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MSFS20 Kaman K-Max

Hi Rick, great work! Really congratulations! If it works as well as it does, you don't even need betatesting! :) ( I'm Claudio Carra Fotografia ;) )
 
SeanTK said:
Looking very good. A few comments on the cockpit:

1. May I recommend compatibility with both the PMS GTN650, and also an option (since it looks like it would fit well and go with the era), of the free KLN 90B? https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/msfs-kln-90b-integration.457361/
2. The RPM, NG, EGT, and Torque gauges seem to have a different color than the others, more of a purplish look. Is this by design, or is there a glass reflection going on?
3. Do you plan on labeling the rest of the switches as seen here? (Also featuring the KLN90!) https://www.airliners.net/photo/Rotex/Kaman-K-1200-K-Max/553855/L
Click to expand...
Thank you but the idea of making a study level aircraft as a first production is more ambitious than I can muster. That servo tab flight dynamics are not supported in 2020 at all, leaves hope for the potentiality in 2024. Servo tabs are key to a tail rotorless aircraft and their function is impossible to mimic. Rotorcraft in MSFS will climb rotating one direction, descend rotating the opposite and there's no escaping that. Additionally, the start trigger is on the underside of the collective, preventing mouse clicking. So I pretty much had to make a simulated panel.

TBH, everything changed when I happened upon the snorkel arrangement. Prior to that it would have just been bambi buckets and sling loads, but developing the snorkel opened up a new opportunity for K-Max to be an experience in and of itself. Dipping a tank of water isn't quite white knuckle worthy, but you can't do it on autopilot either. K-Max was set up specifically so one could flip switches to operate it, or one could just just default key commands. That this rendition earns the scrutiny is an honor and that you notice the slight but very intentional emissive shading in sunlight reflection, is probably something most people won't. I think you will agree it absolutely destroys the embossed cookie cutter look some of the virtual cockpits exude.

As to the KLN90B, it something I've explored, but it would only be esthetically appropriate in the Afghanistan version and even those airframes were fairly contemporary, one of them is actually recycled into the N357KA Rotak, which along with Rainier are still in use. So it might be cool to have an earlier iteration of 357 also have the analog instrument. I won't rule it out but it wasn't planned.

SeanTK said:
4. The battery, gen, and fuel switches on the real thing (see airliners.net link above) seem to be where you put your light switches. Is this changeable?
Click to expand...
This would be possible by modifying the interior.xml to swap targeted animations with the components desired. However there is no generator switch to redirect, the engine master also serves as fuel switch, the battery switch would probably have to be beefed up in the systems.cfg file, but between light options and engine systems there are enough switches. As to the inactive ones, the existing labels from the original artist were just random, I've labeled everything active and I don't want to make it confusing. IMO, the random label look is appealing if you are used to the aircraft, the blank label look is appealing if you are trying to gain familiarity and as badass as it is, I don't see K-Max being anyone's daily flier, it barely goes 160.
 
You're right Rick, in reality, many of these vehicles, especially the less widespread ones, all have subsequent modifications self made, both to the cockpit and to other things, and often the same things vary from machine to machine.
 
=rk= said:
Thank you but the idea of making a study level aircraft as a first production is more ambitious than I can muster. That servo tab flight dynamics are not supported in 2020 at all, leaves hope for the potentiality in 2024. Servo tabs are key to a tail rotorless aircraft and their function is impossible to mimic. Rotorcraft in MSFS will climb rotating one direction, descend rotating the opposite and there's no escaping that. Additionally, the start trigger is on the underside of the collective, preventing mouse clicking. So I pretty much had to make a simulated panel.

TBH, everything changed when I happened upon the snorkel arrangement. Prior to that it would have just been bambi buckets and sling loads, but developing the snorkel opened up a new opportunity for K-Max to be an experience in and of itself. Dipping a tank of water isn't quite white knuckle worthy, but you can't do it on autopilot either. K-Max was set up specifically so one could flip switches to operate it, or one could just just default key commands. That this rendition earns the scrutiny is an honor and that you notice the slight but very intentional emissive shading in sunlight reflection, is probably something most people won't. I think you will agree it absolutely destroys the embossed cookie cutter look some of the virtual cockpits exude.

As to the KLN90B, it something I've explored, but it would only be esthetically appropriate in the Afghanistan version and even those airframes were fairly contemporary, one of them is actually recycled into the N357KA Rotak, which along with Rainier are still in use. So it might be cool to have an earlier iteration of 357 also have the analog instrument. I won't rule it out but it wasn't planned.


This would be possible by modifying the interior.xml to swap targeted animations with the components desired. However there is no generator switch to redirect, the engine master also serves as fuel switch, the battery switch would probably have to be beefed up in the systems.cfg file, but between light options and engine systems there are enough switches. As to the inactive ones, the existing labels from the original artist were just random, I've labeled everything active and I don't want to make it confusing. IMO, the random label look is appealing if you are used to the aircraft, the blank label look is appealing if you are trying to gain familiarity and as badass as it is, I don't see K-Max being anyone's daily flier, it barely goes 160.
Click to expand...
Understood. I apologize if I came across as overly critical. More curious than anything regarding your ambitions with this project. Good luck with the forthcoming release - it'll be a fun one regardless.
 
