SIAI-Marchetti SF.

260D Cockpit Handbook

A few Words of Introduction
This handbook (or manual if you prefer) is intended to aid a pilot in getting to know the SIAI-
Marchetti SF260D airplane by JRollon and SimCoders.com for X-Plane 11. It gives an introduction or
overview over the cockpit instruments and their functions.

Warning: This handbook is for flight simulation use only, do NOT use it for any other purpose.

The handbook is NOT the official manual of JRollon nor SimCoders.com but is intended to
complement the manuals in their distribution. If you find errors in this handbook, please report them
to me, so that I can correct them.

Note that this handbook is based on the SF.260D version 4.4.5 for X-Plane 11.41. It covers the analog
cockpit version of the SF.260D with the GNS430 navaid. The G1000 and the military version of the
aircraft are not covered at the time. Pilot side is default left, so all images reflect that state. It also
does not explicitly cover VR and it does not cover installation and the REP settings, which are both
explained in detail in the user-manual.

It is further assumed that the pilot is already familiar with the basics of flying a one-engine fixed-
propeller airplane. I also strongly recommend reading all the available manuals before your first
flight.

So, get started and have fun with this beautiful airplane, the "Ferrari of the Skies"!

V 1.00 / 2020.05.06 / RT Page 1 of 19

 SIAI-Marchetti SF.260D Cockpit Handbook
Table of Contents
A few Words of Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1
What is Where ......................................................................................................................................... 3
Cockpit Instruments ............................................................................................................................ 3
Cockpit – Bottom/Pedestal View......................................................................................................... 9
Cockpit – Top/Canopy View .............................................................................................................. 10
Avionics Instruments ......................................................................................................................... 11
Audio Switching Panel (24) ............................................................................................................ 11
GNS430 Navigation System (25).................................................................................................... 11
COM / NAV Radio (26) ................................................................................................................... 12
ADF Receiver (27) .......................................................................................................................... 12
Autopilot (28) ................................................................................................................................ 13
Transponder (29) ........................................................................................................................... 14
Working the controls ............................................................................................................................. 15
This and That ......................................................................................................................................... 16
REP Menus ..................................................................................................................................... 16
REP Tow ......................................................................................................................................... 16
Hide Joysticks ................................................................................................................................ 16
Torch.............................................................................................................................................. 16
Instrument Lamps.......................................................................................................................... 16
Seat Belt Stretcher......................................................................................................................... 16
Oxygen System .............................................................................................................................. 16
External Power .............................................................................................................................. 16
Aerobatics...................................................................................................................................... 16
Leaning .......................................................................................................................................... 17
Words of Caution........................................................................................................................... 17
Links ....................................................................................................................................................... 18
General .............................................................................................................................................. 18
Manuals ............................................................................................................................................. 18
Tutorial/Tips by Javier Rollon ............................................................................................................ 18

V 1.00 / 2020.05.06 / RT Page 2 of 19

 SIAI-Marchetti SF.260D Cockpit Handbook
What is Where
To get accustomed with the aircraft we look at the part with which we shall be interacting later in
flight – the cockpit. The outer part can be made with the REP walkaround/pre-flight inspection, click
on the REP side menu for that.

Cockpit Instruments

Num Instrument Explanation

1 Panel Light (pilot side)
2 Ignition Switch
3 Battery Switch
4 Alternator Switch
5 Throttle Control
6 Ventilation/Heating Nozzle
7 Airspeed Indicator
8 Turn Coordinator
9 Chronometer
Adjust the panel lighting (for the whole panel).
Standard magneto or starter switch. Positions are Off /
Right / Left / Both / Start. Turn to right to start engine.
The starter will overheat and then damage if engaged
for too long, use not longer than 30secs.
Turns on the current from the onboard battery when in
the UP position.
Turns on the engine alternator when in the UP position.
Pilot side throttle control, is synchronized with the main
throttle (32).
Not active
Displays the speed of the aircraft in knots relative to the
air around it (and not relative to the ground).
Green markings show the safe speed range. Do not
exceed the red mark.
Also see the safety speed indication above the attitude
indicator (10) and below the DME instrument (12).
Informs the pilot of both the rate of turn, and whether
the aircraft is slipping sideways during a turn.
Clock showing the exact time (white clock hands) and a
stopwatch with yellow clock hands.

