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Jets
If you're in danger of loosing interest because you just can't land the damn thing - don't despair.
| Jets |
Here are a few tips on how to fly these jets. (Any real jet pilot please do not read! My only experience is a PPL on light aircraft, 1 hour on a real 757 simulator, & sitting in the cabin of a (BA) 747-400 in 1998 from 30,000ft over Las Vegas into LAX, & that was AMAZING!). The advice given below is drawn from my experience in light aircraft, the 757 sim & a lot of practice on FS98 & FS2000 on a variety of jets. It works fine for me & I get easily get into any airport with an ILS, even with only 400m visibility, landing at the threshold and never crashing (OK - well not often!)
- Take
Off.
Flaps
at takeoff- essential for increasing
lift and reducing stalling speed. Use about 1 or 2 stages of flap for
take off. Full power down runway. Pull back on stick at around 150 -
180kts for 737. The heavy jets will require more speed to get off the
ground. I find some of the 747's will not lift off untill over 200kts.
Gear up when climb established or about 200ft agl. Flaps up in stages
at about 1000 ft agl.(above ground level)
- Cruise.
On a long flight, climb to around 30-35000 ft. The air is thinner up
there, more economical (& with Jets, economy does matter) &
you get to your destination quicker. Ease off power to achieve cruising
speed. Try increasing the SIMULATION RATE to decrease boredom, until
you start your descent.If you're at 30,000ft, start your descent at
about 100miles from destination. So at 50 miles you are at about 15000ft,
25 miles 7500 ft etc. Reduce height by reducing throttle & reducing
speed.
- Navigation.
In
FS2000 there is a great Flight Planner for navigation. This must be
set before take off to make your flight plan. It can also be used during
flight as a miving map.You can also use the great utility called FSNAV
available in Utilities.Use the Nav 2
for VOR setting.
On the panel - use Nav 1 for ILS (Instrument Landing System. The ILS gives you a position & height indicator for the runway on which you wish to land.) The Nav 2 will usually kick in at around 120 miles from the VOR to which it is tuned. The arrow will point in the direction of the beacon & if this beacon is at your destination, then that's where you want to go. Understand the position and direction of the landing runway. Pre-plan. At about 20 miles try to position the aircraft roughly in line for the landing runway. When the ILS kicks in you'll have less frustrated chasing the needle. Try using the autopilot, master switch 'on', and Approach 'on'. As you approach the runway be sure to dissengage the Autopilot. Otherwise this will mess up your landing & make you exit flight simulator in total frustration! With practice & some pre-planning, you'll master landing even the biggest jets at any ILS airport.
- Autopilot
can be used to follow Headings,
maintain Altitude & maintain Air Speed as well as follow an ILS
approach. It is an invaluable item for jet flight. Real pilots use it
all the time.
- Landing.
The most difficult thing! If your having trouble
- SAVE a flight when on approach so you can keep trying it again when
you know what you did wrong!
Reduce speed gradually. If you're at 30000 ft, start your decent at about 100 miles from your destination. Reduce throttle & as speed declines you will notice you start to loose height. Control speed with gradual backwards pressure on the control column. Judge your height relative to your destination & adjust as necessary. Remember that reducing throttle reduces height - do not just point the thing downwards- you'll only gain enormous speed & eventually mess up your landing.
When about 50 miles from your destination, airspeed should be reduced to 250kts. When about 15 to 20 miles from destination fly at around 4-9000 ft. Bring in some flap & increase flap as you get nearer. Reduce speed to 200 kts. Reduce speed further to be around 180kts at 4 miles with almost full flap. To land you will need to be around 150 - 175kts. Lower the gear at about 5 to 10 miles from landing. Use throttle & pitch combined to maintain height. If you find yourself loosing height - don't just pull up! You'll stall -- add more power.
- GPWS. It is worth adding the GPWS system, if only for landing. It will give you verbal messages as you land, '100', '50', '30' etc. This is invaluable for a smooth touchdown, especially in the big jets.
| Props |
There is so much info on flying the 182 in the FS98 help files & lessons that I will only state a few essential tips.
Standard practice for real flying is the 'CIRCUIT'. That is take off & follow a square shape to arrive back on the same runway. The circuit should run about a mile away from the runway when on the parallel (downwind) leg.
Take-off & level flying are very easy procedures. The aircraft will lift off the ground at around 70kts, or around 120 for a heavier turbo-prop. With the turbo-props, the flying is more like a light jet. Practice makes perfect. Just remember the following guides: keep engine speed at around 2200rpm for level flight in a Cessna 182. Cruising speed for aircraft is mentioned in the Select Aircraft menu.
Landing. (Light Aircraft). Mixture rich. Reduce engine speed to about 1800rpm. Bring in flaps in stages. Gear down about 2 miles from landing. Use throttle to maintain height, stick to maintain speed. Reduce speed gradually aiming to be around 10-20kts over stalling speed at final approach. For the light aircraft approach speed will be about 70 kts. Too fast & you just won't land. Too slow & you'll stall into the ground & probably die. Full flaps on final approach unless there is a lot of wind. As you near the runway, pull back on the stick & gently touch down..... that's what should happen. Practice makes perfect!
| Choppers |
There are two tutorials on Flying Helicopters in MSFS
Now read Flying the Bell 206