Convair 580 in Republic Airlines' 1986 colors
==============================================

The Crew (all work is Copyrighted)
----------------------------------
- Final AFX mods (v1.3) and Republic paint by Frank Safranek
- Allison Nacelles by Kevin Trinkle, modified and adapted to wings by 
  Frank Safranek
- Original CV-340 AFX by Keith Waugh.  Improved by Tom Gibson with
  further improvements by Dave McQueen
- Radar nose by Frank Safranek
- Flight Dynamics Model by Mike Vidal, some modifications by Tom Gibson
  and Kevin Trinkle.  Final tweaking by Tom Gibson.


The Convair 580
----------------------------------
Over 230 examples of the Convair 240/340/440 family were converted to
turboprop power.  Several programs were undertaken between 1955 and
1967 to give the sound structural design of the basic aircraft a new
lease on life through the improved performance and operating economics
of the turboprop engine.

The 580 was the second of four programs to mate the airframe with
turboprop engines.  Known as the Allison-Convair, the Super Convair,
and eventually the Convair 580, it was a Convair 340/440 powered by a
pair of 3,750 shp Allison 501-D13H turboprops -- each turning four
huge rectangular blades.  The work was done by PacAero (Pacific
Airmotive) of California with the first flight on January 19, 1960.  
Following further development and certification, the first delivery to 
an airline service was to Frontier in June 1964.  130 Convair 580s 
were produced through the conversion program.

The initial operators of the type (per 1978 data) were Allegheny, Lake
Central (eventually merged into Allegheny), Frontier, North Central,
Avensa, and SAHSA-Honduras.  By the mid '90s as many as 19 carriers had
applied their livery to the 580.


This Aircraft
----------------------------------
The Convair 580 represented in this Flight Simulator aircraft is N969N 
of Republic Airlines as it appeared in 1986.  This aircraft originally 
flew for North Central Airlines in 1969 after being converted from one 
of their CV-440s.  North Central merged with Southern to form Republic 
in 1979.  This 1986 livery scheme was to be Republic's final colors. 
Republic was acquired by Northwest Airlines that same year.  The aircraft 
also wears the familiar blue goose emblem (Herman) dating back to the 
early North Central days.

Some related zip files of Convairs for Flight Simulator you might enjoy 
are CV580NC, an example from North Central's fleet.  CV580RP, an example 
of Republic's initial livery for their Convair fleet.  And CV580NW, an 
example of N969N as it appeared in 1987 repainted in Northwest colors.  

Thanks to Michael Pickney for his assistance with the research for this 
project.  Michael is a big fan of Flight Simulation and aviation in and 
around the state of Wisconsin.  His website, "Michael's Wisconsin Flight 
Simulator Page", features a collection of aircraft, panels and scenery 
files for airliners that serve the state of Wisconsin, past and present.  
(www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/4925/)


Specifications
----------------------------------
Wing Span: 105 ft 4 in.
Wing Area: 920 sq ft
Fuselage Length: 81 ft 6 in.
Fuselage Height: 29 ft 2 in.

Max Takeoff Weight: 53,200 lbs (optional to 57,000 lbs)
Max Landing Weight: 50,670 lbs

Cruise Speed @ 20,000 ft, 48,000 lbs: 342 mph (303 knots)
Stall Speed (clean): 85 mph (90 knots)
Stall Speed (full flaps): 70 knots

Rate of Climb @ 5,000 ft:  2050 fpm

Range with 8,000 lb payload & reserves: 1,540 miles
Range with 5,000 lb payload & reserves: 2,270 miles

Takeoff Field Length:  4,700 ft @ max wt.
Landing Field Length:  4,400 ft @ max land. wt.


Pilot's Manual (Flight Tips)
----------------------------------
Most turbo-props in Flight Simulator want to takeoff and climb too 
quickly.  The flight model has been tweaked in an effort to tame this 
tendency.  Although the initial takeoff and climbout has been slowed 
for accuracy, once you get it cleaned up it will get to cruise speed 
rather quickly.  So watch your speed below 10,000 feet.  With a little 
practice and some trim adjustment you'll be able to obtain an accurate, 
slightly nose up, attitude while cruising at altitude.  

