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AERONCA 7 Champ Beta release for tests

lagaffe

lagaffe

Members +
Moderator Edit: This is now released to the public:

AERONCA 7 Champ Public Release

Hello, Since no additional comments were sent to me, to celebrate this day of July 4th I propose in advance the release of this v1.0 on my web home page http://frenchvfr.free.fr As very often people use the direct address and then "Google Translate" to have the site in English without...
www.sim-outhouse.org

Hello guys,

This new add-on that I have in preparation illustrates the famous AERONCA 7 Champion of the years 1944/45 equipped with three different CONTINENTAL engines: 65, 85 and 90 HP in two versions wheels and floats.

I took the opportunity to switch to a newer working environment, leaving my Blender 2.83, I switched to Blender 3.6.18 and the latest Asobo export plugin in v1.3.3. PBR textures are created with Gimp 2.10 and PBR Painter/Blender 4.2 :jump:

This allowed me to try other functions that were not accessible on my old environment including dirt and fingerprints on the windows ;)
I hope to be able to add the icing function on the wings and fuselage, even if I wonder about the reality of this with this plane that must not fly at too high altitudes. This will be an opportunity to open the debate :ernaehrung004:

The official BETA version for the first tests has just been sent to the TEAM. You can publish: images or videos on SOH, no problems

1749402390035.png

Presentation of the possibilities included in this version:


Good flights to the testers :cool:
 
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Afer the first e-mails and remarks, I am :
- improving the take-off: "engine increasing the RPMs to quickly", "take-off between 32 and 35 knts" the right speed is 38 knts
- aircraft that has "a rate of roll a little too important", it would have to be heavier

Today I tried to make a change that I had wanted to do for a long time: the icing of the plane.
This is what it gives: the icing of the windscreen works in real time, that of the wings and fuselage must be reviewed because it appears all the time!

Givrage.png
 
Quite impressive ! Thanks a lot for your hard work Lagaffe ;)
Quick question, about the icing: I suppose this aircraft has no anti-ice equipment, right ? In case of icing condition, are we supposed to land asap ? Or is there any other procedure ?
 
The aircraft that I use as reference (VC very reduced to its simplest expression) has only a pull knob for heating the cabin, nothing else.
If I do the parallel with a car, it should allow for minimum defogging but there is nothing to send hot air into the wings so when you suggest it in case of bad conditions:
- heating the cabin to hope to see something there trought the windshield (I think it is possible to do)
- diversion to the first airport before the "crash".

As I suggested, initially it was to validate a function that I had never implemented so a personal challenge.
Yesterday the challenge was half completed and this morning after my last tests I was able to validate the real-time creation of the ice on the wings.

In fact everything goes through the definition of the material used: Geo Decal Frosted, which is interpreted by the simulator engine and gradually creates/removes texture on objects where it is applied.
Regarding the texture slots to be initialized in the material under Blender, it’s very complicated and I had to do retro-engendering (CAP 10 of MSFS).
At the level of the controls to manage the structure or the cabin, the SDK recently added two new parameters in the DEICE section which is in the flight_model.CFG. I have to experiment withtheses two parameters.
 
my knowledge on this is light but as I understand it, non de-ising equipped aircraft must avoid weather conditions conducive to icing - once encountered, because it can occur even in very light moisture environments, pilot must activate carb heat to full, adjust mixture to raise CHT, reduce altitude and possibly reverse or alter course according to visual and sensory results.
It is due to the nature of ice crystal formulation in carburetors, to always fly/cruise with some amount of carb heat, especially at altitudes above 5k' and during descent, or in and out of visible clouds.. as I understand it anyway.
 
I don't know about other people's Champs, but Charlie was not a cold weather airplane, he preferred the hanger and absolutely refused to start under 32 degrees F. :ROFLMAO:

BTW lagaffe, Charlie had spats.

