Respectfully, I think that’s wrong… an accident is something that happens outside your INTENT. Control is relative., and not a threshold condition. If you tip the first domino in a chain of them, the last one falling is out of your control at that point, but it’s no accident…
Edit: not to get too deep in the weeds here, but I think what you’re touching on is actually the legal definition of “recklessness”. If a person doesn’t intend for a given result to happen, but a reasonable person should have known that there was a high likelihood of that result occurring, then that person bears some responsibility for the outcome notwithstanding the lack of intent. So I think it’s more correct to say that the crash was, indeed, an accident, but one that arose because the pilot recklessly avoided the clear danger involved. So the pilot bears responsibility for the accident occurring.
None of this changes the fact that the 414A is awesome and it’s my go-to plane now in the sim. I’m even close to figuring out the climate control system…!
If you have the magenta line already I’d probably say the GNS is not the issue but how you are using the source selection and autopilot more likely. If you post a picture showing the instrument panel when this next occurs it will help someone pin point your problem. It could be something very simple such as making sure the source is set to gps using the cdi button. Perhaps something else equally as simple.
Thanks for your reply. It’s strange because the AP holds a heading, and also responds to changes in altitude, but will not follow the GPS. I have the unit set to GPS and NAV which I think is correct ? I fly very close to the magenta line on the Garmin screen, turn on AP but the plane does not capture the course. I will try again and post a picture, as you suggest if I’m still having trouble.
Recently bought this plane on Xbox. Tend not to fiddle with the prop levers as normally flying with controller makes it difficult to do in flight with out veering off. So that might relate to the first question, can anyone advise pls?
Couple of questions:
When I reduce throttle in flight the rpms tend to stay roughly the same even though the manifold pressure is lowered. Is this some auto prop rpm’ing or something to do with the turbo? If i drop the man press to say the lowest 20% or lower then this does have an effect on rpm
I shut down one engine in flight, feathered the prop and found it to fly pretty nicely. Then I noticed there was a generous dose of rudder being applied. I fly on hard settings but I assume this isn’t an autopilot like function (autopilot was off afaik) but some kind of artificial Sim assistance?
Regarding your first question: Yes, this is exactly an ‘auto prop rpm’ing’ thing It’s called a ‘constant speed propeller’ and is how most engine/prop combos regulate prop RPM if they have separate throttle and prop controls (usually the black and blue levers, also left-most and then right of that). Some simpler aircraft have fixed-pitch props and only have a throttle (like the Cessna 150/152 or 172). This 414 has constant speed props.
This is done because the best or most efficient prop blade angle changes with airspeed (since it’s really acting as a wing generating lift as it spins). The relative wind coming past the blade is a function of the RPM, but also the airspeed. Ideally, you want a low pitch or blade angle at low airspeeds and a higher pitch or angle at higher airspeeds. Fixed pitch props can’t change and are often designated as ‘climb props’ (low pitch) or ‘cruise props’ (high pitch).
With variable propeller pitch, the pilot can command low pitch for takeoff and lower speed situations and then adjust for higher pitch at higher airspeeds. That can be done directly, with the prop control actually changing the prop pitch, but is more normally done indirectly with a governor. On a plane like this 414, you’re more closely setting prop RPM and the governor then adjusts the blade pitch to attempt to achieve that set RPM automatically.
As you noticed, you can adjust the throttle through most of its range without the RPM changing if you don’t adjust the prop control. Eventually, the RPM will drop when the power output is too low. To fly this plane correctly, you need to set the throttle and prop for various situations. It will, however, still fly just fine if you only use throttle and leave the prop full forward (although you may have to disable engine or prop damage if you do this – it could overspeed ).
A common tip/rule is to usually keep the prop control forward of the throttle. That will normally ensure you’re not running with too high power or torque and too low RPM (which could also lead to damage).
I have no idea about any auto-rudder with an engine out.
Thanks for taking the time to explain it in understandable terms.
I will try to use the prop controls as i learn to fly this one then (maybe work out a controller bind for them as although I’d love a physical throttle/prop/mixture I’m not going to have spare cash for that in a long time!)
Great plane, very much happy i added it to the hangar
I have discovered why the plane was not following the GPS magenta line. It was something simple, as you suggested, I had not pressed the “NAV” button on the Mode Selector. What confused me was that the “NAV1” light was already illuminated in green, so I thought that NAV was pre-armed! Thanks for your help. I’m really enjoying flying the C414AW, it is such a stable plane and I surprised myself by landing safely with a very steep descent yesterday.
It had to be something simple. Glad you got it sorted. The 414 is one of the best aircraft in the sim so it’s no surprise you are enjoying it just like most who have it do.
Unfortunately, it’s very hard to find the Flight Manual Supplement for the RAM IV modification online. This would include all the relevant performance data, but until it’s made available, all we can use is the stock C414A manual.
I started this thread 8 months ago in anticipation for the release of this plane. Today I just flew the thing thing for the first time and needless to say, it was worth the wait.
One can clearly tell that some serious work was put into this product. The textures and systems are great and the flight model was awesome. Every now and then I’ll fly something in a sim that resembles the sensation of real flight, when that happens I usually cant help but form a smirk in awe and admiration. This was one of those times. Hats off and well done flysimware.
Kind of off topic but the only other time I got that feeling in MSFS was with the C172 (G1000). It was the first to use all of the new fm tech together (CFD + Prop Mech. + Soft Body Sys.)
These flight models are getting really close man.
Anyway, just felt like sharing my two cents. Carry on.
It’s called a ‘constant speed propeller’ and is how most engine/prop combos regulate prop RPM if they have separate throttle and prop controls (usually the black and blue levers, also left-most and then right of that). Some simpler aircraft have fixed-pitch props and only have a throttle (like the Cessna 150/152 or 172). This 414 has constant speed props.
