Supercar for Microsoft Flight Simulator

Austin Tate <a.tate@ed.ac.uk>, 30-May-2000, Version 2.2
http://www.aiai.ed.ac.uk/~bat/GA/supercar-msfs.html

Quick Start

Flight Simulator 98
   1. Ensure that you have the Flight Shop Aircraft Converter installed.
      Available from http://www.microsoft.com/games/fsim/
   2. Place Supercar folder in FS98\Aircraft folder.
   3. Place Pilots\Supercar.stn in FS98\Pilots folder.
   4. If you want scenery for the startup situation see file
      Scenery\S_readme.txt.
   5. Select Supercar as the aircraft and/or startup situation.

NOTE: In some configurations of Flight Simulator 98, the internal view
      dash panel can show in the external view after switching between
      views.  If this happens on your setup, please copy the
      Fix Dash\model\*  files  to FS98\Aircraft\model directory and the
      Fix Dash\texture\* files to FS98\Aircraft\texture to get a version
      of Supercar without the internal view dash.  Overwrite any files in
      those directories with the same names, but leave other files not
      overwritten in place.

Combat Flight Simulator
   1. Place Supercar folder in CFS\Aircraft folder.
   2. Select Supercar as the aircraft and/or startup situation.
   3. E starts engines in CFS.

Flight Simulator 5.1 and Flight Simulator for Windows 95
   1. Supercar version 2.0e is the last released prepared for these systems.
   2. See the read me file in the Build folder.

Flight Simulator 2000
   This version can also be used in FS2000, but note that there is an
   enhanced version of Supercar for FS2000. See web site noted above
   for latest version.
   1. Place Supercar folder in FS2000\Aircraft folder.
   2. Place Build\FS2000\panel.cfg in  FS2000\Aircraft\Supercar\Panels.
   3. Place Pilots\Supercar at Black Rock.* and
      Pilots\Supercar-Challenge.pln in FS2000\Pilots folder.
   4. If you want scenery for the startup situation see file
      Scenery\S_readme.txt.
   5. Select Supercar as the aircraft and/or startup situation.
   6. Ctrl/E starts engines in FS2000.

Introduction

Supercar is a multi-purpose vehicle from the Gerry Anderson TV show
which was first broadcast in 1960.  Supercar is a vertical take-off
and landing vehicle which has extendible wings while in flight.  As
well as its ability to fly, Supercar can travel underwater, on land
with a ground effect cushion from its vertical boosters, and even go
into space.

The Flight Simulator craft is a test model of Supercar which provides
limited capabilities.  The avionics have been updated to modern 21st
Century jet standards. The test programme is still continuing,
adjustments are being made, and the operational envelope is still to
be established.  Join the test programme now...  Fly your own Supercar!

You need one of the following to use the Supercar Test Flight Model:

1. Microsoft Flight Simulator 98 with the appropriate Flight Shop
   aircraft converter installed (under Windows 95 or later).  The free
   converter may be found at http://www.microsoft.com/games/fsim/.  It is
   needed to provide gauges used by the Supercar Test Flight model.

2. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000 or Combat Flight Simulator with the
   default install which includes support for Aircraft Factory Craft.

________________________________________________________________________
Unpacking Supercar

Create a temporary directory and unzip the Supercar
distribution file in that directory.  Ensure that you unzip
with an option that preserves the directory structure of the
original archive.  E.g. using WinZip or using the -D option on
PKUNZIP. After expansion, the following files should be present:

Supercar.txt      This file. Please read.
File_id.diz       A descriptor file for distributions.
Supercar.gif      An image of Supercar.

Supercar          A folder containing a number of files and sub-folders:
                  Aircraft.cfg
                  Supercar.air
                  Supercar.dp
                  Sc_check.cfg
                  Model
                     Model.cfg
                     Supercar.mdl
                     Supercar.mdl.mpi     ) Files used by Abacus Aircraft
                     Supercar.mdl.nmp     ) Animator may be present
                  Panel
                     Panel.cfg
                     Sc_*.bmp
                  Sound
                     Sound.cfg
                     Sc_*.wav
                  Texture
                     Supercar.0af
                     Supercar.1af

Fix Dash          D_readme.txt
                  Model\*                     ) Alternate model and texture
                  Texture\*                   ) files without internal view dash


Pilots            Supercar.stn                Start-up situation for FS98
                  Supercar at Black Rock.flt  ) Start-up situation for
                  Supercar at Black Rock.wx   ) FS2000
                  Supercar-Challenge.pln      GPS Flight Plan for FS2000

Scenery           Black Rock       A folder of scenery for the start situation.
                  S_readme.txt     See this file for further details.

Build             A folder of files used in constructing the Supercar release.
                  B_readme.txt    See this file for further details.

