747 autopilot questions

[ppsailor01]

I have a couple of autopilot questions

1. Once I am up to cruising speed and altitude I set the auto throttle altitude and heading then I usually increase the sim rate.  Once i do this it seems as though the aircraft begins pitching up and down and then the auto throttle chases after this.  Am I doing something wrong?

2. What is a typical mach cruising speed for a 747?

3. When I am climbing around 30k feet I always seem to get close to stalling and then air traffic control yells at me for not getting up to my assigned altitude quick enough what am I doing wrong here?

[Flying Mouse]

Hope I can help:

1) When you fly at normal rate your aircraft also pitch up and down. You don't really experience high movements unless the turbulence really gets going. These movements in normal rate ain't seen much with the eye.

When you increase the rate of the sim those minor movements are also increased and I believe the higher the fast forward the more bumpy the ride will become. Normal physics?

2) Don't know that one, never flew a 747. You can check on the kneeboard provided. It will give you max cruise speed. Just check the IAS (Indicated Airspeed) VS TAS (True Airspeed).

3) A few factors could be responsible for this. Did you activate anti-ice, you might have ice build-up. Are you still maintaining the same rate of climb at high altitudes? You need to adjust your rate of climb. Reduce it as you climb higher.

Remember, air density reduces the higher you climb, your climb rate need to be adjusted to prevent stalling. Example. if your climb rate is 1800 f/m shortly after take-off you won't maintain 1800 at for example 20 000 feet. It need to be reduced as you climb.

Most aircraft has performance sheets, at least props does have & I trust tubes too. Look up such sheet for the 747. It will tell you exactly what your speed and rate of climb should be after the aircraft's weight has been taken into consideration.

In real life weather conditions play a big role in appropriate climb rates, I think FSX does not simulate this to the fullest so I doubt you should worry about this. Maybe just take wind direction into account. Head winds effect your climb rates.

Also check spoilers up, flaps up, gear up.

Goodluck flying the beast, I can't fly that thing to safe my own life

[ppsailor01]

1. This seem to be a mistake in the software.  If you increase the simulator rate the controls (autopilot) should also increase the same amount thus canceling this unrealistic pitching out.

2. Thanks

3. Thanks

[Rich H]

Maybe, but it's the most fun to fly in real time.