Documentation Text Version for The Re-Paints, please include this when uploading re-paints and adhere to the remarks made in the Notes section of this file.
Thank you for downloading this aircraft. The PC9/A is the Australian built version of the Pilatus PC9 by Hawker DeHaviland Australia in the late 1980s. This version has been specifically created for the Virtual Roulettes online Aerobatic team and for the Virtual Australian Defence Force. Repaints are welcome, but must include this file you are now reading.
Model and Flight dynamics By David Friswell.
Textures By Rob Opray.
Panel By Luke Hampshire.
THE MODEL:
The model has been designed using FSDS v1.61 (by ABACUS) and SDLEdit v2.1.
The PC9/A model features the customary moving parts, rolling wheels and (at this stage) a crude Virtual Cockpit. It uses FS2002 lighting (Strobes etc). The Propeller and Spinner are also fully animated, with the propeller disc being 3-dimensional. That is, the propeller disc instead of being flat like most other Flight Sim aircraft is not on this aeroplane. It has the full appearance of a real Propeller from side on. The model has also been designed to be frame rate friendly in multiplayer (it is not a multi-res model like CFS2. Photo-realistic textures have been graciously made by Rob Opray, who has my sincere thanks for taking the time to do them.
Since the last preview there have been many and extensive changes to the visual model, this is why this project has taken so long. Suffice to say the model will be 99% accurate, this means there is some features of the real aircraft that have proven too difficult (at this stage) to emulate in FSDS. An example of this is the bulges/fairing that cover the main gear, this will be remedied in a much later build.
This initial release does not feature a DVC, I am still learning how to do them properly, but it will feature in a later release.
At least one panel is to be included (there are two being specifically built for this aeroplane), by Luke Hampshire (thanks!). Why 2? Well, for me panels are a subjective choice, so the option of two will give the user more choice to have the one that suits the best. The second panel is being built by Brad Disher.
PERFORMANCE:
The performance of this model is a Max level speed of 300 knots TAS at 10,000Ft AMSL. A climb rate of approx 4000 feet/min. Sustained G manoeuvring, whilst being docile and easy to handle when in formation with other aircraft. So far, almost all of the above has been attained.
The Flight Dynamics have been constructed using a mixture of using the Aircraft Editor that comes with FS2002 Professional Edition and extensive use of the 1% airfile Templates (available @ www.avhistory.org)
Take note, there are differences between the Pilatus book figures and this model. The most notable is that of Rate of Climb, this model DOES have a SUSTAINED rate of climb that is in excess of the Pilatus figures, unfortunately I have been unable to satisfactorily correct it. If anyone out there does have a suggestion, please email me at the email addresses at the end of this document.
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE:
Here are several screenshots of the model as it appears in this package.
Note there are differences in this visual model and that of the real aircraft. What I have NOT included on this model are:
a) The Bulged fairing that form part of the main landing gear bays and doors.
b) The fairings that form the rotating beacons on the upper and lower fuselages.
c) The Perforated Airbrake and its recess. This I have found too difficult to do at this stage, thus for this version a simple airbrake is included.
d) Also the Flush air intakes that are on the Left and Underside of the cowling is not included as well.
The above are things that I have found to be either too difficult or have had poor outcomes when constructing them. Rest-assured though, I do tend to include them in later releases of this aircraft.
Installation:
To install the PC9 in FS2002 I recommend you do the following:
1. Extract the contents of this archive to a Temporary folder (for e.g. C:\Temp\).
2. You will then see in the C:\Temp\Pilatus PC9\ folder : a Model, Panel, Sound and Texture folders along with the Airfile, Aircraft.cfg and this file youre now reading.
3. Copy the Pilatus PC9 folder to the AIRCRAFT folder of FS2002, start the game and go flying.
4. To select this aircraft, you will see it under the Manufacturers name of Pilatus in the Select Aircraft Menu of FS2002.
