DCH-2 Beaver rudder and landing gear controls

[stan 0]

I have just downloaded the beautiful Beaver package. Floatplanes are new to me and I thought its time I got into this aspect of flightsimming.

Does anybody know whether it is possible to see from any cockpit view, what the status of the water rudders, and landing gear in the amphibians are? It's easy enough to toggle Shift-W or G, but then you have to revert to spot view to see whether they're up or down.

Thanks

Stan

[bumprock 9]

I have just downloaded the beautiful Beaver package. Floatplanes are new to me and I thought its time I got into this aspect of flightsimming.

Does anybody know whether it is possible to see from any cockpit view, what the status of the water rudders, and landing gear in the amphibians are? It's easy enough to toggle Shift-W or G, but then you have to revert to spot view to see whether they're up or down.

Thanks

Stan

Yes, Stan, it is possible to see and control both the rudder and the leadnding gear from the cockpit.

The landing gear on the amphibian is operated by a lever on the lower right of the dash next to the flap actuator. It even has a little green light which goes on when the gear is locked and is clickable.

The water rudder cable is the red handle attached to the spring loaded cable on the lower left below the fuel switch. A mouse click will unhook it from the dash and allow the cable to retract to the floor.

[stan 0]

Yes, Stan, it is possible to see and control both the rudder and the leadnding gear from the cockpit.

The landing gear on the amphibian is operated by a lever on the lower right of the dash next to the flap actuator. It even has a little green light which goes on when the gear is locked and is clickable.

The water rudder cable is the red handle attached to the spring loaded cable on the lower left below the fuel switch. A mouse click will unhook it from the dash and allow the cable to retract to the floor.

Hi Bumprock - me again! We must be looking at different planes. I can't find any of the controls you mention on the Beaver amphibian - old or modern panels. The flaps are controlled by a slider switch on the top of the dash, and next to it is the cowl switch. Directly under the flap slider are the 3 instruments - airspeed, altimenter and attitude. Under the fuel switch there is no control. Just the rudders. I've checked this in both VC and 2D views, so either I'm missing something or looking at the wrong plane.

Stan

[Guest Hodge001]

Hi Stan

Assuming that the FSX version of the Beaver is the same as the FS9 version, the amphibians landing gear control is as “bumprock” said just below the radio stack (see pics), and the water rudder control is admittedly a little difficult to find as it can be obscured by the yoke but its just below the fuel valve control (see pic), and it drops to the floor when the rudders are in the water..

As I said, this is on the FSX Beaver, but I think that they are in the same place on the FS9 Beaver, I could be wrong though, it would not be the first time.

Jim Hodkinson

[Guest Hodge001]

Hi again Stan

I just thought that I would add that on the FSX beaver, you do get a clue as to the state of the water rudders, as the pilots side window goes down with the rudders, so it gets a bit drafty if you leave them down during flight.

Hope it helps.

Jim Hodkinson

[stan 0]

Hi again Stan

I just thought that I would add that on the FSX beaver, you do get a clue as to the state of the water rudders, as the pilots side window goes down with the rudders, so it gets a bit drafty if you leave them down during flight.

Hope it helps.

Jim Hodkinson

Hi Jim

The FS9 panels look entirely different from the pics you sent me. The panel actually cuts off below the fuel tank switch so you can't see anything below, and the flaps control is entirely different. See the attached pic. The flaps is the horizontal lever on top.

Stan

[Guest Hodge001]

Hi Stan

My apologies it looks like you’re correct, I can’t find any reference to either a water rudder gauge/switch or a gear retract gauge/switch.

But in the spirit of experimentation I have managed to add both controls using the standard Mooney UC gauge, and the MAAM DC3 water rudder gauge from AVSIM (see pic).

I have managed to get them into the VC, but they need a little more editing to get the placement a little better.

If you want me to I could finish the mod and post the panel.cfg entries you would have to make, just let me know, it’s not a problem.

Jim Hodkinson

[stan 0]

Hi Stan

My apologies it looks like you're correct, I can't find any reference to either a water rudder gauge/switch or a gear retract gauge/switch.

But in the spirit of experimentation I have managed to add both controls using the standard Mooney UC gauge, and the MAAM DC3 water rudder gauge from AVSIM (see pic).

I have managed to get them into the VC, but they need a little more editing to get the placement a little better.

If you want me to I could finish the mod and post the panel.cfg entries you would have to make, just let me know, it's not a problem.

Jim Hodkinson

Hi Jim

Wow, that would REALLY be great of you. I haven't fiddled with adding gauges yet so would really appreciate it. The Beaver Aerosoft package contains a variety of planes, and I am just wondering whether your additions would hold for all of them? You would know this better than me.

