A2A Connie manuals online

The "Queen of the Skies"
User avatar
CAPFlyer
A2A Aviation Consultant
Posts: 2241
Joined: 03 Mar 2008, 12:06
Location: Wichita Falls, Texas, USA

Re: A2A Connie manuals online

Post by CAPFlyer »

Levkovvvv wrote:CAPFlyer, you can get an IFR certificate for planes that don't have life rafts or slides, what you were trying to say is that Connie can't be certified under EASA CS-25 because it fails the things you mentioned (and I reckon many more besides that), since criteria is fairly strict. They probably certify them as experimental in the US, but EASA doesn't have that category, so I really don't know how they fly it, probably some special national permits to fly. And as far as FAA and EASA regulations, CS-25 is almost word by word copy of FAR part-25 :D :D
It's not the airworthiness certification that's the problem. The Connie was certified under CAR-23 and then re-certified under 14 CFR 25 and has a Type Certificate that is current and in force for all models of the Constellation - A-763. All of the Connies that are or were flying under US Registrations used this Type Certificate. As long as they're flown under Part 91, then they can be fully IFR certified without restriction. The only restrictions come when operated under commercial regulations like Part 119, 121, or 135 which require additional equipment. However, EASA has IR-OPS, which includes a section (Part-NCC) on "Complex Aircraft" which applies to the Connies operating under "non-commercial" operations. There are several areas of problem, but one of the biggest is under equipment required for IFR operation is the requirement for an "emergency power supply", something most aircraft like the Connie don't have, at least not like they require. Additionally, EASA has continually tried to put operators like Breitling under more restrictive Commercial operator requirements which requires the slides and more restrictive navigation equipment.

SKYbrary on IR-OPS - http://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/IR-OPS
Further Backgrounder - https://www.flightglobal.com/news/artic ... -3-221526/
Image

User avatar
Styggron
Master Sergeant
Posts: 1031
Joined: 30 Oct 2015, 14:28

Re: A2A Connie manuals online

Post by Styggron »

Fantastic manual all the backstory is just amazing I love it. Always very immersive with A2A

Looking at Page 79 which is the features list I was looking for things that are brand NEW ie not seen in A2A craft previously but sadly I can't find anything. I MUST have missed something somewhere that might not be listed here can anyone help me out with completely NEW features ?

Sure this is a new plane with new Accu-sim physics etc but looking at the list it is all our favourite and loved features but I was looking for something I've never seen before from A2A (ie not just inherant to that type of aircraft like a folding tail etc). Of course all these things would be enhanced and improved but that is not "new" per se. :)

Looking at the list
  • History comes alive - yes it does with every plane and accu sim adds all that realisim all panes have it
  • Four crew positions ok this is 1 more than B17 and B377 but I have not read anywhere you could for example automate the pilot to just be a flight engineer for a flight, that would be what I would call new for example.
  • Intelligent crew and responsive passengers - This is also in the B377 so it will of course be enhanced
  • Unexpected events possible - same as the B377. I got a sick passenger in that one as well
  • Captain's Career - as per the B377
  • Real time load manager - as per the B377
  • Custom Nav map - as per the B377 and other A2A craft as far as I can see. They are zoomable too
  • default and historic sperry autopilot - selectable like the B17G
  • authentic fuel delivery - as all a2a accu sim planes have
  • auto mixture - B377 and B17 have this too
  • custom cockpit systems and gauges - as they all have
  • inertia starters - again a degree of accuracy B17G has inertia starters
  • deep cockpit lighting -all A2A planes have amazing lighting
  • dual speed superchargers - again proper physics, all accu-sim planes have this
  • new slip and ball code from the T6 - ok this is improved physics
  • authentic flight stability - to be expected from an A2A modelled craft. Realism is all there
  • piston combustion engine modelling - all A2A accu sim craft have this
  • fully clickable cockpit - like the B17 and most other A2A craft
  • 3D lights M - light the B17 and B377 and other A2A craft with accu sim
  • Pure 3D instrumentation - all A2A have 3D instruments meticulously modelled
  • Fire extinguisher system - B377 has this and the B17G
  • Ground power unit - The Spitfire 1 has this
  • Cabin pressurization system - The B377 has this
  • Three different liveries - all craft have multiple fantastic liveries
  • A2A specialised bump mapping and specular lighting - all A2A craft have AMAZING detail and texturing
  • Crew reports - B377 and B17G has this
  • Manage temperatures with engine cowl flaps and oil cooler flaps - B377 and B17G has this.
  • Spark plugs can clog - B377 has this and B17 and other A2A accu sim craft
  • Experience authentic assymetric drag - because of the accuracy I would invisage B377 and B17G has this also
Sure it is a FANTASTIC list don't get me wrong but I was looking for something brand NEW NEVER seen before something like being able to fly ONLY as the flight engineer so you can try to learn that panel.