To get an approach that's closer to reality, the Flight Model stall
speeds have been set to 90 kts for 0 flap and 70 kts for full flap.
Pattern flying should be at 150-170 kts with 1 or 2 notches of flap,
approach the Outer Marker at 130-150 kts with 3 notches of flap, gear
down at beginning of descent, 120-130 kts on final, and go to full
flaps, 120 kts at around 1000 ft AGL.  Taper your speed at 500 ft AGL
to about 100 kts at touchdown, and you should have a nice landing.
Apply reverse pitch to the props with the F2 key after touchdown.  
Remember to retract the flaps as you taxi off the active runway.


Installation
----------------------------------
Copy the CV580RP2.AIR file to your FS5 \PILOTS directory
Copy all CV580RP2.?AF files to your FS5 \TEXTURE directory

If using FS6 or FS98 copy all of the above to a temporary directory 
and run the files through the Flight Shop Converter.


Connections (Email and Websites)
----------------------------------
Keith Waugh - silvrbld@yournet.com

Tom Gibson - tgibson@sunstroke.sdsu.edu
   Classic Airliner Page - http://members.aol.com/TGFltsim/

Dave McQueen - dmcqueen@pop.ccnet.com
   Airliners from the Past - http://users.ccnet.com/~dmcqueen

Mike Vidal - mavidal@shadow.net

Kevin Trinkle - trinkle@flash.net
   The PSA History Page - http://www.flash.net/~trinkle/

Frank Safranek - frank.safranek@eudoramail.com
   Pre-Flight Checklist - www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Arcade/6721/

Check out the FREEFLIGHT Design Shop for a great selection of Flight 
Shop AFX/PCX files.  All are authorized by the original author for 
repainting and alteration. (http://www.geocities.com/~freefltdesign/)

And, as always, visit the Classic Airliner Page for aircraft, panels, 
sounds, scenery, and tips to make accurately flying these classic birds 
a real thrill.  Plus there's a great selection of Convairs in other 
classic liveries. 


Legal Stuff:
----------------------------------
ENJOY, AND FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME WITH SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS.
I INTEND ON OFFERING A FEW MORE LIVERIES OF THIS AIRCRAFT MYSELF.  IF
YOU WOULD LIKE THE AFX FILE FOR YOUR OWN PROJECT CONTACT YOU CAN DOWNLOAD
A COPY OF THE MOST RECENT AFX/PCX FILE SET AT THE FREEFLIGHT DESIGN SHOP.
KEEP IN MIND THAT YOU ARE EXPECTED TO MAINTAIN ALL COPYRIGHTS LISTED 
ABOVE AND IN THE *.AIR FILE INTACT.

THIS AIRPLANE IS THE PROPERTY OF THE AUTHOR(S) LISTED ABOVE, AND
CANNOT BE RE-SOLD OR PACKAGED WITH ANY PRODUCT FOR SALE, WITHOUT THE
EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE AUTHORS.  THIS IS FREEWARE!!

YOU MAY UPLOAD THIS PLANE TO ANY OTHER SERVER THAT HAS A FREE
DISTRIBUTION POLICY.  IF THIS PLANE IS UPLOADED TO RESTRICTED SERVERS
(I.E. COMPUSERVE FSFORUM)(NOT THE AUTHOR'S INTENTION), IT MAY BE
DOWNLOADED AND UPLOADED TO OTHER SERVERS.  THIS NOTICE CONSTITUTES THE
AUTHORS PERMISSION TO DO THIS.  THIS ENTIRE TEXT FILE MUST BE INCLUDED
IN ANY DISTRIBUTION.

THE AUTHORS ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY LIABILITIES THAT YOU MIGHT INCUR AS
A RESULT OF USING THIS PRODUCT.  YOU ASSUME THE RISK OF USE.

- Frank Safranek
  July 1998
