[Payware] Majestic Software Dash 8 Q-400

[CODY]

I am surprised this isn't getting more publicity. This plane does so many things that nobody else has ever done in (and out!) of FSX. The frame rate is absolutely incredible for the realism. I would have expected this to hit my computer like the NGX does, but it stays locked at 30 FPS in all but the most demanding scenarios (where non Q400 things drag down FPS). The flight model is unlike anything I've experienced in the MSFS world, the sounds are nice, and for the most part, the textures and modeling are a home run. There are some very minor quality issues, and there's still a few rough edges, but I am sure they will address them as time goes on.

Between the relatively obscure FMC, the realistic external FDE, and being a turboprop, this is definitely the most challenging "tube" I've flown in FS. Going to provide many hours of fun!

Can't wait till we've got shared cockpit capability!

Kiwi
I'm looking at this...Kinda...Just not a whole lot pic's running around of the "Whole Plane"...any chance you guys that have it can show us what it looks like on a everyday system? Inside and out?
And with some things I've been reading around the forums...there are some issues.
A lot of money for me to shell out right now and I just need to make sure I don't make any more bad expensive choice's!

[Tim-HH]

Here are a few pictures of this excellent aircraft









Greetings
Tim

[CODY]

Nice Tim....Cockpit shots make more enticing!

[Lionheart]

Great pics Tim! Impressive...

I am trying to learn this thing. Taking a few flights. Just found out how to ground steer it via joy stick 'aileron input'. sigh....

So much to learn in this plane.

[alehead]

The MJC Q400 has an external FDE which allows amazing performance in FSX. It will fly through overcast from Opus with visible icing effects over FTX England all day at the set 30 fps. The FMS is very quirky and nothing much like the Boeing or Airbus concept. It is more hands, even in the cruise. As in real life, the rudder needs to be trimmed during all stages of flight, even with the autopilot on. You will need varying degrees of right rudder trim to keep wings level, given the amount of torque from the propellers (they both spin the same direction) and such. Landing is fun, as you need to keep the power on all the way to the runway. Cutting to idle to flare too early will slow her down and you fall like a brick to the ground. Great turboprop simulation with a spot on sound sim. She sounds just like I remember it when taxiing, with the propellers in beta.

This is great already. There are a few issues which are being dealt with. Check out the MJC forum to keep track. For me, not one of the issues has been a showstopper so far.

For me a clear recommendation. If you are on the fence, you might want to wait for an official review, but the vast number of great YT videos on the plane in a short space of time bear witness.

I have completed four or five 90 minute runs in it and already love it. It is certainly not a "take off, switch on George and forget" plane...

A


Andrew Entwistle

[alehead]

If you have a spare old USB joystick, you can set it up as a tiller, assigning the spoiler axis to one of the joystick axes (I use the rudder twist). Gives me a totally separate ground steering element. Not even the NGX gives me this I believe.

A


Andrew Entwistle

[jetstreamsky]

If you have a spare old USB joystick, you can set it up as a tiller, assigning the spoiler axis to one of the joystick axes (I use the rudder twist). Gives me a totally separate ground steering element. Not even the NGX gives me this I believe.

That's a great idea, except my rudder twist is already unused as I have pedals, thanks


This is a wonderful model, love the sounds especially while taxying and framerates are outstanding despite the detail, I can only assume the FSX engine is really holding things back for other models given the fidelity of this one.

[CODY]

WOW!.....I went and done bought this here plane....My biggest question...and to me the most important...Is why does this thing run so dagum smooth?
This plane should be a new bench mark for all others to follow!
I don't know how you guys did it....but you have one extremely happy customer!

[griphos]

It's so smooth because its basically only using FSX as a scenery generator. The flight model is completely external to FSX. This causes some problems with some addons and virtual airlines, etc, since they are looking at FSX for info on the plane and its not there. It does show how limiting FSX can be for certain types of aircraft and what can be done outside of it.

[Lionheart]

It's so smooth because its basically only using FSX as a scenery generator. The flight model is completely external to FSX. This causes some problems with some addons and virtual airlines, etc, since they are looking at FSX for info on the plane and its not there. It does show how limiting FSX can be for certain types of aircraft and what can be done outside of it.

Thats amazing news.... Thanks Griphos.




Bill

[dvj]

No words for this one

[CODY]

No words for this one

I can think of few...Mayday...Mayday...Or Oh crap...
Or Great shot!

[JIMJAM]

This one looks incredible. I use to be a cold n dark systems junkie but as good as she looks I just know I would rarely fly it. I still buy the high end addons because that usually means the fm,soundset and graphics are top notch. I am now an cnt-e start up kinda guy and usually hack in a gps.Thats kinda sinfull on a plane like this but I just no longer can sit for the time it takes to properly learn how to operate and fly a systems heavy plane like this one.
Show me how to get this thing up and running easily and now to install a basic autopilot and I will buy it.

