JustFlight Canberra PR9

[DaveB]

Do it Ben.. do it!

Noddy.. where in the world are you flying over all those rape fields??

ATB
DaveB

[delta558]

Dave, to save you reading the entire manual, I'll give you a couple of the main pointers on flying it (based on your comments so far) to hopefully let you enjoy it as intended:

Flaps should be up for take-off. They are basically there to create drag, being 2 position (up / down). They do create a large pitching moment, referred to in the Pilots Notes and also commented on by one of the PR9 pilots who helped us with this (and is also current on type): "When flaps are selected down you would pause a second or two then start trimming fully nose down. This would more or less balance out the change in trim force. However you would run out of trim before the flaps had finished travelling with the last 5 seconds or so developing a small push force to prevent the nose rising. This push would gradually decrease as speed reduced." Also, " the Fleet Air Arm and FRADU always raised the flaps during a roller, unlike the RAF who always left them down. I was never convinced that either method had any particularly practical rationale, although one assumes the RAF believed there was some lift benefit (if this were the case then it would only be a very slight difference)".

Take off should only use 90%rpm. That approximately gives 8000lb per side, which is still higher than earlier marks of Canberra at 100%. Each engine delivers an extra 3,259lb thrust at 100%, so most of the thrust was in that top 10% range.

You'll need rudder and you will need to get used to it - along with the trim, it may initially feel that you are using too much but once you are used to it it becomes very easy. The rudder is noted in the PNs as being particularly sensitive, and I've found it easier to go back to my gliding days and watch the nose for co-ordination rather than the slip ball. It should also be the case that the adverse yaw is more noticeable at higher rates of roll - that applies as much at higher speeds as it does in the circuit, though to a slightly lesser extent.

Even with the flaps up, you'll be looking at about 5-6000ft take-off run at full weight. Keep the stick fully forwards (you'll see that in the 2006 display vids) as the aircraft has a tendency to lift the nose which will increase drag and lengthen the take-off run (PNs).
If you want a more sprightly performance, akin to the current situation with XH134, delete all weights except the pilot in the payload section. Looking at the fuel (which initially seems odd - blame MS for an inflexible labelling and feed system), cut 'centre' and 'centre3' to 10%. That will give you the correct fuel loading for displays / flight tests. At that AUW, expect to be off the ground in around 2000ft / 21 seconds. Still hold the stick forwards and, as at all weights, rotate about 10kts below unstick speed.

Hope that is of some help,
Paul.

[DaveB]

Yo Paul

Thanks for the run through. I wish I'd popped back before stopping to quickly read through the manual Reason I did that was I noticed when slowing (and the rudder had lost authority.. lack of speed) that I couldn't steer the nose wheel I came to a rolling stop on my first flight and hadn't tried to go anywhere so didn't notice I eventually found a 'configuration panel' noted in the PN's where direct nose wheel steering can be selected but by this time, I'd closed the sim down and the program wouldn't let me in if that makes sense. Other than this, I've had no real problem with it. I was even careful with the nav lights this time and used the 2D panel instead of the switch in the VC which seems less than reliable (it doesn't operate like the simple switch on the 2D). This may be a bug, I don't know. The 2D panel is easier to use (for me) anyway as I'm TrackIR-less and navigating a VC with a joystick POV hat has always been a chore

I even put ACG's Marham on this install so the old girl wouldn't feel out of place

Thus far.. the Canberra remains very much a positive experience and I'm glad I coughed up

ATB
DaveB

[delta558]

Glad you're enjoying her! It is described as 'an easy aircraft to fly', and as long as you are aware of its little quirks I think it is. the steering is actually very easy without bothering with 'tools' - as per the real aircraft it is set up to default to straight left/right brakes. It works well once you get used to it. Then, there's a clickpoint on the 2D trim panel which adds rudder to that and makes steering easier (but less realistic(. Finally, there is the option in the configuration tool to add nosewheel steering (Boooooo. Hisssssss).

[DaveB]

Hi Paul

Diff braking obviously isn't setup on this install (obvious to me that is as I tried that first) and for reasons unknown, the config panel is crashing before I can get into it. Pity this isn't in one of the drop downs from within FSX

I'm running Win7 Ultimate on a reasonably virginal FSX (or t'other way round). Can't be bothered to pursue it this late in the day. Hopefully I'll get a bit of time before I go to work tomorrow lunchtime but at the mo.. the config/flight analysis part of the prog is a no-go here.

ATB
DaveB

[DaveG]

Overall, I'm very impressed with the PR9. There's a couple of minor niggles, & a few bits I would have done differently, but nothing serious.
Well done JF.

[DaveB]

Can you access the config panel Dave?

EDIT: I still can't get into the config panel (support note raised) and have found the clickspots for trim reset and nose wheel are reversed from how they're described in the manual.. that is, top RH shows Nose Wheel in the manual but the legend 'in sim' reads Reset Trim and the lower LH spot shown as Reset Trim in the manual reads Nose Wheel in sim. No biggie and I've highlighted it at JF

Off to work now damn it!

ATB
DaveB

[DaveG]

Hi mate, yes, the config panel works for me.
Didn't try the trim switches last night. Will play more tonight.

[TrafficPilot]

Ah!- glad I found this thread. I received the emails about the Canberra pre/release but thought I'd hold off until I'd read some user reviews as recently I seem to have a hanger full of Just Flight releases that I just don't want to fly.

Thank you all for your thoughts on the PR9 - am sorely tempted now. May just wait a little longer until any bugs are ironed out.

Cheers

Adam

[J0hn]

Thanks for the review, Dave - I guess I'll have to have it, but not until a sale, or I've built up enough 'reward' points to bring the cost down. I spent £85 on FTX scenery last week and SWMBO does the accounts every weekend! Nuff said...

That first screenshot of yours is very impressive. Put the model image over a photo and it would look like the 'real deal'. Very nice.