DE HAVILLAND / GENERAL AVIATION

de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth

A small passenger biplane with a Gipsy Major and a purpose-built wooden cabin.

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Prototype first flight29 January 1932
EngineGipsy Major
Wing storageFolding wings
Package configurationsStandard / Modified / Float
Simulator ecosystemsMSFS
YOUR AIRCRAFT COMPANION

Start here

A few places to begin, from the aircraft’s story to the people who fly it.

Aircraft background

Aircraft and simulator background

The Fox Moth combined components from the Tiger Moth with a purpose-built wooden, plywood-covered fuselage for passenger flying. Designed in late 1931, its prototype flew on 29 January 1932. Gipsy Major power and folding wings accompanied the small transport layout.

de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth

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Aircraft systems

Wheel and float configurations

The handbook identifies a Gipsy Major, fixed gear and no flaps. Wheeled aircraft have no steerable tailwheel in this description, while the float fit has its own equipment. The shared manual leaves the Modified model's precise engine and control differences open.

de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth

Developer · Read more ↗
Aircraft systems

Cockpit and handbook figures

The developer cockpit identifies the stick and elevator-trim lever. The handbook quotes 50 mph takeoff, 66 mph climb, 94 mph cruise and 125 mph dive figures, whose labels and mph units are kept separate.

de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth

Developer · Read more ↗
THE AIRCRAFT

Meet de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth

The Fox Moth combined components from the Tiger Moth with a purpose-built wooden, plywood-covered fuselage for passenger flying. Designed in late 1931, its prototype flew on 29 January 1932. Gipsy Major power and folding wings accompanied the small transport layout.

Flight Replicas supplies standard, modified and float versions. Its handbook identifies direct stick controls and an elevator-trim lever; exact engine and control differences in the Modified model are not detailed by that shared handbook.

FAMILY, MODELS & VARIANTS

de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth

de Havilland → · Explore the family →

Aircraft type designators

No type designator selected for this reference.

HOW IT CAME TO BE

History & design

A small passenger aircraft from trainer components

The DH.83 was designed in late 1931 around economical passenger transport. Engine, tail and wing components came from the DH.82, attached to a new wooden fuselage. After its 29 January 1932 first flight, the prototype went to Canada and further examples were assembled in Toronto. British operators used the type for short passenger and feeder flights.

Developer · de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth — developer reference ↗

DH.83 manual; PDF p.2 History; pp.3–4 cockpit and trim; pp.8–9 handbook figures

UNDER THE SKIN

Systems & details

Wheel and float configurations

The handbook identifies a Gipsy Major, fixed gear and no flaps. Wheeled aircraft have no steerable tailwheel in this description, while the float fit has its own equipment. The shared manual leaves the Modified model's precise engine and control differences open.

DH.83 manual; PDF p.2 History; pp.3–4 cockpit and trim; pp.8–9 handbook figures
Developer · de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth — developer reference ↗

Cockpit and handbook figures

The developer cockpit identifies the stick and elevator-trim lever. The handbook quotes 50 mph takeoff, 66 mph climb, 94 mph cruise and 125 mph dive figures, whose labels and mph units are kept separate.

DH.83 manual; PDF p.2 History; pp.3–4 cockpit and trim; pp.8–9 handbook figures
Developer · de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth — developer reference ↗
VIRTUAL VERSIONS

In your simulator

Systems, equipment and documentation for each developer’s aircraft.

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MSFS 2020

Flight Replicas DH.83 Fox Moth Wheels

Flight Replicas · Released

MSFS 2020Third-party add-on

Aircraft

Wheel and float configurations

The handbook identifies a Gipsy Major, fixed gear and no flaps. Wheeled aircraft have no steerable tailwheel in this description, while the float fit has its own equipment. The shared manual leaves the Modified model's precise engine and control differences open.

Developer · de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth — developer reference ↗

DH.83 manual; PDF p.2 History; pp.3–4 cockpit and trim; pp.8–9 handbook figures

Cockpit and handbook figures

The developer cockpit identifies the stick and elevator-trim lever. The handbook quotes 50 mph takeoff, 66 mph climb, 94 mph cruise and 125 mph dive figures, whose labels and mph units are kept separate.

