The Mitsubishi MU-2 is one of postwar Japan's most successful aircraft. It is a high-wing, twin-engine turboprop, and has a pressurized cabin.
The final short-fuselage MU-2s produced were known as the Solitaire and were fitted with 665 shp Garrett TPE331-10-501M engines
Overall the Solitaire has roughly the same external dimensions as a Cessna 206 Stationaire but it is twice the weight and has four times the engine power.
WING
This aircraft has a very unusual wing. It is designed for high speed flight and is very thin and clean.
Because there is little space in the wing for fuel this aircraft carries a high percentage of it's
fuel load in wing tip tanks, also in place of ailerons it has pop-up spoilers to control bank.
Low speed flight is catered for by full span Fowler flaps which add approx 25% to the wing area when extended.
ENGINES
The controls for the Garrett TPE 331-10 turbo-prop engines differ from the more familiar PT-6
in that there is no lever for propeller pitch. The pitch is controlled automatically as power is
increased and decreased. There is a torque limiter fitted which prevents over torqueing the
engines at high power settings.
STARTING ENGINES
1. From the 'CREATE A FLIGHT' menu the model will initialize with the engines running and the fuel condition levers at HIGH.
To prevent ground 'creep' you must immediately (1) set the parking brake (2) set the condition levers to the START/TAXI position
(see Console.jpg enclosed). You can do this by pulling down the levers with your mouse or by using keyboard Ctrl-Shift-F2.
3. To start the engines manually, set the parking brake, switch on the battery, set the fuel condition levers to the 'Start/Taxi' position and then
operate the two yellow start buttons on the throttle console.
4. The throttle console also has an autostart switch. This has the same function as keyboard Ctrl-E
5. After engines start make sure both the alternator switches are ON.
6. In FSX (only) switch ON the autofeather. In FS9 autofeather is on by default.
TAXIING
1. Always taxi with the fuel condition levers set to START/TAXI position.
2. Do not exceed 8-10 kts when taxiing.
3. Set the fuel condition levers to HIGH immediately before take-off.
4. After landing return the condition levers to START/TAXI position before you taxi to parking.
FLYING
1.Use one or two notches of flap for normal take-offs. In this configuration she will lift off at between 90-120 kts IAS,
depending on weight.
2. Reduce flap in the climb out, have flaps and wheels fully up by 160 kts IAS
3. When airspeed drops below 140 kts IAS use one or two notches of flap, add more flap as speed decreases.
The slower you fly, the more flap and more power you need, this is not a good glider.
4. Normal cruising speed at 20,000 ft is 245 kts indicated, which equates to approximately 320 miles per hour ground speed
5. Range with full tanks is approx 1,000 - 1,200 miles. Actual range depends on height flown at, air temperature, payload carried, wind speed and direction.
6. When approaching to land, reduce power until the IAS drops to 170 kts, then lower one or two notches
of flap. The wheels can be lowered at 160 kts and act as fairly efficient air brakes.
With flaps and wheels down a lot of drag is generated so power is needed to maintain approach speed of
approx 120-130 kts
7. With autopilot off you may need to use aileron trim to level the wings, especially with realism sliders turned up. Click the aileron trim gauge
and HOLD THE BUTTON DOWN FOR 3 SECONDS to change the trim.
8. Aim to touch down at 80-95kts depending on weight, when the nose wheel is on the ground use reverse thrust (F2)
and wheel brakes to stop.
PROP FEATHERING
To feather a prop in flight :
1. In the 2D cockpit, use your mouse to pull down the fuel condition lever of the affected engine as far down as it will go.
2. Close both throttles. With your mouse pull down the affected throttle lever to below the 'closed' position.
3. The prop will stop. (Visually the prop will not feather, that is, it stops with the blades flat on to the airstream)
4. Open the throttle of the 'good' engine and continue flying.
5. The feathered prop can be re-started in flight by re-setting the condition lever and throttle and then clicking the yellow start button.
REALISM
The real MU-2 has a reputation as a "hot ship", meaning that it needs skill and experience to fly it safely.
With the FS realism sliders set to 'easy' this model is easy to fly and suitable for simmers looking to step up from single engine models.
With the sliders all set to 'realistic' it's a different story. Try a single engine landing on
realistic setting to see what we mean....
