Hello,

 

I'd consider myself a competent amateur so I may be missing something here, but here's my problem.

 

I'm flying the RealAir Turbine Duke and deciding to add a challenge to an already difficult scenario I've created, I opted to have the left engine completely fail mid flight. Unfortunately, when it does fail at my specified time, the flaps and landing gear stop operating due to the left generator no longer working. I've tried simply starting one engine, whilst parked, and operating the flaps and nothing; unless both engines/gens are running the flaps/landing gear don't operate.

 

I've tested the same conditions in the B60 Duke and the stock FSX Beechcraft twin engine aircraft and, as expected, no problems.

 

Am I missing something, or is this a bug that needs reporting to RealAir?

 

Thank you for any help.

Which 'bug' are you referring to? The engine failing, or the flaps/gear?

 

The engine is likely failing because you are running it too hard. I had literally this exact same problem as you describe and when I kept an eye on my engine gauges during climb, the problem went away.

 

Admittedly, what I was doing was setting the proper power/torque as I began my climb, but as the plane got higher it gradually slowed down. The decreased airflow and made the engine temp increase and viola, engine failure.

 

Keep your speed up as you climb be reducing your climb rate and keep everything in the green. Your first indication will be an oil temp light.

 

Another thing you may try is if you are always using the same saved flight (like do a flight, save it when you land, load it, do a flight, save it when you land etc) then try occasionally starting a completely fresh flight as well.

Thank you for the reply, but I think you've misread my post. I am purposely setting the left engine to fail with in the FSX 'Failure' tab.

 

Basically, the flaps and landing gear only operate when both engines are running, .i.e. both generators are on. The flaps will not operate if only one engine (generator) is on. Therefore, if I have an engine failure, planned or otherwise, the flaps/landing gear do not work. This is why I was thinking it may be a bug. No other twin engine aircraft I own exhibit this problem.

 

Thank you.

OK, I've just run a simple test which has shown that a complete failure of ENG 1 causes this flap/gear power problem.

 

Test as follows from Cold and Dark:

• Start both engines. All OK, (flaps/gear operating normally).
  
• Switch off ENG 2. All OK.
  
• Start ENG 2 again. All OK.
  
• Switch off ENG 1. Flaps/Gear operating normally until Prop RPM falls below 200rpm and then nothing. Toggle switches work but no flap/gear operation.
  
• Start ENG 1 again. All OK.
  

So, engine 2 failure causes no problems to flap/gear operations, but engine 1 failure results in flaps/gear not operating once prop speed falls below 200 RPM.

 

Strange but true. Must be a bug. Unless somebody here knows something I don't, I'll contact RealAir.

 

Thank you.

I recall reading this before. I couldn't find the thread though. I can confirm the issue with engine 1 being off and prop rpm being at zero (feather).

So, engine 2 failure causes no problems to flap/gear operations, but engine 1 failure results in flaps/gear not operating once prop speed falls below 200 RPM.

 

But can you try a thing? Backup the aircraft.cfg and then add

electric_always_available=1

to the [electrical] chapter. See if that changes anything on the behaviour. If not, just revert back and forget that we ever spoke about it. :lol:

Thank you for letting me know. I've contacted Rob at RealAir with this problem and I'll update this thread as soon as I hear anything.

 

Thank you.

But can you try a thing? Backup the aircraft.cfg and then add

electric_always_available=1

to the [electrical] chapter. See if that changes anything on the behaviour. If not, just revert back and forget that we ever spoke about it. :lol:

 

You sir, are very welcome to fly my Duke any time you want. IT WORKED!

 

I have to assume this "fix" will probably affect other failures (of the electrical nature) not panning out as they should, but I'm happy to leave it like that for now.

 

Good man, God bless you.

Ref:

Aircraft.cfg file

 

flap_motor=4, 5, 12

gear_motor=4, 5, 12

 

So both the FLAPS and Gear are on the GENERATOR 1 bus. !!

This explains the current behavior. No GEN 1 - No Flaps or gear.

 

I do not have access to the REAL WORLD info, but it may well be that the FLAPS & GEAR should be on the MAINBUS (0)

 

ie

 

flap_motor=0, 5, 12

gear_motor=0, 5, 12

 

 

I just tried this, and it correct the issue, and would seem to now work in the way one might expect.

 

Flaps & Gear can be operated by battery if engines are not running.

If either engine is running and its Generator is On, then there is power on the MAINBUS, and the Flaps & Gear will operate, even if the battery is OFF.

The only way you will now NOT get power to FLAPS or GEAR, is a complete Power failure -- ie No battery power AND no Generator power.

 

As it was, if you had an engine one failure, you had no Flaps or Gear control -- not a nice situation to be in.

 

BTW: As added support for this change, the MS King Air 350 also has its FLAPS and GEAR on MAINBUS

 

-----

BTW: The above might be considered to be a more REALISTIC fix, rather than forcing everything requiring Electric to ALWAYS WORK, even if you have turned off the power intentionally.

 

ie Adding:

electric_always_available=1

night not be the best option, even if it "works".

but I think you've misread my post

 

I sure did, sorry !

Two worthwhile replies in one thread?! I think I'm going to enjoy my stay here at AVSIM, I'm not used to such civil knowledge within forums. :lol:

 

FSMP, thank you so much for your elaboration on CoolP's initial helping hand, very much appreciated. Both of you have been great! NoahBryant, thanks for your input, too, it's better trying to help than not help at all. ^_^

 

I'll have to update RealAir with this discovery, I'm surprised nobody has picked up on this before.

 

Thanks all.

I'm surprised nobody has picked up on this before.

 

So am I !!! :unknw:

 

Once you see it, it's really is so obviously wrong.

So am I !!! :unknw:

 

Once you see it, it's really is so obviously wrong.

 

Well yeah, but I'm more surprised that someone else with an engine failure didn't think it odd that both the flaps and gear had gone too! Maybe people don't specify failures often.

 

Keeping it short(ish); I noticed this anomaly after specifying engine 1 to fail after takeoff from Queenstown (NZQN), making a very short flight to Glenorchy (NZGY). It's a great little training flight, the airstrip at NZGY is tiny, so perfect for the Turbine Duke to show off it's beta range. Within minutes of departing NZQN the left engine went down and I'm excited over the coming prospect of landing on a sixpence with one engine. As I make my approach I realise my flaps and gear have gone as well, in real life I'd be really worry at this point, but thankfully the virtual world kept me calm! I circle and come in from the North (an easier approach, but hey, I was in deep trouble!) and line myself up, fighting with the rudder. I knew I had to land as close to the base as possible, I had no idea how far I would slide. My crash/damage settings are all on realistic so I had to come in low, I touched down yards from the base and begun to slide pass the two guys who like to hang out next to their car. They watched as I come to a stop about 20 feet from the trees at the end of the strip.

 

I was amazed I managed to belly land with one engine and no flaps. It made me laugh because in an earlier flight the ridiculous FSX crash detection system ended my taxiing because my wing touched a leaf on a bush!

 

FSX: It's crazy at times but sublime at others.