REF MANUAL

DELTA SIMULATIONS
C-17 GLOBEMASTER III
USER MANUAL
Version 1.0
01/30/2022

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. ABOUT THE PROJECT ............................................................................................ 4
1.1 Important links................................................................................................... 4
1.2 Development group........................................................................................... 4
2. CHANGELOG............................................................................................................ 6
3. AIRCRAFT OVERVIEW ............................................................................................ 7
3.1 C-17 Introduction .............................................................................................. 7
3.1.1 Performance ............................................................................................... 7
3.1.2 Aircraft information...................................................................................... 7
3.2 General Arrangement ....................................................................................... 8
3.2.1 Exterior ....................................................................................................... 8
3.2.2 Cockpit........................................................................................................ 9
3.3 Systems Overview ............................................................................................ 9
3.3.1 Display Overview ........................................................................................ 9
3.3.2 Electrical/fuel overview ............................................................................. 11
3.4 Lighting Overview ........................................................................................... 12
3.4.1 External lighting overview ......................................................................... 12
3.4.2 Internal lighting overview .......................................................................... 12
4. FLIGHT PROCEDURES .......................................................................................... 14
4.1 Engine Start-up ............................................................................................... 14
4.2 Taxi ................................................................................................................. 14
4.3 Takeoff ............................................................................................................ 14
4.3.1 Peacetime Operation ................................................................................ 14
4.3.2 Wartime/Tactical Operation ...................................................................... 15
4.4 Climb............................................................................................................... 15
4.5 Cruise/ In route ............................................................................................... 15
4.6 Descent........................................................................................................... 16
4.6.1 Peacetime Operation ................................................................................ 16
4.6.2 Wartime/Tactical Operation ...................................................................... 16
4.7 Landing ........................................................................................................... 17
4.7.1 Peacetime Operation ................................................................................ 17
4.7.2 Wartime/Tactical Operation ...................................................................... 17
4.7.3 Go Around/ Missed Approach ................................................................... 18
4.8 Shut-down .......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.9 Other procedures ............................................................................................ 18
4.9.1 Aerial refueling .......................................................................................... 18
5. OTHER INFORMATION .......................................................................................... 20
5.1 Sim restrictions ............................................................................................... 20
5.2 Further reading/viewing ..................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
5.3 Contributors .................................................................................................... 20

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5.4 Contact and Support information .................................................................... 21

5.5 Donations ........................................................................................................ 22
5.6 Abbreviations ..................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

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1. ABOUT THE PROJECT

Being one of the most widely used military transport aircraft in the world, the C-17
Globemaster has risen to popularity for its unrivalled traits. This has presented a
monumental challenge for our team, and we have dedicated over 9 months to creating a
high fidelity aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator.
This project has went through several huge changes since its conception. It was
originally started by myself (Destroyer121) to offer a fully native alternative to the low-
effort FSX conversion offered on flightsim.to, but has since ballooned into a high fidelity
aircraft and has grown into a team of dedicated developers.

1.1 Important links

- Download:
o https://flightsim.to/file/12408/msfs-native-c-17-globemaster
- Discord:
o https://discord.gg/T99hTme8PS
- Youtube:
o https://www.youtube.com/c/Destroyer121

1.2 Development group

- Destroyer121 (Head developer)
o Modelling
o Lights
o Texture
o Sounds
o Coding
o Promotion
o Display development
o SDK
o Support
o Documentation
- LincolnCFCruz
o Flight model
o Electrical systems
o Fuel systems
o SDK Assistance

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- Jerj100
o SDK Assistance
o Modelling
- Technotech
o Modelling
o Display development
- Nigel
o Display development
- Taco
o Modelling
o Display development
- Qbit
o SDK Assistance
- Variable
o Promotion
o Display development
- Dynamic
o SDK Assistance

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2. CHANGELOG
Changelog of C-17 updates (Starting from newest model)
Version
Date Contributors Description of Change
Number
1.0 30/01/2022 Destroyer121 Baseline Version
Variable
Lincon
Taco
Jerj100
Techno
Nigel
1.1 01/02/2022 Destroyer121 Minor grammatical fixes
X X X X
X X X X
X X X X
X X X X
X X X X
X X X X

