SFM+

SFM+ is a visual simulation that presents an accurate performance model in ARMA’s SFM. It also provides a force generating stabilator designed to expand the pitch range of the aircraft and allow for hands off flight for a given power setting. Another feature of SFM+ is damage modeling.

Performance Model

SFM+ accurately accounts for weight of the aircraft and consults several lookup tables to present accurate performance figures to the pilot. The Table below presents information for the default aircraft placed in the 3DEN editor.

The table below presents performance data for the aircraft. The gross weight of the non-FCR aircraft is 8828kg (19462lbs) and the gross weight of the FCR aircraft is 9123kg (20113lbs). This weight includes: 2x Pilots, 100% fuel, 2x M-299 Longbow Hellfire Missile Launchers, 2x M261 Rocket Pods, 1200x rounds of 30mm, 38x Rockets and 8x Hellfires.

Maximum Torque Dual Engine and Single engine are the maximum torque the engines can produce based on environmental conditions. This torque can best be thought of as “life torque”, meaning that if the pilot finds themselves in a bad situation, this torque can be used to save the aircraft. It will exceed the drive train limits and cause damage, but it will allow the aircraft to fly another day.

Maximum continuous torque dual engine and single engine is the maximum torque the pilot can continuously pull during flight. These limits are determined by the drive train.

Maximum gross weight IGE and OGE are the maximum gross weights the aircraft can support when operating IGE and OGE.

Go/No-Go torque represents the maximum GWT IGE/OGE as measured at a 5-foot hover. Exceeding Go/No-Go torque OGE while at a 5-foot hover informs the crew that they DO NOT have OGE hover power, and are restricted from performing maneuvers requiring OGE hover power. Exceeding Go/No-Go torque IGE while at a 5-foot hover informs the crew that they DO NOT have OGE or IGE power and are restricted from performing maneuvers requiring OGE hover power.

SFM+ simulates ground effect and out of ground effect. The aircraft is considered to be operating in ground effect with less than 1 rotor diamter (~48 feet) above ground level. As the aircraft climbs in altitude, ground effect is lost and required torque to hover increases. SFM+ also simulates the effects of Effective Translational Lift and as the aircraft transitions into forward flight will benefit from an increase in rotor efficiency and a decreased power requirement.

In order to hover out of ground effect, the crew MUST reduce weight, or remain above ETL (~24 kts)! The recommended configuration is 38% fuel, 38x Rockets and 6x Hellire missiles.

Damage Modeling

SFM+ now features damage modeling. This is a means of enforcing proper startup procedures and enhance realism. No long will you be able to start a single engine and leave it at idle and take off. Within 30 seconds of exceeding the limits outlined below the transmission will fail and the aircraft fall out of the sky.

During Start

Single Engine Torque

Dual Engine Torque

Single Engine Sim

Once the power levers are at fly, each power lever can be manipulated indpendently. Beware of your current Tq, as it WILL double, potentially exceeding the Tq limits outlined above.