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Nicks Space Shuttle Landing Challenge
UPDATE to VERSION 1.1
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WARNING: PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT ALL THE WAY TO THE END AS IT PROVIDES ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS AS WELL AS UPDATES YOUR PRODUCT CORRECTLY.
This will not take long to read and it should provide you with everything you need...
YOU MUST HAVE MY ORIGINAL: NICK'S SPACE SHUTTLE LANDING CHALLENGE (NSC.ZIP) INSTALLED *** BEFORE*** RUNNING THIS UPDATE!!!
You can get NSC.zip at: SurClaro.com, SurClaro, SIMVITATION.com or SIRCLARO.com
IF YOU ARE INSTALLING MY SPACE SHUTTLE LANDING CHALLENGE FOR THE FIRST TIME, PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT BEFORE INSTALLING THE ORIGINAL NSC.zip PACKAGE.
Thanks to updated information from NASA, this update provides the needed structural integrity changes that will allow this simulation to ride out a bad landing and water ditch the shuttle IF you land the shuttle using the correct nose flair method AND within the tolerances the structure of the shuttle can handle on impact.
ALSO.... an update to the suspension system was provided and you MUST now land the shuttle within the absolute maximum 18 foot per second drop tolerance (shuttle normally lands @ a drop rate of 9ft per second or less) or you will break a strut. It is possible to break one strut and not the other if you do not land level. The nose gear is normally NOT dropped to the ground until the shuttles runway speed drops below 150knots. Drop it down GENTLY below 150knots or nose gear strut failure may occur.
In any case, if you make a mistake and manage to keep the mistake within the structural limits of the aircraft, the sim will NOT display the CRASH bar and you will have to ride out the skids, slides and spins that will occur during such a crash landing until the shuttle comes to a complete stop.
If you DO NOT see the CRASH bar by the time the aircraft comes to a stop, you survived the landing!!!!
The new FX files provided will give you one heck of a visual rendering produced by the damage to the shuttle on the runway of your mistake.
THIS UPDATE ALSO PROVIDES IMPROVED RUNWAY "JITTER AND RUMBLE" VIBRATION DYNAMICS. Be careful on bumpy runways/dirt/desert areas at higher speeds or you CAN damage the gear rolling to a stop!!!
The updated and improved LANDING/CRASH FX files with this package, especially the WATER landing FX, are FRAME RATE INTENSE. They were designed for a Radeon 9800pro or above video card. Should you experience problems with frames, reduce the level of the EFFECTS DETAIL slider in the Flight Simulator Graphics control menu.
This update addresses the following issues. Please read and follow the directions where indicated:
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ISSUE #1
Landing gear does not appear and other features not working correctly and/or a WARNING ERROR message about the sim becoming unstable appears the first time you run the shuttle in the sim:
***IF YOU HAVE ALREADY*** installed my original NSC.zip and run the shuttle in the sim, to resolve this issue do the following:
Open the FS9.cfg file in notepad. It is usually located:
C:\Documents and Settings\(ACCOUNT NAME)\Application Data\Microsoft\FS9\FS9.cfg
1. Scroll down and look for a section called [FrameCallNoWarn]
2. Find "shuttle" on the list, and change the "0" to a "1". Save the file, and load up FS9.
You should now see the landing gear and other features will function.
***IF THIS IS THE FIRST TIME ***you are installing and running the shuttle in the sim, do the following:
1. Install NSC.zip
2. Boot the sim and call up the shuttle for a flight. You are NOT going to fly it, only boot it for the first time.
3. When the shuttle starts for the first time, MAKE SURE you select **YES** to allow all functions. The error is caused by the landing gear in the old model file (.mdl file) and it WILL NOT cause FS2004 or FS2002 to become unstable. If you do not select YES the landing gear will not be visible and other features will not be available. Should you make a mistake and select NO, close the sim and edit the fs9.cfg file as described above.
