I have only recently installed the Dash 8Q-400 (yes, I know.....what the heck have I been doing all this time), and I have noticed that the aircraft rolls backwards at idle power with the brakes off. Is there a solution for this?

Ah, this seems to be realistic. I will have to get used to it!

Realistic it is... and very enjoyable. Don't forget to bring up the condition levers before you taxi, this will ensure they are un-feathered. (and stop you rolling backwards) 

Have fun!

Jd

 

I have also noticed that this aircraft is very light when taxiing. It is way too easy to turn when on the ground, which makes taxiing around corners a bit of a "back and forth" affair. Is that normal?

21 minutes ago, Christopher Low said:

taxiing around corners a bit of a "back and forth" affair. Is that normal?

Christopher, this thing turns around corners flawlessy but you must remember(not at this aircraft right now, but AFAICR)there is a tiller by the Capt's side that has to have the switch activated, and once done you will see it animate like in a real tiller. That linked to your joystick will give you that turning control.

One more question, Rick I assume that I need to access the FMC to change the approach callouts, but I can't see how to do it. I like my 50/40/30/20/10 callouts, but they are not active at the moment.

Christopher, having recently re-installed all my FSX-SE sim after a hard drive clean out, this is the one aircraft I did not re-load. The current OOTS II is keeping me fully occupied. However, the Majestic Forum will be able to help you out as they are so helpful, and will have all the answers you want.

I don't seem to be able to register at the Majestic Software forums. I have to submit my registration with an "invitation code", which I assume is the key code for my copy of the aircraft. Unfortunately, this does not work. I had a problem registering the product itself after installing it (JustFlight DVD version), and they had to send me a copy of the latest download version before it would work. Maybe they have a similar problem with my key code on the forum?

Hi Christopher. I too bought the Just Flight download version but had no issues registering at the Majestic Forum via that 'Invitation Code'. I cannot advise on your access to their Forum.

I'll try and re-install the aircraft and see if I can find a solution to your problem or will search in the Majestic Forum for an answer sans the re-install.

As you've sussed, the thing is suppose to roll backwards if you pop the throttles far enough in to the beta range, the solution is simply to move them forward a bit. Do make sure you have calibrated your throttle properly using the MJC84 CPAN, particularly the idle and disc points (you must have the Q400 loaded in FSX first before you can calibrate the controls, then reload the aircraft once calibration is complete)

For taxying, the rudder pedals give a small amount of nose wheel movement,+/- 8° which can be used to maintain centrelines. When you need to execute a proper turn, use the tiller which provides +/-70° (this is mapped to the aileron axis by default but you can change it in the Majestic control panel to the spoiler axis).

AFAIK you cannot change the radio altitude callouts, Majestic haven't implemented operator-specific options. To get some of the callouts, you must input a decision height.

You can obtain a Majestic forum invitation code by following their instructions at http://majesticsoftware.com/forums/discussion/1456/accessing-the-majestic-software-forums/p1

Good point Chris. You can actually hear the difference when you bring the props up a touch out of beta range. When I taxi, advance props a bit to get moving, when slowing down, bring them back into beta slightly which will slow you down (and you'll hear the props pitch change too)

Jd 

Yeah you can pretty much taxi it without using the brakes at all. The ground friction model is a lot better then default FSX too so it's possible to single engine taxi.

One thing that has helped me immensely, is invest in the training videos offered by Airline2sim. Haven't purchased the FO version yet, but just went through the whole Cadet series, and I couldn't believe how much I was able to find out about this aircraft and how to fly it. It's a big difference when you learn from a real world Q400 pilot, vs misinformation or lack of detail you get from many YouTube videos. I know folks have tried to do diligently read up and put out their videos of their own experience with the Q400, but they all admit they are not real Q400 pilots, and admit they may do things differently from someone else. However, the level of detail and explanation you get from Airline2sim is very valuable, and considering how many hours of videos they put out for the Q400, I find it to cost very cheap.

5 hours ago, specialist said:

invest in the training videos offered by Airline2sim

+++1

'their own experience with the Q400, but they all admit they are not real Q400 pilots'. Spot-on too.