Aerosoft PA-31T User Manual
Add-on for Microsoft
Flight Simulator
And FS2004!
Piper PA-31T
Manual
Piper PA-31T Cheyenne X
Development: Digital Aviation
Graphics & models: Tobias Ahlbrecht
Flight Models: Alexander M. Metzger
Sounds: Dr. Achim Bürger
Programming, Gauges: Hans Hartmann
Project Management: Hans Hartmann
Manual, documentation: Martin Georg
Installer: Andreas Mügge
Copyright: © 2007 / Aerosoft GmbH
Airport Paderborn/Lippstadt
D-33142 Büren, Germany
Tel: +49 (0) 29 55 / 76 03-10
Fax: +49 (0) 29 55 / 76 03-33
E-Mail: info@aerosoft.de
Internet: www.aerosoft.de
www.aerosoft.com
All trademarks and brand names are trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective owners.
All rights reserved.
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Piper PA-31T
Cheyenne X
Manual
Add-on for
Microsoft Flight Simulator X
Piper PA-31T Cheyenne X
Content
Introduction ......................................................................6
Configuration ....................................................................8
Saving your settings ........................................................... 9
Options ................................................................................ 9
Weight and Balance ......................................................... 10
Sounds volume ................................................................. 11
Basics of operation .........................................................12
Panel operation ................................................................ 12
Aircraft model operation ................................................. 14
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) ................................15
General Data ...................................................................17
Abbrevations and Terminology ....................................... 19
Instrument panels ..........................................................24
Views ................................................................................. 24
Panel navigation by clickspots ........................................ 28
Overview ........................................................................... 30
Primary Instruments - Pilot panel .................................... 37
Engine instruments .......................................................... 43
Secondary instruments - Pilot panel ............................... 44
Cockpit Instruments - Copilot panel ................................ 47
Environmental Controls - Copilot .................................... 52
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Automated flight ............................................................56
Cheyenne I & IA -
Bendix-King KFC250 Autopilot & Flight Director ....... 56
KFC250 Autopilot Operation Modes ........................ 60
Cheyenne II & IIXL -
Bendix-King KFC300 Autopilot & Flight Director ....... 68
Additional KFC300 Autopilot Operation Modes ........ 69
Bendix-King Avionics Paket (Radios) ............................71
KMA 28 Audio Panel Operation ...............................72
KY 196A COM1/COM2 ............................................ 73
KY 53 TSO´d Navigation Receiver Operation ............. 76
KR 87 ADF Receiver Operation .................................77
KT 76C Panel-mounted Transponder Operation ........ 80
Trimble 2000 Approach Plus GPS ...................................83
Introduction ...................................................................... 83
User Interface .................................................................... 84
Pressurization system ....................................................89
Dukes Pressurization Controller (Cheyenne I & IA)Garret
Pressurization Controller (Cheyenne II & IIXL) ................ 89
TCAS (with digital VSI only) ...........................................92
Flight Tutorial ..................................................................95
Introduction ............................................................. 95
Flight controls and control feedback ......................... 95
Engine start-up ........................................................ 96
Taxi to the runway .................................................... 96
Powerback (in emergency situations only) ................ 97
Take off .................................................................... 98
Climb ....................................................................... 99
Cruise ....................................................................100
Descent .................................................................. 100
Landing .................................................................. 101
Piper PA-31T Cheyenne X
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Piper Cheyenne by Digital Aviation and
Aerosoft. We hope that you will have as much fun with it as we had
while creating it. For many years, the Cheyenne series of business
aircraft was one of the most successful for Piper. It started in the mid
sixties, when Piper decided to redesign its pressurized model „Navajo”
to accommodate propeller turbines as propulsion. On August 29th
1969 the prototype took off for his maiden flight, but it took almost
another five years until the first production aircraft went into service.
The control surfaces and flight controls had to be reworked several
times, because the higher speeds were a strain to the cell. Furthermore, a flooding of Pipers production facility in Lock Haven delayed
deliveries.