4. Once the flight loads, cancel and close the sim.
5. RUN THIS UPDATE
You will not longer see the error message and everything will work fine.
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ISSUE #2
No landing gear drop handle in the panel file.
You will now have a gear up/down lever on the panel just below the YAW DAMPER button after installing this update.
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ISSUE #3
Shuttle does not have the ability to water "ditch" or belly land in an emergency.
This is not a well known subject however the space shuttle was designed and DOES have the ability to water "ditch" or land on its belly on a foamed runway, or in the dirt if the pilot is very-very good. This is not easy on a runway or dirt but it can be done AND without the landing gear extended. Water 'ditching' is easier but you must still perform a proper 'air brake' (nose flair) maneuver to not hit the water too hard.
Addresses comments I have received in email about the shuttle. I will provide answers to those comments here so everyone understands the answers:
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COMMENT: I get an error message about: gpsframeless.gau and the sim CRASHES after installing your shuttle package to FS2004!!
A: You installed the FS2002 version into FS2004 by mistake. Overwrite the installation by following the directions in my original NSC.zip with the files in the: NicksShutChal_FS2004 directory of the NSC.zip package, then run this update.
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COMMENT: The shuttle does not look like the real thing and does not fly right.
A: The model file is from FS98/2000 and the texture calls to cover the model are limited in number and do not cover some areas without stretching the texture. I did the best I could to make it look realistic with what I had to work with. There are areas on the model that the textures are severely stretched to cover gaps. The area on the top of the nose just below the flight deck and the center of the underbelly is a good example of the texture being stretched by the model file. I cannot change this in the .mdl file. Model (.mdl) files are secure and cannot be altered. All I can do is try to cover those areas the best I can. I DID NOT MAKE THE MODEL OR THE PANEL.
As for how the shuttle flys... I have to say at this point if you expect to be able to fly and land it like a typical aircraft then YOU do not understand how the real shuttle works. My package provides a very close simulation to the real shuttles flight dynamics. I suggest you RE-READ the NASA flight engineering description of the re-entry flight and the translation of that description I provided in the original NSC.zip.
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COMMENT: The brakes do not stop the aircraft and I run off the end of the runway at XXXXX International.
A: Are you aware the shuttle REQUIRES a 10,000-15,000ft runway to safely land? You will not get a 10-15,000ft runway at a typical International airport. ALSO the toe brake scale is programmed to react CORRECTLY to the excessive weight and forward velocity of the shuttle rolling down the runway. The SPEED BRAKE @100% is designed to SIMULATE the DRAG parachute.
On touchdown, SPEED BRAKE to 100%... and the toe brake will provide the correct rate of slowing.
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COMMENT: The shuttle engine thrust is too powerful for me to land. Even if I get it off the runway the thrust cuts off too soon and I loose power and cannot land. IT GOES TOO FAST!!! If I try to go into orbit... I cannot get past 100,000ft.
A: The shuttle is a GLIDER, not a rocket. I explained the correct ground launch procedure in my original package readme. If you are NOT using the pre-designed flights and wish to ground launch the shuttle, the thrust lasts for 30-40 seconds and as such:
Release the park brake... LEAVE THE THROTTLE AT ZERO, take off and raise the gear immediantly as it will blow out at 340kts. Pitch up to +30 degrees, hit full throttle and pitch up to 60-80+ degress and maintain until the speed drops to less than 900kts, then level off, pitch down and glide back to land.
a. DO NOT attempt to land it with ANY thrust applied.
It is set to 350,000lbs X 3 (1 MILLION FIVE HOUNDRED THOUSAND POUNDS OF THRUST) which is the shuttles thrust rating with SRB/Tank attached.
b. Use the thrust to get the shuttle up to 50-80,000ft, AS DISCRIBED in the original NSC.zip README, and then GLIDE back to earth
c. THERE IS A 100,000ft LIMIT if Flight Simulator... as such: YOU CAN NOT GO ANY HIGHER AND CAN NOT ORBIT THE EARTH.
