Trouble with HJG DC-8

[psolov]

I just installed the HJG DC-8-10 and it appears that I did everything correctly. However, for some reason the smoke that comes out of the four engines (as soon as you throttle up) goes vertically as if the plane is standing on it's wing (smoke trails are not lined up with the engines. Did I do something wrong or is this a file issue?

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

On the ground .... stationary .... and during engine spool-up for T/O, the engine exaust smoke effects will start as a plume which rises vertically (that's normal) .... then progressively change to long trails behind the aircraft during T/O acceleration .... as follows ....



So far a I'm aware .... these smoke effects are alligned as best we're able to present at this time .... certainly as the above image suggests.

On another note too .... and before the question is ever asked. With DC8-10 (and both B707-120 & B707-138 too) you'll find you get only about 3-4 minutes of fireworks/smoke effects before these expire .... simulating the available duration of water/methanol injection which was used to boost engine performance/power during T/O .... and which resulted in the thick black plumes/trails of exaust smoke which are evident.

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[Dan K. Hansen]

But apart from this, I just have to double check that there actualy is an aircraft_fsx.cfg file in the package, as one of the differences between FSX and FS9 is the order of co-ordinates when defining smoke.... "I'll be back", as a famous Calif. Govenor says!

[psolov]

I think I see what you are saying, but the smoke coming out of my DC-8 is actually not coming from the airplane. It looks as if there are three imaginary engines turned perpendicular to the airplane. I think what you are describing is the smoke coming out of the plane and then quickly rising up behind it. However, I have not flown the plane for more than a minute or two before stopping to think that something is wrong. What I see when the engines spool up looks distorted. I was wondering if somehow there is a command in the file telling the smoke to come from the wrong place. Also, the picture you posted looks normal to me, not what i am seeing however. Does what I am saying make sense? Thanks for your help!

[garryrussell]

This is one of the difference between FS.9 and FS.X

The axis for effect are different

This is what Dan is checking

Garry

[psolov]

Thanks guys! Your assistance is much appreciated. Although I am a real world private pilot, I am not overly confident when it comes to the flightsim tech stuff. it is great that there are guys like you that really have a feel for this stuff. I only wish I could have started my flight training earlier and had the opportunity to fly one of the big birds for a living. Anyway, if I can get this tech stuf down, things will be great!

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

Here's a couple of other images relating to DC8 SHIP ONE 1958 and her smoke effects ....





Although these were shot in FS2002 & FS2004 you shouldn't be seeing anything different from this.

What Dan mentioned above is a very valid point which I (not being an FSX user) keep forgetting too ....

If flying any of our aircraft in FSX then ensure you delete/disable the default FS2004 AIRCRAFT.CFG file .... and use only the FSX version supplied .... which is named "AIRCRAFT_FSX". You must then rename this CFG file "AIRCRAFT" .... by deleting the "_FSX" extension part of the filename.

If you're inadvertently using the wrong CFG file then this may be the reason why you're seeing problems with these smoke effects.

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[psolov]

Thanks! That was the problem. Smoke is perfect now! Another question; I downloaded the 707 in the tutorial and there is a rather annoying "warning" light on the panel that blinks and pulsates as soon as you throttle up. If you push this button, nothing happens. How do I disable this?

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

If you're getting that warning (a "BEEP - BEEP" tone .... with a red flashing "MASTER CAUTION" lamp) at the start of any T/O roll then it's likely you've (a) forgotten to set the flaps .... (b) set insufficient flap .... (c) set too much flap .... or (d) you may be well out of TRIM.

1 notch of flap is sufficient for all early B707/720 aircraft (that's B707-120/-120B, -138/-138B, -220, & B720-020/-020B) under all operating weights

All the others (B707-320, -320B/-320B ADVC, -320C, -420, & -700) should have at least 2 notches of flap extended for T/O.

At the start of any T/O roll ensure that the YAW DAMPER is set to "OFF" .... and be sure to set a little TRIM too .... and take care to ensure TRIM is set towithin its "GREEN" range.

If after T/O you get that warning tone it's generally indicating that you've passed through the maximum flap speed .... around 220-230 KTS .... you should be "clean" by that stage of C/O.

If during approach to landing you encounter this warning it's generally telling you (a) you're too fast for a particular flap setting .... (b) you've forgotten to set the YAW DAMPER to "OFF" .... (c) you're getting too close to stalling speed for a particular flap setting or just too slow generally .... or (d) you have too much power applied.

Hope that's of some help to you.

If you're new to our aircraft then may I suggest you take time familiarize yourself with my extensive B707, CV880/CV990, & DC8 PANEL INSTALLATION & HANDLING NOTES. You'll find these posted on the "ABOUT HJG AIRCRAFT" forum page.

Most of what you essentially need to know about the handling of these aircraft and their panels is covered within these notes.

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[psolov]

Thanks Mark, and again I appologize for asking so many questions, but I do have one last one for you: On the take off roll, for some reason the 707 rolls off the runway (tend to drift quickly to the right of the runway centerline) if you don't overcontrol the rudder. This seems odd since generally these planes will go straight down the runway unless you cause them to drift. It kind of reminds me of my experience flying diamond eclispe aircraft where if you take you foot off the right rudder, they will quickly yaw to the left, which one time scared the heck out of me (low time in that plane). Anyhow, since this is just a simulation I think again there is probably something I am doing wrong. Thanks for the info about your manual which I will download and read in full tonight.

[Dan K. Hansen]

That sounds like a Yaw damper/sidewind issue. Unless of course you've forgotten to center on the RWY before commencing the T/O roll ....

[psolov]

Is there something I have to press to center on the runway? Generally, I don't start at the gate due to time constraints, so I just start up on the runway, which almost always seems to automatically be centered. Since I am not familiar with the 707 I was not sure. I did actually look from the front of the spot plane view after a couple of times to see if the plane was not centered but it looked fine. Seems more likely that it is the yaw damper issue. By the way, what do mean by "sidewind" issue?

[garryrussell]

I think Dan is referring to crosswinds

With all aircraft there is a tricky time about midway into the roll where the aircraft gets light and the steering is less effective but it is not going fast enough for the rudder to be effective fully

If the crosswing is too much it may be impossible to hold it at that point, or indeed a point much earlier than that depnding on the strength.

Garry

[psolov]

I see. I think this is most likely not a crosswind situation since I generally fly in clear skies and light or no winds. I know from flying the piper warriors how much those suck though! I figure since I have to deal with this when I go flying around chicago in the real plane, I want perfect weather in the simulator! Thanks!

[Dan K. Hansen]

Yes "crosswinds" of course ... .... Forgive me I'm just a Dane