On October 22nd 1973, the maiden flight of the first production
aircraft Piper Cheyenne PA31T took place – powered by two
Pratt&Whitney PT6A-28s engines, developing 620hp each. When
Piper expanded the family in 1978 with a decreased variant (PT6A-11,
500hp), they renamed the initial aircraft in „Cheyenne II” and the new
variant became “Cheyenne I”. Improvements like more power, redesigned
cowlings and a new interior lead to the „Cheyenne IA”. In addition
to that, Piper stretched the Cheyenne II and built in a fourth cabin
window. Equipped with PT6A-135s (750hp) engines and an increased
MTOW by 180kg/400lb – this variant became the „Cheyenne IIXL”. In
total, 823 Cheyennes had been built, 526 Cheyenne and Cheyenne II,
215 Cheyenne I and IA, and 82 IIXL, when the production was discontinued in the mid eighties. Even twenty years later, the PA31T models
have an excellent reputation for being spacious, uncomplicated and
reliable aircraft and therefore enjoy great popularity.
Our add-on features all four mentioned variants, each in three liveries
from different countries. All models possess a highly detailed 2D-panel
with various view options, a completely functional 3D cockpit with virtual cabin, two different sound sets and of course a true to the original
model with many ground objects, like Ground Power Unit, towing
equipment, chock blocks and pylons.
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The instrumentation is an exact rendition of its real counterparts,
based on the „Silver Crown Plus” avionics suite by Bendix-King. Autopilot is either the KFC250 or the KFC300 by Bendix-King, depending
on the model you choose. The pressurization controllers are models by
Dukes and Garret. A configuration program is provided to help with
individual settings.
And now we wish you many pleasant hours with our Piper Cheyenne
Add-On for the Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Piper PA-31T Cheyenne X
Configuration
The Piper Cheyenne can be fully configured using the supplied configuration manager. The configuration manager is opened from inside
the aircraft by using the key combination SHIFT-7:
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Saving your settings
Your configuration settings may be either saved to disk using the
SAVE button (3) or applied to the currently loaded aircraft only, using
the button EXIT (4). When using the SAVE option, the aircraft CFG
file of the selected aircraft will be also updated, to pertain the changes
for the next time you start Microsoft Flight Simulator. Using the button
DEFAULT all configuration options are reverted to their default values,
while RANDOM (2) creates a random aircraft loading.
Options
The OPTIONS section in the upper left part of the configuration manager offers some advanced configuration options:
5: Cold and Dark
Loads the aircraft in a „cold & dark” configuration next time. All
systems are off, and you may work through the complete startup
procedure.
6: Show yoke in VC
Selecting this option displays the yoke in the virtual cockpit also.
You may want to deselect this option to get easier access to some
switches near the yoke.
7: Show analogue VSI (no TCAS)
Selecting this option displays an analogue vertical speed indicator
instead of the default digital one. In this case no TCAS is available.
8: Show HSI 3D objects in VC
Deselecting this option displays the HSI as a 2D object instead of a
3D object in the virtual cockpit. This may increase performance on
low-end systems. Also, it may be necessary when adding a thirdparty HSI instead of the supllied one.
Piper PA-31T Cheyenne X
9: Show Radar 3D objects in VC
Deselecting this option displays the radar as a 2D object instead of
a 3D object in the virtual cockpit. This is necessary if you want to
add a third-party weather radar at this place.
10: „Active Noise Reduction” (ANR) Sound Set
When using the ANR sound set, the internal engine sound is
greatly muffled, as the pilot would hear it while wearing Active
Noise Reduction (ANR) headphones. Almost all pilots wear these
or similar headphones today in order to protect their hearing and
ease communication over the radios. It is very rare to see these
aircraft flown without the pilot and passengers wearing headphones.
Note: After changing the sound set the aircraft needs to be
manually reloaded.
Weight and Balance
The Weight and Balance section (11-13) offers the possibility to individually configure the loading and seating of the aircraft. The forward
and aft baggage compartments may be loaded in steps of 10 lbs., and
different crew members and passengers may be placed in any available
seat:
Children: 60 lbs.
