VERSION 2.00 FLIGHT DYNAMICS FILES FOR FFX/SGA B727-200 FREEWARE AIRCRAFT
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July 21, 2003

NOTES:

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CHANGES FROM v1.00 FLIGHT DYNAMICS FILES:
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- High-altitude, high-speed engine thrust curve has been modified.  The v1.00 flight dynamics limited the full power thrust to 87% of real B727-200 J-17R values at high altitudes (around FL370).  This led to some valid complaints in which the model would not maintain M0.82.  This has been corrected.  High-speed cruising at M0.82 is now possible except at very high weights.

- Flap drag, lift, and pitch factors were adjusted to reflect real B727-200 values observed during tests in a B722 full motion simulator. 

- A new, uniform center of gravity datum point is now common to all weight versions.  The new CG datum in these files was designed so that 93% of the total aircraft weight now rests on the main-rear wheels - or 4.143' aft of the aircraft visual datum point.  The v1.00 flight dynamics files had differing CG points, depending on the weight model used.

- Exterior lighting positions were reset to original FFX/SGA settings.

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RECOMMENDED FILES:	
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Since the release of the original flight dynamics files, many new and exciting files have become available to compliment this flight dynamics release.  Here are my choices for the best B727-200 simulation:

- Probst B727-200 panel.  Available as "rp727pn4.zip" at AVSIM.  April 24, 2003

- Probst / Fox Panel Upgrade Package for the above panel.  Available as "cfrp727.zip" at AVSIM.  July 6, 2003.  Fixes some panel issues/bugs present in the original "rp727pn4.zip", and adds some all-new XML programed v-ref speed tables to help you fly the B727-200 as realistically as possible.

- Probst "Simicon" Overhead Upgrade.  Available as "rp727ico.zip".  July 14, 2003.  A minor upgrade for the "rp727pn4.zip" panel which adds a clickable icon to the main panel to easily open the overhead panel.

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COMMENTS / FINAL NOTES:	
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One of the most common questions I receive is, "How does the flight dyanmics compare to the real B727-200?".  These files were designed and built from tests conducted in an actual B727-200 / JT8D-17R full motion simulator.  Every single aspect of the flight envelope was examined.  Although there are limitations to the accuracy of the MS FS2002 program in some areas, these files are "As Real As It Gets" for the B727-200 in FS2002.  Hundreds of tests were conducted over a period of 15 months, data was collected and then duplicated in the air file, and then testing validated the results.  Minor details, such as how fast the J-17R engines spooled, how fast the reverse thrust works, and hundreds of other small details are all accurately and faithfully reproduced.  I hope everyone enjoys the labor that went into producing these files!

I decided not to release v2.00 B727-200 flight dynamics for the Mike Stone model as I did with v1.00.  The reason for this is because the Stone B727-200 model uses 2 separate flap settings in the aircraft.cfg file to control the outboard and inboard trailing edge flaps.  In order to adjust flap drag parameters correctly, I had to use this "second" setting to customize drag factors.  This caused some rather strange visual flap effects in the Stone model - such as the inboard and outboard trailing flaps not working in a coordinated motion, although the model flies just fine.  If you want the v2.00 Stone B727-200 FD files, I will be happy to send them to you with a warning the exterior visual flap effects will sometimes appear strange.     

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CONTACT:
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PLEASE READ ALL THE README TEXT FILES BEFORE SENDING A COMPLAINT - THE ANSWERS TO ALMOST ANY QUESTION CAN USUALLY BE FOUND IN THIS TEXT FILE AND THE ATTACHED TEXT FILES INSIDE THE FLIGHT DYNAMICS FOLDERS.

Charles Fox
[email protected]
Texas, USA