FS2002/FS9 Unreal Aviation Talent AS-4 "Sentinel".
Ex-US Navy radar blimp converted for civilian use (extra seats, big windows).
Here she is configured for 20 passengers and 4 crew. For weight and balance purposes, she retains her radars, one below the control car and one inside the envelope. Although fully functional, they are obsolete, as things have moved on a bit since 1960 when she was de-commissioned. Model comes with mooring mast that appears when the engines are shut off.



Installing:

Unzip to a spare folder and drop the AS4 folder into your main Aircraft folder. FS9 Users should use the AIR file in the FS9 folder, just replace the existing file. This corrects a strong nose-down attitude with full flap that FS2004 insists is correct for all aircraft. Also in the FS9 folder is an alternative canopy_t.bmp file that looks better in FS9. Drop this into the Texture folder replacing the FS2002 original.

FS 2002 users must move the Unreal folder and the four .GAU files out of the aircraft's Panel folder into their default Gauges folder. Do not remove the gauges from the Unreal folder. If you already have an existing Unreal folder (thank you for downloading my aircraft) then replace it with this one, the contents will just be added.

Drop the file in the Effects folder into your Effects folder.


Flying:

Important. You MUST cycle through the cockpit views at least once (S key three times) to activate the gauges before you fly otherwise the aircraft will not behave properly.

Apply the parking brake then start the engines with CTRL E. Release the brakes and firewall the throttle. Semi-automatic flaps will lower to simulate the relative weightlessness of blimps unless you are fully fuelled in which case you would do a running takeoff, as this was common with a full load of fuel. You can override the auto flaps and apply them yourself if you prefer. The automatics will take over once you are airborne though and you will get best results if you leave them alone and rely on the automatics completely.

The aircraft is designed to work almost exclusively with the autopilot and with FS Navigator specifically in mind.
If you are flying manually then be aware that the controls are very powerful so small adjustments only otherwise you'll throw someone through a window.

Remember, it's an AIRSHIP and closing the throttle doesn't mean you will start to drop from the sky. If you want to come down then you need to point the aircraft in the direction you want to go. The same works for going up....

The auto flaps will come into play again if you are low enough (and not at full weight), allowing you to slow right down and you can hover in a light breeze (FS2002 is superior in this department).

Max speed is 85 KIAS normal cruise is 70 knots.

You can use Autorudder if you wish but rudder control at low speeds/hover is much better if Autorudder is off.

On shutting down the engines, a mooring mast will appear. Bear this in mind when you park, as it looks silly blocking a runway etc. :-)


That's it, have fun.
Kevin Bryan
Unreal Aviation
whirlybug@cix.co.uk