This is the improvement project for the MSFS default G36. It all started as a simple edit of some configuration files but it has since grown into a fully-fledged modification that improves all aspects of the default G36 and introduces new features. This was made possible with the help of the community consisting of both enthusiasts and G36 pilots (for a list of contributors, see the end of this post).

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Current version: 0.61

HOTFIX 0.61 fixes autopilot offsets in some situations such as ILS approaches and V/S climbs

The 0.6 update adds an all-new engine start simulation to the G36, a working electric fuel pump, more activated and functional switches, updated flight dynamics, system improvements and better lighting effects. 

The patch for Robert Young's turbo-normalized version is temporarily unavailable until we find a solution that does not use any of the turbo-mod's files. Possibly in the form of written instructions.

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Features:

Flight dynamics/performance

• Adjusted climb and cruise performance to match the Bonanza G36 POH charts. 
• Adjusted flap and gear drag
• Slightly reduced pitch effect due to elevator deflection + propwash
• Slightly increased nosewheel steering angle 
• Added drag due to cowl flaps. This causes a 3-4 kts cruise speed loss.
• Decreased yaw sensitivity by lowering deflection rate as a function of speed 
• Increased overall stability: less 'twitchy' feeling

Engine & Fuel system

• Completely overhauled engine parameters: realistic fuel flow, mixture-EGT interaction, engine performance at all pressure altitudes.
• Simulation of the electric fuel pump
• More advanced simulation of engine startup:
  • Cold starts: correct use of the fuel pump, throttle and mixture required depending on engine and ambient temperature
  • Under some conditions, idling the engine too soon after start may cause it to quit.
  • Flooded engine: pumping too much fuel to the engine may cause it to ignite slower or not at all.
  • Flooded engine start procedure (mixture low/cut, throttle halfway) may resolve this.
  • A hot engine running idle with little airflow may quit because the fuel evaporates. (Hotstarts WIP)

Systems

• Added new working systems and switches:
  • Airco (has a negative effect on engine performance, you will see a few kts lower cruise speed)
  • Airco and ventilator switches are functioning and part of the electrical system
  • Annunciator test
• Electrical system overhaul: 
  • Completely revised electrical buses: all individual systems hooked up to the correct bus
  • Bus tie logic added
  • Correct voltage indications of BUS2 due to reverse current blocking diodes
  • Correct alternator loads
  • Made all indications smooth, rather than instant jumps to a new value
• Autopilot tweaks
  • Fixed holding the wrong altitude at non-standard atmospheric pressures
  • Max pitch and bank angles adjusted for smoother AP behaviour (Note in latest game update 1.10.7.0 this is broken for vs mode)
  • Added maximum and minimum IAS_ref speeds for FLC mode
  • Adjusted autopilot PIDs 
• Integration with the Working Title G1000 mod, with customized ENGINE, LEAN and SYSTEM pages.
• Completely redone G1000 annunciators: all annunciators of the real G36 were implemented (except for door open warnings)
• Corrected fuel gauge scale

Textures & effects

• Including the latest version of [Uwajimaya's lighting mod](https://uwajimaya.github.io/FS2020/) 
• Corrected decals (e.g. shoulder hardness -> harness)

Checklists

• Interactive checklists for every stage of your flight that follow the POH 

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Installation:

1: Download and install the latest version of the Working Title G1000 mod 

2: Download and unzip the folder 'z-bonanza-g36-improvement-project' in your MSFS Community folder

Important note: make sure that the mod is loaded AFTER the G1000 mod. Mods are loaded in alphabetical order. The release versions therefore have 'z-' at the beginning of the folder name to automatically ensure a correct loading order. For contributors: if you have installed the mod from your fork or local clone you have to manually ensure the loading order is correct.

This is what it should look like:

Download links:

Working Title Releases

G36 Improvement Project 0.61

Are you using or do you want to use Robert Young's turbo-normalized mod? Use the below patch, which only adds the system enhancements of the improvement project to the turbo mod. It should ne loaded after Robert's mod, which should happen by default if you haven't changed any folder names. NOTE: do not use in conjunction with the 'full' version of the mod! Either have the turbo-normalized version or the naturally aspirated G36 installed! You may want to try this solution to have them both, but this is at your own risk.

