The Beechcraft D18S Project

By Milton Shupe, Scott Thomas and André Folkers

 

FAQ's and Known Problems

Updated August 21, 2005

 

FAQ's

  1. Tail Wheel: The aircraft is hard to steer without pedals. Can I convert the castoring tailwheel to a steerable one?

    2. ANSWER: You can, but you are aware that shift+G locks the tailwheel for ground operations ? If you still want to eliminate the castoring, open your aircraft.cfg file with Notepad. Scroll down to the Contact_Points Section. You will see the following:

    //point.0 = 1, -19.904, 0.000, -0.637, 2200, 0, 0.33, 45, 0.51, 2.0, 0.50, 3, 5, 0, 139, 175.2

    //Replace contact_point.0 below with the one above if you want a steerable tailwheel

    point.0 = 1, -19.904, 0.000, -0.637, 2200, 0, 0.33, 180, 0.51, 2.0, 0.50, 3, 5, 0, 139, 175.2

    Replace the above lines to look like this:

    point.0 = 1, -19.904, 0.000, -0.637, 2200, 0, 0.33, 45, 0.51, 2.0, 0.50, 3, 5, 0, 139, 175.2

    This changes the tailwheel to be steerable.

  2. VC is too Dark in Shadows: The VC gets very dark during the day if you are facing toward the sun. Is there a way to brighten it so instruments can be read?

    3. ANSWER: There is a daytime VC panel light. You will find the Instrumentation Light (Tooltip Cabin Light) switch left of the Cowl Flap Light in the VC pilot panel. Meant only for daylight operations, be sure to turn it off when panel lights are on at dusk, dawn, or at night. This light is also handy at night to make adjustments. However, leaving it on destroys your night vision.

  3. How is the passenger door opened?

    4. ANSWER: The door can be opened using shift+e.

     

  4. Where is the AutoPilot?

    5. ANSWER: Right there … J

     

     

  5. Man, I can't keep this aircraft on the runway … it goes everywhere. Can you help?

    6. ANSWER: Yes, use the tail wheel lock for all ground operations. J As shown below or use the keybaord command, shift+g.

  6. Can we have a transponder please?

ANSWER: Yes, download these updates here. You can thank Scott Thomas for this extra effort. J

Known Problems

  1. Hobbs Meters Left Out of Package (VC Model Only): An oversight that is fixed by downloading this file. Follow installation instructions. Click Here to download.

    2.  

  2. Manifold Heat Levers Do Not Move: Change the aircraft.cfg file in the Piston Engine Section will correct this.

    3. From this: fuel_metering_type = 0

    To this: fuel_metering_type = 1

     

  3. Nav Radio Adjustment issues: Change the aircraft.cfg file in the Radios Section as follows:

    4. Nav.1 = 1, 1, 1
    Nav.2 = 0, 0, 0

    If yours work, do not do this change. J

  4. Some "Back" buttons are not functional in Checklists: Download replacement files here. Unzip to a temporary folder, then copy paste all the .htm files to the D18SVC aircraft folder.

    5.  

  5. The RPM gauge fluctuates wildly when set to 2000 rpm, 30". Is this a known issue or something unique to my version?: I have the same annoyance but see no real implications to performance. You can "tune" it out carefully with power and pitch minor adjustments.

    6.  

  6. Seeing through Deicers at night with lights on: Download, unzip and copy this lightmap to each of your texture folders. Click here for texture.

    7.  

  7. Inaccurate Overspeed Limits: Copy paste the following to the Reference Speeds section of the aircraft.cfg:

    8. max_indicated_speed = 223
    max_mach = 0.3461

  8. Uneven and incorrect night light maps for exterior surfaces: Download, unzip and copy these lightmaps to each of your texture folders. Click here for texture.

    9.  

  9. Startup flames texture missing: Download, unzip and copy the texture to your FS9/Effects/Texture folder.

NOTE: If you have the Howard 500, this is not necessary.