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3. AIRCRAFT OVERVIEW
3.1 C-17 Introduction
“The McDonnell Douglas/Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport
aircraft that was developed for the United States Air Force (USAF) from the 1980s to
the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas. The C-17 carries forward the name of two
previous piston-engined military cargo aircraft, the Douglas C-74 Globemaster and the
Douglas C-124 Globemaster II. The C-17 commonly performs tactical and strategic
airlift missions, transporting troops and cargo throughout the world; additional roles
include medical evacuation and airdrop duties. It was designed to replace the Lockheed
C-141 Starlifter, and also fulfill some of the duties of the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy.
The C-17 is powered by four Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofan engines, which are
based on the commercial Pratt and Whitney PW2040 used on the Boeing 757. Each
engine is rated at 40,400 lbf (180 kN) of thrust. The engine's thrust reversers direct
engine exhaust air upwards and forward, reducing the chances of foreign object
damage by ingestion of runway debris, and providing enough reverse thrust to back up
the aircraft while taxiing. The thrust reversers can also be used in flight at idle-reverse
for added drag in maximum-rate descents.”
-Wikipedia

3.1.1 Performance
The design of the aircraft (high-lift wing, slats, and externally blown flaps) allows it to
operate through small, austere airfields. The C-17 can take off and land on runways as
short as 3,500 feet (1,064 meters) and only 90 feet wide (27.4 meters).
With it’s advanced flight control system, the C-17 is incredibly manurable, and is a sight
to behold in low-level areas.

3.1.2 Aircraft information

- Primary Function: Cargo and troop transport
- Power Plant: Four Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofan engines
- Thrust: 40,440 pounds, each engine
- Wingspan: 169 feet 10 inches (to winglet tips) (51.75 meters)
- Speed: 450 knots at 28,000 feet (8,534 meters) (Mach .74)
- Service Ceiling: 45,000 feet at cruising speed (13,716 meters)
- Range: Global with in-flight refueling
- Crew: Three (two pilots and one loadmaster)
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: 585,000 pounds (265,352 kilograms)
- Load: 102 troops/paratroops; 36 litter and 54 ambulatory patients and attendants;
170,900 pounds (77,519 kilograms) of cargo (18 pallet positions)
- Unit Cost: $202.3 million

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3.2 General Arrangement

3.2.1 Exterior

7
2 5
4 6
1

8 10

9
1) Cockpit
2) Crew rest area
3) Cargo compartment
4) Crew entrance door
5) Lavatory
6) Staircase to flight deck
7) Loadmaster station
8) Left paratrooper door (Right not visible)
9) Cargo ramp
10) Cargo walls

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3.2.2 Cockpit

3 10 3
9 9
1 2 1

5
6
7
4

1) Windows (Openable)
2) Front Panel
3) HUDs
4) Pedestal
5) Throttle quadrant
6) Pilot Side console
7) FO Side console
8) Overhead
9) Window Handles
10) MCP Panel

3.3 Systems Overview

The C-17 has been developed to the latest standards for Microsoft Flight Simulator,
using a fully native electrical and fuel system. Our displays have been made with the
input of real-world operators.

3.3.1 Display Overview

3.3.1.1 PFD Controls

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1) Dimming knob- Can be set to OFF, NIGHT, and DAY

2) PFD (Primary Flight Display)
3) ND (Navigation Display)
4) PPI (Not supported)
5) ENG (Engines display)- 2nd press displays additional pages
6) CFG (Config Display)- Displays position and information of major
control surfaces
7) BKGRD (INOP)
8) BRT (Dimming control)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
3.3.1.2 Autopilot Controls