V 1.00 / 2020.05.06 / RT Page 3 of 19

 SIAI-Marchetti SF.260D Cockpit Handbook
There are 3 buttons on top of the clock casing. The left
one starts and stops the stopwatch, the right one resets
the yellow clock hands to the 12 position. The middle
button has no function assigned.
10 Attitude Indicator Also called artificial horizon. Displays the aircraft’s
attitude relative to the horizon.
Corresponds to the attitude indicator on the co-pilot
side (61).
11 AS399 HSI Horizontal Situation Indicator. Combines a heading
indicator with a VHF omnidirectional range-instrument
landing system (VOR-ILS) display. Also shows the
selected course in the upper left corner and DME
distance or time (see 59) in the upper right corner.
Use the NAV switch (48) to select the source of the
DME distance indicator.
See the “AS399 HSI” section in the SF.260D user manual
for details and warnings.
12 Radio Magnetic Indicator Also called ADF/VOR Bearing Indicator or ADF/VOR
Pointer.
The thicker, double-barred needle is connected to
VOR1 and the thin white needle to the ADF. The former
is set in the Garmin GNS430 (25) and the latter with the
ADF-Receiver (27).
13 Landing Gear Warning Light Warning light for the landing gear. Shows red when the
gear is in transition.
Can be tested by pressing it when the master battery
switch is turned on.
14 Landing Gear Indication Lights Three green lights are shown if the landing gear is down
and locked. When in flight and landing gear is up, the
lights do not show. A red warning light (13) is shown if
the landing gear is unlocked or in transition.
Each light can be tested by pressing it when the master
battery switch is turned on.
The landing gear is operated with the lever (42).
15 Stall Warning Light Shows red when approaching stall speed.
Can be tested by pressing it when the master battery
switch is turned on.
16 Altimeter Displays the altitude above sea level. The short, thick
hand displays thousands of feet (“2” meaning 2’000 ft.).
The long thinner hand displays hundreds of feet (“2”
meaning 200 ft.).
Calibrate using the rotary control to the lower left of
the instrument. This changes the indication in the inset
between the 2 and 3 on the right-hand side of the
instrument.
You can change the altimeter setting from InHg to hPa
in the REP options.
This instrument corresponds to the altimeter on the co-
pilot side (60).

V 1.00 / 2020.05.06 / RT Page 4 of 19

 SIAI-Marchetti SF.260D Cockpit Handbook
17 Vertical Speed Indicator Also called variometer. Shows the rate of climb or the
rate of descent, in thousands of feet per minute.
18 CDI - VOR2 / LOC Receiver This instrument displays the course deviation from the
selected radial of a VOR or a LOC / ILS transmitter.
Shows a TO/FROM indication (arrowhead). If the tuned
radio station cannot be received, shows a red "NAV"
indicator.
Select the navigation frequency with COM/NAV radio
unit (26).
19 Fuel Pressure Shows the fuel pressure in PSI. Keep in the green range.
20 EGT Exhaust Gas Temperature This instrument measures the exhaust gas temperature.
Adjust the EGT with mixture setting (depending on
throttle setting, height and other parameters).
The scale’s graduation marks are in 25-degree intervals.
You can mark the peak with the reminder hand (thin
hand) using the knob on the bottom of the instrument.
21 Magnetic Compass The magnetic compass.
22 Flaps Position Indicator The wing flaps are continuous mode which can be set at
any value between 0° and 50°. This instrument shows
the flaps position.
The wing flaps are controlled by the three-position flaps
switch (43).
23 Acceleration Indicator Shows the current acceleration in g.
Reset by pressing the button on bottom left.
24 Audio Switching Panel Garmin GMA340 Audio Panel. Enable or disables audio
from the selected radio and navigation devices.
See the chapter "Avionics Instruments - Audio Switching
Panel" for details.
25 Garmin GNS 430 Garmin GNS 430 navigation system that can also drive
the autopilot. Click in the screen once to invoke a
popup and click once again to hide this popup.
See the GNS430 manual (Laminar “X-Plane 430 Pilot
Operating Manual”) for handling and details.

You can switch the avionics layout between default

Garmin GNS430, RealityXP GTN650, RealityXP GTN750
and no-GPS at all in the REP (see "Electrical System &
Avionics Status" page of the Maintenance Report).
26 COM / NAV Radio Unit Bendix/King KX165A Com/Nav Radio - navigation and
communication radios.
See the chapter "Avionics Instruments - COM / NAV
Radio" for handling and details.
27 ADF-Receiver Bendix King KR87 ADF Receiver. This panel is used to
select the frequency of the Non-Directional Beacon
(NDB) transmitter used in conjunction with the
Automatic Direction Finder.