Thanks - and this isn't how you should be spending your Sunday, helping me - but I have found that that the flightsimming community is a special bunch, and for my part, when I see a posting from a colleague in trouble, it also gives me pleasure to help him. This is my first involvement with Aerosoft, and I am active on flightsim.com

Stan

Stan

[Guest Hodge001]

Hi Stan

Not a problem, remember that this is a totally unofficial mod, and is not supported by Aerosoft in any way,

That bit out of the way here goes.

Firstly download the MAAM water rudder gauge (I got my version from AVSIM, file name dcamaam7.zip) and add it to FS9 as instructed in the readme (just drop the gauge into the FS9 gauges folder really)

Then PLEASE backup the panel.cdg files for the Aerosoft Standard Wheels Beaver, and the Aerosoft Standard Wheels Modern Beaver.

That done, open the Standard Wheels panel.cfg file using Notepad or similar and add the following (all the gauge numbers should be the same as your entries, but just double check and change if necessary).

To the [Window00] section

gauge43=DC3_waterrudder_MAAM!WaterRudder, 81,729,70,214

gauge44=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Lever, 1500,590,27,102

gauge45=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Light, 1537,612,63,45

To the [Window01] section

gauge27=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Lever, 1493,736,38,102

gauge28=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Light, 1540,764,82,45

gauge29=DC3_waterrudder_MAAM!WaterRudder, 83,902,70,214

To the [Window02] section

gauge46=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Lever, 1282,406,38,102

gauge47=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Light, 1329,432,82,45

gauge48=DC3_waterrudder_MAAM!WaterRudder, 186,647,51,159

To the [Window03] section

gauge30=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Lever, 1287,579,38,102

gauge31=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Light, 1329,591,82,45

gauge32=DC3_waterrudder_MAAM!WaterRudder, 198,795,45,165

And finally to the [Vcockpit01] section

gauge11=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Lever, 377,55,9,57

gauge12=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Light, 399,60,25,21

gauge13=DC3_waterrudder_MAAM!WaterRudder, 19,140,16,119

And that’s it for that aircraft.

Now open the Standard Wheels Modern panel.cfg file using Notepad or similar and add the following

To the [Window00] section

gauge46=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Lever, 1282,406,38,102

gauge47=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Light, 1329,432,82,45

gauge48=DC3_waterrudder_MAAM!WaterRudder, 195,631,45,159

To the [Window01] section

gauge30=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Lever, 1287,579,38,102

gauge31=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Light, 1329,591,82,45

gauge32=DC3_waterrudder_MAAM!WaterRudder, 202,794,52,165

And again finally to the [Vcockpit01] section

gauge14=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Lever, 412, 136 ,11,68

gauge15=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Light, 434,141,25,31

gauge16=DC3_waterrudder_MAAM!WaterRudder, 33,89,16,93

The only thing with the virtual cockpit is that I had to move the U/C gauge into a slightly different position than the 2D cockpit for various reasons, one being that in the Standard Wheels Modern I could not find the room to match it up to the 2D panel position, in addition it may look a little odd as the U/C gauge is 2D gauge in a 3D panel, so it looks a little flat on the surface.

As far as I can tell, with the little checking I’ve done, this should cover all the variations of the Beaver, but if not just drop me a line.

Anyway if you want any of the gauges moving or replacing, just contact me and I’ll try my best to oblige.

Jim Hodkinson

[stan 0]

Thank you Jim, I'll let you know when I've done this. Much appreciated.

Stan

[stan 0]

Thank you Jim, I'll let you know when I've done this. Much appreciated.

Stan

Hi Jim

The gear control works, but the water rudder control is not visible. If you put it in the position of the FSX panel, it won't be apparent, because the area below the fuel switch is not visible. Look at the pic. I sent you. But thanks again, we're nearly there.

Stan

[Guest Hodge001]

Hi Stan

The water rudder control should be in the position shown in the picture, at the left of the airspeed and altimeter, not under the fuel valve control, it should also be in the same location for the lowered panel versions as well as in the VC.

The picture is from FS9 with the panel.cfg entries as described.

Jim Hodkinson

[stan 0]

Hi Stan

The water rudder control should be in the position shown in the picture, at the left of the airspeed and altimeter, not under the fuel valve control, it should also be in the same location for the lowered panel versions as well as in the VC.

The picture is from FS9 with the panel.cfg entries as described.

