March, 1999


The FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT BROTHERS AIRCRAFT COMPANY is proud to present Version 4.0 of its debut creation (WBC185v4.ZIP):
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1980 CESSNA  MODEL  185  SKYWAGON II  ON  FLOATS  AND  WHEELS 
(version 4.0 for FS98)
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NOTES REGARDING VERSION 4.0

Well here we are again with yet another update of the 185's.  Actually I'm updating my 185's as well as my 337 Skymasters (under seperate uploads) to take advantage of the transparent surfaces, especially the prop.  It does improve the visual appearance over the prop circles of previous uploads.  I also took the opportunity to improve the texture files, especially about the control surfaces and improved the 3D appearance of the landing gear and the antennas.  Unfortunatly, at least in 3D mode, the visual models still eliminate the curviture between the top of the fuselage and the vertical stabilizer and still show some thickening of such items as the step below the cabin doors.

OK, to be honest with these uploads, I'm biding my time until the new aircraft factory program comes to market.  I'm presently sitting with a 3/4 completed model of the 1998 Cessna Grand Caravan.  It looks pretty good but rather than fight with the parts total (which now stands at 100%), and choose between the cargo pod or the wing mounted radar or who knows what else, I'd wait for the larger parts limit of the new program. When it arrives, I can complete the Grand and proceed with the standard caravan, the amphib and the cargomaster.  Look for these next Frank Lloyd Wright Brothers creations soon at an upload site near you.

Have fun and let me know how you find these files in FS98.  debohde@compuserve.com or debohde@csi.com


 
INTRODUCTION (from version 1.0 text file)

It seems like yesterday when, as a youth, I spent summers with my grandparents on Drummond Island in Michigan's eastern upper peninsula. My grandfather owned and piloted a 1955 Cessna Model 180 on floats which he hangared at his home on Potogannising Bay.  From the moment I could reach the rudder pedals, when our work was finished and the weather was agreeable, we were  in the 180 shooting landings,practicing aerial maneuvers or taking day flights to Traverse City, Beaver Island or the Soo.  My grandfather had been flying for so long that Wilbur Wright was the signatory of his original pilots license.  It is with these memories that the subject aircraft are presented for your enjoyment.

Although these 185's are the first aircraft completed by this author, I think you will be
pleased with the results.  As an architect, I appreciate the importance of accuracy
and detail.  While I would be afraid to calculate the hours spent in this endeavor over
the last several months, I believe the joy which can be experienced when flying an
accurate flight model from the spot view makes it all worthwhile.  You may wish to
view the .bmp files, prior to installing so you know what you are getting.


SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

1.  Microsoft Flight Simulator '98.           


LIST OF FILES IN WBC185v4.ZIP (version 4.0)

1.  Cessna 185 on floats  (C185FL4.ZIP)
               	a.   Root a/c folder:  	C185FL4.AIR 
					aircraft.cfg
               	b.   Model folder:	C185FL4.MDL
					model.cfg
		c.   Panel folder:	panel.cfg
		d.   Sound folder:	sound.cfg 
		e.   Texture folder:	C185FL4.0AF - C185FL4.9AF
		

2.  Cessna 185 on Wheels  (C185WH4.ZIP)
              	a.   Root a/c folder:  	C185WH4.AIR 
					aircraft.cfg
               	b.   Model folder:	C185WH4.MDL
					model.cfg
		c.   Panel folder:	panel.cfg
		d.   Sound folder:	sound.cfg
		e.   Texture folder:	C185WH4.0AF - C185WH4.9AF
		

3.   General Files  (C185GEN.ZIP)
               	a.   WBC185v4.TXT - This text file
            	b.   C185FL4.BMP - Flight Photograph
            	c.   C185WH4.BMP - Flight Photograph

4.   FILE_ID.IDZ


INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS:

1.  Do yourself a favor and read this document in notepad format, from beginning to end (WITH WORD WRAP ON).

2.  View the *.BMP files in Win95's Paint Program or a similar picture viewer to see if these files are worth your trouble, then save or discard as you wish.

