Sparky744 XP1210_2024_05_26

Further support available on the Go Ahead discord server.

Installation

Extract the zip into your X-Plane 12 aircraft folder, see the readme pdf for more details.

Windows

Two executables are included in the release zip file, these are required to have been installed for the aircraft systems to function.

MacOS users

After extracting the zip file to your X-Plane aircraft directory you will need to execute

sudo xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine *

From a terminal inside the X-plane folder.

X-Plane 11

To use the aircraft in X-Plane 11 you need the "XP11 backport.zip" from previous releases and overwrite the files of the install with the contents of that

Updates from previous versions

The zip is a standalone install, extract it into its own folder. previous releases included an update zip, however this was causing problems. If you have used the previous update zip and are having problems, make sure you have not extracted the contents to your global X-Plane plugins directory, this will cause problems and the only way to remove the files is to delete them manually (make sure there are no xtlua/xtlua_fdr/xtlua_keysystems/xtlua_nd folders in your global plugins directory)

Release XP12.1.0-2024/05/26 (OP Program XP12-10-2024/05/25 10:35):

Updates focusing on systems, ACARs and autopilot.

Bug fixes

• ETA time reports 60 for minutes instead of 00 (#864)
• Remove floating strobe light in front of cockpit (#863)
• Fix conflict conflict between X-Plane and custom autopilot
• Hold all reverse thrust now cancels TOGA
• Disable flight envelope protection below 15 feet AGL
• Fix MAIN BATT DISCH message
• Replace X-Plane Autothrottle commands
• Fail A/T is disarmed in active state
• Set fltno from ATC LOGON/STATUS page
• Fix pitch hold during TOGA
• Reduce yaw damper throw to 3.5 degrees
• FMC scratch pad stuck with error message, "Unable 5000 at GIRRR" (#859)
• Co pilot ND missing waypoint lines (#862)
• X-Plane 11 wipers, wiper blades not working (#849)
• Consider prop mode when pinning levers
• Always use prop mode 3 when reversers deployed
• Remove flaps condition from wing anti ice
• Fix airborne start
• Remove throttle down command from drag required logic
• Fix conflict with X-Plane autothrottle.
• Fix CDU data transfer for android FMC
• Fix fire handles don’t actually shutoff engines (#337)
• Some sound fixes

Enhancements

• Integrated Hoppie and AutoATC ACARs support
• Erase ACARS log
• ACARS downlink messages page and datalink active
• Display inforeq downlinks
• ACARS position reporting
• ATC REQUEST pages 1-4
• When can we ACARS pages
• ACARS REQUEST VERIFY and SEND
• Emergency report and verify ATC pages
• Start windows iced up when cold and dark at a freezing airport
• Better cabin lighting (thanks to KSB인천국제공항공사)
• Improve reverse handling
• Flight Data Recorder visualisations and better logging
• FLCH tuning
• Update IAS to mach switch speed to match FCOM section 4.10.4/5
• AT during landing tuning
• Overhaul throttle IO
• Add some give to center body gear
• Implement Cruise Climb per FCOM section 11.31.22
• Manual throttle animation speed increase
• Incorporate Garen Evans fuel management script (auto tank to engine)
• Update ECC thrust targets
• Improved Flight director
• Consider ToD for VNAV end descent
• Flight test analysis framework
• Add T/C and progress reporting

Sparky744 XP1206_2023_08_12

Release XP1206-2023/08/12:

Bug fix release of issues reported since previous release

Bug fixes

• Default HI bright spill lights to off, adjust for nightime
• Reduce VS rate for maximum capture window
• Some lighting tuning (strobe, cabin lights)
• Some throttle behaviour fixes (only set simDR_engn_thro in ECC if AT active)
• Reduce spoiler hydraulic consumption
• Fix arm RTO when no joystick axis mapped (mouse flyers)
• ACARS view message number of pages FMC isolation
• Fix lack of ACARs view message isolation

Release XP1206-2023/08/05:

XP12 and XP11 release improving XP12 lighting support and updating systems

XP11 users only, extract Sparky744 XP11 backport .zip into the aircraft folder overwriting files for XP11 support

