Combat Pilot - Alpha Update #9 - Released for all Ace Tier Patreon Subscribers!

Dear Pilots,

We are very happy to announce that we have released Alpha Update #9 (0.516) for our Patreon Ace Tier subscribers. Just update your Steam install to apply.

Changes and Additions

1. Fly-by Camera now repositions itself after a short period of time.
2. Instrument needles now vibrate according to aircraft vibration.
3. Cockpit Lights added to F4F-4 and A6M2.
4. New Anti-Aliasing methods in Graphics Options added.
5. Lumen On/Off setting added.
6. Graphics optimizations added which should improve overall performance to some degree. May help with VR performance. Turning Lumen Off should increase framerate on most machines.
7. Fixes in the external camera: no more jitter and bugs when active-paused.
8. Control Assignment table scrolling behavior has changed.
9. Yes and No Button position inverted on prompts.
10. A Minus sign now appears with any inverted binding.
11. Added new mesh version of A6M with minor external fixes.
12. Added new cockpit version of A6M with animations.

Altimeter Controls Implemented
13. Zero altimeter (QFE) - calibrates altimeter to zero wherever you are,
14. Reset altimeter (QNH) - calibrates altimeter to 0 = sea level,
15. Decrease Altimeter reference pressure - step -0.01 in Hg,
16. Increase Altimeter reference pressure - step +0.01 in Hg

Custom skins system and UI created
17. Custom skins need to have files with these names:
- FrontFuselage_BC.png
- RearFuselage_BC.png
- WingRight_BC.png
- WingLeft_BC.png
- Normal maps and ORM maps can also be edited by changing the file name to end with N or _ORM instead of _BC. If no Normal or ORM maps are included then default files will be used.
- Custom skins need to be saved inside - C:\Users\[username]\Documents\CombatPilot\Skins\[PlaneID]\[NewSkinName]\
- PlaneIDs are F4F4 and A6M2
- NewSkinName folder can have any name you want to assign to the new skin.

18. Skin system now supports multiple Official skins.
- New A6M2 Pale-Olive - Default skin added.
- New A6M2 Dark Green - No Unit skin added.

Basic skin templates and additional information is available on the official Combat Pilot Forum to assist you with making new paint schemes. Click on this link to learn more.
https://forum.combatpilot.com/topic/1994-details-about-combat-pilot-skin-making/  

Bug Fixes

19. Engine couldn’t re-start after turning off.
20. Some engine startup procedures had animation glitches.
21. Engine shutdown sound was playing wrong in certain situations.
22. The main menu was unusable after exiting a mission in VR.

Engine Thermal Model Upgrades

23. Improved Cooling Simulation: Implemented a method for forced convection and velocity-dependent heat transfer coefficient based on NASA/NACA correlations for air-cooled radial engines.,
24. Induced Velocity Cooling: Improved calculations regarding effective cooling velocity, incorporating discharge coefficients and induced velocity.,
25. Cruise Scenario (F4F-4, 2550 RPM, 7000 ft ISA, 224 kts TAS, 44" MAP): Steady CHT 183 °C closed flaps

Engine MAP Model Upgrades

26. Changed cranking behavior: Implemented suction-pulling effect on MAP during engine startup for accurate cranking stage dynamics.
27. Starter duration increased: Increased starter engagement time, customized per aircraft based on starter type and model specifics.

Flight-model Changes

28. Modified prop wash effects on yaw stability.

F4F-4
29. Landing gear physics reviewed.
30. Reviewed propeller model.
31. Modified the drag produced by the landing gear and the flaps.
32. Solved bug related to control surfaces locking when diving.
33. Increased elevator trim effectiveness.
34. Reviewed yaw sensitivity during take-off.
35. Reviewed stall response.

A6M2
36. Modified drag produced by the LG and the flaps.

Enjoy!

The Combat Pilot Team