V 1.00 / 2020.05.06 / RT Page 5 of 19

 SIAI-Marchetti SF.260D Cockpit Handbook
See the chapter "Avionics Instruments - ADF Receiver"
for handling and details.
28 Autopilot Bendix/King KFC225 Autopilot.
See the chapter "Avionics Instruments - Autopilot" for
handling and details.
29 Transponder Garmin GTX330 Transponder. Provides ATC with an
enhanced return signal from the aircraft with a unique
transponder-code.
See the chapter "Avionics Instruments - Transponder"
for details.
30 Parking Brake Keeps the aircraft stationary. Point with mouse, hold
left button down and pull and turn out to activate or
push and turn in to release.
Applying the toe brakes releases the parking brake.
The parking brake can be set or released even with
engines off and battery off.
31 Defrost Knob Windshield defrost system. All the vent air is rerouted
to the windshield defrost outlets when the knob is fully
pulled.
Maximum defrost by pulling the knobs 31, 38 and 39.
32 Throttle Lever (black) Controls the power transmitted by the engine.
33 Propeller Lever (blue) Controls the variable pitch propellers.
34 Mixture Lever (red) Control the ratio of fuel and air flowing into the engine.
Advance the lever to get richer mixture and retard the
lever for lean mixture.
35 Carburetor Heater knob Carburetor heater – pull to activate,
check the carburetor temp gauge (65) and adjust.
See the SF.260D user manual for details.
36 Elevator Trim Indicator Indicates the elevator trim position. Cannot be
changed, use the elevator trim wheel on the middle
pedestal (101) to change the elevator trim.
37 Fuel Tank Selector Turn to select the fuel-flow to the engine from the
respective fuel tank. Point your mouse on the yellow
selector and use the mouse wheel to select as fuel tank.
The electric fuel pump (53) shall be ON whenever the
fuel tank selector is turned.
Use this selector with care (and often) in flight to
maintain aircraft balance.
38 Cabin Heat Cabin ventilation and heating system. Pull for higher
heat.
39 Cabin Vent Cabin ventilation system. Pull for more air.
40 Propeller RPM Displays the revolutions per minute (RPM) of the
propeller.
Is controlled in flight by the propeller setting (33).

V 1.00 / 2020.05.06 / RT Page 6 of 19

 SIAI-Marchetti SF.260D Cockpit Handbook
Keep in the green range for normal flight. Aerobatic
manoeuvres are not permitted between 2200 and 2450
RPM.
The counter in the lower part shows the tach time.
41 Manifold Pressure The manifold pressure instruments indicate the power
output of the engine, measured by the air pressure in
the intake manifold.
Is controlled in flight by the throttle setting (32).
42 Landing Gear Lever Extends (lever down) or retracts (lever up) the landing
gear. Check landing gear indication lights (14).
Maximum speed for operation with the landing gear
extended, extending or retracting is 108 KIAS.
43 Flaps Lever Extends or retracts the wing flaps. The wing aps are
continuous mode. They can be set at any value
between 0° and 50°. Grab the lever with the mouse (left
mouse button pressed) and move up or down. Release
mouse button to stop movement.
Check flaps position on the indicator (22)
44 Engine Instruments:
Oil Pressure Gauge Shows the engine oil pressure in PSI.
Oil Temperature Shows the engine oil temperature.
Cylinder Temperature Shows the cylinder head temperature.
Loadmeter Also ammeter or ampmeter, measures the current
loading the battery.
Note: temperatures are indicated in degrees Celsius.
Keep the indicators in the green range.
See the SF.260D user manual for details of the engine oil
system.
45 Fuel Gauges Show the fuel levels in the respective fuel tanks.
46 Circuit Breakers Working Circuit breakers which cut off power to one or
more piece of equipment. Click on a breaker to pop it
out or push it in when popped out or damaged (by
failure system).
See the SF.260D user manual for details.
47 Avionics Master Switch The Avionics Master switch provides power to the
avionics bus. Up = ON, down = off.
48 Navigation Source Switch Sets the navigation source for the HIS's DME indicator
(11). Up = NAV1, down = NAV2.
49 Vacuum Button Not active
50 Landing Warning Horn Silence Stops the landing warning horn. Be sure your landing
Button gear is down when you press this button.
51 Alt Air Button Switches to the alternate air source when pushed in.
Use in ice conditions and snow.
52 Landing Light Switch Switches the landing lights on or off.
53 Boost Pump Switch Activates the fuel boost pump.
54 Beacon Switch Switches the beacon light on or off.