Jim Hodkinson

Hi Jim

I've obviously done something wrong. Here are the relevant entries my panel.cfg from the standard panel, which I simply copied and pasted from your post:

WINDOWS00:

gauge38=ASDHC2_Switch!Beaver_panelswitch_7, 1266,515,332,82

gauge39=ASDHC2_Switch!Beaver_panelswitch_5, 1278,711,319,297

gauge40=ASDHC2_Switch!Beaver_panelswitch_6, 895,558,362,87

gauge41=ASDHC2_Switch!Beaver_panelswitch_4, 886,679,361,175

gauge42=AS_NST!blub, 10,10,1,1

gauge43=DC3_waterrudder_MAAM!WaterRudder, 81,729,70,214

gauge44=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Lever, 1500,590,27,102

gauge45=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Light, 1537,612,63,45

WINDOWS01:

gauge23=ASDHC2_Switch!Beaver_panelswitch_5, 1280,874,311,281

gauge24=ASDHC2_Switch!Beaver_panelswitch_6, 886,703,376,99

gauge25=ASDHC2_Switch!Beaver_panelswitch_4, 879,828,375,170

gauge26=AS_NST!blub, 10,10,1,1

gauge27=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Lever, 1493,736,38,102

gauge28=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Light, 1540,764,82,45

gauge29=DC3_waterrudder_MAAM!WaterRudder, 83,902,70,214

WINDOWS02:

gauge42=ASDHC2_Switch!Beaver_panelswitch_7, 1272,521,324,79

gauge43=ASDHC2_Switch!Beaver_panelswitch_6, 889,553,367,76

gauge44=ASDHC2_Switch!Beaver_panelswitch_4, 883,675,370,181

gauge45=AS_NST!blub, 10,10,1,1

gauge46=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Lever, 1282,406,38,102

gauge47=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Light, 1329,432,82,45

gauge48=DC3_waterrudder_MAAM!WaterRudder, 186,647,51,159

WINDOWS03:

gauge27=ASDHC2_Switch!Beaver_panelswitch_4, 882,836,378,172

gauge28=ASDHC2_Switch!Beaver_panelswitch_6, 896,703,353,88

gauge29=AS_NST!blub, 10,10,1,1

gauge30=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Lever, 1287,579,38,102

gauge31=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Light, 1329,591,82,45

gauge32=DC3_waterrudder_MAAM!WaterRudder, 198,795,45,165

VCOCKPIT01:

gauge08=ASDHC2!AMP, 424,345,21,60

gauge09=Douglas_DC3!clock, 380,345,30,90

gauge10=ASDHC2!VOLT, 448,333,30,90

gauge11=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Lever, 377,55,9,57

gauge12=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Light, 399,60,25,21

gauge13=DC3_waterrudder_MAAM!WaterRudder, 19,140,16,119

[stan 0]

Hi Stan

Not a problem, remember that this is a totally unofficial mod, and is not supported by Aerosoft in any way,

That bit out of the way here goes.

Firstly download the MAAM water rudder gauge (I got my version from AVSIM, file name dcamaam7.zip) and add it to FS9 as instructed in the readme (just drop the gauge into the FS9 gauges folder really)

Then PLEASE backup the panel.cdg files for the Aerosoft Standard Wheels Beaver, and the Aerosoft Standard Wheels Modern Beaver.

That done, open the Standard Wheels panel.cfg file using Notepad or similar and add the following (all the gauge numbers should be the same as your entries, but just double check and change if necessary).

To the [Window00] section

gauge43=DC3_waterrudder_MAAM!WaterRudder, 81,729,70,214

gauge44=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Lever, 1500,590,27,102

gauge45=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Light, 1537,612,63,45

To the [Window01] section

gauge27=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Lever, 1493,736,38,102

gauge28=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Light, 1540,764,82,45

gauge29=DC3_waterrudder_MAAM!WaterRudder, 83,902,70,214

To the [Window02] section

gauge46=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Lever, 1282,406,38,102

gauge47=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Light, 1329,432,82,45

gauge48=DC3_waterrudder_MAAM!WaterRudder, 186,647,51,159

To the [Window03] section

gauge30=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Lever, 1287,579,38,102

gauge31=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Light, 1329,591,82,45

gauge32=DC3_waterrudder_MAAM!WaterRudder, 198,795,45,165

And finally to the [Vcockpit01] section

gauge11=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Lever, 377,55,9,57

gauge12=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Light, 399,60,25,21

gauge13=DC3_waterrudder_MAAM!WaterRudder, 19,140,16,119

And that's it for that aircraft.

Now open the Standard Wheels Modern panel.cfg file using Notepad or similar and add the following

To the [Window00] section

gauge46=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Lever, 1282,406,38,102

gauge47=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Light, 1329,432,82,45

gauge48=DC3_waterrudder_MAAM!WaterRudder, 195,631,45,159

To the [Window01] section

gauge30=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Lever, 1287,579,38,102

gauge31=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Light, 1329,591,82,45

gauge32=DC3_waterrudder_MAAM!WaterRudder, 202,794,52,165

And again finally to the [Vcockpit01] section

gauge14=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Lever, 412, 136 ,11,68

gauge15=Mooney_Bravo!Gear Light, 434,141,25,31

gauge16=DC3_waterrudder_MAAM!WaterRudder, 33,89,16,93

The only thing with the virtual cockpit is that I had to move the U/C gauge into a slightly different position than the 2D cockpit for various reasons, one being that in the Standard Wheels Modern I could not find the room to match it up to the 2D panel position, in addition it may look a little odd as the U/C gauge is 2D gauge in a 3D panel, so it looks a little flat on the surface.

