Moyes Dragonfly: Difference between revisions

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{{infobox Aircraft
{{:{{PAGENAME}}/info}}
|image =Dragonfly-towing.jpg
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.
|name =Moyes Dragonfly
|type =1-engine ultralight
|fdm =JSBSim
|status =production 1.0
|authors =Torsten Dreyer
|fgname = <tt>Dragonfly</tt>
}}
 
{|
|__TOC__
|}
 
== About the aircaft ==
 
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 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 FGFS model is based on the design produced by Moyes.
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.
 
<br clear="all" />


== Features ==
== Features ==
=== Basic flying ===
=== Basic flying ===
Basic flying features are quite simple and almost perfect as a starter for pilots. Takeoff and landing is simple and due to it's slow flying speed, the Dragonfly is perfect for scenery exploration.
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.
<br clear="all" />


=== Instrumentation ===
=== Configuration ===
The airspeed indicator gauge can be configured to display either km/h, mph or kts by setting the property '''/instrumentation/airspeed-indicator/texture''' to either
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:
* Airspeed-kmh.rgb
==== Big Panel ====
* Airspeed-mph.rgb
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.
* Airspeed-kts.rgb
==== EIS-2000G ====
This can be done on startup as a command line switch or at runtime by setting the property with the [[Property browser]].
This simulates a compact engine monitor, namely the EIS-2000G (Engine Information System) as described [http://grtavionics.com/home/eis-engine-monitors/ here]. Although it is not yet complete, the functionality available works as described in the [[Moyes_Dragonfly#External_links|flight manual]].
 
==== Hall Wind Meter ====
Example: Use airspeed indicator calibrated in KTS:
The hall wind meter is a simplistic airspeed indicator, basically working by having a "floating" plate inside a transparent tube. See [https://hallwindmeter.com/ the manufacturer's website] and [https://www.willswing.com/accessories/hall-airspeed-indicator/ here] for more information.
''fgfs --aircraft=Dragonfly --prop:/instrumentation/airspeed-indicator/texture=Airspeed-kts.rgb''


==== Units ====
For the airspeed indicator and the hall wind meter, the indicated unit can be selected. <br />
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 [[Moyes_Dragonfly#Banner_towing|banner]] and whether/in which manner human models shall be displayed.


=== Banner towing ===
=== 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.
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.


==== Configuration ====
==== Placement ====
Do use this feature, a small configuration file is needed telling FlightGear where the banners are on the ground. It is a small XML file placed in your FlightGear home directory (which is ~/.fgfs on Linux, ...Program Files\Flightgear\data for Windows) named groundbanner.xml. Create this file and paste the following content into it. It will tell Flightgear where to put the banner:
[[File:Dragonfly-banner-onground.jpg|thumb|Banner on the ground]]
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 <tt>~/.fgfs</tt> on Linux and <tt>.../Users/.../AppData/Roaming/flightgear.org/</tt> on Windows) named <tt>groundbanner.xml</tt>. Create this file and paste the following content into it; it will tell FlightGear where to put the banner:
<syntaxhighlight lang="xml">
  <PropertyList>
  <PropertyList>
   <groundbanner>
   <groundbanner>
Line 52: Line 48:
   </groundbanner>
   </groundbanner>
  </PropertyList>
  </PropertyList>
This example places one banner at KSFO left to 28R at the runway intersection. There can be any number of <groundbanner> elements to place more of them.
</syntaxhighlight>
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
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
  GroundBanner created
[[Image:Dragonfly-banner-onground.jpg|thumb|left|Banner on the ground]]
<br clear="all" />


==== Using ====
==== Using ====
[[Image:Dragonfly-banner-approach.jpg|thumb|left|Approaching the banner]]
[[Image:Dragonfly-banner-gotcha.jpg|thumb|left|Banner picked]]
[[Image:Dragonfly-banner-released.jpg|thumb|left|Banner released]]
<br clear="all" />
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.
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
When the pickup succeeded, a message is printed on the console window
Line 69: Line 60:
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.
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.
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.
<gallery mode=Packed>
Dragonfly-banner-approach.jpg|Approaching the banner
Dragonfly-banner-gotcha.jpg|Banner picked
Dragonfly-banner-released.jpg|Banner released
</gallery>
== 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)
<gallery widths=350px heights=500px>
Dragonfly Instrument Panel.jpg|The "Big" Instrument Panel
Dragonfly Switchpanel.jpg|The Switch Panel, located at the wing root, is displayed when no instrument panel is installed
</gallery>


== Issues ==
=== Starting the engine ===
* aerodynamic coefficients are a very rough guess
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 [https://legacy.rotaxowner.com/si_tb_info/serviceinfo/5ul89.pdf Service Information] contains more information about this system.
 
