A smoky curiosity

[M.I.B.]

I was just wondering why do the MD-80 and MD-90 series feature a "SMOKESYSTEM" section containing the DC-9 smoke effects, in their aircraft.cfg files. I noticed these effects are not working on MD-80 and MD-90 anyway (due to gauges, I'm thinking). Also, shouldn't the MD-80 series actually have some smoke trails, as they feature JT9Ds (which are kinda smoky, even the newer variants mounted on MD-80)? Thanks!
Dore

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

MD80/90 aircraft .... do produce smoke .... although not a lot of it .... and the MD80's do produce a bit more smoke than the MD90's.

why do the MD-80 and MD-90 series feature a "SMOKESYSTEM" section containing the DC-9 smoke effects

Using the existing HJG supplied DC9 smoke effects is/was the most "convenient/BEST" option .... simply because it results in the lightest and most suitable looking smoke effects results for each of these simulations.

these effects are not working on MD-80 and MD-90 anyway (due to gauges, I'm thinking). Also, shouldn't the MD-80 series actually have some smoke trails, as they feature JT9Ds

"OH YES THEY DO" (and on both counts here) .... but .... these smoke effects must be activated/deactivated (toggled on/off) manually using the standard FS9/2004 smoke effects command .... which is as follows ....

keyboard command .... I



However .... auto-smoke effects (as featured with the HJG B707/720, CV880, CV990, DC8, DC9, and the AFG CARAVELLE simulations/panels) cannot work with the HJG MD80/90 simulations .... simply because the supplied panels (which were imported in the absence of HJG being able to produce and supply its own MD80/90 panel series for these simulations .... the panels provided/recommended "ARE" the best options for these particular simulations though and as such they are "the only ones supported by HJG") feature gauges (EGT gauges in particular) which haven't engineered/callibrated so as to enable auto-smoke effects using the applied effects files/data, but again, smoke effects "ARE" provided for each of these MD80/90 simulations .... and these "DO" work properly .... on the basis of the above-mentioned keyboard command

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[M.I.B.]

Oh my, who would've thought...certainly not me, Cap'n Dumb
Thank you Mark!
I'd add the DC-9 on the list of "auto-smoke" simulations.

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

"NO PROBLEM" Dorel .... and I don't regard it (or you) as being a dumb posting either

No question is ever a stupid one .... especially when asked out of genuine uncertaintly or in response to a thirst for knowledge.

Just think of how many people this posting might potentially have aided .... in regard to these smoke effects (in the long run/greater ascheme of things) .... so .... it "HAS" resulted in "a service" (for those in need of such) being provided

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[M.I.B.]

Thanks!
One more curiosity...Since both the A320 and MD-90 feature V2500 engines, is the MD-90 regarded as being "more smoky" than the A320? And if so, how could it be, since both of them are equipped with a modern powerplant?

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

That's why I said (above) MD80's produce more smoke than the MD90's .... although not a lot of it

Some aircraft engines .... even as far back as the 1970's (the DC10 and L1011 I'm thinking of in particular here) .... were touted as being "virtually smokeless" .... and similar might also apply to A320's and MD90's (and the like of B747-400's and MD11's too which are each of about the same generation) .... BUT .... I don't think anything burning fuel is actually "totally smokesless" because it does, still, produce some form of visible, though wafer thin, evidence of an emission.

I don't want to get into a "GREEN" argument here though

From an FS perspective though .... and in regard to the HJG MD80/90 simulations in particular ....

Without trying to defend the HJG simulations (and which isn't my intention) .... I do feel the smoke effects provided for these simulations are "adequate" if not authentic .... although I do also agree that these same effects are probably "a little heavier than is desirable" (especially for the MD90's) .... BUT HEY .... at the end of the day HJG can only offer what it's got available or is, itself, easily able to produce .... and which is precisely what's been done, on both counts, in this particular case.

HJG does produce a lot of its own material, but, it doesn't have the capacity to produce everything it would like to, so, it often then needs to draw upon its existing resources in order to be able to fulfill a partiular need/requirement.

Folk can however .... "if they desire to do so" .... replace the stated Smoke Effects with something else more appropriate and from elsewhere .... or alternatively .... completely remove the stated SMOKE EFFECTS" sections from CFG files for each of the applicable aircraft .... and which won't/shouldn't hurt anything at all

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[M.I.B.]

Crystal clear, I'll simply not press "I" when flying the MD-90

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

I'll simply not press "I"

I forgot about that

Guess I was so "technically focussed" that I forgot to consider the simplest/most basic options are also often the most easy and effective solutions to any particular issue

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[M.I.B.]