FSX-MS Investing more into FSX, Majestic Dash 8 Q400 Pro.

[VeryBumpy]

Looks like I'll have to wait many more years before additional, feature rich, classic, non-GA planes in FS2020 (and FS2024) get created.

So yup, a plane and Brussels X.

Even though I really don't care for turboprops, all I hear about this plane are positive things. I plan to enjoy many months (years?) learning this new plane with a GSX version that doesn't double load times.

Any tips with this plane?

[Bob Scott]

2 hours ago, VeryBumpy said:

Any tips with this plane?

It's one of the best add-ons ever made for FSX/P3D.

Tips?  Carry power through touchdown.  It's got fairly high wing loading, and it'll drop out of the sky when you pull the power off.  They don't call it the "crash-8" fer nuttin'!

With regards to GSX, it doesn't play well with the Dash-8 because Majestic does the flight dynamics external to the sim, so a GSX pushback that tries to move the sim clashes with the external FD engine, which is also doing real-time positioning of the sim.  GSX also didn't do port-side baggage loading...dunno if that's changed or not.  I generally dispensed with GSX when flying the Q400.

[scianoir]

I would echo the comments above but also add that the Q400 has probably the best attempted replication of the operation of a turboprob engine in FSX. Turboprop engine operations are notoriously badly modelled in FSX but Majestic have somehow managed to get closer to replicating it than arguably any other developer.

Bill

[VeryBumpy]

Been reading, jeez this is a high tech bird with lots of acronyms of new to me.

• I see failures and maintenance are a feature. How does one use, monitor and implement these? The info appears to be very sparse on this.
• Are visual ice buildup and ice affects on plane control fully realized in FSX?
• Lots of special tiller control mentions, can I not fully steer the plane while on the ground with the usual rudder controls?
• How do I check and know if I have the latest update version of this plane for FSX?

Interesting there is no auto-throttle, no speed hold and no autoland on this crazy tech plane.

[JRMurray]

10 hours ago, VeryBumpy said:

Lots of special tiller control mentions, can I not fully steer the plane while on the ground with the usual rudder controls?

On the P3D version, you have to set the tiller control through the control panel, which runs externally.

You can choose to use the mouse to control the tiller, but doing so is awkward--trust me ... from personal experience. You can map the tiller to either the aileron axis or the spoiler axis. The reason you can't use your rudder pedals to steer fully on the ground is answered in Majestic's FAQ found here. Majestic chose to model steering on the ground with the rudder pedals, but only in a very small range (-8° to +8°), since that is how they're used in real life. Since the aileron is useless on the ground, Majestic chose to map the tiller to the aileron axis (and that I what I use, in fact).

So, to steer on the ground, you have to use your aileron (like steering a car, even though it feels weird in the sim) or you have to map your joystick axis to the spoiler axis.

[sloppysmusic]

I purchased the plane a couple weeks ago and excitedly read all the manuals and printed out checklists. In p3dv5 though I could not complete a flight after a whole week of dedicated attempts due to minor but sim breaking bugs. Aerosoft kindly refunded me mainly because the initial download they supplied was years out of date and flawed on a modern machine. As the plane was designed for fsx and ported over I expect you'll be fine. 

Steering was a pain even with fsuipc axis filtering for spoiler axis. If you combine with rudder steering and differential braking it's not a serious issue though. Just more new muscle memory is all! 

I really wanted it to work as I like the flows and after the pmdg j41 it's way less likely to burst into flames during a crucial phase of flight. You need prepare way ahead of approach and expect multiple go arounds especially in the first flights. You can't just jiggle the power levers to correct your descent rate or approach speed. You either nailed it or bailed it. 

Absolutely not a boring plane to fly, the attention to detail is commendable you can see why it has such a high reputation. 

I wish I'd got it for fsx now but I'm not buying new planes for that sim anymore. It's my Md11 simulator (and a2a Connie) , the best you can get in 2024 hands down unless the view OUTSIDE OF the cockpit is more interesting to you. 

Edited September 6 by sloppysmusic
Oops sorry Connie!

[scianoir]

21 hours ago, VeryBumpy said:

Interesting there is no auto-throttle, no speed hold and no autoland on this crazy tech plane.

Most turboprop regional airliners do not have these features in the real world. You can use the IAS selector on the AP to safely maintain your speed during climb but in cruise you have to adjust the power to an appropriate level to maintain your desired speed. As such it demands a bit more attention than flying a Boeing or Airbus but that can be quite refreshing at times!!

Bill