45 6 7 9 10 13 14 16 18
1 3 16 1
2 8 11 12 15 17 2
16
1) Flight Director Toggle
2) HUD Declutter (2 stage)
3) Approach mode
4) Approach path indicator- When activated, it provides a bar that acts as an aiming point for non-standard approaches,
such as cargo drops and unmarked airstrip landings. Set in increments of 1 to 10 degrees
5) Auto-spoiler toggle
6) Toggle auto throttle Mach/IAS hold
7) Autopilot speed select
8) Autopilot speed select toggle
9) Autopilot heading select
10) Autopilot Bank limit select
11) Autopilot heading hold
12) Lateral Navigation toggle
13) Auto Throttle toggle
14) Autopilot toggle
15) Altitude hold
16) Vertical speed select
17) Vertical speed activate
18) Altitude select
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3.3.1.3 HUD Controls

3 1) HUD Main switch- Day, night, off

2) HUD Brightness
3) Raise/Lower HUD

1 2

3.3.1.4 Centre Console Controls

1) Cargo door position- 3 Position. Close shuts cargo and entrance,

2 Air drop lowers cargo door to airdrop position, open opens both cargo
and side entrance and lowers ramp.
1 3 2) Open left paratrooper door
3) Open right paratrooper door

1 1
1) Toggle in-air reversers
2) Toggle TOGA (Below engine #3 lever)
3) Toggle auto-throttle
3
2

3.3.2 Electrical/fuel overview

We are currently developing the fuel and electrical system for this aircraft.

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3.4 Lighting Overview

We have produced the C-17 to a high standard of visual effects, including the lighting
systems. These have been custom made for this aircraft and is the culmination of many
hours of research and development.

3.4.1 External lighting overview

All lighting is symmetrical

7 1) Navigation lights
2) Taxi/landing lights (Retractable)
6 2a) Retract R landing light
1 2b) Retract fuselage landing light

2 2c) Retract L landing light

3) Wing lights
5 4) Taxi (Symmetrical)
5) Slime/formation lighting
6) Aerial Position Lighting (A/R Flood)

4 8
7) Beacon lights
3 1
7 8) Strobe lighting

5 2

2 2a 2b 2c 1 8 5 3/6

3.4.2 Internal lighting overview

4
5
1
2
3 6

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All lighting is symmetrical

1) Crew rest flood
2) Breaker panel flood

4 2 3) Observer map
4) Cockpit floor flood
5) Pedestal flood
6) Pilot/Co-pilot flood
1 7) Cockpit flood
8) Panel lighting

;= 3 5
7

8
6

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4. FLIGHT PROCEDURES
4.1 Engine Start-up
We are still working on start-up procedures for the moment.
1) External Power- Connected
2) Battery Switch- ON
3) Beacon Lights- ON
4) Surrounding area of aircraft- CLEAR
5) Engine Ignition- CLICK
a. Wait for spool-up, check status with engine display
6) In order to comply with safety requirements, ensure that at least one display has
the PFD open.
7) HUD- Open
a. Brightness- Adjust to environment

4.2 Taxi
1) Landing lights- ON
2) Landing light position- EXTEND
3) Control surfaces- CHECKED
a. Use CFG page on PFD
4) Obstacles around aircraft- CHECKED
5) Taxi clearance- ISSUED
6) Parking brake- RELEASED

4.3 Takeoff
The C-17 is capable of high performance takeoffs to quickly escape from potential
warzone threats.

4.3.1 Peacetime Operation

1) Control Surfaces- CHECKED
2) Clearance- ISSUED
3) Flaps- ½
4) Run engines up to 70% and hold for 10 seconds. Wait for it to stabilize.
5) Throttle to 80-100% and release brakes to commence takeoff roll

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6) At V2/Rotate velocity tilt nose to a 10 degree angle. Maintain heading until clear
of runway
7) Raise landing gear

4.3.2 Wartime/Tactical Operation

1) Control Surfaces- CHECKED
2) Clearance- ISSUED
3) Flaps- ½
4) Run engines to 70% and hold for 10 seconds. Wait for it to stabilize.
5) Throttle to 100% and release brakes
6) At V2/Rotate Lift nose to a 15 degree angle.
7) Retract gear
8) At 100 feet raise nose to 20 degrees. Attempt to maintain an airspeed of ~240
knots until 10 thousand

