README

Aeroworks
(N3DK)
Dark Eagle III
Super-modified Christen Eagle
for FS2000Pro
by Jason L. Terry

Requirements:
FS2000 Professional Ed.

Introduction

The original Dark Eagle was a basic straight-forward Christen Eagle II with a slightly different than "traditional" paint scheme, and designed (at the time) for Unlimited level aerobatics in FS98 and included no moving parts, and no instrument panel. By the time I got around to making the Dark Eagle II (DK2), quite alot had changed in FS. I was currently interested in making panels, and Abacus had released "Aircraft Animator" so all the control surfaces could finally be animated as well. Also FS2000 had recently been released so I created 2 versions of the DK2, one for FS98 and one for FS2000. The third incarnation of the Dark Eagle is the most advanced of the Christen Eagle series and the most advanced of any aerobatic plane I have ever done...

Dark Eagle's

THE PLANE

The airframe is almost totally redesigned, the only remaining feature of the original Dark Eagle is the aft portion of the fuselage, everything else has been completely redesigned. Visual changes from the Dark Eagle II include a lengthened cowling, larger "Hollywood wingtips", new 3-dimensional tail surfaces, new 3-blade prop with transparent effects, virtual cockpit, increased number of logos, a much wilder paint scheme, and redesigned tires & wheelpants. Flight dynamics are also improved, boasting a thrust to weight ratio well beyond 1:1, and a much greater vertical performance.

THE PANEL

All new digital instrument panel that incorporates a glass cockpit using the Sierra Flight Systems MFD (Multifunction Display) and Vision Microsystems VM-1000 engine monitor display. This panel has been tested with FS2000 Pro in 3d mode using 1024x768 resoloution. If you are using FS2000 Std. you may notice the abscence of some gauges that are used by default on FS2000 Pro.

FLYING TIPS
and MFD Information

First and foremost, this plane is powerful. I would definately call this an "expert only" plane simply because I think many people who don't usually fly aerobatics in FS will not be able to control this plane after it breaks ground. Basically this plane is all the things I wanted an aerobatic plane to have, and it is my idea of a perfect unlimited level aerobatic plane. This is simply just my opinion and to anyone who shares the same ideals; this plane is for you! It is NOT a basic/sportsman level aerobatic plane, it was NOT made to be easy to fly in the eyes of a novice, it was NOT made to fly near jet speeds. Instead this plane was designed to have high torque (during low airspeed, high angle of attack, high RPM), high horsepower, high RPM, and LOW thrust to weight ratio, meaning that it creates more thrust per pounds than it actually weighs.

Secondly, the panel took quite a bit of thinking in order to create, the MFD screens simultaneously show you all you will need at any given time. I have divided these screens into the "modes" listed as follows:

Mode's on the left. Warning's on the right.

Default Mode

This mode is shown by default and has the usual ADI (Attitude Direction Indicator) configuration showing Airspeed, Altitude, Attitude, Mach number, Atmospheric data (in milibars and inches). None of the buttons on the MFD select this screen, everytime you press a button it brings up a separate screen *on top of* this default mode and the only way to get this screen back is to de-select through the other MFD screens which have been opened.

NAV/COMM Mode

I didn't include a pic here for the Navigational/Communications mode because it is simple and really self-explanatory. This mode is toggled with the radio stack toggle switch (left column, first button).

ILS Mode

I call this "ILS Mode" because it is the only mode that allows the use of an Instrument Landing System, and simultaneously shows information about speed and attitude (via digital bank indicator). This mode is toggled with the Compass Panel toggle switch (left column, second button) this mode is to be used in conjunction with the digital VSI and Radar Altimeter, both of which are constantly visible.

XC Mode

I call this "XC (Cross-country) Mode" because it lacks the VOR1 type ILS format, but instead it has VOR2 and an ADF with DME and is great for use on cross countries (although I recommend using both XC and ILS mode for the best cross-country flights). This mode is toggled with the Thrust Levers toggle switch (left column, third button).

NOTE: To fly this plane on a cross-country you *must* use appropriate mixture settings. Due to the high power of this plane it has a fairly short range (under 100NM) at full rich mixture. However, on one XC test flight I flew from KJSO to KRVS (252nm) at 5000AGL at 170KIAS 100%power. With a good mixture setting I had 42% of total fuel left and a flight time of 1hr 36 minutes. GS for this flight was 158 kts. This is just an example of what is possible, as always it's a tradeoff between fuel burn and airspeed.

HAVE FUN!

Complete Aircraft by:
Jason L. Terry
red_ace1@yahoo.com

Do not make changes or include this package on any commercial CD without the authors permission! You can upload this plane to any site as long as the original zipfile is not changed and I am given credit as the designer.