________________________________________________________________________
System Requirements, Assembling and Preparing Supercar for Flight under
Microsoft Flight Simulator 98

Supercar is ready to run under Flight Simulator 98, but it requires a number
of support files for gauges and other details which are installed by the
Flight Shop aircraft converter available at no cost from Microsoft at
http://www.microsoft.com/games/fsim/ So the converter must be installed in
any case.

Move the Supercar folder and all its contents to your Flight Simulator 98
Aircraft directory.

Move the Pilots\Supercar.stn file to your Flight Simulator 98\Pilots
directory to give a suitable startup situation.

The Supercar ready-to-run folder contains a special Supercar specific
panel but you can return to a default 2 engine Light Jet Engine Panel if
you wish or if later versions of Flight Simulator do not support all the
features used in the special panel. See the B_readme.txt file in the
BUILD directory for more details.

_________________________________________________________________________
System Requirements, Assembling and Preparing Supercar for Flight under
Flight Simulator 2000

Assuming that you used the default install option for FS2000 (which installs
support for Flight Shop converted craft) then simply copy the Supercar
ready-to-run folder into Flight Simulator 2000's Aircraft directory
and select Supercar as your craft when you wish.

Move the Pilots\Supercar at Black Rock.flt, Supercar at Black Rock.wx
and Supercar-Challenge.pln files to your Flight Simulator 2000\Pilots
directory to give a suitable startup situation and a sample GPS flight plan.

The default panel for Supercar does not enable GPS - for compatibility with
the Flight Simulator 98 version (which would fail with this enhancement in
place).  You can enable GPS by replacing the Supercar\panels\panel.cfg file
with the file Build\FS2000\panel.cfg from the Supercar distribution.

Note that "ctrl+E" is a quick way to start both engines as usual in
Flight Simulator 2000.  

_________________________________________________________________________
System Requirements,Assembling and Preparing Supercar for Flight under
Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator

Assuming that you used the default install option for CFS (which installs
support for Flight Shop converted craft) then simply copy the Supercar
ready-to-run folder into Combat Flight Simulator's Aircraft directory
and select Supercar as your craft when you wish.

Supercar is an experimental Search and Rescue craft which can penetrate
deep behind enemy lines to locate and rescue downed aircrew and civilians
at risk.  It comes equipped with machine guns, high calibre cannons,
rockets and can even carry a bomb.

The checklists are not valid in all respects in CFS. Note that "E" starts the
engines as usual in Combat Flight Simulator.  

Flaps up (0 degrees) = Horizontal Flight = High speed
Flaps down (say 20 degrees) = Partial Vertical Boost = High manoeuvrability

________________________________________________________________________
System Requirements, Assembling and Preparing Supercar for Flight under
Microsoft Flight Simulator 5.1, Flight Simulator for Windows 95 and
Flight Simulator Flight Shop Aircraft Factory 5

These versions are not supported by the latest release of Supercar.
However an earlier version 2.0e for these versions is available in the
Build\AF5_FS51 and Build\FSW95 directories of this distribution.
See Build\B_readme.txt for more details.

_____________________________________________________________________
Features of the Test Flight Model

* Extendible/retractable wing stubs
* Front and rear lights at night
* Rear fin strobes
* Main jet effects when engine revs. above 65%
* Retro-fire visible
* Landing lights (note Landing Lights are not implemented by FS2000)
* Supercar specific panels including working Clear-vu
* Checklists and useful reminders are available

A "Supercar Challenge" is available (via a checklist) that will take you from
Black Rock Desert in Nevada, to Reno, San Francisco, Big Sur, Las Vegas,
though the Grand Canyon and back to Black Rock.
See http://www.aiai.ed.ac.uk/~bat/GA/supercar-msfs.html for more details.

There are a number of visual imperfections in the test flight model.
Advice from other Flight Shop users on ways to correct the remaining
problems, or updated flight models, would be appreciated.

______________________________________________________________________
Panels

As well as the main panel which is a standard 2 engine light jet model, there
are a number of other sub-panels available. They can be toggled on and off using
Shift and a number key.

Shift+2 GPS (in FS2000)
Shift+3 Throttle levers and retro controls
Shift+4 Mini-compass
Shift+6 Status Display
Shift+6 Clear-vu

Position the Clear-vu on the right hand side of the dash sitting just
above the main dashboard.  Note that you can see through the Clear-vu
screen. Position the Supercar status display on the Clear-vu screen.
You can position the mini-compass and/or mini-controls to be
in this area if you wish. You can bring up a map display and size
it so that it sits behind the Clear-vu screen cut-out area.

The default start-up situation positions the panels in approximately
the positions indicated above, and will be loaded like this if you
have the option set to load views and panel positions with situations.

