Airwolfhound · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Beechcraft Model 18 picturedThe Twin Beech is a low-wing, twin-engine aircraft recognisable by its twin fins and, in its familiar configuration, tailwheel landing gear. Production began in the 1930s and continued for decades. Operators adapted it to a wide range of commercial and military jobs.
Different Model 18 derivatives can carry different undercarriages, cabin layouts and equipment. It carried passengers and freight on smaller-scale transport routes before turboprops became commonplace.
Beechcraft Model 18 · Specifications (UC-45 Expeditor) · real aircraft; source units retained
Mais sobre esta aeronave no AirframeDB
The Model 18 began flying in 1937 as an executive and small-airline transport. Its adaptable layout also suited charter routes, mail services and operations on skis or floats. Military versions expanded the family into personnel transport, reconnaissance, navigation training and bombardier training, helping establish the Twin Beech as a familiar working aircraft.
The postwar D18S incorporated structural changes for greater payload, revised landing gear and Pratt & Whitney radial engines. Further development led to the Super 18, and final production deliveries came in 1969. The museum’s D18S, N522B, illustrates the type’s civilian usefulness: Mike Mitchell acquired it in 1958 and operated it as a Phoenix-based air ambulance for fifteen years before its later donation.
First flight: 15 January 1937
Haines remembers the preparation almost as strongly as the flying. Moving a float-equipped Beech 18 south for the winter meant hauling fuel cans, adding oil, pumping water from float compartments and climbing across the aircraft to reach its far side. Once airborne, he recognised the familiar balance of Beech controls, although the loads felt heavier and the floats made the journey unhurried.
His first landing on the trip was on Kentucky Lake, with Mark Baker coaching him. They used ample open water and accepted a long taxi to the marina, where another pilot helped at the dock. Then the servicing began again. Following rivers and looking down at the towns and transport routes gave the journey a sense of continuity with the aircraft’s earlier working life. For Haines, the effort was part of the reward of travelling in it.
Blackstone and his father had already shared airline cockpits when they decided to create a small charter operation together. His father’s retirement from airline flying made the project especially meaningful. They wanted vintage character and a comfortable cabin, and chose a restored Twin Beech after deciding that a DC-3 was beyond the scale of their plans.
They collected the aircraft in Florida on Father’s Day in 2014 and flew it home together. Their plans included trips to places such as Napa Valley and Catalina Island, giving passengers a personal version of travel in an older airliner. After his father died the following year, Blackstone continued flying the aircraft in his memory. In the interview, he hoped their example would encourage other parents and children to pursue flying together, making the Beech a link between a family’s past and future.
Darrah gave the visiting pilot time to learn the unfamiliar cockpit before starting the engines. During the flight he managed small engine adjustments while the reviewer concentrated on formation flying and handling. Both enjoyed the sound of the synchronised radials after their preparations for the flight.
The reviewer had postponed earlier opportunities to wait for suitable runway and wind conditions. Returning to White Waltham, he became tense about landing a large taildragger on its uneven grass. Darrah added a little control pressure after a small bounce and later cautioned against turning off too quickly. Once parked, the reviewer sat quietly before climbing out, noticing how much concentration the flight had required. Darrah’s calm coaching had made a long-awaited experience possible without disguising the aircraft’s demands.
The Twin Beech is a low-wing, twin-engine aircraft recognisable by its twin fins and, in its familiar configuration, tailwheel landing gear. Production began in the 1930s and continued for decades. Operators adapted it to a wide range of commercial and military jobs.
This starting point selects Beechcraft Model 18 Twin Beech. Its aircraft-level settings do not select a particular developer’s custom systems.
Spring resistance builds with the selected airspeed response. A separate aerodynamic term adds speed-dependent control load.
Valid trim provides the configured pressure relief. Autopilot following is off.
The Model 18 announcement describes twin R-985 radial engines and conventional landing gear, with floats, amphibious gear and skis available in the family. The selected undercarriage remains explicit because those kits change ground and water contact. Performance figures stated in mph are kept separate from the profile's indicated-knot response reference.
The gains are normalized profile settings. They describe the chosen effect balance; hand force depends on the device and its output limits. IAS references are tuning values rather than operating limits. Physical acceptance of this revision remains pending.
A escala final de saída aplicada a tudo que o modelo produz, antes do teto do dispositivo.
Mais: tudo (mola, cargas, efeitos) fica mais forte junto.
Menos: tudo amacia junto.
Por que aqui: Scales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits.
