The approach for weight and loading in the VSL DC-3 is a bit different than in the lightweight/LSA aircraft:
The approach is to try and follow 'standard passenger weight' as done in world-wide domestic, international and intercontinental flights. The FAA based a standard weight to allow easy calculation of most passenger’s weight. Because every person is different the FAA have found this is a typical average weight of people in the US.
*Remember - we do not have to go on a weight before flight...and the airline company still have to calculate weights...:
* The DC-3 is a 'unique' airliner, with no checked baggage option.
Now, for the practical aspects in the VSKYLABS DC-3 Airliner:
- Each passenger was defined with a nominal weight of 200 lbs. This is an average weight that combines the standard passenger weight along with some belongings, a carry-on bag, a back-pack, maybe a coat...a suitcase...
- 1-4 rows (stations) were defined with a nominal weight of 600 lbs (that is 3 passengers along with their stuff)...
- 5th, 6th rows (stations) were defined with 200 lbs (nominal weight).
- 7th station (cargo-T-section) was defined with 120 lbs (nominal weight).
The following values are...nominal...meaning, that in X-Plane 12, you can set the loading on each station to values from zero (empty) to higher values:
~830+ lbs for rows 1-4
~280+ lbs for rows 5,6
~165 lbs for cargo-T-section
The above describes the borderlines of safe loading of passengers and maximum fuel. So for example, although we can 'hassle' with the rows, within their extended margins (nominal 'plus'...), we will not be able to load 2000 lbs on the 7th row...
Crew weight - Was set to a fixed weight of 170 lbs each, that includes the pilots, their stuff....suitcase maybe, food, water...cameras...the usual stuff...
In-Game loading:
When the aircraft is being loaded with default values we may see sub-nominal weight in each station (for example...300 lbs in rows 1-4). This is normal. To simplify the passengers visualization system - the passengers in the entire row will be visualized once the station exceeds *minimal weight* that could be lower than of a single adult passenger weight (maybe a light adult, or kids)... This is normal. In future versions, passenger visualization may go down to a single passenger per weight...but this is not the case in the existing version.
To add/remove passengers - manage the sliders for each row. You can set it with as high as actual No. of allowed passengers and their baggage in each row, as described above.
As was written in the opening - changes, modifications and tuneups are to be expected.
*This info will make its way to the included manual in the near future.