Known issues and bugs:
There are known issues with this model, these are explained as best I can:
a) There are some lighting problems associated with the flaps and ailerons. For those who know FSDS, this is something I have not been able to fix (I have done a snap to scale but with poor results). Until I can correct this, this is how itll be.
b) The landing lights are of the FSDS Kind and thus will not show up at night like the GMAX models.
c) Differences between the real PC9 and this model are explained above.
d) IMPORTTANT: For those who have Force Feedback Joysticks, this aircraft is slightly more manoeuvrable with the FORCE FEEDBACK DISABLED. I have no idea as to why, but this was discovered during beta testing. This mainly applies to those who have the Microsoft joysticks, if you have a Logitech or other brand I would be most interested to know if you experience this.
e) The gear bay doors have been designed for best fit, the limitations of animating an aircraft using Aircraft Animator are such that it is not perfect. I have spent over a week in trying to get it right, but it is the best I can do with the software that I have.
f) Further on the gear bays doors, in going for simplicity of the FSDS model the doors are NOT an exact outline of the real PC9, this I will work on at a later date.
g) The undercarriage has been used from another project as explained below. The undercarriage as used here is very close to the real PC9, but not an exact replica.
h) As for the serial Numbers, due to a lack of a suitable font, they have not been included in the textures of this release. The Royal Australian Air Force has the PC9 serial as A23-XXX being painted in Black lettering on the lower rear Fuselage and in White Numbers (being the last two numbers of the serial) just in front of the wing leading edge.
Credits:
a) First and foremost to Rob Opray for constructing the textures for this model, this is really appreciated by my selft and all those associated with the virtual Roulettes and the vADF.
b) My BETA test team of (in no order) Adam Fraser, Brad Disher, Rob Opray, Glenn Weston, Eamon, Piran and Will. Thanks guys for the input.
c) Like Hampshire for constructing the panel.
d) Mikko Maliniemi for providing permission to use his pilot figure, in both this and the upcoming FAC version.
e) Free Flight Design Shop for providing various public domain parts for both FSDS and GMAX. There are two files used to construct this model the first was FSDS_PARTS1.zip by Brian Gladden. From this the Propeller and the wheels have come from this. The second was the Piper Arrow by Rien Cornelissen who generously provides his Aircraft as public domain. From the Piper I have used Riens Undercarraige as it is similar to the PC9 (not exactly but close enough).
f) To all those who participate in the www.aussim.com forums, thank you for all the encouragement, it is appreciated.
g) Finally to Brad Disher for Hosting and Running www.aussim.com.
Note:
1. This aircraft is fully compatible with FS2002.
2. Please Feel free to repaint this aircraft as you wish.
3. This Readme file must accompany any repaints.
4. The panel included in this package is ONLY to accompany this aircraft. It MAY not be separately distributed.
5. This aircraft package is not meant to be artistically brilliant, but to give a faithful as possible rendition of what it is like to fly this aircraft whilst being frame rate friendly!!
6. This archive is set to extract to ..\Pilatus PC9\ by default.
7. This archive is STRICLY FREEWARE ONLY. NO COMMERCIAL GAIN BY ANYONE IS ACCEPTABLE. This aircraft or its repaints is NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES be uploaded and or displayed on or VolFTP or ANY of its associated subsidiaries. If it is, or available on any website offering this archive in return for money, any appropriate legal action will be undertaken using appropriate Australian, United States and International copyright laws. In addition, if this archive is discovered as such, I will sue for labour costs involved in constructing this aircraft, at nearly 6 months in construction and testing this cost IS CONSIDERABLE.
8. The author of this package is in no way liable for any damage it may cause from incorrect use (however unlikely that it may be).
9. If for whatever reason you dont like this aircraft, delete it and fly something else DO NOT TELL ME.
10. Questions (& constructive) Comments, bug reports etc can be made to the Email address listed below:
The Future:
The next version of the PC9 will be the FAC model as used by 77SQN RAAF. This Pc9 is used for Forward Air Control and replaced the venerable CAC Wingeel. This is a sneak preview (Note this model is a separate build and no release date has been set):
