SUPRUNOV COMPUTER DESIGN STUDIO

Ilyushin IL-18 Cockpit for MSFS-2002 v 1.1 by Igor Suprunov "Lancelot" (SCDS)

This cockpit was build in 3D Studio MAX (partially visible on screenshot above). It's acually three dimensional from which the rendering output was used instead of photo or drawing. To create additional workplaces in cockpit and view angles I need to move the camera around and make more renderings (snapshots). It will be done when all cockpit elements will be finished.

Personally, I am engaged in 3D-modelling and enjoy this business. I am former pilot and studied at 1983-1989 in Aktyubinsk High Flight School of Civil Aviation (Aeroflot). So, regarding MSFS my works all are around 3D cockpit enviroment modelling. No photographs are used in my works - all objects are created in 3D Studio MAX and textured with custom created materials and bitmaps. The photos about next aircraft are collected, studied and used as a reference only for creative work. I am not a programmer, so my dream is to stick together with one under SCDS logo and make something really great. At this point I use gauges from other authors listed below. I think, that bitmaps of gauges should be rendered "in place" at current panel for true authentic appearance of flight instruments in correct perspective angles. But I should cooperate with programmer for that.

I flew Yak-18T, IL-103, Yak-40, An-26, An-12 and IL-76 in real life, so I know what pilot's perspective from cockpit looks like and trying to recreate it in my 3D modelling efforts.

Versions 1.xx of IL-18 panels line include captain's workspace only (see list of future designs below for details of upcoming changes in this panel and other panels as well).

INSTALLATION:

  • "panel" folder in archive should go to directory of Your favourite 4-engines turboprop (preferably IL-18)
  • "GAUGES" folder should go to MSFS root directory. This version uses unmodified gauges of two well-known Russian authors Dmitry Prosko and Stepan Gritsevsky with original filenames, so it will not corrupt any other panels which might be use same gauges too.

The panel was tested in FS-2002 PRO only, but it should work in FS-2000 and CFS-1/2 too. It will not work in FS-98 due to nature of GAU files included.

FLYING:

While this panel represents aircraft from "Golden Age" of aviation (mid sixties) it hasn't any funny game-like things like default "aka GPS", "NAV/ILS/ALT" modes of autopilot etc. This panel is for pilot, nor for PC user. The style of flying should rely on "pilotage" method (when You calculate estimated time of arrival to next waypoint and follow it by keeping an eye at clock and airspeed). Primary flight instruments are Your "mark II eyeball", Your brain, clock, ADF (ARK in Russia) in pair with directional gyro and DME/VOR indicators also as handy backup. I recommend flying with printed navigational chart and use distances shown at airway legs for times calculation. Airspeed indicator shows km/hour and altimeter calibrated in meters (don't forget to switch on appropriate measures in MSFS "Options | International" menu).

True art of flying using this method is bossible with this panel, thanks to great authentically programmed autopilot gauge by Dmitry Prosko. This autopilot will manage positions of Your control surfaces (pitch, bank of aircraft etc) instead of controlling figures like course or altitude set by pilot. This is "as real as it was" in this aircraft. So You will keep an eye at Your course and altitude all the time because minor corrections using autopilot switches and heading wheel are needed every 5-10 minutes. Your reference are needles at gauges and Your controls - AP switches. Of course - switching ON the autopilot only when reached cruise altitude and switching it OFF when begin to descend are 100% rule taken from real life of Aeroflot pilots in former Soviet Union. Don't even think about approaches with AP switched ON - it's criminal situation for this aircraft and in case of inspector onboard You can loss Your Russian pilot's license forever without any right of re-entering flying business. Game Over!

If You need more flight instructions and guides to control Soviet-build airliner of this era over Russian airspace (primary navigation is NDB or pilotage) - then You need RF Group Antonov AN-24RV with actually the same set of instruments (this set was made by Dmitry Prosko "Mahmud" especially for that AN-24). Installation package of AN-24RV has a very detailed flight manual which You can use here in IL-18 as well. You can download AN-24RV from here: http://www.flightsim.krsk.ru/24

Well, enough to speak for now, it's time to power it up and climb to 6300 meters, isn't it?

If You want more talks with me personally, read my articles, reportings or books etc, You can always became visitor or even member of my SIM-related WEB-projects:

...and many others, I will tell You where they are if interested. You are welcome!

SPECIAL THANKS:

  • to Dmitry Prosko for authentic autopilot, attitude indicator and 70% of all Russian gauges in cockpit.
  • to Stepan Gritsevsky for excellent clock (AChS) and some other Russian gauges.
  • to All other guys who created other gauges which appear in my "Gauges" folder of MSFS and came with other panels.
  • to Pavel Khvatkin who made great IL-18 aircraft model which forced me to put hands at work (available at http://www.flightsim.ru )
  • to Ed Struzynski who give us the great tool for making panels (CfgEdit)
  • to Bill Gates for "as real as it gets"
  • to Kynetix Corporation for my 3D modelling platform (3D Studio MAX v 3.1)
  • to You for reading this

THIS PACKAGE IS FREEWARE ADD-ON FOR MSFS SERIES SIMULATOR AND CAN'T BE SOLD, INCLUDED, INSERTED, REWORKED, REPAINTED, ETC.

The only reason to download it is to use it for free for personal pleasure. All other reasons are acts of piracy with all resulting actions.

PLANS FOR NEAREST FUTURE (I will not speak "panel" because the word "panel" describes something 2-dimensional and it's not my business, so I will call my works "cockpits" instead):

  • to make IL-18 cockpit v 1.2 with 3D modelled elements of gauges and rendered in place (at correct positions of panel)
  • to make IL-18 cockpit v 1.3 with all custom-build gauges and gauge cross-links for authentic start-up and other procedures
  • to make IL-14 cockpit v 1.0
  • to make AN-12 cockpit v 1.0
  • to make IL-18 cockpit v 2.0 with all fixed side-views
  • to make IL-18 cockpit v 2.5 with Navigator's, Engineer's and Radio operator's stations
  • to drink some beer with friends, catch a lady, relax and think about what to do next?

Keep flying and enjoy if possible!

Sincerely

Igor Suprunov "Lancelot" lancelot@mail.dux.ru

© 2002 SCDS
© 2002 IGOR SUPRUNOV

JANUARY 2002, SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA

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