EXPERIMENTAL DAUNTLESS PRIVATE TURBOPROP SPORT PLANE
This is the Experimental Concept Aircraft code named Dauntless. It is a design study of a small composite aircraft utilizing state of the art technologies in aerodynamics, composite construction and management techniques, propulsion advancement studies, as well as experimenting with a tighter new layout in cabin design for an 8 passenger commuter.
The Dauntless at first observation is a Canard design,
somewhat resembling Burt Rutans concept aircraft. But upon more closer study, the D1
incorporates a forward swept wing design where with the wing starts out as a
moderately sized root base structure, extending into forward swooped fins of
thin cord length yet fair wingspan enabling the Dauntless to be an eagle of the
higher altitudes of the Earths atmosphere with a glide ratio seeking to compete
with the finest of Swiss glider designs.
In this study, composite technologies are brought about to bare in fullest strength. The famous phrase by Ettore Bugatti; Weight, the enemy! weight is taken out of the spectrum with the very latest of construction techniques involving newer forms of strengthening, core materials, and especially foremost, lifetime resilience to wear from the elements.
The Dauntless is equipped with a passenger cabin of 6 seats with a moderate luggage stowaway in the rear, which can be converted to other uses. Luggage is accessed via a smaller door at the rear from upon the left wing area as well as from the passenger cabin. A small cabinet for storage of ships materials such as manuals, small onboard fridge, supplies, etc is located upon ingress into the D1 across from the main door. The front cockpit is not divided from the passenger compartment like that of most small jets and higher technology twin aircraft. This interior is designed to give the feel and comfort of a small, fast ship where the passengers may take in and share the adventure of the journey with the pilots via a view through to the front office.
The cockpit is designed around a double bubble Perspex layout that when sitting in the command center, resembles something like being in a helicopter with a good amount of visual being quite adequate. The banks of instruments are divided, having one for each of the pilots, as well as a centrally located panel that utilizes the space that occurs between the front of the two Perspexs where their radii part, enabling unique placement of instruments and flight controls.
The propulsion system of the D1 Dauntless is born of a Pratt and Whitney Turboprop shaft drive turbine jet engine that powers a gearbox splitter that then engages a twin opposed set of contra-rotating propellers. 121b12b This is to provide a very moderate amount of thrust from a single fan disc area for use of higher altitudes and yet ease of power as well as fuel useage.
Please note that there are two versions of props, with one being a curved blade set that is sleek and efficient, and a second that is based off of a new set of sub-sonic thrust blades that have been tested on modern airliners as an alternative to the fan jets where in they would be able to run more efficiently with better fuel savings. The style of the new blade set is very radical, but as with many new forms of technologies that come into this world, would only look radical for a short while and later become a normal everyday item in the world of transportation.
Note the twin nacelle scoops on the rear top of the fuselage. These are intakes for the turbine that resides within the hull of the D1. They both take in air as well as expel the heat and exhaust of the Pratt and Whitney Canada turbine. Also note that the props thus do not require any form of deicing as the exhaust gases passing over them from the turbine keep the props warm and from ever icing over.
If you study the actual dimensions of the Dauntless, you
will find her to be a bit tight in the cabin area, yet long and raked with a
moderate wingspan. This is a study that
is not designed to compete against the Learjet market. This is actually designed to compete against
the twin engine market where such familiar seating quarters would be found in
planes such as the Beechcraft Baron, but with the might and performance of a
Lancair and with the airframe of a modern Rutan concept aircraft. She is designed to fly higher, farther,
faster, and quicker then anything on the market available and for less cost.
Note that the hull pinches to a wide edge near the bottom of the sides, similar in profile to the SR-71. This was done to help create a lifting surface effect from the hull as well as being able to cut the air when flying into cross winds. I always try to create a dynamic use with the hull area, seeking to utilize it for other tools of aerodynamic enhancements.
This aircraft simulation package features two model versions of propellers, two dual color packages that feature different color sets for both the exteriors and interiors in either choice of blues or browns. All animation functions are incorporated, including a set of contra rotating props which are neat to watch during spool up of the turbine. The sky stair unfolds as well as a set of wheel chaulks that place themselves under the tires and pitot cover flags as well when actuating the Wing Fold command in Flight Simulator.
