by Buckaroo » Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:11 pm
YourDailyTsunami,
Connie uses four of the most powerful piston engines ever built, and I wonder what the real aircraft, lightly loaded, would do at idle. But as I understand things JSBsim was originally designed with small piston engines in mind, nothing like the displacement of those Cyclones, and the engine parameters are not quite what we'd like them to be, though I think we're getting closer. Yakko has taken on most of the engine-tweaking work, so I'll pass this note on.
The 1049H uses the original 1049 Autopilot code, which I'm not greatly familiar with and left unmodified as it generally works pretty well. That said, I've noticed a similar tendency in AP heading. When I use AP, I use the heading bug, and make sure that I've updated the gyro bearing to match what it should be. It does seem to take a fair amount of adjustment and attention. The real Constellation had a fluxgate system to do that for you, but that hasn't been set up yet.
Yurik_nsk,
You're very right. The plane is actually meant for FG 1.0 and FG 1.9 distribution, though I try to keep up with CVS changes. The code is currently set up to be backwardly compatible with older versions that use "level-lb" rather than the later CVS "level-lbs". It tries to look for the older value, and if nil will then look for the newer value. Admittedly this is temporary kludge to deal with the issue, and a better way is always welcome.
Bisutti,
After trying HHS's suggestion, please also make sure you downloaded the right version for FG 1.0 or FG 1.9, as they use different JSBsim engine models. If you continue to have engine cut-off problems, let us know what version of Flightgear you're using, and I'll try to track down the problem for you.
Durk,
Thank you! Very kind of you to say that. I'm happy to say those screen shots are a little dated-- the latest version has a significant update to the engineer's station.
The plane is totally under GPL. The plane's README file contains appropriate GPL and credit information. Regarding instruments, generally if it is present, it functions, and hopefully correctly. A few instruments have pre-determined values for appearances or to show the system is working (fuel pressure, volts & amps). One exception is the Zero Reader, which works as a glideslope indicator but doesn't quite do all that it should do just yet. Constellations have a /lot/ of instruments, so there are many that aren't yet present, like hydraulic pressure, oil tank levels, etc., generally where the simulation doesn't model those systems or I haven't had time to do it. I've tried to get the most important instruments up first.
Before I'd feel comfortable applying for submission to Flightgear's CVS, there are issues I still have to resolve, including finalizing texturing and setting up the MP-livery system. I'm taking a break from Connie just now (working on the Grumman Goose), but I'll get back to her, no worries.
Cheers all and thank you!
Callsign: Buckaro(o)
Author: Lockheed 1049H Constellation, Grumman Goose, MD-81, Edgley Optica, Velocity XL RG,
YASim Guide