Cazzie
 
lagaffe said:
The aircraft that I use as reference (VC very reduced to its simplest expression) has only a pull knob for heating the cabin, nothing else.
If I do the parallel with a car, it should allow for minimum defogging but there is nothing to send hot air into the wings so when you suggest it in case of bad conditions:
- heating the cabin to hope to see something there trought the windshield (I think it is possible to do)
- diversion to the first airport before the "crash".

As I suggested, initially it was to validate a function that I had never implemented so a personal challenge.
Yesterday the challenge was half completed and this morning after my last tests I was able to validate the real-time creation of the ice on the wings.

In fact everything goes through the definition of the material used: Geo Decal Frosted, which is interpreted by the simulator engine and gradually creates/removes texture on objects where it is applied.
Regarding the texture slots to be initialized in the material under Blender, it’s very complicated and I had to do retro-engendering (CAP 10 of MSFS).
At the level of the controls to manage the structure or the cabin, the SDK recently added two new parameters in the DEICE section which is in the flight_model.CFG. I have to experiment withtheses two parameters.
Click to expand...
I love the addition of this feature, but as a point of clarity, a pilot would have to be unconscious to allow that kind of accumulation on the airframe. Generally, just the beginning of the formulation of ice in the carb would cause engine sputter and power loss. Once a pilot recognizes that in a non de-icing airplane he would descend and alter course pretty quickly. I realize that you are likely depicting the worst case visual representation in that screenshot just to demonstrate the effect is activated, but I'm pretty sure no living Aeronca pilot would experience that level of compromise while in flight
 
Cazzie said:
I don't know about other people's Champs, but Charlie was not a cold weather airplane, he preferred the hanger and absolutely refused to start under 32 degrees F. :ROFLMAO:

BTW lagaffe, Charlie had spats.

Cazzie
Click to expand...
NOTAM : if your weather rock has snow on top and icicles dangling from it - the Aeronca stays locked in the hangar
 
In MSFS, you can test this effect using menu Options - Icing from the DEV Mod. This test consist in a slider which can move between 0 (no effect) and 1 (full effect). In full effect you cannot see throught the windshield :giggle:

My screen is when the effect is equal to 1 If I had made a screen with the slide at 0.1, no one would have seen anything :cool:

1749667361528.png

In the simulator, I think that when the conditions are present, progressively the icing occurs and if the pilot continue to flight the icing go progressively from 0.1 to 1.
That I means, it is that the screen illustrate the worst situation that can be simulated and so I don’t think any of you will fly in these conditions but that they will land well before getting there.
 
so the maximum icing effect is adjustable by the user, and all you are doing is making it available as a feature - is that correct?
Also - the image you shared above is with the highest maximum icing effect - full slider. is that also correct?
I wouldn't mind seeing a bit of frost accumulation along the edges of the windows as a visual cue, should I be flying in borderline conditions.
Icing is a real world concern for pilots and it adds a bit more realism. The only potential problem and the reason I have it switched off is that, like so many other MSFS realism features, it is way out of whack
Exhaust heat blur, thermals, water dynamics IE: float plane behaviors on the water - etc...
 
To answwer to your two questions:
- Yes,
- Not exactly, the slider is to test this function but in the simulator the effect will be displayed if the weather conditions are unfavorable and if the user insists on continuing their flight, the situation will worsen to reach these extreme values.

Sorry, but I have found one problem yesterday, during a test for other things. For some reasons, I have validate the case "Disable Crashes" in the DEV Mod - Options . Yesterday for a test I have unselected this case and when I loaded the 7AC, MSFS crashes !
This occurs under 2020 and 2024.

Just before validating the "READY TO FLY" button after loading the selected flight, the 7AC/7BCM appeared slightly above ground and with the tail horizontal ... It is exactly the position of the S7BCM with floats !

The problem is yet solved. It is located in the flight model.CFG of the 7AC and 7BCM and concerns the section [CONTACT POINT] which have changed after a mistake of mine or after the new MSFS Beta version that I use.

The actual section :
[CONTACT_POINTS]
static_pitch = 1.3 ; 11.450 - degrees, pitch when at rest on the ground (+=Up, -=Dn)
static_cg_height = 4.88 ; 4.432 / 3.715 / 5.02 feet, altitude of CG when at rest on the ground
Click to expand...

