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Gotha Ursinus Wasser Doppeldekker - Helmsman's Handling Notes
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SUMMARY.
If you follow these handling notes you will be able to replicate about 90% of realistic Gotha floatplane operating procedures and will obtain the real world performance and payload range curves. Do not use for real world flight :->
The two 172hp Mercedes D.III engines are normally aspirated and carburetted.
Maximum fuel load is 194 US gallons but defult fuel is only 100 US gallons. After consultation with the navigator, (who is the aircraft captain), adjust gross weight, fuel and payload using the weight and balance schedule of aircraft.cfg.
The real aircraft had no water rudders. They have been added to the flight model in case you need them in FS2002.
ACHTUNG! - This aircraft is trimmed using the throttle controls
The aircaft is rigged to be stable in all axes and will cruise climb hands off if full throttle is applied. It will self right to fly hands off at any throttle setting until a very low fuel state is reached. There are no fuel contents gauges so flight plan with care.
ACHTUNG! - WAVE STATE
The ability of this aircraft to take off is dependent on the wave state (see sticky_water.txt). Adjust fuel load in aircraft.cfg to match wave state (or increase wave state) before attempting take off.
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Take Off:
Line up INTO WIND
RETRACT water rudders
MIXTURE - FULL RICH
Slowly apply FULL THROTTLE
Maintain course with RUDDER
Do NOT rotate
Aircraft will take off (move) only if adequately into wind and an adequate wave state exists
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Climb:
FULL THROTTLE
MIXTURE - FULL RICH unless engine runs rough
Do NOT apply pressure to helm
Allow aircraft rigging to self trim for cruise climb
Airspeed will decrease slowly as fuel burns off
Flight plan 23 USG per hour
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Expedited climb:
and
Climb above Service Ceiling:
FULL THROTTLE
MIXTURE - FULL RICH unless engine runs rough
Apply back pressure to the helm
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Cruise:
When above anticipated anti aircraft engagement envelope
REDUCE THROTTLE
until altimeter is steady
MIXTURE - LEAN for MAXIMUM RPM
REDUCE THROTTLE again
until altimeter is steady
Flight plan 16 USG per hour
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Maximum Cruise:
FULL THROTTLE continuous cruise is authorised subject to the following;
ABOVE 1000 metres
MIXTURE - LEAN for MAXIMUM RPM
Forward pressure must be applied to the helm at all times
Flight plan 30 USG per hour at 1000 metres reducing to 25 USG per hour at Ceiling
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Descent:
MIXTURE - FULL RICH
REDUCE THROTTLE
until aircraft settles at required rate of descent
Allow aircraft to self trim for current weight
Flight Plan 8 USG per hour
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Expedited Descent:
CLOSE THROTTLE
Apply forward pressure on helm
until aircraft settles at required rate of descent
ACHTUNG! - Avoid structural failure at 150 Kph
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Approach:
INTO WIND
RPM < 900
ACHTUNG! - Avoid stall at 72 Kph
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Landing:
INTO WIND
About 50 metres above the water
Increase RPM to 1000
Allow aircraft to descend into the water without flaring
In a perfect landing the floats will be level with the surface at touchdown
FLOAT CONTACT - CLOSE THROTTLES
MAINTAIN COURSE with RUDDER
< 30 Kph in FS2002 only you may extend water rudders
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Carb Heat:
Wired ON
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General:
AEROBATICS are PROHIBITED
Vne = 150 Kph
Vs = 72 Kph
Due to the size of this aircraft stalling should be avoided but given sufficient altitude recovery is normal in FS2002.
The G limits were low but low pitch authority and low Vne make them irrelevant.
For realistic simulation automixture should be OFF to simulate the Mercedes D.III
The Gotha UWD is not hard to fly provided you take the time to get used to the way that it was operated.
Although the Gotha is generally (excessively) stable lateral instability has onset at Vx and increases slightly down to Vs.
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NOTE: This aircraft's real-world handling notes have been modified for use with FS 2002
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