Canards for X-Plane - Introduction

X-Plane Installation & Set-up

Once you have the X-Plane DVDs, it's best to use the Installer to either Install X-Plane, or to Update your copy to the latest. An Internet connection is required for Updating. Go here for the Installer/Updater:

http://www.x-plane.com/downloads/x-plane_10_installer-updater/

If you have problems Installing or Updating, or otherwise, go here for Troubleshooting:

http://wiki.x-plane.com/Category:Frequently_Asked_Questions

For a complete copy of the User Manual for X-Plane, go here:

http://www.x-plane.com/files/manuals/X-Plane_10_Desktop_manual.pdf

If you want to use or Update an earlier version of X-Plane (ex. v 9.70) go here:

http://www.x-plane.com/downloads/older/

Adding Aircraft to X-Plane

Additional aircraft such as these canards are provided in ZIP format. Unzip the file, and a Folder of the aircraft components appears. Move this folder into the Aircraft folder inside the main X-Plane Folder. Once there, it can be found in either PlaneMaker or X-Plane itself. In the X-Plane sim, select "Aircraft - Open" and look through the list of aircraft to find the new ones that you have added. You can make a New folder named "Canards" in order to better organize and find them.

Instrument Panel and Mouse Pointer

There is of course a first, primary "Disconnect" and unrealism of using a Mouse instead of your hands on controls. This is simply the fact for most PC, PCATD and FTD low-cost hardware flight trainers. Included are the further un-realistic aspects of using simply Buttons for Speedbrake, Trim Controls, and Looking Around. Using the Keyboard for certain functions of the Instrument Panel is a better Training Replication than using the Mouse to click on-screen "buttons." At least you have to use your hand on a physical control.

Joystick & Pedal Controls for Canards

Reliable and realistic Control Sticks and Pedal assemblies are available from CH Products. I use the CombatStick and Pro Rudder Pedals, available here:

http://tinyurl.com/kdq539o

Use the Nullzone screen in X-Plane EACH time you start the simulator. Also set Full Non-Linear Response and Full Realism on this same screen in the sim.

Download Actual Owner's Manual/POH for Canard Amateur Built aircraft here:

VariEze and Long-EZ:

http://www.ez.org/t/downloads

Cozy Mark IV:

http://www.cozy1200.com/geeklog/filemgmt/viewcat.php?cid=1

Electric Trim

Set buttons on your Joystick for Pitch trim, Roll Trim, Speedbrake, Autopilot Disconnect and View Panning. Select the Settings menu, and the Joystick & Equipment menu item, and Buttons: Basic Tab for the following screen:

Press a Button on your Joystick, and then Click on the Function that you want to assign to that Button. Keep in mind that the Keyboard can be used for many Control inputs, including the Retractable Nose Wheel. Keyboard keys for:

Aileron Trim - keys "8," "9" and "0" are Left, Center and Right

Elevator Trim - keys " [ " and " ] " are Down and Up

Belly Board

The Belly Board Speedbrake is most convenient if controlled by a button on the joystick, a Keyboard command is a good Training technique. The default setting for using the Keyboard for Speed Brake are the "3" and "4" numeric keys above the alpa-letter keys. Pressing "3" retracts the Speed Brake Halfway, pressing it Again retracts it All the way;

and pressing "4" extends the Speedbrake Halfway, and pressing it again extends it the rest of the way.

Carb Heat & Mixture Controls

For carbureted airplanes, it is required to use the Carb Heat control. X-Plane will produce Carb Ice at even the slightest opportunity, and EVERY time … because it is good training. Use of Mixture changes will result in realistic power, RPM, Fuel Flow, CHT and EGT temperature changes.

Mixture Control - keys "F5" and "F6" are Down and Up

The default Keyboard keys for Carburetor Heat DO NOT work on Macs; these are F9 and F10 Function Keys. Perhaps these are available to use on Windows and/or Linux, but they are not on Mac OS. I have used the Keys Assignment screen to re-set these to F1 and F2 function keys. These are unused in X-Plane for Mac OS.

Propeller

A high performance propeller is available. Instructions for installing will be provided in a later post.

FlightTrac Autopilot

Auto-loads Vertical speed when Heading is selected. Also provides Altitude Hold. It may be a good idea to Set the Autopilot Disconnect as a button on your Joystick: perhaps the Trigger button.

Rudders/Wheelbrakes

Canard aircraft are designed as close to the real thing as possible, however the brakes-only steering is not practical for the Pedal Assemblies available. Aircraft are designed with Nose wheel steering, and braking is also provided, if you have Pedals … which is highly recommended.

Retractable Nose Wheel

Nose Wheel is retractable when on the ground. Nose Wheel Warning has a Mute button. The Nose Wheel Extend - Retract function is best accomplished by using the Keyboard "G" key, and this is a default setting.

Weight & Balance and Fuel Capacity

Cozy aircraft Front Seat Weight Adjustment is REQUIRED ???

Aircraft Open in the X-Plane simulator with Half of Fuel Capacity. Increase this to Full by Selecting Aircraft > ???

Oxygen

A Pressurization system has been designed into Canards for X-Plane which Limits aircraft to operation below Class A airspace. For users who would like to simulate training in Class A Airspace, there will be a later post dealing with this.

-