Ronald Prindle

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

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 

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 

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 

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

Piper Turboprop Trainer Speed Improvements for Cross-Country Flights.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

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)

--------------------------------------------------------------

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

--------------------------------------------------------------

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

-------------------------------------------------------------

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

4/1/2024   Ron Prindle

Sorry about that! Most of the updates I end up with, are optional and are there if you are looking for more detail, etc. I can say this, an update in all cases will have the most current %u201Cfixes%u201D of said items (panels, gauges, airframe .MDL) found, so no need to go backwards to get all known issues.

 

If you see I title the zip files as close as I can to those that it affects as in problems discovered UPD I use to show the differences. Mind you, when I produce an update there is cause for it to be considered that%u2019s all.

 

Thanks for the input and I will try to find a better method of updating my projects that remain aligned with what we are accustomed to on this file system. I was hoping to stay with the way I have observed updates on this website.

 

Again Sorry, I will try harder to figure out a better way to deliver corrections as they present themselves!

 

Ron P

Damon, Well I have gone around all what I know about (WARRIOR8.ZIP) by Rien Cornelissen and I know the 151 textures I made up were very basic DXT3 compression 1024 X 1024 16-bit extended BMP files, in an effort to keep the project file sizes small. The original airplane used what I believe were 1024 X 1024 256 colors in FS2002/FS2004? When I made the jump to FSX, I was looking for a the original airplane and I had hopes it would be the same, and I could make a black airplane if the \Texture\Warrior0.BMP was totally missing. I could not find an issue at all with the pilot, thinking the texture compression is not working in your FSX? I won't ask if you have DirectX running, all I can suggest is, try using DXTBMP on the textures and find a BMP format that works on your system? Sorry, that's all I can come up with, yes I have tried this airplane on WinXP and Windows 7 PCs and I am running FSX Delux, nothing else special. Good Luck, Ron P.

Dhowels, I will try to reproduce your discovery and I have an idea that we have an issue of missing texture files? When you say gray, is it the entire airplane or prop? I am not sure what to look for on that. As for the 3D panel, I don%u2019t have the model file code broken down to build it, as in most features like this you have to ask the author of the original airplane to do that.

 

Stand by, I%u2019ll give it my best shot to see what is wrong with your pilot%u2026. Ron

Thanks I will give it a try! Ron P.

Three Notes On Cherokee_2K2X_UPD.ZIP 11/10/2021

 

After testing the Model Files on another FSX computer of mine, I found that only one %u201CTexture%u201D was needed after all, in the \Cherokee 2K2 TProp \texture folder named cherok-3.BMP which needs to be an extended BMP, compressed to a DXT-1 format with a blank %u201CAlpha Channel%u201D image, as you will find in the provided Zip file. You will need it if and only if you have a %u201Cblack%u201D tail, meaning no texture was found from your old MDL file that is needed in this updated MDL.

 

The BMP gallery of photos enclosed, of my N8440J turboprop amphibian, which is still under development as a PA-28-140 airframe (440 HP airplane), is having issues too, nothing yet to distribute at this time, sorry.

 

The BMP galley screen shot of N1966W, the experimental XPA-32 3-Engine Cherokee Six, is turning out to be a disappointment, to the point I have yet to ask Fred Choate about his project. For you see, FSX has limitations I know, as in only two Nav-Coms, where in real life I owned and operated three in my Cherokee, I have found that FSX limits multi-engine power plants too. The main issue that is effecting my simulation is that FSX wants all engines to be the same horsepower. Therefore, the real XPA-32 -3M actually ran the normal 260 HP front engine (for safety) while testing the 180 HP Lycoming%u2019s on the wings. FSX has either three 260 HP engines or three 180 HP engines, which is not working out as the simulation I had hopes for. Even the Ford Tri-Motors in real life held different engine sizes, but any simulations I found, all where again the same horsepower rating. Furthermore, the weight and balance issue with the XPA-32, those additional engines in front of the leading edge, meant I have a %u201Cballast box%u201D in the rear baggage area (with 100 Lbs in it) and one pilot with three 180 HP engines and full-fuel, left roughly 90 pounds of weight before the 3400 Lbs gross limit was exceeded. This explains why the real XPA-32 %u201Chung around%u201D Vero Beach, Florida it%u2019s whole life? Not sure where this project is headed.

Ron P.

Turbodak, I found you are correct! I am about to upload the "fix" for all the Cherokee 2K2X airplanes have this problem, a zip file named; Legacy_Cherokee_2K2X_UPD.ZIP should solve the error in rotation as well as what I call a studder as well. Thank You and I am sorry it took so long to find this problem! Ron P.

