Documentation

Thank you for downloading this aircraft. This design has been a significant modification of my previously released Pilatus PC9/A (which is available at www.aussim.com and www.simviation.com) . I had substantially remodelled the fuselage structure, tailplane and fin of the Pilatus, to make this: the Texan II.

Model and Flight dynamics By David Friswell.
Textures By Jens-Ole Kjølberg
Panel By Anonymous. (search for filename: "texan2.zip" at www.simviation.com).

THE MODEL:

The model has been designed using FSDS v1.61 (by ABACUS) and SDLEdit v2.1.

The Texan II model features the customary moving parts, rolling wheels and (at this stage) a crude Virtual Cockpit. It uses FS2002 lighting (Strobes etc). The Propeller and Spinner are also fully animated, with the propeller disc being 3-dimensional. That is, the propeller disc instead of being flat like most other Flight Sim aircraft is not on this aeroplane. It has the full appearance of a real Propeller from side on. The model has also been designed to be frame rate friendly in multiplayer (it is not a multi-res model like CFS2. Photo-realistic textures have been graciously made by Rob Opray, who has my sincere thanks for taking the time to do them.

As this aircraft is a all out modification of my PC9/A, there are detail differences in this model to that of the real thing. Also, I have never seen a real T-6, but have modelled it from accurate 3-views. Please keep this in mind if you think that it is not accurate enough for you.

This release does not feature a DVC (Dynamic Virtual Cockpit), I am still learning how to do them properly, but it will feature in a later release.

The panel as described above has come from an anonymous author who had posted this panel at www.simviation.com. This panel was for FS98 and I have modified it to run with FS2002. The Modifications are simple, I have added the "Bendix-King Radio stack" and the default GPS (by toggle switches on the panel). Being an FS98 panel I STRONGLY SUGGEST that FSUIPC.DLL is installed to ensure full compatibility of the panel with FS2002.

A final note on this model is that it will be exported into FSDS version 2 format, that will feature the full reflective textures and a host of other features that are just not possible when using FSDS v1.

PERFORMANCE:

The performance of this model is a Max level speed of 300 knots TAS at 10,000Ft AMSL. A climb rate of approx 4000 feet/min. Sustained G manoeuvring, whilst being docile and easy to handle when in formation with other aircraft. So far, almost all of the above has been attained.

The Flight Dynamics have been constructed using a mixture of using the “Aircraft Editor” that comes with FS2002 Professional Edition and extensive use of the 1% airfile Templates (available @ www.avhistory.org)

Take note, there are differences between the “book figures” and this model. The most notable is that of Rate of Climb, this model DOES have a SUSTAINED rate of climb that is in excess of the Raytheon figures, unfortunately I have been unable to satisfactorily correct it. If anyone out there does have a suggestion, please email me at the email address at the end of this document.

WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE:

Here are several screenshots of the model as it appears in this package. Note there are differences in this visual model and that of the real aircraft. What I have included on this model are:

The fairings that form the rotating beacons on the upper and lower fuselages.
The Perforated Airbrake and its recess. This I have found too difficult to do at this stage, thus for this version a simple airbrake is included - this airbrake has the holes "textured", this feature will take a long time to do.

INSTALLATION:To install the T-6 Texan II in FS2002 I recommend you do the following:

Extract the contents of this archive to a Temporary folder (for e.g. C:\Temp\).
You will then see in the C:\Temp\T-6 Texan II\ folder : a Gauges, Model, Panel, Sound and Texture folders along with the Airfile, and this file you’re now reading.
Open the "T-6 Texan II\GAUGES\" folder and copy the gauge files to the FS2002\Gauges folder.
Copy the “T-6 Texan II” folder to the AIRCRAFT folder of FS2002, start the game and go flying.
Alternatively, you can extract this archive straight into the FS2002\AIRCRAFT folder - remember to copy the contents of the GAUGES folder to the FS2002\GAUGES folder.
To select this aircraft, you will see it under the Manufacturer’s name of “Raytheon” in the Select Aircraft Menu of FS2002.
I have arbitrarily used "BEECH" as its ATC manufacturer (having seen photo's of the prototype with "Beechcraft" written on it). Thus when ATC calls you in FS2002, it is designated as a "Beech T-6".
The sounds for this aircraft are aliased to the Cessna C208 Caravan. You will hear as a result the "Gear Down for Runway Landing" etc. Please feel free to find and install any separate sound package for this aircraft if you so desire.

FLYING THE TEXAN II:

Being a trainer, the Texan II is easy to handle whilst providing a challenge to the student, when constructing the Flight Dynamics for this model I have kept this in mind. Suffice to say that stalls are straight forward with no wing drop - mind you I have not been able to find its stalling characteristics so far, when I do these will be incorporated into the dynamics of this model.

Take off in this model REQUIRES the pilot to "work the rudder", that is with any high powered propeller driven aircraft there is a LOT of torque, so full right rudder will be required during the take off roll as the engine hits "full stride".

