Sounds like you have a configuration problem, probably with FSUIPC. I just happened to delete and reload fsx.cfg today, and didn't notice that FSUIPC needed to be reloaded and confirmed as a valid .dll. Without FSUIPC active, the harrier exhibited the ground handling problem as you described it. I reloaded FSUIPC, problem gone, handles like a dream. It's very stable, but the basic physics look and feel right, easy to VTOL and transition to level flight, lands like a typical FSX helo.

There's also a thread at SoH about this plane; some of the coders post there and may be able to help.

Panelboy;

I uninstalled and reinstalled FSUIPC, created a new FSX.cfg, and exactly the same problems are happening.
I am really curious to hear what settings you may have put within FSUIPC?

Also, SoH.....do you have a url for that?

Thanks

AJ.

This thread at CA is pretty interesting and reveals a lot about the Harrier and real world ops:

http://combatace.com/topic/48254-harriers-and-hovering/page__p__347671&#entry347671

I found this post interesting:


First of all this has been discused to death. As a person with first hand knowledge of the Harrier. I can tell you this. A "B" Model (Gr5-7) will take off VTO with a Combat Load with Empty Tanks. Durning OPVAL of the AV-8B with VX-5 at NAS Pax River, MD. It was done sucessfully a dozen times. But as Migbuster has stated, The Engine requires so much Water for this type of Operation. Just about every time it's done, The Engine has to be changed. The requirement to change an Engine in a Harrier contails alot. It means that Aircraft is in a "Down" Statis until the Change is made. But is a Capability. USMC Harriers have the ability to operate from "FOB's" that are just alittle larger than the size of a Tennis Court. The main reason One doesn't see Harriers do it. Or do it "Slicked" or with empty Tanks is COST. It cost for Engines to be reworked, Changed and the "Down Time" of the Aircraft factor in. The Rolls Royce Pegasus Engine is an expensive Componet of the Platform. The Engines from the "A-C" Models had to be sent back to the UK to be reworked back in the Old Days.

Empty Tanks save Weight. The old "A-C" Models had to have a bolt-on IFR Probe Installed. Later on the "B" Model, The Marines required a Retractable IFR Probe. It's still Removeable, But comes as a part of the Airframe. The old "A" Model IFR Probes where an after thought.


MCAS Cherry Point, NC has a Hover Pad that is made of Concrete in the Middle of the Base where two Runways intersect. VMAT-203 is the Harrier Trainning Squadron and is based there. The now operate AV-8B II Pluses and TAV-8B two seaters. They conduct Hover (VTO) every day at the base. It's part of the Trainning of every Marine Harrier Pilot to become familiar with this Operation. Also, VMAT-203 is the biggest user of RR Pegasus Engines in the Marine Corps due to this Trainning. Engines are changed every Day at 203. BTW, The TAV-8B has the same Engine as the AV-8B and can Take-Off Vertical. I wounder how much the extra Ejection Seat, Cockpit, Airframe Strech weighs?

Engines are frequently changed aboard Ships (LPH-LHA-LHD's) because of high Stress these Engines go through durning STOL and VTOL Operations.


The advent of the Ski-Ramp by the Brittish have helped eliminate alot of the Stress on Harrier Engines. This is in STO Operations and have been taken up by the Marines since the Falklands in 1982. The Marines deployed their first Ski-Ramp in Combat durning Desert Storm.


Many in the Avation Community say that Landing a Aircraft on a Carrier by a Naval Aviator is the most Hair-Raising event one could do. Especially at Night. I differ from that Statement. I say, a VTL by a Marine Harrier Pilot at Night aboard a LHA or LHD is it.....

It's bad enough that Hovering in normal conditions is Work Overload in the Cockpit. As one Pilot has described it as balancing a Elephant on the end of a Needle. Now, mulitply that by adding more Weight with External Stores and You have a Recipe for alot of Problems. The "B" is "Fly-by-Wire". The old "A's" were not.


Conclusion:

The early "A's" could do it, But the Gun Pods were empty of Ammo, Drop Tanks Empty. No other Ordnance. The only exception would be the Addition of LAU-7's on the Outboard Stations, Empty. No AIM-9's loaded. The Early Pegasus just didn't have enough "Emph!" (Thrust) in it......

AV-8B's could do it under Load, But You'd be changing the Engine after the Mission/Sortie is done. Water Injection Cooling is the Key. Durning Hover, The Water does two things, It boost Combustion and also Cools the Engine under high Stress use. One more Factor is that the Water Tank on the "B" is only so big. You need the Water to sustain Vertical Flight. Once the Water is gone, Thrust is reduced, Engine could seize up and Your Aircraft could fall from the Sky. Be Sure to throw Your Wallet out the Cockpit if You don't know where the Ejection Handle is.....


An AV-8A/C can do it slick. No Ordnance of extra weight what-so-ever......

An AV-8B can do it........But is RARE.


Semper Fi!

331KillerBee

T/AV-8A/B/C Harrier Ordnanceman

VMA-231 1979-80
VMAT-203 1980
VMA-542 1981
VMAT-203 1982-84
VX-5 1985
VMA-331 1985-1992

Good info..

BeachAV8R

Perhaps you have a bad download? That was a problem for a guy at SimOuthouse - he redownloaded it, works fine now.

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/forumdisplay.php?44-FSX-General-Discussion

Whoa, engines changed every day? guess it makes sense though, those things have to see a ton of stress.

I'm curious how often engines get retired though?

Good find, it's certainly a fascinating aircraft!

I can also vouch that the plane has really really weird taxi tendencies. It doesn't ever want to sit still. Whats worse, the parking break doesn't seem to "stick." I was able to VTOL and STOVL just fine, all things considered though.

This looks to be free on PC Pilots CD this month http://www.pcpilot.net/view_issue.asp?ID=1029 or is it just a demo version?