This aircraft is built for FS2004. It may or may not work in other versions of FS.
Operating notes
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While it seems outlandish, this is not a fantasy design, as such. This aircraft is currently under study by the Boeing Company. It's intended to meet the DOD's future strategic deployment initiatives. This calls for being able to deploy a full combat division, anywhere in the world, in 5 days. Or being able to deploy five divisions in 30 days. It's intended to replace surface ships as the primary heavy cargo carrier for the U.S. military. The design specification calls for this aircraft to carry 2.4 million pounds of cargo. While capable of flying at altitude, like a normal aircraft, it is really intended for use as a ground effect vehicle, especially for use over water. Cruising at an altitude 20 feet, using the ground effect cushion to generate additional lift, it will be able to travel large distances on the same amount of fuel used by traditional aircraft half its size.
As supplied in this package, the aircraft is configured with a full cargo load. Keep in mind when flying it that it's gross weight is just under 4 million pounds. That's equal to 5 fully loaded C-5A cargo planes. So don't expect it to handle like a fighter. It's big, it's heavy, and it acts like it. The best takeoff configuration is to drop the flaps all the way and firewall the throttles. Do NOT rotate the nose up. The aircraft will lift off straight and level at around 170-180 knots. Yes, it will require a long runway, but not any longer than any heavy cargo hauler. 6000 feet is plenty. Landing is just the reverse. Do NOT flare like a traditional aircraft. Simply lower the flaps, reduce air speed and fly it down onto the ground. If you pull the nose up, it will float forever. It doesn't have spoilers, but those huge props put out a ton of reverse thrust, so stopping isn't a problem.
Now, if you remove the cargo load, she loses 2.4 million pounds of fat. It's still no exactly a bush plane, but its definately got some pep.
Mike Stone
201 Heyden Dr.
Eureka, MO 63025
Web page: www.pmstone.com
E-mail: mike@pmstone.com
