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Beachking 240XL

Hello everyone!

If you remember the C9S-XP5: https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1680290139 , please forget about it, haha. I've been wanting to give it a rebuild for a while now, and I've finally gotten around to it. I did some reshaping and rebuilding, and I'm reasonably happy with the new, updated look.

So, here's the Beachking 240XL!

I've decided to have another approach at sealing the cabin to allow for water landings, I think it functions well enough but I'm on the fence about adding a pump system to keep the cabins dry - a dorsal hatch at the aft of the plane provides access to the top, and two handles near the wings can be used to access the top of the plane from the outside.

As a note - To access the plane without the use of stairs or a jetway; make use of the handles on the interior of the boarding doors. You'll need to jump, and I've found that aiming at the window usually lets me grab the handle.

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CREDITS
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MFDs/Displays:

jbaker96 built the MFDs used in this aircraft. Both the builder and the MFDs themselves are simply brilliant. Please visit their workshop and lend your support!

https://steamproxy.net/profiles/76561198092521892/myworkshopfiles/?appid=573090

Flight Display: https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1744477495

NAV Display: https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1748077606

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Jetway in my screenshots:

Sheepdog built the jetway and terminals used in some of my pictures. I use the outdated version; I've modified it to restore functionality and fit my aircraft.

Here's some links!

Updated, working jetway: https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1727356751

Sheepdog's Workshop: https://steamproxy.net/id/sheepdog757/myworkshopfiles/?appid=573090

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CONTROLS
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Pilot and Co-Pilot controls are identical; and control of the aircraft can be swapped with the labled key.

Stick/Yoke: WASD
Pedals/Yaw: Left/Right Arrow keys
Throttle: Up/Down Arrow keys, cockpit mount

Hotkey 1: Wheel Brakes
Hotkey 3: Heaters



Altitude Hold: The small keypad allows you to set your desired altitude; pressing the nearby button activate Altitude Hold, which seeks and holds the indicated altitude while leveling off roll. Please ensure that gradual transitions are made, as the autopilot struggles with fast, fine adjustments.

GPS Autopilot: The larger keypad allows you to input a waypoint, and pressing the adjacent button will activate GPS Navigation; this takes over control of the plane's rudder and will direct the aircraft towards the indicated waypoint. Additionally, a light with illuminate and an alarm will sound once the plane is within 3km of it's destination; this indicates that a new waypoint should be input, or that navigation should be switched off. Bear in mind that at maximum throttle, the aircraft will cover 3km fairly quickly - Be ready!

When used seperately, these two systems allow the pilot to make course corrections, ex: Changing altitude or banking into a sharp turn made by GPS navigation / Freely using yaw to turn while Altitude Hold keeps the plane level. Used together, they can enable hands-free flight until the GPS destination is reached. When one or both systems are active, a light illuminates on the dashboard to indicate reduced control input from the pilots, as well!

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STARTING PROCEDURE
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- On the overhead panel, nearer the Co-Pilot, is the fuel key. Turning this on opens the fuel valves, starts the fuel pumps, and enables the displays in the cockpit.

- Nearby are the compressor buttons, toggle each of them on! It's possible to fly without the aft engine running, but this is best done for low-speed maneuvers, such as takeoff and landing - the unbalanced thrust can create handling issues when throttled up.

- Once the engines are ignited, flip the switch marked "Generator." This does two things: it engages the generator, and synchronizes the engines. If the generator is off, you may experience aysmmetrical thrust across the aircraft, which is unpleasant to say the least.

- Also overhead, are the switches for the lights. Beacons, strobes, and navigation lights are combined into the NAV Array. The landing lights are extended with the landing gear, and can be independently switched on or off. Cabin and instruments lights are fairly self-explanatory!

- The aircraft will begin moving once the engines spool up. Hotkey 1 toggles the wheel brakes, and there is a thrust spoiler on the center console nearer the Co-Pilot. When the thrust spoiler is engaged, the button for the reverser fans is unlocked, allowing the aircraft to crawl backwards while on the ground. Remember to turn off the reverser fans before disengaging the thrust spoiler!

- Taxi to the airstrip of your choosing, and then throttle up. A throttle value below 40 will cause the "Low Power" indicator to illuminate. With all three engines running, this is roughly the minimum amount of throttle needed to maintain lift. It is absolutely possible to take off and fly with less throttle, provided that the aft engine is off!

- Once comfortably airborne, you are free to raise the landing gear. The supporting pylons will detach from the rear gear, and reattach to the wings to give additional reinforcement to those hinges, while everything else should fold into place somewhat neatly. Throttle up as required from here!

- The default trim is set for a throttle value of ~100. When flying manually, it will almost certainly be necessary to adjust trim depending on the throttle. Remember to hold Alt + W/S to adjust this!

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LANDING PROCEDURE
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- Reduce your speed, and find a nice, lengthy approach to the airstrip. More time to make adjustments is always preferable to the alternative.

- The flaps are mounted in the center console, and can assist (a little bit) in bringing speed down, however reducing the throttle slowly back towards ~40 is the target for landing.

- Check, and double check that the landing gear is down!

- Aim for a low approach, and throttle down to idle once the wheels are over tarmac. There's not much in the way of gliding physics, so anticipate that the plane will drop pretty hard once the thrust is cut.

- Apply the brakes to bring the plane to a halt! Then, you may taxi to your intended destination. Once stopped, the thrust spoiler can help prevent unwanted acceleration.

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Hopefully that is a satisfactory explanation of how to use the aircraft. I'll open up the discussions for feedback and bug reports as usual. Please give me your thoughts, and as always, enjoy!