UPDATE:

This change (to version 1.1) only updates the installation method.  The mod is now a drag-n-drop folder that goes in your Community folder; this hopefully makes it compatible with the Marketplace version of the aircraft as well.  No further flight model changes have been made; if you've already installed the first version, there's no need to update.

This mod improves a few flight characteristics of the DC Designs Stearman in MSFS, to make it more closely resemble its real-world counterpart.

It needs to be stated up-front: DC Designs did quite a good job with this aircraft.  I've made just a few tweaks for the sake of realism, but this is nowhere near a complete re-design of the aircraft's flight model - because it doesn't need that.  I want to be clear that I give DC Designs a LOT of credit for creating a really nice rendition of my baby in the sim.  ;)

Also, for context as it always seems to be asked when someone mods a flight model for an aircraft, "yeah?  Well how much time do YOU have in this plane?"  I have around 1,000 hours flying and teaching in real Stearmans; I've been doing it for over 20 years now.  I am emphatically NOT an expert flight model dev... but I am an experienced Stearman pilot and instructor.  

Now then,

Behaviours adjusted:
1.  Roll rate is far too fast.  A Stearman is not a Pitts.  Gordon Baxter famously said, "A Stearman flies like a grand piano."  This perfectly captures the plane's combination of lumbering ungainliness but gracefulness that a Stearman manages.  I've adjusted the aileron effectiveness for a realistic roll rate.
2.  Too much yaw "rubber banding."  This is seen when rudder is applied for a slip and the nose initially yaws off to its correct position but then pendulums back towards center even though you're still holding the rudder in.  I've minimized this but am unable to eliminate it.
3.  Pitch trim a bit too sensitive.  I've toned it down.

TO INSTALL:
1. Place the folder "zz-DC_Designs_Stearman_FM_Mod" into your MSFS Community folder.

OPTIONAL VIEWS:
The following two custom camera views are designed to make your seating position and sight picture in the DC Designs Stearman more closely resemble what you'd see when sitting in the airplane in real life.  With head tracking they remind me a lot of being in the actual plane.  There are so many different sim user combinations of view systems, monitors, head tracking, VR etc that this will come down to personal preference though.  But if you'd like to try them:

1.  Navigate to the location of a cameras.cfg file for the stearman.  On the MS Store version of MSFS, by default this is:
C:\Users\*Your User Name*\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\SimObjects\Airplanes\DCDesigns_Stearman
NOTE: if you have not already defined any custom camera views, you will not have a cameras.cfg file here yet.  That' ok.
2.  Copy/paste the cameras.cfg file included in this package into this location.  If you've previously created custom views, might want to back your file up first.  Alternatively, you can copy/paste the parameters from my file to yours to create these as additional custom cameras.
3.  If you'd like the same views in the Faired version of the Stearman, repeat the process here:
C:\Users\*Your User Name*\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\SimObjects\Airplanes\DCDesigns_Stearman_Faired

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DC Designs Stearman Flight Model Realism Mod

Enhance the flight realism of the DC Designs Stearman with this mod, adjusting roll rate, yaw behavior, and pitch trim for a more authentic experience. Developed by a seasoned Stearman pilot and instructor, this update aims to bring the aircraft closer to its real-world counterpart without altering its essential design. Simply drag and drop the folder into your Community folder to enjoy the improved flight characteristics. Optional custom camera views provide a more immersive cockpit experience for enthusiasts seeking a true-to-life perspective.

Version History