Start here
A few places to begin, from the aircraft’s story to the people who fly it.
Aircraft and configuration
The Dash 7 has four turboprops, retractable landing gear and hydraulically operated multi-segment wing flaps. Its primary pitch and roll controls use cables with geared and spring tabs. Hydraulic systems operate the roll spoilers and rudder.
de Havilland Canada DHC-7 Dash 7
PT Pelita Air Service · Read more ↗Meet de Havilland Canada DHC-7 Dash 7
The Dash 7 has four turboprops, retractable landing gear and hydraulically operated multi-segment wing flaps. Its primary pitch and roll controls use cables with geared and spring tabs. Hydraulic systems operate the roll spoilers and rudder.
History & design
From bush aircraft to regional transport
De Havilland Canada describes the 1960s as a transition from military aircraft sales toward commuter and regional airlines. The Dash 7 followed that shift, extending a company lineage established by aircraft such as the Beaver, Otter and Caribou.
De Havilland Canada · De Havilland Canada company history ↗Manufacturer chronology: 1960s–1970s
The Downsview prototype
Developed with Canadian government funding, the Dash 7 prototype was unveiled at Downsview in 1975. It first flew on 27 March that year, shortly before the manufacturer marked its fiftieth anniversary in 1978.
De Havilland Canada · De Havilland Canada company history ↗Manufacturer chronology: 1960s–1970s
Systems & details
Controls and equipment
The operating manual describes pitch trim and a trim tab on the right aileron.
Two panel configurations
PILOT'S offers steam-gauge and GPS panels for MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024.
Choosing a navigation fit
PILOT’S includes an original analogue-instrument version of the Dash 7 as well as support for TDS GTNXi, PMS50 GTN and GNS 530 navigation integrations. These choices change the cockpit’s navigation equipment while retaining the four-engine regional aircraft as their basis. The product listing identifies quick-start documentation and describes the represented aircraft’s short-field role. Navigation integrations are add-on configuration options; they do not establish that every real Dash 7 carried the same panel.
In your simulator
No released simulator product is listed for this aircraft in the developers reviewed. Announced products are excluded.
Manuals & resources
Find your next read
Choose a topic for a short introduction and a link to the original source. Simulator references identify the developer and edition they cover.
Aircraft systems
Controls and equipmentde Havilland Canada DHC-7 Dash 7
The operating manual describes pitch trim and a trim tab on the right aileron.
Aircraft operating manual · section 8.14, flight controls
PT Pelita Air Service · Read the source ↗Simulator documentation
Two panel configurationsde Havilland Canada DHC-7 Dash 7
PILOT'S offers steam-gauge and GPS panels for MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024.
Dash 7 product · included panels
PILOT'S · Read the source ↗Read the original documentation from the people who created it. Manuals open on their publisher’s website.
Aircraft documentation
de Havilland Canada DHC-7 Dash 7 — aircraft documentationPT Pelita Air Service · Aircraft operating manual · section 8.14, flight controlsSimulator documentation
de Havilland Canada DHC-7 Dash 7 — simulator documentationPILOT'S · Dash 7 product · included panelsAircraft history
De Havilland Canada company historyDe Havilland Canada · Manufacturer chronology: 1960s–1970sBuilt-in force-feedback profiles
Read the documentary basis, editable starting settings and remaining questions for the aircraft you fly. Each explanation refers to the exact profile revision shown.
Catalogue programme-20261011-v3 · 3 profile choices
PILOT'S Dash 7 GPS panel
PILOT'S · Free and Pro · Revision 2 · Inherited starting point
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024
A four-turboprop transport with geared control tabs and hydraulic wing flaps.
PILOT'S Dash 7 steam gauges
PILOT'S · Free and Pro · Revision 2 · Inherited starting point
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024
A four-turboprop transport with geared control tabs and hydraulic wing flaps.
de Havilland Canada DHC-7 Dash 7
Free and Pro · Revision 1 · Partial review
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024 · X-Plane 12
A four-turboprop transport with geared control tabs and hydraulic wing flaps.
PILOT'S Dash 7 steam gauges
A four-turboprop transport with geared control tabs and hydraulic wing flaps.
Aircraft and simulator scope
- PILOT'S Dash 7 steam gauges · PILOT'S · MSFS 2020 · Add-on starting point
- PILOT'S Dash 7 steam gauges · PILOT'S · MSFS 2024 · Add-on starting point
The simulator model and controls
PILOT'S Dash 7 steam gauges is the selected PILOT'S configuration.
How this profile feels
Spring resistance builds with the selected airspeed response. A separate aerodynamic term adds speed-dependent control load.
Valid trim provides the configured pressure relief. Autopilot following is off.
Aircraft and configuration
The Dash 7 has four turboprops, retractable landing gear and hydraulically operated multi-segment wing flaps. Its primary pitch and roll controls use cables with geared and spring tabs. Hydraulic systems operate the roll spoilers and rudder.
Controls and equipment
The operating manual describes pitch trim and a trim tab on the right aileron.
About the values
Strengths are normalized hardware-feel settings. They set the effect balance; hand force depends on the device and its limits. The IAS reference is a tuning value.
Documentary review and sources
These decisions describe the documentary basis and remaining gaps for this revision. Aircraft documentation and a starting setting describe different kinds of evidence.
Aircraft and variant
InheritedPILOT'S Dash 7 steam gauges is the selected PILOT'S configuration.
Flight controls
InheritedA four-turboprop transport with geared control tabs and hydraulic wing flaps.
Trim
InheritedThe operating manual describes pitch trim and a trim tab on the right aileron. Pitch authority 0.3 provides load relief and permitted centre movement; roll authority is 0.12.
Autopilot and stability
InheritedAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel.
