FSX Piper Turboprop Trainer

Interesting observation and I am very interested in a proper platform operation. If it%u2019s not too much trouble could you post your corrections here so I can fly the airplane as it should be?

Thanks for the info since there is so much to check, I have no doubt refinements are necessary!

Ron P.

Piper Turboprop Trainer Speed Improvements for Cross-Country Flights.
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Add corrected " description= " to the Aircraft.CFG file; 

[fltsim.0]
title=Piper_Cherokee 140 TP N5456F
sim=Piper Cherokee_Turbo
model=1
panel=1
sound=
texture=
kb_checklists=piperPA28chk
kb_reference=piperPA28ref

description= The PA28 series includes some of the most successful aircraft in private aviation. Designed to compete with Cessna¥s 170-series, the first Piper PA28, the PA28-140 Cherokee, was designed in the sixties. Many pilots have built up their flying experience in the 140's before replacing the Cherokee with larger models in the PA28 series.  This variation has been outfitted with a 440 HP turboprop engine and extended range "tip" fuel tanks.  Expect cruse ground speeds of 160 Knots at a fuel flow rate of 22 GPH, Ng 85% Power with Prop turning 1,850 RPM, full fuel (84 Gal) and two people with 100 Lbs of bags.

ui_manufacturer=Experimental
ui_type=Piper Cherokee 440 Turboprop
ui_variation=N5456F
atc_heavy=0
atc_id=N5456F
atc_airline=Cherokee
atc_flight_number=56F

Correct the " performance= " data shown;

[General]
performance=Maximum Speed\t180 kts       207 MPH\nCruise Speed\t150 kts       173 MPH\nEngine\tPratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-42A \nDe-rated turbine   440 hp\nPropeller\t Four-bladed McCauley constant speed, \n\t \nMaximum Range\t600 nm          \nService Ceiling\t14,300 ft\t         \nFuel Capacity\t84 gal\t \nEmpty Weight\t1,225 lb\\n\nMax. Gross Weight\t2,400 lb\t   \nLength\t\t23 ft, 7 in\nWingspan\t30 ft \t        \nHeight\t\t7 ft, 7 in\t  \nSeating\t         \t 4\nUseful Load\t1175 lb\t           \n
atc_type=Piper
atc_model=PA28A
editable=0
Category=airplane

Replace the " [Reference Speeds] " data shown;

[Reference Speeds]
flaps_up_stall_speed= 55.000           //Knots True (KTAS)
full_flaps_stall_speed= 50.000         //Knots True (KTAS)
cruise_speed= 150.000                  //Knots True (KTAS)
max_indicated_speed=165.000000         //Red line (KIAS)

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Suggest adding to \Panel.1 folder, Panel.cfg text file Nav/GPS Switch

[Window00]

gauge60=extra-300!Nav GPS Switch,  621,705,29,44

[Vcockpit01]

gauge51=extra-300!Nav GPS Switch,  428,339,19,29

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Expect Take-Off & Climb 85 - 90% Power   20-22 GPH Fuel Flow

Indicated Airspeed 150 Knots, Ground Speed 160 Kts

Level Cruse 80 - 85% Power   22 - 24 GPH Fuel Flow   

Select Tip Tanks in Level Flight

Full-Power Cruse now possible!    90 - 100% Power Level Flight

185 Knots Ground Speed      34 GPH Fuel Flow

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Above changes apply to the Piper PA-28-440 Cherokee 2K2 Turboprop Trainer

4/1/2024   Ron Prindle

I can't update the Piper PA-28-440 Cherokee 2K2 Turboprop Trainer because I only found the file legacy_cherokee_2k2x.zip but not the file Legacy_Cherokee_2K2X_UPD.ZIP.

Apart from I found no 'model1' and no 'ui_variation=N5456F' . The downloaded Cherokee 2K2 has the ui_variation=N1872R and is slightly a other aircraft. 

Where can I download the FSX version to update?

With the changes to this web site, searching for specific file names, well let's just say, I don't know how to do that anymore.

The entire "Turboprop Trainer Project" ended up in three offerings to get it to where the attached text file update will work.

On the HOME page, go to POPULAR DOWNLOADS, then to DOWNLOAD PORTAL then set the Category to FSX, then the Sub-Catagory to FSX GENRAL AVIATION.

From there you can look for the three specific packages I uploaded for your use.   The first is this message source titled FSX PIPER TURBOPROP TRAINER.

The second upload added the DYNAMIC exterior panel, (FSX Piper Cherokee 2K2X Dynamic Internal Panel) which has been "incorporated" into the third file, the one with \Model.1 & \Panel.1, this is the file you are looking for, see attached photo image.

That location, the file you are looking for is titled FSX Cherokee External Panel Kit.

I believe this is the file you are missing?     Let me know, Ron

Thank you for the answer. I found your tipp on this side concerning 'Speed Improvements for Cross Country Flights'

First: I made a download mistake >cherokee 440 instead of cherokee 140';so I couldn't get the right result.

Second: I tried the right txt for FSX Piper PA-28 Cherokee 2K2X Project Update /November 10, 2021

and        Cherokee_2K2X_UPD.ZIP 11/10/2021 ( is it the same?) 

I found them on this website and tried to download but my browser Google Chrome blocked both because of Danger!?

best regards

Christian

I tried also to download FSX Cherokee External Panel Kit. but the download was also blocked by Google Chrome and by EDGE (unsafe website).

best regards

Christian

Christian, sorry to hear about the download issue, maybe an email to the web master on the subject?

I spent my entire day reviewing the collection of Cherokee based airframes I modified to turboprop operation.  I applied the above text corrections and now I can really go in these airplanes.