The instrumentation of the Virtual Cockpit feature back lighting that enable one to turn off the dome light, Shift/L, and yet still see the instruments, (a rare feature of simulation aircraft). The instrumentation and a faint glow from the interior occurs when your Landing Lights are on. When switching off the Landing Lights, the interior lighting is extinguished including the VC instrumentation lighting.
The tail area of the Dauntless features a vertical lower
rudder fin that does not turn as it is designed to act as a defensive barrier
against prop strikes during take-offs and landings. There is a skid ring on the lower most part
of the lower rudder that contacts the runway should one come close to such an
event. Note also the high stance of the
main gear, as this too is to provide clearance of the prop in such
instances. To lessen the need for
extreme rotation, use flaps to provide moderate lift to lessen the need for
high nose angles.
The Blues theme features fabrics in the interior with mixes of dark and light colors, while the Earth Tones theme is based on shades of browns and features suede leather covered seats. The exterior themes are of flying ribbon stripes that cascade the sides of the hull of the Dauntless to almost enhance the fast look of the sleek shape, creating a look of movement.
[INSTALLATION]
This package incorporates an
automatic installer program featured by the guys at Clickteam.com. It can be redirected into FS2002 but the
Note that if you should decide to install this package manually or you wish to divert your aircraft to load into FS2002, you must redirect it using the small browse button when the location for the target folders is shown so that it will go where you wish it to be installed. Otherwise, the standard location of placement of these files shall be in the FS9 or FS2004 folder, wherein if you do not have that version of Flight Simulator, the file folders will be created and this aircraft will be located there.
[NOTES ON PERFORMANCE]
This aircraft simulation design utilizes a stock Learjet model 45 airfile. The airspeeds are thus not accurate of such a design. I welcome anyone that fancies creating air files to feel free and offer a more realistic version for this flight model. Take-off speeds as well as landing speeds would be far less with such a light weight air frame structure as well as smaller tanks and lower payload amounts.
The sound pack of this aircraft are from the LearFan 2100 aircraft package I did recently. They are based on a fan sound being quite faint from within the aircraft as the props would live in the very back of the aircraft, thus enabling less prop sound to passengers. Just as well, the turbine is also located in the rear of the airframe, so sound in the front part of the cabin would be mostly wind noise as well as a faint turbine whine.
In studying the LearFan 2100, such climb rates of a powerful composite aircraft of light weight construction enabled incredible climb-outs that were in the neighborhood of 4,000 FPM, plus. This is like being in an elevator that is rather fast! Thusly, such flights of high altitudes and good cruise speeds is not just realistic, but a reality.
The main (rear) wings of the D1 are forward swept from 1/3rd the way out, onward. The wings convert from very large wing roots to wispy glider like fins at the outer reaches of the wingspan. This reduces possible flutter that occurs with forward swept wing designs as well as still enabling glider like high efficiency wings that would work well at extreme altitudes. Note the spiked wingtips. These are fashioned from the American Eagle whose wingtips have been referred to as finger like feathers that act like tiny attitude adjusters.
Parked in front
of
[QUICK
VC Lighting ..Control/L (Landing Lights)
Cabin Dome Lights .. ..Shift/L
Door Shift/E
Wheel Chaulks/Pitot flags .Wing Fold Command
Retract Landing Gear ..G
Radio Stack ..Shift/2
Throttle Quadrant .Shift/4
Enunciator Panel .. .Shift/5
Navigational/Directional Instrumentation .Shift/6
Glass Panel .. Shift/7
Auto Pilot Management Panel Shift/8
Engine Management Instrumentation Shift/9
NOTE: On the Panel you might find the instruments to be small and difficult to read. I have thus made them all to be brought up to a much larger size per the quick keys above. The problem with size and position of instruments is due to the odd layout geometry of the cockpit around the edges of the large Perspex domes.