Women: 135 lbs.
Men: 170 lbs.
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Please note that for the pilot and copilot seats, only men or women
may be selected.
A detailed weights listing (18) is displayed just below the load editor.
If the loading is within limits, the TOTAL WEIGHT value is displayed in
green. Overweights are displayed in red.
Sounds volume
Four sliders are available to individually configure different portions of
the sound set:
14: Ambient sounds volume
Adjusts the volume level for click sounds and other background
noises.
15: Avionics sounds volume
Sets the volume level for aural alerts and warnings.
16: Engines sounds volume
Configures the volume level of the engine startup.
17: TCAS (Kollisionswarngerät)
Adjusts the volume level for the TCAS TA and RA sounds.
Piper PA-31T Cheyenne X
Basics of operation
Panel operation
Microsoft Flight Simulator traditionally depends heavily upon mouse
actions to operate buttons, switches and knobs. Sometimes, click
spots may not be 100% intuitive, or the result of your action may
depend upon clicking with the left or right mouse button at the correct
location. When familiarizing yourself with the panel, it is suggested
that you turn on „tool tips”. These tips will then appear when you
hold your cursor over the various click spots, and the tips will describe
what each click spot is for. Tool tips can be activated under the FS
menu under Options / Settings / General.
The Piper Cheyenne uses a consistent, standardized approach to
operate the different controls in the aircraft panels. Following is an
overview about these methods to interact with the controls in the 2D
and 3D panels:
Push buttons: Left or right-click to operate these buttons on/off.
Guarded buttons: Guarded buttons require two steps: First, right-click
to open or close the guard covering the control. Second, left-click to
operate the button underneath. The cursor will show a solid hand.
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Multi-position switches: Multi-position switches have more than one
position, and may be turned left/down or up/right. Left-click to move
the switch to the left or down, and right-click of right/up movement.
Note: You can always use your mouse wheel to operate a multiposition switch.
Knobs with one level: Knobs are rotated left/right, or may be rotated
completely around. Left-click to rotate the knob to the left, and rightclick to rotate the knob to the right anywhere in the click spot. The
cursor will be an unfilled hand.
Some knobs also allow rotating them in larger steps. One example is
the heading bug, which may be rotated in steps of 1 or 10 degrees
left or right. In this case the cursor changes to a hand with „+” or
„-” in it. When the cursor shows a „-”, the knob will rotate to the
left, while a „+” will rotate it to the right. Left-clicks will rotate in low
increments, while right-clicks will rotate in high increments.
Piper PA-31T Cheyenne X
Knobs with two levels: Some instruments contain knobs with an inner
and an outer ring. In this case, the click area is further divided into a
left and a right part. Clicks in the left half of the click spot rotate the
outer knob, while the right half adjusts the inner knob. Note that the
operation rules for one-level knobs still apply.
Note: You can always use your mouse wheel to rotate a knob.
Aircraft model operation
Several hotkeys are available to operate animated parts of the external
model and the virtual cabin. Plase note that you need to assign keystrokes to some of these functions in order to execute the animation.
Keystrokes can be assigned via the „Assignments” menu option in the
OPTIONS => ASSIGNMENTS menu in MS Flight Simulator.
Main passenger door: SHIFT-E (Standard key for doors in Flight Simulator)
Front baggage door: Wings fold/unfold
Aft baggage door: UMSCHALT-E-3
Tische in der Kabine: Tail hook extend/retract
Desks in virtual cabin: Click on a desk to fold/unfold it.
External objects: Chocks, external power unit, tow bar etc. will
appear when the following conditions are met:
• parking brake set
• Prop controls: STOP
• Engines OFF
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
VOR/GPS Switch operation:
As soon as the NAV1 radio is tuned to a valid ILS frequency, the VOR/
GPS switch changes to VOR and the autopilot to NAV ARM mode. If
a valid ILS frequency is in range, the autopilot will follow it´s localizer
beam. Valid ILS frequencies are between 108.10 and 111.95 and the
decimal part starts with an odd digit: 108.10, 108.15, 108.30, 108.35,
108.50, ..., 108.95, 109.10, 109.15, ..., 111.95.
