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Beachking 900-C "Mk V"

Hey everyone! Once again the Beachking sees a small evolution, coming around to Mk V. For this rebuild, I wanted to focus on building a plane that looked a little closer to it's inspiration, or at least something a little prettier than what I usually come up with. I'm reasonably happy with the result!

This will include the usual features and familiar cockpit from my previous aircraft, so many operations are identical. Things such as a wing-access escape door, and accessable engine bays are happily included; though I did not include a sealed cabin for balance purposees, so water landings are frequently disasterous.

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Massive thanks to jbaker96 and their PFD, and navigation displays. I quite like them, and I think they fit the plane very well. I'm looking forward to their MFDs to complete a glass cockpit!

PFD: https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1744477495

Nav Display: https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1748077606

jbaker96's workshop: https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/profiles/76561198092521892/myworkshopfiles/?appid=573090

A few changes had to be made to accommodate the new displays, though.

- Airspeed is now indicated in knots. This doesn't really change anything, but it's worth making note of as a reference point.

- Altitude is indicated in feet on the PFD, while the altitude hold is still indicated in metres. I've relabeled the keypad to reflect this, and added a dial in the center stack to display altitude in metres for reference. Functionally though, everything is the same!

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CONTROLS
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Pilot and Co-pilot have identical controls, and the pilot can hand over control with the labled key button to the left of the compass.

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

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 2km of it's destination; this indicates that a new waypoint should be input, or that navigation should be switched off.

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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- Overhead is a key for the fuel systems; turn that on!

- Adjacent to the fuel key are the compressors, turn those on as well and allow the engines to ignite.

- Once the engines are spinning, look overhead and slide the throttle labeled "Generator" forward. This engages the generator, and you can confirm power generation with the labled dial on the dashboard.

- Now is a good opportunity to turn on the NAV array, as well as the cabin and instrument lighting as needed.

- The overhead button labled "Prop Gear," does what it says, and sends the plane's props spinning! Idle throttle should give a predictable taxi speed, though this can cause problems with the nosewheel steering. A little extra throttle usually unsticks things!

- A throttle setting of 18 is enough to get the plane in the air, and once you're off the ground you may raise the landing gear and throttle on up to max.

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LANDING PROCEDURE
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- Reduce speed to around 140-130 knots. This can be done by deploying flaps and reducing the throttle to ~18-17.

- Lower the landing gear.

- Line up as well as you can and attempt for a low approach. The plane tends to drop pretty heavily once thrust is gone so lower is better!

- Double-check that the landing gear are down.

- Throttle back to idle just as the tires are over tarmac, and be ready with the wheel brakes, hotkey 1, once the aircraft sets down.

- Taxi to your intended destination, and then apply the brakes and/or disengaged the prop gear to bring the plane to a stop.

- Turn off the "Fuel" key to cut off the engines; it may take a few moments for them to stop - more throttle can speed this up.

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I'll have discussions open for suggestions and bug reports. Please let me know if something needs adjustments, and enjoy!