The new section which solve the annoying crashes for the 7AC & 7BCM :
[CONTACT_POINTS]
static_pitch = 12.0 ; 11.450 - degrees, pitch when at rest on the ground (+=Up, -=Dn)
static_cg_height = 4.113 ; 4.432 / 3.715 / 5.02 feet, altitude of CG when at rest on the ground
Click to expand...

In fact, I have copied by mistake the informations of the S7BCM (floats) into the CFG files of the two wheels versions. That’s what we risk when developing several models at the same time and trying to synchonize them to quickly

Another temporary solution while waiting for the next version is to devalidate the option crahes in the simulator options.
The next version should be ready by Friday, sorry. In any case, that’s why we make beta versions for testing
 
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Hello,

For those who received a link for the Beta test version, I have updated the link (this link does not change, which is easier for me) with the new version v0.8.8.2.
A Release_v0882.txt file at the root of the archive allows to recognize the version.

I have already integrated what I did to make the 7AC/7BCM take off less quickly: a little more weight on the vacuum mass, a little less efficiency on the low RPMs propeller, a slightly reduced surface area.
The engines to hold the IDLE need 5-8% throttle (less efficient propeller however the engine stop).
They take off a little less quickly but I can’t do better otherwise I risk degrading other parameters.
The stall speed is maintained.You can unset "Disable crashes" in the 2020 GUI (Assistance Options): I have solved the problem this morning. Unfortunatly under 2024, Disable crashes is always necessary :cry:
The icing function is integrated and functionnal.
Now the rear seat is clickable so you can make the passenger appear by clicking on it but the "compass correction data plate" on the VC is always functionnal.
 
Hello,

Well, the fact of wanting to understand what is happening behind these strange error messages from MSFS has repeatedly proven their effectiveness.

All this happens if you want to validate the DAMAGES in the main interface with this aircraft.

Upon loading the Aeronca 7AC, after a few seconds the message YOU OVER-STRESSED OUR AIRCRAFT appears ... and MSFS asks you to restart the flight or to return to the main menu :cry:

This morning I did multiple searches, comparisons with the Stearman that I developed and consulted the SDK as well as the developer forum.
Apparently this issue comes up several times but without real answers.
The only thing that is certain is that what is contained in the CFG files does not please the internal calculations of MSFS which consider that something is wrong and considers that there has been an exceedance of the allowed threshold for CRASHES.

The SDK already mentions a chapter "Overstress Damage", mentioned by an ASOBO developer in July 2023 on the developers' forum, and this chapter still doesn’t exist! When you click on the link, you obtain the image joined to this message.

Continuing my research in the SDK, I finally read the chapter - Testing the aircraft - and it is there that I discovered that some calculations were made based on the variables ***_flaps_*** and/or ***_spoilers_*** to define or not that the plane had been used outside of its POH: at ASOBO apparently all the planes have flaps otherwise they are not planes (n)

By comparing with a Stearman's flight_model.CFG file, I indeed saw that I had left some of ones in the Stearman, and the Stearman can fly perfectly with this famous option (Stearman don't have flaps and spoilers).
Immediately I recreated these missing lines in the Aeronca's flight_model.CFG and ... with the option Disable crashes invalidated in the DEV Mod, I was able to load the plane, take off, and even land. So the problem is solved ! but not twith the help of ASOBO :mad:

Once again, MSFS is a great software but if ASOBO wanted to take the trouble to finish the SDK, it would allow developers to make better planes and especially faster :devilish:

New rule for developers: if you want to use all the MSFS's possibilities you should define "flaps/spoilers" on your aircraft even it it don't need
I will therefore upgrade the version published last night and replace the content of the archive via the link with a new v0883.
Given that France still endures high temperatures today, I might wait until this weekend because the weather forecast predicts some rain and better temperatures ;).
 

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Hello,

The new version v0.883 is released :ernaehrung004: (see the file Realses_v0883.txt in the archive) and the old link is always available.