Engine Start
You need to follow the engine start procedure as described (see PDF
on your CDROM). CTRL-E will not work.
Panel and cabin lights (virtual cabin)
Due to limitations in Microsoft Flight Simulator, the panel instruments
light and the virtual cabin light are tied together. They can´t be operated
independently.
Autopilot and flight director operation
Activation of the autopilot requires the flight director to be active.
Always check that you have turned on the flight director before activating the autopilot.
Trimble GPS airports, navaids and waypoints selection
Display of available airports, navaids and waypoints in the GPS is restricted to a 2000nm radius around your aircraft position.
Trimble GPS keyboard entry mode
If keyboard commands don´t seem to work at all, make sure SCROLL
LOCK is switched off, because all keyboard inputs will be intercepted
by the GPS as long as SCROLL LOCK IS ON.
Piper PA-31T Cheyenne X
Cold & Dark state
After loading in cold & dark state, wait some time for all engine instruments to show zero before you begin any startup procedures. We
strongly suggest loading the Cheyenne from the default „Trike over
Friday Harbour” situation every time!
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General Data
Power plants
Cheyenne I Cheyenne IA Cheyenne II
Number of
engines
Manufacturer
Model number PT6A-11s PT6A-28s PT6A-135s
Rated
Horsepower
Propeller Speed 2200 rpm 2200 rpm 1900 rpm
Dry weight 317 lbs. 323 lbs.
Pratt & Whitney (UACL)
500 PS
2
Cheyenne IIXL
620 PS
Propeller
Cheyenne I Cheyenne IA Cheyenne II
Number of
propellers
Manufacturer Hartzell
Blade Model T-10173-B-8 T-10173-K-8 T-10173-HB-8
Number of
Blades
Diameter (Inch) 93 inch
Propeller Type
Hydraulically operated, constant speed, full feathering, reversible
2
T-10173-B-8
3
Cheyenne IIXL
T-10178-B-8R
Piper PA-31T Cheyenne X
Fuel
Cheyenne I Cheyenne IA Cheyenne II
Capacity without
tip tanks
with tip tanks 374 gal.
Usable fuel
without tip tanks
with Tip Tanks 366 gal.
Fuel grade Jet A
308 gal.
300 gal.
Cheyenne IIXL
Weights
Cheyenne I Cheyenne IA Cheyenne II
Ramp Weight 8750 lbs. 9050 lbs. 9540 lbs.
Standard Empty
Weight
Maximum
Useful Load
Max. Takoff
Weight
Max. Landing
Weight
Max. Zero Fuel
Weight
Max. Weight in
forward baggage
compartment
Max. Weight
in aft baggage
compartment
5110 lbs. 4976 lbs. 5874 lbs.
3640 lbs. 4074 lbs. 4053 lbs.
8700 lbs. 9000 lbs. 9474 lbs.
8700 lbs.
7200 lbs. 7600 lbs.
300 lbs.
200 lbs.
Cheyenne IIXL
9000 lbs.
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Abbrevations and Terminology
(a) General Airspeed Terminology
CAS Calibrated Airspeed means the indicated speed of an aircraft,
corrected for position and instrument error. Calibrated Airspeed is equal to true airspeed in standard atmosphere at sea
level.
KCAS Calibrated Airspeed expressed in „Knots“.
GS Ground Speed is the speed of an airplane relative to the
ground.
IAS Indicated Airspeed is the speed of an aircraft as shown on
the airspeed indicator when corrected for instrument error.
IAS values published in this manual assume zero instrument
error.
KIAS Indicated Airspeed, expressed in „Knots“.
M Mach Speed (Mach Number) is the ratio of true airspeed to
the speed of sound.
TAS True Airspeed is the airspeed of an airplane relative to undis-
turbed air which is the CAS corrected for altitude, temperature and compressibility.
VA Maneuvering Speed is the maximum speed at which applica-
tion of full available aerodynamic control will not overstress
the airplane.
