AVSIM Panel Preview: Fokker 50

AVSIM Panel Preview
Fokker F50 panel

Rating Guide
FS2000 F50 Panel FS98 Panel.
	Panel Author: Espen Øijordsbakken
	Description: A good F50 panel getting better...
	D/L Size: N/A	Format: Zipped	Simulators: FS2000
	Reviewed by: Jonas Lundh, AVSIM Panel Reviewer
	Possible Rating Score: Preview — Not rated

Some years ago Espen released a Fokker F50 panel for FS98. The panel was a very nice piece of work, especially considering that this was Espen's first release for FS. As Espen was making all the gauges by himself he was able to customize them all for this panel. Judging from the images we show here, Espen is quite promising and clearly shows a big talent!

Now Espen is working on an FS2000 version of the same panel. Actually, as it seems, this will be far from the same panel. Just read what Espen tells about the coming features:

"The new version of my F50 panel will be a quite extensive update. All bitmaps have been overhauled to use 16 bit colors. All gauges are reworked, both the pictures and the code behind them. Some examples are the radio units; now they all work as in real life. You can chose to operate them in several different modes. Take the VOR radio for example: Available modes are off/on/radial and bearing."

Two night shots showing main panel and the pedestal.

Espen also promises to bring us some new innovations:

"The new version of the panel will feature a complete overhead panel. All systems such as cabin pressure, hydraulic pressure, APU, electronics and so on will be fully operational The goal is to get so many systems functioning that you should be able to use the real checklists.
In the previous panel there were no sounds; this version will have quite a few sounds in it. The buttons will have clicks, alarms will sound and you will have some voices as well, to mention some. There will be a pushback feature and a Virtual Copilot reading your checklists!"

Espen will also make vector gauges for the EHSI and EADI, a nice feature that will take some time. As are many other designers Espen is waiting for the SDKs. This is needed to dig deeper into the gauges to be able to implement things as startup. As this is a turboprop, the panel will almost surly work only in FS2000 Pro. Espen is unsure if it is possible to convert the new version to FS98, but who knows?

When will the panel be available? As Espen says:

"I don't have a clue"

A good hint is that it will take some months before it is time to release this magnificent looking panel...

Below you will find several screenshots of the upcoming panel. Visit The Fokker F50 panel project for the latest information.

Main panel at daytime. Espen has chosen the gray version of the F50 cockpit. The EADI and EHSI is not updated on this picture.

This is the center pedestal, all nav instruments is updated to work in different modes. ADF1 is in bearing mode, ADF2 is in test mode. ADF2 shows that the ADF units not is receiving any signals at all, that is why ADF1 not is showing any bearing data. Transponder" is also in test mode, when set to test it will show you altitude data that is transmitted when the transponder is in mode C.

ADF1 is tuned to an active frequency and is operating in bearing mode. (Center pedestal at dusk)

NAV2 is now active and working in radial mode. (Main panel at dusk)

Overhead panel - The aircraft is above 13000 feet, while cabin pressure is 3500 feet, (the dial in the lower left part) and increasing with 1500 fpm. The pressure differential is slightly above 3psi as seen with the red needle.

Credits

Several people have helped with the Fokker 50 Panel Project, and author Espen Øijordsbakken has listed most at his website. But Espen adds, "I would like send special thanks to Kjell Mathisen, Ingvar Tryggvason and Gaston Roca for their help in providing me with the details of the real Fokker 50. And also thanks to all the guys at the FPDA team."