V 1.00 / 2020.05.06 / RT Page 7 of 19

 SIAI-Marchetti SF.260D Cockpit Handbook
55 Navigation Lights Switch Switches the navigation lights on or off.
56 Pitot Heat Switch Switches the pitot tube heater on or off.
57 Strobe Lights Switch Switches the strobe lights on or off.
58 Emergency Avionics Master When set to on, the emergency battery is connected to
Switch the ESS Bus and will provide power to the avionics and
to the main cockpit lights for about 30 minutes.
59 Time / DME Switch Changes the display in the upper right corner of the HSI
(11) from DME distance (in nm) to DME time (in
minutes).
60 Co-Pilot Altimeter Same functionality and corresponds to the altimeter on
the pilot side (16).
61 Co-Pilot Attitude Indicator Same functionality and corresponds to the attitude
indicator on the pilot side (10).
62 Fuel Flow Gauge Displays the rate at which fuel is flowing from the fuel
system into the engine, measured in (US) gallons per
hour.
63 Suction Gauge Use the vacuum gauge to check that the vacuum pump
is properly working. A normal vacuum reading is about
4 to 6 when the engine is running at cruise power
64 Panel Light (co-pilot's side) Adjust the panel lighting (for the whole panel).
65 Carburetor Temperature Gauge The carburetor temperature gauge shows a yellow arc
that defines the range of carburetor air temperature
that most causes carburetor ice. Avoid that range using
the carburetor heating (35).
66 Ventilation/Heating Nozzle Not active

V 1.00 / 2020.05.06 / RT Page 8 of 19

 SIAI-Marchetti SF.260D Cockpit Handbook
Cockpit – Bottom/Pedestal View

Num Instrument Explanation

100 Fuel Shut Off Valve Shuts off the fuel flow to the engine. Click to shut of
fuel (the valve turns left or back again).
101 Elevator Trim Wheel Located on the centre pedestal, pilot side. Left click
with the mouse wheel an drag up or down. The position
is shown in the indicator (36).
102 Emergency Gear Handle Open the cover by clicking on the wing nut. This opens
the cover and discloses the emergency gear handle.
See the SF.260D user manual for details on how to
handle an emergency landing gear extension.
103 Plug in Headset Click on the plug or the headset between the front
seats to attach the headset, which muffles the external
sounds.
104 Landing Gear Position Indicator Shows the position of the landing gear. Operate with
the landing gear lever (42).
105 Joystick Joystick to control flight movement.
Click on the base of the joystick or the metal block
before to hide or show.

V 1.00 / 2020.05.06 / RT Page 9 of 19

 SIAI-Marchetti SF.260D Cockpit Handbook
Cockpit – Top/Canopy View

Num Instrument Explanation

120 Canopy Latch The canopy can be opened and closed by clicking and
dragging the canopy handle with the mouse.
Alternatively, you can assign a keyboard command to
open and close the aircraft door (Keyboard -> Flight
Controls –> Doors -> “Door #1 open” and “Door #1
close”).
Note: the outer latch does not work.
121 Outside Thermometer Shows the outside temperature in °C or °F.

V 1.00 / 2020.05.06 / RT Page 10 of 19

 SIAI-Marchetti SF.260D Cockpit Handbook
Avionics Instruments
Start the engine, then turn on the Avionics Master Switch (47) to activate these instruments.
Note that not all functionality of the instruments is available when X-Plane is paused.

Audio Switching Panel (24)

This is the Garmin GMA340 Audio Panel. It is connected with the COM/NAV Radio, where the sources
can be adjusted.

Pressing the COM1/MIC, COM2/MIC or COM3/MIC buttons (lower row) select the respective source
for both listening and speaking to the source. By pressing one of the COM1, COM2 or COM3 buttons
(upper row) an additional source can be heard, or the source can be deselected. Only one COM/MIC
can be active at the time.
The COM1 and COM1/MIC source is the Garmin GNS430 (25), the COM2 and COM2/MIC source is
the COM/Nav Radio (26), the COM3 and COM3/MIC sources are obsolete, as no such radio is
available.

