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Simulator WAS: Aft CG

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Michel

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 966
Location: Norway

Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 5:53 am Post subject: Simulator WAS: Aft CG

 	  Quote: 	
		   From: wingnut [wingnut(at)spamarrest.com]

 Computer model? Can you post more info on that? Is it a custom sim or a new plane

 model for an existing sim? Would it be possible for me to acquire one?


	


Well, as PC-based flight simulation, there is Microsoft Flight Simulator, a well known best-seller and indeed, an incredible program. But I have been, since 1998, using another, less known simulator, X-Plane. For one good reason, X-Plane is made for both the PC and the Macintosh, and I have the latter. But also for another reason: we believe it has a better flight model than Microsoft. Here is why: While MS FS does a very good job at reproducing every detail of an aicraft, it bases its aero-dynamic model on look-up tables. E.g. when creating an aircraft, you enter the stall speed. When flying the aircraft, that, plus other parameters will be integrated and the plane will stall at that speed.

In X-Plane, you can't do that. You have to build your aircraft from a series of airfoils, each with its lift, drag, moment, AoA, etc, in each detail. Then you fly the plane. If it stalls at the POH indicated value you're either extremely lucky or extremely good at modelling aircraft. You have then to find out why it does what it does and work on hundreds of parameters until you come to the correct behaviour. X-Plane uses the so-called "Blade Element" theory to build its models. It is, in fact, a computerized wind tunnel. The scenery is not as nice as MS FS but for those interested in aviation modelling, it is IMHO the best simulator. If you have a joystick and pedals, it can also be a good way to learn to fly.

I have, in the past three years, refined the model of my Kitfox and learnt a lot in the process.



You can find a demo version of X-Plane at: www.x-plane.com

and my Kitfox model with 3D cockpit is at: www.x-plane.org

Or you can write to me privately if you want me to send the model directly.



Cheers,

Michel



do not archive

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_________________
Kitfox 3 - Jabiru 2200

wingnut

Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 356

Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 6:11 am Post subject: Re: Simulator WAS: Aft CG

Thaks for the Info. I will check out XPlane. 



Would you happen to know of a kitfox model for MS simulator? I ask because I happen to own that one.

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alnanarthur(at)sbcglobal.
Guest

Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 4:49 pm Post subject: Simulator WAS: Aft CG

Hi Michel,

My son has been flying with me in my Kitfox 5, and wants to do an X- 

Plane Kitfox.

Could you send us your copy  to use as a prototype.  Do you use  

keyboard or stick and rudder pedals?

I tried to find your model on  "www.x-plane.org"  but could not.

We are  on Mac OS 10 Tiger.

Allan Arthur

Kitfox 5, N40AA

Rotax 912s, Warpdrive 3 blade

Byron Airport, CA  (C83)  Hanger C8

On May 19, 2006, at 6:51 AM, Michel Verheughe wrote:

 	  Quote: 	

> From: wingnut [wingnut(at)spamarrest.com]

> Computer model? Can you post more info on that? Is it a custom sim  

> or a new plane

> model for an existing sim? Would it be possible for me to acquire  

> one?

 Well, as PC-based flight simulation, there is Microsoft Flight  

 Simulator, a well known best-seller and indeed, an incredible  

 program. But I have been, since 1998, using another, less known  

 simulator, X-Plane. For one good reason, X-Plane is made for both  

 the PC and the Macintosh, and I have the latter. But also for  

 another reason: we believe it has a better flight model than  

 Microsoft. Here is why: While MS FS does a very good job at  

 reproducing every detail of an aicraft, it bases its aero-dynamic  

 model on look-up tables. E.g. when creating an aircraft, you enter  

 the stall speed. When flying the aircraft, that, plus other  

 parameters will be integrated and the plane will stall at that speed.

 In X-Plane, you can't do that. You have to build your aircraft from  

 a series of airfoils, each with its lift, drag, moment, AoA, etc,  

 in each detail. Then you fly the plane. If it stalls at the POH  

 indicated value you're either extremely lucky or extremely good at  

 modelling aircraft. You have then to find out why it does what it  

 does and work on hundreds of parameters until you come to the  

 correct behaviour. X-Plane uses the so-called "Blade Element"  

 theory to build its models. It is, in fact, a computerized wind  

 tunnel. The scenery is not as nice as MS FS but for those  

 interested in aviation modelling, it is IMHO the best simulator. If  

 you have a joystick and pedals, it can also be a good way to learn  

 to fly.

 I have, in the past three years, refined the model of my Kitfox and  

 learnt a lot in the process.

 You can find a demo version of X-Plane at: www.x-plane.com

 and my Kitfox model with 3D cockpit is at: www.x-plane.org

 Or you can write to me privately if you want me to send the model  

 directly.

 Cheers,

 Michel

 do not archive

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

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