A força base de centragem que puxa o manche de volta ao centro. Todas as outras forças se empilham sobre ela. Baixa demais e o manche parece frouxo em voo normal; alta demais e ele briga com sua mão e mascara os sinais menores por cima.
Mais: uma centragem mais firme que resiste mais à mão.
Menos: um manche mais mole que depende só da carga aerodinâmica.
Por que aqui: The twin radial's selected mechanical loading is nominal; engine count and optional surface kits do not measure yoke resistance. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 77.5 KIAS.
Carenado’s entry in the Local Legends seriesUma pequena zona neutra ao redor do centro onde a mola fica quieta, para que movimentos mínimos em repouso não trepidem. Mais larga é mais calma porém mais solta; mais estreita é mais precisa mas pode tremer no centro.
Mais: um centro mais calmo porém mais solto, com mais folga.
Menos: um centro mais apertado que pode tremer em repouso.
Por que aqui: Sets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner.
Uma escala mestra sobre as duas cargas sustentadas de eixo, aplicada antes do balanço independente delas. Os perfis normalmente a deixam quieta e ajustam as duas cargas de eixo.
Mais: os dois eixos carregam mais forte.
Menos: os dois eixos aliviam juntos.
Por que aqui: The aerodynamic-load gain is 0.8 with an indicated-speed reference of 155 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring.
Ativa a janela de engate da mola em baixa velocidade (nós de início/pleno acima). Desligado, a mola é constante em todas as velocidades.
Por que aqui: Allows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it.
Quanto da mola sobrevive parado, antes que a velocidade possa gerar força aerodinâmica. Um piso alto mantém o manche estacionado firme; um piso baixo dá a sensação solta, de cabos com folga, de um avião leve estacionado.
Mais: um manche mais firme estacionado e no táxi.
Menos: um manche mole estacionado que só desperta com velocidade.
Por que aqui: Sets low-speed spring strength as a fraction of baseline when blending is enabled. One keeps full strength.
A velocidade em que a mola começa a subir do piso de baixa velocidade rumo à força plena: os comandos "ganhando vida" na corrida de decolagem.
Por que aqui: Sets the IAS where the low-speed spring blend starts rising. This is a feel threshold, not a flight limit.
A velocidade em que a mola atinge força plena. Entre o início e este ponto, a centragem endurece progressivamente à medida que o fluxo de ar cresce sobre os comandos.
Por que aqui: Sets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it.
A velocidade indicada em que a carga aerodinâmica atinge seu nível pleno de projeto. Ela ancora toda a curva de carga à faixa real de velocidades do avião: um 172 carrega por volta de 110 nós, um jato bem depois.
Mais: as cargas chegam mais tarde; o manche fica leve até mais velocidade.
Menos: as cargas chegam antes e o cruzeiro pesa mais.
Por que aqui: Sets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit.
Quanto a própria centragem endurece com a velocidade, além das cargas de deflexão. Zero mantém a sensação de centro constante; mais faz o manche centrar mais duro em cruzeiro e mais solto no circuito.
Mais: um centro que endurece nitidamente com a velocidade.
Menos: uma sensação de centro constante em qualquer velocidade.
Por que aqui: The high-speed spring-stiffening gain is 0.15. It strengthens the permitted spring response above 77.5 KIAS, with the squared-speed ratio capped at 5.
O limite superior do endurecimento de centro pela velocidade, para que voos muito rápidos não tensionem a mola sem freio.
Mais: mais endurecimento total permitido em alta velocidade.
Menos: o endurecimento corta antes.
Por que aqui: Limits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap.
A carga sustentada de rolagem da deflexão dos ailerons e da velocidade, balanceada independentemente da arfagem. Junto com a carga do profundor define a razão de harmonia de comandos de que falam as resenhas.
Mais: esforços de rolagem mais pesados.
Menos: ailerons mais leves e vivos.
Por que aqui: Roll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.72 and 1, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled.
A carga sustentada de arfagem da deflexão do profundor e da velocidade, balanceada independentemente da rolagem. É a alavanca principal por trás do peso de arfagem de um tipo. Não toca aileron, mola, compensador nem forças de buffet.
Mais: esforços sustentados de arfagem mais pesados em velocidade.
Menos: um profundor mais leve, com menos músculo para segurar.
Por que aqui: Scales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings.
Um teto sobre cada força estável de arfagem ou rolagem antes de chegar ao dispositivo, protegendo contra pancadas ou saturação do hardware em manobras fortes.
Mais: picos de força estável mais altos antes do corte.
Menos: um teto mais suave; manobras duras achatam antes.
Por que aqui: Caps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate.
