
Description
In 1977 the NASA acquired a beautiful Boeing 747-100 and turned it into a SCA: Shuttle Carrier Aircraft. In 1990 they did that again with another 747-100. And that's it. That's all. That's how rare this aircraft is. And if you wonder, in 2012 they said: "Let's stop the Space Shuttle program and keep these Boeing on the ground from now on".
Important:
- To set you ZFW, you need to remove the space shuttle (with the tablet), and with the FMC, click twice on the ZFW softkey.
- You may have amber warning messages on your EFIS, such as: CHKL INCOMPLETE NORM and STAB GREENBAND during your flight > the avionics is not designed for the SCA but for the passenger version of the 747-8i.
- Despite these messages, the aircraft works well and the AP is fully functionnal (even VNAV, ILS and Auto-Land).
You might be interested into watching my (long) presentation video of this aircraft: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxDDQT6iuZg But fear not, I've put chapters in the description. In this 39 minutes video I guide you through:
- cold and dark start,
- explain all the subtleties of the orbiter detach console,
- how the automatic weight adjuster works (the video has been made before I added the tablet which simplifies this process a lot!),
- FMC setup,
- engine startup, taxi,
- take off a short flight with VNAV climb and descent,
- of course, the separation with the Endeavour in the way,
- the ILS approach (that I handle badly, but... anyway),
- and a correct landing, even if I've done better.
Now. What do you get with this MOD?
- The Endeavour Shuttle Orbiter attached to your plane
I spent "a few" hours modeling and texturing this non-flyable asset. It is not perfectly accurate, but it's not too bad either (and it will look less dark/dirty than on the screenshots). And you can also "dump it" midair if you want to maximize your landing chances ;) - The most modern livery of the 747 SCA
Very simple, nothing fancy. No mirroring issue on the tail's logos. There are some flaws here and there, but the UVs on the base 747 are really messy. - Additional vertical tail ailerons
These are specific to the SCA. This mod may be based on a 747-8i frame instead of a 747-100, but at least I was able to add these parts! - Tuned engines: they drink more fuel
I didn't make the engines less or more powerful, but I made them a bit more thirsty. That's bad for the planet. You should be ashamed ;) - No more passengers, please!
I removed all the payloads from the various passengers classes. Now, there is only the pilot, the co-pilot and the orbiter (which weight is located at the correct spot, above the plane). - Detach console
A retro looking, big and bulky, technical box with a few leds, knobs and switches that will allow you to check the conditions under which you can set the Shuttle Orbiter free! - Shuttle Payload Manager EFB (tablet)
A modern tablet with which you can really easily select your payload configuration (no need to go in MSFS payload menu which doesn't show real values anyway)! - Uses B7847-8i by Working Title
Since version 2.0 of this add-on, it no longer uses Salty Simulations 747 as a base aircraft, but the brand new one by Asobo/Working Title. Easy to install and to keep updated after each update from Asobo/WT.
"Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA)" was created under Microsoft's "Game Content Usage Rules" using assets from Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and is not endorsed by or affiliated with Microsoft, Boeing, the NASA or anyone else.
Microsoft's Rules: https://www.xbox.com/en-US/developers/rules
Boeing 747 SCA
Experience the rare Boeing 747 SCA in Microsoft Flight Simulator with this detailed add-on. Includes the Endeavour Shuttle Orbiter attachment, modern livery, additional vertical tail ailerons, tuned engines, and more. Explore the unique detach console and Shuttle Payload Manager EFB for a fully immersive simulation. Enhance your simulation experience with this meticulously crafted aircraft mod.
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User Reviews
34 reviews
More Information
Version History
- Drag and drop compatible again! Yaaay! No more installer that nobody liked. - Updated to the latest SU17 core version - Still uses MS/Asobo/WT avionics post AAU2 - Fixed display bug in aircraft loading tips
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Comments(162)
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Log Inabout 2 months ago
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6 months ago
I may consider refreshing this add-on in the future, but I have so much going on right now that I'm leaving this SCA as it is for the time being.
8 months ago
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Great job!!!! Thank you!! Has anyone tried it in MSFS2024, even just as a static aircraft for TerraBuilder's Kennedy Space Center scenery?
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almost 2 years ago
I'm noting this! Expect an update soon! (with 0 new feature though)