1. Unzip into a TEMP directory
2. Copy the folder 'explorerpd1' into the 'Aircraft' folder in FS2000
3. In 'Select Aircraft' Menu in FS2000 - scroll down to 'explorer' - it will be towards the bottom of the list as it uses lower case letters.
4. Fly & have fun.
Information on flying Choppers in FS is available at Simviation under HELP. Dave Cook & myself have both written tutes.
This project is the result of loving aircraft of all types - & especially Helicopters & thinking 'it would be very difficult to make a round windowed helicopter to include transparent canopy with FSDS'. & so it was. The result is not perfect but it's there if you want it. I have included a generic panel & sounds found at Simviation. Original authors of these were not available & I give thanks to these authors. I enjoyed making it - & I hope some of you will also enjoy flying it.
My thanks goes to my usual group of online friends & fellow FS design junkies, Felix Rodrigues, Dwight Booth, Kotaro Akikawa, Doug Attrell, & all who have offered the encouragement over the years at Simviation & more recently in my design efforts. & thanks to Craig (TailBoom) Snyder for beta testing.
I'm such an FS freek I probably wouldn't have given up without you guys - but you have certainly helped ;););)
The Creators of the fantastic FS Design Studio & Aircraft Animator. Thanks Also to Mike Crosthwaite for SDL Edit.
The creators of the sounds & panel - both found at Simviation without credit (I simply added another gauge to increase the Max speed reading) . If you are the creator of either of these please let me know.
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The FSDS FSC is available on request for anyone wishing to improve or modify this model.
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Known Issues.
Forming the model was extreamly time consuming for an amateur like me. Hence it's not perfect with polygon faults & misaligned panels & windows on close inspection.
I also didn't include flashing lights - I haven't learned how to do that yet. Maybe one day.
Thanks for understanding these points.
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Copyright 2001 Simviation.com
This file is released as freeware & public domain. Use, abuse, repaint & distribute as you wish. Try to have fun. If you don't like it drag & drop into the recycle bin but leave my positivity intact. If you like it or have positive suggestions let me know. If not - shut up - just bin it & move on.
FSDS FSC is available on request for modification or improvement.
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All freeware aircraft found at www.simviation.com is 'use at your own risk'. There is little chance of software conflict & I have never heard of one - but if you imagine this or any other file has affected your computer I take no responsibility.
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MD 900 Explorer Information
The MDX/MD Explorer lifted off for the first time on 18 December 1992 at Mesa, Arizona. This new technology helicopter received type certification on 21 December 1994 from the FAA which was only 23 months after first flight. This was one of the shortest certification periods ever recorded for a new helicopter and was also the first new design passenger and utility rotorcraft certified by the FAA in more than ten years.
The MD Explorer is the first commercial helicopter totally designed using computer-aided design techniques and only after a detailed market survey of over 177 operators asking them what they wanted from a new utility helicopter in terms of flight performance and general layout in a 1800 to 3600kg helicopter.
The Explorer has been built largely from composite materials and is powered by twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PW 206A turboshafts and has a maximum gross weight of 2950kg. It can lift 1150kg internally, or 1350kg externally and weighs only 1350kg empty. The helicopter incorporates a range of new technologies to improve safety and performance and reduce operating costs. These include the NOTAR yaw control system, composite, bearingless main rotor with five blades. Digital avionics including FADEC, diagnostics and an Integrated Instrument Display System. The liquid crystal Integrated Instrument Display System (IIDS) replaces traditional cockpit instruments by presenting aircraft operating information in a digital format and icon symbology on two six-inch screens. The system also records operating data for on-board health and usage monitoring, providing technicians with accurate information for performing maintenance functions. Direct operating costs are expected to be as little as $370 per hour.
With 14 feet of flat floor space in the rear cabin, the Explorer is expected to undertake a multitude of civil missions from general utility to offshore transportation, corporate flight, tourist flights and air medical services. In the EMS configuration the Explorer can accommodate two patients, two attendants and life support equipment in addition to the flight crew. The first two of an expected 1000 production MD Explorers were delivered in December 1994.
Specs
Max Speed 140KTS
Cruise Speed 130KTS
Service Ceiling 20,000FT
Climb Rate Max 2760FPM
Max Range 303NM
Max Endurance 3.2HRS