Of course one could say "and much more" but I need to know what tha much more is when making decisions :)

Now of course once you model EVERY aircraft system and do it to perfection then you get to a stage where there is nothing NEW to add. Maybe this is indeed the stage we are AT with A2A. They go through SO much, there is not much more you can add with the limitations with FSX. I don't know..... I just like seeing TOTALLY brand new things never seen before in any other release. :)

:D

Lastly, features that are exclusive to how the Constellation work are of course NEW and not seen on any other A2A craft. I was just looking at something generically new.

A2A does like their customers to get surprises and there is probably a LOT of that "under the hood" waiting to surprise us all. :)
The B377 is AMAZING to fly, I got it on 50% sale here at A2A when they announced the Constellation in June. If there is a sale for the Constellation, I'm in.

I also understand that the COTS model will improve the B377 COTS. I'd love to see a full features list on that.
Last edited by Styggron on 23 Dec 2016, 15:48, edited 7 times in total.
Accufeel V2, C172 , B377+L049+COTS, B17G, Piper Cub,Commanche,Cherrokee,Spitfire,Bonanza, P47,P40,both Mustangs
Aircraft Factory Avro Anson, Albatros DIII,Heinkel He-219, F4U Corsair, P51H Mustang, Avro 504, BF109
Watch my incompetent flying Twitch

User avatar
Jacques
Senior Master Sergeant
Posts: 2376
Joined: 26 Jun 2011, 17:54
Location: West Coast, USA

Re: A2A Connie manuals online

Post by Jacques »

Styggron, I think all the new and fantastic is going to be more behind the scenes, in terms of feel and performance and the physics brought in by the new accu-sim package. I will bet this aircraft feels a lot different than all the rest and in very noticeable ways.

User avatar
Styggron
Master Sergeant
Posts: 1031
Joined: 30 Oct 2015, 14:28

Re: A2A Connie manuals online

Post by Styggron »

Jacques wrote:Styggron, I think all the new and fantastic is going to be more behind the scenes, in terms of feel and performance and the physics brought in by the new accu-sim package. I will bet this aircraft feels a lot different than all the rest and in very noticeable ways.
Hello Jacques,
Of course but it's still not "new" which is what I was looking for. Sure it will handle differently but we don't have another LO49 as a reference point so we don't know. Of course it will be amazing but that was not my point. My point was what is totally a NEW feature not seen anywhere before.

Like I said being able to temporarily automate the captain so you can fly AS the flight engineer alone and JUST concentrate on that, WOW that would be new. Sure that would be hard but A2A never shy from what it hard which makes them the most amazing dev for FSX second to NONE for realism. Of course you are the captain not the flight engineer.

Even built in tutorials and missions.... THAT would be totally NEW.
I was just humbly looking for "new"
Accufeel V2, C172 , B377+L049+COTS, B17G, Piper Cub,Commanche,Cherrokee,Spitfire,Bonanza, P47,P40,both Mustangs
Aircraft Factory Avro Anson, Albatros DIII,Heinkel He-219, F4U Corsair, P51H Mustang, Avro 504, BF109
Watch my incompetent flying Twitch

User avatar
Jacques
Senior Master Sergeant
Posts: 2376
Joined: 26 Jun 2011, 17:54
Location: West Coast, USA

Re: A2A Connie manuals online

Post by Jacques »

And then, there is the argument that the "new" thing or feature is the Constellation itself, yes? It certainly isn't going to fly like anything else!

