Moyes Dragonfly: Difference between revisions
(→Flying the Moyes Dragonfly: add panel descriptions) |
m (→Current Development: update to-do list) |
||
Line 138: | Line 138: | ||
The '''current to-do list''' is as follows (not complete and subject to change): | The '''current to-do list''' is as follows (not complete and subject to change): | ||
* More Detailed cockpit model | * More Detailed cockpit model | ||
* aerodynamic coefficients are a very rough guess | * aerodynamic coefficients are a very rough guess | ||
* aerodynamics and movement of the banner is far from being realistic | * aerodynamics and movement of the banner is far from being realistic |
Revision as of 16:50, 1 May 2020
Type | Ultralight aircraft |
---|---|
Configuration | High wing aircraft, Open cockpit aircraft |
Propulsion | Piston aircraft, Single-engine aircraft |
Manufacturer | Moyes Microlights, Bailey-Moyes Microlights, LiteFlite |
Author(s) | Torsten Dreyer |
FDM | JSBSim |
--aircraft= | Dragonfly |
Status | production |
Development | |
Website | |
Repository | |
Download | |
License | GPLv2+ |
|
This is a model of a Moyes Dragonfly, a microlight plane built by MOYES, Australia orignally designed by Robery Bailey of Florida. It is made of aluminium tubing, wing and empennage have a dracon skin. The pilot sits on the very front of the main tube with a breathtaking, undisturbed view.
The dragonfly has excellent slow flight characteristics and is suitable for towing of hang gliders.
The same basic design is also known as the Bailey Dragonfly, Bailey-Moyes Dragonfly, and has variants with considerable modifications and variations. The FlightGear model is based on the design produced by Moyes.
Features
Basic flying
Basic flying features are quite simple and almost perfect as a starter for pilots. Takeoff and landing is simple and due to its slow flying speed, the Dragonfly is perfect for scenery exploration.
Configuration
Being an ultralight aircraft with less regulation than seen on typical aircraft, the Dragonfly can be equipped with a variety of different instrumentations. To set it up in a way you like, go to the menu, Moyes Dragonfly -> Configuration. There you can set various options:
Big Panel
This enables an instrument panel to the left of the pilot, including a standard size airspeed indicator, altimeter, RPM and coolant temperature indicator as well as a compass.
EIS-2000G
This simulates a compact engine monitor, namely the EIS-2000G (Engine Information System) as described here. Although it is not yet complete, the functionality available works as described in the flight manual.
Hall Wind Meter
The hall wind meter is a simplistic airspeed indicator, basically working by having a "floating" plate inside a transparent tube. See the manufacturer's website for more information.
Units
For the airspeed indicator and the hall wind meter, the indicated unit can be selected.
Available options are:
- for the airspeed indicator:
- kph (kilometers per hour)
- mph (statute miles per hour)
- kts (knots/nautical miles per hour)
- for the hall wind meter:
- kph (kilometers per hour)
- mph (statute miles per hour)
Other options
You can also select which texture to use for the banner and whether/in which manner human models shall be displayed.
Banner towing
The FlightGear model of the Dragonfly supports banner towing. The banner to tow has to be picked up from the ground during the flight and can be released in flight before landing.
Placement
There are two possible ways to create a banner: You can either place one about 50m to your right by using the menu (Moyes Dragonfly -> Place Banner) or you can place it at specific coordinates using a small configuration file: It is a small XML file placed in your FlightGear home directory (which is ~/.fgfs on Linux and .../Users/.../AppData/Roaming/flightgear.org/ on Windows) named groundbanner.xml. Create this file and paste the following content into it; it will tell FlightGear where to put the banner:
<PropertyList>
<groundbanner>
<path>Aircraft/Dragonfly/Models/GroundBanner.ac</path>
<lat type="double">37.6199</lat>
<lon type="double">-122.3735</lon>
<heading type="double">280</heading>
</groundbanner>
</PropertyList>
This example places one banner at the runway intersection of KSFO, left to 28R. There can be any number of <groundbanner> elements in the file, to place more of them.
