| In this sample flight I will use the Bombardier Learjet 45, one
of my favourites airplanes in FSX, but the general flight procedure
is the same for any other airplane (of course adapting the speeds
and
flight controls to its specs) I want to make clear that this my
own procedure for a VFR (Visual Flight Rules) flight, without ATC,
and using the GPS for navigating and the ILS for final approach to
the destination airport.
I don't claim it to be neither the best not the correct procedure,
but it works for me and it based on what I have learned from own
experience and reading procedures of other FSX pilots.
In this example we'll take off from the airport of Palma de
Mallorca (LEPA), flight straight to Ibiza island and land in its
airport (LEIB)
|
First of all we have prepared a simple flight plan using the
flight planner of FSX. This will takes us in almost straight
line from LEPA to LEIB, passing by
DO61N and CD24 intersections in order to facilitate the approach and
alignment to runway 24 of Ibiza airport. |
We are going to take off from runway 24R in Palma airport, what is
good news as it is nearly aligned with the direct route to Ibiza.
Now lets make the start-up settings:
- Reset altimeter, using its knob or easier using the
"B" key in the keyboard.
- In the GPS/NAV selector make sure that NAV is selected.
- Using the HDG knob set the heading at 12 o'clock. This
will be useful to temporally keep the right course when we first
enable the autopilot later.
- Using the ASEL knob set the desired cruise level. In the example
and taking into account that it is a short VFR flight we set it
5000 feet. In real life it normally would be higher.
- Using the SPD knob set the desired cruise speed. For the
Learjet 45 the recommended is 250 knots below 10000 feet and 280
knots above that height. (FSX begins giving speed warnings for
speeds
above 325 knots +-)
- Enable HDG, SPD and ALT buttons in the autopilot (light
should bright green).
- Set flaps to 8 for takeoff
|
Let's take off now. We simply increase thrust smoothly up to full
and release brakes.
When we get to the rotate speed (130 knots), we
rotate and the climb-out should begin.
|
Let's keep it at about 10-15 degrees nose up and retract the
landing gear.
Activate autopilot (AP button). It will keep the airplane
accelerating up to the cruise speed and climbing up to the cruise
level while keeping the current heading (12 o'clock)
When we get to 200 knots it's time to retract the flaps. |
Using the HDG knob let's correct the heading go get close to the
the route indicated in the GPS. GPS screen can be shown/hidden with
the Shift+3 key. In this example as we are already aligned it is not
necessary.
When we are close to the GPS route, we set the GPS/NAV selector in
the GPS position and enable the NAV button in the autopilot. This will adjust the course if necessary and follow the
GPS route that was loaded at the beginning with the flight plan.
Notice that the GPS does not control height, only route. |
It can be done later, but for this example and taking into
account how short the flight is, we'll already set the ILS frequency
of runway 24 of Ibiza airport, that is 109.500. We set the frequency
in the Aux. frequency dial of the NAV1 and click the frequency
change button. If you don't know the frequency you can always
find it in the GPS. |
We confirm that 109.500 is in the main dial of NAV1 and enable
NAV1 button in order to hear the audio signal of the ILS when we get
closer to destination airport. |
Time to have a look outside and say goodbye to Mallorca. Paguera
bay in the above picture, with Dragonera island in the background. |
Autopilot is maintaining the course indicated by the GPS and the
programmed speed and level. No more actions are required for
now. Just leave it fly, relax and ask the hostess to bring you a
coffee ;-) |
When we get closer to the destination, about 20 nm from DO61IN
waypoint in this example, we should start preparing for approach:
Using the SPD knob set the desired speed to 195 knots
Using the ASEL knob set the level to 2500 feet, an adequate level
for later intercepting the ILS glide slope, taking into account that
Ibiza Airport is almost at sea level |
Arm auto spoilers (they will be deployed automatically when
landing)
At about 200 knots set flaps to 8 |
We can already see Ibiza island |
Decrease the desired speed to 170 knots. When it's below
about 180 knots set flaps to 20 |
At this point we should be already hearing the Morse code signal
of the ILS which frequency we set before in NAV1. (The sound can be
disabled using the NAV1 button in the radio)
Set the GPS/NAV switch to NAV and enable APP in the autopilot.
Now the airplane course is no longer controlled by the GPS but
following the ILS approach route. |
As we can see the airplane is already descending following the
ILS glide slope.
Let's continue decreasing speed: Set desired speed to 150 knots and
when it gets below about 155 knots fully deploy the flaps and
landing gear. |
We check that the alignment with the runway is correct.
At this point we can already see the PAPI lights. Remember
that two yellow and two red lights indicate that we are at the right
height in the descending slope. As this is an ILS approach the own
ILS system should guarantee it. |
Let's continue decreasing speed. Set it to 140 knots. |
Continue decreasing speed to 135 knots, that is the landing speed
of the airplane. |
When we are close to the runway we check again the alignment and
PAPI lights and if everything is correct we disable the autopilot
(AP button) to proceed to the final corrections and landing.
Remember that at this point the speed will no longer be controlled
by the autopilot but by you. Use the normal landing procedure,
stopping throttle right before touchdown. |
Right after touchdown apply reverse thrust by keeping F2 key
pressed and apply brakes as required.
At 60 knots cancel reverse thrust by pressing the F3 key for some
seconds
Fully retract flaps and spoilers
Taxi to the terminal. Maximum taxi speed is 20 knots. |
| Notice that in this example speed is expressed in KIAS
(Indicated Air Speed Knots) Some keys associated to some
actions depend on the keyboard layout (different depending on the
country) and so they have not been specified here. Use
"Configuration - Controls - Buttons/Keys" to know the key associated
to a certain action in your particular case. |
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