FS2002 - KM Ekranoplan "Caspian Sea Monster"
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Installation:
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1) Unzip KM-4.zip into a temporary folder and copy or move the "KM-4" Folder into your FS2002\Aircraft directory.
2) Gauges.zip:
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Unzip the two custom gauges, the KM gyro-compass and the KM throttle-quadrant, into FS2002\Gauges directory.
3) Special Water and Wake effects by Claudio Mussner:
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These enhanced wake and water effects have been specially created for the KM by Claudio Mussner.
Copy the fx_KM_wave.fx and kx_KM_wake.fx files into the FS2002\Effects folder, and copy the fx_KM_wave.bmp and fx_KM_wake.bmp bitmap files into the FS2002\Effects\Texture folder.
Operating instructions: (Also Press F10 for ref.txt during flight.)
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This is an extremely unusual vehicle, a cross between a plane, a ship and a hovercraft. It is to be flown, but not in the usual sense - it glides in ground-effect, just above the surface of the sea. There´s no real climbing or descent, as operating flight levels lie between 3 and 60 ft.
Given its huge size, outside view has to be set a distance of around 600 ft. (for Zoom factor 1). The virtual cockpit view is to be used with minimum zoom factor.
It has been possible to re-create the peculiar flying characteristics of this machine quite realistically, within certain limits, as FS2002 requires engine power to be distributed evenly among a maximum of 4 engines. Thus, the 10 engines have been grouped into four:
The 2 Aft Cruising engines: Engines No. 1 and No. 2
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With these alone, the KM is able to cruise in ground-effect economy mode.
The 8 forward lift-engines: Engines No. 3 and No. 4.
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These provide power for take-off and also extra lift if air-flow from the engines is deflected downwards (the air-cushion under the wings is increased and take-off time reduced). This downward deflection feature is animated and controlled together with flaps.
The forward engines also provide extra power for high-speed cruising and flying at maximum speed, although they are normally left to idle after reaching "econocruise" speed.
Out of the available, sometimes contradictory information regarding the different operating speeds, the following performances have been set:
1) Top speed: 297 Kts, at 50 or 60 ft, depending on elevator trim.
All engines at 100%.
2) High-speed cruise: 274 Kts at 50 ft.
All engines at 85%.
3) Econocruise: 217 Kts, at 36 ft.
Rear engines 1+2 at 85%. Fore engines 3+4 idling.
Throttle quadrant:
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The customized bitmap on the throttle quadrant, adapted from the FSFSConv 4-engined heavy-Jet throttle gauge, marks the positions for the different power settings:
Take-off power(TO) in the red zone; and in dark grey: 100%, 85% and idle (ID) power.
The throttle levers should only be pushed into the red zone for take-off, to overcome FS2002 water resistance, and is not to be used for normal flight, as unrealistic speeds will be achieved.
The speed brake emmulates reverse thrust.
Height adjustments:
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Generally speaking, flying height set by speed, but it can also be
regulated by changing the attitude slightly with elevator-trim control (Num Pad 7 and 1 keys).
The joystick elevator control is not really necessary, but you can use it, especially if you want to avoid hitting an object in the water by flying over it! The KM is capable of flying above ground-effect for a short time, and will come down safely afterwards without crashing if handled smoothly and carefully.
Lateral control:
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Switch off "Auto Coordination" and only use the rudder. If banking gets too strong, correct with ailerons, to avoid losing too much height.
Engines can also be controlled independantly:
Engines 1 and 3 are on the left, and engines 2 and 4 are on the right.
Water-taxiing manouevers can be effected at low speeds with the rudder, and may also be helped by using the engines on one side only.
Take-off with flaps (and downward exhaust deflection):
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This is the more usual procedure on this craft, as take-off is quicker.
1.- Use some upward elevator-trim and fully extended flaps, (which include downward exhaust-deflection on the forward engines to provide extra lift for take-off).
2.- Apply full power, using the extra take-off power in the red zone on the throttle quadrant.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
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Once you are moving, reduce power to 100%, as the extra power is only there to get the craft moving on FS2002 water. Any further use will distort the KM´s speed and accelleration characteristics.
3.- At about 60 Kts, gently pull back on the joystick to rotate for take-off.
4.- Once airborne, adjust attitude with elevator trim.
5.- Depending on the state of the sea, after 150 or 160 Kts, flaps can be retracted slowly, step by step, so as to avoid losing height. In bad weather flaps will be kept extended, together with downward exhaust deflection, to provide extra lift, compensating losses in the dynamic air-cushion caused by the waves.
6.- Small adjustments with the elevator trim (Num Pad 7 and 1 Keys) will be necessary at different speeds.
Gliding Take-off without flaps/downward exhaust deflection:
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This is possible in good weather, on a calm sea.
1.- Use neutral or slightly upwards elevator trim and retracted flaps.
2.- Apply full power, using the extra take-off power in the red zone on the throttle quadrant.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
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Once you are moving, reduce power to 100%, as the extra power is only there to get the craft moving on FS2002 water. Any further use will distort the KM´s speed and accelleration characteristics.
3.- Pull back the yoke at about 100 Kts to rotate.
4.- Once airborne, trim to a slightly nose-up attitude.
5.- At about 150 Kts, throttle back to 85% for cruising speed. The craft will slowly continue gaining height and speed.
6.- Correct elevator trim to a horizontal position.
Maximum Speed:
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Top speed specified for the KM is 297 Kts, and can be reached with 100% power.
High-speed cruising:
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The specifications for this craft quote this at "over 270 Kts". After 220 Kts, throttle back all engines to 85% for high-speed cruising at about 274 Kts.
Economy Cruising:
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This was standard praxctice with this craft, as only the aft engines were used and considerable fuel-economy was achieved.
As you approach 220 Kts, throttle back the 8 front engines all the way, (represented by Engines 3 and 4), leaving them to idle.
Flight will be continued in economy-mode with the rear cruise-engines only, at 85% (Engines 1 and 2).
Flying in bad weather:
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At about 217 Kts, with all engines at 100%, fully extended flaps, attitude corrected with elevator trim.
Touchdown:
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Braking was achieved in reality with reverse thrust. Without this, an Ekranoplan´s engines would have to be put into idle-speed about 15 minutes prior to touch down! ...not surprisingly, as idling turbojets still provide 25-30% thrust, and ground-effect flying only requires 40%. Spoilers cannot be used as they reduce lift, and touch-down would occur too soon and be too fast.
Reverse-thrust in FS2002, however, can only be engaged after touch-down on the ground... not before, and not on water (?!).
Therefore, on this craft, reverse thrust is immitated by enabling the spoilers instead, programmed so as not to cause loss in lift. Unfortunately, there´s no roar... Flaps can also be used to further reduce speed.
For touch-down, put all engines to idle and apply as much spoiler as you wish. Speed will drop readily, and you will touch down at around 100 Kts.
It is quite exciting to watch the KM from the outside, lifting off, gliding over the waves and landing! Claudio Mussner´s special water wave and wake effects give a very dramatic impression!
Acknowledgements:
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Special thanks go to:
Claudio Mussner for his help with the FS2002 FD, and for providing the water wave and wake effects.
Legal stuff:
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This aircraft is freeware, produced solely for the enjoyment of the flight-simming community. No responsibility is taken for any loss or damage incurred directly or indirectly from its use. The original unaltered files may be freely distributed, uploaded, downloaded and shared. Please maintain proper credit, of course, and make no financial gain whatsoever.
Enjoy it!
Stephan Scholz
scholzrittermann@SoftHome.net August 2003