Developer · de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth — developer reference ↗

DH.83 manual; PDF p.2 History; pp.3–4 cockpit and trim; pp.8–9 handbook figures

MSFS 2020

Flight Replicas DH.83 Fox Moth Floats

Flight Replicas · Released

MSFS 2020Third-party add-on

Aircraft

Wheel and float configurations

The handbook identifies a Gipsy Major, fixed gear and no flaps. Wheeled aircraft have no steerable tailwheel in this description, while the float fit has its own equipment. The shared manual leaves the Modified model's precise engine and control differences open.

Developer · de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth — developer reference ↗

DH.83 manual; PDF p.2 History; pp.3–4 cockpit and trim; pp.8–9 handbook figures

Cockpit and handbook figures

The developer cockpit identifies the stick and elevator-trim lever. The handbook quotes 50 mph takeoff, 66 mph climb, 94 mph cruise and 125 mph dive figures, whose labels and mph units are kept separate.

Developer · de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth — developer reference ↗

DH.83 manual; PDF p.2 History; pp.3–4 cockpit and trim; pp.8–9 handbook figures

GO TO THE SOURCE

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 manual

de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth — developer referencede Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth

DH.83 manual; PDF p.2 History; pp.3–4 cockpit and trim; pp.8–9 handbook figures

Developer · Read the source ↗

Developer documentation

de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth — developer referencede Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth

Original owner post1,June9,2023 package screenshots

Developer · Read the source ↗
de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth — developer referencede Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth

MSFS collection, distinct from legacy hangar

Developer · Read the source ↗
de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth — developer referencede Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth

Aircraft features and simulator package description

Developer · Read the source ↗

Read the original documentation from the people who created it. Manuals open on their publisher’s website.

Developer manual

↗de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth — developer referenceDeveloper · DH.83 manual; PDF p.2 History; pp.3–4 cockpit and trim; pp.8–9 handbook figures

Developer documentation

↗de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth — developer referenceDeveloper · Original owner post1,June9,2023 package screenshots ↗de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth — developer referenceDeveloper · MSFS collection, distinct from legacy hangar ↗de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth — developer referenceDeveloper · Aircraft features and simulator package description
AIRCRAFT AND FEEL

Built-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 · 4 profile choices

FFB-BRIDGE BUILT-IN PROFILE

de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth Straight Floats

Free and ProRevision 1Partial review

A small passenger biplane with a Gipsy Major and a purpose-built wooden cabin.

Aircraft and simulator scope

  • de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth Straight Floats · MSFS 2020 · Variant starting point
  • de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth Straight Floats · MSFS 2024 · Variant starting point
  • de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth Straight Floats · X-Plane 12 · Variant starting point

Universal named airframe/configuration; intended MSFS2020/MSFS2024/XP12 starting point, not add-on or edition acceptance. · Physical facts and prior documentary review are reused from their archived dated sources; new market availability is not inferred.

The simulator model and controls

A small passenger biplane with a Gipsy Major and a purpose-built wooden cabin.

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

Gipsy Major engine, fixed straight floats and no flaps.

Wheel and float configurations

The handbook identifies a Gipsy Major, fixed gear and no flaps. Wheeled aircraft have no steerable tailwheel in this description, while the float fit has its own equipment. The shared manual leaves the Modified model's precise engine and control differences open.

Cockpit and handbook figures

The developer cockpit identifies the stick and elevator-trim lever. The handbook quotes 50 mph takeoff, 66 mph climb, 94 mph cruise and 125 mph dive figures, whose labels and mph units are kept separate.

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.

What the documentation establishes

de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth Straight Floats: Gipsy Major engine, fixed straight floats and no flaps.

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.

Starting settings and their rationale

These configured values are starting estimates. The explanations describe what each setting controls; physical validation appears separately below.

Estimated starting settings · revision 1
SettingStarting valueWhat it controls and why
Spring strengthStarting value0.74 What it controls and whyThe handbook identifies a Gipsy Major, fixed gear and no flaps. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 50 KIAS.
Master force gainStarting value0.85 What it controls and whyScales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits.
Profile force gainStarting value0.8 What it controls and whyThe aerodynamic-load gain is 0.8 with an indicated-speed reference of 80 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring.
Force tuning speed/referenceStarting value80 ktWhat 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 speedStarting value50 ktWhat it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it.
Aileron force scaleStarting value0.7 What it controls and whyRoll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.7 and 0.85, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled.
Elevator force scaleStarting value0.85 What it controls and whyScales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings.
Trim feelStarting valueDisabled What it controls and whyRetained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement.
Trim reliefStarting valueEnabled What it controls and whyAllows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount.
Autopilot followStarting valueDisabled What it controls and whyAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel.
Autopilot neutral holdStarting valueDisabled What it controls and whyPermits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target.
Output force limitStarting 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.

