by Milton » Fri Dec 31, 2004 12:57 am
First, and most importantly, get the contact point data to match up with the visual model. You can get those coordinates right from your modeling program. Get gear coordinates from the bottom center of the tires tread with the gear fully extended and fully hanging. You can visually verify these coordinates by plugging them into the Lights section. Use a Nav light for best results.
Well you're collecting that data, you may as well get all the other coordinates you need for engines, lights, 25% MAC, crash points, etc.
Once you have the contact point data correctly set, then calculate your proper gear spring rates and damping. These numbers should be entered into the .air file, table 1004.
Main gear = gross weight * 2.72
Main gear damping = gross weight * .34
Center gear = gross weight * 2.04
Center gear damping = gross weight * .24
Finally, tweak your contact point static compression and max/static ratio so that the total movement possible equals your animated gear suspension movement (with a fully loaded aircraft).
Milton
Dash 7, Aero Commanders, Howard 500, D18S, Spartan, XP47J, Beechcraft A28 (Grizzly)