3.  If you have an earlier version of the 185's in your aircraft folder, move them to the "old aircraft" folder for the time being.  They can be deleted after you find you are satisfied with the new versions.

4.  These files have already been converted to fs98 so there is no need to do so again.  Now, unzip the individual a/c folders (c185fl4.zip and c185wh4.zip) into their own folders (c185fl and c185wh), which you will create within your FS98 aircraft folder. If your zip program does not support folders, then create the usual subdirectories: model, panel, sound, texture under each new aircraft folder. Place the *.air and aircraft.cfg files in the main a/c directory (c185wh4 for example). Place the *.mdl and model.cfg files in your model directory. Panel.cfg goes to the panel directory. Sound.cfg to the sound directory. All *.af files go to the texture directory.

5.  The default fg.recip panel is included with the upload.  Feel free to select a new one for these models and install per the instructions.

6.  The sound.cfg file included with the float plane version like the wheeled version, does not include the  splash sounds at take-off and touchdown.  If this is important to you on the floatplane, you can edit its sound.cfg file and add the necessary wave files as described below. The land plane version has the usual screetch sounds at touchdown because it usually doesn't land in the water :-).

7.  Copy the text files to a subdirectory of your choice.


ADDING SPLASH SOUND TO THE FLOATPLANE:

1.  Delete the sound.cfg from the c185fl\sound folder.

2.  Go to the 'sound' folder of 'C182' in the 'aircraft' directory and copy (not move) all of these files to your c185fl\sound folder.

3.  Once in your c185fl\sound folder, delete the Cmgeardn.wav and Cmgearup.wav files.  You can leave them in but they won't be useful and will only take up space.

4.  Now, edit the sound.cfg file in your c185fl\sound folder by double-clicking on it.  This opens the file in Notepad.  Scroll down and near the bottom, you should see lines that read something like what follows:

[left_touchdown]
filename=xcmtoucl
panning=10000
initial_volume=10000
maximum_volume=10000

[right_touchdown]
filename=xcmtoucr
panning=10000
initial_volume=10000
maximum_volume=10000

[center_touchdown]
filename=xcmtoucc
panning=10000
initial_volume=10000
maximum_volume=10000

In each of the three configurations, change the filename entry to: psplash (in lieu of the xcmtouc_).  Click on file/Save in the pull down menu and you're finished. Now you can splash around with the proper sound.

 

AIRCRAFT FEATURES:

1.  Both Cessna 185's  on floats and wheels
    a.   Nose, tail and wingtip navigation lights: Lights key (L)
    b.   Tail and wingtip beacons:                 Strobes key (O)
    c.   Flaps:                                    Flap keys (F7 & F8)

2.  Cessna 185 on floats only
    a.   Floats in the water toggle
               (water displacement size):          Gear key (G)
    b.   Floats in the air toggle
               (full size floats):                 Gear Key (G)
    c.   Wake in water 
               (you should already be awake!):     Spoiler key (/)
    d.   Buoy, pennant and tie rope:           Appear automatically at
                                               speed <1 knot


SOURCES:

 1.  Specifications, performance and scaled drawings for 1980 Cessna Skywagon as
     provided by Cessna Aircraft Co., Wichita, Kansas. (From November 13, 1979
     News Release)
 2.  Late 1970's literature from the Edo Commercial Corporation (Floats).
 3.  Family photographs of N4593B, 1955 Cessna 180 (for floats only).



AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE:

FLOATPLANE:

Speed:
     Maximum at sea level                                          140 knots
     75% Cruise at 7,000 feet                                      133 knots

Range:
     75% power at 7,000 feet (84 gal. usable)                      585 nm/4.5 hrs.
     Max range at 10,000 feet                                      745 nm/7.4 hrs.

Rate of Climb @ sea level:                                         960 fpm

Service Ceiling:                                                   16,400 ft.

Takeoff performance:
     water run                                                     1,430 ft.
     total over 50' obstacle                                       2,125 ft.

