1. Why I developed the advanced physics version

I was asked via this forum, via PMs and also by e-mails to provide a modified version of the Alabeo C404 which can be used for serious multi-engine training. It should have accurate type specific performance for both AEO (all engine operative) and OEI (one engine inoperative), the latter for either a windmilling prop at various speeds and for a feathered engine. Feathering should work as realistic as possible.

Thus, I developed an advanced physics version of the Alabeo C404. Since I regularly do fly a C421C in real world and the C404 was available on P3D / FSX before the C421 was available, I made adjustments for mass and balance to be identical to the C421C, registration N100L, I fly. The C421C is very close tot he C404: same engines, basically same systems. The C404 is a C421 with a longer cabin and without pressurization.

The mod shows realistic physics for negative thrust (prop drives engine). This is necessary for OEI training and more realistic idle power simulation.

2. Where to download

The modifications to the “c404.air” and “aircraft.cfg” files,
aircraft data, equipment list, checklist and other documents for C421C, N100L can be found here:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/l53jcguv8cl5k66/AACb3apuLkX5pdYT6MI200Fxa?dl=0

Unfortunately, due to copyrights, I can’t upload the full files and can’t provide the AFM and other copyright protected documents.

3. How to install

To update “c404.air”:
- Copy the original Alabeo C404 to another aircraft folder, e.g. “C404 advanced physics”.
- Use AirEd (freeware) and open the original “c404.air”.
   Open AirEd a second time and open “modifications advanced physics c404.air”.
   Copy the modified tables 511 and 512 to the original .air file
   (right click in modification file -> copy -> right click on original file -> replace from clipboard)

To update “aircraft.cfg”:
Just copy the modifications to the corresponding position in the original file.

4. Legend of modifications

Modifications in aircraft.cfg:
- Basic Empty Mass (actual mass for N100L 5,154 lbs inserted; most C421C are more heavy, ours is on diet)
- correct basic data for engines + props
- engine friction included (necessary for all negative thrust scenarios)
- flaps lift + drag scalar adjusted (split flaps)
- VMO = 151 KIAS; VNE= 240 KIAS

Modifications in c404.air:
- implemented negative thrust scenarios in prop thrust and efficiency curves (tables 511 + 512); adjusted thrust curves for high TAS at high ALT

5. Side effects of modifications:

- more realistic engine starting:
starting the engine needs the throttle to be 2 cm above idle (see checklist) for the first 15 seconds

- if you start the engine and don’t retard the prop to medium RPMs immediately, you will overstress engine and prop. So be careful when doing an air start, you might lose the prop and the aircraft. (In the real aircraft, these effects are less severe, but you have to avoid high RPMs until the engine is warmed up and have to avoid rapid change of RPM.)

6. Additional Notes:

- Basic aircraft data as published by the manufacturer, like range and service ceilings, especially OEI, are based on MTOM.

- The use of high payloads close to MTOM and higher ambient temperatures are making for a more challenging OEI training.

- In the sim, climb power is too low compared to full power (about 65 % instead of 75 %). I have to find a way to adjust that. 

- I have buttons for engine failure under the mixture (see images)

- Seat Position is, like in many Aircraft, higher than as per Default by the sim. For the C421C and me being 5 ft 7 in, that's about 7 clicks arrow up.

Stay sharp!
Enjoy the training!

Best regards,

Andi

Greg

I just completed my first flight from Tupelo to Nashville at 15,000 feet. It flies like a dream. Autopilot gave me no trouble at all. 

Maybe you all should quit nitpicking tiny things. This isn’t supposed to be a study level aircraft. This is after all a game. 

And there is a DME too, but you can't switch over to NAV2.

Is this so, or did I something wrong?

This is the table from Teledyne:

I'm working on the entries for the C404 for RE, but there are a few I have no clue what they should be, Like Maximum Continuous MP lean, or rich.  Max Cont RPM lean, or rich. And all the METO settings.

Anyone familiar with typical operating temp, and or behaviors for this ac??

The parameters set by Alebeo are a little off.. max RPM is 2700 for example, and MP is 36,5, not 40.

My RE Par File:

[Config]
MaxValues=57

[Floats]
// *** MP RPM Limitations ***

// Engine MP/RPM Limitations ON by default
Value_00=1.
// Engine Roughness before Failure ON. Values: between 0=OFF and 1=always rough. Intermediate values are the probality the
// enngine will run rough before failure. The engine may also fail directly.
Value_01=0.8
// Maximum Continuous MP with Lean Mixture (in Hg)
Value_02=35.0
// Maximum Continuous RPM with Lean Mixture (rpm)
Value_03=2700.
// Maximum Continuous MP with Rich Mixture (in Hg)
Value_04=35.0
// Maximum Continuous RPM with Rich Mixture (rpm)
Value_05=2700.
// METO MP (in Hg)
Value_06=35.
// METO RPM (rpm)
Value_07=2500.
// METO Time-to-fail (min)
Value_08=15.
// Take-Off MP (in Hg)
Value_09=36.5
// Take-Off RPM (rpm)
Value_10=2700.
// Take-Off Time-to-fail (min)
Value_11=5.