Estimated starting settings · revision 1
SettingStarting valueWhat it controls and why
Spring strengthStarting value0.74 What it controls and whyThe handbook identifies a Gipsy Major, fixed gear and no flaps. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 50 KIAS.
Profile force gainStarting value0.8 What it controls and whyThe aerodynamic-load gain is 0.8 with an indicated-speed reference of 80 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring.
Elevator force scaleStarting value0.85 What it controls and whyScales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings.
Aileron force scaleStarting value0.7 What it controls and whyRoll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.7 and 0.85, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled.
Output force limitStarting value0.55 What it controls and whyCaps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate.

de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth Straight Floats: No documented in-flight aileron trim. One normalized pitch-relief channel only; roll authority and duplicate TrimFeel centre are zero. Rudder trim does not become lateral stick trim. Estimated pitch/roll trim authorities 0.3/0; exact add-on sign, travel, units and build-specific neutral remain unqualified. Rudder trim never substitutes for roll trim.

Estimated starting settings · revision 1
SettingStarting valueWhat it controls and why
Elevator AuthorityStarting value0.3 What it controls and whyThe developer cockpit identifies the stick and elevator-trim lever. Pitch authority 0.3 provides load relief and permitted centre movement; roll authority is 0.
Aileron AuthorityStarting value0 What it controls and whyScales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response.

de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth Straight Floats: 80 KIAS is the retained estimated tuning reference. It is not published cruise TAS, VNE, a new flight limit or a measured force threshold. Source-specific operating quantities remain attached to their original configuration and conditions.

Estimated starting settings · revision 1
SettingStarting valueWhat it controls and why
Force tuning speed/referenceStarting value80 ktWhat it controls and whySets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit.

The selected float fit disables wheel-braking, tire-thump and retracting-gear cues; no amphibious wheels are inferred.

Estimated starting settings · revision 1
SettingStarting valueWhat it controls and why
GainStarting value0.08 What it controls and whyThe selected float fit disables wheel-braking, tire-thump and retracting-gear cues; no amphibious wheels are inferred.
GainStarting value0 What it controls and whyThe selected float fit disables wheel-braking, tire-thump and retracting-gear cues; no amphibious wheels are inferred.
GainStarting value0 What it controls and whyThe selected float fit disables wheel-braking, tire-thump and retracting-gear cues; no amphibious wheels are inferred.

Exact configured values with software explanations. Force magnitudes remain editable estimates; disabled features retain inactive values.

