blackbird80k

In the Martin Mars, we forecast and planned a general burn/loss rate of 2 GPH per engine when flying on the fire, thus 8 GPH total per hour. Then again, when you are carrying between 90 and 120 US gallons in each engine oil tank 2 gph isn't all that significant ;-)

Christopher,Once the radials are warm and the oil has circulated and temperatures are "in the green", well, the fastest aircraft for years at Reno Air Races have often been radial powered beauties such as Rare Bear and others. I can tell you that when you take a handful of throttle (4 in my case) and dial up 10,000 HP (Wright 3350-24WA - Two stage supercharged, non-turbo'd, non-PRT) and when you dial up 15,000 HP (3350-95's on the CP-107 Argus, the Civil Variants were TC18DA's and EA's ) on the Turbo compound beasts the response is quite immediate.

Robert,You and the Team have done it!As a person who is endorsed on (no longer current) and flown one of the largest 4 engine radial powered, fire breathing, "OMG I think we're going to calve an engine!", "Grand Old Ladies" still in fine operating form on the planet (without a hell of a lot of grey hair to boot), and who has a love of technology as much as the next geek (makes my living in aviation SMS software and aviation safety) I could not disagree more with those who can't get excited about wielding a 4 engine radial beast around the patch! I've got jet trainer/ground attack time, 4 engine turboprop time (fastest on the planet), and gone supersonic....yet once you've felt, touched and lived with a powerplant that speaks to you and lets you know every bump in the road (and in the beginning, had a bloody "hockey puck" gyro to screw a person's SA up big time after coming off a glass cockpit....Well...It's like going to Oshkosh...if you haven't yet made a pilgrimmage to Mecca then you haven't really tasted aviation baby! Well done PMDG...With your Deep Sea 10, your 74 400 and your NGX 600-900 I couldn't say thank you enough already for boldly going to a place A2A is (and I have that too ;-) for those of us who know aviation is more than two blows...Four screws of smoke and thunder makes the heart pump....

Hand-on take-off, 200 KIAS or less circuit, and VFR PAPI approach to touchdown - spoilers, reversed, rolled out, cleaned up and taxied off with a big smile at Grand Canyon Airport

Folks,I've been with you for over 6 years as a loyal, dedicated and somewhat quiet afficianado. Your support has always been exceptional and your creative and exceptional attention to detail help to make this professional, passionate aviator's day just that much better. (Although my wife would have said something in the past, I think after 23 years of being with me in my over 32 year aviation career, she finally see's this isn't "just a game") This aircraft and her systems and her ability to integrate into our delightful FSX community as it does, are a remarkable achievment. You are all to be congratulated and commended for an exceptional and excellent experience! Now don't both me...I'm flying! ;-)