Start here
A few places to begin, from the aircraft’s story to the people who fly it.
Aircraft and simulator background
The Archangel portrays a Cold War high-speed reconnaissance jet with twin afterburning turboramjets, a titanium airframe and blended delta wings. KwikFlight's product description includes staged afterburners and triethylborane ignition.
KwikFlight Archangel
KwikFlight · Read more ↗The reconnaissance simulation
KwikFlight describes twin turboramjet engines with staged afterburners and TEB igniters. The package's period autopilot and flight director include Pitch, Mach/Speed Hold, Roll, Heading and Auto-Nav modes. A reconnaissance suite provides tactical-camera and electro-optical views, with simulated infrared modes.
KwikFlight Archangel
KwikFlight · Read more ↗SR-71 control-system reference
The linked SR-71 flight manual describes irreversible hydraulic controls with artificial feel. Pitch and roll trim actuators sit downstream of the feel springs and do not displace the stick. This paragraph describes the reference aircraft's mechanism; KwikFlight documents its own simulated controls separately.
KwikFlight Archangel
Blackbird Simulations · Read more ↗Meet KwikFlight Archangel
The Archangel portrays a Cold War high-speed reconnaissance jet with twin afterburning turboramjets, a titanium airframe and blended delta wings. KwikFlight's product description includes staged afterburners and triethylborane ignition.
Its simulated cockpit provides pitch, Mach/speed, roll, heading and automatic-navigation modes, with TACAN and VOR navigation. Ground support includes an access ladder, external power and separate engine-start carts.
KwikFlight Archangel
KwikFlight → · Explore the family →
KwikFlight Archangel
KwikFlight · Archangel exact product review ↗Aircraft type designators
No type designator selected for this reference.
History & design
A simulation of high-altitude reconnaissance
KwikFlight presents Archangel as an interpretation of Cold War supersonic reconnaissance for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Its development emphasis is Mach 3-class flight, twin afterburning engines and a period-style cockpit. Those are claims about the supplied simulation; the Blackbird aircraft’s service history and engineering sources remain distinct.
KwikFlight · Archangel exact product review ↗KwikFlight developer product description; simulator design
Recreating the support around the aircraft
Archangel includes simulated start carts, external power and a crew ladder, along with reconnaissance displays and refuelling features. Its autopilot provides pitch, speed or Mach, roll, heading and automatic navigation modes. These details describe the experience the developer chose to reproduce without implying that another developer’s SR-71 manual applies to this implementation.
KwikFlight · Archangel exact product review ↗Developer-listed product scope; checked 2026-10-12
Systems & details
The reconnaissance simulation
KwikFlight describes twin turboramjet engines with staged afterburners and TEB igniters. The package's period autopilot and flight director include Pitch, Mach/Speed Hold, Roll, Heading and Auto-Nav modes. A reconnaissance suite provides tactical-camera and electro-optical views, with simulated infrared modes.
SR-71 control-system reference
The linked SR-71 flight manual describes irreversible hydraulic controls with artificial feel. Pitch and roll trim actuators sit downstream of the feel springs and do not displace the stick. This paragraph describes the reference aircraft's mechanism; KwikFlight documents its own simulated controls separately.
In your simulator
Systems, equipment and documentation for each developer’s aircraft.
MSFS 2024KwikFlight Archangel
KwikFlight · Released
KwikFlight Archangel
KwikFlight · Released
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.
Developer documentation
Archangel exact product reviewKwikFlight Archangel
Exact aircraft systems and release description
KwikFlight · Read the source ↗Developer manual
SR71A current developer manualKwikFlight Archangel
Original flight manual printed1-94 and1-96 / PDF124 and127, visually reviewed
Blackbird Simulations · Read the source ↗Read the original documentation from the people who created it. Manuals open on their publisher’s website.
Developer documentation
Archangel exact product reviewKwikFlight · Exact aircraft systems and release descriptionDeveloper manual
SR71A current developer manualBlackbird Simulations · Original flight manual printed1-94 and1-96 / PDF124 and127, visually reviewedBuilt-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 · 1 profile choice
KwikFlight Archangel
KwikFlight · Free and Pro · Revision 2 · Inherited starting point
MSFS 2024
A high-speed reconnaissance rendition with twin afterburning engines and period navigation equipment.