Com que força o compensador de profundor alivia o esforço de arfagem mantido e desloca onde o manche assenta. Em 100 %, um avião bem compensado não precisa de pressão mantida: o fluxo de trabalho de compensar-a-carga do voo real.
Mais: o compensador tira mais esforço mantido; em 100 %, todo compensado o anula.
Menos: você segue segurando esforço mesmo compensado.
Por que aqui: Pitch relief is a chosen response to valid trim input, with no measured trim authority supplied by the announcement. Pitch authority 0.3 provides load relief and permitted centre movement; roll authority is 0.
Carenado’s entry in the Local Legends seriesO mesmo alívio para o compensador de rolagem. A maioria dos tipos de aviação geral não tem compensador de aileron real, então isto fica em zero; tipos com compensador de rolagem recebem um valor correspondente.
Mais: o compensador de rolagem tira mais esforço mantido.
Menos: o compensador de rolagem faz menos.
Por que aqui: Scales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response.
Vibração de rolagem no solo pela velocidade das rodas e tipo de superfície: asfalto, grama ou cascalho sob o trem.
Mais: uma textura de superfície mais forte no manche.
Menos: um táxi mais liso.
Por que aqui: Sets rolling texture strength, modified by speed, surface and undercarriage configuration.
Solavancos curtos e discretos de juntas de dilatação, sulcos e superfície irregular, pontuando o ronco contínuo.
Mais: solavancos mais nítidos de juntas e sulcos.
Menos: detalhes de solo mais suaves.
Por que aqui: Sets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact.
Sacudida da célula ao se aproximar do estol e enquanto o aviso soa: quão alto esta asa anuncia que está infeliz. Tipos de quebra seca recebem buffet modesto e deixam a buzina levar o aviso.
Mais: um tremor pré-estol mais forte.
Menos: uma asa mais discreta; a buzina leva o aviso.
Por que aqui: Sets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings.
Buffet transônico ao se aproximar do limite de Mach. Significativo para jatos perto de MMO, zero para pistões e turboélices que nunca chegam lá.
Mais: um buffet transônico mais forte perto do limite de Mach.
Menos: um voo mais liso em Mach alto.
Por que aqui: Sets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate.
Vibração de baixa frequência da célula com flapes estendidos no fluxo, na janela de velocidade em que eles realmente trabalham o ar.
Mais: um voo mais áspero com flapes trabalhando.
Menos: flapes de aproximação mais suaves.
Por que aqui: Sets flap buffet at the configured position and speed gates. Flap movement texture is separate.
Tamborilar da célula pelo trem retrátil pendurado na corrente de ar. Zero para tipos de trem fixo, onde a célula nunca muda de forma.
Mais: mais tamborilar com o trem embaixo.
Menos: um voo com trem embaixo mais limpo.
Por que aqui: Sets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate.
O zumbido dedicado do stick shaker de estol, disparado pelo próprio sistema de aviso do avião. Só tipos com shaker real recebem valor; o resto confia no buffet aerodinâmico e na buzina.
Mais: um shaker mais duro.
Menos: um shaker mais discreto.
Por que aqui: Sets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled.
O golpe único quando as rodas tocam a pista, escalado pela razão de descida: um pouso macio sussurra, uma chegada firme bate.
Mais: um golpe mais duro no toque.
Menos: chegadas mais suaves.
Por que aqui: Sets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse.
Vibração na corrida enquanto o reverso ou as hélices em beta trabalham. Zero para tipos sem reverso.
Mais: uma corrida mais áspera sob reverso.
Menos: um reverso mais discreto.
Por que aqui: Sets reverse-thrust vibration with valid reverser and engine conditions. Zero removes the cue.
Vibração contínua do grupo motopropulsor seguindo a rotação entre marcha lenta e potência máxima, o lembrete sempre presente de que algo queima combustível lá na frente.
Mais: mais motor no manche.
Menos: um motor mais discreto.
Por que aqui: Sets estimated engine vibration using configured telemetry and response, not measured cockpit vibration.
Vibração contínua apenas enquanto o simulador informa as superfícies de flape realmente em movimento. Segue o movimento e as falhas reais do atuador, não um cronômetro estimado.
Mais: mais vibração com os flapes em movimento.
Menos: cursos de flape mais discretos.
Por que aqui: Sets texture from observed flap movement; a command without movement does not establish the cue.
Quanto os comandos do piloto automático podem mover fisicamente o manche. Mantido minúsculo no MSFS, onde um eixo movido pode ser lido de volta como entrada do piloto; zero desativa o seguimento por completo.
Mais: o piloto automático move seu manche visivelmente mais.