[DIMENSIONS]
Wingspan .50 Feet, 3 Inches
Height 11 Feet, 0 Inches
Length ..48 Feet, 7 ½ Inches
Chord at Wingtips ..2 Feet, 6 ½ Inches
Chord at Wing Root Transition 5 Feet, 4.4 Inches
Approximate Weight Empty .2,100 Pounds US, Approximate
Fully Laden Max at Take-Off ..5,500 Pounds US, Approximate
Cruise/Knots/51,000 Feet. .Unavailable
Velocity Never Exceed (VnE) Unavailable
Operational Ceiling ..51,000 Feet Target; Approximate
Take-Off/Knots/Fully Laden 95 Knots at S.L./Flaps At One Notch
Stall/Full Flaps/Gear Down 74 Knots Approximate
Wing Layout Canard, Forward Swept Main Wing
Prop Diameter .6 Feet, 0 Inches
Prop Layout .Pusher, Twin Contra Rotating
Passengers .8 Including Pilot
Max Range/Economy Cruise/Fully Laden. ..Unknown
Max Climb Out Fully Laden .4,000 FPM, Approximate
Fuel Capacity ..Unknown
Composite Structure Carbon Fiber/Advanced Foam Core
[PANEL LAYOUT]
This is the VC layout view showing the proper locations of switches and instrumentation.
The panel is divided into 3 sections; left main panel, right main panel, and the center console which is moderately sized utilizing the space that is between the forward Perspex domes.
The two side panels have the basic
flight instrumentation which the center console houses the bulk of switches and
flight management levers such as Flaps, Gear lever, switches, and the
Flight controls are via yokes in
this concept aircraft. If the aircraft
were of smaller size, hand grip controls would be used to either side of the
cockpit. However, this low technology
non-fly-by-wire control system would utilize basic human muscle input. Under extreme conditions with such an
aircraft fully laden with 8 people on board, it was decided that such a yoke
system would best be suited. Note that
because of the radically raked new form of interior, the floor mounted yoke
worked better with the geometry of the interior instead of the classic panel
mounted yoke. (If you have ever sat in
an Alfa Romeo 3500
Note; All gauges can be enlarged per their appropriate
Shift/X keys. Please see above; Quick Keys.
[FLIGHT CHARACTERISTICS]
This flight model behaves quite similarly to the Lear 45 in that they share the same air files that configure their behaviour. Thus she will be sensitive to low controls input at lower speeds.
The Dauntless has a large tail area that will come close to striking the pavement upon a steep angle of attack when touching down or taking off. Use at least one notch of flaps for take-off and low input to the Canards for your take-off roll. This will minimize the tail coming too close to the ground.
Landing at higher speeds will also lessen your angle of attack and minimize tail contact upon touch-downs.
Take-off Speed 110 Knots, Plus
Touch Down Speed 95 Knots
Note; Torque not to exceed 100% for any long duration of time.
[DESIGN]
This aircraft concept was created on sketch paper. I then went through the process of creating the aircraft in Gmax. The fuselage went through various versions and stages, scrappings, restarts, then two versions of windows, and finally settling on a common model with two color variants and two versions of models that have two different versions of propeller designs, one of which is the more radical subsonic design that has been experimented with lately by airline manufacturers.
Gmax is a most superb 3D design program that is offered freely by Discreet software that produces the famous 3D Max program which is even far better. Gmax is included as freeware in the CDs that are with FS2004 as well as FS2002 Pro edition. Little literature exists for actually creating aircraft specifically for Flight Simulator except by way of forums and tutorials. The website that I was tutored by is FreeFlightDesign.com. The guys taught me mostly all that I know, except by what I learned by mistake through discovery.
I had been waiting for a basic manual to come out for learning Gmax just for Flight Simulator. To date, none have yet come out that were based specifically on Flight Simulator and aircraft design. I decided to write my own manual on how to create an aircraft in Gmax and install it into Flight Simulator. At present a publisher is still being sought out. However, a twin disc CD set is about to be made available at Lionheart Creations Ltd that would have the book in Word format as well as featuring a large number of my past aircraft so that people would have the ability to learn in step by step tutorials that are layed out with moderate amounts of screen shots as well as the format being based on not requiring to read chapter 1 to do chapter 6.
