Couple of problems with Trident in FSX

[Highlander_821]

I'm really starting to think that there is some gauge, ini, or cfg type of file left over somewhere from a previously installed version of this plane that is causing this. I am pretty sure that I'm correctly installing the files from Dave's website properly, and plane, panel, sounds, etc are all showing up as they should. The smoke is there, but won't stay on. I think that if just knew where the 'bad' files were and could get rid of them and do one more clean install of the plane, it might solve these weird little niggles.

Maybe an earlier version placed a gauge file or something like that in the MSFS/Gauges folder? It seems that the current version only uses gauges that are in the panel folder now, but maybe I have a duplicate gauge or two that are causing the trouble.

[Garry Russell]

HI Highlander

The smoke is conditional and only appears at very high RPM at lower settings it won't be very visible if at all, is that what you are seeing?

[DaveB]

Hiya Highalander

10 out of 10 for sticking with it mate

As far as I'm aware, ALL of DM's stuff goes into the folders that come with the download.. none go sneaking off. As for the smoke.. this is linked to a control gauge (invisible) and is based on percentage of engine rpm. So.. when you're at takeoff thrust with the go levers open.. you'll see smoke. As the throttles are pulled back or A/T reduces thrust for the selected speed.. the smoke will lessen then stop. Dirty as Speys were (or could be) on the ground and at takeoff.. they cleaned up shortly after I can't remember the exact percentage of rpm the gauge works at but it's quite high.. perhaps as high as 94-95% or higher so don't worry if you don't see smoke all the time

EDIT.. Sri Garry, we crossed posts Had a look at the xml and 92% N2 is the dirty starting point

ATB
DaveB

[MALTBY D]

Just like the autopilot azimuth control does to me when I'm on the ground.

I can answer that one!
That is normal behaviour, Azimuth Master is cancelled automatically when on the ground.

The chaps are right about the smoke, it's RPM controlled, so if you're under that RPM it will continually turn smoke off.
And if it is now hunting and locking on to the preset altitude, then I guess you have a fully functioning model.

It is interesting that it seems like the previous version would not lock altitude in FSX. I've never replicated this odd behaviour, but I have heard similar before in FSX.
David Kernow, who flys with the VA here, notes 'phugoids' or 'nodding' in the cruise quite a lot in his flight reports. He's an FSX pilot, not Trident, but he reports it quite regular with Comet & 1-11.

It may be worth checking that you don't have any 'DM_Trident.cab' file in the Gauges folder. I think the one in the normal 'DMFS Shared Files' folder would take presidence, but I'm not sure.

DM

[Highlander_821]

Just like the autopilot azimuth control does to me when I'm on the ground.

I can answer that one!
That is normal behaviour, Azimuth Master is cancelled automatically when on the ground.

The chaps are right about the smoke, it's RPM controlled, so if you're under that RPM it will continually turn smoke off.
And if it is now hunting and locking on to the preset altitude, then I guess you have a fully functioning model.

It is interesting that it seems like the previous version would not lock altitude in FSX. I've never replicated this odd behaviour, but I have heard similar before in FSX.
David Kernow, who flys with the VA here, notes 'phugoids' or 'nodding' in the cruise quite a lot in his flight reports. He's an FSX pilot, not Trident, but he reports it quite regular with Comet & 1-11.

It may be worth checking that you don't have any 'DM_Trident.cab' file in the Gauges folder. I think the one in the normal 'DMFS Shared Files' folder would take presidence, but I'm not sure.

DM

Hi Dave! Thanks for posting. OK, good on the azimuth master being cancelled on the ground. The older version that I used to have allowed me to activate on the ground. I guess then the only other thing that I am having trouble with is with the AP pitch wheel. With the previous version, once I set the altitude acquire function with the flight director on, I could set the pitch wheel to a few degrees up, and the flight director bar on the horizon gauge would move up. Then after takeoff when I engage the autopilot paddles, the AP would hold that preset pitch initially. Just like the azimuth switch, it seems to work OK once I am airborne. I also used to be able to turn the autothrottle on, then spin the speed adjust wheel up to 250 knots, and use that to take-off. Now it is like everything else. I have to set takeoff power manually, then once airborne I can adjust the speed to where I want it and it works. Does that all sound like normal behavior for the current version?

What was funny about the altitude hold function with the previous model was that it would level off and hold 6000 feet just fine. And that's all I asked it to do for a long time. I was getting familiar with the plane by just flying it on short IFR flights between Glasgow and Prestwick. So I never had any need to go above 6000. I just discovered the issue about not being able to lock onto higher altitudes.

[DaveB]

Hi Highlander

Odd things for sure.. I've never been able to select A/T speed using the control wheel on the ground.. it has always returned itself to zero. I honestly didn't think it was programed to work on the ground. A very quick try and it works as it always did.. for me at least. Takeoff using throttles then at the desired airspeed, A/T on. The 3 digits in the window will already be reading the current airspeed when selected and you tweak the control wheel from then on.. throttle selected, not IAS or MACH. Funny what different setups throw up isn't it!

ATB
DaveB

[Highlander_821]

I just did another couple of tries and I have still problems with the autopilot pitch control. I already have the acquire mode on with the flight director with my desired alt dialed up. After take off, gear up, get stabilized, retract some flaps, accelerate a little, turn on autopilot, and it starts climbing at an insane pitch, no control over it with the pitch wheel on the AP.

[Highlander_821]

I don't see any gauges with the 'DM" prefix. There are a few that start with 'dsd', but I think those are a generic type of gauge.

[DaveB]

Hi 821

All the panel and sound folders for the Tridents (and DM's other models) should be inside the folder DMFS Shared Files which in turn should be in your aircraft/airplane directory. Inside the panel folder will be the file you describe plus DM_Trident.cab. That single cabfile contains all DM's gauges in xml.

ATB
DaveB

[MALTBY D]

Does that all sound like normal behavior for the current version?

Yes, that sounds good, hardly any A/P functions work on the ground.
Also sounds normal for all older versions too though! I guess your older version was broken.

This newer version was mainly updates to improve VC visuals, along with a few minor fixes for certain FSX related bugs.
If you had a very old version (2005), the updates do mention a fix for oscillations with alt hold. Could it have been that?
http://www.dmflightsim.co.uk/updates.ph ... DENT_PANEL

As for using A/P during takeoff. It wasn't done on these aircraft.
In maximum automation the Trident was A/P on at 500ft and then it could be flown automated until it landed.

There's no need to preset pitch. When you engage 'Alt Acq' the current pitch will be held until you change the pitch wheel (or engage IAS hold).
IAS hold was the normal mode for the climb. Keep it at climb power (11500 RPM?) engage IAS hold and gently adjust required speed. It then takes care of vertical speed for you. Once in IAS mode, Alt Acq can also be engaged.

DM