[MSFS2024] Draco X

No aircraft should auto insert co-pilots or passengers.
The default should be none, leave it up to the user to turn them on if they wish.

Also just noticed the fuel tank issue is still an issue, ie: on fuel selector both it just uses the left tank.

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100% I will disable any aircraft that does this.

I like this even better than the DoubleEnder. Sorry DE!

The audio is really nice, I love the turbine whine spooling up/down, and it’s got a nice hysteresis throttle effect but not too dramatic for really low and slow.

It’s a little tricky catching the takeoff swing if you’re not smooth, and then it’s like getting on the elevator.

A couple of issues:

  • Some clarification on the fuel system would be nice. Is the Both switch state only doing left tank by design or a bug?
  • If you spawn hot the trim is set to -100% and always needs a manual reset. Faster to do by the stick button than bound button, but would be nice if this spawned at 0% trim.
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SU1 release notes said the fuel issue was fixed but it is still broken.

Why can’t I access the Draco X in FS 2024 standard edition? (Steam)

We can’t fly Draco anymore but you can come fly my Wilga where we installed the piston engine he removed to install his turbine ! Redirecting...

Great to read the update on the fuel system, thanks.

Could you also make sure that when you hot start on the runway the trim is set to 0, not set at -100. Every time having to do a trim reset is painful, especially when testing something and hot starting is faster - generally, when you don’t have to reset the trim every time.

Update: A workaround to this is to turn autopilot on and off, as the AP resets the trim to zero.

Thanks!

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I understand that this aircraft has a very powerful engine. But, if I set 30% power, it rolls straight, it gets to around 40kts and even with rudder input, it veers left off the runway. Surely this does not represent the real aircraft? However, it looks fantastic inside and outside.

It’s definitely tricky around that speed, has a very narrow window of control with very subtle amount of Rudder/Aileron to keep it straight. Take off is 36 kts tho. I still haven’t quite mastered it, sometimes it just goes off without a hitch and other times if’s ā€œcatch that swingā€.

Update: I’ve mastered it. The ā€œtrickā€ is slowly increase throttle and don’t push more than about 50%, and use a little stick in the south west quadrant to keep it straight (if needed) and it will fly off by itself. It seems that step change in behavior @CharlieFox00 notes below is what makes it tricky but you can avoid that by taking off before it hits that transition point.

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It’s rather difficult to handle, especially if you treat it like a regular plane.

Personally, I run the engine up to power (30-50% is plenty) with the brakes on, pull back hard on the stick to keep the tail wheel on the ground for as long as possible, then pop the brakes. By the time you start to pull to the side, you’re already airborne.

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I’ve had a weird effect on several aircraft at 40kts - it’s almost as if it transitions from a ā€œgroundā€ dynamic to an ā€œairborneā€ dynamic.

I’ve seen it in the Draco, but I’ve been flying the Zlin Norden a lot lately and specifically, if you put the nose down (fly the tail) it has about zero rudder authority until all of a sudden it kicks in at about 40 knots IAS. What’s funny is it will steer fine at slow speeds with the tail on the ground, despite the tailwheel being free-castering (I think - I’m actually trying to confirm that). That same authority should translate to the takeoff roll (and increase as airflow increases). Either way, this makes normal takeoffs and wheel landings very difficult, especially with any crosswind.

I think some of this modality was implemented in MSFS2020 to counter the lack of ground dynamics with regard to friction, overtendency to weathervane, etc. But the settings are aircraft by aircraft and there still seems to be a strong transition right around that 40kts for all, where the rudder suddenly becomes active.

That said, the Draco has a TON of torque and I’m not surprised at how much right rudder is needed. I generally takeoff stick full back, forget trying to fly the tail/drop the nose before rotating. But I agree that the rudder should be a bit more effective and not so jerky.

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I figured this out a few days ago. I even go 100% throttle, pop the brakes and take off almost like a helicopter :joy:. Anyway, doesn’t seem realistic to me. But the problem is how the hell do you land it without playing carousel.

Same as on take-off, close to the stall speed, like in a heli. Found that I can takeoff with 30 to 40% of power by holding the pitch slightly up when applying power. It takes off very fast. Think this is the technique cause it’s a very light plane with a tremendous power. Enjoy :wink:

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This is the dash in my Wilga. Not having brakes is just one less thing to worry about.

Thanks, will try when the exhaust fumes in cockpit error will be fixed - again…

Yeah, works like a charm! Landing like helicopter, too. :joy: Thanks mate!