Grob SPn Utility Jet

Grob SPn Utility Jet
Rel. 3.1.1
FSX only
Pilots Manual
Author:
Andreas Körner, Germany, ©2007-2010
System requirements:
Windows XP SP2 or higher
all those patches must be installed:
fsx_sp1_ENU.exe + fsx_sp2_ENU.msi or Acceleration Expansion Pack
Amandments since last release
Some new functions have been added to this release 3.1.1, reported bugs
rectified
Supplementations
1. For those who prefer old 2D-View there is now a simple solution, showing
the 3 main monitors, by the way without cockpit bitmaps.
2. Shortcuts for all autopilot switch functions, selecting and swapping COMNAV- and transponder frequencies.
See appendix.
3. Automatic startup procedure (CTRL+E) for lazy pilots
4. Automatic speed reduction at OVERSPEED WARNING (autospeed mode
only)
Improvements
1. No more „break out“ oft h aircraft during takeoff (wrong parameter
rudder_effectiveness in aircraft.cfg)
2. Wide revised autopilot- funktions
3. Added missing effect- files (lights)
4. Correct visualization of cabin pressure at different modes
(Normal/MEDEVAC) and flight levels
Just one more tip:
Switching the fuel pump you will hear a loud boring sound. This depends on a
missing entry in sound.cfg of the Bombardier_CRJ_700, which is referenced by
the SPn (the SPn has no own soundset). You can eliminate this effect, without
influence on the Bombardier_CRJ_700:
… \SimObjects\Airplanes\Bombardier_CRJ_700\sound\sound.cfg
Search for section WIND and include as follows before:
[FUEL_PUMP]
filename=fuel_pump
maximum_volume=700
///////////
// WIND
///////////
open to edit
Grob SPn Utility Jet
At Paris air show 2006 a new twin-jet corporate aircraft surprised the visitors,
a „completely new aircraft category “, was announced. Achievement and comfort
correspond to a light corporate aircraft with the capacity to transport up to 8
passengers. The machine is modular equipped, so that it can be converted fast
for other functions (i.e. freight, rescue).
A fuselage from carbon fiber and the strengthened chassis make it possible to do
landings on grass and sand runways, like with propeller-driven aircraft. With a
range of more than 3000 kilometers (1800 Nm) distances can being flown like
e.g. from Zurich to Baku (Azerbaijan) without interruption. The SPn utility jet
only needs a 914 meter runway (STOL characteristic).
Grob Aerospace is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, with its research,
development, manufacturing and assembly facilities in Tussenhausen-Mattsies,
Germany.
Unfortunately Grob Aerospace GmbH was forced to enter the preliminary
insolvency process on August, 2008. Speculations are left to others, whether it is
the consequence from a tragic prototype crash or an unlucky investor
constellation. For the moment it is unfortunately very questionable whether this
beautiful jet will ever fly in the real world except of prototypes. L
The model
For the first time the SPn was realized for the FS9. One could only suspect some
future detail because there were less informations about this prototype and only
a 2D cockpit was available.
In this completely revised version for FSX flight exclusively takes place in the
virtual 3D cockpit (look: tips for configuration). Some new functions were added.
The flight plan is indicated on a moving map. The autopilot was complemented
with the VNAV function (Vertical NAVigation). Using it, the whole flight can be
done automatically from start to touchdown, nearly without pilot action (perhaps
that becomes a little boring in the long runJ ). Flaps, gear and brakes have to be
set manually.
The gauges mostly are built without bit-maps as far as possible using vector
graphics.
Installation
Download the file SpnFSX.exe
Startup the file with doubleclick
… the rest is done by the Installer ( Vista or XP ).
Cockpit
The SPn is equipped with a VC. There is no 2D panel but a simple 2D-view,
operable by shortcuts.
2D-view
Default view is VC, click F10
(F9 shows VC again)
1= click on framed value to change. Use NUM pad only. To swap the contents of
preset and active type „x“.
2= select line with STRG+X
3= click to calculate VNAV-flightplan
4= click miscellaneous touchscreen functions
Autopilot switches are also fully operable using shortcuts in this view (but no
visualization in 2D).
Virtual cockpit (VC)
Control elements
Open Protective covers over safety switches (i.e. engine start)
with right mouse click
Start buttons of engines and APU have to be hold for over 20 sec to succeed.
Otherwise a FADEC fault is provoked.
