Aerosoft CRJ 700/900 Released!!!

[JYW 2,984]

2 hours ago, Chapstick said:

Haven't heard any. 

Speaking of sounds, I think it's funny that they included sounds of the F/O coughing but couldn't bother including call outs like V1, rotate, etc. 

Lol!   I thought that too.   It is a nice plane but I feel it does need a few more bells and whistles to compete with what we're used to today.   The V1, VR call outs being a good example.

[Mitch24 194]

If I'm correct, the CRJ has no auto throttle? So you must manually adjust the speed throughout flight? 

If that's the case, why do they bother putting the speed hold in the autopilot section ..

[GHarrall 494]

39 minutes ago, Mitch24 said:

If I'm correct, the CRJ has no auto throttle? So you must manually adjust the speed throughout flight? 

If that's the case, why do they bother putting the speed hold in the autopilot section ..

Its a speed hold on elevator. You use it in the climb or descent only. Go through the tutorial. You really need to......

[JRBarrett 3,078]

2 hours ago, Mitch24 said:

If I'm correct, the CRJ has no auto throttle? So you must manually adjust the speed throughout flight? 

If that's the case, why do they bother putting the speed hold in the autopilot section ..

It is a pitch-based IAS hold function, where the aircraft's speed is controlled by pitch, and the rate of climb or descent is controlled by thrust. It is used all the time in the CRJ - especially in climbs. 

[Mitch24 194]

After flying the CRJ for a little bit, I definitely think they could improve on the sounds. I would say they are OK. Def room for improvement.

On the other hand, I think the external model is probably one of the best I've seen. I think it's extremely well done. 

[HighTowers 1,434]

Im finding the throttle adjustments challenging. More to do with my old X52 being noisy probably. The speed is up and down alot and doesnt really settle in on an N1 setting.  Im not talking about wind speed changes and direction. With constant wind component, still have to really watch it. A precise throttle hardware im sure makes a huge difference. 

The speed mode on descent really sucks. Its a whole lot easier to meet any constraints with V/S and adjust your speed by other measures. 

Agree about the sounds. They are ok but seem a little lackluster. 

[The Dude 113]

1 hour ago, HighTowers said:

 

The speed mode on descent really sucks. Its a whole lot easier to meet any constraints with V/S and adjust your speed by other measures. 

 

As in the real aircraft yes.

[JRBarrett 3,078]

1 hour ago, Flyer024 said:

As in the real aircraft yes.

There are three r/w CRJ pilots active on the Aerosoft forum and they all agree that V/S is the preferred mode for descents in the real aircraft by far.

Speed mode in climb however works very well, due to the FADEC equipped engines. You can simply leave the power levers in the CLB detent, set your desired climb speed on the AFCS, and the aircraft will do the rest.

Clean "non-spiky" hardware throttles are a must for the CRJ, because speed control in cruise requires being able to make precise, small adjustments.

[GHarrall 494]

Same as the q400 really. Climb in IAS, descend is VS. 

Lot safer that way too.

[JYW 2,984]

6 minutes ago, GHarrall said:

Same as the q400 really. Climb in IAS, descend is VS. 

Lot safer that way too.

Great point.  Yes, SPEED is used just the same as IAS in the Q400, especially as neither have autothrottles.

For any PMDG NGX flyers who are struggling with SPEED mode, it's also essentially the same as FLC / FL CH (flight level change) mode, except that FLC is linked to the autothrottle, so sets N1 on climb and idle on descent.     CRJ SPEED mode climbs and descends in the same way as FLC (using pitch against a ref speed), except that because there's no autothrottle, you have to ensure power is set appropriately yourself.

[Guevorkyan 69]

In escence, in SPD mode, the CRJ will pitch up or down to meet the speed selected.

If you are over that speed, then the CRJ will pitch up to reach that speed. If your speed is below what is selected, then it will pitch down until reaching it.

If you have TOGA power, and then you select a lower IAS, then the CRJ will pitch up like crazy. You simply have too much energy so better come back on the throttle. On the other hand, if your throttle is set at 70% N1 or so, and select a higher IAS, the CRJ will pitch down but it may not ever reach it if you don't add power!

Now, if you are at your selected speed, in a climb, if you add power the CRJ will pitch up to maintain IAS and, thus, increase climb FPS.

If you are on a descent, locked on selected IAS, and substract power, CRJ will pitch down and therefore increase descent FPS.

 

It is really a team operation between you and the CRJ. Keep in mind that power manages rate of climb/descent. CRJ will try to lock the selected IAS by pitching up or down, but you have to help it! 

[The Dude 113]

4 hours ago, JRBarrett said:

There are three r/w CRJ pilots active on the Aerosoft forum and they all agree that V/S is the preferred mode for descents in the real aircraft by far.

That is what Hightowers and me are saying Jim. And do not forget the 6 RW CRJ pilot beta testers we have that are not part of the wide beta team. 

[Christopher Low 5,354]

As far as I am aware, most of the aircraft that have ever been built do not have autothrottles. Should it not be a simple process to fly a plane without one?

[Chock 17,769]

12 minutes ago, Christopher Low said:

As far as I am aware, most of the aircraft that have ever been built do not have autothrottles. Should it not be a simple process to fly a plane without one?

Yup, sounds like a few people could do with some more time in a Cessna 152 and a bit less time in a B737.

[JRBarrett 3,078]

9 minutes ago, Christopher Low said:

Should it not be a simple process for experienced virtual pilots to fly a plane without an autothrottle?

It is... except even some highly experienced virtual pilots nonetheless have most of their experience on simulated aircraft with more automation than the CRJ provides.

As I mentioned in another post, having good quality hardware throttles is quite important for best results in the CRJ - especially in cruise. Noisy throttle axes will make it frustrating to set N1 precisely.

Disabling the hardware throttles and using the F1 through F4 keys actually works quite well for throttle control for those who may have dodgy hardware throttles.