Want to drive a BMW in FSX ?

[rcbarend]

Hi all,

Just a headsup: within a few days, I will release a totally revised "car FDE"; initially for a BMW 760.

What is a "car FDE (Flight Dynamics Engine)" ?
If you have ever 'driven' an automobile in the MSFS scenery, you'll probably have noticed that, at best, the driving experiance is not what you are used to in your own car.

IMHO, with the standard FDE of MSFS it simply isn't possible to model good car behaviour, because MSFS (obviously, since it simulates aircraft) lacks two important features for creating that:
1. Speed/acceleration is a resultant of "Jet/Prop thrust" (in essence: pushing air backward, resulting in forward speed/accelleration); NOT: based on traction/friction of tires with the ground surface.
2. MSFS has no awareness of a gearbox function, meaning that there is a fixed relation between engine RPM and turbine/propeller RPM; unlike in an automobile, where wheel RPM is directly coupled to engine RPM, either via discrete gear transmission (manually or automatically switched) or socalled CVT's.

So, based on the same principles I use in my "VTOL" implementations (essentially: an FDE in gauge-code), I developped a "car FDE".

Initially, I will release this for Hama's beautifull BMW760LI visual model; although this was created for FS9, it works great in FSX.

What it features:
- A manual/automatic gearbox, 6 speeds Forward, Neutral and Reverse. With proper engine revup/revdown sound, and gearbox transmission factors.
- Accelleration/Speeds in each gear, matching realworld specifications.
- Audible/visible wheelspin/side-slipping/spin effects, including a "doughnut" feature.
- Switchable ABS, TractionControl and a (simple) CruiseControl.
- and a lot more.....

Will it be a perfect simulation ?? No, it won't be. Things like exact over/understeering, spin recovery, "counter-steering", etc. are very difficult to model; that is: it will be just a matter of spending enough time on implementing the right formula's.
And I don't pretend to give you the same quality of driving experiance as in many of today's excellent car/racing simulations "games"; but after all, driving a car around in the MSFS scenery is just a "gimmick".....

But you can judge it yourself, in a few days from now .....
And....freeware ....


Rob Barendregt

[falcon409]

That is great news Rob. I only have one car that I drive from time to time in FSX and it happens to be the BMW760Li. I've got a nice overseas airport that is also used as a racecourse on certain weekends and would love to try the new FDE out on that course. It was more than a handful previously with the current FDE.

Thanks for your work on this and I look forward to giving it a go soon.

[Bone]

Uh, heck yeah!

[OleBoy]

How about a Harley-Davidson with a hot chick hanging on real tight

[rcbarend]

That is great news Rob. I only have one car that I drive from time to time in FSX and it happens to be the BMW760Li. I've got a nice overseas airport that is also used as a racecourse on certain weekends and would love to try the new FDE out on that course. It was more than a handful previously with the current FDE.

Thanks for your work on this and I look forward to giving it a go soon.

Hi Ed,

I don't know if you ever tried my Challenger2 tank (with Matt's model), but it gives you a good idea on what I mean with a gearbox and stuff.
File rcbcha2x.zip, on flightsim.com

For the rest: main thing to do yet is a manual.
If you're interrested, send me an Email for a testpackage, so you can try it out over the weekend.

Best, Rob

[kilo delta]

Excellent...I can drive this one while my own bmw lingers in the garage with a blown turbo!!

[falcon409]

. . . . . . . .If you're interested, send me an Email for a test package, so you can try it out over the weekend.

Best, Rob

I'll definitely give the Tank a shot Rob. . . .e-mail sent!

[OleBoy]

My comment, I was kidding

[Meshman]

My comment, I was kidding

I see nothing wrong with your first comment. NOTHING at all...

[vora]

Can you still steer the car in the air after jumping over a bump?
I always found that to be the most hilarious "aberration" of FSX cars... back to mommy!

Anyway, super idea, FSX with the right addons is just too good to overfly it only.
Rock on, Rob.

[LonelyplanetXO]

I see nothing wrong with your first comment. NOTHING at all...

Maybe the wife was looking over his shoulder?
LOL

LPXO

[rcbarend]

I'll definitely give the Tank a shot Rob. . . .e-mail sent!

Hi Ed,

Beta package for the BMW sent ....

Rob

[PutPut]

At last, a BMW I can afford!! I'll be glad to drive the beta (you have my email).

Best, Paul

[falcon409]

Hi Ed,
Beta package for the BMW sent ....
Rob

Thanks Rob. . . .got it and already testing at Goodwood!!

[falcon409]

Oh baby. . . .Great Job Rob. . . .an e-mail to you is forthcoming!!