Editing frequencies (CM, NAV …): click several times
on the menu button to select line. After that click on
the number to be changed, it will turn to yellow. Type
the new frequency (only using NUM pad !!) without
dot and comma (i.e.: 110.500
type 110500)
Help functions
The VC has a help function:
SHIFT+F12:
short tips to substantial control elements
SHIFT+F10
the sequence of the engine startup is shown by numbers.
Startup engines
For startup energy first is needed. This comes either from external supply
(parking brake must be set), or from auxiliary power unit (APU).
CTRL+E (FSX- autostart function) is deactivated.
APU
Startup checklist
• Main Battery on (1)
• APU startup (2a + 3)
external
• APU bleed open (4)
• APU generator on (5)
• Or instead of 2a to 4: Ground power on (2)
• Anti- Collision Lights on
• Bus Tie (main electr. supply) on (6)
• Pump L+R on (7)
• Lower MFD on
• Ignition L+R on (8)
• Start engine (9)
press button,
until prompt vanishes
• Left generator on
• Right generator on
• Left bleed + right bleed on
• ECS flow +ECS pack on
• Oxy supply + PAX on
• Left PFD on
Primary flight display (PFD)
AP speed selected
AP Altitude selected
engine parameters
rotary speed N1 in %,
Temp. ITT in °C
flight manager
Annunc. of COM-, NAV-,
ADF- and squawkfrequency. (change =
click onto blue number)
HSI (full circle
or segment)
tune course, use
mouse wheel
annunc. VOR
and ADF- arrow
NAV/ ILS- course
arrow on/ off
HSI toggle full circle or
segment
upper and lower MFD
on / off
swap Stdbyfrequency
toggle Stdbyfrequencies
toggle left and
right PFD
toggle map radius
Multifunctional flight display 1 (upper MFD)
toggle goal waypoint forward/ backward
(magenta line)
menu items
(i.e. show map
y/n)
flightplan: next
4 waypoints
calculate
new flight
plan
toggle menu
right mouseclick:
left mouseclick:
zoom in
zoom out
Multifunctional flight display 2 (lower MFD)
gear position
event and
warning
annunciation
text field
cabin
mode
flaps / pitch
position
cabin
pressure
electr. state
ICAO- Code and
height difference
to arrival airport
Integrated Electronic Stand by Instrument IESI
Switch on with button “Stdby Bus”. In case of system crash, minimum
annunciation for attitude, altitude and airspeed is ensured.
airspeed
altitude
attitude
glidepath
heading
GPS position
Center console
throttle (use joystick)
flaps (F5-F8)
speedbrake (#)
parking brake (Ctrl+.)
auto ground
spoiler on/off
YAW left / right
dim PFD and
MFD screens
pitch up/ down
pitch zero position
set emergency
COM frequency
Autopilot
tune altitude
(mouse wheel)
set back course
tune heading
(mouse wheel)
set NAV
AP main switch
approach
YAW damper
nose up/ down
tune baro
(mouse wheel)
set GPS mode
set heading
set VNAV
flight director
Lock current
airspeed/
VNAV autospeed
Lock current
vertspeed
set altitude
VNAV
The VNAV is not comparable with the real airplane and is realized very simplified,
in order to make programming in XML possible.
To use the VNAV function, first make a flight plan using the FSX-built-in function
with at least 10 waypoints. An intermediate stop cannot be programmed.
You have to push at least VNAV (NAV and ALT will be automatically coactivated)
and GPS. If necessary, NAV can be switched off temporarily, in order to prevent
a breaking out of the plane on the runway during takeoff.
After finishing flight plan only click on „Calculate“ at the upper MFD (see above).
VNAV will be computed in several seconds.
Pressing the speed-button (flaps = 1 !) the SPn will start automatically with 150
knots autospeed.
ILS- frequency and CRS for arrival airport must be entered.
During approach VNAV terminates the control over GPS, as soon as the glide
path is established. SPn then performs a normal ILS- landing. Gear, flaps and
airbrakes must be driven out manually.
Autopilot terminates approx. 50 ft above ground. Braking hast o be done
manually.
If VNAV is switched off during descent AP sets ALT to actual flight altitude and
horizontal flight. If VNAV is deactivated during climb the aircraft will continue
climbing to defined ALT.
