Systems Guide

Aerosoft
Twin Otter E
XTENDED
Systems
Vol
2
2-1-13
19 November 2013
actually have a range between 0 and 37.5° and not 40° as the scales indicate. Like many other controls they
are operated with the mouse wheel (or with the standard FSX keyboard controls). To counter pitch
movements on flaps extension and retraction the flaps are linked mechanically to the trim system. Although
effective this will not fully remove pitch effects.
Note that the flaps in the Twin Otter can be set in any position, FSX does not allow this so we had to use a
more conventional step by step system.
FLAP SELECTOR LEVER
Mounted on the centre overhead panel the flap selector lever is connected by cables to the flaps.
LANDING GEAR
The Twin Otter landing gear consists of two fixed main gear assemblies and a fixed steerable nose gear
assembly. The main gear uses urethane (like rubber) blocks to absorb the shock of the landing. This is a very
robust and sturdy system that is very useful for a STOL aircraft but it does lack some of the comfort of a coil
shock absorber assembly. The nose gear has a conventional air-oil shock strut system.
NOSE WHEEL STEERING
The nose wheel is 120° steerable and is controlled by lever on the pilot’s control wheel. The steering lever is
connected by a cable and pulley system and is hydraulically assisted.
BRAKE SYSTEM
The main landing gear wheels are equipped with independent hydraulic disk brakes operated by the rudder
pedals of pilot and co-pilot.
PARKING BRAKE
The parking brake lever is located between the pilot’s rudder pedals. With both brake pedals depressed the
brakes are locked into position by pulling this lever.
AMPHIBIAN RETRACTABLE GEAR / SKI
The amphibian model has a retractable landing gear with its own control panel. Please
note this is not the sturdiest undercarriage and easily damaged. Extend only at low
speeds (in air AND water) and try to avoid hard landings.
The ski and float versions still have the brakes systems installed but clearly they are
operational. The Ski/Wheel version does have the wheel brakes.
AVIONICS
Twin Otters can be equipped with a wide range of avionics. From the most basic systems from the seventies,
to ultramodern glass systems. We equipped our Twin Otter with a set of avionics that is representative of most
aircraft.