AlphaSim C-5 Galaxy Reference Information

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Advanced/Simple Flight Models

This aircraft comes with a simplified flight model which limits the total aircraft weight to approximately 570,000 pounds by reducing the total amount of fuel available. It also is configured to have electric power always available. An advanced flight model is available in the "ADVANCED" folder which enables a full fuel load and allows for electrical failures. Copy the files named "aircraft.cfg" and "c5.air" from the "ADVANCED" folder into the main aircraft folder, overwriting the existing files of the same name, to enable the advanced flight model. With the advanced flight model, the electric power will drain very quickly if the engines are off or the generators are shut down. The aircraft will also be very heavy so keep this in mind during takeoffs; the rotation speed is about 135 KIAS at 680,000 pounds.

A summary of the differences between the advanced and simple flight models is as follows:

Property | Advanced FM | Simple FM
All fuel tanks-max weight over 680,000 pounds | X | --
Limited fuel-max weight 570,000 pounds | -- | X
CG management required with fuel burn | X | --
29-second flap extension | X |
5-second flap extension | -- | X
20-second gear extension | X |
5-second gear extension | -- | X
Electrical power always available | -- | X
Significant trim change with flaps/gear/spoiler extension | X | --

Wing Flaps and Slats

The wing flaps/slats have six positions:

1. UP (0%)
2. Maneuvering (8 degrees/20 percent)
3. Intermediate I (16 degrees/40 percent)
4. Intermediate II (25 degrees/62.5 percent)
5. Takeoff (32 degrees/80 percent)
6. Landing (40 degrees/100 percent)

The wing flaps take 29 seconds to extend. The slats work in conjunction with the wing flaps switch but take only 11 seconds to extend. The slats cannot be controlled separately.

Power Schedule

Set power quickly by using the mouse to determine your exact percentage of throttle opening, which will correspond within 1% to the N1 rpm values in the table. The settings will differ depending on altitude. Use these tables as a guideline to help determine approximate throttle settings quickly.

Throttle setting, percent | N1 RPM, Sea level | Scheduled power
0% | 17% | Idle
76% | 85% | Min cruise
82% | 95% | Norm cruise
89% | 97% | Normal Takeoff
100% | 106% | Maximum

Throttle setting, percent | N1 RPM, 25,000 feet | Scheduled power
0% | 28% | Idle
65% | 85% | Min cruise
79% | 95% | Max cruise
83% | 97% | Limited cruise
100% | 106% | Maximum

Speed Limitations

- Full Flaps: 180 KIAS
- 80% Flaps: 195 KIAS
- Landing Gear: 250 KIAS
- Maximum indicated speed: 402 KIAS
- Maximum indicated Mach: 0.875
- Turbulent air penetration speed: 280 KIAS

Weight Limitations

You can set the payload weight using the Fuel/Payloads menu. The maximum aircraft weight is 837,000 lbs.

Instrument Panel

The main panel features all flight instruments, including all autopilot features. The autopilot features are arrayed across the upper right portion of the panel, with altitude and speed hold settings being entered on the vertical speed and airspeed indicators themselves. Use the mouse to set these values. The autopilot panel features a NAV/GPS selector as well as a selector for either CRS or HDG hold. CRS will navigate using whatever VOR, ILS, or ADF navigation information is available, while the HDG position simply holds the preset heading. Enter your desired heading using the knob at the bottom left of the HSI. The course is set using the knob at the bottom right of the HSI. The six white buttons under the "BDHI" heading on the left side of the panel are used to select the active needle indication for either the VOR or ADF on the RMI. The upper two buttons, for TACAN, are non-working. There is only one NAV radio available in this flight model.

The animated yoke is hidden by clicking on the "Hide Yoke" icon directly to the right of the g-meter. This will expose the other icons and allow quick access to the popup panels. These panels can also be accessed using the normal default keystrokes. The panel features a unique "kneeboard" with three pages of pertinent information. Simply clicking on this kneeboard, to the left of the yoke, will scroll through three pages of information. The radios include two ADF frequencies and a single NAV and COM radio with toggled standby frequencies. Deicing switches are found on the electric panel with the usual electrical switches. The engines must be started as a group using the autostart switch (unless keystrokes are used) but can be individually shut down using the fuel cutoff switches and engine stop buttons.

The panel will load in with the Engine Panel displayed, as in the above image. This is directly above the throttles. This window can be closed to reveal the default panel as shown in the image below. To the far right is a weather radar CRT, non-functional, but with some switching and imagery for effect. Above that is a backup attitude indicator.

Additional Gauges

This panel also features a unique "seat height" gauge that allows you to adjust the view angle to suit your preference. Click on the panel icon (indicated in the image below) and the gauge will appear. Use the mouse to adjust the view angle.

Failure, Warning, and Caution Annunciators

There are a number of warning and caution lights as well as failure annunciators. These are situated above the attitude and airspeed gauges. The Master Caution light will illuminate in the event of a low fuel, low oil pressure, or low/high oil temperature condition. The Master Warning light will illuminate in the event of an engine fire. The remaining lights will illuminate based on various system failures. Four of the system failure annunciator lights will never illuminate because FS9 does not support these failures.

GPS Navigation

When "GPS" is selected as the navigation option, flags will appear on the ADI and Compass 1. If the autopilot is turned on, it will automatically track the GPS flight plan. To fly the GPS plan manually, center the vertical needle(s).

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The actual C-5A/B manual was used to create this flight model, aircraft panel and procedures. The procedures have been condensed and modified for use in Flight Simulator. Certain liberties have been taken with the panel design to best utilize the limited space available.