Simviation Forums

Hi,

This is my first post because I need your help to allow me to finish my first freeware Aircraft's VC/misc. upgrade.

It's based on this freeware aircraft found here:

https://simviation.com/1/search?submit= ... LS&x=0&y=0

This is the description of the Aircraft:

"FSX PA-42 Piper Cheyenne 400LS (Category: FSX > Props)
Zip file preview
9.79Mb (8572 downloads)

FSX PA-42 Piper Cheyenne 400LS. The PA-42-1000 Piper Cheyenne 400LS is a high performance pressurised turboprop corporate aircraft seating up to nine passengers & is powered by two 1000shp AiResearch (Garrett) TPE-331-14A engines normally driving four bladed Dowty rotol propellers, this model features improved performance five blade constant speed composite MT-propellers increasing max speed to over 400 knots. Gmax model with detailed interior & full animation of major parts.Uses default B350 2D panel & VC. Layered PSD paintkit included. Model & master textures by Paul Craig. "

Again, it's by Paul Craig originally, but I wanted it to be better.

I've ripped out the beachking 350 VC

I reversed one propellor to be more accurate of the aircraft.

I added a better pilot from the Mallard TP aircraft.

I changed some misc. SDK stuff so that the pilot, chalks, and the red covers were shown releated to the master battery.

Most importantly, I put in a new totally redesigned VC that is 90 pecent complete.

Includes, new yokes, new middle console, new overhead console, redesigned dash, added gauges, levers, and buttons.

I have tried to make this as close to the design of the real aircraft found in pictures and videos on the net.

In order for me to feel good enough to release this freeware, I need to redo some things.

Here is my list:

1. redo dash warning/master/alarm/lights
The Annunciator panel for the Cheyenne 400LS is impossible to find. I am missing about 14 lights.
I would have to buy the service manual for 14 bucks for this freeware but I was hoping (as to the reason of this post) that someone has or knows the complete layout of the Cheyenne 400LS Annunciator panel.

2. redo engine and fuel gauges
I'm using the old Beach gauges, but I have the real gauge pics, and it shouldn't be that hard to switch them around to be used.
3. redo yokes
The trim tabs and buttons need to be put on them.
4. redo overhead panel
Higher quality background pic, better SDK programing for specific buttons.
5. redo ap hdg knob
The AP is complete with green indication readouts, showing wheither each function is on or off, and the heading, ISA hold (fictional), and the V/S readouts are shown too.
The knob for the heading is only 2D and I would like to replace it with a rotational SDK funtional headding knob.


I can do all of the things above, but I don't want to make up the Annunciator Panel lights for the pa-42-1000.

I have the PA-42-720 maintenance manual( https://manualzz.com/doc/58872011/piper ... nce-manual ) that shows the Annunciator Panel for that aircraft but it's not exactly like the pa-42-1000.

I need to redo some stuff that can't be in this version, and I still have to get the oks for the authors of the parts that I used to allow me to release this freeware aircraft.

So far, I need the oks of Paul Craig, everybody on the MallardTP, Commander685, de Havilland Canada DHC-7 (FSX),LOCKHEED L-188, and Howard 250 Trigear. (there might be more)

To my understanding, it is not against any law to have this for myself only. I have NOT distributed any of it to anyone.

Hey all,

I'm kinda disappointed in the lack of interest in this project.

Free aircraft anyone?

There are some hurdles but I'm sure we can get over them if we work together.

I am hoping someone might be able to either get the annunciator panel or have the orginal authors post their ok on this project.

If you know the authors that I listed above, ask them to post their reply about using some of their work in this one.

I have completed a new 3D AP heading knob.

Here are some screen shots of the VC and the new 3d AP heading knob.

Hi All,

Just checking in and letting you guys know that I'm still hoping someone has the annunciator panel layout.

I also finished the engine gauges, so now instead of the default B350 gauges, they are exactly like the real cheyenne 400LS.

I think I'm going to replace the b350 IAS gauge to the real gauge too.

If you have suggestions of something else to be done, let me know.

Whelp, Enjoy!

Hey all,

I have finished the redo of the overhead, and It's ok, but no air conditioning, tables, speaker holes, window shades, file cabinet, or fridge. I would have to redo the whole cabin for that and there is much more important things I have to get done first.

I think since I have no access to taxi or landing lights now, I have to redo the yokes next. The yokes on the 400LS has a switch on the yokes for both taxi and landing lights. I would also like to include 3d buttons and trim levers, but I'm not sure about their functionality.

I'm still hoping someone has info on the annunciator front panel, but I have the complete layout of the optional Collins MAP-65 mode annunciator panel, which will be done before the front panel.

I am still also hoping someone will contact the original authors and ask them about using their work, as I would like to remain anon.

On a side note, I installed strobe lights, the beacon light, cabin lights, and panel lights. I have fixed the aircraft bounce when on the ground, tuned the engines for non runaway startups, tuned the engines for realistic altitude air speeds with the 5 bladed prop, and tuned the engines for constant velocity taxi movement. It's got buttons for switched GPWS with altitude call-outs, GPU/select, auto-feather, prop sync, engine de-limiting, and emergency avionics. I even got push buttons for test functions, if I get around to figuring out what each one does.

Hope you like the new cabin paint job, I always liked tan interiors although I might change it around later if I redo the cabin.

Here some near final pictures of the VC and the exterior with a different pilot.

some that didn't load...

As far as I can see a very nice project.

This might be interesting but as I am not familiar with a real Cheyenne 400 I do not know if the FDG developers have
used the specifiactiions of the real aircraft:

http://www.fsd-international.com/Hangar ... %20POH.htm



Regards

Hi Flanker256,

Thank you for your complement and your suggestion for the annunciator panel.

I was hoping for a more realistic source like either the manual or a picture of a real cockpit.

Here is an example of a 400LS cockpit showing some of the lights of the annunciator panel.

This is a startpage anon link as the picture is too big

https://us-browse.startpage.com/av/anon ... e35c803523

In fact, after reviewing this picture from my websearch, I found 3 new lights on the panel that I had to guess at before using the pa-42-720 annunicator panel from the manual I have for that plane.

I will be researching what "ECS OFF", "RIGHT/LEFT IEC OFF" means and what I can do in FSX to make them workable.

So in a way, because you inspired me to do a search again, I found a new picture with more lights visable for the annunciator panel.

Thanks again!
-sourcecharge

Any update on the project?

Good project! I'm surprised with all the images available did you find a good enough shot?

hey guys,
I'm in contact with a real 400ls driver, and I'm hoping he can tell me what "ECS OFF", "RIGHT/LEFT IEC OFF" means.

I am still waiting to hear from the orginal author Paul Craig as well as the other authors of the freeware that I've used to upgrade the 400ls.

Just a heads up, I've also redone and fixed alot of the problems of the 777-300ER/LR/9. If Chris Evans and various other authers want to give their ok on the release of a 777 versions that has been fixed in multiple ways, I would release that too..

Just a list of thing I did:
Trim lever location and movement range
PFD upgrade
MFD upgrade
Side Flight display upgrade
Autopilot functions/panel fix (sorry no vertical flight programing)
removed ground taxi bounce
completely functional upper control panel with all buttons/switches that are usable.
added camera views
jetway relocation
probably alot of the small stuff that never go addressed. (there was alot)