OVERVIEW:

So, what is the most beautiful piston engine airliner? Pose this question among two or more aviation enthusiasts and you may be sure that a lively, possibly heated discussion will ensue. However, I would be quite surprised if most, if not all, would ultimately agree that the Lockheed “Constellation” was the most beautiful, graceful if you prefer, or at least among the top two or three.

The “Connie,” as it was universally and affectionately called (much to the dismay of Eddie Rickenbacker of WWI fame who, as the owner of Eastern Airlines, thought the name to be too effeminate) was a spectacular and singular aeronautical design from the first rude sketch of “Excalibur” to the last L-1649 “Starliner.” Gathering many firsts and breaking many records in its almost five decades-long useful lifetime, Constellation consistently stands out from her sister airliners both visually and functionally. Sadly, the many luminous stars embodying this “Constellation” were ultimately eclipsed when at their brightest by the urgent, inexorable force of progress which saw the end of the age of the long-distance piston engine airliners and the birth of the big, jet-powered transports. This new era of air-transportation in the U.S. Began on 26 October 1958 when Pan American Airlines (Pan Am) flew a Boeing 707 with 111 passengers from New York to London. Soon, the jet-powered Douglas DC-8, Convair 880 and Sud Aviation “Caravelle” joined the 707 and long-range piston airliners were through.

Even so, there are many, this writer among them, who posit that even whilst swifter, no kerosene burning aluminum tube has ever come close to matching Connie’s superb grace and poise. Her story is full of ironies and surprises, of Geniuses, Presidents and Pioneers. You see, there once was this fabulously wealthy, incandescently brilliant, eccentric movie mogul, aviator and airline owner who had an idea for an airplane... - Excerpt from Constellation manual history by Mitchell Glicksman © 2016

FEATURES:

History comes alive: Experience a timeless legend brought to life inside a simulation.

Every aircraft is unique: Don't expect all gauges to read the same values, just like the real airplane. And each airplane is persistent.

Four crew positions: pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer, and navigator. Fully modelled and functioning positions constructed with down to the rivet detail.

Intelligent crew and responsive passengers:

- Your engineer can manage all the systems on the fly, responding to various conditions

- Copilot calls out critical info

- Navigator observes and posts findings

- Flight attendent tirelessly works for both you and the passengers (just like the real world counterparts)

Unexpected events possible: Engines along with other systems including heating, air conditioning, and pressurization can be problematic

Captain's Career: Your performance is remembered and can get better, worse, or stay consistent based on your flying abilities and flight management

Real time Load Manager: with the ability to load individual passengers, cargo, and fuel or select presets.

Custom Navigator's Map: Zoomable map can be customized to show the desired information

Default and Historic Sperry Autopilot: You can select either autopilot in the sim

Authentic fuel deliver includes primer only starts: You can start the engines properly by using primer with the mixture in the OFF position.

Auto-Mixture: that actually performs as intended. Now you can set for “auto-rich” or "auto-lean" and the aircraft fuel to air ratio will be automatically determined and set by the carburetor based upon various factors such as altitude.

Custom Cockpit Systems and Gauges for the ultimate in realism taken far beyond what is available by default.

Inertia starters: Start these big beautiful engines by the book using authentic inertia wheel energizing and engagment

Feathering props and air starts: Custom physics allows for realistic feathering and air starts without using the starter

Deep cockpit lighting: Flood, Flourescent, and gauge lighting modeled

Dual speed superchargers: Proper supercharger physics and each engine can independently run in either high or low blower

New slip and ball code from the Accu-Sim T-6: Enjoy smooth, custom physics in this critical gauge during turning maneuvers

Authentic flight stability: The Connie was known for being a little less stable in pitch than other aircraft, which requires a little more finess and attention

Piston combustion engine modeling

Real-world conditions affect system conditions, including engine temperatures.

Fully click-able cockpits: with authentically working systems and gauges.

3D Lights 'M' (built directly into the model.)

Pure 3D Instrumentation.

- Natural 3D appearance with exceptional performance.

- Smooth movements.

Fire Extinguisher system with fully functioning overheard panel and controls.

Ground Power Unit (GPU) to power systems with engines off and not drain the battery.

Cabin pressurization system controls. You control the target altitude and the rate of pressure change and the system authentically displays and manages cabin pressure.

Three different liveries: including TWA, BOAC, and a C-69 cargo paint

A2A specialized bump mapping and specular lighting on all models.

Crew Reports pop-up 2D panel keeps important information easily available

Custom Navigator's map: accessible via keystroke or the Navigators station.

Manage temperatures with engine cowl flaps and oil cooler flaps

High temperatures can adversely affect engine performance, Serious overheating can cause scoring of cylinder head walls including ultimate failure if warnings are ignored and overly abused.

Spark plugs can clog and eventually foul if engines are allowed to idle too low for too long. Throttling up an engine with oil-soaked spark plugs can help clear them out

Experience authentic asymmetrical drag when operating various flap systems in flight.

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