Pressing the NAV1, NAV2, DME or ADF button selects the respective audio source. Pressing once
again deselects the audio.

The volume knobs do not seem to work.

See the manufacturers manual for more details and full functionality (you will find a download link in
the chapter "Links").

GNS430 Navigation System (25)

This is the Laminar version of the Garmin GNS 430 navigation system.

V 1.00 / 2020.05.06 / RT Page 11 of 19

 SIAI-Marchetti SF.260D Cockpit Handbook
Clicking in the display with the mouse opens a popup window which can be moved around on the
screen. Clicking once again in the display or on the red button in the upper left corner closes the
popup.

See the Laminar manual for details and instructions on how to operate (in your "..\X-Plane
11\Instructions\" directory or with the download link in the chapter "Links").

COM / NAV Radio (26)

This is the Bendix/King KX165A Com/Nav Radio, in the 8.33 kHz configuration. It is a comprehensive
unit with active/standby frequencies mode, channels mode, CDI mode, bearing mode, radial mode
and timer mode.

This unit sets the COM2 and NAV2 frequencies, COM1 and NAV1 are set with the Garmin GNS430.

The standby frequencies can be adjusted by using the inner and outer frequency select knobs. The
standby frequency can then be set active by clicking the frequency transfer button (the one with the
double arrow). This is valid for both COM and NAV.

By pushing the COM frequency select knob you can increment in 0.025kHz steps, else in 0.005kHz.
You can also program up to 32 COM frequencies to call upon later by pressing the CHAN button.

The MODE button on the NAV side cycles through several formats - CDI, bearing, radial and timer.

See the manufacturers manual for more details and full functionality (you will find a download link in
the chapter "Links").

ADF Receiver (27)

This is the Bendix King KR87 ADF Receiver, also a comprehensive unit with ANT/BFO/ADF modes and
FLT/ET mode with a SET/RST button. It is used to set the frequency to use with the RMI (12).

Adjust the frequency with the frequency select knobs.

V 1.00 / 2020.05.06 / RT Page 12 of 19

 SIAI-Marchetti SF.260D Cockpit Handbook
Pressing the ADF button will change between ADF and ANT antenna mode. Pressing the FRQ button
allows entering a standby frequency, which can then be transferred to active use by pressing the FRQ
button again. The FLT/ET button shows the flight time or elapsed time since the unit was powered
on. Pressing the SET/RST button resets the elapsed time.

See the manufacturers manual (download link in chapter "Links") for more details and full
functionality.

Autopilot (28)

This is a Bendix/King KFC225 Autopilot with highly realistic start-up animations, ROLL and PITCH
mode, HDG/NAV/VS/ALT modes and Yaw Damper.

Pressing the AP button engages the flight director, the autopilot and the yaw damper, pressing once
again disengages the autopilot only.

The FD button engages/disengages the flight director into roll and pitch attitude mode, showing ROL
and PIT in the display.

The HDG button engages heading mode which follows the heading selected by the heading bug on
the HSI (11) and which can be changed anytime in flight.

The NAV button starts navigating according to the selected VOR, LOC or GPS track on the HSI (which
in turn can be given by the navigation system).

The APR button arms approach mode which works like NAV, but with a glideslope on an ILS.

The ALT button will hold the altitude at the moment the button was pressed.

The VS button will maintain the present vertical speed, which can be changed with the UP/DN
buttons.

The ARM button is used to level off at the (preselected or displayed) altitude, either in climb or
descent.

Last of all, the YD button will engage or disengage the yaw damper.

The autopilot offers the possibility of altitude preselection with the rotary knobs on the right side.

See the manufacturers manual for more details and specific operating instructions (you will find a
download link in the chapter "Links").

V 1.00 / 2020.05.06 / RT Page 13 of 19

 SIAI-Marchetti SF.260D Cockpit Handbook
Transponder (29)

This is a Garmin GTX330 Transponder with built-in altitude monitor mode, count up or down mode,
flight time mode and OAT/DALT mode. It provides ATC with an enhanced return signal from the
aircraft with a unique transponder-code, given the pilot by ATC.

Code selection is done with the keys 0 – 7 (8 and 9 are not used). Digits that are not yet entered
appear as dashes. Pressing the CLR key moves the cursor back to the previous digit.

Aircraft operating under VFR rules use a common transponder code. In the US, this is 1200. Pressing
the VFR button sets the transponder code to the pre-programmed VFR code (default 1200).

