DC-3 Development Update 4: Systems simulation part I – Introduction

[ilias.tselios]

Although the ‘Gooney Bird’ is not the most complex aircraft in existence, the systems simulation has its own, unique challenges.

X-Plane offers a generic way to simulate systems, so most of the times, you have to expand or adapt with the implementation of extra logic(s) via the use of plugins. The developer adds complexity to systems, which most of the times it is about newer automations that does not exist in X-Plane “default logic”.

As you might imagined already, here the situation is almost the opposite. The added complexity has as target to reduce automation! Aircrafts from that era, do not enjoy automations we take them for granted in the recent years.

One example is the landing gear extension/retraction operation. In a normal aircraft, you manipulate a lever, and in the background, electromechanical components, do the job of extending or retracting the landing gear. In the DC-3, you actually operate the valve that sends hydraulic fluid to the one or the other side of the hydraulic cylinder to retract or extend the landing gear, leaving aside (for now, we will talk about it in the future) that you have to manipulate up to 3 “things” to complete the operation!

This leads us to the need to override X-Plane’s behavior with our custom one. Building the proper logic requires knowledge not only of how the systems are operating, but also intricate details, beyond of what is written in the manuals. We are very honored to enjoy the help and advises from a guy that both flew and maintained DC-3s and C-47s! His insights drives us to add a huge amount of extra details in the systems simulation side, way more that we had originally planed. So if you have the question “why the update takes so long?”, now you have your answer.

Because examples help understanding, here is another one that might shed light upon the level of detail we are putting in, something we’ve already shared in our discord channel. Those old aircrafts are equipped with some old generators that must come up to temperature to provide the maximum amount of voltage they can. Taking into account various factors (environmental, time in operation, etc) we calculate another factor that plays role in the generator output, and if will connect or not to the main bus (despite if you have put the switch to ON position), as function of the voltage regulator, which we also simulate.

That’s all for the introduction of the DC-3 systems. In the next updates we will look closely every system and its operation. While I am trying to post updates as dense as possible, sometimes you have to progress the work first enough, and then talk!

Stay safe and enjoy flight simming!

[tomstar]

Hi Ilias,

but the update is active on DC3 of X Aviation?

Thanks Tommaso

 

[ilias.tselios]

2 hours ago, tomstar said:

Hi Ilias,

but the update is active on DC3 of X Aviation?

Thanks Tommaso

 

If you mean if it as available on X-Aviation store, it is not yet. If you mean if it is on active development, yes very much!

[StefanH75]

I still have hope that the release will be prior to XP12  .... impatient I am 

[ilias.tselios]

1 hour ago, StefanH75 said:

I still have hope that the release will be prior to XP12  .... impatient I am 

XP12? We may assume that is coming, but who knows? I'm eager (just for fun) to say "will be released with XP12", but what if the new version has no more serial number, and be just... 'X-Plane"? Then we can postpone release ... indefinitely! 

 

[Rivegauche610]

Do you have a newsletter we can subscribe to so as to keep on top of your progress? Once it is available, I would certainly buy it.

[ilias.tselios]

5 hours ago, Rivegauche610 said:

Do you have a newsletter we can subscribe to so as to keep on top of your progress? Once it is available, I would certainly buy it.

Newsletter, not. But you can go here https://forums.x-pilot.com/forums/forum/242-douglas-dc-3-v2/, and on the right top side is a 'FOLLOW' button. Click it and you'll get a list of option to get informed when something new is posted here.

[Goran_M]

X-Aviation, as a store has a newsletter.  But you will need to subscribe to it to receive them.  Go to your X-Aviation account and click on "Email Notifications".