T-37B Tweet Manual - SimWorks Studios

Disclaimer

This product is an artistic representation of the subject matter. SimWorks Studios Ltd. does not endorse or is endorsed in any way by the manufacturer of the subject matter. The subject matter is simulated within the limitations of the Prepar3D SDK and the product and/or its manuals are not to be used as a substitute to real-world training.

Credits and thanks

Thank you for your interest in our T-37B Tweet. This product is the result of almost three years of research and developement by all SWS team members. Our intention was to create an engaging and immersive simulation of the "flying dog whistle", while extending our knowledge of the Prepar3D SDK at the same time. The development team that made this project possible consists of:

Jamal Ingram: Project lead, 3D Modelling & animation
Nicolas Nastri: Interior textures
Matt Wynn: Exterior textures
James Johnson, Alex Vletsas, Evripides Efthymiou, MacFarland Masterton: Systems programming
Paul Frimston: Flight Dynamics developement
Don Spence: Flight manual supply and authenticity advisor
Canopy rain effects plugin provided by A2A Simulations (www.a2asimulations.com)

Installation

When downloading and running the product installer ensure that your antivirus is turned off. Having the antivirus on might result in inappropriate or corrupt installation of the product.

The SWS Installer takes advantage of P3D’s add-on architecture and allows you to install the product to a folder outside of P3D’s root. The installer will point by default to Documents\Prepar3D v4 add-ons. However, you may install the product to any hard drive and folder you desire and the installer will make sure that the add-on is activated and seen by Prepar3D.

This method of installation has many advantages, as it does not mix up files in the simulator’s root folder. Furthermore, if you uninstall and reinstall Prepar3D due to an update, the add-on remains unaffected and will be recognized immediately by the new version of Prepar3D when started.

Settings

Prepar3D settings

When preparing to fly the Tweet, please be sure that you are running Prepar3D as administrator. This is required as the add-on will need to save & load aircraft state data on your computer, which requires administrator permissions. It is also recommended that you turn UAC off or exclude the aircraft from security restrictions, as it may prevent the Tweet from performing required file operations.

In your Prepar3D settings, please apply the following:

Under “Application”, ensure that "Enable Panel Serialization" is UNCHECKED. Leaving this checked will result crashes, as it interferes with the underlying systems of the aircraft.
Graphics settings, display tab: target frame rate is recommended to be set at 30. You may set it higher or lower depending on your PC's capabilities and personal preference.
Under Graphics settings, display tab: texture resolution is recommended to be set at High -2048 or Ultra - 4906. Lower resolutions will severely degrade texture quality.
Under Lighting, ensure that Dynamic lighting is ON. This is required for the cockpit flood and utility lights to work
In "Key Assignments" ensure that you have a key or joystick button assigned to “Cabin alert – No Smoking (on/off)”. This button is used as a toggle for the aircraft’s Nose wheel steering system.

FSUIPC

During testing we found that using FSUIPC with the Tweet may introduce irregular control behaviour for some users. In the event you encounter any abnormal control behaviours, we recommend that you clear FSUIPC assignments while flying the Tweet.

Support

If you have a question or are facing a problem with the product, please visit our knowledgebase, which contains a listing of common questions and known issues. If your question is not answered, there is a “Contact Support” link on the same page, which will allow you to file a ticket and communicate with us.

The knowledgebase & support page can be found at https://simworksstudios.com/knowledge-base.html

Introduction

Overview

The Tweet comes to P3Dv4 to do what it does best: NOISE! Built with unparalleled detail, this plane is coming to P3Dv4 to do what it does best: make some NOISE!

Immerse yourself in this detailed simulation of the T-37, featuring PBR materials, detailed systems, high quality flight dynamics and 3D animated pilots in the cockpit. The plane's nature as a trainer and our implementation of it in the sim allows it to be enjoyed by purists and casual simmers alike!

High detail visuals

The SWS Tweet makes full use of the latest graphics techniques to bring the aircraft to life. Full use of PBR materials, custom animations and high quality modelling combine to give you the most authentic visual representation of the aircraft to this day!

Animated 3D pilots

Animated 3D pilots are a feature debuting in the SWS T-37B. The 3D pilots can assume command of the aircraft, react to flight and will look where the user does.

Pilots are loaded on the aircraft through loads that are set in the simulator's Fuel and Payload screen. Users that do not desire to see the pilots in the VC can just deactivate them using the ingame configuration utility.

In-depth systems and authentic flight dynamics

The Tweet has been built according to the real aircraft manuals and with input from pilots that flew the type when it was in service. This resulted in a detailed simulation of the T-37 where every nook and cranny of the aircraft reacts just like the real thing!