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COMMENT: I cannot land the shuttle!! The glidescope does not seem to work correctly with the autopilot and it crashes short of the runway!!
A: Some people simply do not read instructions. THIS IS NOT AN AIRPLANE. It is NOT designed to use the typical glidescope approach. My original readme was VERY SPECIFIC about NOT using the auto pilot to land the space shuttle because the shuttle REQUIRES A GLIDESCOPE OF minus 17 to minus 22 DEGREES ... STARTING 5-8 MILES FROM THE RUNWAY AND @ A 10,000FT FLIGHT LEVEL.
Please open the original readme from NSC.zip and this time actually READ the directions about flying the shuttle from the NASA flight engineer and myself.
You are flying the closest to REAL simulation of the Space Shuttle, NOT a sailplane, Cessna, or a 737!!
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COMMENT: The shuttle has no flames or smoke coming from the engines when they are on.
A: The REAL shuttle only has visual thrust when attached to the fuel tank/srb's (solid rocket boosters) and launching INTO orbit from the Kennedy Space Center launch facility. This simulation requires a small amount of thrust to get the shuttle up to the correct forward momentum and velocity for ***re-entry***, in which the shuttle DOES NOT have the tanks or srb's attached. I decided to NOT provide flames and smoke because, although I had no choice in using the engines for a short burst of thrust, it is absolutely not realistic to see visual flames or smoke without the main fuel tank attached. Sorry if that decision does not suit your taste but I made the call.
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COMMENT: I landed the shuttle, No problem. It's easy. I do not see what is so difficult about landing it. Perhaps your shuttle is not designed as well as you think it is.
A: OK... Now that you have landed over and over again without any crashes or errors, please go to your REALISM SETTINGS in the simulator and move the sliders from EASY to REALISTIC. Please see the RealismSettings.jpg image with this package for a visual of the settings. Now email me back and tell me how easy it is. If you can land the shuttle in my package 10 times in a row without missing the runway or damaging a strut, you belong in the space program flying the shuttle.
The original .mdl file (not textures) is by: Matthew Moxon (shutpack.zip)
The included original panel is by: Tom Kellner (shuttlepan.zip)
MANY THANKS to Matthew Moxon and Tom Kellner for their freeware contributions that made this combination freeware package/adventure possible. I claim no absolutely rights to their work.
The .air file and aircraft.cfg files were significantly modified by Nick Needham using NASA specifications to provide the correct (best simulated re-entry glide/landing for FS2X) flight dynamics for the orbiter using NASA's original engineering data for the real orbiters.
Shuttle Discovery repainted textures by Nick Needham
Minor .bmp visual modifications, eye-point and GPS programming corrections to Tom's panel for use with FS2004 by Nick Needham
Shuttle landing FX by Nick Needham
Sound package put together from snippets I found here and there, which work well for this scenario
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Special thanks to NASA (JPL) for the mechanical/aeronautical engineering data and advice that allowed the FS2X simulated flight and landing dynamics of this aircraft to be fairly accurate and realistic.
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PERSONAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL USE LIMITATION:
Unless otherwise specified in writing, the software provided herein is for your personal and non-commercial use. You may not modify, copy, distribute, transmit, display, perform, reproduce, publish, license, to create derivative works from in order to transfer and sell any information, software, products or services obtained from the use or review of this software package.
NO UNAUTHORIZED DUPLICATION, MODIFICATION OR REPACKAGING IS PERMITTED WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT AND/OR THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE AUTHOR(S) WHOS WORK IS INCLUDED AND DEFINED HEREIN AND HERETO. AS FREEWARE THIS GAUGE/EFFECT OR ANY OF THE INDIVIDUAL CONTENTS OF THE FILE(S) CANNOT BE REPRODUCED, IN PART OR WHOLE, FOR ANOTHER FREEWARE PACKAGE OR USED IN ANY PACKAGE THAT REQUIRES, SUGGESTS OR PERPETUATES A PURCHASE OR SALE OR ANY FORM OF COMPENSATION OR TRADE.
