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Nice twin coming our way

Rimshot

By Rimshot
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Hotspot Life Member

Hotspot

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Great island hopper and tourer for our beloved FTX scenery  ;D

They were a great little twin in PNG on the short one way strips, carried a good load of cargo and/or Pax, and it all happened at 65knots (best angle of climb and  engine out climb speed), as well as being quieter than the C206  :D

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kiwikat Senior Member

kiwikat

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I can keep you guys posted for as long as I am on the project.  It is going well as of now.  The flight model is very good as is the external model.  Ernie Alston has created an awesome version of the KLN-90A for its cockpit too.  The rest is progressing nicely. 8)

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Singletracker Senior Member

Singletracker

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Having flown an Islander for a brief period, I still laugh when I read this  ;D

Britten-Norman BN2 XL

By a well-known ‘Flight magazine’.

Undaunted by technical realities, the design team at Pilatus Britten - Norman has announced plans for the BN2-XL, promising more noise, reduced payload, a lower cruise speed, and increased pilot workload.

We spoke to Mr. Fred Gribble, former British Rail boilermaker, and now Chief Project Engineer. Fred was responsible for developing many original and creative design flaws in the service of his former employer, and will be incorporating these in the new BN2-XL technology under a licensing agreement. Fred reassured BN-2 pilots, however, that all fundamental design flaws of the original model had been retained. Further good news is that the XL version is available as a retrofit.

Among the new measures is that of locking the ailerons in the central position, following airborne and simulator tests which showed that whilst pilots of average strength were able to achieve up to 30 degrees of control wheel deflection, this produced no appreciable variation in the net flight of the aircraft. Thus the removal of costly and unnecessary linkages has been possible, and the rudder has been nominated as the primary directional control. In keeping with this new philosophy, but to retain commonality for crews’ transitioning to the XL, additional resistance to foot pressure has been built in to the rudder pedals to prevent over-controlling in gusty conditions (defined as those in which wind velocity exceeds 3 knots).

An outstanding feature of Islander technology has always been the adaptation of the O-540 engine which, when mounted in any other aircraft in the free world (except the Trislander) is known for its low vibration levels. The Islander adaptations cause it to shake and batter the airframe, gradually crystallise the main spar, desynchronise the accompanying engine, and simulate the sound of fifty skeletons fornicating in an aluminium dustbin. PBN will not disclose the technology they applied in preserving this effect in the XL but Mr. Gribble assures us it will be perpetrated in later models and sees it as a strong selling point. "After all, the Concorde makes a lot of noise" he said, "and look how fast that goes."

However design documents clandestinely recovered from the PBN shredder have solved a question that has puzzled aerodynamicists and pilots for many years, disclosing that it is actually noise which causes the BN2 to fly. The vibration set up by the engines, and amplified by the airframe, in turn causes the air molecules above the wing to oscillate at atomic frequency, reducing their density and creating lift. This can be demonstrated by sudden closure of the throttles, which causes the aircraft to fall from the sky. As a result, lift is proportional to noise, rather than speed, explaining amongst other things the aircraft's remarkable takeoff performance.

In the driver's cab (as Gribble describes it) ergonomic measures will ensure that long-term PBN pilots' deafness does not cause in-flight dozing. Orthopaedic surgeons have designed a cockpit layout and seat to maximise backache, en-route insomnia, chronic irritability, and terminal (post-flight) lethargy. Redesigned "bullworker" elastic aileron cables, now disconnected from the control surfaces, increase pilot workload and fitness. Special noise retention cabin lining is an innovation on the XL, and it is hoped in later models to develop cabin noise to a level which will enable pilots to relate ear-pain directly to engine power, eliminating the need for engine instruments altogether.

We were offered an opportunity to fly the XL at Britten-Norman's development facility, adjacent to the British Rail tearooms at Little Chortling. (The flight was originally to have been conducted at the Pilatus plant but aircraft of BN design are now prohibited from operating in Swiss airspace during avalanche season). For our mission profile, the XL was loaded with coal for a standard 100 N.M. trip with British Rail reserves, carrying one pilot and nine passengers to maximise discomfort. Passenger loading is unchanged, the normal under-wing protrusions inflicting serious lacerations on 71% of boarding passengers, and there was the usual confusion in selecting a door appropriate to the allocated seat. The facility for the clothing of embarking passengers to remove oil slicks from engine cowls during loading has been thoughtfully retained.

Start-up is standard, and taxiing, as in the BN2 is accomplished by brute force. Takeoff calculations called for a 250-decibel power setting, and the rotation force for the (neutral) C of G was calculated at 180 ft/lbs. of backpressure.

Initial warning of an engine failure during takeoff is provided by a reduction in vibration of the flight instrument panel. Complete seizure of one engine is indicated by the momentary illusion that the engines have suddenly and inexplicably become synchronised. Otherwise, identification of the failed engine is achieved by comparing the vibration levels of the windows on either side of the cabin. (Relative passenger pallor has been found to be an unreliable guide on many BN2 routes because of ethnic consideration).

Shortly after takeoff the XL's chief test pilot, Capt. Mike "Muscles" Mulligan demonstrated the extent to which modern aeronautical design has left the BN2 untouched; he simulated pilot incapacitation by slumping forward onto the control column, simultaneously applying full right rudder and bleeding from the ears. The XL, like its predecessor, demonstrated total control rigidity and continued undisturbed. Power was then reduced to 249 decibels for cruise, and we carried out some comparisons of actual flight performance with graph predictions. At 5000 ft and ISA, we achieved a vibration amplitude of 500 CPS and 240 decibels, for a fuel flow of 210 lb/hr, making the BN2-XL the most efficient converter of fuel to noise after the Titan rocket.