Being a trainer, though, the Tweet is a simple aircraft to operate, so those that just wish to hop in and fly can just do so!

Aircraft configuration manager

The Aircraft Configuration Manager (ACM) can be brought up using Shift+1 in the simulator. For the Tweet, it comes with three pages:

Config page
Radios page
TACAN page

Config page

The Configuration page provides options that allow you to quickly set the aircraft in a situation, as well as control the VC pilots.

Aircraft state
- COLD & DARK: All aircraft systems shut down, so you will have to follow the start-up checklist to get the aircraft running
- READY TO TAXI: The aircraft is automatically started and brought to a ready to taxi state
- READY TO FLY: The aircraft is automatically started and is put into takeoff configuration
- FLY SOLO: Unloads the instructor from the aircraft.
Pilot models
- SHOW PILOTS: When checked, you will be able to see pilots’ bodies in the VC. If turned off, both pilots will be hidden
- SHOW STUDENT: The student will be visible in the VC, if he is loaded on the aircraft
- SHOW INSTRUCTOR: The instructor will be visible in the VC, if he is loaded on the aircraft
Pilot-in-command
- AUTO POSSESS PILOT-IN-COMMAND: When your camera enter’s a pilot’s head, that pilot will automatically assume command of the aircraft and the other one will release the controls.
- STUDENT/INSTRUCTOR: When Auto Possess is off, you can manually select who will have the aircraft’s controls through these checkboxes
Animations
- STUDENT VISOR UP: Raises the student’s visor when checked
- INSTRUCTOR VISOR UP: Raises the instructor’s visor when checked

CONFIG page

Radios page

The T-37 COM radio supports up to 20 preset frequencies, plus a manual mode. The Radios page lists the preset frequencies used in the Tweet’s radios. As the Tweet operated off Vance AFB & Sheppard AFB, the 20 channels cover all the frequencies for these two training bases.

TACAN page

The TACAN page lists the TACAN channels and respective UHF frequencies used in the simulator.

The Tweet requires both the UHF and TACAN frequencies to be tuned to the station in order for the VOR and ILS to work. Therefore, when performing VOR/ILS flying please use this page to ensure that you are tuned to the correct channel.

TACAN page

Virtual cockpit interactions

Interaction with virual cockpit switches depends on the type of switch. The list below contains the general rules for interacting with switches:

On/off switches: left click to toggle
Multi-position switches (vertical/horizontal): left click to move up/left. Right click for down/right.
Rotary knobs: left click/wheel down to rotate counter-clockwise, right click/wheel up to rotate clockwise
ADI cage and clock adjustment knobs: same as rotary knobs. Middle mouse click is used to push/pull the knob

Throttle CUTOFF/IDLE function

The T-37 has two sets of throttle levers. The student's set is located on the left wall of the cockpit and the instructor's set is located in the middle of the cockpit.

Only the instructor's throttle set has the capability to go between CUTOFF and IDLE. This is achieved by right clicking the respective throttle lever on the instructor's throttle pedestal.

While it may seem strange, this is how it is in the real aircraft as well!

Tuning the VOR/DME equipment

To utilise the AN/ARV-154(V) set, please follow the steps below:

On the radio control panel, rotate the DME power knob to DME
On the DME increase the brightness by rotating the knob
Tune the desired frequency in MHz using the knobs
Input the TACAN channel that corresponds to the frequency in MHz. Use the TACAN page on the Aircraft Configuration Manager to find the matching channel easily.
When both frequencies are tuned to a valid VOR station, the AN/ARV-154(V) should display the station's information.

Tuning the transponder

To utilise the transponder, please follow the steps below:

On the radio control panel, change the transponder code by clicking on the MODE 3/A digits
Left click the IDENT switch to activate the selected code.

ADI caging and adjustment

The ADIs can be caged and uncaged by clicking the knob with the middle mouse button.

When the ADI is caged, the gyroscope will be forced to indicate a level flight attitude. While caged, you can adjust the ADI sphere's pitch by rotating the knob, until it matches the aircraft's current pitch.

When uncaged, the ADI will start indicating pitch and roll changes from its current caged position. Rotating the knob with the ADI uncaged will allow you to adjust the aircraft symbol up (5 degrees) or down (10 degrees).

While caged, the ADI will not respond to changes in the aicraft's pitch or bank. For this reason, the ADI should only be caged on the ground or when the aircraft is in straight and level and unaccelerated flight.

Video tutorials

T-37B Tweet - Introduction

T-37B Tweet - Familiarisation

T-37B Tweet - Cold start and takeoff

Aircraft manual

The real aircraft manual & checklist which are to be used with the SWS Tweet are bundled and installed with the product.