Flying the Diamond HK36 motorized glider for distance?

Question

Cambridge

Guest

Asked Sun Jan 01, 2006 3:47 am

I'm new to MSFS2004 and I'm keen to do island hopping throughout the Pacific and also do things like cross the Himalayas/Alps ect. I've probably chosen the worst aircraft to do this in, but I love the Diamond HK-36 motor glider and need some help figuring out how far I can take it and the best way to fly it.

Being a motor-glider, should I only use the engine for the initial climb to near the 17,00ft ceiling and then conserve fuel until I need to regain altitude after soaring? Also, if the HK-36 can only hold about 34L, I'm guessin' I'll only get an hour or two of powered flight. How can I work out a ball-park figure of the total range I can get away with?

Answer 1 · Sun Jan 01, 2006 4:01 am

RadarMan

Chief Captain

Joined: Aug 25, 2003 Posts: 17928 Location: U.S.A

Answered Sun Jan 01, 2006 4:01 am

Here are 44 downloads of thermals for different parts of the world.
Perhaps if you load the ones you need for the areas that you will fly in they'll help.

Good luck and let us know how you do, post some screenshots if you wish.

http://library.avsim.net/search.php?SearchTerm=thermals&CatID=fs2004scen&Go=Search

Radar

Answer 2 · Sun Jan 01, 2006 4:26 am

mako (makonnenl)

First Officer

Joined: Nov 04, 2004 Posts: 136

Answered Sun Jan 01, 2006 4:26 am

I can't even take off/fly this thing..how is it done. Also how do you fly a chopper can't lift it from the ground at all. Evil or Very Mad

Answer 3 · Sun Jan 01, 2006 6:37 am

RadarMan

Chief Captain

Joined: Aug 25, 2003 Posts: 17928 Location: U.S.A

Answered Sun Jan 01, 2006 6:37 am

makonnenl wrote:

I can't even take off/fly this thing..how is it done. Also how do you fly a chopper can't lift it from the ground at all.

Bottom left for helicopter lessons, good luck!
http://www.hovercontrol.com/

To get a glider up press "Y" and that will put it into the "slew" mode.

Radar

Answer 4 · Sun Jan 01, 2006 7:01 am

alohajoe

First Officer

Joined: Jun 17, 2005 Posts: 321 Location: KRNO Nevada

Answered Sun Jan 01, 2006 7:01 am

U think we could see some pics. of the glider. Im kinda curious a what it looks like. ❓

Answer 5 · Sun Jan 01, 2006 7:37 am

mako (makonnenl)

First Officer

Joined: Nov 04, 2004 Posts: 136

Answered Sun Jan 01, 2006 7:37 am

alohajoe wrote:

U think we could see some pics. of the glider. Im kinda curious a what it looks like. ❓

Click on the link that RadarMan gave above.

Answer 6 · Sun Jan 01, 2006 1:11 pm

Cambridge

Guest

Answered Sun Jan 01, 2006 1:11 pm

alohajoe wrote:

U think we could see some pics. of the glider. Im kinda curious a what it looks like. ❓

There's a small pic on the download page:
https://flyawaysimulation.com/downloads/files/1043/fs2004-diamond-hk-36-motor-glider/

The real deal:
http://www.diamond-air.at/Pressebilder/HK36SuperDimona_Xtreme/LOW/tn/HK36d.jpg.html

I think it's a great aircraft. You can just throttle up and it will take off by itself!

RadarMan wrote:

Here are 44 downloads of thermals for different parts of the world.
Perhaps if you load the ones you need for the areas that you will fly in they'll help.

Good luck and let us know how you do, post some screenshots if you wish.

http://library.avsim.net/search.php?SearchTerm=thermals&CatID=fs2004scen&Go=Search

Thanks for the tip! Thermals will help greatly. I suppose the total range of the HK-36 is variable...which will make planning flights tricky. And don't worry, once I've got the hang of flying for distance, I plan on making a site to document my adventures.

Answer 7 · Sun Jan 01, 2006 5:44 pm

RadarMan

Chief Captain

Joined: Aug 25, 2003 Posts: 17928 Location: U.S.A

Answered Sun Jan 01, 2006 5:44 pm

Cambridge wrote:

alohajoe wrote:

U think we could see some pics. of the glider. Im kinda curious a what it looks like. ❓

RadarMan wrote:

Here are 44 downloads of thermals for different parts of the world.
Perhaps if you load the ones you need for the areas that you will fly in they'll help.

Good luck and let us know how you do, post some screenshots if you wish.

http://library.avsim.net/search.php?SearchTerm=thermals&CatID=fs2004scen&Go=Search

Thanks for the tip! Thermals will help greatly. I suppose the total range of the HK-36 is variable...which will make planning flights tricky. And don't worry, once I've got the hang of flying for distance, I plan on making a site to document my adventures.

That's a great idea, we always like to read about the adventures others have.
Guest Ed (amongst others) has had a few and has shared them with us.

Good luck!

Radar

Answer 8 · Sun Jan 01, 2006 7:26 pm

alohajoe

First Officer

Joined: Jun 17, 2005 Posts: 321 Location: KRNO Nevada

Answered Sun Jan 01, 2006 7:26 pm

That is gonna be an intresting flight! Good luck! 🙂

Answer 9 · Mon Jan 02, 2006 1:33 pm

Cambridge

Guest

Answered Mon Jan 02, 2006 1:33 pm

Oh...by the way: Premier Aircraft Design have released several of these aircraft in various colours, engine powers, and landing gear configurations. I'm really leaning towards the *gulp* 80hp TS80 tail dragger (second from the bottom):

http://www.premaircraft.com/fs24hk36/index.html

I particularly enjoy watching the wings flex Surprised