// *** Engine Power Limitations ***

// Engine Power Limitations ON by default ?
Value_12=1.
// Engine Roughness before Failure ON. Values: between 0=OFF and 1=always rough. Intermediate values are the probality the
// enngine will run rough before failure. The engine may also fail directly.
Value_13=0.8
// Rated Engine Power (HP)
Value_14=375.
// Maximum Continuous Power with Lean Mixture (%)
Value_15=75.
// Maximum Continuous Power with Rich Mixture (%)
Value_16=75.
// METO Power (%)
Value_17=85.
// METO Time-to-fail (min)
Value_18=30.
// Take-Off Power (%)
Value_19=83.
// Take-Off Time-to-fail (min)
Value_20=5.

// *** Mixture State ***

// Engine Failure by Mixture ON by default ?
Value_21=1.

// *** Mixture Lean/Rich Limit

// Mixture Lean Limit ON by default ?
Value_22=1.
// Mixture Rich Limit ON by default ?
Value_23=1.
// *** Spark Plug Fouling ***

// Spark Plug Fouling ON by default ?
Value_24=1.
// Idle RPM: Below this RPM spark plugs foul. Plugs cleared at >=300 rpm higher.
Value_25=600.

// *** Gear Overspeed ***

// Gear Overspeed ON by default ?
Value_26=1.
// Maximum Gear Speed Vl (KIAS)
Value_27=153.

// *** Flaps Overspeed ***

// Flaps Overspeed ON by default ?
Value_28=1.
// Flaps Asymmetric Failure ON ?
Value_29=1.
// Maximum Flap Speed: Stage 1 Vfe1 (KIAS)
Value_30=190.
// Maximum Flap Speed: Full flaps Vfe2 (KIAS)
Value_31=190.
// Not used
Value_32=0.
// Not used
Value_33=0.

// *** CHT Limitation ***

// CHT Limitations ON by default ?
Value_34=1.
// Max Allowed Cylinder Head Temperature F
Value_35=460.
// Time-to-fail (min)
Value_36=5.

// *** Oil Temperature Limitation ***

// Oil Temperature Limitations ON by default ?
Value_37=1.
// Max Allowed Oil Temperature deg F
Value_38=240.
// Time-to-fail if Oil Temp is exceeded (min)
Value_39=5.

// *** Oil Pressure Limitation ***

// Oil Pressure Limitations ON by default ?
Value_40=1.
// Max Allowed Oil Pressure psi
Value_41=100.
// Time-to-fail if Oil Pressure is exceeded (min)
Value_42=5.

// *** CHT Model ***

// Aircraft-specific parameters

// Cruise speed KTAS of aircraft at 75% pwr, 0.083 F/A at cruise altitude - to scale results to NACA 1092
Value_43=175.
// Rated Take-off engine HP of aircraft (HP)
Value_44=310.
// Supercharger type. 0=none, 0.65=low blower, 1=high blower (may be tweaked)
Value_45=0.

// Tweaks

// Cooling pressure (inH2O) generated due to slipstream of propeller at idle (reference plane) - tweaking parameter to avoid
// overheat at idle)
Value_46=2.
// Cowling efficiency: Kcowl (default: 1)
Value_47=0.9
// Cowl flaps efficiency: Kcf (default: 1)
Value_48=1.
// Minimum F/A mixture ratio with full rich mixture - mixture lever at 100% ( default: 9.5)
Value_49=9.5

// Obsolete
Value_50=0.
// Obsolete
Value_51=0.
// Obsolete
Value_52=0.

// Calculate Oil Temp variable based on CHT ?
Value_53=1.
// Max Allowed CHT deg F - for scaling of Oil temp
Value_54=460.
// Max Allowed Oil Temperature deg F - for scaling of Oil temp
Value_55=240.

// CHT Model Calculations ON by default ?
Value_56=1.

[LVars]
// MP RPM Limitations
Lvar_00=RE1_MPRPM_ON
Lvar_01=RE1_MPRPM_RoughnessON
Lvar_02=RE1_MPRPM_MaxContinuousMPLean
Lvar_03=RE1_MPRPM_MaxContinuousRPMLean
Lvar_04=RE1_MPRPM_MaxContinuousMPRich
Lvar_05=RE1_MPRPM_MaxContinuousRPMRich
Lvar_06=RE1_MPRPM_MetoMP
Lvar_07=RE1_MPRPM_MetoRPM
Lvar_08=RE1_MPRPM_MetoTTF
Lvar_09=RE1_MPRPM_TakeOffMP
Lvar_10=RE1_MPRPM_TakeOffRPM
Lvar_11=RE1_MPRPM_TakeOffTTF

// Engine Power Limitations
Lvar_12=RE1_Pwr_ON
Lvar_13=RE1_Pwr_RoughnessON
Lvar_14=RE1_Pwr_EngineHP
Lvar_15=RE1_Pwr_MaxContinuousPwrLean
Lvar_16=RE1_Pwr_MaxContinuousPwrRich
Lvar_17=RE1_Pwr_MetoPwr
Lvar_18=RE1_Pwr_MetoTTF
Lvar_19=RE1_Pwr_TakeOffPwr
Lvar_20=RE1_Pwr_TakeOffTTF

