Virtavia A-4 Skyhawk Update...Read on.

**mal998** · August 17th, 2014, 15:02

Hi All!
I started updating the flight dyanmics for the Virtavia A-4 Skyhawk package. So far I have completed the 0-1 Clean model. I'm looking for a couple of guys who already own the aircraft and would like to take the new files for a test flight and report back. Full flight testing is not necessary. Just take her for a spin, do a couple of carrier landings and take-offs and let me know how she flies. These files will be used as a template for all the other aircraft version updates.

PM me if you own the package and are interested in testing these new files.

mal
Virtavia Flight Dynamics Guy

**spins_vmfa321** · August 17th, 2014, 17:22

Originally Posted by mal998

Hi All!
I started updating the flight dyanmics for the Virtavia A-4 Skyhawk package. So far I have completed the 0-1 Clean model. I'm looking for a couple of guys who already own the aircraft and would like to take the new files for a test flight and report back. Full flight testing is not necessary. Just take her for a spin, do a couple of carrier landings and take-offs and let me know how she flies. These files will be used as a template for all the other aircraft version updates.

PM me if you own the package and are interested in testing these new files.

mal
Virtavia Flight Dynamics Guy

I'd love to help you out with this!

Jamal

**Flyboy208** · August 17th, 2014, 19:36

Me too ! Mike

**flewpastu** · August 18th, 2014, 14:51

PM sent

Bill

**Ian Warren** · August 18th, 2014, 15:00

I ll give it a go , PM sent

**Corvette99** · August 18th, 2014, 16:07

I'm in if you're still looking !

**expat** · August 19th, 2014, 01:45

Hey Mitch! Please shoot me a copy. If I can find the time I would be pleased to give you some feedback on this welcome update effort.

Thanks and regards,

**mal998** · August 19th, 2014, 07:24

Lee,
PM me your email.

**skyhawka4m** · August 19th, 2014, 18:55

PMed...no response.....bummer

**mal998** · August 20th, 2014, 01:42

no email sent

**ST0RM** · August 20th, 2014, 14:18

Mal,

I find the 1.2 version of the Clean A-4E flight model, the best of the lot. The skidding that the other models have, isnt as prevalent on the clean jet. I can work the pattern with ease and while still watching the airspeed bleed, it handles nice. Add any stores and the rudder is ineffective and the tail just doesnt feel there. It's purely on the roll axis which requires a lot of over banking and pulling to bring the nose around.

I hope you are successful. If you need another tester, let me know.

-Jeff

**skyhawka4m** · August 20th, 2014, 14:43

my biggest issue with the flight model as it was, had to do with landing. With full flaps the plane wanted to almost hover and you had to nose down to drive it into the ground to land.

**ST0RM** · August 20th, 2014, 19:49

Yes, flaps provide too much lift. If I do use them, its only the first notch.

Jeff

**mal998** · August 21st, 2014, 04:16

Flap issues may have to do with the setting you have for your controller or in the sim. I'll be away for a few days. Will look at this issue when I return. Remember, for every simmer there is a different set-up, so behavior on one sim is likely to be different from another. That's why we always try to take a general consensus from a group of reports. If several people report the same issue then you have a pretty good sense that something is amiss. If only one person out of hundreds report, then there's a fair chance the issue is with that one only. We'll get it squared away. The Skyhawk was agile but a very stable platform according to all pilot reports. A lot to shoot for in an aging sim that never was quite right...I'll be back Sunday....

Happy flying.
mal

**expat** · September 16th, 2014, 22:45

Mal,
Don't know what you did but v2.7 is bang on! It really flies like a different aircraft. Rock solid in the pitch access, yaw and and I now can do balanced turns without skidding - was deliberately doing shallow bank with strong rudder and no problem. No contrails at 120 knts and other assorted vices have all disappeared. Took her around KVRB (where coincidently, I discussed with a real A-4 pilot flying a real restored A-4C there that day, in detail her handling characteristics) and it behave well in the pattern. Ditto doing carrier ops and trapping on the Oriskany. She is now a joy to fly as well as to look at. I think others should do some more repaints now to celebrate. Well done Mal.
expat

adult image hosting

**spatialpro** · September 16th, 2014, 23:49

Sounds great! When and where can we download?

Andy

**spins_vmfa321** · September 17th, 2014, 02:28

Kinda jealous... I'd really like to check this out!

Jamal

**flewpastu** · September 17th, 2014, 04:40

Ditto

Bill

***Duckie*** · September 17th, 2014, 06:00

Ditto...ditto...

BTW got some new Virtavia A-4 skins in the oven, 1 finished and 3 are in process.

Hey expat, where might one find that skin? Is that the one by skyhawka4m?

Really looking forward to try out that new FDE.

Steve

**mal998** · September 17th, 2014, 08:10

OK, glad to hear from Expat that all is well on the first aircraft. Remember, the update I sent to a few folks was only for the 0-1 Clean aircraft.

I am just about finished updating the second aircraft, folder 2-3 Adversary.

There are over 20 separate aircraft with individual load-outs and weights, so that each model has to be modified and brought up to speed and then tested. This is a big project that will take some time. The goal is to get them all brought up to speed then release the update all at once through Virtavia's site.

**spins_vmfa321** · September 17th, 2014, 10:44

Originally Posted by mal998

OK, glad to hear from Expat that all is well on the first aircraft. Remember, the update I sent to a few folks was only for the 0-1 Clean aircraft.

I am just about finished updating the second aircraft, folder 2-3 Adversary.

There are over 20 separate aircraft with individual load-outs and weights, so that each model has to be modified and brought up to speed and then tested. This is a big project that will take some time. The goal is to get them all brought up to speed then release the update all at once through Virtavia's site.

If only there was a way to Tacpack this jet. That would make the work with weights much easier.

Jamal

**delta_lima** · September 17th, 2014, 13:01

Originally Posted by Duckie

Ditto...ditto...

BTW got some new Virtavia A-4 skins in the oven, 1 finished and 3 are in process.

Hey expat, where might one find that skin? Is that the one by skyhawka4m?

Really looking forward to try out that new FDE.

Steve

That is such good news, Steve!!! Your AS/V F-4 paints get regular use, and so will anything you do with this Scooter! Any USMC paints in the hopper?

Sorry for the 'jack. Great news on the FDE - looking forward to it, Mal, ex, et al!!

dl