AlphaSim B-1B Lancer Reference Information
Advanced/Simple Flight Models
This aircraft comes with a simplified flight model which limits the total aircraft weight to approximately 220,000 pounds by reducing the total amount of fuel available. It also is configured to have electric power always available. An advanced flight model is available in the "advanced" folder which enables a full fuel load and allows for electrical failures. Copy the file named "aircraft.cfg" from the "advanced" folder into the main aircraft folder entitled "Alpha B-1B Lancer", overwriting the existing "aircraft.cfg" file, to enable the advanced flight model. With the advanced flight model, the electric power will drain very quickly if the engines are off or the generators are shut down. The aircraft will also be very heavy so keep this in mind during takeoffs; the rotation speed is about 160 KIAS with a full fuel load.
Instrument Panel
The main panel contains everything necessary for autopilot operation. The custom gauges include an autopilot, located to center right of the main panel, and a speed/mach hold, altitude hold, and vertical speed hold. The following illustration shows where the various controls are located. (Note: The vertical speed hold is located on the overhead console and is not shown here. It is adjusted using the mouse.)
Autopilot
The panel-mounted autopilot control has three red annunciator lights along its top which will glow to indicate that the speed hold, altitude hold, or directional hold features are active. On the upper left is a three-position rotary switch which controls the mode of the directional hold. The default position is off. The first click to the right is the "heading hold" function, and the second click to the right is the "course hold" function. A flag will indicate which mode you are in, or whether the switch is OFF. A window to the right will display the selected heading or course. Below this window is a larger knob which is used to dial in the desired course or heading. This knob is not active unless the heading or course hold mode has been selected.
There are also lighted pushbuttons for approach hold, backcourse hold, and wing leveler, as well as an autopilot master switch. These work in the usual way.
The autopilot is tied to both the speed hold, altitude hold, and vertical speed hold functions. The speed hold and altitude hold functions are located on the main panel as shown above. The operating procedure are unique to this panel and are as follows:
The speed and altitude may be entered in the respective windows using the mouse to scroll or click up or down to change the values. This readies these functions for when they are needed. Turning either the altitude hold or speed hold toggle switches to the ON position will also turn on the autopilot master switch.
NAV/GPS Hold
To activate either the NAV or GPS hold, turn the autopilot directional hold switch to CRS and select either NAV or GPS on the rotary switch at the bottom of the MFD.
Fuel Cutoff
At the upper right portion of the panel are four red annunciator lights. These lights indicate engine fire, and also serve as fuel cutoff switches for each of the four engines. Simply click on any of the lights to cut the fuel to that engine. To the left of these lights is the Master Fuel Cutoff which must be on to start the aircraft.
Multifunction Display
The MFD provides a wealth of information about flight status. There are two modes, graphic and numerical, which can be selected by turning the rotary knob at the bottom of the display to the desired position. The MFD must be powered on before it will work. The NAV/GPS selector switch is located at the bottom of this gauge.
Caution and Warning Lights
An array of warning and caution lights is strategically positioned at the upper center of the panel. These will illuminate if a condition exists that requires corrective action. The function of these lights can be tested by using the test switch to their immediate left. These include warnings for low oil and fuel pressure, low oil temperature, low fuel, overspeed, and stall among others. There are also low oil temperature warning lights for each individual engine on the graphic display to the far right.
Flaps, Spoilers, Trim, and Wing Sweep
This gauge is extremely useful. It provides information on the wing sweep position, flaps positions, spoiler position, and amount of trim for each axis. It is fully mouseable and provides information on mouseover about each function. There are two spoiler positions that can be selected with the mouse.
The wing flaps and variable-sweep wings are animated by the flaps switch or the mouse. There are six positions in all. The first four flaps positions move the variable-sweep wings to the four positions approved for flight maneuvers. The positions are as follows:
Callsign Display
This gauge, located to the left of the warning lights, shows the call sign and type of aircraft. Each aircraft in this package will have a unique call sign. Clicking on the gauge will display the aircraft type.
Seat Position
This gauge, located at the bottom right of the panel, allows the eyepoint to be adjusted upward using the mouse. The center position is default. It also contains icons for most of the basic functions and pop-up panels.