Enhancements

• Smoother TOGA
• Storm light and FMC options by @Silver-Eagle-Cherokee
• XP12 Wing flex parameters from calibranr
• Increase tint in sun visor
• Modify lighting exposure when looking at open sun visor (XP12 only)
• Add ACARS postflight page
• Go to ATCINDEX from ACARS Inflight
• ACARS Hoppie initial compatibility changes
• Autopilot tuning
• Custom ATT mode
• Work harder to catch GS if more than 2 dots off
• Disable range arc on glideslope capture
• Integrate fltdep and fltdst into RTE
• Flight plan clearing on new dep or DELETE dep/dst
• Enhanced LOC capture
• Hydraulic leak support (XP12+)
• Autothrottle tuning
• ECC thermal tuning
• Engine spooling and thermal profile tweaking
• Improve VS mode stability

Bug fixes

• Fix Go around
• Clear TOGA when reaching MCP altitude
• Heading select value not always syncing with FMS
• Hold ILS once captured, even if flight plan deleted
• Keep elevator trim synchronised
• Fix ACARS cycle reporting
• Fix EPR throttle targets
• Fix pitch sign error in ALT and FLCH modes
• Fix simconfig not synchronising with real time changes
• Fix reverse throttle animation
• Dont introduce more fuel during engine run up
• Fix synoptic display switching when fuel switch used
• Revert to v2.4 CG and tank locations
• Fixes for reverse thrust misbehaving
• Ignore repoeated gear commands for controllers that spam the gear lever

What's Changed

• "Storm" switch and panel brightness changes to achieve suitable panel brightness for bright day flying. by @Silver-Eagle-Cherokee in #845
• Provide FMC control of Spill-Lights to deal with dark flightdeck panels. by @Silver-Eagle-Cherokee in #847

New Contributors

• @Silver-Eagle-Cherokee made their first contribution in #845

Full Changelog: 3.1...3.2

Sparky744 XP1205_2023_04_24

Release XP1205-2023/04/09:

XP12 Milestone release based on extensive flight testing and user feedback.

XP11 users only, extract Sparky744 XP11 backport .zip into the aircraft folder overwriting files for XP11 support

Enhancements

• Yet more lighting tweeks
• Rebalanced system load for smoother performance
• Updated airfoil and flaps from Laminar to more closely match real world performance
• Custom autothrottle and 4 independent ECCs
• AutoATC voice command definitions for flaps and MCP speed/altitude/vspeed
• EGT thermal profile
• New Autopilot for glideslope following
• Automatically turn off/on cabin lighting when 15kts
• Run GC every system cycle to prevent long GC pauses
• Version detection for XP11/XP12 systems
• Handle start airborne on approach automatic AP activation.

Bug fixes

• Manual ILS tuning would fail for some airports issue 838
• fixed stabilizer animation
• ND track/heading inconsistency
• Throttle target remained on when EICAS display was off
• Flight data recorder LNAV and VNAV data inverted
• CTD in VNAV descent when above cruise altitude
• Skipped frames in throttle and flight directors would corrupt autopilot estimates
• Ensure LOC and GS remain active once captured
• Thrust reverse could get out of sync
• Range Arc using actual rather than target vertical speed
• Wing flex force feedback causing "bounce of death"
• CTD when weight below 180,000kg
• Ensure max power is set on all engines
• Go Around on TOGA press not functioning.

Sparky744 Release 3.0a1 for XP12

Release 3.0a1 for XP12:

Release 3.0 brings compatibility with XP12 and starts to incorporate some of the new features now available.

Enhancements

• 2 independent ND displays (wip)
• Autothrottle improvements
• Much more realistic lighting
• initial rain and wiper effects (not perfected yet, but better than none)
• Always use default XP legs page (direct to now possible without switching to INTC_DIR when airborne)

Bug fixes

• Engine parameters display fixes for PW/GE/RR engines
• Brakes now cool when engaged but not slowing the plane down
• fix default XP gear up/off/down commands

Sparky744 Release 2.4

Release 2.4:

Release 2.4 is a bug fix release.

RB211 engines repositioned by Andromeda95

Bug fixes

• Fix glass
• remove xtlua_debugging.txt from release zip
• 813 2.3 | Testflights [LGMK 34 VARI1C VARIX R19 KEA ILS-Z-03L LGAV]
• 817 During VNAV Descend A/T adds thrust too soon and without caution.
• 820 AP doesn't function with both FDs off on takeoff
• 829 A/T issue during descend with VNAV SPD

Sparky744 Release 2.3

Release 2.3:

Release 2.3 focuses on flight model enhancements and bug fixes to the existing systems.
A very special thanks to MCCVeen and oMrSmith for their extensive testing and accurate reporting of issues, a very large number of fixes in this release wouldn't have been possible without the detailed breakdowns they provided.