BTW- Looking at the pics I bet that rear bottom fuse gets good and scratched up. Man thats one long awkward looking plane.

[doublecool]

This is a very well done aircraft Thank you Team Majestic

Attachment 85662Attachment 85660Attachment 85659Attachment 85658Attachment 85661

[dougal]

Although this baby has some glitches that need sorting, it's clearly been a major breakthrough in FSX coding. The only thing I REALLY don't like, is that it only has a form of locked spot external view - no smooth FSX flow view. I understand Majestic are working on the 'glitches', and once done, this really will be an amazing piece of kit. Well done Majestic!

[Roger]

Although this baby has some glitches that need sorting, it's clearly been a major breakthrough in FSX coding. The only thing I REALLY don't like, is that it only has a form of locked spot external view - no smooth FSX flow view. I understand Majestic are working on the 'glitches', and once done, this really will be an amazing piece of kit. Well done Majestic!

That's interesting about the "locked spot" view. I only use "Gradual transition" in spot view and can't get on with the locked "aeroplane on a stick" view. I was thinking I'd get this aircraft when I build my next pc but if locked spot is the only option then I will have to pass.

[ncooper]

You can easily add the spot view (to any aircraft) yourself.
Copy the spot view entry from

C:\Users\yourname\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\FSX\ca meras.cfg

It is [CameraDefinition.003]

and paste it into
FSX\SimObjects\Airplanes\mjc8q400\aircraft.cfg at the end of the

[CameraDefinition.9] entry
and rename it to
[CameraDefinition.10]
Save your changes.

I actually prefer the "aircraft on a stick" and have removed the spot view
from FSX altogether. Each to their own

[dougal]

You can easily add the spot view (to any aircraft) yourself.
Copy the spot view entry from

C:\Users\yourname\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\FSX\ca meras.cfg

It is [CameraDefinition.003]

and paste it into
FSX\SimObjects\Airplanes\mjc8q400\aircraft.cfg at the end of the

[CameraDefinition.9] entry
and rename it to
[CameraDefinition.10]
Save your changes.

I actually prefer the "aircraft on a stick" and have removed the spot view
from FSX altogether. Each to their own

Although I haven't yet tried, I'm pretty sure - almost certain in fact, this cannot done on this model.

[ncooper]

I try not to post misleading or incorrect information.
In order to avoid this, I tried the edit before I posted and it
does indeed work.

[Mach3DS]

[Ark]

WOW, great shot!

Are you using ENB Series or SweetFX? If so, what are your settings? Looks amazing.

[jeansy]

New in V1.006

The changes from the previous 1.005 version are grouped in the following categories:
FDE
+ aircraft.cfg: updated gear positions for smoother repositions
+ Writing Vertical Speed for compatibility with other 3rd party addons
+ mjc84.ini: Power Levers set for 0 position at DISC to enable the Reverse, using F2 button
SYSTEMS
+ Secondary bus will be powered by the APU
+ Sound: modified for Windows8 usage
+ Nav: Fixed the DME antenna position
+ VHFs: Fixed the COM range to include 136.XXX
FMS
+ NavManager: Fixed Heading to Altitude procedural navigation
+ NavManager: Fixed Course to Altitude procedural navigation
+ NavManager: Fixed Course from Fix to Altitude procedural navigation
+ TERMINAL navigation: leg termination threshold is now 1.0 nm

MODEL
+ Included the wing and propeller views in the Virtual Cockpit

EFIS
+ Fixed the incorrect inverse text output

OTHER
+ Fixed the un-installer

[Mach3DS]

@Ark, In this shot I'm using ENB, and settings I found called "24hr" but I can't remember for the life of me where I downloaded from. However if you PM me I can set you up with the files.

Thanks Jeansy, I just got that email. I've never purchased anything from Just Flight until the Q400, and if this is part of their customer service, I'm very impressed. Glad to see that the "F2" reverse is now incorporated!

[jeansy]

for the people who may be struggling with the systems and or would like to know how

i know the first one has happened, but theres another and theres some news coming out about something soon

http://aussiex.org/forum/index.php?/...q400-training/

[CG_1976]

for the people who may be struggling with the systems and or would like to know how

i know the first one has happened, but theres another and theres some news coming out about something soon

http://aussiex.org/forum/index.php?/...q400-training/

Thanks for the HU jeansy. I have RW experience with the Canadian North Q100's but this Q400 is a different animal for sure. I am interested especially after someone painted a Air Greenland for the new Dash.