Landing performance:
     water run                                                     830 ft.
     total over 50' obstacle                                       1,565 ft.

Stall speed:
     flaps up - power off                                          56 knots
     flaps down - power off                                        52 knots

Standard empty weight:                                             1,990 lb.

Maximum weight @ t/o:                                              3,320 lb.



LANDPLANE:

Speed:
     Maximum at sea level                                          154 knots
     75% cruise @ 7,000 ft.                                        147 knots

Range:
     75% power at 7,000 ft                                         645 nm/4.5 hrs.
     Maximum at 10,000 ft.                                         850 nm/7.4 hrs.

Rate of climb at sea level:                                        1,075 fpm

Service Ceiling:                                                   17,900 ft.

Takeoff performance:
     ground roll                                                   825 ft.
     total over 50' obstacle                                       1,400 ft.

Landing performance:
     ground roll                                                   610 ft.
     total over 50' obstacle                                       1,400 ft.

Stall speed:
     flaps up - power off                                          56 knots
     flaps down - power off                                        49 knots

Standard empty weight:                                             1,688 lb.

Maximum weight @ t/o:                                              3,350 lb.

 
                         
SPECIFICATIONS (COMMON TO BOTH AIRCRAFT)

Wing span:                                                         35'-10"

Total fuel capacity:                                               88 gal.

Engine:                                                            Teledyne Continental IO-520-D                                                                    Fuel Injected Engine: 300 bhp                                                                    @ 2,800 rpm (takeoff)
                                                                   285 bhp @ 2,700 rpm (max.                                                                        sustained)

Propeller:                                                         Constant speed, 3 blades, 
                                                                   80 inch diameter.



FLIGHT TRAINING:

Both 185's are essentially alike in appearance except one has floats and operates from
water  and the other has wheels and operates from land, DUHHHHH!   The two situation
files permit you to start your flying session appropriately.  It's a little tough on the floats
when you try to takeoff from a paved runway (although I do understand that on grass it
is done from time to time, with very  little adverse effect on the aircraft -recommended,
as a matter of fact, when you find yourself  in the air after dark and you wish to land in
one piece).


Floatplane

You will notice when you start the 185 floatplane that you are tied to a anchorage buoy (this prevents the very expensive aircraft from floating away).  Start your engine and you will notice the elegant three bladed prop disappear only to be replaced moments later by an even more elegant transparent prop disk.  Because you are in the water (or on the runway when first opened), you only see that part of the floats, which is visible above the water's surface.  Taxi out - because of the water's friction, you will probably require a bit more power to commence your run, but be sure to back it back down once you start moving as your speed will increase rapidly after that.  Keep your
taxi speed (at full displacement) to between 5 and 10 knots.  You must be careful not to splash the prop during taxi.

Once you start moving, you will notice the anchorage buoy disappears.  Don't worry
about it, it's normal and we'll find it again later.  For added realism (and after all, isn't
that what we're all looking for?) press the spoiler key (/) to activate the wake.  There is a
slight delay in it's appearance so be patient.  This feature is especially nice looking
when viewed from the front or rear corners or from the sides.

In this situation, it's probably best to taxi out of the lagoon around the south side of the
Meigs runway and start your takeoff run parallel with the runway in a northerly direction
(following departure clearance, of course).  This way you're less likely to hit anything
landing or taking off.  Lower flaps 20 degrees and firewall the throttle.  Unfortunately,
takeoff performance is not quite as advertised because of the drag of the
"displacement" floats - but they look nice.  You'll probably rotate between 70 and 80
knots.  Pull back slightly and you'll be airborne.  Watch your speed at t/o and try to
anticipate your rotation so you can toggle off the wake (/).  Otherwise you'll have these
funny blue lines following you, like bicycle streamers,  into the air.  Remember the delay
in the spoiler key.  With practice, you'll be able to time it just right.