Equipment
InheritedThe Dash 7 has four turboprops, retractable landing gear and hydraulically operated multi-segment wing flaps. Its primary pitch and roll controls use cables with geared and spring tabs. Hydraulic systems operate the roll spoilers and rudder.
Speeds and limits
InheritedThe indicated-speed references set the profile response scale; they are separate from aircraft operating limits.
Simulator integration
InheritedThe profile targets msfs2020, msfs2024. Add-on-specific controls use only the supported references configured by this profile.
Force-feedback settings
InheritedThe settings define the profile’s effect balance. Device output limits affect physical hand force.
Starting settings and their rationale
These configured values are starting estimates. The explanations describe what each setting controls; physical validation appears separately below.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | Starting value0.74 | What it controls and whyThe operating manual describes pitch trim and a trim tab on the right aileron. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 65 KIAS. |
| Master force gain | Starting value0.85 | What it controls and whyScales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| Profile force gain | Starting value0.8 | What it controls and whyThe aerodynamic-load gain is 0.8 with an indicated-speed reference of 160 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring. |
| Force tuning speed/reference | Starting value160 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| Spring response reference speed | Starting value65 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| Aileron force scale | Starting value0.72 | What it controls and whyRoll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.72 and 1, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Elevator force scale | Starting value1 | What it controls and whyScales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Trim feel | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyRetained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| Trim relief | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| Autopilot follow | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. |
| Autopilot neutral hold | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Output force limit | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyCaps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
All 44 starting settings and their rationale
The settings define the profile’s effect balance. Device output limits affect physical hand force.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | Starting value0.74 | What it controls and whyThe operating manual describes pitch trim and a trim tab on the right aileron. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 65 KIAS. |
| Spring deadband | Starting value0.04 | What it controls and whySets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner. |
| Profile force gain | Starting value0.8 | What it controls and whyThe aerodynamic-load gain is 0.8 with an indicated-speed reference of 160 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring. |
| Master force gain | Starting value0.85 | What it controls and whyScales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| QBlend Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it. |
| QSpring Minimum Factor | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whySets low-speed spring strength as a fraction of baseline when blending is enabled. One keeps full strength. |
| QSpring Start Knots | Starting value8 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed spring blend starts rising. This is a feel threshold, not a flight limit. |
| Spring response reference speed | Starting value65 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| Force tuning speed/reference | Starting value160 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening gain | Starting value0.15 | What it controls and whyThe high-speed spring-stiffening gain is 0.15. It strengthens the permitted spring response above 65 KIAS, with the squared-speed ratio capped at 5. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening limit | Starting value5 | What it controls and whyLimits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap. |
| Aileron force scale | Starting value0.72 | What it controls and whyRoll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.72 and 1, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Elevator force scale | Starting value1 | What it controls and whyScales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Output force limit | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyCaps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
| Trim feel | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyRetained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| Trim relief | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| Elevator Authority | Starting value0.3 | What it controls and whyThe operating manual describes pitch trim and a trim tab on the right aileron. Pitch authority 0.3 provides load relief and permitted centre movement; roll authority is 0.12. |
| Aileron Authority | Starting value0.12 | What it controls and whyScales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response. |
| Force Trim Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyEnables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification. |
| GLoad Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it. |
| Rate Damping Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law. |
| Autopilot follow | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. |
| Autopilot follow authority | Starting value0.1 | What it controls and whySets admitted AP-follow gain, not a percentage of travel. Runtime ownership and input limits still apply. |
| Autopilot neutral hold | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Autopilot neutral hold strength | Starting value0.6 | What it controls and whySets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions. |
| Gain | Starting value0.35 | What it controls and whySets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets flap buffet at the configured position and speed gates. Flap movement texture is separate. |
| Maximum flap index | Starting value3 | What it controls and whySets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3. |
| Minimum flap index | Starting value2 | What it controls and whySets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate. |
| Shaker Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment. |
| Stick shaker amplitude | Starting value0.5 | What it controls and whySets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry. |
| Gain | Starting value0.4 | What it controls and whySets rolling texture strength, modified by speed, surface and undercarriage configuration. |
| Gain | Starting value0.25 | What it controls and whySets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact. |
| Gain | Starting value0.65 | What it controls and whySets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets reverse-thrust vibration with valid reverser and engine conditions. Zero removes the cue. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry. |
| Gain | Starting value0.12 | What it controls and whySets estimated engine vibration using configured telemetry and response, not measured cockpit vibration. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement. |
| Gain | Starting value0.12 | What it controls and whySets texture from observed flap movement; a command without movement does not establish the cue. |
| Gain | Starting value0.025 | What it controls and whySets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects. |
Limits and open questions
- Manual tab-assisted pitch/roll yoke with restrained q-dependent force. Powered spoilers augment roll but do not make the primary controls hydraulic.
- Pitch and roll tab-relief estimates; exact movement-to-neutral calibration remains unmeasured.
- Panel/navigator choices do not change the physical servo contract; follow/hold off.
- Version1.78 supersedes old incomplete flight-model descriptions. Actual accessory position only; no invented automatic spoiler or hydraulic-failure force.
- 160 KIAS is an estimated control-feel reference, not cruise TAS, V-speeds or an operating limit.
- Spring 0.74, lateral scale 0.65, trim relief 0.23/0.12; editable estimates, not measured hand forces.
- Physical and installed-aircraft checks are deferred. Save this profile as the aircraft default if telemetry omits its developer or configuration.
- Only actual accessory-position changes drive movement textures. No pressure-dependent failures, guessed servo outputs or input compensation.
Physical validation
No physical force validation is recorded in this public catalogue for this revision. Documentary review and software checks do not establish how a particular device feels.
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