Gliders towing : "beta" version |
Yes, you have well seen ! It is a screenshot taken in Fly! II of a single engine aircraft (a Swiss PA28 in this case) towing a glider (the Stemme for the needs of the DLL, because it is the only glider available in our knowledge).
No special effect !
And, of course, it is again a "holidays homework" of our friend Laurent, the DLL insatiable supplier of ROTW.
WARNING, this version is a "beta" just to take a little pleasure, all is not still finished, far from it.
How does it work ?
First of all, you must download the delivered files (after unzipping, evidently) in the good place, like it is said in the ReadMe:
- the DLL in /Modules/PC (sorry for our Macs friends)
- the POD in /Aircraft
Moreover you must have already downloaded in /Aircraft the Stemme POD you will find on Avsim.
The dll adds in the superior menu of Fly! II (the one which appears/disappears with the "space" key) a new menu: "Plugin" which contains only one element: "Gliders", element allowing to choose the number of gliders you want to tow (from 1 to 3 in order to don't overload the fps).
This made, your gliders are placed in the runway threshold which is opposite wind (the first described in the "Runways" base), in single file.
It is not very realistic, but it is a beta version and the realistic placement will be in the V1 (release announced very quickly).
Well, in this stage, you must select the tug: all the Fly! II planes can tow, because in this current state, the DLL is not very particular. But to keep a little seriousness, we advise you to use the PA28 (any version) which is the only which will give you the good feelings.
Now let's see the development of the towing:
1- we place the tug in front of the first glider to pull (in wheeling, not with the "slew" mode !)
2- with the "Backspace" key, we hang this glider (no, we don't see the wire) which stands in about 30m on the left of the tug
3- a notch of flap and maximum power to pull the whole and take off: in the good speed, let's go ! Be careful to don't do a great movement with the joystick, the sanction is sudden (I let you to discover it)
4- now you must climb the glider in its altitude of the departure flight, without losting a lot of time, the others wait
5- we are there almost...
6- that's good, a pushing on "Ctrl Backspace" and the glider came undone and takes its takeoff (in this version it goes straight ahead and lands in a field)
7- we don't resist to the pleasure to watch it more closely
8- what it is beautiful !
9- well, it is not the whole, the job it's the job, we must go down again
10- besides the following is already ready in runway threshold (in the V1, it will wait on the side that will allow to the tug to land in full safety)
11- a pushing on "backspace" and the second is ready to follow the same way: superb day !
So, if that tempts you ! Ready to go ?
NB: As indicated below, this is a test version, two versions are expected:
the V1:
- which will allow to choose his runway (preferably in grass).
- which will put gliders on one's side in standby.
- which will allow to gliders to do some circles.
the V2:
- which will give to gliders an "AI", will manage some "pumps" and do come back on the airfield.
- which should put online others gliders with different colors for each one.
- and... maybe again other things, patience !
Gliders towing: version v1 |
Here is the first complete version of this new feature developed for Fly! II by Laurent.
As expected, gliders line up on the side of the runway allowing to the tug to take off and land in safety.
It is always a grass runway which is choosen for gliders (if it exists one on the airfield of course).
Recall, the way of departure is choosen in function of the wind.
Only the PA28 suffers the weight effects of the glider (loss of power in takeoff and for the towing).
And what it is funny to place him in view from the glider (V key) for the towing and the release.
And a good exercise, once the glider dropped, consist to place himself next to him, and to follow him several instants (if you manage to follow it, this version simulates a search flight of "pumps").
Gliders towing: beta version v2 |
This evolution fixes the positionning default of the glider when it is towed by an aircraft with classic gear.
It adds moreover the AI to gliders which, since you dropped several, gather, spare oneself and turn together in the leader area.
Then, gliders land on the existing grass runway.
Laurent, in this version V2 has (finally) replaced the Stemme (which is a motorglider) by 3 "real" gliders with different colors.
Gliders towing: final version |
Here is the final version of this towing function. As you can see it, the product has been strongly filled out because the first Laurent's DLL has now a specific tug, the PA19 F-BOUK and 3 gliders in shimmering colors result of the work of our friend Leen.
The F-BOUK is in fact an aircraft based on the Megève altiport (French winter sports station very smart) which is as often equipped of skis as wheels. Leen made once again a remarkable painting work. This "towing" version is not the definitive version of this aircraft which must have a modified panel, but it is for later and it will be in the Aircraft heading (PA19 liveries).
Remak: the pages of the previous preparatory versions have been let on purpose to follow the evolution of this DLL.
As always, before installing this version, you must let nothing of the previous versions.
| Téléchargement - Downloading |
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Remorquage-final.zip (3.08 Mb) |