As soon as you lift off, hit the F5 key to retract the flaps and the G key to replace the
partial displacement floats with the full size proper looking floats.  Another performance
concession, resulting from an accurate looking flight model, is  the fact that this aircraft
thinks it has a retractable gear.  As a result, you will notice some inappropriate increase
in lift and rate of climb performance when the full size floats (gear up) are toggled on. 
Oh well, life's a compromise.  

When landing, the best approach speed is 70 knots.  Lower your flaps in accordance
with your conditions.  You'll want to add to idle, about four notches of throttle just
before your flair (30-40 feet above the water).  Be sure to hit the G key to return to the 
displacement floats prior to touch down and time your hitting of the / key to toggle on
the wake.  NOTE!!!!  If you forget to toggle the displacement floats (gear down) before
you touch down at landing, you will crash, plain and simple.  You will also notice the
kindly message "lower your landing gear, next time (stupid)" At least I feel stupid when it happens to me! It is also imperative that
you DEactivate the CRASH DETECTION feature when landing on water. If you don't,  you
will again crash, plain and simple.  Taxi to a point near land (so you don't have to fully
swim to shore), shut down your engine and coast to a stop.  Hey! there's that
anchorage buoy again.


Landplane

Who cares?  Who flys from terra firma, anymore, anyway?  No really, it's pretty
standard, just remember she's a taildragger so watch your airspeed on your landing
approach, add some power before touchdown then slowly back off the throttle in a
nose up attitude so you settle down on all three wheels.  Otherwise, you'll crash, plain
and simple (or more likely,  bounce all the way to Detroit).  Practice makes perfect!  In this incarnation of the 185, steering control has greatly diminished from what it was in FS5.1 but I believe this rendition is better in this regard than it was in FSFW95.  I've found that with practice and a great deal of "fiddling" with the throttle and the differential breaks you can turn her fairly well, though not on a dime.  For example, to turn left, give her full left rudder, full left aileron and tap the F11 key repeatedly.  Raise the throttle and you'll start your turn.  Be careful not to go so fast that you start gaining lift or you'll ground loop the puppy.  The amount of the throttle setting and the speed of the tapping of the F11 key need to be properly coordinated to make the most efficient turn.  This will only be accomplished with a good deal of practice.  To make a right turn everything is the same except you tap the F12 key.  Perhaps with the next version of the computer (or a new aircraft design utility) this can be corrected in the future.  If any of you know a better way to resolve the poor ground manuverability of taildraggers, please let me know!


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Special thanks go to Joe Valeri for his beta tests; Russell R. Smith for his assisting greatly in the modifications of the flight dynamics; to Stefan 'Doe' Doebereiner for his excellent "AF5PAINT' program which was utilized in the 185's artwork. (It's available for download from http://www.naples.net/~nfn00200/iup.html in the May 1996 section - Version 2 of this Program is now available as of May, 1997);  to Fred Wohosky (PBY designer extraordinaire) for his buoy idea; and last but not least to my wife and kids for their indulgence of me in this most time consuming of pastimes.


DISCLAIMER AND USE

These files are intended for private entertainment purposes only.  I can not accept any
responsibility for damage or loss of data incurred directly or indirectly from the use of
these files.  These files may be copied, distributed, transmitted, uploaded or
downloaded only as long as all files remain together and proper credit is noted.  The
files may not be modified, edited or otherwise be made to appear to be your own.  No 
monetary gain may be made by the sale of these files in whole or in part.  Inclusion of
these files or any part thereof in CD form with other software as part of bundled
shareware or freeware is strictly prohibited without the prior express written permission
of the author of these files.  By copying the content of this file to your FS5/FS95
directories, you are agreeing to the terms of this disclaimer.  But hey, have fun and stay
dry!

I hope you are pleased with these files and enjoy them!  It would be nice to hear from
you with regard to your impressions of this work.  Many thanks!


God's Blessings

Donn E. Bohde  CIS 105213,3330
debohde@compuserve.com
debohde@csi.com
Frank Lloyd Wright Brothers Aircraft Company 
Roseville, Michigan



