Aerosoft Robin DR400 140 User Guide

Aerosoft Robin DR400 140 1.00

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Aerosoft Robin DR400 140 1.00

CONTEN T S

INT RO DUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 3

SYSTEM RE QUIREME NT S ............................................................................................................................................................................ 3

CRE DI T S .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3

COP YR I G H T S .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4

CON TA C T S U P P ORT ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 4

THE MANUALS ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4

FLYIN G THE ROBIN ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 4

THE RO BIN DR40 0 I N F SX .......................................................................................................................................................................... 6

THE AIR CR AFT ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 7

GENE RA L .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7

FLAPS .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7

ELEVA TO R .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 7

RUD DE R ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7

GEAR ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7

BR AK E S ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7

ENGI NE / OI L ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 7

ELECTRI CI T Y .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 7

FUEL ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 8

MAX IM U M SPEEDS .................................................................................................................................................................................. 8

MAX IM U M WEIGHTS .............................................................................................................................................................................. 8

ALLO WE D MANOEUVR ES ....................................................................................................................................................................... 8

MAX IM U M CROS S W I N D ....................................................................................................................................................................... 8

STALL SP E E D S ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 8

EMERG ENCY PROC ED U RES ........................................................................................................................................................................ 9

ENGI NE FIRE IN F LI G H T ......................................................................................................................................................................... 9

ENGI NE FIRE ON GR O U N D .................................................................................................................................................................... 9

GENE RA T OR FAIL UR E ............................................................................................................................................................................. 9

ICING .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9

EMERG ENCY LAND IN G ........................................................................................................................................................................... 9

IN CA S E OF INVOLU NT A R Y S P I N ......................................................................................................................................................... 9

NOR MAL FLIGHT P RO C E D U R E S .............................................................................................................................................................. 10

FLIG HT P REPARATION .......................................................................................................................................................................... 10

BE FO R E FLIGHT CHECKS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 12

BE FO R E ENGINE S TA R T ........................................................................................................................................................................ 12

ENGI NE START ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 12

TAXI ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12

BE FO R E START ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 12

START ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13

START I N CROSSWIN D .......................................................................................................................................................................... 13

CLIM B ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13

CRU IS E ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13

DESCE NT .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 13

LAND ING .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 14

ABO RT E D LANDING ............................................................................................................................................................................... 14

LAND ING IN CROS SW IND .................................................................................................................................................................... 14

AFTER LA NDING ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 14

PERFO RMANCE CHART S ........................................................................................................................................................................... 14

PANEL S L A Y OUT .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 19

AVION IC S ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 20

MOV MA P 754 GPS U NI T ...................................................................................................................................................................... 20

MAP M ODE ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 20

DIR EC T T O MODE ............................................................................................................................................................................. 21

CURS OR MODE .................................................................................................................................................................................. 21

NEAR ES T S T A T I ON............................................................................................................................................................................ 22

HSI P AG E ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 22

S3DD A I R MAP GPS ............................................................................................................................................................................... 24

MAP M ODE ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 24

DIR EC T T O .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 26

CURS OR MODE .................................................................................................................................................................................. 27

NEAR ES T S T A T I ON............................................................................................................................................................................ 27

HSI P AG E ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 28

HSI S AM P L E S ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 28

BE ND I X /KING KX125 COM MU NI C A T I ON T RANSCEIVER.............................................................................................................. 29

BE CK E R T RANSPOND ER ....................................................................................................................................................................... 29

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Aerosoft Robin DR400 140 1.00

INTRODU C T I O N

The Robin DR400 is an aircraft that will be familiar to many pilots as it is one of the most used trainers.
Conceived in the early 70’s by Pierre Robin and Jean Délémontez. It flew for the first time in 1972 and at least
1300 were build. In any sense of the word it is a successful aircraft.

The wooden structure and the characteristic ’cranked wing’ make it seem an older aircraft then is actually was
actually rather modern and highly efficient. It’s light and the fabric covered wings and fuselage have low drag
compared to a metal aircraft with hundreds of rivets. It’s also easy to fly at any speed so flight schools loved it.

It can pull gliders, carry 4 persons and has proven to be very reliable.

In FSX and Prepar3D it is an ideal aircraft for beginners as you can cruise around without much hassle. But
experts will like the very advanced flight characteristics that are truly highly accurate. In some of the models
they are so accurate that even they idiosyncrasy of an older aircraft are included. For example the D-EVEM
model that is flown by the main developer has a rather serious tendency to turn left. On most models this is
countered by a trim tab but it was not on this model till very recent. So this is one model that is not easy to fly
without rudder pedals. Some other models in this product are better balanced and easier to fly. But it shows
how detailed the actual aircrafts are modelled.

