Start here
A few places to begin, from the aircraft’s story to the people who fly it.
Aircraft and simulator background
The Leopard Moth succeeded the DH.80 Puss Moth with a lighter plywood structure while retaining the Gipsy Major engine. Its enclosed cabin seats three, beneath a high wing. The prototype flew on 27 May 1933.
de Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth
Developer · Read more ↗Yoke, trim and airbrake
The developer cockpit shows a yoke, pitch-trim lever and separate airbrake lever. Its handbook lists 119 mph cruise and calls for airbrake use below 80 mph. The 2,550 RPM for five minutes diving figure is an engine-speed limit, separate from the airspeed references.
de Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth
Developer · Read more ↗Meet de Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth
The Leopard Moth succeeded the DH.80 Puss Moth with a lighter plywood structure while retaining the Gipsy Major engine. Its enclosed cabin seats three, beneath a high wing. The prototype flew on 27 May 1933.
Flight Replicas represents a restored aircraft with radio, transponder and autopilot equipment. Its cockpit has a yoke, a separate pitch-trim lever and an airbrake control.
de Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth
de Havilland → · Explore the family →
de Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth
Developer · de Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth — developer reference ↗Aircraft type designators
No type designator selected for this reference.
History & design
A plywood successor to the Puss Moth
The DH.85 first flew on 27 May 1933. Geoffrey de Havilland then flew the prototype to victory in that July's King's Cup Race. The design replaced the Puss Moth with a lighter plywood structure and the same Gipsy Major engine, developing a three-seat touring aircraft.
Developer · de Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth — developer reference ↗DH.85 manual; PDF p.2 History; pp.3–5 cockpit and trim; p.11 handbook figures
Systems & details
Yoke, trim and airbrake
The developer cockpit shows a yoke, pitch-trim lever and separate airbrake lever. Its handbook lists 119 mph cruise and calls for airbrake use below 80 mph. The 2,550 RPM for five minutes diving figure is an engine-speed limit, separate from the airspeed references.
A restored-aircraft interpretation
Flight Replicas describes the supplied Leopard Moths as restored examples with electrical and avionics equipment. A modern radio, transponder and two-axis autopilot accompany the historical aircraft. The autopilot provides altitude and heading hold and takes time to settle after engagement. That installation explains the modern switches within an otherwise period cockpit; it should not be read as the original 1933 equipment specification.
In your simulator
Systems, equipment and documentation for each developer’s aircraft.
MSFS 2020Flight Replicas DH.85 Leopard Moth
Flight Replicas · Released
Flight Replicas DH.85 Leopard Moth
Flight Replicas · 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
de Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth — developer referencede Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth
Aircraft features and simulator package description
Developer · Read the source ↗de Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth — developer referencede Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth
MSFS collection, distinct from legacy hangar
Developer · Read the source ↗Developer manual
de Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth — developer referencede Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth
DH.85 manual; PDF p.2 History; pp.3–5 cockpit and trim; p.11 handbook figures
Developer · Read the source ↗Read the original documentation from the people who created it. Manuals open on their publisher’s website.
Developer documentation
de Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth — developer referenceDeveloper · Aircraft features and simulator package description de Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth — developer referenceDeveloper · MSFS collection, distinct from legacy hangarDeveloper manual
de Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth — developer referenceDeveloper · DH.85 manual; PDF p.2 History; pp.3–5 cockpit and trim; p.11 handbook figuresBuilt-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 · 2 profile choices
Flight Replicas DH.85 Leopard Moth
Flight Replicas · Free and Pro · Revision 2 · Inherited starting point
MSFS 2020
A three-seat high-wing cabin monoplane developed from the Puss Moth.
de Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth
Free and Pro · Revision 1 · Partial review
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024 · X-Plane 12
A three-seat high-wing cabin monoplane developed from the Puss Moth.
de Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth
A three-seat high-wing cabin monoplane developed from the Puss Moth.
Aircraft and simulator scope
- de Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth · MSFS 2020 · Variant starting point
- de Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth · MSFS 2024 · Variant starting point
- de Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth · 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 three-seat high-wing cabin monoplane developed from the Puss Moth.
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-pitch propeller, tailwheel undercarriage and an airbrake.
Yoke, trim and airbrake
The developer cockpit shows a yoke, pitch-trim lever and separate airbrake lever. Its handbook lists 119 mph cruise and calls for airbrake use below 80 mph. The 2,550 RPM for five minutes diving figure is an engine-speed limit, separate from the airspeed references.
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.85 Leopard Moth: Gipsy Major engine, fixed-pitch propeller, tailwheel undercarriage and an airbrake.
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
ReviewedA three-seat high-wing cabin monoplane developed from the Puss Moth.
Flight controls
InheritedA three-seat high-wing cabin monoplane developed from the Puss Moth.
Trim
InheritedThe developer cockpit shows a yoke, pitch-trim lever and separate airbrake lever. Pitch authority 0.3 provides load relief and permitted centre movement; roll authority is 0.
Autopilot and stability
ReviewedAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel.
Equipment
InheritedGipsy Major engine, fixed-pitch propeller, tailwheel undercarriage and an airbrake.
Speeds and limits
InheritedThe indicated-speed references set the profile response scale; they are separate from aircraft operating limits.
Simulator integration
ReviewedThe profile targets msfs2020, msfs2024, xplane12. 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 developer cockpit shows a yoke, pitch-trim lever and separate airbrake lever. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 55 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 95 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring. |
| Force tuning speed/reference | Starting value95 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 value55 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 0.86, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Elevator force scale | Starting value0.86 | 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 developer cockpit shows a yoke, pitch-trim lever and separate airbrake lever. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 55 KIAS. |
| Profile force gain | Starting value0.8 | What it controls and whyThe aerodynamic-load gain is 0.8 with an indicated-speed reference of 95 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring. |
| Elevator force scale | Starting value0.86 | What it controls and whyScales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Aileron force scale | Starting value0.72 | What it controls and whyRoll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.72 and 0.86, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Output force limit | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyCaps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
de Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth: 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.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Elevator Authority | Starting value0.3 | What it controls and whyThe developer cockpit shows a yoke, pitch-trim lever and separate airbrake lever. Pitch authority 0.3 provides load relief and permitted centre movement; 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. |
de Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth: 95 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.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Force tuning speed/reference | Starting value95 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
A generic flap/spoiler channel is not qualified for the documented airbrake mechanism.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whyA generic flap/spoiler channel is not qualified for the documented airbrake mechanism. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whyA generic flap/spoiler channel is not qualified for the documented airbrake mechanism. |
Exact configured values with software explanations. Force magnitudes remain editable estimates; disabled features retain inactive values.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring deadband | Starting value0.04 | What it controls and whySets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner. |
| 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 value20 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 value55 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| 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 55 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Maximum flap index | Starting value1 | What it controls and whySets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3. |
| Minimum flap index | Starting value1 | 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 | What it controls and whySets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects. |
Limits and open questions
- de Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth 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.
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