I even corrected the Aircraft.CFG files to include “max_mach=“ the normal red-lined airspeed (knots/666.7) to get the over speed warning to work properly on these slower airplanes.

 I hope your piston Cherokee collection is going to work out, if you need help on that, let me know.   The Cherokee turboprop airplanes I am very happy to say are my specialty, after today’s experience.   

The turboprop Polish Pocono has been tuned up a bit, and now flys faster than the pistons I started with!    Ron 

Hi Ron

Now (with the help of an other Virusprogram) I could download the file FSX PIPER TURBOPROP TRAINER (cherokee_2k2_tprop.zip) and the 

file  FSX Cherokee External Panel Kit (panel_projection_kit_cherokee_2k2_upd.zip).

The file 'Panel.1' I found in the second zipfile (panel_projection_kit_cherokee_2k2.zip)  ...without 'upd'....

Next I will try to put the three together.

Best regards

Christian

Christian, I have attached a JPEG screen shot of my personal "Uploads" to Flightsim.com, in effort to trace any missing files that might help?

Besides the "quick notes" I make in the comments fields of each upload, I produce a new file for stuff that's simply too large to write down.

The Cherokee-based airframes begin in 8/8/2021 when I had a "flyable" FSX Cherokee 140, one I enjoyed a lot in FS 2002 Professional.

Since then, most of the changes were texture files that were in FS 2002 and earlier, then I tried to make a real effort to bring the Turboprop Mooney alive in a Piper airplane and all kinds of new problems came from it.  Hence all the "UPD" update files.  Most of those updates effected all the Cherokee airframe projects including the turboprop trainer.

What I see in my uploaded files list were only five zipped files for everything short of any "comment" information I posted for each, including the most recent comment you read.

I hope this list might satisfy your reconstruction of the turboprop project, furthermore, check for any "comments" under each Flightsim.com listing, just to be sure.

If I missed something important, let me know and I'll post the corrections for everyone to use!    Ron 

Hi Ron, thanks for your reply. I have now created a totally flyable Cherokee 2K2 Turboprop 140 from your zip files. I am satisfied that it gains altitude faster after takeoff than before.
The only problem is the panel. There are almost no gauges visible only black holes. I have a lot of freeware aircrafts without this problem. Copying the gauges files to FSX/Gauges did not help.
A second problem is the lack of visibility through the VC cockpit. I move the view (with CTRL+Backspace) so far forward that the view becomes clear. See the attachment.
Once again, I am nevertheless satisfied with the result and thank you for your efforts.
About your JPEG screen: As you know, it is very difficult to find the corresponding download with just a zip file.
Thanks again for your help
Best regards

Christian
 

Gee wiz!  I have always provided all the necessary gauges for every project I have done? I just unzipped the original Cherokee project collection and all have the necessary gauges I am using, but I saw some gauges from Cessna182rg I picked up from this website.  All of my panels run from the provided gauge folders and compressed files within the \Panel folder as they unzip.   No need to move them to the FSX \Gauges folder.

As far as the windshield properties I have used the default texturing that the original Cherokee had, trying to stay true to the original author of airplane.  If you have MCX (Model Converter X) you could set the window glass texture in the MDL file to transparent?  I have been using it for years now and never noticed that issue.

Hope this helps you out?    Ron 

Hi Ron, I tried to do as you said, but no luck. It doesn't matter. I changed the panel-file to them from my PiperCherokee 28 180 and now I have a 2D panel. 

I tried also the glass bmp with MCX but it doesn't work. I replaced it by a glass.bmp from an other aircraft but it doesn't work also. Maybe something other makes the shadow. No problem I am thankful for the aircraft and for your help.

Best regards

Christian

By the way, I imported from the model 1 the cherokee440tp_40j_interior.mdl in MCX and get the warning 'Failed to load texture: cherok-4_int.bmp'. Indeed there is no such file in the texture.

Best regards

Christian

Christian, You are absolutely correct!   There is no Cherok-4_int.BMP  in the \Texture folder of the 2K2 Piper Turboprop Trainer AND I found a solution to the interior glass issue.

Attached you should find a "zipped" file of that missing BMP for your \Textures folder.  I made a JPEG image of that file so you can see what it looks like.  It is Cherok-4.BMP that is in your folder, but the panel is blacked out.   Since the original file is 3 meg in size and the usable file for FSX is 513K as a compressed DXT1 format of a 1024 X 1024 BMP, the zip file is a tiny 78K.  So all you need is to unzip it and put it over into the \Texture folder next to Cherok-4.BMP.

For the record, I looked at all my versions of the turboprop trainer and I see that Cherok-4_int.BMP showed up in my amphibian N8440J airplane, yet I could not tell why I did that?  I eliminated it from the 2K2 airplane and saw absolutely nothing different.  Not sure what to make of it, so I'm sending it in the comments field.... I never attached a file to any comment, so I hope it's there for you (and others) to pick up and move on with the project.

Last thing, I solved the interior glass issue you have been wanting corrected to complete clear frontal view (2D panel)?  If you are using that MCX (Model Converter X) still, bring up the \Model.1 MDL file named Cherokee440TP_40J_Interior.MDL only and leave the other Cherokee440TP_40J.MDL as it is.   When you bring up the image of the interior airplane, there won't be any pilots in it.  If so, you are in the right place, go to top screen and touch on the icon in the second row called "Material Editor" and then on the left side of the new window, scroll down to "Glass" and touch it.  At the top of the screen, touch "REMOVE" and then export the MDL right over the Cherokee440TP_40J_Interior.MDL file.

The outside view still has the glass look, but inside you may like the difference of no glass at all?   Hope the all works for you!    Ron P.

cherok-4_Int.zip

Thank you, the download worked. I'll give it a Try.

Best regards

Christian

Thanks again, all works for me.

Best regards

Christian