== Keyboard Bindings ==
{| class="keytable"
!Key
!Function
|-
|{{key press|m/M }}
|Electric master switch ON/OFF
|-
|{{key press|}/{ }}
|Cycle magneto switches forward/backward
|-
|{{key press|o}}
|Release Banner / open aerotow hook
|-
|{{key press|O}}
|Toggle Bridle and replace broken weak link
|-
|{{key press|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 [[User:D-NXKT|D-NXKT]] and [[User:D-ECHO|D-ECHO]].
 
The '''current to-do list''' is as follows (not complete and subject to change):
* More Detailed cockpit model
* <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">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
* banners do not disappear from ground after pickup
* add a pilot when viewing from outside


=== Related lists ===
== External links ==
* [[Aircraft]]
*[[Table of models]]


== External links ==
==== References ====
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bailey-Moyes_Dragonfly Wiki Bailey-Moyes_Dragonfly]
* [http://www.dragonfly-germany.de/ Dragonfly Germany]
* [http://www.dragonfly-germany.de/ Dragonfly Germany]
* [http://www.moyesamerica.com/forms/DragonflyFlightManual.pdf Original Flight Manual (PDF)]
* [http://www.avia-airsports.com/cursus/Dragonfly.pdf Original Flight Manual] (pdf)
* http://www.flightgear.org/
* [http://pitmanair.com/dragonfly/manuals/POHRev5.pdf Pilot's Operating Handbook & Flight Training Supplement] (pdf)
* [http://www.pitmanair.com/dragonfly/manuals/MMRev5_DF_582_2015red.pdf Maintenance Manual 582 Dragonfly & Assembly Manual 582 Dragonfly] (pdf)
* [http://pitmanair.com/dragonfly/manuals/MM_DF_912_Rev3_2017red.pdf Maintenance Manual 912 Dragonfly & Kit Assembly 912 Dragonfly] (pdf)
* {{de}} [https://www.daec.de/fileadmin/user_upload/files/2012/luftsportgeraete_buero/kennblaetter/191.pdf DAeC-Geräetekennblatt] (pdf)
 
==== Reports ====
* {{de}} [https://www.fliegermagazin.de/flugzeuge/ul-pilot-report-dragonfly-von-moyes/ UL-Pilot-Report: Dragonfly von Moyes - fliegermagazin]
 
==== Movies ====
Dragonfly in action:
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgfna12Rt-k Dreadlocks in a Flat Spin] (youtube)
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKEpuIh45XU Dragonfly Rancher] (youtube)
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srqdn3Rcp08 Dragonfly Aircraft] (youtube)
*Example short take off: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGrq2qHC2eU Moyes Dragonfly PH-3X3 take-off ] (youtube)
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXAU3gLhdrI Dragon Fly Plane on Floats] (youtube)
*You really don't need a boat: [https://vimeo.com/273630331#t=2m20s BFC_PlaneProject_Fly_Away] (vimeo)


[[Category:Aircraft]]
== Related content ==
[[Category:Civilian aircraft]]
* [[Howto: Do aerotow over the net]]
[[Category:Aircraft TODO]]

Latest revision as of 16:21, 20 May 2020

Moyes Dragonfly
FGAddon
Dragonfly-Dawn.jpg
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 The website for the Moyes Dragonfly developments.
 Repository The development repository of the Moyes Dragonfly.
Download Download the Moyes Dragonfly aircraft package for the current stable release (2020.3).
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 and here for more information.

Units

For the airspeed indicator and the hall wind meter, the indicated unit can be selected.
Available options are:

  1. for the airspeed indicator:
    • kph (kilometers per hour)
    • mph (statute miles per hour)
    • kts (knots/nautical miles per hour)
  2. 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.

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

Banner on the ground

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:

  1. Switch on the master switch
  2. Switch the left and right magnetos on
  3. 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.

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

References

Reports

Movies

Dragonfly in action:

Related content