4.4 Climb
1) After passing 10 thousand:
a. Landing lights- OFF
b. Landing lights position- RETRACT
2) If using autopilot:
a. Flight Director- ON
b. Altitude hold- ON
i. Adjust selected altitude to desired height
c. LNav/Heading hold- ON
i. Bank limit (If needed)- Selected
d. Auto-throttle- ON
i. Auto throttle speed select- ON
ii. Adjust to selected speed
3) Anti-ice systems (If needed)

4.5 Cruise/ In route

1) At altitude- Ensure autopilot is correctly configured
2) Adjust displays to preference

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4.6 Descent
The C-17 is capable of impressive descents using it’s in-air reversers. We have
simulated this feature on our aircraft.

4.6.1 Peacetime Operation

1) Descend following your flight plan.
2) Upon passing 10 thousand feet:
a. Landing lights position- EXTEND
b. Landing lights- ON
c. Speed- Less than 250
3) Retract flaps for desired airspeed

4.6.2 Wartime/Tactical Operation

1) At top of descent:
a. Speed- 250
b. Flaps- 8 degrees
2) To begin descent:
a. Autopilot- OFF
b. Auto throttle- OFF
c. Advance throttles to idle, then activate reverse thrust using:
i. MAX button on engine display (Under displays in center panel)
ii. Hitbox on engine #2 and #3 throttles
d. Use engine displays to ensure that REV/ Reverse thrust is functioning
e. Aim for descent rate of 10-14k feet per minute
3) Upon passing 10 thousand feet:
a. Landing lights position- EXTEND
b. Landing lights- ON
c. Speed- Less than 250
4) At 1 thousand feet over level-off altitude:
a. Reverse thrust- OFF
i. Use same controls as to enable it
b. Autopilot and auto throttle may now be engaged

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4.7 Landing
Using its externally blown flaps, the C17 can slow to impressive speeds allowing it to
land in miniscule runways for its size.

4.7.1 Peacetime Operation

1) Passing 1 thousand feet:
a. Gear down
b. Flaps ¾
c. Flight Path Vector: Aligned with runway
2) Arm spoilers
3) Position Flight Path Vector at 1-1.5 degrees
4) Use throttles to adjust sink rate
5) Watch for windshear
6) Aim for touchdown speed of 240 feet per minute
7) On touchdown, bring throttles to reverse
a. If carrying more than 165,000 pounds of total fuel, delay braking until nose
gear touchdown
8) Move throttles to idle after decelerating past 70 knots and slow to taxi speed

4.7.2 Wartime/Tactical Operation

The C-17 is capable of impressive assault landings on unmarked, dirt strips. It’s unique
thrust reversers prevent FOD from being ingested into the engine.
1) Passing 1 thousand feet:
a. Gear down
b. Flaps full
c. Approach Path Vector- Lower to preferred decent rate
2) Arm spoilers
3) Position Flight Path Vector on API- Use engine power to keep aimpoint
4) Use throttles to adjust sink rate
5) When entering ground effect, adjust power to keep FPV at 1.5-2 degrees
6) Watch for windshear
7) Aim for touchdown speed of 360 feet per minute
8) On touchdown, bring throttles to reverse

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a. If carrying more than 165,000 pounds of total fuel, delay braking until nose
gear touchdown

4.7.3 Go Around/ Missed Approach

The decision to make a go around should be made as early as possible.
1) Set throttles to TOGA/Max power
2) Flaps- 1/2
3) Avoid a pitch attitude greater than 20 degrees to avoid damaging the ramp
4) After a positive rate of climb is achieved, raise the gear

4.8 Shut down

1) Parking brake- ON
2) Doors- OPEN
3) Landing lights- RETRACTED
4) External power- ON
5) Anti ice- OFF
6) Flaps- AS REQUIRED
7) Engine fuel- CUT
a. Watch engine display to verify proper shutdown