Exploring the Constant noise/Variable noise concepts, we found that in a VNE dive, vibration reached its design maximum at 1000 CPS, at which point the limiting factor is the emulsification of human tissue. The catatonic condition of long-term BN2 pilots is attributed to this syndrome, which commences in the cerebral cortex and spreads outwards. We asked Capt. Mulligan what he considered the outstanding features of the XL. He cupped his hand behind his ear and shouted "Whazzat?"

We returned to Britten-Norman convinced that the XL model retains the marque's most memorable features, whilst showing some significant and worthwhile regressions.

PBN are not, however, resting on their laurels. Plans are already advanced for the Trislander XL and noise tunnel testing has commenced. The basis of preliminary design and performance specifications is that lift increases as the square of the noise, and as the principle of acoustic lift is further developed, a later five-engined vertical take-off model is also a possibility."

Still a classic  ;)

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Hotspot Life Member

Hotspot

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Having flown an Islander for a brief period, I still laugh when I read this  ;D

Still a classic  ;)

Brilliant - reminded me of the near death experience of the chief pilot of a PNG charter company while taking off on a bush strip - as he applied full power the seat collapsed, landing him flat on his back with no hope of getting up unaided. Luckily he had a beefy pax who, with his left arm hauled the pilot upright while steering the aircraft down the strip. They staggered into the air and continued the flight! The Islander was well maintained and had been bought new by the charter company  - but the seat failure was a design fault.  ::)
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maxter Life Member

maxter

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Excellent, thanks for letting us know...

BTW, not ever having purchased anything from Alphasim, could anyone please like to comment on the quality of their products.  I always found their website a little amateurish and sadly that kept me from trying their possibly excellent products.

Cheers and thanks,

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kiwikat Senior Member

kiwikat

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The quality of the products has drastically increased this year.  AlphaSim has gone from basic models to fully featured virtual cockpits.  Check out pictures of the T-34C if you want an idea of what the Islander's quality will be.  That being said, the islander will be BETTER than the T-34C.  Each release we have, we get better IMHO.  If you'd like to experience a sample of what the Islander has in store, you can check out the Long-EZ (which happens to be REALLY cheap due to the economy).

I've got the Islander in the sim right now and it looks outstanding.  It will be a real treat when it is finished.  It is to have a FULLY functioning virtual cockpit (every switch, lever, and knob (perhaps minus the breakers... haven't decided on those yet) will work as it does in the real aircraft),  full 3D gauges, it has an accurate flight model, the textures are accurate (down to nearly every rivet!), and it will show off the first real complex system AlphaSim has included with an aircraft- the KLN-90A.

EDIT: If you have any questions I might be able to answer, please PM me.  I don't like discussing this sort of stuff on other developers' forums.  Even though we aren't really competitors, it still feels awkward...

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maxter Life Member

maxter

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EDIT: If you have any questions I might be able to answer, please PM me.  I don't like discussing this sort of stuff on other developers' forums.  Even though we aren't really competitors, it still feels awkward...

Thanks for the information, it's much appreciated.

Cheers and all the best with the development and launch.  I'll be looking forward to the release.

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Hotspot Life Member

Hotspot

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Erm... Looks kind of awkward  ;D

After flying one in PNG for while I was wrapped in it as an aircraft to fly and the job it could do while remaining cheap to run  and reliably sturdy, given the surface on some of the strips. Despite it's looks I'm hooked enough to want to give the new 'model' a go. If only ORBX had enough time and people to do PNG!!!  ;)
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JohnE Advanced Member

JohnE

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I have to say I was never very impressed with Alphasim that is until last week when I purchased their T-34C Turbo Mentor. All I can say is WOW!! they really have come a long way with VC quality and systems are getting there. It appears the Islander is built on the same gauge technology so I'm really looking forward to this one.

I really do recommend giving the AS T-34C a look IMO its just slightly a cut above Carenado's T-34B and faster  ;D

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kiwikat Senior Member

kiwikat

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Excellent stuff...  It would be great if someone could do a paint of this bird...  The Rottnest Airbus between YPPH and YRTI (Rottnest Island).

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Rottnest-Airbus/Britten-Norman-BN-2A-8-Islander/1249076/L/

I'll add it to the list of liveries to be included in our freeware paints pack.  There's new previews on the Unofficial AlphaSim forum every day lately.  So if you are interested in updates and pictures, feel free to check-in over there.

I can't wait for AU Red to be completed... It will be great flying across the outback in the Islander. ;D

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maxter Life Member

maxter

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I'll add it to the list of liveries to be included in our freeware paints pack.  There's new previews on the Unofficial AlphaSim forum every day lately.  So if you are interested in updates and pictures, feel free to check-in over there.

I can't wait for AU Red to be completed... It will be great flying across the outback in the Islander. ;D

Excellent, thanks a heap.  Do I call you Mr Kiwi, Mr Kat or or Mr Kiwikat  :D

Great stuff, cheers and all the best.

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Old Archie Life Member

Old Archie

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I can't wait for the Islander to be completed... It will be great flying the Islander across the outback of AU Red.   ;)

Touché

Haha, sorry Kiwikat, I could not resist being a cheeky bugger.  Any idea on the chances of a pre christmas release at this stage? And how much she is likely to cost?  Thanks mate!  ;)

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kiwikat Senior Member

kiwikat

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Haha, sorry Kiwikat, I could not resist being a cheeky bugger.  Any idea on the chances of a pre christmas release at this stage? And how much she is likely to cost?  Thanks mate!  ;)

It keeps the thread interesting. ;)

A Christmas release is looking a bit doubtful at this stage but Dan continues to impress me with his work, so who knows.  Cost should be similar to what the T-34C is, but I have zero control over that.

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