I've been digging deeper into the details of this aircraft.  There's a fair amount of interesting stuff.  I've finished a fairly detailed LINDA module for it (available from the library).  In the process, I've learned some things, some of which might be actually useful.

 

The reason the pressurization wheel gets stuck isn't a clickspot issue.  It's because the aircraft is sending constant "turn the wheel counterclockwise" messages to FSX.  Then it stops and the wheel works.  If you have LINDA, do a Reload LUA and it'll stop and the wheel will work. 

 

The DH on the autopilot works...a little.  It does set the DH value inside of FSX...it just doesn't do anything with it.  I've been reading the documentation I can find on the autopilot.  The autopilot itself is an S-Tek System 55.  All the docs for that stuff can be found here...

 

http://sharepoint.s-tec.com/Documentation/default.aspx?RootFolder=%2fDocumentation%2fShared%20Documents%2fPilot%20Operating%20Handbooks%20%28POH%29&FolderCTID=&View={8F6A92A7-621F-4E98-90E4-05EA73AE0A57}

 

Also, there's a video that shows the same info (not the greatest but informative) here...

 

The thing I was looking for is how the DH function works and it's interesting.  It doesn't work quite the same way in the sim version but the idea is this:  Multiply the number you see in the DH by 10.  So, if it says 20 then that means 200 feet...MSL.  So, as an example...let's say the decision height at an airport is 360 MSL.  You set the unit to 40  (The nearest hundred above the DH...e.g. 400)  The unit will alert at 450 and then, once again, at 350...50 ft above and below the value you set.  It makes a two-tone alarm and lights a light (probably that little red light in the upper right corner of the HSI) for three seconds.  It works the same way in a climb.  If you press the DH button the alert stops.  Now, the Carenado version allows you to set 10s digit (the real world one only lets you set hundreds...so, in the Carenado version you could set 360, I suppose, and it would alert at 360 and then again at 260.  *shrugs*  I've started working on an FSUIPC plugin that makes the sound alert.  I can't do anything about the little light.

 

It's also too bad that Carenado skipped the implementation of the Altitude Alert which, basically, works the same way as the G1000 altitude alert.  Would have been nice. 

 

I think if Carenado had done the autopilot right and fixed a couple of those pesky issues this would have been a highly rated airplane.  The coding isn't difficult on this and they could have used it on other airplanes as well.

 

Just in case you were interested.

 

Gregg

Gregg,

 

Thanks for this valuable information.

 

"It's also too bad that Carenado skipped the implementation of the Altitude Alert which, basically, works the same way as the G1000 altitude alert.  Would have been nice."

 

- I guess it is not possible to fix without a Carenado patch?

I can actually add that to the plugin I'm making.  The DH part is done.  The altitude part shouldn't be much more to add.  The thing I need to find is the sounds.  I can't upload the ones I have for other aircraft...that's a copyright violation.

 

EDIT:  I've added it to the code.  Initial testing shows it working well...works just like the altitude alerter in the Flight1 Mustang...in fact I used it's sound for the test.    I never noticed it before but the ALR shows in the autopilot window when you set the altitude and you can't turn it off. 

 

Gregg

Thanks for your digging, Gregg.  I'll be interested to see what you come up with.  Perhaps on the sounds you could offer suggestions from other planes that users might have.

 

Scott

Well, the only sound I've heard for the altitude comes from this video here.  Sounds identical to the F1 Mustang sound.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=joZgi-bM0Ps#t=78

 

The other sound, I admit is rarely heard on the videos and it's not clean on any of the examples.  BTW, note on this second video the sound only happens once and it is at DH...not 50 ft before it and not 50 ft after it.  It's a G1000 so, that could explain it.  I could do the implementation in either way.  If anybody has any ideas, or knows a PA46 pilot they can ask, I'm all ears.  Here's the vid.  DH there is at 890.  Note the two tone sound.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=BikBs9Ik2TM#t=212

 

As far as the plugin, you'd never know it wasn't built into the aircraft itself.  So, between this and the LINDA module I think all of the major issues are resolved except for the Annunciator panel.  That I don't think I can fix. 

 

If anybody has these sounds or can make them then that would be great.

 

Gregg

 

EDIT:  I didn't know this but, Reality XP makes a S-Tec 55.  Not sure if it works in this airplane and I'm guessing it doesn't work in P3D. 

I've created a sound file for the DH alert.  It's close to the original sound.  Seems like it would be easy to find an altitude alert sound.  I have it for the Mustang, B737 and, I believe the, DHC6.