Simviation Forums

I've been flying over warzones in FSPassengers, just to get shot at really and see how I can cope with various system failures (great fun BTW!). A few times i've had an engine shut down but the AC behaves in the opposite way that I was expecting, ie, the left engine fails but the left wing dips. Increasing power to the right engine causes the right wing to go down, not up as I was expecting.

Surely, the wing with the powered engine should go up as the airflow over it would be increased? Have I got my aerodynamic understanding wrong or has FS9?

The behaviour you describe is entirely possible...depending on your control inputs and airspeed.

After losing the engine you would normally apply a little rudder into the live engine to maintain straight and level flight. You might also apply a little aileron to try and pick up the wing with the dead engine. In either circunstance applying power will tend to force the "live" wing further down as airspeed increases.

What you described is how a plane with one engine out would behave, simon

Opps, got it the wrong way round! What I ment to say was, the wing with the dead engine actualy goes UP not down. Surely the opposite should happen?

Questions:

What kind of plane ?

Was the autopilot engaged ?

If a prop.. was auto-feather activated ?

The FS9 Learning Center has a King video you can watch which explains the procedure(s)

FS9 Path:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator 9\FSweb\LearningCenter\advancedflyingskills\FlyingTwinEngineAircraft.htm

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator 9\FSweb\LearningCenter\advancedflyingskills\video/EngineFailureInTwins.WMV

Now you're right, the wing with the dead engine should dip, because more thrust is being created on the other side of the aircraft, so that wing is moving though the air faster, creating more lift, but you should notice yaw into the dead engine, because the lack of thrust most likely outweighs the adverse yaw created by the faster moving, opposite wing.  Hope that wasn't too confusing, kinda confused myself I think.

EDIT: Wait, I just re-read your post, and I'm confused.  If your applying rudder to counteract the engine-out, you may be applying too much, which would cause the aircraft to yaw in the direction your applying rudder (into the live engine) and the opposite wing to rise.  Otherwise, it sounds strange, and I don't know what's going on.

Yeah, dead wing will drop, and you'll experience yawing to the "dead wing" aswell. The windmilling engine causes way more drag than the ailerons on the opposing wing

Solution: Use rudder trim and you can almost fly the aircraft normally.

Ahhh, ok, think i've got an idea. Not having peddles or a twist stick, I always have the 'autorudder' on. So, does that mean that the sim is automaticaly compensating with the rudder causeing the dead wing to lift?

BTW, B737, AP on or off (sometimes lost the electrics as well!) and of course, jet engines.

Yeah, the autorudder may be the culprit here, dont know for sure since I have never used that feature.
Also weird that you lose electric power just because one generator is offline.
I believe you can even make an automated ILS approach (NOT landing) with one engine INOP in the 737. Just shoot for a flap 15 landing, ie higher approach speed. Reason for that is in case of go around...one engine would have a hard time giving you enough thrust incase of sudden windshears etc...a higher speed will give you a larger marging incase you would need go-around thrust.

I am sorry to everyone who replied to this other than Nexus.  I am a real pilot and I know Nexus is too because of his answer.  Cheers!

Thanks, a bit clearer now. No, didn't loose electrics because of the engine, just that some times you get multiple failures all at once. I once landed with a dead engine, hardly any hydraulic pressure so no flaps, no electrics and a hole in the fuselage! I got a round of applause from the passengers on that one!!

Anybody mention this ... never turn INTO a dead engine. It's unlikely you'd get it up level again, leading to a spin. so on approach or or heading change always turn into the live engine ...

papa-metro usaf 1953-57