NAV
This corresponds to the standard function in FSX. To use VNAV it has to be
activated together with GPS. In upper MFD after clicking on the MENU button you
can use the buttons "skip WPT" or "recall WPT" to toggle the actually approached
waypoint forward or backward. For example this is necessary if the flight
schedule is loaded or activated during flight.
SPD (speed hold)
VNAV active
In each flight phase the corresponding speeds are set automatically.
start:
150 kn
flight continued under FL100:
250 kn
above FL100:
400 kn
From approx. 12 miles to runway:
200 / 150 / 120 kn
In the flight phase between takeoff and approach the standard speed (250 or
400 kn) can be substituted by the actual speed switching off and again turning
on SPD. This becomes necessary e.g. on higher FL because of overspeedwarning.
VNAV not set
The adjusted altitude is approached and held.
VS (vertical speed hold)
Aircraft keeps on climbing/ descending constantly with actual vertical speed
APR (approach)
for ILS- approach. CRS and ILS- frequency have to be set first. In VNAV mode
this will be automatically activated, as soon as the aircraft is “inside of the ILScone”.
ALT
VNAV mode
The computed altitude (per waypoint) is approached automatically. Changing
those altitude values is not possible.
VNAV deactivated
Aircraft climbs/ descends to and holds selected altitude
APPENDIX
Shortcuts
STRG+E
automatic engine startup procedure
X
SHIFT+X
swap frequencies Frequenzen (FSX default)
select frequency line in PFD
SHIFT+F10
SHIFT+F12
show startup sequence in VC (ascending step number)
show help text on VC gauges
CTRL+Q
CTRL+D
CTRL+Z
CTRL+H
CTRL+R
CTRL+N
CTRL+A
VNAV hold
yaw damper (FSX default)
reach and hold selected altitude (FSX default)
hold heading (FSX default)
hold current airspeed (FSX default)
NAV1 hold (FSX default)
autom. ILS approach (FSX default)
caution: remember to set correct ILS- frequency (NAV1)
and course
flight director (FSX default)
CTRL+F
Tips for FSX configuration
Framerate
Microsoft® FSX needs a very good PC equipment. Minimum requirements
recommended on the packing are not sufficient from the view of the author. The
SPn was developed on a system with the following components and I recommend
it as minimum:
•
•
•
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo CPU E6850, 3 GHz, 3 GB RAM
Windows XP
grafics: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS, 1600 MB, DirectX 10
With this equipment you can reach constantly framerates > 20 fr/sec at the
Innsbruck- scenery. More complex sceneries (Seattle) slow down to approx. 1218 fr/sec, the same effect you will see using standard FSX- aircraft.
Using slower PC go to settings / customize / aircraft and uncheck „high resolution
3D- Cockpit“. During the flight only switch on one of both PFD’s.
Switching off one or two MFD’s or the IESI will also increase the framerate.
Head movement
The adjusted head movement in the FSX, operating VC-switches, is really
annoying.
The following change is recommended:
Go to the desktop and press START
Using Vista type into „start search“ otherwise using XP click „execute“ and type:
%appdata%\Microsoft\FSX\FSX.cfg
The file FSX.cfg will open. Search for [DynamicHeadMovement] and change:
MaxHeadAngle=1
MaxHeadOffset=0.1
Freeware
This product is freeware. This term designates software, which is made available
from the author for free use. Copyrights remain completely to the author. The
product may be used in the Microsoft® FSX free of charge.
Without written permission of the author, it is NOT allowed:
… to use the product or parts of it in other payware or shareware
… to decompile the product or parts of it
… to publish the product on download- sites. This is made only by the author!
Gratitude
Very special thanks I say to „EDMN “, who gave me many inestimable hints,
without them the SPn surely would not have been built with such good
applicability to the real world (I really hope so)
Further the discussions with W. D. gave me many suggestions, which reflect
themselves in many details of the aircraft.
I also say thanks to the VA- collegues, who will test the plane and who surely will
find some faults and give me hints, to improve this plane.
Last but not least my thank is dedicated to my beloved wife. She had to suffer
many hours without me (I nearly spent 1500 h to build this model) J
Contact
You can contact the author using [email protected].
I hope for your appreciation, that I can answer only questions about the SPn. I
cannot give tips for Vista, Graphic cards or other rubbish.
I periodically (but not daily) look into the mailbox, so be patient, I will answer.
And now: Have joy / VIEL SPASS J
Please excuse me for my extraordinary english, I hope you understand it
anyway, even if it sounds rather german!