Estimated starting settings · revision 1
SettingStarting valueWhat it controls and why
Spring deadbandStarting value0.04 What it controls and whySets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner.
Master force gainStarting value0.85 What it controls and whyScales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits.
QBlend EnabledStarting valueEnabled What it controls and whyAllows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it.
QSpring Minimum FactorStarting 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 KnotsStarting value15 ktWhat 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 speedStarting value50 ktWhat it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it.
Airspeed spring stiffening gainStarting value0.15 What it controls and whyThe high-speed spring-stiffening gain is 0.15. It strengthens the permitted spring response above 50 KIAS, with the squared-speed ratio capped at 5.
Airspeed spring stiffening limitStarting value5 What it controls and whyLimits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap.
Trim feelStarting valueDisabled What it controls and whyRetained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement.
Trim reliefStarting valueEnabled What it controls and whyAllows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount.
Force Trim EnabledStarting valueDisabled What it controls and whyEnables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification.
GLoad EnabledStarting valueEnabled What it controls and whyAllows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it.
Rate Damping EnabledStarting valueEnabled What it controls and whyEnables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law.
Autopilot followStarting valueDisabled What it controls and whyAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel.
Autopilot follow authorityStarting 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 holdStarting valueDisabled What it controls and whyPermits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target.
Autopilot neutral hold strengthStarting value0.6 What it controls and whySets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled.
EnabledStarting valueEnabled What it controls and whyEnables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions.
GainStarting value0.35 What it controls and whySets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings.
GainStarting value0 What it controls and whySets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate.
GainStarting value0 What it controls and whySets flap buffet at the configured position and speed gates. Flap movement texture is separate.
Maximum flap indexStarting value1 What it controls and whySets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3.
Minimum flap indexStarting value1 What it controls and whySets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees.
GainStarting value0 What it controls and whySets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate.
Shaker EnabledStarting valueDisabled What it controls and whyPermits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment.
Stick shaker amplitudeStarting value0.5 What it controls and whySets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled.
EnabledStarting valueEnabled What it controls and whyEnables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry.
GainStarting value0.06 What it controls and whySets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact.
GainStarting value0.16 What it controls and whySets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse.
GainStarting value0 What it controls and whySets reverse-thrust vibration with valid reverser and engine conditions. Zero removes the cue.
EnabledStarting valueEnabled What it controls and whyEnables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry.
GainStarting value0.12 What it controls and whySets estimated engine vibration using configured telemetry and response, not measured cockpit vibration.
EnabledStarting valueEnabled What it controls and whyEnables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement.
Limits and open questions
  • de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth Straight Floats is a universal starting point; exact add-on matching, edition operation and physical hand-force calibration remain unqualified.
  • Autopilot movement and unknown custom trim, failure or force-input signals are disabled. Confirm the selected equipment fit and trim direction for the implementation in use.
  • Force magnitudes and speed tuning are editable inherited estimates. Owner physical and installed-aircraft acceptance remain pending.

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.

FFB-Bridge maintains this profile’s revisions and tuning discussion.

Revision 1 and download availability in FFB-Bridge ↗
Exact profile identity
Profile
airframe-de-havilland-dh-83-fox-moth-straight-floats
Artifact SHA-256
e29623121085d91ab9511e06258c3de3230606627e6a176bb59e808bd7455638
Bytes
14733
Spring strength
Forces.SpringStrength
Profile force gain
Forces.ForceGain
Elevator force scale
Forces.ElevatorForceScale
Aileron force scale
Forces.AileronForceScale
Output force limit
Forces.MaxOutputForce
Elevator Authority
StickFeel.TrimRelief.ElevatorAuthority
Aileron Authority
StickFeel.TrimRelief.AileronAuthority
Force tuning speed/reference
Forces.CruiseSpeedRefKnots
Gain
Ground.Rumble.Gain
Gain
Mechanical.GearMotion.Gain
Gain
Mechanical.FlapMotion.Gain
Spring deadband
Forces.SpringDeadband
Master force gain
Forces.MasterGain
QBlend Enabled
Forces.QBlendEnabled
QSpring Minimum Factor
Forces.QSpringMinimumFactor
QSpring Start Knots
Forces.QSpringStartKnots
Spring response reference speed
Forces.QSpringFullKnots
Airspeed spring stiffening gain
Forces.SpringAirspeedStiffenGain
Airspeed spring stiffening limit
Forces.SpringAirspeedStiffenCap
Trim feel
StickFeel.TrimFeelEnabled
Trim relief
StickFeel.TrimReliefEnabled
Force Trim Enabled
StickFeel.ForceTrimEnabled
GLoad Enabled
StickFeel.GLoadEnabled
Rate Damping Enabled
StickFeel.RateDampingEnabled
Autopilot follow
Autopilot.FollowEnabled
Autopilot follow authority
Autopilot.FollowAuthority
Autopilot neutral hold
Autopilot.NeutralHoldEnabled
Autopilot neutral hold strength
Autopilot.NeutralHoldStrength
Enabled
Aero.Enabled
Gain
Aero.Stall.Gain
Gain
Aero.Mach.Gain
Gain
Aero.Flap.Gain
Maximum flap index
Aero.Flap.MaxFlapIndex
Minimum flap index
Aero.Flap.MinFlapIndex
Gain
Aero.Gear.Gain
Shaker Enabled
Aero.ShakerEnabled
Stick shaker amplitude
Aero.Shaker.Amplitude
Enabled
Ground.Enabled
Gain
Ground.Bumps.Gain
Gain
Ground.Thump.Gain
Gain
Ground.Reverse.Gain
Enabled
Engine.Enabled
Gain
Engine.Rumble.Gain
Enabled
Mechanical.Enabled
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