SY S T E M R EQUIREMENTS

 Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 (fully updated)
 Microsoft Flight Simulator FSX (with SP2 or Acceleration Pack) or Prepar3D
 Dual Core CPU
 2 GB RAM internal memory
 512 MB graphic card
 Adobe Acrobat® Reader 8 minimal to read and print the manual (

(1) Available for free, download at: http://www.adobe.com/prodindex/acrobat/readstep.html

1

)

CREDI TS

Concept: Joachim Schweigler (specific - 3d - design)
Models/Textures: Joachim Schweigler (specific - 3d - design)
XML/ gauges: Finn Jacobsen (Aerosoft), Joachim Schweigler (specific - 3d - design)
Flight mechanics: John Cagle
Flight mechanics proving: Joachim Schweigler (specific - 3d - design)
Project Management: Joachim Schweigler (specific - 3d - design), Mathijs Kok (Aerosoft),
Manual, documentation: Mathijs Kok (Aerosoft)
Sounds: Joachim Schweigler (specific - 3d - design)
Installer: Andreas Mügge (Aerosoft)
Testing: Several good folks who will all be getting a free copy

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Aerosoft Robin DR400 140 1.00

COPY R I G H T S

The manual, documentation, video images, software, and all the related materials are copyrighted and cannot
be copied, photocopied, translated or reduced to any electronic medium or machine legible form, neither
completely nor in part, without the previous written consent of AEROSOFT. THE SOFTWARE IS FURNISHED «AS
IS» AND IT DOES NOT COME FURNISHED WITH ANY GUARANTEE IMPLICIT OR EXPRESS. THE AUTHOR DECLINES
EVERY RESPONSIBILITY FOR CONTINGENT MALFUNCTIONS, DECELERATION, AND ANY DRAWBACK THAT
SHOULD ARISE, USING THIS SOFTWARE.

Copyright © 2013 AEROSOFT. All rights reserved. All trademarks and brand names are trademarks or
registered trademarks of the respective owners.

Copyrights are serious stuff. If you find any pirated copies of this software please notify us at
[e-mail]. We will make sure reports of copyrights violation are rewarded.

Aerosoft GmbH
Lindberghring 12
D-33142 Büren, Germany

www.aerosoft.com
www.aerosoft-shop.com

CONTACT S U P PORT

Support for this product is offered by Aerosoft. We prefer to have a support forum for the simple reason that it
is fast and efficient because customers help customers when we are sleeping.

http://forum.aerosoft.com/index.php/forum

If you prefer email support use this: https://aerosoft.zendesk.com/anonymous_requests/new, do not forget to
add screenshots if they are needed to explain the issue.

We feel strongly about support. Buying one of our products gives you the right to waste our time with
questions you feel might be silly. They are not.

THE M A N U A L S

This English manual you are now reading should be considered the main manual. But for German users we
have a complete actual manual of the D-EVEM as a separate file as well!

FLY I N G T H E R O BI N

The Robin DR400 is an easy aircraft to fly. It’s one of those aircraft that people start to love after getting
acquainted with the few faults it has. It’s stable, reliable and predictable. Predictable even in its ‘problems’, for

example it has a tendency (some even a strong tendency) to want to go left. You sure learn to use the rudder
in this aircraft! The engine is more than powerful enough for the 1000 Kg even though some are 35 years old.
As the fuselage is made of wood it does not have rivets to cause drag and the whole aircraft is very smooth.
The shape of the wing with the characteristic bend halfway helps you to stay out of problems. . In FSX this is an
ideal aircraft for people who want to learn to fly better and to take some trips to scout the virtual landscape

But it is also an ideal trainer as it needs the pilot to fly it all the time, when you look around at the scenery (you
have wonderful visibility in the Robin) it tends to wonder off, no matter how much you trim, it will always find
one direction it wants to go for some reason. So while it may not be the ideal aircraft for long distance travel it
will get you to where you want to do without trying to kill you the way some aircraft seem to want to do. Keep
your energy up, stay ahead of the aircraft and you’ll be fine.

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Aerosoft Robin DR400 140 1.00

There is one thing you should not do however and that’s slip while pulling the nose up. The fuselage will block

airflow over the most effective part of the wing and things can get exciting rather fast.

As said flying the Robin is not hard, here is a highly condensed version of the normal procedures:

 Take off from asphalt: flaps in, full throttle, rotate around 100, take of at 120, climb at 150

(or with an even easier method: flaps in, full throttle, rotate at 130, climb at 150)

 Take off from grass or short take off: flaps 1, full throttle, pull to unload the nose wheel, lift off,

accelerate, climb with 130

 Cruise flight: RPM as needed (max 75% power), lean mixture!
 Landing: flaps full, aproach speed 130-140, after touch down ’plant’ the nose wheel down (to unlock

it).

Some peculiarities:

 RPM indicator in the D-EVEM shows red line @ 2500. This was the actual situation when the sim

model was released. It is due to noise reduction in the Netherlands (where it was registrated as PH­SRW) and has nothing to do with the engines limits

 Fuel gauge reads 0 when fuel tank is 100% full. Something weird on some Robins. When fuel level

sinks, the gauge begins to work.