VFE Maximum Flap Extended Speed is the highest speed permis-
sible with wing flaps in a prescribed, extended position.
VLE Maximum Landing Gear Extended Speedis the maximum
speed at which an aircraft can be safely flown with the landing gear extended.
Piper PA-31T Cheyenne X
VLO Maximum Landing Gear Operating Speed is the maximum
speed at which the landing gear can be safely extended or
retracted.
V
Air Minimum Control Speed is the minimum flight speed at
MCA
which the airplane is directionally controllable as determined
in accordance with Federal Aviation Regulations.
V
Maximum Operating Speed is the speed limit that may not
MO/MMO
be deliberately exceeded in normal flight operations. V is
expressed in Knots and M in mach number.
VNO Maximum Structural Cruising Speed is the speed that should
not be exceeded except in smooth air and then only with
caution.
VS Stall Speed or the minimum steady flight speed at which the
airplane is controllable.
VSO Stall Speed or the minimum steady flight speed at which the
airplane is controllable in landing configuration.
VSSE Intentional One Engine Inoperative Speed is the minimum
speed selected by the manufacturer for intentionally rendering one engine inoperative in flight for pilot training.
VX Best Angle of Climb Speed is the airspeed which delivers the
greatest gain of altitude in the shortest possible horizontal
distance..
VY Best Rate of Climb Speed is the airspeed which delivers the
greatest gain in altitude in the shortest possible time.
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(b) Meteorological Terminology
ISA International Standard Atmosphere in which:
(1) The air is a dry perfect gas;
(2) The temperature at sea level is 15°C (59°F)
(3) The pressure at sea level is 29.92 inches (1013.2 mb).
(4) The temperature gradient from sea level to the altitude
at which the temperature is -56.5°C (-69.7°F) is -0.00198°C
(-0.003564°F) per foot and zero above that altitude.
OAT Outside Air Temperature is the free air static temperature
obtained either from in flight temperature indications or
ground meteorological sources, adjusted for instrument error
and compressibility effects.
IPA Indicated Pressure Altitude is the number actually read from
an altimeter when the barometric subscale has been set to
29.92 inches of mercury (1013.2 millibars).
SP Station Pressure is the actual atmospheric pressure at field
elevation.
Wind The wind velocities recorded as variables on the charts of this
manual are to be understood as the headwind or tailwind
components of the reported winds.
(c) Power Terminology
Takeoff Power Maximum power permissible during takeoff.
Maximum Con- Maximum power permissible continuously during takeoff,
tinuous Power one engine inoperative and emergency operations only.
Maximum Maximum power permissible during climb (Maximum
Climb Power normal operating power).
Maximum Maximum power permissible during cruise (Maximum
Cruise Power normal operating power).
Maximum Nor- Maximum power permissible continuously during all
mal Operating normal operations.
Power
Piper PA-31T Cheyenne X
(d) Engine Controls and Instruments
Power Control The lever which modulates engine power from reverse
Lever thrust through takeoff power.
Propeller The lever which requests a propeller governor to maintain
Control Lever propeller rpm at a selected value or feathers a propeller.
Condition The lever which controls fuel flow to an engine.
Lever
Beta Range The region where the propeller blade angle is between
the fine pitch stop and the maximum reverse pitch
setting.
ITT Gauge Inter-Turbine Temperature Gauge - indicates temperature
immediately upstream of the free turbine vanes.
Propeller RPM Indicates propeller speed in rpm.
Engine Indicates shaft output torque in lb-ft.
Torquemeter
(e) Airplane performance and Flight Planning
Terminology
Climb Gradient The demonstrated ratio of the change in height during
a portion of a climb, to the horizontal distance traversed
in the same time interval.
Demonstrated The demonstrated crosswind velocity is the velocity of the
Crosswind crosswind component for which adequate control of the
Velocity airplane during takeoff and landing was actually
demonstrated during certification tests.
Accelerate- The distance required to accelerate an airplane to a
STOP Distance specific speed and, assuming failure of an engine at
the instant of that speed is attained, to bring the
airplane to a stop.
