the "effective range" as you fly.
DESCENT CHECKLIST
Watch your speed crossing 10,000 feet. You might need a touch of air-brakes.
Try my favorite approach altitude of 5,500 ft. It will give you a good
chance to stabilize your lock up to the Localizer before hitting the glide-
slope. Localizer lockup seems to work real well at 190 kias.
APPROACH CHECKLIST
When you are descending at nearly idle power, you will notice a slight speed
increase. Real world jets do this also. Just go to Flaps 8, below 250 kias,
then Flaps 20, below 200 kias. The little digital trim gauge can help you
"lock" to the glide-slope, because when you do, the gauge numbers "bounce"
a little, in confirmation.
LANDING CHECKLIST
After locking to the glide-slope with full flaps and gear down, it's time to
fine-tune your airspeed. Because your aircraft will not weight the same
every time you land, neither will be your approach speed. All that is
needed to do is to set your approach speed so your trim gauge reads UP by
ONE notch on the A/P MCP or +15 on the digital gauge. Initially, set your
approach speed to 145 kias, then wait and see what the trim gauge does.
If the trim gauge reads LESS than ONE notch or (+15), you are coming in
too fast. Slow down and the trim and "angle-of-attack" will increase.
The auto-pilot works now to where you can just leave it alone and the
aircraft will land by itself. You can, of course disconnect the "APR" hold
and flare a bit, before landing, which is the right way to land.
POST-FLIGHT CHECKLIST
After landing from that long 2,200nm flight, you should have a minumim of
277 lbs. left in your tanks.
----------------------------
SETTING OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE FOR REALISTIC FLIGHT:
In FS2002 Menu, Click World, Weather, Advanced Weather, Temp/Pressure:
Under "Altitude", set 0 ft., Under "Temperature", set +59 deg.
Under "Dew Point", set +59 deg., Under "Pressure at Sealevel", set 29.92.
Now save a startup "Situation" that will load these settings every time you
start FS2002. MANY tests have verified that these settings yield VERY
accurate temperature gradiations from ground level up to 50,000 feet. Tests
were made with the Lear45 temp gauge that reads in Centigrade. Some default
temp gauges reading in Farenheight, are NOT accurate ABOVE 20,000ft!!
FINAL NOTES:
This "upgrade" was made to keep the default model from becoming obsolete
and to put the fun back in flying this aircraft again. Because real world
info for this plane is hard to find, there are, no doubt, many inaccuracies
in my documentation and/or flight modeling. Future Learjet 45 "Repair Kits"
2, 3, etc. will be "stand alone" and will be even more accurate than this.
I have also discovered you can make a startup "Situation" with this aircraft,
probably because the "SOUND" and PANEL" are not aliased to FSFSCONV dir.
ENJOY! Bye for now. Al
CREDITS:
Thank you Microsoft for THE BEST looking Flight Sim yet!
And a special Thank You goes out to John Consterdine, Webmaster of
The Flightsim Veterans Club site for his help with test flying and evaluating
this upgrade. Without his GREAT FS2002 "Tips" section, this upgrade may
never have gotten off the ground.
Check out John's site at: http://flightsimvetclub.tripod.com
Also, MANY THANKS to those who have over the years provided help and
guidance with fine-tuning this great aircraft.
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LEGAL STUFF
All files Copyright 2001, by Al Whitney and can be uploaded to any web
site as long as all files remain in tact. Package is FREEWARE and
"Public Domain". Thank You. Al Whitney - alw@bestnetpc.com
