FSX Grumman G-164 AgCat B/600 On Floats

The package represents Grumman G-164 Super AgCat B/600 (powered by Pratt and Whitney 600 HP R-1340-AN1). configured as a floatplane in the liveries of two Canadian seaplane companies - the Vancouver Island Air, serving coastal British Columbia, and the Rusty Myers, providing flights to remote outposts located in the Wabakimi Provincial Park in the Northwestern Ontario. The package is based on Bill Holker's 3D model and basic texture (SEACATFP.ZIP) and includes two new livery, new VC and 2D pop-up panels (with new gauges, allowing engine realistic operations), R-1340 authentic sound (by Warwick Carter) and flight dynamics with spin capability. Sorry, 2D panels - for a wide-screen monitor only. New VC, liveries and flight dynamics by Vladimir Gonchar.

Specifications:

Airspeed Limits (CAS):
Vs (Stall speed) 60 m.p.h.
Vne (Never exceed) 147 m.p.h.
Va (Maneuvering) 117 m.p.h.

Structural Limits: 4.2 G's positive, 1.0 G's negative

Engine Limits: Take off power settings - 36.0 in. Hg. (Sea level), 2250 RPM (600 hp), maximum 5 min.; maximun continious power settings - 34.0 in. Hg. (Sea level) to 32.5 in. Hg (5000 ft.), 2200 RPM (550 hp).

Geometry and weight:

Wing span (top) 42 ft. 3 in
Wing area 392 sq.
Length (ground altitude) 25 ft. 11 in.
Height (ground altitude) 11 ft.
Empty Weight 3210 pounds
Gross Weight 4500 pounds (6075 as an option)

Fuel capacity: 80 gal

Engine Start-Up Procedure:

(you can use Ctrl+E key combination for a Quick Start or the following step-by-step realistic procedure):
Fuel control - ON
Mixture - FULL RICH
Props - FULL FORWARD
Throttle - OPEN 1/8 INCH
Carb. heat - OFF
Master switch - ON

Before using ignition switch and starter button you need to raise pressure in a fuel supply system. You can do it using a regular manual pump (8 to 10 strokes, "Low fuel pressure" warning lamp must get off) of by electrical boost pump, which I added optionaly. The package include two panel options: with or without boost pump. In any way you will not start the engine if the fuel pressure needle does not reach the lower edge of the respective green arc (3 psi).

Primer - AS REQUIRED (if CHT is lower than 50 degrees C; when 50 or above, no prime necessary)
Ignition switch - ON BOTH
Starter - PRESS (release when started)
In case you use electrical boost pump - OFF (when engine starts)
Oil pressure - CHECK

Details:

Due to the original design limitations the VC has only few clickable areas (see enclosed VC and pop-up panels.bmp), so I made additional pop-up panels for full control. Precisely, the ECU in the original VC has throttle and mixture levers only, so as a standard model is equipped with a constant speed propeller I added 2D EDU with a prop lever. Water rudders of the original model were programmed as retractable gears and did not work actually as water rudders. So to convert them from dummies to actual water rudders I changed the aircraft configuration file and made them stearable. But now they are unretractable and always fixed in down position. The defaul load configuration - a pilot (rear seat), two passengers (front seats), 100 kg of baggage and 80 gal of fuel.

Flying Tips:

• Rotate at 65-70 mph.
• Best climb - 90 mph (35 in Hg/2200 RPM).
• Cruise - 100-120 mph (25-30 in. Hg/2000 RPM).
• Best approach at 70-75 mph, touch down at 65 mph.
• When taxying do not use more than 1500 RPM.

Installation:

• Unpack the package and put the staff of FSX folder to the main FSX directory.

Credits:

To Bill Holker for the wonderful original model and Warwick Carter for the sound pack.

Dedication:

To my wife Anna with all my gratitude and respect for her patience.

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