Thus "extensive" use of rudder and in particular elevator trim is needed THROUGHOUT the entire speed range of this aircraft - this reflects the real flight characteristics of the T-6. The T-6 has an auto trim for both elevator and the rudder, whilst the pitch change in the flight model is not severe, I have largely removed it to better simulate the auto trim.

Due to its relatively light wing loading the T-6 does get "bounced around" in turbulence, this also makes it quite a challenge to fly in formation.

Landing: I have found that an approach speed of approx 80 to 85 knots IAS, this will give you a good sink rate with a slightly nose high attitude. Thus, a minimal flare is required, this also has the benefit of minimal float during the landing flare.

The Texan II is fully aerobatic and is stressed to +7 - 4 G (clean and in the utility category on the Weight & Balance), otherwise it is +4.5G -2G.

After considering the above, this makes the aircraft quite enjoyable to fly!

KNOWN ISSUES AND BUGS:

There are known “issues” with this model, these are explained as best I can:

The landing lights are of the “FSDS Kind” and thus will not show up at night like the GMAX models.
There are differences between the real T-6 and this model - it is as accurate as I can get it.
IMPORTANT: For those who have Force Feedback Joysticks, this aircraft is slightly more manoeuvrable with the FORCE FEEDBACK DISABLED. I have no idea as to why, but this was discovered during beta testing. This mainly applies to those who have the Microsoft joysticks, if you have a Logitech or other brand I would be most interested to know if you experience this.
The gear bay doors have been designed for best fit, the limitations of animating an aircraft using Aircraft Animator are such that it is not perfect. I have spent over a week in trying to get it right, but it is the best I can do with the software that I have.
Further on the gear bays doors, in going for simplicity of the FSDS model the doors are NOT an exact outline of the real T-6 - again, this is as accurate as I can get them.
The undercarriage has been used from another project as explained below. The undercarriage as used here is very close to the real PC9, but not an exact replica.
When the undercarriage is retracted, the Nose wheel is VISIBLE! This also occurs on the real thing too, so please do not email me on this!!
I Strongly suggest that you install and use P. Dowson's FSUIPC.DLL. This module will allow you to calibrate the throttle axis (if using a joystick with a throttle) and basically cure the "Fast Taxi" problem with FS2002 Turboprops.

CREDITS:

First and foremost to Jens-Ole Kjølberg for constructing the textures for this model, this is really appreciated by myself.
Mr. Charlie Mauzé for providing such valuable input into the flight characteristics and other aspects of this aircraft --> this is so appreciated (understatement +). Charlie Flies with the U.S.A.F.
Anonymous for constructing the panel.
CFG edit version 1.5 was used to modify the panel.
Mikko Maliniemi for providing permission to use his pilot figure, in both this and the PC9 version.
Free Flight Design Shop for providing various public domain parts for both FSDS and GMAX. There are two file’s used to construct this model the first was FSDS_PARTS1.zip by Brian Gladden. From this the Propeller and the wheels have come from this. The second was the Piper Arrow by Rien Cornelissen who generously provides his Aircraft as public domain. From the Piper I have used Rien’s Undercarraige as it is similar to the T-6 (not exactly but close enough).
To all those who participate in the www.aussim.com forums, thank you for all the encouragement, it is appreciated.
Finally to Brad Disher for Hosting and Running www.aussim.com.

NOTE:

1. This aircraft is fully compatible with FS2002.

2. Please Feel free to repaint this aircraft as you wish. However, repaints MUST be stand alone textures. See "A NOTE FOR REPAINTERS.TXT" for further information.

3. This Readme file must accompany any repaints - in its TEXT format, if you don't expect an email from me!.

4. The panel included in this package is ONLY to accompany this aircraft. It MAY not be separately distributed.

5. This aircraft package is not meant to be artistically brilliant, but to give a faithful as possible rendition of what it is like to fly this aircraft – whilst being frame rate friendly!!

6. This archive is set to extract ..\T-6 Texan II\ by default.

7. This archive is STRICLY FREEWARE ONLY. NO COMMERCIAL GAIN BY ANYONE IS ACCEPTABLE. This aircraft or its repaints is NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES be uploaded and or displayed on FSPLANET.com or VolFTP or ANY of its associated subsidiaries. If it is, or available on any website offering this archive in return for money, any appropriate legal action will be undertaken using appropriate Australian, United States and International copyright laws. In addition, if this archive is discovered as such, I will sue for labour cost’s involved in constructing this aircraft, at nearly 6 months in construction and testing this cost IS CONSIDERABLE.

8. The author of this package is in no way liable for any damage it may cause from incorrect use (however unlikely that it may be).

9. If for whatever reason you don’t like this aircraft, delete it and fly something else – DO NOT BOTHER TO TELL ME.

10. Questions(& constructive) Comments, bug reports etc can be made to the Email address listed below.

THE FUTURE:

The next version of the PC9 will be the a GMAX rework of my popular Pilatus PC9/A (left), this is being done by Brad Disher. This aircraft will only be available at www.aussim.com. Another Future project is the Pilatus PC9 M, the Current Production model, shown in the center picture below. Coming some time after that will be a Piper Seminole...