DISTRIBUTION
Only the websites and/or companies I have given expressed written consent to distribute this effects package are authorized to distribute it as FREEWARE. An authorized distributor falls under the same distribution guidelines as defined above. The end user is authorized to use this package strictly for personal use in conjunction with MS Flight Simulators. Proper acquisition of expressed written consent is required before reusing this package, in part, in whole or in any other fashion in order to avoid legal issues from unauthorized reproduction and distribution.
DISCLAIMER:
All Microsoft products and the effects code used in the custom designed effects/.cfg files contained herein are the property of Microsoft Corporation through the terms of the Flight Simulator End User License Agreement and are protected by registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. No intent to defraud or illegally use the Microsoft trademark, its software, code, name or secure any income or compensation from the production of this effects package is expressed or implied with the creation of this effects package and supporting files. Any other company names, names of authors or their work displayed in this package are for reference only. Unless otherwise specified, no connection to them or their products is expressed or implied. The author of this software or the site it was downloaded from is not responsible for any damage that may result from its installation or use.
*************************** KNOWN ISSUES *******************************
The original model (.mdl file) is old and was originally designed for FS98/2000/2002. It has some small visual anomalies which I could not correct. It is also shy of some texture calls that could have been a bit better detailed. I did the best I could in repainting this aircraft based on what I had to work with.
I do not own FS2002 and can not test this package with it. I hope this package works with that version of Flight Simulator without issues.
The following files will AUTOMATICALLY install the UPDATED effects files, AIR file and aircraft.cfg to their proper locations. I provided two automatic installation files in this package:
NicksShCh_UPDATE2004.exe
-and-
NicksShCh_UPDATE2002.exe
MAKE SURE you use the correct file for your version of Flight Simulator.
a.
Simply double click the .exe file for your version of Flight Simulator and a WinZip box will appear that will automatically update/install the needed files to the proper directories inside of the Flight Simulator locations as shown below:
For FS9 (FS2004) Users:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator 9
For FS2002 users:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\FS2002
b.
When the Winzip window appears MAKE SURE there is a check in the box "OVERWRITE FILES WITHOUT PROMPTING". If you do not put a check in the box to allow the files to overwrite, the product WILL NOT update.
NOTE: If your version of Flight Simulator 2002 or 2004 is located on your hard drive other than where I have indicated above you MUST use the browse button of the Winzip self extractor and browse the extractor manually to the correct location. YOUR FLIGHT SIM INSTALLATION IS PROBABLY WHERE I INDICATED ABOVE AND THE WINZIP SELF EXTRACTOR DOES NOT NEED THE BE BROWSED. MANUAL BROWSING IS ONLY REQUIRED FOR ADVANCED USERS WHO HAVE MICROSOFT FLIGHT SIMULATOR INSTALLED IN A NON-DEFAULT LOCATION.
c.
Click "UNZIP" on the Winzip self extractor box and that will allow the contents to extract directly and update your space shuttle product.
The files are now installed and you are updated to: Nicks Space Shuttle Landing Challenge, Version 1.1
The readme in the original NSC.zip will provide any needed information about flying the shuttle and the challenge flights.
REMEMBER:
If you get a warning/error message the first time you run the shuttle MAKE SURE you select **YES** to allow all functions. The error is caused by the landing gear in the old model file (.mdl file) and it WILL NOT cause FS2004 or FS2002 to become unstable. If you do not select YES the landing gear will not be visible and other features will not be available until you manually edit the fs9.cfg file as described at the beginning of this readme.
If you delete the fs9.cfg file for any reason the error message will reappear the first time the shuttle is run in the sim. Select YES if this happens.
An Adventure Pack of problematic re-entry's and landing sites is being produced and will be released soon!