Enhancements

• Completely override all control surfaces
• VNAV path pointer
• Rudder Ratio Changer
• Controls now consume hydraulic systems pressure
• Latest textures from PilotMathews
• Brake heating visualizations and failures
• "Always on" Flight Data Recorder records flight data for each aircraft livery
• Improved ground rain effects (Salami002)

Bug fixes

• Throttle lockout during toga run up
• fix cockpit lights voice control definition
• Door PBR fix (Andromeda95 via org forums)
• Missing ELEC BUS and brake EICAS messages
• Engine logic for PW and GE engines
• ET clock not running
• Remove brakes from nose gear
• Nose pitch after touchdown autoland logic
• Fix "why is my FMS blank" issue
• Keep speed and ALT bugs on PFDs
• Fix battery switch guard closing completely when battery switch is off
• Fix CRT fading
• ACT and REQ CDU items missing
• Engine generators disconnect APU
• Fix AP disconnect disconnecting AT

Sparky744 Release 2.1

On this day 11/12/2021 at 13:15 UTC, the last, the very last British Airways 747-400, G-BYGC took to the skies for one last flight from Cardiff (EGFF) to St. Athan (EGSY). Despite the short hop to the breaker's yard, it became an emotional farewell to an aircraft that was used by British Airways for over 50 years.

G-BYGC is a 747-436 sporting RB211-524G engines- the aircraft first flew on 01/11/1999, and served with British Airways for another 21 years until its retirement on 12/11/20. The aircraft is now preserved at MOD St. Athan, and still lives on despite its official retirement.

The Sparky744 Release 2.1 celebrates this historic aircraft, bringing the RB211-524G engines into the simulator and enabling you to continue the task of recreating G-BYGC, and all the other 694 airframes built, with all their complex detail and history.

Special Thanks from Dyno (RB211 engine models)

BottleRocketeer

Bottle Rocketeer was the quintessential person in allowing me to succeed within 3D graphics, aircraft development, and the RB211's. He single-handedly taught me how to open a new file within Blender, add a cube, and shape it into what is now an engine.

SamWise

SamWise was one of the, if not the most important person in getting the visual element of the RB211's to modern-day standards. While I can make a boring, grey, shape, he added life and color to the grey shape- something I fail to do, and am incredibly lucky to have been able to work with him. Thank you for everything Sam!

Pilot Mathews

Pilot Mathews- Pilot Mathews breathed completely new air into our 747, despite the limitations imposed by the paintkit. After working many hours a day, he delivered VH-OEJ and VH-OJM to the highest possible standard, picking up the smallest details such as patches on the wings, how straight the lines of the wings are, scuffs caused by jetways, and much more. VH-OEJ and VH-OJM are both included by default in Patch 2.1, but go check out his other excellent liveries on X-Plane ORG forum!

Changes 24/09/2021 - 11/12/2021:

• New RB211-524 real-world data values, integration, performance tables, performance, behavior, EICAS indications
• PW, RR, and GE engine code fixes (Marauder28)
• RB211-524 model (Dyno), textures, paintkit
• VH-OEJ, VH-OJM liveries (Pilot Mathews)
• Engines selectable by livery or the FMC
• fix fuel use during pause
• fix floating light in LCF model
• APU timing fixes
• Fix engine 4 reverse thrust (new contributor: LuckLP)
• altitude range arc
• Fix random throttle lever movements
• minor HYD page tweaks

Sparky744 Release 2

Slightly later than originally planned as more and more community contributions rolled in. Release 2 takes the foundation built for the initial release and takes the best the community could throw at it.

New displays, autopilot, engine performance and per livery aircraft specifications.

Extract to its own folder inside your "Aircraft" folder, be sure to check the readme for installation tips and frequenctly asked questions. search youtube for "747-400 CBT" for a detailed set of training videos on how the 747 works and how to interact with its systems.

Sparky744 Initial Release

After 18 months of design, revisions, testing, a whole new systems scripting package (of an already well designed plane), the initial release of what (by popular demand) is to hence forth be known as the Sparky744 is ready for a first release.

Extract to its own folder inside your "Aircraft" folder, be sure to check the readme for installation tips and frequenctly asked questions. check the documentation folder for a list of tutorial videos.