As far as I can tell, with the little checking I've done, this should cover all the variations of the Beaver, but if not just drop me a line.

Anyway if you want any of the gauges moving or replacing, just contact me and I'll try my best to oblige.

Jim Hodkinson

Sorry Jim, my fault. I didn't install the zipped dcamaam7 files! But before I do so I need to ask you whether I have to go through the whole installation procedure they describe, which requires other files and a whole sequence of changes to make. Apparently you can't just drop it into the FS9 folder. This gauge was obviously intended for another application, and I'm wondering whether, if I just drop the main unzipped file into the main FS9 folder, it will install the files in the two Aircraft and Gauges of dcamaam7 into the relevant folders. So before I do something wrong, can you put me on the right track??

Thanks

Stan

Stan

[Guest Hodge001]

Hi Stan

Not to worry, I have plenty of blonde moments as well, as for the water rudder gauge, all I did was to copy the DC3_waterrudder_MAAM.cab file into the main gauges folder of FS9, and that’s it.

As I said if you have any problems, just let me know and I will try my best to help.

Have fun.

Jim Hodkinson

[stan 0]

Hi Stan

Not to worry, I have plenty of blonde moments as well, as for the water rudder gauge, all I did was to copy the DC3_waterrudder_MAAM.cab file into the main gauges folder of FS9, and that's it.

As I said if you have any problems, just let me know and I will try my best to help.

Have fun.

Jim Hodkinson

Hi Jim

THAT WORKS PERFECTLY! I'm very grateful. I guess I should get a little into this gauge thing - never concerned myself with the technicalities before but its useful to know how to do it. You're aroused my interest.

Thanks again.

Stan

[Guest Hodge001]

Hi Stan

Glad to see that we got it all sorted out, and once again if you have any problems just contact me, and between us I’m sure that we will sort them out.

I may do a little more work on the VC gauge placement, I’m not really happy with it, it’s not an Aerosoft issue, it’s trying to put a 2D gauge onto a 3D surface, and make it look OK.

Anyway Stan have fun.

Jim Hodkinson

[stan 0]

Hi Jim

THAT WORKS PERFECTLY! I'm very grateful. I guess I should get a little into this gauge thing - never concerned myself with the technicalities before but its useful to know how to do it. You're aroused my interest.

Thanks again.

Stan

Hi again Jim

A quick one. The mods work perfectly for all the Beaver variations except the Eager Beaver of the Trans Alaska group. This seems to have a mind of its own. The yoke settings and sensitivities are separate and I will have to set them up independently with FSUIPC. However there IS a landing gear control on the bottom right of the panel, but the panel lacks the water rudder control. I could use the settings from the information you gave me, but there is no room on that part of the panel, since it is occupied by the airspeed indicator. It would have to be horizontally situated on the top left of the flap lever, if this is possible. Could you maybe help on this one? I enclose a screenshot.

Thanks

Stan

[Guest Hodge001]

Hi Stan

I must admit that that particular Beaver is not in my hanger, is this the add-on aircraft by Steve Grant with the Eager Beaver repaint by Michael Woolsey that you have downloaded from FSPlanet, because the panel does not look like the Aerosoft Beaver panel.

If so, then I’m afraid I can’t really assist with this one as, I haven’t got that aircraft, and FSPlanet will not let me download it, the download link just sends me to some obscure foreign download page that has nothing to do with flightsim.

Jim Hodkinson

[stan 0]

Hi Stan

I must admit that that particular Beaver is not in my hanger, is this the add-on aircraft by Steve Grant with the Eager Beaver repaint by Michael Woolsey that you have downloaded from FSPlanet, because the panel does not look like the Aerosoft Beaver panel.

If so, then I'm afraid I can't really assist with this one as, I haven't got that aircraft, and FSPlanet will not let me download it, the download link just sends me to some obscure foreign download page that has nothing to do with flightsim.

Jim Hodkinson

Hi Jim

You HAVE been a tremendous help to me, and I have a better understanding of things now, so I'll read up a little about panel design and see what I can do. Yes, I was wondering about that Eager Beaver, because its not described in the POH that one gets with the package. I find that the Aerosoft POH is not as comprehensive as some of the other planes I have, and they simply don't mention it. But its a funky looking plane.

Take care

Stan