______________________________________________________________________
Flight Dynamics

The standard test flight model flight dynamics are highly experimental.
Instabilities are possible in various modes of flight. Version 1.1 through
to 2.1a flight dynamics were based on those provided for an early version of
the Star Wars X-Wing model created by Chris Evans in 1996.  This gave the
vehicle a top speed over Mach 2 and short take-off and landing capabilities
with appropriate pilot control.  Version 2.1b and onwards has modified
flight dynamics created by Shane Pickering to seek to increase speed, and
make take off and landing  more vertical.

It is possible to use alternative flight dynamics settings with the
visual model provided by Supercar.

_____________________________________________________________________
Supercar Start-up Situation

Startup situation is at Black Rock Desert, Nevada
(approx.  N41 00.00 W119 00.00, alt. 4000ft., heading 270).

The date is 15-Oct-97, the day on which Thrust SSC achieved
the first Supersonic World Land Speed Record.  See
http://www.aiai.ed.ac.uk/~bat/GA/thrust-msfs.html for a
companion model.  This release includes dynamic scenery of
Thrust SSC beaking the sound barrier at Black Rock.

______________________________________________________________________
Advice on Flying Supercar

Pre-flight Checks - If the engines are turned off, you should start
them up following the cockpit drill described later (see the checklists
for the procedure).

Ground Effect - uses a low vertical boost level. It can be disabled
and enabled by raising or lowering the Landing Gear (G on the
keyboard).

Wings - are extended by default in the start-up situation (to allow a
conventional aircraft type rolling take-off if you wish and in case a
pilot tries to take to the air without reading these notes:-).

Vertical Take-Off - To take off (nearly) vertically, select full down
flaps (the wings are retracted in this mode), you can leave the
parking brake if you wish, check all status lights are green
and then engage throttle and pull the stick back.  A conventional
rolling take-off is also possible either with or without wings extended
(flaps up or down).  Once airborne you will need to push the stick
forward to keep the nose from pitching up.  Once airborne, remember
to turn off the parking brake if not done beforehand.

Horizontal Flight - If they are not already extended, extend the wings
(flaps up) as soon as you wish to pick up speed in horizontal flight.
Otherwise, you may experience instability or tend to loop-the-loop.
It is also suggested that you turn off the ground effect (Gear up)
when in normal horizontal flight.

Retro-fire - The retros can be fired for rapid in-flight braking by
extending the spoiler control (/ on the keyboard).  Remember to turn
these off after use!

Landing -  Make a conventional approach to the landing spot,
using the retro-brakes if required to reduce speed.  Use partial
vertical boost (partial flaps) to allow for a slower speed approach.
Move to full vertical boost (full flaps) just before landing.
Once on the ground you may reduce speed with the retro-brakes
(brakes), retro-fire (spoiler) or reverse-thrust on the engines.

Retro-brakes - The brakes are functional and work by using low power
reverse thrust via the retros.

Lights - The front, rear and interior panel lights can be turned on or
off (L on the keyboard).

______________________________________________________________________
Summary of Controls:

Key	Supercar Effect				 FS Interpretation

G	Ground Effect Disable/Enable		 Gear Up/Down
F5	Horizontal Flight			 Flaps Up (0 degrees)
	Wings Extended
F6	Horizontal Flight/Part Vertical Take-off Flaps Down 8 degrees
	Wings Extended
F7	Vertical Take-off/Part Horizontal Flight Flaps Down 20 degrees
	Wings Retracted
F8	Vertical Take-off			 Flaps Down 40 degrees
	Wings Retracted
/	Retro-fire On/Off			 Spoiler Extended/Retracted
.	Retro-brakes On/Off			 Brakes On/Off
L	Lights On/Off				 Lights On/Off
Ctrl+L  Landing Lights On/Off                    Landing Lights On/Off
O	Strobes On/Off				 Strobes On/Off
I       Smoke On/Off                             Smoke On/Off

______________________________________________________________________
Supercar Cockpit Drill and Take-off Procedure

1. Check parking brakes are on.

2. Check all switches are in the "off" position.

3. Check all instruments and set all controls in the neutral position.

4. Check fuel gauges for the amount of fuel in all tanks.  If okay,
   start fuel flow.

5. To start port engine (left engine number one), turn on magnetos,
   start fuel flow, switch to "charge" (C) to start engines and wait
   for the engine turbine speed (N2) revolution counter to reach 50%
   to 60% (approximately 15,000 r.p.m.).  Call out "fire one". Repeat
   for starboard engine (right engine number two). It is possible to
   "charge and fire" both engines together but only in an emergency.

6. Make sure that everything is clear of Supercar and that all status
   lights are green before take-off.

7. Select vertical take-off, release the parking brakes and open the
   throttles (full boost on take-off is only necessary for a short period
   when fully loaded).