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.

Fine Job! I'm glad to have these airplanes added to my fleet! Thank You very much! Ron Prindle

Sischrage, You know what? No one has ever asked why we "alias" things like sound and even \Panel config files? SIZE... Example; this Cherokee Warrior is still a sizable download, because of the \Gauges to make the panel as near as I could make it like Rien Cornelissen did it up in 2005. Yes, I'd like to have exact sounds for every airplane I fly in FSX, but \Sound files end up BIG. If I sent you the best sounds for an airplane, I'd have to fore go a good panel gauge set, etc. to keep the download file from being massive. The Warrior could be a lot smaller if I defaulted the panel, but I didn't and it's still a 15 Meg zip file. I always thought that texture files and \Model folders were big, but they are not, compared to sound and panel folders. When I can get them POH Pilot Operating Handbooks, in PDF form are often bigger than the airplane, but they tell the real story on proper operations, etc. I hope you get the idea, why you see so many \Sound\Sound.CFG files that "alias" or re-route sounds from an airplane you already have. It makes them smaller. F.Y.I. Ron P.

Yes, I often hear that, the issue remains, where is your version of the alias sound?

Use a text editor, look in the \Sound folder at the Sound.CFG file, pick the location that matches your collection of airplanes. Not everybody has the same folder "Names" as in the most popular is the Mooney sound effects.

Remark out my defaulted Cessna182RG... using // for the lines you don't have or don't want to use.

Remove the // for the sound alias you do have I.E. the \Mooney\Sound folder.

Questions? Ron P.

Thank You Steve, your comments is why I enjoy doing this!

Ron Prindle

Ok on that, frankly I am still reviewing all the parameters even today!

The more I fly these simulations, the more I want to verify the data!

If you come up with anything worth trying, let me know! Ron P.

Thank You for the nice comment, but the credit goes to these fellows who made the airplane; Mike Stone of Eureka, MO, Werner Schott of Switzerland, Garry Kentzell, Juan Antonio Martinez Castro of Monterrey, MX, Ken Mitchell of Jackson, TN, Joe Pouliot, Seomaker, and Carey Furlong who did all the heavy lifting! I tell you this, because if you "search" on this web site, these names, like me, you'll find a lot of fine airplanes not just the Commanche collections! Thanks Again for the kind comment, all the credit goes to these fellows! Ron P.

Thank You for the nice comment, but the credit goes to these fellows who made the airplane; Mike Stone of Eureka, MO, Werner Schott of Switzerland, Garry Kentzell, Juan Antonio Martinez Castro of Monterrey, MX, Ken Mitchell of Jackson, TN, Joe Pouliot, Seomaker, and Carey Furlong who did all the heavy lifting! I tell you this, because if you "search" on this web site, these names, like me, you'll find a lot of fine airplanes not just the Commanche collections! Thanks Again for the kind comment, all the credit goes to these fellows! Ron P.

Thank You for the nice comment, but the credit goes to these fellows who made the airplane; Mike Stone of Eureka, MO, Werner Schott of Switzerland, Garry Kentzell, Juan Antonio Martinez Castro of Monterrey, MX, Ken Mitchell of Jackson, TN, Joe Pouliot, Seomaker, and Carey Furlong who did all the heavy lifting! I tell you this, because if you "search" on this web site, these names, like me, you'll find a lot of fine airplanes not just the Commanche collections! Thanks Again for the kind comment, all the credit goes to these fellows! Ron P.

Did you unzip \Piper_Fuel_Selectors folder into your FSX \Gauges folder?

That is where the Panel.CFG file will be looking for it.

Let me know if you have trouble, Ron P.

To All! I tried the following change to my Cherokee Six \Sound Folder and I like it a lot! Since it has come highly recommended by a Six Pilot, I am using the 182 sound alias as well. Update your text file to something like this;

 

[fltsim]

alias=Microsoft Cessna 182S FSX\sound

//alias=Mooney Bravo/sound

//alias=Mooney_Bravo/sound

 

Your location maybe different than mine, but check it out, it is better!

 

Ron P.

To All! I tried the following change to my Cherokee Six \Sound Folder and I like it a lot! Since it has come highly recommended by a Six Pilot, I am using the 182 sound alias as well. Update your text file to something like this;

 

[fltsim]

alias=Microsoft Cessna 182S FSX\sound

//alias=Mooney Bravo/sound

//alias=Mooney_Bravo/sound

 

Your location maybe different than mine, but check it out, it is better!

 

Ron P.

Thank You! It's good to have positive feed back, I always wanted to fly a Six and FSX is as close as I'll ever get! Ron P.