Sim Flight Training: PPL: Part 6 of 7

[Brett_Henderson]

SimV Private Pilot:

1-Plan a flight of 50nm or more, accounting for winds aloft and their affect on heading and ground-speed. Calculate the minimum fuel needed (including reserves) and the maximum payload at that fuel level.

2-Fly the planned flight holding heading (+/- 10 degrees) and altitude (+/- 100 feet); enter the traffic pattern safely; execute a touch-and-go and fly one complete lap around the pattern and then execute a full-stop, short-field landing.

3-Execute a short-field takeoff.

4-Execute a constant-airspeed, climbing turn.

5-Track a VOR radial and fly to an NDB.

6-Execute a 360 degree, steep turn (greater than 45 degrees bank) holding altitude +/- 100 feet and rolling out on heading +/- 10 degrees.

7-Execute a no-flap landing.

This part has been touched on in the other threads. It's pretty much a "practice until you get it"

[SubZer0]

I practiced a bit last night and it was actually the first time I used rudder during the a turn. I must say that it helped me keep my VSI needle in better control, but the turn itself wasn't as smooth as it supposed to be. I guess it's because I have a joystick and no rudder pedals, but that will most likely change next month, so hopefully that will smooth out my turn (it's not easy doing that with a joystick... at least for me).

Overall I was happy with the exercise and will probably do some more tonight and the next few nights. Hopefully I'll be ready for the checkrides.

Speaking of those, when will they be and how will they be done?

[Mobius]

If only FS had the bump when you fly through your wake after a 360

[Brett_Henderson]

I practiced a bit last night and it was actually the first time I used rudder during the a turn. I must say that it helped me keep my VSI needle in better control, but the turn itself wasn't as smooth as it supposed to be. I guess it's because I have a joystick and no rudder pedals, but that will most likely change next month, so hopefully that will smooth out my turn (it's not easy doing that with a joystick... at least for me).

Overall I was happy with the exercise and will probably do some more tonight and the next few nights. Hopefully I'll be ready for the checkrides.

Speaking of those, when will they be and how will they be done?

If you can hold a steep turn +/- 100 feet with a joystick and no pedals, you're doing quite well. It would be nearly impossible to coordinate a steep turn with a twist-grip rudder, so don't worry too much about how smooth it is. Just executing the turn within altitude/airspeed limits is quite an accomplishment. It shows good pitch/power control on your part..

[Brett_Henderson]

[quote]If only FS had the bump when you fly through your wake after a 360

[SubZer0]

Next lesson?

[Brett_Henderson]

Next (and last) part will be up by tomorrow's end  

Every time I sit to type it.. I get distracted...


THEN we'll try the shared-cockpit checkrides  :)

[beaky]

Good stuff- I try to do at least one steep zigzag on every flight (pax willing). It's important to practice that.

But it's been a long time since I tried one hands-off with trim (initiating and recovering with my hands, of course)... that's when you know you're doing it right.

[Brett_Henderson]

** Bump  ( see thread:  "Putting it all together" ) **