4.9 Other procedures

4.9.1 Aerial refueling
While it does not function in-game, it is possible to simulate contact and refueling using
the in-game fuel menu and another aircraft in multiplayer. With the addition of the Aero
Dynamics KC-10 there will be a large group of communities interested in simulating this
spectacle.
1) Tanker- IN SIGHT
2) Maintain 1000 feet of altitude separation unless
visual contact and positive identification has been
made
3) Upon verification and when approaching the tanker,
maintain 1000 feet of vertical separation until 1nm
away.
4) In the C-17, typical refueling happens at 275 knots.
When approaching the tanker, maintain a rate of
closure of 1ft/sec to avoid any extra turbulence

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5) When within 1nm, open the AR door by clicking the green button located on the
overhead, at the top of the fuel control panel.

4.9.1.1 Breakaway descent

1) Throttles- IDLE
2) Speed Brakes- EXTEND
3) Angle FPV to 1-2 degrees down

END OF FLIGHT PROCEDURES

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5. OTHER INFORMATION
5.1 Sim restrictions
The performance of the C-17 Globemaster presents a variety of challenges to any
developer. The performance of this aircraft is unique because of its externally blown
flaps, electronic flight controls, and in-air reverser capabilities. Through dozens of hours
of work, we have crafted what we believe is the most accurate C-17 flight model created
for a flight simulator, though there still are some indiscrepancies that we simply cannot
simulate as intended in this environment, some of which are listed below.

Externally blown flaps:

One of the defining characteristics of the C-17 is it’s flaps, placed directly behind the
engines. When extended, they re-direct the engine’s airflow, allowing for astounding
performance at low speeds. Unfortunately the sim does not recognize those abilities, so
have had to improvise with the existing flight model controls. The aircraft looses much of
its handling at low levels and cannot land at the correct speeds per the reference
manuals. While this is not a glaring issue, we will continually look for alternatives.

Spoilers:
The C-17 has a sophisticated system that automates the use of speed brakes. Pilots of
the aircraft can use it for low-level maneuvering, adjusting descent rate, and much
more. Unfortunately the sim restricts much of what we need to properly simulate it, so
we have resorted to simple on/off control of the aircraft. We have enabled auto spoilers,
however that is just a taste of the many functions they have.

In-air reverse thrust:

Microsoft blocks any reverse input with airliners in-air, as there are few aircraft where
that is functional. Unfortunately, that makes it much more complicated to enable it. What
we have done is code an external module that activates when a key-bind is activated.
See Systems Overview for more information of how that operates.

5.2 TROUBLESHOOTING
Please refer to the #c-17 faq channel on my discord for the latest troubleshooting help.

If the HUD is blurry:

Make sure your anti-aliasing is set to "FXAA"

5.3 Contributors
This project would not have been possible without the invaluable support of so many
individuals. This list will not be able to cover all of the important people who have helped

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visualize our goal. We thank each and every one of those who have helped along the
way, and who will continue to help as this project evolves.
- SlyBlackheart
- Taco
- Jerj100
- Lincon
- JTR
- Technotech
- TheAlx
- Theyoyomaster
- Kenny McCormic
- Jonx
- Qbit
- Variable
- Nigel
- Sinner
- Dynamic
- Ashley Robinson
Again, this list is in no way a complete list of all of the amazing individuals who have
helped realize this project, and is in no particular order.

5.4 Contact and Support information

Delta Simulations will attempt and answer inquiries about this project in the list that it is
received in. Please only make inquiries on the official download site and discord for this
aircraft. If you have downloaded it from an un-approved source, we will not receive
responses for your inquiries.

For contact and support:

https://discord.gg/nu54XBtkKW

For business/promotional inquiries please contact:

Zubin N at
[email protected]
OR
Destroyer121#2646

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5.5 Donations
Donations are always appreciated as they help subsidize the cost of development.
Donors help finance the applications required to realize our goals for the C-17, and so
are highly influential to our success. If you donate to this project, rest assured that it will
make a difference, no matter the size. Donators get special access to behind-the-
scenes updates before anyone else, along with an exclusive role on our server.
Donation link:
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/destroyer121

END OF DOCUMENT

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