[ Release currently unavailable due to disagreement and miscommunication with original mod author ]

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FAQ's:

Q: I am not seeing the engine pages in the G1000?

A: Make sure to download the Working Title G1000 mod (download link on main page in the description). Also ensure a good load order as explained under installation instructions

Q: The manifold pressure shows 'NaN'?

A: Make sure to download the Working Title G1000 mod (download link on main page in the description). Also ensure a good load order as explained under installation instructions

Q: The mod isn't working?

A: First make sure the load order is correct as per installation instructions. If the problem persists, it is usually due to a conflict with another mod in the community folder. The best thing is to remove all other mods and slowly add them to see what causes the conflict. Aircraft, gauge and lighting mods are the prime suspects.

Q: The engine won't start?

A: Since v0.6, the engine start is modelled. Fuel must be pumped to the engines, cold engines need to warm up and overuse of the fuel pump and throttle prior to engine start may cause it to flood.  If you correctly follow the start procedures, the engine should almost always start on the first try, unless under extreme conditions. If your engine is flooded, setting the mixture low (~20%) and the throttle about halfway to clear the excess amount of fuel efficiently. Note in reality the mixture is cut for this procedure, but the sim is hardcoded not to start with the mixture at 0%

Q: My engine quits after landing?

A: Fuel may evaporate in a hot engine at low speeds and idle throttle. This could occur on a very hot day when coming to a stop after landing. Use of the cowl flaps on approach and landing is advised under these conditions.

Q: My engine quits right away when starting on the runway?

A: This mod is designed for cold and dark starts. The sim initializes the CHT as equal to the ambient temperature. Furthermore, the amount of fuel pumped to the engine initializes as 0. Hence, the engine start/run conditions are not met and the engine will shut down. Follow the start-up procedure to restart the engine.

Q: The annunciator test button is stuck?

A: This happens when you left click outside the clickbox and then hover your mouse over the button and release. Do the same thing to resolve the problem.

Q: The AC Blower switch doesn't work?

A: Unfortunately there is something wrong with the animation. We have to wait for Asobo to fix this, but since this button was (inop.) by default don't hold your breath. If you click it, it does actually work. You can see it increases the electrical BUS1 load slightly.

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Our contributors (by their MSFS Forum name)
FrettFS, CaptMatto, Coppersens, Uwajimaya, dciskey, Matchrocket, JuiceBox7535, jonasbeaver, Exp232, nickc95, GuiFarias31 and MrTommymxr (please contact me if you are not in this list while you should be!)

Special thanks to kaosfere4829 from the Working Title team for the cooperation on integrating the G1000 mod!

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There is a development build that includes the latest changes that we push to the git repository. Note that this build may have issues. If you want to join in on testing or development, please conduct your tests/make pull requests using this version.

G36 Improvement Project experimental branch

This sounds great, look forward to trying it later.  Thank you. 

Is this still being worked on? It’s really good. 

1 hour ago, Ianrivaldosmith said:

Is this still being worked on? It’s really good. 

I've not seen anything for a while.  My last downloaded version was the one above.  I ran it alongside Robert Youngs G36 turbo mod (you had to manually chop and change a few files to get them both to show in the aircraft selection screen).

They are both good in their own right.  Obviously the Robert Young turbo version has a bit more grunt and speed and is excellent at higher altitudes.  The Robert Young one still works alright even after all the latest updates. 

I haven't tried the non-turbo one for a bit due to me changing a few things around with my install, and losing my notes on how to get them to work together in the sim.  It is in a thread on here though somewhere.  I might give it a go again when I get time.

At one stage, it looked like they might collaborate and standardise the tweaks (other than performance of course) which would have been great to have them alongside each other.

Unfortunately, this didn't happen due to some differences in how to go forward with the project. ☹️

 

Here's the official thread for the Improvement Project on the MSFS forums - https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/g36-improvement-project-new-v0-61-update-03-11/216094

Latest update by CaptMatto:

Quote

We’ve not abandoned just taking a little break - I’m working on a new updated checklist and a in-sim POH in a custom window (accessed by top menu) 🙂

The dev version included some logic for engine start which simulates (or starts to) flooded engines etc.

If anyone gets any issues please do list them here; we’ll do our best to help 🙂 Been a bit innundated with work recently but have a little more time now to dedicate to the mod.