You can verify that the banners were loaded on the output of your console window. For each configured and loaded groundbanner there is a message
GroundBanner created
Using
To pick up the banner from the ground, approach the rope between the two pylons at an altitude of less than 15ft agl. You have to be very close to the center of the rope to catch it. When the pickup succeeded, a message is printed on the console window
banner-pickup
and you will notice a change in the flight-behaviour due to the increased drag caused by the banner on your tail. You can see the towed banner when looking back or changing the view. you can release the banner by pressing the 'o' (lower case letter, not zero). You will notice a decrease of the drag and can see the banner falling down when looking at it.
Flying the Moyes Dragonfly
The aircraft contains checklists to guide you through the preflight checks and starting the engine. Additionally, the EIS-2000G includes a reduced before takeoff checklist that is displayed on start.
Panel Description
(click to enlarge)
Starting the engine
Starting the Rotax 582 is pretty easy, after assuring that the propeller area is clear, there are only three steps to take:
- Switch on the master switch
- Switch the left and right magnetos on
- Press the starter button until the engine catches
It helps to add a bit of throttle for starting the engine.
Note that the engine does not have a mixture lever, as the mixture is automatically regulated using a technique called "High Altitude Compensation" (HAC). Page 6 of this Service Information contains more information about this system.
Review
This section contains a review. Please note that statements made here are (mostly based on) a single person's opinion. |
Please note that this review was review was written for a previous version of this aircraft, most of it is not accurate anymore and may be removed soon.
This is definitely something different, the classic ultralight trike, somethings I have not flown before in the simulator. Personally I have seen these things droning overhead and flown very freely, but I have wondered what it would be like to fly.
Starting on Half Moon Bay runway, the Dragonfly is really a minimal aircraft. Startup is with the s button and the throttle responds quickly. In a trice we are off and climbing steadily, it seems like at 1000 feet per minute or so. At about a 100 ft, I tried turns to the left and right, and the aircraft is very stable if slow to respond, which may be a good thing, it is the kind of air frame that would never be designed to any sort of a rolling outmaneuver.
The stall is gentle, and actually the aircraft transitions from a stall with power off to a steady 400 fpm descent , which is pretty safe. The engine has to be started again by pressing the s key for an anxious moment there is no power no matter what. Heading back to the airport a few low level turns at low speed about 50 mp the airspeed indicator is marked in MPH establishes the safety of the aircraft beyond doubt.
Landing is easy enough, it is easy to judge the distance to the ground as it can be seen directly beneath and to the sides of the aircraft
The model is fairly complete, with a multibladed prop and moving joystick and elevator, although eh ailerons do not move much at all. The absence of a pilot and back seat thrillseeker really detracts from the model, as the screenshots show, however this has been noted by the author as a 'to do'.
--Openflight (talk) 11:45, 14 February 2014 (UTC)
Keyboard Bindings
Key | Function |
---|---|
m/M | Electric master switch ON/OFF |
}/{ | Cycle magneto switches forward/backward |
o | Release Banner / open aerotow hook |
O | Toggle Bridle and replace broken weak link |
R | Toggle auto-coordination (beneficial for mouse control) |
The magneto switch binding works as if it would with a conventional L/R/BOTH magneto switch for commonality. It cycles the left and right magneto switches in the following order:
- Both OFF
- Left ON (Right OFF)
- Right ON (Left OFF)
- Both ON
Current Development
As of March/April 2020, the Dragonfly is under active development by D-NXKT and D-ECHO.
The current to-do list is as follows (not complete and subject to change):
- More Detailed cockpit model
- aerodynamic coefficients are a very rough guess
- aerodynamics and movement of the banner is far from being realistic
External links
Useful data for FlightGear aircraft developers: