Aircraft age
-
I myself love ole n dusty machines but thats a mod thing i believe. Someone might make a old worn livery who knows
-
The concept of "broken in" aircraft has been discussed a few times here. Technically speaking, just increasing the global failure rate will replicate an aircraft with many hours in service, but I always like to ask exactly what experience you're looking for, in case it's something I can cater to in the future.
-
I was thinking about something similar with what A2A are offering, a used plane that is in a good condition and a auction one that it's old and not properly maintained.
Used one should be pretty similar just to have some increase failure rates. Performance should be 1-2% less than new ones.
The auction one should have major issues: engine should have lower performance (5-10%), run hotter, burn more fuel, flight controls should be more sluggish, alternators should generate less power, screens should flicker or reboot randomly, increase friction for analog instruments, calibrated instruments should be less "calibrated", gyro instruments should take more time to come alive and maybe even drift, air condition should be less powerful, VOR/NDB should be less precise, ice boots should inflate less due to air leaks.
This kind of stuff, less than an on/off situation but a more gradual degradation. Of course, it's not an easy task and you can add only a part of it, it's your time after all, I just gave some ideas
-
I think you use the MTBF approach to aircraft systems breaking, is it possible to do that on a curve? the more hours on a system the higher the probability, instead of a linear probability? I don't know the ins and outs of that, but seems like it would make sense. It's 'possible' for a part with only 10 hours to break, but much more likely, I'd think, with 10,000 hours on it. Then you could have the 'age' of the aircraft be the starting point on that curve, not the same as A2A, but similar?
-
The concept of "broken in" aircraft has been discussed a few times here. Technically speaking, just increasing the global failure rate will replicate an aircraft with many hours in service, but I always like to ask exactly what experience you're looking for, in case it's something I can cater to in the future.
@Black-Square said in Aircraft age:
The concept of "broken in" aircraft has been discussed a few times here. Technically speaking, just increasing the global failure rate will replicate an aircraft with many hours in service, but I always like to ask exactly what experience you're looking for, in case it's something I can cater to in the future.
An example where a feature like this can be useful. As you can imagine, I intend to simulate several different situations with the Cargo Master. From FedEx feeder operations, for example, in Portland emulating the routes of Empire Airlines, or along the Amazon in Brazil, in Alaska, or other postal services from DHL in Europe. The fact that in each of these situations the aircraft behaves differently, thanks to the condition of its components, as you can imagine, takes all the engine you’ve programmed to levels of realism that are rarely seen. This means that each aircraft has its own story and requires us to adjust on its condition. Like in the real life.
I recently read that there’s an addon (forgive me, I don't remember which one) that has introduced the MEL feature. Since your engine offers detailed monitoring of component status, it allows you to play with the idea that some component may not be available for flight. Or perhaps it alerts the pilot that there is a component not operating at 100%, which could trigger a cascade of errors if certain limits are not maintained. This not only forces you to fly the aircraft in ways you normally wouldn’t, but it could also lead to emergency situations during flight.
In my case, as I mentioned, I intend to push the Caravan to its limits, simulating various operators across the globe under very different conditions. Being able to encounter these kinds of situations is... pure gold. Neither the best movie nor the best RPG could offer such a level of immersion. No flight from A to B would be the same.
-
@Black-Square said in Aircraft age:
The concept of "broken in" aircraft has been discussed a few times here. Technically speaking, just increasing the global failure rate will replicate an aircraft with many hours in service, but I always like to ask exactly what experience you're looking for, in case it's something I can cater to in the future.
An example where a feature like this can be useful. As you can imagine, I intend to simulate several different situations with the Cargo Master. From FedEx feeder operations, for example, in Portland emulating the routes of Empire Airlines, or along the Amazon in Brazil, in Alaska, or other postal services from DHL in Europe. The fact that in each of these situations the aircraft behaves differently, thanks to the condition of its components, as you can imagine, takes all the engine you’ve programmed to levels of realism that are rarely seen. This means that each aircraft has its own story and requires us to adjust on its condition. Like in the real life.
I recently read that there’s an addon (forgive me, I don't remember which one) that has introduced the MEL feature. Since your engine offers detailed monitoring of component status, it allows you to play with the idea that some component may not be available for flight. Or perhaps it alerts the pilot that there is a component not operating at 100%, which could trigger a cascade of errors if certain limits are not maintained. This not only forces you to fly the aircraft in ways you normally wouldn’t, but it could also lead to emergency situations during flight.
In my case, as I mentioned, I intend to push the Caravan to its limits, simulating various operators across the globe under very different conditions. Being able to encounter these kinds of situations is... pure gold. Neither the best movie nor the best RPG could offer such a level of immersion. No flight from A to B would be the same.
@Chotter said in Aircraft age:
Neither the best movie nor the best RPG could offer such a level of immersion.
Now you're speaking my language! While there are many users who tell me they couldn't care less about the failure features in an aircraft, they have provided me with some of my most memorable simulator experiences. Even a simple item, like the "Cabin Door" annunciator lighting up on short final in IMC, as if just to spook you, is such a delight to me.
While I have received your comments about aerodynamics and engine performance, I would still encourage you not to overlook the failure rate slider as your source of enjoyment for the Caravan. I very much understand your point, but at least in my estimation, a propeller governor failure or fuel control failure would be a much more entertaining and challenging experience than an engine routinely running a few degrees hotter due to its imagined age. Just my opinion, however!
