Range of the Mercure in the Handling Notes

[Klaus Hullermann]

Hi Mark,

I have a question about the range figures in the handling notes of the Mercure:

Are those miles nautical miles or statute miles? I assume that they're nautical ones, but since you wrote the notes, you the only one who could answer this question.

Klaus

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

Nautical miles .... I think.

Either way .... it's range is still pretty short .... short of payload downloading in order to carry more fuel to promote greater range (as per the specimen loadings provided .... among which my range computations are "approximate" only), but, that's the way the MERCURE was.

It was only a short hauler .... intended for European routes.

A longer ranging version was mooted, but, never went into production.

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[Klaus Hullermann]

Thanks for the reply. I know that the Mercure sacrifises payload for more range. That's why I have kept all four payload/fuelload-options for her. That way I can choose if I want to hauls a full payload over a very short distance or more range (but with much lower payload!).

Klaus

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

That's right Klaus ... full payload comes with the imposition of greatly reduced range .... so ...,. if you want range then you need to look at reducing payload (probably freight more than PAX and assumed baggage) in order to be able to achieve that.

Start with the payload/fuel specimens provided and which range from inter city, to inter provincial, and short haul regional European type sectors/routes .... just to get the hang of it and then perfect you own flight plans from there.

It's a lovely simulation to fly .... "once mastered"

And I understand Mario's possibly looking at some edits which will likely have the effect of making it "even better still" .... in the future

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[Klaus Hullermann]

She IS a great freeware-bird (especially in FS9 which I'm using). My Thanks to Mario and everybody else who helped to offer this very rare (Real World and virtual one) Jetliner of the 70s.

Klaus

PS: I also have the Piaggio PD-808 from the same author and that Biz-Jet is a great freeware bird as well (the PD-808 is available for FS9 and FSX via the major FS-webpages).

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

YES .... Mario has produced a number of other simulations .... although I'm less familiar with these .... it's just that my HJG administrations and development work generally intrude to the extent of preventing my be able to do a lot of whatever else I'd like to be able to try out and enjoy in FS .... but .... thats' they way it goes.

Since Mario's other projects are all "FREEWARE" too .... than maybe he might like to make a presentation of these on the "NON-HJG AIRCRAFT" forum page .... "IF" he desires and whenever he feels he has time to do so in the future.

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[George Carty - HJG]

Mar 19, 2018 7:04:07 GMT aerofoto - HJG Admin said:

Either way .... it's range is still pretty short .... short of payload downloading in order to carry more fuel to promote greater range (as per the specimen loadings provided .... among which my range computations are "approximate" only), but, that's the way the MERCURE was.

It was only a short hauler .... intended for European routes.

The joke about the Mercure was that Air Inter was the only buyer because it didn't have enough range to leave France.

George

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

I can understand the industry/competitors .... and spectators alike .... possibly joking like that

All the same though .... the MERCURE was a very well engineered aircraft "save for its severe payload/range imposition (DASSAULT were a primarily military producer and my understanding is they engineered the MERCURE in accordance with a pick up more fuel everywhere you went philosophy .... precisely what most airlines didn't want).

It was quite advanced "for its time" too .... and a bit larger .... and faster too .... than the B737-100/200.

Had its payload range capabilities been substantially better than was the case with the -100 .... then .... it might have achieved substantially better sales accordingly.

I'm not sure .... but .... I think "part of" the reason for the longer range -200 getting canned was that France was, at the time, also investing more of its civil aviation allocated funds into CONCORDE development which seemed to have greater prospects .... as well as DASSAULT not being able to attract major airline interest within an allotted period..

Mark C
AKL/NZ