User avatar
Medtner
A2A Mechanic
Posts: 1349
Joined: 30 Sep 2013, 10:10
Location: Arendal, Norway
Contact:

Re: A2A Connie manuals online

Post by Medtner »

Triple rudder; different engines with new and incredible sound; a simulation of propellers that no early-days Accusim-birds has - the 377 is plagued with the monstrous propeller-rpm/manifold pressure bug of FSX - a bug I hope is fixable in a future update of the 377).

The most important thing for me is the fact that it is a modern Accusim-bird. The 377, B-17, J-3, and P-47 are all early versions of the propeller and engine simulations. They do therefore, however excellent they are in other respects, lack an important element for me in terms of immersion. The "new" in the Connie is probably so very much under the hood that it makes less sense to list it. It must be felt.
Erik Haugan Aasland,

Arendal, Norway
(Homebase: Kristiansand Lufthavn, Kjevik (ENCN)

All the Accusim-planes are in my hangar, but they aren't sitting long enough for their engines to cool much before next flight!

User avatar
Scott - A2A
A2A General
Posts: 16836
Joined: 11 Feb 2004, 12:55
Location: USA
Contact:

Re: A2A Connie manuals online

Post by Scott - A2A »

Styggron,

Just to explain a bit, because from our point of view this last nine months of development has been all about brand new developments and code.

The COTS 377 was built on the first version of Accu-Sim. Version two started with the Spitfire, which was a shared code base that allowed us to keep adding airplanes and building the technology. With the Cessna 172 release, we split this v2 technology again. So there are three branches of Accu-Sim:
1. COTS (4-engine prop)
2. Warbirds (large single piston warbirds)
3. GA (smaller single piston GA)

Before developing the T-6, we discussed what branch would be best to build it with - Warbirds or GA. We decided to use Warbirds, and much of the T-6 development was bringing over newer technology from GA into the Warbirds. Once the T-6 came out, all other Warbirds benefited from all the new tech. This was a huge move forward for us.

The Connie was built by splitting the COTS engine (now we have a 377 and Connie branch). This means any improvements in the Connie that we decide can / should be in the 377 will have to be manually moved over to the 377 branch. Needless to say, for COTS with the plethoria of airtificial intelligence going on, this is like brain surgery. It is a very slow process that once complete, requiring about 2x the beta testing of other projects. The new technology in the Connie includes:
- New fuel delivery system. You can now make primer only engine starts with the mixture off. If you were to leave the primer on after the engine starts, then move the auto mixture to RICH, if you wait long enough, the engine will slow and eventually quit due to being flooded. This is because of all the physics in this system
- Slow speed engine behavior. This was necessary to allow for proper in-flight engine restarts.
- Electric prop. This was a new system that doesn't exist in FSX, we build that allows the prop to be manipulated even with the engine off. This was necessary for proper starts and feathering behavior, plus it's cool to see that still prop move :)
- Dual speed supercharger. This was the first tech we built for the Connie, which means you can move individual engines into high or low blower, and you get the proper fuel efficiency changes (low blower is more efficient) and power at all altitudes.
- Historic Sperry III autopilot. This is one of the first autopilots ever made and we don't know of a single working example in existence today. We contacted all existing autopilot manufacturers to get some answers without success. It turned out a 90 year old veteran pilot who volunteers in our local air museum was critical in answering some questions about how this works. This is an autopilot unlike anything that has ever been made for a flight sim. Very very manual.
- Persistent differences in both gauges and systems. You will notice on this Connie there are many differences between each of the engines. This is normal and makes for a more challenging experience as you have to literally interpret 4 engines all with different readings. These changes are unique and no two airplanes are the same
- T-6 FM changes. This is from our latest developments with the T-6 worked into the Connie, and makes for an even more fluid feel in the air
- New slip and ball code (fairly large amount of code for this one instrument).
- 3rd party GPS support
- Re-trained the crew to work a new airplane. This is where most of the beta testing was spent, helping to improve the artificial intelligence of the crew one in a different environment
- Brand new 4 engine sound design system