Mode selection keys: STBY selects the standby mode (no reply to any interrogations). ON selects
answer mode, the transponder replies to interrogations, but replies do not include altitude
information. ALT as altitude mode, the transponder replies to identification and altitude
interrogations. The OFF key does not work, select STBY instead.

See the manufacturers manual for more details and operating instructions (you will find a download
link in the chapter "Links").

V 1.00 / 2020.05.06 / RT Page 14 of 19

 SIAI-Marchetti SF.260D Cockpit Handbook
Working the controls
Explains how to use the standard controls.

Rotary controls:
Put the mouse pointer over the control until it changes to a hand, then turn with the mouse wheel.

Switches
Put the mouse pointer over the instrument until it changes to a hand-pointer, then click the left
mouse button. Works up and down.

Buttons
Put the mouse pointer over the instrument until it changes to a hand-pointer, then click the left
mouse button. To turn off, click once more.

Levers
Put the mouse over the lever, push and hold the left mouse button and move the mouse in the
desired direction.

If activated in the X-Plane "View" menu, option "Show Instrument Descriptions" a short description
of the control is displayed when you put the mouse pointer over it§. This is also true for the avionics
instrument buttons.

V 1.00 / 2020.05.06 / RT Page 15 of 19

 SIAI-Marchetti SF.260D Cockpit Handbook
This and That
REP Menus
The lateral menu is partially hidden on the left side of the screen. When the mouse pointer gets near
it, it slides out. The second menu is found in the X-Plane menu bar -> “Plugins” -> “SimCoders.com –
REP”.
See the SF.260D user manual for details and handling.

REP Tow
Only works when engines are off, and the brakes not set, and the airplane is not tied down. Click on
the REP side menu Tow icon. You will be in front of the plane and see the tow-handle (yellow-black
bar) before you. Use your joystick to tow or push the airplane in the desired direction.

Hide Joysticks
On the keypad, press “y” to hide the joysticks. Pressing “y” once again will show them again.
Alternatively you can click on the metal block on base of the joystick in the cabin.

Torch
There is a torch stowed in the left side fuselage. If the cockpit is dark you can see the two luminous
rings the torch has. Click on the torch and point with your mouse to use it. Click once again to put it
back at its place. Is equivalent to X-Plane’s aviation flashlight (see X-Plane's View menu) but has a
white light.

Instrument Lamps
To the upper right and left of the instruments there are black knops which are clickable. These are
the instrument lamp casings. When a lamp fails (due to components wearing), tap over them to
temporarily try to light them up again. Replace them in the REP maintenance report.
The same may apply to instruments if they fail. Try tapping on them, then fix in the maintenance
report.

Seat Belt Stretcher

On the pilot’s side in the fuselage in an inlet there is a lever with a black knob. This is used to tighten
the seat belts prior to aerobatic manoeuvres. If the HeadShake plugin is integrated, works with it.
See the SF.260D user manual for details on the HeadShake integration.

Oxygen System
There is no oxygen system provided, so limit your flying time in heights over 12’500 Ft. to max. 30
minutes. Service ceiling is 15'000 ft.

External Power
In the manual, the use of an external power source instead of the aircraft battery, is recommended
for starting in cold weather. Unfortunately, no such one is provided.

Aerobatics
Aerobatic manoeuvres are not permitted between 2200 and 2450 RPM. The suggested entry speeds
are indicated in the SF.260D user manual. For a roll that would be 160 KIAS. Note the following
restrictions when performing aerobatic manoeuvres:
• Rear seat must not be occupied, no baggage, canopy closed
• Shoulder harness must be connected -> see Seat Belt Stretcher above
• Empty tip tanks (< 1/8 indication)
• Do not fly the following attitudes for more than 10 seconds:
− Inverted flight

V 1.00 / 2020.05.06 / RT Page 16 of 19

 SIAI-Marchetti SF.260D Cockpit Handbook
− Steep dive in vertical or inverted flight
− Zero G periods
− Wing-down or knife-edge flights
• Keep in mind: max G’s are +6.0 to -3.0 G

Leaning
In the SF.260D user manual, chapter "The Red Box" you will find the recommendations for leaning
your engine. This new way can be quite confusing, what with all the LOP and ROP. By the way, the
correct link to the article on leaning in the SF.260D user manual, chapter "The Red Box" is:
https://www.avweb.com/ownership/the-savvy-aviator-59-egt-cht-and-leaning/

The excellent SimCoder's explanation can be found here:

https://www.simcoders.com/2016/05/26/20160524lean-mixture/

In short, we use an instrument, the EGT gauge (20). Just lean your mixture until the needle climbs in
temperature, then peaks and starts dropping again. This point depends, amongst others, on altitude
and RPM. Use the gauge’s reference needle to mark the point where peak EGT was reached. The
scale’s graduation marks are in 25-degree intervals, so setting 50° with the needle means two
intervals.