8. When clear of any obstructions, gently change to horizontal flight.

Key		Effect

ctrl+.		Parking Brakes On/Off
E 1		Select Engine 1
E 2		Select Engine 2
E 1 2		Select Both Engines
M +             Turn on Selected Engine(s) Magnetos
ctrl+shift+F4	Start Fuel Flow for Selected Engine(s)
J +		Cycle Selected Engine(s) Starter(s)
                (Fire/Off, Gen, Charge/Start)
ctrl+shift+F1	Shut Down Selected Engine(s)

ctrl+E          FS2000 rapid engine start
E               CFS rapid engine start

______________________________________________________________________
Supercar Pilot's Licence

The holder is hereby authorised to pilot the test flight model of
Supercar.

I undertake to fly Supercar responsibly and to return it intact(;-)


Signed ............................(pilot's name) Date ..............

______________________________________________________________________
Flight Reports and Photos

Following your test flights, you may wish to submit a flight test
report and any interesting flight photos of your adventure.  You can
do so by sending your report to the chief test pilot, Mike Mercury
<mike.mercury@virgin.net>.
______________________________________________________________________
Version Control

Version 1.0 17-Mar-1996 First Release.

Version 1.1 2-Jan-1997 Second Release.
     Minor visual improvements.
     Separate ready-to-fly release package for Flight Simulator
     for Windows 95 (version 6.0).

Version 1.1a 16-Apr-1997.  Amendment to Second Release.
     W95 installation instructions in supercar.txt amended.

Version 1.1b 17-May-1998.  Ready to fly package for Flight Simulator
     98 added.

Version 1.1c 31-Mar-1999. For FS98.
     Altered copyright for Supercar from Polygram to Carlton. 
     Improved SUPERCA1.PCX main body texture. Added checklists.
     Added ClearVu and experimental Panels.

Version 1.1d 22-Apr-1999. For FS98 and CFS.
     Added features for Combat Flight Simulator.
     Improved panels.
     Added internal View Dash.

Version 1.1e 4-May-1999.  Improved Combat Flight Simulator Damage Profile.

Version 1.1f 18-May-1999. Single file release.

Version 2.0a 6-Jun-1999.  Aircraft Factory 99 Model.

Version 2.0b 23-Jun-1999. Aircraft Animator - Added landing Lights.

Version 2.0c 14-Nov-1999. Improved 3D visual model. GPS Panel for FS2000.

Version 2.0d 16-Nov-1999. Improved 3D visual model for FS2000.

Version 2.0e 23-Nov-1999. Last release suitable for FS for W95, FS 5.1 and
     FS Flight Shop Aircraft Factory 5.

Version 2.1a 14-Dec-1999. Improved visual model for FS2000.

Version 2.1b 30-Jan-2000. Improved flight dynamics. Improved visual model.
     New sound configuration. 

Version 2.2  30-May-2000. Last release suitable for FS98. Improved flight
     dynamics by Shane Pickering. Black Rock scenery by Iain Murray.

______________________________________________________________________
(c) 1996-2000, Austin Tate <a.tate@ed.ac.uk>. All rights reserved.

Material on Supercar is copyright by Carlton International Media Ltd.
No infringement of any commercial rights is intended.  The author wishes
to promote a favourite TV show via this offering.

This Supercar test flight model may be freely distributed so long as
this text file remains attached, but copyright remains with the
creator.  The author shall not be held liable for any loss of data,
down time, loss of revenue or any other direct or indirect damage or
claims caused by this model. No commercial use of any kind is allowed.

Thanks to Mick Imrie and Shane Pickering for assistance with panels and
internal views. Thanks to Shane Pickering for assistance with the flight
dynamics. Thanks to David Pinero for his SR-71 "Blackbird" jet engine sounds
and Mike Hill for his X-15 rocket plane sounds which were used as a basis
for some of the Supercar sounds. Thanks to Iain Murray for the Black Rock
scenery.

Web site for updates and information:
        http://www.aiai.ed.ac.uk/~bat/GA/supercar-msfs.html

The latest distribution may also be available via:
        http://www.flightsim.com
        http://www.avsim.com/library (filenames should be in lower case)
        ftp://ftp.iup.edu/flight-sim/uploads

Microsoft Flight Simulator and Combat Flight Simulator are trademarks of Microsoft.
        http://www.microsoft.com/games/fsim
        http://www.microsoft.com/games/combatfs

Flight Shop is a trademark of the Apollo Software Publishers (and previously the
Bruce Artwick Organization Ltd.).
        http://www.apollosoftware.com/

Aircraft Factory 99 and Aircraft Animator are trademarks of Abacus.
        http://www.abacuspub.com