The last one for me, being a sound engineer at heart, is my personal favorite (and that was a painful process to get right). Nowhere, anywhere, is there a 4 engine prop airplane that sounds and behaves like the Connie. You can actually hear the reverberant drone in the cabin as you add power, thanks to some very cool convolution reverb technology. It actually allowed us to sample and re-create complex spaces with incredible accuracy. I've been flying this for months and every time I move those throttles, it's an experience just like a actual large multi piston. Also, no more hearing engines idling on final, rather they are high speed and low power, and just as you cross the threshold, they start to drop just like the real airplane

All of the above and a lot of stuff I can't remember atm, made this project go about 3 months over schedule. I hope this helps to explain how things work under the hood too in our products a bit more.

Scott.
A2A Simulations Inc.

User avatar
Medtner
A2A Mechanic
Posts: 1349
Joined: 30 Sep 2013, 10:10
Location: Arendal, Norway
Contact:

Re: A2A Connie manuals online

Post by Medtner »

Scott - A2A wrote:Styggron,

Just to explain a bit, because from our point of view this last nine months of development has been all about brand new developments and code.
.....
Scott.
As I said, but with so many more, eloquent, words. :-)

The sound is one of the enormous pleasures I get from A2A - that feeling of power and control when starting or running the engine(s). Oh, man, I can't wait to get the Connie started...
Erik Haugan Aasland,

Arendal, Norway
(Homebase: Kristiansand Lufthavn, Kjevik (ENCN)

All the Accusim-planes are in my hangar, but they aren't sitting long enough for their engines to cool much before next flight!

User avatar
cflord
Chief Master Sergeant
Posts: 2744
Joined: 30 Dec 2004, 17:07
Location: Powder Springs, Georgia USA

Re: A2A Connie manuals online

Post by cflord »

Thanks for the manual. Now to put my reading glasses on and read this thing!

Keep the shiny side up and the dirty side down!

Ret SMSgt Cliff Lord - C-130 Flight Engineer & Mechanic :D 8)

Tomas Linnet
Senior Master Sergeant
Posts: 2285
Joined: 05 Nov 2013, 10:48
Location: Oksboel, Denmark

Re: A2A Connie manuals online

Post by Tomas Linnet »

Since we can't ( well I can't...) feel the aircraft vibration the sound really makes a big difference to me. I use a set of B&O speakers for my gaming PC and I must say a good sound quality is a must for me now.
I'm really looking forward to fire up Connie's four engines... :D
Last edited by Tomas Linnet on 24 Dec 2016, 03:21, edited 1 time in total.
Kind Regards
Tomas

Sim: FSX SE
Accu-Sim aircraft in my hangar:
C172, C182, P51 Civ, P51 Mil, B17, Spitfire, P47, B377 COTS,
J3 Cub, T6, Connie, P-40, V35B
A2A Accu-Sim Avro Lancaster Loading:............0.000003% complete, please wait.

User avatar
Styggron
Master Sergeant
Posts: 1031
Joined: 30 Oct 2015, 14:28

Re: A2A Connie manuals online

Post by Styggron »

Tomas Linnet wrote:Since we can't ( well I can't...) fell the aircraft vibration the sound really makes a big difference to me. I use a set of B&O speakers for my gaming PC and I must say a good sound quality is a must for me now.
I'm really looking forward to fire up Connie's four engines... :D
Agreed 100%. I often start and stop engines just to hear those amazing sounds. I just love them.
Accufeel V2, C172 , B377+L049+COTS, B17G, Piper Cub,Commanche,Cherrokee,Spitfire,Bonanza, P47,P40,both Mustangs
Aircraft Factory Avro Anson, Albatros DIII,Heinkel He-219, F4U Corsair, P51H Mustang, Avro 504, BF109
Watch my incompetent flying Twitch

