General Category > Unofficial F/A-18 Acceleration Pack board
Flight Model Comparisons
Sludge:
CAPT...
For now, til JR does/doesn't decide to do a HUD fix, I put the "Trim" readout with the shift-6 (IFOLS/FuelTrapGauge) so you can instantly see what your trim is. That's another FSX workaround as we really cant "trim to feel" in FSX, obviously. When I get the newest Sludge out there, shift-6 will also be "special" so you can look at other views but it wont go away. It will always be enabled on lowering the tailhook, so you have that info avail for trapping. In the Sludge Hornet's current landing configuration, it trims about 3.3 NU, so I've set the auto-up trim (dirty, gear/hook down) logic to follow and sure enough, it holds really well.
Also, keep in mind, JIMI is working on AoA-based trim stuff on his Hornet, since we both took Chris' criticism to heart and are trying to implement fixes in our Hornets. BTW, you would NOT BELIEVE how much that threw both our "release schedules" off line. Don't get me wrong, it'll make the Hornet much better in the long run, but that real-world feedback just gave both our projects a good kick in the "you know where". I'm back to 3am nights trying to fix center of gravity, updated contact points, approach dynamics... all the while, improving gauge functionality.
Later
Sludge
MikeB54:
--- Quote from: Sludge on January 08, 2012, 09:29:30 pm ---CAPT...
Also, keep in mind, JIMI is working on AoA-based trim stuff on his Hornet, since we both took Chris' criticism to heart and are trying to implement fixes in our Hornets. BTW, you would NOT BELIEVE how much that threw both our "release schedules" off line. Don't get me wrong, it'll make the Hornet much better in the long run, but that real-world feedback just gave both our projects a good kick in the "you know where". I'm back to 3am nights trying to fix center of gravity, updated contact points, approach dynamics... all the while, improving gauge functionality.
Later
Sludge
--- End quote ---
If it makes you feel any better, Chris was really impressed that you guys were doing so much to improve the realism of the Hornet. :)
Mike
jimi08:
Thanks Mike.
Sludge,
After talking to a real-life Rhino driver classmate of mine, he informed me that the Supers do not autotrim to 8.1 in Manual, Powered Approach Mode and that it's all manual. After going back and reading the NATOPS a few more times, the FCS system pretty much grabs and maintains a certain AOA based on trim setting. Kinda like "dial-A-AOA". So it will maintain a certain AOA for a certain trim setting then adjust and maintain another AOA provided that the pilot has increased or decreased the amount trim. The Rhino guy did mention that some of the guys will do the BLIN code thing so as to trick the FCS so that it will automatically maintain an 8.1 AOA by default.
But doing the "dial-A-AOA" thing is a little above my head at this point. To make a gauge to make this happen, would involve an algorithm that takes the current trim state and translates it into a AOA counterpart. From there, it would use elevator trim to maintain the appropriate AOA.
For now, I have gone back to allowing the autotrim system to disengage once the gear have been lowered and allowing the pilot to have full control of the pitch trim so that he can set it to his/her liking. As Chris said earlier, his approaches are very little forward/back input, while others (like you Sludge) tend to prefer to have a little aft-stick while rolling into the groove. I figure this way, everyone can get what he/she wants.
I've been working on this thing for over 6 months straight now, I'm going to go ahead and release our variant sometime later today and push updates as I get them.
Sludge, Mike, Neutrino and Svicar, thanks again for your help with this project!
MikeB54:
--- Quote from: jimi08 on January 08, 2012, 11:55:12 pm ---
The Rhino guy did mention that some of the guys will do the BLIN code thing so as to trick the FCS so that it will automatically maintain an 8.1 AOA by default.
--- End quote ---
Chris showed me the BLIN code trick when I flew the simulator at Miramar. If I'm not mistaken, the value he had me set was 3025 but don't hold me to that. I'm having a hard time finding exactly where he had me set that. It's bound to be in the NATOPS somewhere. When I find it I'll let everyone know. If I can't find it in the NATOPS I'll fall back to Plan B and ask Chris. LOL
Mike
Sludge:
JIMI...
Yeah, my auto-trim stuff is just a workaround, since we haven't figured out how to write the XML stuff to get a selectable trim, nor can we actually "trim to feel". My auto-trim setup simply uses what works with the Sludge and allows for some who want the landing config trim dialed in "hands off". Then I can just have a pre-written XML for the more experienced FSX pilots who want full trim controls. The baseline release will have the auto trim (3.3 NU) engage once dirty/gear/hook down so that the casual flyer doesnt have to jack around with lots of UP trim (for those with lesser-than x52's, who dont have the buttons for trim on the stick) and just be a tad nose up stick required in the landing config.
Good, I'll have to download and fly it once I get a chance. Always welcome for any help I can give, friend!! Great job on your mods, so far!
Mike...
No worries, it was good to hear that because, to the extent possible (my own programming/modding skill, and FSX limitations), we want to put out the best product we can. Oh, if you get around to talking to Chris, can you ask him if the "v/vector and waterline rise on adding power" behavior is caused simply by the addition of thrust pushing the nose up or a function of the FCS AoA-trim? Or both? This will help me even more, in working the powered approach dynamics.
Later
Sludge
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