// Mixture State
Lvar_21=RE1_MixtureState_ON

// Mixture Lean/Rich Limit
Lvar_22=RE1_MixLeanLimit_ON
Lvar_23=RE1_MixRichLimit_ON

// Spark Plug Fouling
Lvar_24=RE1_PlugFoul_ON
Lvar_25=RE1_PlugFoul_RPM

// Gear Overspeed
Lvar_26=RE1_GearOverspeed_ON
Lvar_27=RE1_GearOverspeed_Vle

// Flaps Overspeed
Lvar_28=RE1_FlapsOverspeed_ON
Lvar_29=RE1_FlapsOverspeed_AsymmetricFlapsFailureON
Lvar_30=RE1_FlapsOverspeed_Vfe1
Lvar_31=RE1_FlapsOverspeed_VfeFull
Lvar_32=RE1_FlapsOverspeed_Vfo1
Lvar_33=RE1_FlapsOverspeed_VfoFull

// CHT Limitation
Lvar_34=RE1_CHT_ON
Lvar_35=RE1_CHT_MaxCHT
Lvar_36=RE1_CHT_TTF

// Oil Temperature Limitation
Lvar_37=RE1_OilTemp_ON
Lvar_38=RE1_OilTemp_MaxOilTemp
Lvar_39=RE1_OilTemp_TTF

// Oil Pressure Limitation
Lvar_40=RE1_OilPress_ON
Lvar_41=RE1_OilPress_MaxOilPress
Lvar_42=RE1_OilPress_TTF

// CHT Model
Lvar_43=RE_CHTmodel_Vc
Lvar_44=RE_CHTmodel_HP
Lvar_45=RE_CHTmodel_Ksuperch

Lvar_46=RE_CHTmodel_qcidleR
Lvar_47=RE_CHTmodel_Kcowl
Lvar_48=RE_CHTmodel_Kcf
Lvar_49=RE_CHTmodel_FullRichMR

Lvar_50=RE_CHTmodel_Kt
Lvar_51=RE_CHTmodel_MinCHTChangeRate
Lvar_52=RE_CHTmodel_MaxCHTChangeRate

Lvar_53=RE_CHTmodel_SetOilTemp
Lvar_54=RE_CHTmodel_MaxCHT
Lvar_55=RE_CHTmodel_MaxOilTemp

Lvar_56=RE_CHTModel_ON
 

I've been flying a lot with this aircraft recently, and would like to use it in PFPX, but I simply do not know enough to make the profile and performance file for this aircraft. Does anyone have one made already?

Ans so far, I am enjoying it and could be a very solid product once the fews bugs are fixed.

Currently flying a Cape air route between Massena and Albany, and cruising at 10 000 with a nice 190 knots GS. With the ap now on, i have a few spare moments, so I wonder if this would be the appropriate spot to start asking our many talented painters for some requests?

I think a lot of Titan pilots would enjoy a Cape Air repaint. Understanding they fly 402s, but the 404 is close enough!

Here's hoping that the 404 gets the inspiration of painters going!

[

C404 TITAN
GEE BEE MODEL Z
Waco YMF5

I see that Aerosoft has already updated.

John

I enjoy this AC and most others from this maker, however one thing bothers me and that is i have to go in to the windows manager and manually change the VC Wndows and Instrument Reflections setting each time I fly the AC.  Is there a way to permanently change them  I prefer them off by default?  If there is no way to make this change then is there a macro file of some other work around that I could use?

Regards,

Tom

I recently did a complete software rebuild (reformatted drive) with a fresh install of Prepar3D v3.4. I did a fresh download of the Alabeo C404 and installed it. My first flight with the C404 with my normal takeoff trim set at the bottom of the T/O area resulted in an excessively nose high attitude and required most of the forward elevator to bring the climb under control. When in level cruise, the elevator trim is set about an inch above the top of the T/O area, well above what it used to be.

I can adapt to these new settings. I do use FSUIPC for all of my flight controls and I did check these were calibrated correctly. Has anyone else noticed problems with the elevator trim?

thanx,

Vic

Like me, most simmers think that icing is not active in FSX, so why need an OAT? Only when you forget carburettor or pitot heat, you have to deal with that. That is not true, as I discovered. So I also downloaded an ICE GAUGE from the avsim.net library. Filename: ice_gauge_pop_up_mod.zip. Installed it, and tested it. The zip contains a txt-file describing everything one needs to know about icing and the gauge.

Since my PC has two monitors, I use one of them for all 2D panels, the OAT and the ICE gauges. But even on a single monitor you can do it.

Both freeware gauges make my Titan fly a lot more realistic anywhere icing conditions are active.

Dirk

Cheers,

Chris B.

"Flapsdown"

re downloaded the file ver 1.1 from Alabeo and chose the 'browse' option, (ignored the bullets for the different flightsims)

Installed ok, also modified the gps to the GTN750.

bob

Where is the OAT gauge?

how many does it take to crew this plane? one pilot or do you need two?