User avatar
DC3
Technical Sergeant
Posts: 695
Joined: 03 Jul 2012, 00:46
Location: California

Re: A2A Connie manuals online

Post by DC3 »

Styggron, thanks for asking the questions because it prompted Scott to provide an answer which was totally fascinating and which we might not of heard otherwise. I am a big fan boy and love the craftsmanship that goes on under the hood in A2A aircraft. Scott you should be talking about this stuff all the time, your fans love it. :)

User avatar
Styggron
Master Sergeant
Posts: 1031
Joined: 30 Oct 2015, 14:28

Re: A2A Connie manuals online

Post by Styggron »

DC3 wrote:Styggron, thanks for asking the questions because it prompted Scott to provide an answer which was totally fascinating and which we might not of heard otherwise. I am a big fan boy and love the craftsmanship that goes on under the hood in A2A aircraft. Scott you should be talking about this stuff all the time, your fans love it. :)
No worries.
I am just a customer that asks more questions and wants to know more because it is VERY important for me to make an informed decision. I won't just jump into things and impulse buy.

I think it is fantastic Scott is putting up a detailed answer because I would not be the only one looking at it and going "hang on, this is all just more of the same and enhancements where is the new".

:)
Accufeel V2, C172 , B377+L049+COTS, B17G, Piper Cub,Commanche,Cherrokee,Spitfire,Bonanza, P47,P40,both Mustangs
Aircraft Factory Avro Anson, Albatros DIII,Heinkel He-219, F4U Corsair, P51H Mustang, Avro 504, BF109
Watch my incompetent flying Twitch

User avatar
Styggron
Master Sergeant
Posts: 1031
Joined: 30 Oct 2015, 14:28

Re: A2A Connie manuals online

Post by Styggron »

Scott - A2A wrote:Styggron,

Just to explain a bit, because from our point of view this last nine months of development has been all about brand new developments and code.

The COTS 377 was built on the first version of Accu-Sim. Version two started with the Spitfire, which was a shared code base that allowed us to keep adding airplanes and building the technology. With the Cessna 172 release, we split this v2 technology again. So there are three branches of Accu-Sim:
1. COTS (4-engine prop)
2. Warbirds (large single piston warbirds)
3. GA (smaller single piston GA)

Before developing the T-6, we discussed what branch would be best to build it with - Warbirds or GA. We decided to use Warbirds, and much of the T-6 development was bringing over newer technology from GA into the Warbirds. Once the T-6 came out, all other Warbirds benefited from all the new tech. This was a huge move forward for us.

The Connie was built by splitting the COTS engine (now we have a 377 and Connie branch). This means any improvements in the Connie that we decide can / should be in the 377 will have to be manually moved over to the 377 branch. Needless to say, for COTS with the plethoria of airtificial intelligence going on, this is like brain surgery. It is a very slow process that once complete, requiring about 2x the beta testing of other projects. The new technology in the Connie includes:
- New fuel delivery system. You can now make primer only engine starts with the mixture off. If you were to leave the primer on after the engine starts, then move the auto mixture to RICH, if you wait long enough, the engine will slow and eventually quit due to being flooded. This is because of all the physics in this system
- Slow speed engine behavior. This was necessary to allow for proper in-flight engine restarts.
- Electric prop. This was a new system that doesn't exist in FSX, we build that allows the prop to be manipulated even with the engine off. This was necessary for proper starts and feathering behavior, plus it's cool to see that still prop move :)
- Dual speed supercharger. This was the first tech we built for the Connie, which means you can move individual engines into high or low blower, and you get the proper fuel efficiency changes (low blower is more efficient) and power at all altitudes.
- Historic Sperry III autopilot. This is one of the first autopilots ever made and we don't know of a single working example in existence today. We contacted all existing autopilot manufacturers to get some answers without success. It turned out a 90 year old veteran pilot who volunteers in our local air museum was critical in answering some questions about how this works. This is an autopilot unlike anything that has ever been made for a flight sim. Very very manual.
- Persistent differences in both gauges and systems. You will notice on this Connie there are many differences between each of the engines. This is normal and makes for a more challenging experience as you have to literally interpret 4 engines all with different readings. These changes are unique and no two airplanes are the same
- T-6 FM changes. This is from our latest developments with the T-6 worked into the Connie, and makes for an even more fluid feel in the air
- New slip and ball code (fairly large amount of code for this one instrument).
- 3rd party GPS support
- Re-trained the crew to work a new airplane. This is where most of the beta testing was spent, helping to improve the artificial intelligence of the crew one in a different environment
- Brand new 4 engine sound design system