KwikFlight Archangel
A high-speed reconnaissance rendition with twin afterburning engines and period navigation equipment.
Aircraft and simulator scope
- KwikFlight Archangel · KwikFlight · MSFS 2024 · Add-on starting point
The simulator model and controls
KwikFlight Archangel is the selected KwikFlight configuration.
How this profile feels
The spring stays independent of airspeed. A separate aerodynamic term adds speed-dependent control load.
Pitch-trim relief is off. Autopilot following is off.
Aircraft and configuration
The Archangel portrays a Cold War high-speed reconnaissance jet with twin afterburning turboramjets, a titanium airframe and blended delta wings. KwikFlight's product description includes staged afterburners and triethylborane ignition.
The reconnaissance simulation
KwikFlight describes twin turboramjet engines with staged afterburners and TEB igniters. The package's period autopilot and flight director include Pitch, Mach/Speed Hold, Roll, Heading and Auto-Nav modes. A reconnaissance suite provides tactical-camera and electro-optical views, with simulated infrared modes.
SR-71 control-system reference
The linked SR-71 flight manual describes irreversible hydraulic controls with artificial feel. Pitch and roll trim actuators sit downstream of the feel springs and do not displace the stick. This paragraph describes the reference aircraft's mechanism; KwikFlight documents its own simulated controls separately.
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
InheritedKwikFlight Archangel is the selected KwikFlight configuration.
Flight controls
InheritedA high-speed reconnaissance rendition with twin afterburning engines and period navigation equipment.
Trim
InheritedThe linked SR-71 flight manual describes irreversible hydraulic controls with artificial feel. Pitch relief is off, with stored authority 0; roll authority is 0.
Autopilot and stability
InheritedAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel.
Equipment
InheritedThe Archangel portrays a Cold War high-speed reconnaissance jet with twin afterburning turboramjets, a titanium airframe and blended delta wings. KwikFlight's product description includes staged afterburners and triethylborane ignition.
Speeds and limits
InheritedThe indicated-speed references set the profile response scale; they are separate from aircraft operating limits.
Simulator integration
InheritedThe profile targets 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 whyKwikFlight describes twin turboramjet engines with staged afterburners and TEB igniters. The baseline spring is 0.74. Low-speed spring blending is off. |
| 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 value0.25 | What it controls and whyThe aerodynamic-load gain is 0.25 with an indicated-speed reference of 300 KIAS. The hydraulic-load factor of 0.35 scales that modeled term; it is a selected artificial-feel approximation. |
| Force tuning speed/reference | Starting value300 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 valueDisabled | 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 whyKwikFlight describes twin turboramjet engines with staged afterburners and TEB igniters. The baseline spring is 0.74. Low-speed spring blending is off. |
| 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 value0.25 | What it controls and whyThe aerodynamic-load gain is 0.25 with an indicated-speed reference of 300 KIAS. The hydraulic-load factor of 0.35 scales that modeled term; it is a selected artificial-feel approximation. |
| 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 valueDisabled | 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 value300 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 | What it controls and whyThe high-speed spring-stiffening gain is 0. No additional speed-driven stiffening is added; this does not disable independent aerodynamic loading. |
| 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 valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAllows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| Elevator Authority | Starting value0 | What it controls and whyThe linked SR-71 flight manual describes irreversible hydraulic controls with artificial feel. Pitch relief is off, with stored authority 0; roll authority is 0. |
| Aileron Authority | Starting value0 | 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 | 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 valueDisabled | What it controls and whyEnables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | 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 | 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
- Irreversible hydraulic elevons with spring feel. Estimated lighter lateral gradient, no dynamic-pressure surface backdrive. Real asymmetric travel/loads are not reproduced by a symmetric commodity base.
- Pitch and roll trim operate downstream of the feel springs; neither changes stick neutral. All trim-neutral and input-compensation paths disabled.
- AFCS/CSC/SAS remain aircraft-owned. No qualified inceptor demand; follow/hold disabled, including during known early-access navigation issues.
- KwikFlight implementation remains separate; its input trim sensitivity does not change the documented real stick-neutral relationship. Surface limiters and shaker/pusher require explicit validated output telemetry before hardware actuation.
- 300 KIAS is an estimated control-feel reference, not cruise TAS, V-speeds or an operating limit.
- Spring 0.74, lateral scale 0.45, trim relief 0/0; 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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