ChangeLogs:
- Now it is possible to fly with the 3 variations and with the Damages enabled under 2020 and 2024. (y)
- A frost texture is now apply on the interior parts of glasses ( the pilot can to see in the cockpit "icing and scraches" throught the windshield):coffee:

I will take advantage of the next few days to do some cleaning in the XML files because the Console shows me certain warnings that I prefer to correct rather than wasting the simulator’s time detecting and logging this kind of messages ... ASOBO should do the same thing because many planes or basic included scenes have this kind of annoyances :cool:
 
Ok, I'm back to being a bit more operational, my hernia was giving me big issues. I'll definitely give her a whirl after dinner!

Priller
 
The new version v0.884 is released and the old link is always available (y).

Floats version:
  • Anchor is configured with the "Parking Brake", it is set ON when : "ENG COMBUSTION is 0" + "PARKING BRAKE POSITIOn is 0" + "SURFACE TYPE is 2" (water)
  • Management of water rudders is automatic and are deplyed when "SURFACE TYPE is 2" + "PLANE ALT ABOVE GROUND < 10 feet"
  • Floats Contact points and Center of Gravity are tuned more precisely
  • Add three effects to enhance the take-off / landing on water surface (2 effects for floats parts + 1 effect for propeller blast)
  • ASOBO effets of wave behind each floats are declared now in XML Exterior file (Denny )
For all aircrafts:
  • Thumbnail (vintage/restored) modified to be fully compatible with 2024 (Denny ;))
  • A CABIN HEAT lever is add on the left of the panel and configured to deice the windshield (...)
  • The parameter "single magneto efficiency" reviewed => 0.875 in order to decrease RPMs when only one magneto is ON
1750245988023.png

If the tests only reveal minor issues, I think I can release version v1.0 soon.

A version v1.5 is already planned which should replace the current Legacy sounds with WWISE (outside environment, wind, open windows, etc) and the Legacy sounds for engine noises :cool:
 
Looking fantastic, Didier! I just sent a couple of minor feedback notes on the switches and anchor, in case my email ended up in the "Undesired" folder again. :)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 6_19_2025 3_43_51 PM.jpg

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 6_19_2025 3_45_00 PM.jpg
 
This morning, I read another time may favorite site on aviation: https://www-lavionnaire-fr.translat...l=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=fr&_x_tr_pto=wapp
and I refreshed my ideas on induced drag.

1750412442561.png

In fact, it is inversely proportional to the speed so I tried tochange the flight_model.cfg as :
- putting the AERONCA value back on the wing surface
wing_area = 178 ; 178.22 / Wing area S (SQUARE FEET)

- test several induced drag values by increasing it
induced_drag_scalar = 1.28 ; old value 1.20

- by increasing the value of the gyro stability on the pitch
pitch_gyro_stability = 0.972 ; old value 0.66

The result with an induced drag of 1.28 instead of 1.2 is astonishing: the aircraft with this modification on the stabilizer is almost perfectly stable (to the nuance near turbulence).
Under MSFS 2024, I fly with the 7AC at a stable flight with 4% of trim (the altitude speed varies around 500 feet/min but is stable) and a speed of 68 knots
You just have to change these 3 values in the flight_model.cfg. These three values are also usable for the 7BCM.
For the S7BCM, I increased the induced_drag_scalar value from to 1.285 to take into account the floats.

I will continue my tests and I think that next Tuesday I might have a v0.885 which will be the release version
 
I changed the above values in the flight_model.cfg. But I have been too busy watching bike racing in your country, Belgian, Switzerland, and Italy to test anything. I live in Europe on the Internet from February through October watching bike racing. There is no sport in the world like it. I raced in the US from 1978 through 1984. Did neutral support on six Tour DuPont 10 day stage races in the US from 1991 through 1996. The worst malady I suffer today is that I am too feeble and lack the balance to ride my bikes any longer. My last ride was August 19, 2021. I cannot explain just how much I miss the freedom and healthiness of cycling.

Cazzie
 
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