MEA Minimum en route IFR altitude.
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Route Segment A part of a route. Each end of that part is identified by
(1) a geographical location or
(2) a point at which a definite radio fix can be established.
(f) Weight and Balance Terminology
Usable Fuel Fuel available for flight planning.
Unusable Fuel Fuel remaining after a run out test has been completed
in accordance with governmental regulations.
Standard Empty Weight of a standard airplane including unusable fuel,
Weight full operating fluids and full oil.
Basic Empty Standard empty weight plus operational equipment.
Weight
Payload Weight of occupants, cargo and baggage.
Useful Load Difference between takeoff weight, or ramp weight if
applicable, and basic empty weight.
Piper PA-31T Cheyenne X
Instrument panels
The Piper Cheyenne offers two ways to access the cockpit: A classic
2D cockpit view, and a 3D virtual cockpit view. By default, Microsoft
Flightsimulator X will load the aircraft in 3D virtual cockpit view.
In classic 2D panel view, 5 different instrument panels are provided:
Normal view, approach view, landing view, IFR view, VFR view and
copilot view. In addition, Microsoft Flightsimulator X provides a Minipanel view and a view mode where no panel is displayed. Cycling
through this view is achieved using the W (forward) and SHIFT-W
(backward) keys. Please note that it is not possible to use a joystick´s
coolie hat to access the panel views in 2D mode.
Views
Normal view:
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IFR view:
Piper PA-31T Cheyenne X
Approach/Landing view:
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VFR view:
From the 2D cocpit, several sub-panels or view options may be selected by hidden clickspots and hotkeys. In summary, the following views
and sub-panels are available:
• Normal view - Captain • Normal view - Copilot
• IFR view - Captain • ADI/HSI zoomed - Captain
• Landing view - Captain • Yoke visible
• VFR view - Captain • Fuel selectors
• Overhead-Panel • Kneeboard
• Center pedestal • Map view
• Radios • Microsoft ATC window
Piper PA-31T Cheyenne X
Panel navigation by clickspots
In addition to these clickspots, panel view may also be selected by
hotkeys:
SHIFT-2: Overhead panel
•
SHIFT-3: Center pedestal
•
SHIFT-4: Fuel crossfeed panel
•
SHIFT-5: ADI/HSI zoom
•
SHIFT-6: Right radio stack
•
SHIFT-7: Configuration screen
•
SHIFT-8: Autopilot zoom
•
SHIFT-9: VOR2 & Alt preselect
•
Sub-panels can be closed by clicking in the upper-right corner of the
background bitmap.
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The following additional hidden clickspots are available:
ADI: Zooms the ADI and HSI
•
Trimble GPS glass display: opens the map view window
•
Area between radio stack and Glareshield: Displays the
•
right radio stack
Registration plate: Opens the kneeboard
•
Fuel Flow gauges: Fuel selector window
•
Microphone (Copilot view): Microsoft Flight Simulator ATC
•
window
Yoke shaft: Displays or hides the yoke
•
Altitude preselector: Display the NAV2 gauge
•
Piper PA-31T Cheyenne X
Overview
Pilot Panel
1: Attitude Direction Indicator 15: Engine Torque
2: Horizontal Situation Indicator 16: ITT Gauge
3: Altimeter 17: Propeller RPM
4: Vertical Speed Indicator & TCAS 18: Gas Generator RPM
5: Radar Altimeter 19: Fuel Flow
6: True Airspeed Indicator 20: Fuel Pressure
7: Turn & Bank Indicator 21: Oil Pressure
8: KNI 582 RMI 22: Oil Temperature
9: OAT Indicator 23: KMA 28 Audio Panel
10: Clock 24: KY 196A COM1/2 Radios
11: Cabin Pressure Test Switch 25: KN 53 NAV1/2 Radios
12: Gyro Pressure 26: Trimble 2000 GPS
13: Pneumatic Pressure 27: KR 87 ADF Radio 1
14: Inverter & Bus Tie Switches 28: KAS 297 Altitude Preselector
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