Menos: um seguimento quase imperceptível.
Por que aqui: Sets admitted AP-follow gain, not a percentage of travel. Runtime ownership and input limits still apply.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Por que aqui: Retained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Por que aqui: Allows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Por que aqui: Enables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Por que aqui: Allows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Por que aqui: Enables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Por que aqui: Autopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Por que aqui: Permits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target.
Por que aqui: Sets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Por que aqui: Enables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions.
Where this effect reaches full strength (or has fully faded, for washouts).
Mais: a more gradual build to a later peak.
Menos: a quicker build.
Por que aqui: Sets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3.
Where this effect begins fading in.
Mais: the effect begins later.
Menos: it begins earlier.
Por que aqui: Sets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Por que aqui: Permits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Por que aqui: Enables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Por que aqui: Enables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Por que aqui: Enables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement.
The strength of this effect.
Mais: a stronger effect.
Menos: a weaker one.
Por que aqui: Sets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects.
| Parâmetro | Valor | O que controla e por quê |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | 0.74 | The twin radial's selected mechanical loading is nominal; engine count and optional surface kits do not measure yoke resistance. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 77.5 KIAS. |
| Spring deadband | 0.045 | Sets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner. |
| Force gain | 0.8 | The aerodynamic-load gain is 0.8 with an indicated-speed reference of 155 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring. |
| Master gain | 0.85 | Scales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| Dynamic-pressure blend | True | Allows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it. |
| Minimum spring factor | 0.5 | Sets low-speed spring strength as a fraction of baseline when blending is enabled. One keeps full strength. |
| Spring wake-up speed | 20 kt | Sets the IAS where the low-speed spring blend starts rising. This is a feel threshold, not a flight limit. |
| Spring full-strength speed | 77.5 kt | Sets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| Velocidade de ajuste de força | 155.0 kt | Sets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening | 0.15 | The high-speed spring-stiffening gain is 0.15. It strengthens the permitted spring response above 77.5 KIAS, with the squared-speed ratio capped at 5. |
| Airspeed stiffening cap | 5 | Limits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap. |
| Aileron force scale | 0.72 | Roll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.72 and 1, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Elevator force scale | 1.0 | Scales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Maximum output force | 0.55 | Caps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
| StickFeel · Trim feel enabled | True | Retained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| StickFeel · Trim relief enabled | True | Allows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| StickFeel · Elevator authority | 0.3 | Pitch relief is a chosen response to valid trim input, with no measured trim authority supplied by the announcement. Pitch authority 0.3 provides load relief and permitted centre movement; roll authority is 0. |
| StickFeel · Aileron authority | 0 | Scales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response. |
| StickFeel · Force trim enabled | False | Enables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification. |
| StickFeel · G load enabled | True | Allows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it. |
| StickFeel · Rate damping enabled | True | Enables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law. |
| Autopilot · Follow enabled | False | Autopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. |
| Autopilot · Follow authority | 0.1 | Sets admitted AP-follow gain, not a percentage of travel. Runtime ownership and input limits still apply. |
| Autopilot · Neutral hold enabled | False | Permits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Autopilot · Neutral hold strength | 0.6 | Sets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled. |
| Aero · Enabled | True | Enables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions. |
| Aero · Gain | 0.35 | Sets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings. |
| Aero · Gain | 0 | Sets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate. |
| Aero · Gain | 0.14 | Sets flap buffet at the configured position and speed gates. Flap movement texture is separate. |
| Aero · Max flap index | 3 | Sets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3. |
| Aero · Min flap index | 2 | Sets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees. |
| Aero · Gain | 0.1 | Sets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate. |
| Aero · Shaker enabled | False | Permits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment. |
| Aero · Amplitude | 0.5 | Sets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled. |
| Ground · Enabled | True | Enables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry. |
| Ground · Gain | 0.4 | Sets rolling texture strength, modified by speed, surface and undercarriage configuration. |
| Ground · Gain | 0.25 | Sets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact. |
| Ground · Gain | 0.65 | Sets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse. |
| Ground · Gain | 0 | Sets reverse-thrust vibration with valid reverser and engine conditions. Zero removes the cue. |
| Engine · Enabled | True | Enables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry. |
| Engine · Gain | 0.12 | Sets estimated engine vibration using configured telemetry and response, not measured cockpit vibration. |
| Mechanical · Enabled | True | Enables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement. |
| Mechanical · Gain | 0.12 | Sets texture from observed flap movement; a command without movement does not establish the cue. |
| Mechanical · Gain | 0.12 | Sets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects. |
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