FS2004 Gulf Air Airbus A340-313X A40-LG

This meticulously assembled freeware rendition of Gulf Air’s Airbus A340-313X showcases a sleek new color scheme, originally crafted by the skilled developers at Project Open Sky and refined with a precise livery by creator Terence Pereira. It is designed exclusively for FS2004 and replicates the robust, long-haul nature of the real A340. Gulf Air, a major carrier in the Middle East, has historically operated these four-engine wide-body airliners on intercontinental routes, making this digital recreation ideal for simmers seeking an immersive long-range flight experience.

Highlighted Visual And Functional Elements

Model Design: This package is built upon a base model expertly devised by Project Open Sky, led by Model Designer Shervin Ahooraei. It captures the unique proportions of the Airbus A340, particularly the elongated fuselage and its characteristic four-engine layout.

Livery Details: Developed by Terence Pereira, the new Gulf Air color scheme provides realistic reflective surfaces that respond dynamically to light conditions. Realistic textures have been applied to all exterior surfaces, capturing subtle details such as rivet lines and engine cowling gradients.

Technical Collaborations: Multiple specialists have contributed to this aircraft’s fidelity. Warren C. Daniel, the Flight Dynamics Designer, fine-tuned the flight performance in tandem with real reference data. The master textures, courtesy of Ben Hewitt and C. Vincent Cho, enhance realism with precise material reflectivity. Virtual cockpit textures come from Gary Hayes. FDE Advisors Nick Peterson and Simon Ng Hin Tat have helped calibrate core aerodynamics, while the virtual cockpit gauges, courtesy of Pasquale Rinaldi, offer an accurately interactive panel. Xml programming from Fraser Turner and Bill Leaming enables distinctive aspects such as dynamic flexing wings, thrust reverser operation, and animated control surfaces.

Advanced Exterior Modeling

• Fully Animated Surfaces: Ailerons, elevators, rudder, and spoilers all function independently for realistic visual feedback.
• Active Wing Flex: Engineered to simulate how the wings react to turbulence in real-world scenarios.
• Engine Thrust Reversers: Engage in a realistic manner, with reversers fully opening at idle reverse power.
• Droop Effects: Ailerons and elevator sections droop automatically when engines are switched off.
• High-Fidelity Reflections: Separate reflective levels ensure metal, paint, and glass surfaces reflect accurately.
• Night Lighting: Tailored illumination for exterior components, including landing lights visible from the flight deck.
• Passenger and Cargo Doors: Interactive opening mechanisms accessed via Shift+E (left door), Shift+T (right door), and Shift+E+2 (cargo doors).
• Vent Scoops: Animated scoops activate with Shift+W, adding extra visual interest and airflow simulation.

Immersive Cockpit And Systems

• Virtual Cockpit (VC) Mode: Features clickable switches and an intuitive panel, optimized specifically for FS2004.
• Rain Effects: Water droplets animate on the windshield in VC view, enhancing immersion, especially during bad weather approaches.
• Wingview Variant: An alternate model lets simmers observe the flaps, spoilers, and engines from passenger-window perspectives.
• Panel Design: Authored by Pasquale Rinaldi with XML contributions by Fraser Turner and Bill Leaming, delivering lifelike avionics and readouts.
• Dynamic Shine: Engines and fuselage surfaces exhibit subtle specular detail under varied lighting angles.

Additional 3D Enhancements

• More components added compared to earlier A330 renditions, including landing gear refinements.
• Transparent navigation light lenses and refined fan blades for deeper realism.
• Updated condensation and light-based effects.

Accurate Flight Dynamics Profile

• Real Documentation Data: All parameters stem from official Airbus sources, ensuring representative lift, drag, and control input.
• Control Surface Movement Range: Precisely modelled deflection angles for each control surface, matching actual certification values.
• Physical Contact Points: Scrape points and gear geometry align with real-world structural layouts for comprehensive landing gear simulation.
• Multiple Engine Variants: Includes -5C2, -5C3, and -5C4 configurations, plus an A340-313E edition with -5C4/P engines and increased MTOW.
• Alternate Gear Options: Depicts both default and extended gear points for varying wheel and strut arrangements.
• Tested by A340 Pilots: Validation by a real crew ensures that the handling approximates true A340 performance metrics.

Implementation Steps

1. Decompress the downloaded file.
2. Move the extracted “Aircrafts” folder directly into your FS2004 “AIRCRAFT” directory.

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