From one sim junkie to another…you would love the Do228. It is really nice. Probably more “authentic” feeling than even the Twin Otter because of the panel layout and overall feel of the machine.
Dang…those are some gorgeous screens. I don’t want to know what is on all those memory sticks.
1 Like
I should have picked it up in the last Carenado sale. Next time though!
1 Like
MAX Factory is complete!
So that opened up a new menu option:
There is a production cost associated with building at your factory - which does make sense - we have to pay @TheAlmightySnark something after all, coming in on his days off to moonlight at The MAX…
It is also letting me start on the Twin Otter even though the Owned Parts Inventory menu shows the DHC-6 Engine #2 still in transit to Pullman with an ETA of 06/28 at 1:55AM.
Now that the factory is complete, I can also sell parts that I accidentally bought. I had purchased an extra Kodiak cockpit for $11,702 + $450 shipping to Pullman = $12,152 so selling it for $8,776 is definitely a small loss. I suppose I could keep it if I were going to build a fleet of Kodiaks…
2 Likes
Well you know, those “Form 1” declared parts aren’t going to install themselves now do they? 
My Reputation log…you can see where I stopped “The Grind” on June 17th and switched to the aircraft part scavenger hunt. Interesting to note that my crash down in California where I nearly totaled the Cessna 207 resulted in -2 full points (or pints) of Cargo Rep (85.02 down to 83.02) which drug my overall rep down to 41.01. I wonder if it fell under 40 if the bank would come knocking on my door… 
Anyway - the lesson is…don’t crash or you will be penalized about 6 or 7 cargo runs in REP…
It’s working! I’ve dropped off the memory sticks at Quatam River where they will await their trip up to the Fire Tower in stages. The landing was fun. In order to get her stopped I came in slow with a fist-full of power through touchdown. Got an “OK”. I thought it was smooth and that’s all that matters. While I was staging the memory sticks up to the pad I found two thousand pounds of mail bound for Powel River, BC. It is only 30nm away and on my way home. My plan is to take the mail and whatever other revenue generation I can find, and get gas at Powell after handing over the mail. The mail revenue will go to MAD.
5 Likes
3 Likes
Nice…! That DC-3 fit into the width of Quatam River huh? I might have to run my new Dornier up there once I get it up and running…
Well…ahem…X-Plane doesn’t recognize tree collisions fortunately.
1 Like
It’ll buff out…!
Meanwhile…Destiny is on her way back to the PNW after finding my second Twin Otter engine. She gets some time off when she arrives back in Pullman. She is “working” her way back home though…a couple commodity transports on her way.
Interesting report @smokinhole! Was wondering how this was going for you. Been considering adding a helicopter if i was feasible to get to those hard to reach areas that may rotary-birds so useful.
2 Likes
I’d have pics from last night except my default 172 decided to load with a malfunctioning prop. Plane flew fine… Prop was not animated at all lol. Very distracting flying with a stationary vertical propellor for 100nm. Twice. Haha.
Edit: if anyone has experienced this and knows how to fix it I’m all ears.
1 Like
That…is a weird one. I don’t think I have ever flown the default 172 unless the Propstrike Bush Mod counts. Probably has nothing to do with you. With all the beta changes the plane might have gotten some unintended mistreatment.
I delivered the mail to Powel for MAD. If I might etch my name in history. I believe this is the first delivery for MAD done by both plane and helicopter using stages to an intermediate airfield. I am expecting an appropriately elegant plaque stating is much and hung conspicuously in the lobby.
3 Likes
I’m not on the beta 
The MAX factory in Pullman-Moscow has turned out its first aircraft! Yes, our facility is small and austere - parts are delivered via U-Hauls and flatbeds. My office is an camper parked out front. The good news is that it has a kegerator and we are anxiously awaiting a delivery of @chipwich’s Gray Man Stout.
The Dornier 228 was acquired from parts scattered from Montana to Seattle to San Diego after epic treks in our company Cessna 207 and A-1C Husky. As such, I thought it was appropriate that the airplane have a bit of a cobbled together look for its 1/3 retail price tag. Thanks to CCVA022’s awesome “CIVA Piece of Junk” skin, which I modified slightly, we are out the door with our first build.
Yes - she’s a bit worn in some spots…and we didn’t have the budget to paint her properly, but I’m assured she is in fine flying condition and besides…the rough strips we will be taking her will just chip up a nice paint job anyway.
Lots of storage in the forward nose compartment…
The Garrett TPE-331 engines will let everyone from Seattle to Yellowstone know that their shrimp and DVDs are on their way. I will have to ensure Destiny has proper hearing protection…
As an air ambulance pilot - I’m in love with this cargo door…
Crawling inside - the panel is dated, but supremely functional. As well, there was room on the pedestal for a GTN 750. Not an ideal location for referencing while looking out the windscreen, but it will do…
You have to love a plane with a dedicated pilot access door. That was one of my favorite features of the Cessna 402 I used to fly…
Just don’t get out and hot load with the left engine running…
The Do228 is super-easy to operate. Simple electrical system, simple fuel system, no-fuss, no muss…
Listed cargo capacity is 2,188 lbs., but that can be increased to around 5,500 lbs. when fuel is limited to about 90 minutes…
Total cost of production excluding the capital cost of building the MAX factory:
-
Part | Cost | Shipping
-
Cockpit | $26,192 | $2,641
-
Fuselage | $130,958 | $3,691
-
Tail | $78,575 | $2,845
-
Port Wing | $99,528 | $2,805
-
Stbd Wing | $99,528 | $3,607
-
Undercarriage | $26,192 | $809
-
Eng 1 | $31,430 | $1,138
-
Eng 2 | $31,430 | $2,456
Total parts = $523,833
Total shipping = $19,992
Total manufacturing = $39,750
Out the door cost = $592,575
If purchased new = $1,570,268
5 Likes
That’s awesome. Looks like that will be the kinda route I’m taking when I hit the rep for a loan too.
I’m sitting on 420k cash right now but only one base.
1 Like
Yeah…I highly recommend going that route:
REP to 40
Lease a bigger plane
Hire an AI in the original plane - send on parts quest
Run commodities in both planes during the search
Take out a loan to build the factory during the parts search
That’s going to severely going to mess with your diet plan.
1 Like
Dornier 228 type rating is done! Oddly enough…I feel nervous when I’m taking these mini checkrides for some reason…even though I go through FAA ones without batting an eye anymore… 
Hit all my altitudes and headings. I was going to fly it in VR, but didn’t want to screw it up by not seeing the text boxes (I forgot to select the option to read the audio in Air Hauler).
Initial Dornier impressions - what a machine! Seems weird to have a plane that has its engines screaming at 100% nearly all the time. The thing can practically hover in mid-air when you go full flaps with an insane pitch attitude that lets you see everything out the front windscreen. I did 2/3 flaps landing. Touching down all you have to do is go into idle reverse and those props make a roaring sound and you slow rapidly…no need to pull it further into beta really.
More impressions after my first real flight in it. I’m going to take a milk-run over to KEAT to get comfortable with it and do it in VR without the stress of having to shoehorn it into a dirt strip.
3 Likes