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Aerosoft Robin DR400 140 1.00

THE R O B I N D R 4 0 0 IN FSX

There are three different Robin DR400 included in this package (different cockpit layouts) and seven different
liveries. You will find them all under Aircraft manufacturer Avions Pierre Robin.

There are a few settings that are very important for this project, they are shown in red in the images below:

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Aerosoft Robin DR400 140 1.00

THE A I R C R A F T

GENE R AL

 Wingspan (m) 8,72
 Length (m) 6.96
 Height (m) 2.23

FLAP S

The flaps (0.669 m2) are controlled with a lever between the two front seats and can be set in three (locked)
stages;

 0°
 15° (intended for short take offs)
 60° (intended for landing)

ELEVA T O R

The balanced elevator (2.88 m2) is controlled by cables and includes Anti-Balance-Trim-Tabs that can be used
as trim surfaces by means of a control wheel between the two front seats.

RUDDER

The conventional rudder (0.63 m2) is controlled via pedals and cable

GEAR

The fixed three wheel gear consists of three identical wheels and uses an oleo pneumatic suspension with long
travel. The Robin can be flown with the wheel covers removed but this dramatically increases drag. The nose
wheel is steerable using the rudder pedals but locked in central position in flight.

BRAK E S

The two main wheels use independent brake circuits for controlling via rudder pedals (last 10% of travel). The
hand/parking-brake brakes both main gear wheels.

ENG I NE / OIL

 Engine: Lycoming 4 cylinder air cooled boxer engine (type 0-320-D)
 Max RPM: 2700
 Compression: 8.5/1
 Highest Cylinder Head Temp: 260°
 Highest Cylinder Temp: 160°
 Rotation: Clockwise
 Ignition Order: 1-3-2-4
 Oil Pressure Idle: 1,75 bar
 Oil Pressure Normal: 4,2 <> 6,3 bar
 Max Oil Temp: 118°

ELECT R I CITY

An engine driven generator provides 12 volts for the aircraft systems and charges the 12 volt battery.

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Aerosoft Robin DR400 140 1.00

Bank Angle

0°

30°

60°

Flaps in

99

106

140

Flaps setting 1

93

99

131

Flaps setting 2

87

93

123

FUE L

 Fuel Pressure Maximal: 0,560 bar
 Fuel Pressure Optimal: 0,210 bar
 Fuel Pressure Minimal: 0,035 bar
 Tank: 110 L (last 10 L only usable in level flight)

Fuel is fed from the aft tank with an electrical fuel pump to an engine driven fuel pump to provide correct fuel
pressure during all flight conditions.

MAXI M U M SPEEDS

 Vne (Maximum Speed): 308 km/h
 Vno (Max Speed in rough air): 260 km/h
 Vc (Maximum Manoeuvre Speed): 215 km/h
 Vfe (Maximum Speed Flaps): 170 km/h

MAXI M U M W EIGHTS

 Take off: 1000 kg
 Landing: 1000 kg
 Luggage Compartment: 40 kg

ALLOW E D M A NOEUVRES

These manoeuvres were allowed when the aircraft were younger but these days only stalls are possible. In FSX
you can take a little risk! As long as the aft seats are not used and the entry and exit speeds are within
maximum allowed limits you should be fine.

 Steep turns
 Lazy Eights
 Chandelles
 Stalls

Spins are not allowed!

MAXI M U M C ROSS WIND

Maximum demonstrated cross wind 40 km/h (25 mph/22kts)

STA L L S P EEDS

IAS in km/h

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Aerosoft Robin DR400 140 1.00

EME R G E N C Y P R O C E DURES

ENG I NE FIRE IN FLIGHT

 Close fuel selector
 Use remaining fuel (full throttle)
 Ignition off
 Before landing Master off and Generator off

Note that stall warning will not function

ENG I NE FIRE ON GROUND

 Do not open engine cover
 Use fire extinguisher through exhaust and air inlet

GENE R ATOR FAILURE

When the Ampere indicator shows discharging (The engine will continue to work):

 Check generator circuit breaker
 Reduce use of anything that uses electricity

ICI N G

When RPM drops unexpectedly:

 Carburettor heat to full
 Full throttle
 Seek for non-icing conditions (descend into warmer air)

Expect RPM to drop by 150 RPM and an increase of fuel use.

EMERG E N CY LANDING

 Check safety belts
 Close fuel selector to reduce fire risk

IN C A S E OF INVOLUNTARY SPIN

 Elevator and Aileron to neutral
 Rudder opposite spin direction
 Flaps in

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NORM A L F L I G H T PROCEDURES

FLIG H T PREPARATION

1. Before flight check that all weight and balance are within allowed limits.

Aerosoft Robin DR400 140 1.00

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Aerosoft Robin DR400 140 1.00

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