A question about the Lockheed SR-71

[ILS_Idiot]

Hi everyone!

I'm new here, and recently found this site when I went around looking at possibly getting new scenery for my FS2002.

I really hit the motherload here, for scenery and other stuff I can use.

I've been a FS fan for a few years now, and by looking at all the wonderful scenery work that people have done for places I haven't even thought of,  I am amazed at the number places I still haven't been to in the FS.

Anyway...to my question...I downloaded the LockheedMartin SR-71a Blackbird, (actually just got a newer version today), and I'm having two problems (not really with my PC, but with the plane itself).

How do I activate (or maybe more importantly, deactivate) the afterburners? I notice a lot of the plane DLs don't seem to come with flight operation instructions. At between 45000 and 50000ft, I start losing speed and going into a stall.  I really want to try to get it up to the 80000ft mark.

Also, I noticed at flight levels above 50000ft the plane starts to bank to the left and right all the time. Is there something I can do to stop this or is it normal behavior for this aircraft?  Please note that I don't use a joystick, just the keyboard.

I would appreciate any advice anyone has to offer.

Ray

[WebbPA]

Hi and welcome.

Yes, you hit the motherlode here, and THE FRIENDLIEST FORUM ON THE NET.

Without knowing exactly which SR-71 you downloaded, and since you don't have a stick with a throttle control it's difficult to diagnose your problem.

I have a new SR-71, probably the same one you have, and I fired it up out of curioisity.

The usual keyboard command for afterburners is Shift-F4, but it had no effect on my plane.  I have modified the panel, though, to add afterburner indicator lights, and I could see them come on when I pushed the throttle (on my stick) to full.

If I had more foresight I would have pushed the throttles up with keyboard commands but I don't know which commands to use.

It's probably safe to guess that ab's are on when you push the throttle to full.  If you want visual confirmation, and assuming you have the ab effects properly installed, you can see them from the Spot Plane view.

Planes don't handle well near or above 50,000 ft.  Mine rocks but if I switch of the autopilot it smooths out.

Climbing is another big problem.  At that altitude you have to climb either:

a. Very slowly, about 500 fpm - there just isn't enough air density to climd, or

b Step climb - get up to 50,000 feet, wait until your airspeed climbs, then go up another 500 or 1000 feet, wait until your airspeed climbs, Repeat.

Whatever system you use, it takes a VERY long time to get to 80,000 feet.  I'm usually satisfied with 50,000.

[ditto58]

Regarding high altitud handling, the real SR71 was apparently virtually unflyable without autopilot.  I assume if the model is at all like the real thing it probably is best to fly it on auto.

[chief1995]

Hey Webb,

Which SR-71 do you recommend for fs2002? I have been looking to try one.

Thanks,

Chief

[WebbPA]

I use this one http://www.simviation.com/fs2004military13.htm  I find it easier to fly and land than earlier models.

You will need to modify the panel a little for it to work properly in FS02.

[chief1995]

Jim,

I don't have that much computer expertise. I am afraid of modifying anything. I wouldn't know where to start.
But thanks anyway!

Regards,

Chief

[ILS_Idiot]

Hi Jim, Chief and everyone...

Um, I'm not sure exactly which one I downloaded, I will have to go back and check that when I have some time. But I know that I started looking at the military planes near the beginning of the older files, and then I found the new one I got a few pages up from there.

As far as running on auto-pilot, I was pretty sure that I was, but maybe I need to look again. It could have been off.

How do you go about modifying the panel? I was just grateful to have found an SR-71 with a working panel of it's own, and that it seems to work.

The first one I tried came with a panel for the 747. Then I had found a panel file for SR-71 and put it in, but it actually cut out portions of the outer scenery with a blacked out area. I got rid of the whole thing, which is why I took the one I have now. I do miss the Playboy Bunny head on the tail though.

And I am a very patient person, so I might just try the slow way to 80000ft.

Thanks guys!

[ILS_Idiot]

Jim, this is the first one I downloaded:

Lockheed-Martin SR-71a "BLACKBIRD" 'rapid rabbit'
By Richard Barker

And this is the second one I got (complete with some details from the Readme file):

Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird for Flight Simulator 2002


--------------------------------------------------------------------
Example: Tail numbers 17962, 17972, 17976, 17980

Operated by:  Detachment 1 (Kadena Okinawa Japan), Det 4 (RAF Mildenhall, England), 9th Strategic Reconnaisance Wing, Strategic Air Command
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Recommended panel: Excellent Panel by Vanessa Leightower (search Simviation on SR-71)

Recommended sounds: By Mike Hambly in his excellent Skunk works Blackbird (also on the Simviation searchable database)

NOTE: Both default to the standard Lear 45 provided by Microsoft.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Special features:

TEB ignition upon engine start
Full animation of Rudders, Landing gear, nosewheel, refueling receptacle by using F8 to open and F5 to close (one for the imagination!!!), New Afterburners, FS2K2 Taxi, landing and strobe lights .
Pilot and RSO in full pressure suits.
Vapour from the wings during takeoff/landing and other slow speed flight maneuvers.

New Features in this version:

New Drag Chute (more detailed and like real but not exact - within the constraints of FSDS)
Darker and improved textures
Touchdown effects
Reshaped knife edge and front windscreen to mirror more accurately real life

Brand new 30 sided engine nacelles featuring:

moving inlet cone dependant on airspeed
airflow sensor probes
animated tertiary air flaps - which when on the ground with the engines off are affected by gravity and the lower half drop down
better engine chine blending - made by using a one part chine and engine rather than the last version's two part
3 new tail textures!!!
moving exhaust petals dependant on thrust

Plus a dynamic virtual cockpit

This model uses a modified .air file adapted from the superb PSS model designed by Graham Waterfield. This was the only .air file that offers the high speed stability needed, together with low speed characteristics.

----------------------------------------

Do you think this will help you at all in determining why I'm having problems? Please let me know.

Ray

[chief1995]

I am trying to follow the trail on this SR-71. I found the panel thats recommended. Panel by Francisco Moreno, and it says "requires ACS-GPS98"  whats does this mean?

Chief

[Stratobat]

I am trying to follow the trail on this SR-71. I found the panel thats recommended. Panel by Francisco Moreno, and it says "requires ACS-GPS98"  whats does this mean?

Hey Chief,

I think ACS-GPS98 is a gauge.

http://www.simviation.com/fsgauges1.htm

Regards,
Stratobat

[WebbPA]

I've tested the SR-71 and a couple of other aircraft that have afterburhers and the ab's are all connected to the throttle.  When the throttle is pushed to the max the ab's kick in automatically.  You would need the effects installed in the aircraft.cfg to see the flames.

Plus, as I mentioned, I modified the panel a little to put in afterburner indicator lights.

I suspect the Shift-F4 is a legacy from the Concorde because that's the only aircraft where it works

[ILS_Idiot]

[quote]I am trying to follow the trail on this SR-71. I found the panel thats recommended. Panel by Francisco Moreno, and it says "requires ACS-GPS98"

[WebbPA]

Check your email.  I just sent the file I think you're looking for.  If it's not, try searching the asvim library.