Option for manual flap operation

[Boozeman]

We already have the stall limiter option, which trades in performance for a safety net. Now with the WW1 extention, we have a very basic engine management option, which, again, gives you the option of trading performance for safety. I'd really like to see this concept being fleshed out further with more options to enhance personal gameplay, without forcing it down the throats of others who don't want additional "workload".

So, I'd like to have an option of manual flap operation. No auto retract. If you have your flaps out at too high speeds, they'll get damaged. As an upside, you can have them out a somewhat longer than with the current system.     

This would have 2 advantages:

1. There is no forced governor that limits the way I intend to fly. If I want to have my flaps out at the edge of the damage threshold, so be it. If I screw up, I pay the price. Just like the stall limiter and the WW1 engine governor.

2. In a way this will, to a degree, even out the artificial advantage of planes with high flap deploy speed vs those with low flap deploy speeds. Especially the current retraction system is a severe and unnecessary handicap for planes that have their 1st notch retracted well below 200 mph.

Thanks for consideration.

[Ghosth]

Well thought out, Gives players more options, more control, thumbs up!

I wish more wishes were like this one.

[gyrene81]

I agree with your idea...and I hope no one drags this into a 30 page flap discussion...but to clarify, what you're wanting is the ability to turn off the automatic flap retraction that occurs when your plane reaches the programmed "critical speed"? And you're hoping that said setting will allow you to deploy at least partial flaps at higher than current speeds with the risk of flap damage for excessive speed?

It would be nice to have at least the ability to use more realistic flap deployment speeds but I doubt HTC will go for this...I've been gathering data for this argument for months and historical data that wouldn't be construed as "pilot anecdotal" is very difficult for anything outside of the U.S. and Britain. Each plane would have different settings (Spits don't have combat flaps) and in some cases failure would have to be calculated to a random probability (and random is not allowed)...or it would have to be limited to a max of 10 degrees flap deployment for any speeds beyond current settings.

If votes count for anything here - +1

[Krusty]

If you have your flaps out at too high speeds, they'll get damaged. As an upside, you can have them out a somewhat longer than with the current system.     

There's the rub.... It's just a request to get flaps to work longer. You get folks lining up to say "but they wouldn't break RIGHT AWAY" and extending that flapsbreatkoff limit a few mph more, a few mph more, and won't be happy until they can run flaps at any time, without any problem.

They're overly-relied upon in this game already, IMO.

-1

[Motherland]

There's the rub.... It's just a request to get flaps to work longer. You get folks lining up to say "but they wouldn't break RIGHT AWAY" and extending that flapsbreatkoff limit a few mph more, a few mph more, and won't be happy until they can run flaps at any time, without any problem.

They're overly-relied upon in this game already, IMO.

-1

Just lower the speed at which they'll be auto-retracted.

[RedTeck]

Sounds like a good idea. +1
One question though, how would this affect aircraft with blow up/blown back flaps? Would we be able to set full flaps (*or an intermediate flap setting) and let them work on their own? I've read "reports" about F4F pilots who would set full flaps once they were at speed so if they slowed down enough turning, the flaps would come out on their own.

*edited.

[Saxman]

Sounds like a good idea. +1
One question though, how would this affect aircraft with blow up/blown back flaps? Would we be able to set full flaps (*or an intermediate flap setting) and let them work on their own? I've read "reports" about F4F pilots who would set full flaps once they were at speed so if they slowed down enough turning, the flaps would come out on their own.

*edited.

I think you're thinking about the F6F and F4U, which had spring-operated flaps that could "blow back" up when when speed increased. However AFAIK this only worked for the first two notches (that said, I'd LOVE to have this option).

*Waits for someone to bring up the N1K2-J's automatic flaps.*

[Krusty]

Just lower the speed at which they'll be auto-retracted.

How does that help anything, when the current speeds are what is listed in the pilot operating manuals?

Again, you're looking for an edge, to be able to do something that somebody else cannot, to get the plane to do something more than it can not or should not have.

Doesn't do anything but lead to the slippery slope that IL2 and Targetware fell down.

[Spikes]

Just lower the speed at which they'll be auto-retracted.

Traveler will throw a fit.

[Ghosth]

I have no problem with stopping the auto retract and breaking the flaps instead.
Ohhh and if they break they should remain stuck where they are.

I wouldn't agree with being able to use them at a higher speed. Even if there was a higher % risk of breakage.

If they currently auto retract at 175mph, 176 mph should lock them in whatever position they were in. Making it impossible to raise or lower them.

But I doubt that is really what they were asking for.

[Baumer]

On the F6F the "Blow Up" feature worked throughout the flap range.

Unlike a Corsair the flap control in a Hellcat was a simple 3 position toggle switch. It was "Off" in the center, "Flaps Up" when forward and "Wings Down" when back. To enable automatic operation all the pilot has to do was put the switch from "Off" to "Down" above 170kts IAS. There was a speed switch in the center wing section that would energize the servo to open the hydraulic valve and lower the flaps once the plane was below 170kts IAS.

[Krusty]

If they currently auto retract at 175mph, 176 mph should lock them in whatever position they were in. Making it impossible to raise or lower them.

No, that just rewards folks that break them intentionally. You still get the lift, right? You still get the way-efficient boost this game has with flaps, right?

IF (big if) they ever do non-auto-retracting flaps, they should only do it so if you exceed the limit they break off and you lose that lift. Not only would you then stall/dip/lose, but you'd probably lose the rest of the fight too.

THEN folks would be crying "I want them to retract instead of getting me killed!"

[Karnak]

I will say that this would make the issue of the Ki-84's (and theoretically the Ki-43's) combat setting a bigger deal.  I highly doubt that Nakajima made combat flaps that were unable to be used above 167mph on a fighter intended to fly well over 400mph.

It would also pretty much require the N1K2-J's automatic combat flap system to be modeled.  No worries about breaking that.

[Ack-Ack]

Asking to get rid or have an option to disable the auto-retracting flaps is just another futile effort in beating a dead horse.  Hitech has already stated many times in the past when I've made similiar requests that this feature will not be taken off nor will there be a toggle option for it.  Unfortunate.


ack-ack

[Boozeman]

Asking to get rid or have an option to disable the auto-retracting flaps is just another futile effort in beating a dead horse.  Hitech has already stated many times in the past when I've made similiar requests that this feature will not be taken off nor will there be a toggle option for it.  Unfortunate.


ack-ack

Unfortunate indeed. What is his reasoning ? Is there any?