ROP stands for Rich of Peak, that is, a richer mixture than the one you need to fly at peak EGT. Put
the mixture lever up to get that richer mixture. The appropriate settings can be found in the SF.260D
user manual.

Words of Caution
• Do not engage the starter (2) for more than 30 seconds.
• Always turn on the fuel boost pump (53) before turning the fuel tank selector (37).
• Check your fuel levels in the 4 tanks regularly and try to empty them evenly, it may affect
flight behaviour.
• Do not forget to check for carburetor icing: check, that the needle is outside of the yellow
band in the carburetor temperature gauge (65).
• Never turn the engine and/or the alternator on or off when the avionics switch is in the “On”
position. In other words, only activate the avionics switch when the engine is running and
deactivate it while the engine is still running.

V 1.00 / 2020.05.06 / RT Page 17 of 19

 SIAI-Marchetti SF.260D Cockpit Handbook
Links
General
Store
https://store.x-plane.org/SIAI-Marchetti-SF-260-_p_901.html
JRollon Site
https://www.jrollon.com/SiaiMarchetti.html
Simcoders.com
https://www.simcoders.com/2018/11/13/the-siai-marchetti-sf-260d-for-x-plane-just-landed/
Support Forums
https://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?/forums/forum/402-sf260-siai-marchetti/
https://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?/forums/forum/125-javier-rollon/
Report errors in this handbook to:
Through the support forum article - I will insert the link in V 1.01

Manuals
SIAI-Marchetti SF.260D User Manual
http://updates.simcoders.com/release/SF260/REP-user-manual.pdf
Laminar G430 Navaid (Garmin GNS430)
http://x-plane.com/manuals/G430_Manual.pdf
Audio Panel
http://static.garmin.com/pumac/GMA340AudioPanel_PilotsGuide.pdf
Com/Nav Radio
https://www.bendixking.com/en/~/media/bendixking/files/006-18110-0000_5-kx-165a-
pilot-guide.pdf
ADF Receiver (same document as Com/Nav Radio)
https://www.bendixking.com/en/~/media/bendixking/files/006-18110-0000_5-kr-87-pilot-
guide.pdf
Autopilot
https://www.bendixking.com/en/~/media/bendixking/files/006-18035-0000_1-kfc-225-ki-
525a-pilot-s-guide.pdf
Transponder
http://static.garmin.com/pumac/190-00207-00_K.pdf
http://daytonpilotsclub.org/wp-content/uploads/Garmin-GTX330-Transponder.pdf

Tutorial/Tips by Javier Rollon

Tip01 Modify aircraft registration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJqVfke3Sa8
Tip02 Assign Flaps to 3 position button hardware
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyIVrobfSyU
Tip03 Customize Cockpit colours
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq3HrrZD16g
Tip04 Fasten your seatbelts!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ESzlIpGIQ4
Tip05 A light in the dark
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_ZHZwONpKM
Tip06 Landing Gear Failure
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEIfEVBw-3g

V 1.00 / 2020.05.06 / RT Page 18 of 19

 SIAI-Marchetti SF.260D Cockpit Handbook
Tip07 How to fly the plane correctly. XP11 configuration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtBHRtF94dc
Tip08 Com/Nav Radio Extra Functions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl_zZiX_-Nk
Tip09 Time wear of instruments and light bulbs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEusQUx06bs
Tip10 Create and transfer data to new livery
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLZcahmO2TM
Tip11 Tutorial of how to create particles in X-Plane 11.30
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNuQlrnhXEU
Tip12 Choose avionics and Pilot Side
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99_k2k1K4vc
Tip13 New Economic and Mechanic model
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-rO_Pq1Gac
Tip14 Advanced RainFX, GTN750 and Transponder Programming
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sVEMb1c43w

V 1.00 / 2020.05.06 / RT Page 19 of 19