Please don't apologize, your insights are valuable. For example, your last image, almost certainly a Swiss Rotek aircraft and a picture I've seen many times but not perused so carefully, reveals that the switch panel area is a formica like overlay that has an embedded white layer that when engraved, becomes the labels. We can see how each switch has an oval slot and only the heads stick out through the laminate. This supports Claudio's suggestion about modifications and the idea that the switches are not necessarily permanent or fixed, which is something I would definitely incorporate into a more detailed version.
 
!
Articulated Sling Load.png


The bucket orients with gravity. It's not perfect, but if you fly the way it's supposed to be flown, it's great. The hoist trolly could even be made to transit its track, but this completely eliminates the "frozen stalk" look of the 140 foot bucket tether, so I think we're good!

New Rotak livery btw. Also the bambi allows for "dive runs" to fill which is kind of fun, still not recommended for dumping, but whatever works.

Ops.png
 
Just a quick announcement, K-Max has been published at Simmarket. It been an incredible journey and I'm grateful for all the comments, ideas and help. Yes the product description is algorithmic but I had to have some padding under which to bury the unflattering details!

secure.simmarket.com

simMarket: KAMAN K-MAX MSFS

Discover the unique capabilities of Kaman K-Max for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 Known for its intermeshing rotor system and exceptional lift capacity the K-Max is the only helicopter that can lift more than its own weight Dive into the innovative features and the rich history of this unique...
secure.simmarket.com secure.simmarket.com
 
Congratulations. Between this and the Taog Huey on Friday, looks like we're having a helo-themed week. Will purchase and check it out within the next day or two.
 
Bavo, looks really first class 🙂
In the upcoming FS24 there will probably be the option to fight fires. I guess your helicopter will be way ahead.
What struck me was that the water effect when the basket is submerged is missing and the water effect of the water running out of the basket is not yet optimal in my opinion.
But otherwise, congratulations, that is an extraordinary aircraft 👍👍👍
 
Christian Bahr said:
Bavo, looks really first class 🙂
In the upcoming FS24 there will probably be the option to fight fires. I guess your helicopter will be way ahead.
What struck me was that the water effect when the basket is submerged is missing and the water effect of the water running out of the basket is not yet optimal in my opinion.
But otherwise, congratulations, that is an extraordinary aircraft 👍👍👍
Click to expand...
Thank you so much indeed I've already released the first patch! It addresses water effects, the Bambi and sling load also were not concealing. This resulted from a last minute edit to change one small detail. Since the change was entirely unrelated to exterior effects and animations, why would I need to test it, right?

Now when you comment "submerged," do you mean boat wake effects? I'd thought of that also in relation to the snorkel when it draws and would naturally make a whirlpool. Coming soon, like momentarily, is a much demanded paint kit and possibly a more refined flight model, I'm going to test some ideas another developer shared with me.
 
Ah, okay. I understand, everything's fine :)
1-2 very fresh thank you pictures from me, taken in real-time weather:

Kaman K-Max_1.jpg



Kaman K-Max_2.jpg



Kaman K-Max_3.jpg
 
You make it look very beautiful, I think there might be some regional liveries soon. The original mapping was not conducive to repaints, the exterior skeleton framework is mapped relatively randomly. One of the users has produced this so far, I wish I could make it easier for everyone.

rotex.png
 
Looks like the Official Forums crowd was a bit rough on this one, not understanding the scope of what was supposed to be represented in the cockpit. I hope it's still selling well though. (not sure if you are going to pursue a marketplace release, but I suspect you'd get more income from that source). Best wishes if/as you continue to update the model.
 
You mean the guy who fished this forum to back up his snap judgement about there being no cockpit? I just happened to stumble onto that forum because I was searching down the liveries that are already starting to pop up. Afterward I got a warning email from the admin that my reply about maybe doing some research before popping off, constituted "customer support," was being removed and the thread was getting locked for a week. I always have the warmest relations with admins for some fault of my own. So I wrote back to him hey ya whatever, but let's be clear that the person was not even on the fence, much less a "customer." That now, by locking his thread, you've affirmated his message and that your message has been received: product bashing, ok, product support, not allowed.

I mean I don't care, K-Max handles sales right, but the whole circumstance resonated with problems with gag orders and for me to be in that boat is..weird. Sign of the times and again, best solution is a leather hide imo.

 
Still working on K-Max! The goal is to improve a few categories, the flight model, camera positions and add a few requested features, one of those being a way to simulate logging operations.

 
Hi Rick
Great start. We are with you.
I am not sure how it is modelled, but the BAe146 ailerons and elevators IRL are also 'tab flown' . If they, in the recently released version
modelled it in that sense, then there may be clues hiddenn there. If they just did conventional ailerons and elevators, then its a dead end.
Stu
 
What is hoped to be the final update for MSFS 2020 has been uploaded to Simmarket. The flight model has been revised, many of the instruments have been recoded and a new Garmin Aera added. Probably the most significant change is simulated logging operations! Originally, all these "attachments" had been designed specifically to leverage the greater environmental interactivity that has been promised for MSFS 2024. As release approaches, it is starting to look like that interactivity will only be available to Marketplace products, to which K-Max has not been invited.

Hook.png
803RA.png

510.png

Surprisingly, K-Max has an amazing fan base, largely in Europe! There are already about 10 repaints already and more are getting made now that there is a grapple version. Had not expected that but I'm very grateful for all the support and the opportunity to bring an aircraft that was fairly personal to me, to what life it has. In fact just this past summer I got a chance to wade out through the brambles and a close up of one working a fire across the river from where my house is.

IMG_3449.png
 
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