A short review on the Aircraft Design CD Pack can be seen here;
https://www.lionheartcreations.com/Gmax_CD_Book.html
I myself have been designing automobiles and products for years as well as toying with aircraft design, which I find totally invigorating. I must include here that the art of designing an aircraft involves massive adherences to center of gravity locations, air foil designs tuned for that exact formula of aircraft, placement of components and their weight in reference to the center of gravity, glide ratios, weight to thrust ratios and climb abilities, as well as structural/speed failure points in which an airframe would begin to come apart when VnE (Velocity Never Exceed) is reached and or surpassed. Thus, one who truly wishes to take on the realities of the dream of creating an aircraft should first tackle the design on sketch paper with a ruler for scale to get a better idea of the true size and scope of the theme. In this way, you will truly see better the way a plane comes to life and you will have taken the first steps of an aircraft designer.
Note, placement of cargo, passengers, and the slow bleed of
fuel from the tanks as well as their placement within the airframe structure
effect the handling of a plane and is a daily reality to pilots and thus to an
aircraft designer. Fuel cells that are
thus placed near the center of gravity would thus have little effect in trim as
they empty during flight. Likewise, a
landing gear when folded up will change the balance of the overall center of
gravity.
[ABOUT MYSELF]
My name is William Ortis. I reside in sunny
My work and background have stretched from aircraft interior parts, movie lights, trim and interior panels on Range Rovers, to race car engineering and construction, high speed test car development, and even furniture design and concepts for ultra thin laptops. I could write on for perhaps an hour or so to fully cover ideas, designs, and such.
Presently, I am even working on a concept for a privately owned jet that is equipped with a hybrid propulsion system that would enable the craft to attain orbit. I have been working on this concept for perhaps 7 years now and I hope to come out with a sim model of it soon. I can only hope that Dennis Seeley can produce an advanced airfile that can mimic its performance. (Dennis Seeley is a professional flight simulation air file creator who engineers the air files from the ground up).
[SPECIAL THANKS]
Milton Shupe was able to get the front landing gear to operate properly. I worked on it for well over a day, relentlessly (I should say, two days). To my amazement, he had offered to look at it and had it working properly in half an hour. His advice and input and patience have been a major part of my growth as a designer in aircraft flight simulation.
I would also like to thank Fr. Bill, Dennis, Lou, Felix, Tom, and the rest who help out massively at the Freeflightdesign.com Forums. They are awesome.
[FINAL NOTE
This software add-on has been tested on Windows XP and functioned superbly with little to know frame rate interference or degradation. William Ortis and Lionheart Creations Ltd. cannot be held liable for anything that might happen on your computer. This software add-on aircraft package is freeware and offered as is. The material in this package is copyright of William Ortis, Lionheart Creations Ltd. It cannot be sold in any way except with explicit permission of William Ortis, Lionheart Creations Ltd.
Repaints of this aircraft as well as modifications to the airfiles, sounds, panel, are welcomed. Feel free to experiment on this concept ship.
I always enjoy making these aircraft as well as flying them. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. I apologise for inadequacies of realistism in these aircraft. I am working on that though.
If you should have any questions or input, please feel free to contact me at William@lionheartcreations.com
I have a website in which you can track my work at www.lionheartcreations.com
Kind regards, Gods blessings and blue skies,
William Ortis
Lionheart Creations Ltd.
A spiritual note;
May we as good people stand up fearlessly for that which is right. Let not fear keep us from speaking up, no matter what. Fear can be like clouds that build up swiftly, casting out the light and vision and truth. Focus on what is right and you will see the sun and the clouds of confusion born of fear will fade away.
That we might help a person on the side of the road, or a family, or even a people in a far away land; that we helped that one, those few, or that many, shall we never forget nor be ashamed that we helped some one.
He who fears to witness me before men, also shall I not witness him before the Father; sayeth the Lord and Messiah, Jesus. Fear not.
Gods blessings and peace be with you always.
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