Flying Fries – Hughes XF–11 v3.1.0

v3.1.0:
– New engine temperature simulation (CHT, oil): cowl flaps, power and mixture now really matter
– Engine wear from overheating, overboost and over-revving, fouled plugs from overcooling (optional realistic failures)
– Induction icing: ice picked up down low chokes the engines in the climb; use the engine anti-ice or lean the mixture (optional realistic failures)
– New auto mixture mode (cut-off / lean / rich), toggleable from the clipboard
– New autopilot altitude hold, smooth and stable
– Parking brake now holds the aircraft in place, even at full power
– Takeoff: manifold pressure capped at 53 inHg, no more engine runaway at full power
– Softer wheel brakes and propeller reverse
– Fix: releasing the reverse with the throttle forward no longer catapults the aircraft
– Gus now speaks: about 45 voice warnings (failures, engine temperatures, icing, fuel, pressurization, doors…)
– Gus comments your axe throws from the nav seat
– Magneto selectors stay where you set them; a dead magneto only affects the engine
– Cowl flaps handle: drag up to open, down to close, notch by notch
– Fake nose gauges replaced with real instruments
– Temperature gauges now in °C, as on period USAAF aircraft, with hatched danger zones
– Fix: OAT gauge stuck at 0 °F, now reads -70 to +50 °C
– Pitot icing now affects the airspeed indicators: use the pitot heat (optional realistic failures)
– Improved fuel low / critical / out indicator lights
– Adjusted gyro compass on navigator and nose instruments
– Simplified music player, fixed animations at all playback speeds
– Clipboard (EFB) entirely redesigned
– Clipboard: pushback, food restock, flight time log
– Fix: VS0 and VS1 swapped in the clipboard speed tables
– New interior rain and clipboard page sounds
– Fix: some sounds played at flight start, minor wind sound fix
– Fix: visual effects could conflict with other Flying Fries aircraft
– Fix: engine start smoke could stay on after a sim time change
– Fix: quick camera views L1/L3 and R1/R3 inverted
– Automatic MSFS 2020 / 2024 detection
– Cabin temperature knob marked COLD / WARM
– Larger pitch trim wheel markers
– Removed “deploy ladder” nose wheel gear compartment interaction (click spot was clipping with dashboard area)
– Old “quick tips” QR code removed (now in the clipboard)
– User manual updated

In 1943, the Hughes Aircraft Company took orders from the USAF for a hundred military reconnaissance aircraft with an ambitious flight envelope including fast altitude, high cruise speed, and unbeatable range. Three years later, the prototype of the XF-11 was born. 6,000 horsepower is provided by two Pratt and Whitney 28-cylinder radial beasts. The impressive “Wasp Major”. And everything about this aircraft is over the top:

• 16 enormous blades mounted on 2×2 contra-rotating propellers
• A ceiling altitude of 44,000 feet
• A cruise speed of 300 knots at 30,000 feet
• And a range of 5,000 Miles (4,300 NM)

Unfortunately, this beauty was destroyed during its first flight, ending prematurely the story of the XF-11, but luckily making no casualties.

Today, Flying Fries is proud and honored to present you with a virtual replica of this iconic aircraft. We have been scraping old drawings, schematics, and low-quality photos for months, and here is the result in all its glory. A fully custom-made aircraft, with high-quality modeling and texturing, and a unique level of interaction with each system and each switch, down to every single circuit breaker.

The flight model has also been patiently crafted using Asobo’s latest tools (CFD, modern propellers, modern fuel system, etc.).

From the complexity of the electrical and fuel systems to the custom pressurization module or the ground power unit and exterior items that you can operate directly by getting out of the plane and clicking on them, we have pushed the immersion to its maximum.

Take off, set the auto-pilot, and explore the vast cockpit of the XF-11. You will start with the pilot and navigator area, but you will also be able to crawl in the nose section into the photographer’s seat, to take a look through the lens of your camera, or just contemplate the world by sitting in the fully transparent glass dome at the nose. When you’re done, you can check on the lower deck that the access door is closed and all 12 fuel valves are properly set.

For the bravest among you, some random failures of various severity could trigger during your flight, making your life much more complicated!

Did we mention the useful clipboard that will allow you to set all your options, check your failures, and handle your refueling tasks without opening the in-game fuel menu? And did we mention the many easter eggs that are yours to find?

Features:

• Highly detailed 4K textures
• Engines, landing gear bays, two cockpit decks, etc. fully modeled and textured
• Precise CFD flight model
• Era-correct auto-pilot installed
• Random failures available with various severity levels – disabled by default
• Garmin GNS 530 is available with one click
• Fully compatible with Garmin GTN 750 by PMS50 if installed
• Aircraft configuration and refueling via the clipboard (no need for the fuel and payload menu)
• Complex electrical system with functioning circuit breakers
• Complex fuel system with 7 tanks, 10 pumps, and so many routing possibilities!
• Variable propeller pitch with feathering and reverse pitch
• Engine and ground roll vibration effects on the levers and needles
• Custom interior lighting with dimmable lights and UV lights
• Interactive exterior static elements (remove the chocks or plug the GPU manually if you want)
• 8 liveries included
• 4 LODs for performance optimization in multiplayer
• A lot of custom sound effects
• Custom visual effects: Epic smoke when you start the engines, fuel leaks, etc.
• Interactive in-game checklists with all the highlights and cameras you need
• A long, detailed, and illustrated user manual
• A few hidden easter eggs!