The last one for me, being a sound engineer at heart, is my personal favorite (and that was a painful process to get right). Nowhere, anywhere, is there a 4 engine prop airplane that sounds and behaves like the Connie. You can actually hear the reverberant drone in the cabin as you add power, thanks to some very cool convolution reverb technology. It actually allowed us to sample and re-create complex spaces with incredible accuracy. I've been flying this for months and every time I move those throttles, it's an experience just like a actual large multi piston. Also, no more hearing engines idling on final, rather they are high speed and low power, and just as you cross the threshold, they start to drop just like the real airplane

All of the above and a lot of stuff I can't remember atm, made this project go about 3 months over schedule. I hope this helps to explain how things work under the hood too in our products a bit more.

Scott.
Thank you Scott. There is a lot here we would not normally know about. As an A2A customer you know I think your products are amazing already. People always hear me rave on about you MUST get A2A planes.

I guess I was after something I have never seen not something only specific to the constellation like the AP you guys did which must be a joy. Electric Prop is a fantastic achievement, specific to the constellation I am guessing. In essence you are preserving this plane digitally really because of the sheer accuracy. The sound modelling will also be amazing. For me too the sounds make it all come to life as you listen to LITTLE details here and there. THAT makes A2A light years ahead of anyone else, the SOUND can tell you what is happening.

I really hope there are a lot of enhancements with the AI because I fear, even though it was early, I bought accu-sim for the cub only because of Heidi and I was rather disappointed with her reactions, most of the time she does not say much at all or turn around etc (I tried different modes). I am just far more skeptical on things like that.

I have the B377 with COTS as I got it on your June sale. I am worried if I get the constellation and COTS that I won't see much difference in behaviour of AI or situations bar the actual plane flight model of course. For example sick passengers, this happens already in the B377, so I am really scared there won't be enough "new" things. This is all I am worried about because I am sure the base plane and then adding COTS will probably be as much as the B377 with COTS.

Unless of course we can use the B377 COTS and just get the BASE Constellation. Now THAT would be something I would be interested in.

Thank you agian Scott. Nothing comes close to A2A.
Accufeel V2, C172 , B377+L049+COTS, B17G, Piper Cub,Commanche,Cherrokee,Spitfire,Bonanza, P47,P40,both Mustangs
Aircraft Factory Avro Anson, Albatros DIII,Heinkel He-219, F4U Corsair, P51H Mustang, Avro 504, BF109
Watch my incompetent flying Twitch

User avatar
Piper_EEWL
Chief Master Sergeant
Posts: 4544
Joined: 26 Nov 2014, 14:14
Location: Germany

Re: A2A Connie manuals online

Post by Piper_EEWL »

DC3 wrote:... I am a big fan boy and love the craftsmanship that goes on under the hood in A2A aircraft. Scott you should be talking about this stuff all the time, your fans love it. :)
+1

Couldn't agree more!
B377&COTS, J3 Cub, B-17G, Spitfire, P-40, P-51D, C172, C182, Pa28, Pa24, T-6 Texan, L-049&COTS, Bonanza V35B

new reply

Return to “Lockheed Model 049 Constellation”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests