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Post by MKA742 on Jan 14, 2011 14:58:10 GMT
I don't want to taste the wine before it's ripe either.
Ill just hang back and continue on my home made shabby FDE until the proper one comes out.
Just started asking again because it was a year ago. I dont think its unreasonable to ask after 12 months is it?
And I do like and enjoy what HJG has brought us so far, there would be nothing at all otherwise...
On a romantic note, the sole DC-8-62F still going strong in Europe flew Vitori - Ostend - Halifax yesterday. Looks like their still finding her jobs to do. I already dread the day she stops flying too...
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Post by Herman on Jan 15, 2011 23:01:29 GMT
Hello Mark; Regarding the DC-8 FDE modification, I feel it would be a good idea to get the opinions of a few real world DC-8 pilots such as our own Captain "Skyking". As a matter of fact he did ask " he would be interested to know which part of the DC-8 FDE is off" which seems to indicate to me that he feels all is OK with the DC-8 and how it feels ( control forces etc.etc ) in FS. I have seen a couple of videos where DC-8 pilot's have described that the control forces required were quite heavy  ? Herman |
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Post by aerofoto - HJG Admin on Jan 16, 2011 1:32:55 GMT
That's pretty much in-line with what John DETRICK (also ex DC8 flight crew) told us a few years ago too .... in that he, was more than quite content with the actual current handling characteristics of what we currently offer. In fact he, himself, was responsible for editing "some" aspects the DC8-60 and 70 series FDE's which we still currently offer .... all based on his own many years of recent DC8 flight experience. As I've mentioned a number of times previously .... the main thrust of the DC8 FDE editing we're presently undertaking is focused engine spooling rates, flight tuning, and weight & balance data .... but .... I'm reluctant to go beyond this criteria. "IF" we start getting "too radical" .... then we also run the risk of imposing upon ourselves additional unwanted work in respect of potential panel/gauge and audio issues (all of which FDE modifications can impact "either positively or negatively")  .... and which I'm just not prepared to risk.I don't apply any of my following comments to you Herman (because I know you, at least, do understand)  .... but .... there's actually a heck of a lot more to all of this FDE editing than some folk seem to appreciate ! ;D I do also feel (on the basis of what I sometimes see posted here publicly and/or receive privately per PM) that there's often a lot of opinion being expressed about FDE's (what's good/bad/right/wrong about them etc) by a lot of folk whom either lack FS knowledge .... OR .... professional "HANDS ON/REALWORLD" aircraft experience .... OR .... "both". What "some" folk don't seem to understand too is that there's often a huge gap between aviation reality and what FS actually permits us/anyone to represent .... the latter of which often results in necessary compromises having to be made. I admit there's also limitations to our own skills too !  I also make no secret of the fact that I do get a little tired of folk asking all the time (and often it's the same people) ... which is "irritating" .... despite the fact I do accept people are just "interested". AT THE END OF THE DAY .... it's more than just basic common knowledge both here, and throughout the FS community too, that "ALL" HJG work is ready when it's "READY/ANNOUNCED".There's still "A GREAT DEAL" of work to be done to complete this DC8 FDE project. I make no apology for the time it's taking to complete it .... more-so considering the DC8's, in particular, represent more aircraft type variation among them than is the case with the majority of other aircraft family types which we we represent here. At HJG must, and do, satisfy ourselves first and prior to releasing any new or updated offering .... from which everyone else will then benefit secondly/accordingly WHEN ALL I SAID AND DONE .... folk should know us well enough, by now, to know we'll do the best we can .... as we always do .... and whatever we offer, when we offer it, will be "GOOD" .... as I'm sure most fair-minded folk already accept and without yet seeing it. NOW THEN .... having got that moan off my chest .... I'm gonna go to bed now ! ;D Mark C AKL/NZ |
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Post by skyking on Jan 16, 2011 1:38:38 GMT
Well, even though it's been TWENTY YEARS since I flew the best passenger jet aircraft ever made, I don't remember everything, but the HJG models I fly sure seem to be as close to the real thing as a computer simulation can be. The poster didn't come back with just what part he was not satisfied with, did he?
As to being 'heavy' on the controls.....well, it's a REAL airplane ! You think the controls are heavy with the boost 'ON', you ought to try it with the boost 'OFF' !! You had better have had your Weaties for breakfast !! ;D
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Post by aerofoto - HJG Admin on Jan 16, 2011 2:00:20 GMT
A certain long sevice retired QANTAS captain wrote a particularly interesting article, several years ago, about the B707-138 when it first entered service with QF back in 1959. The early JT3C-6 turbojet powered B707-138, like the similar vintage B707-120, did not have a fully boosted rudder. That all happened later with the B707-120B/138B and later models. Apparently "BOOST" did not activate until 20* (degrees) of rudder deflection had been achieved. This old retired captain stated in his article .... and as "SKYKING" also implies .... "controlling the aircraft was no mean feat under asymetric conditions (particularly two on one side) considering the size of the rudder and it did wonders for the leg muscles" ;D Mark C AKL/NZ |
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Post by christrott on Jan 16, 2011 15:35:59 GMT
While I would agree the "feel" of the airplane is and has always been "right" for this airplane, I think most of the disagreement has been over the engine performance (more the displayed numbers, not necessarily the actual performance) and climb performance of the aircraft when using the recommended thrust settings, which as has been said, is getting updated. Once that occurs, I think the plane will be in "perfect harmony". As the engine indications are a major part of flying the airplane, I think that's where most people have gotten "hung up" on the flight model since it makes it hard to fly the plane right when you can't set the power at a given point and get the performance you expect, especially since I worry about "breaking" the airplane even though I really can't since damage isn't modeled in any HJG aircraft (yet). |
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.... and which I'm just not prepared to risk.
.... but .... there's actually a heck of a lot more to all of this FDE editing than some folk seem to appreciate ! ;D
