Simviation Forums

Yeah, it sounds stupid. But even the Prima Game Guide manual didn't explain the problem.

1. What's N1? Full thrust? Never found out.

2. APU? No idea. (Help)

3. Alternator, clueless

4. Magnetos. Are they related to magnets or something? What are they?

5. How do you work the visual flight path? (How does it connect to the Nav1?)

I know, I am a very stupid pilot not knowing these for the past three years I have had FSX. Any answers?

1.  N1 is the rotation speed of the low-pressure compressor in a high or low bypass turbojet engine.  In a non-bypassed engine it is the engine rotation speed.  N1 and N2 are given as a percentage of maximum rotation speed of the engine.  So N1 at 100% means the engine is spinning as fast as it should and will be giving maximum sustainable thrust.

2.  APU is an auxiliary power unit, which supplies power to the aircraft when the main engines aren't running.

3.  The alternator is a generator on a reciprocating engine that is driven by the crankshaft to charge the aircraft batteries while the engine is running. 

4.  The magneto is part of a reciprocating engine that generates the power for the spark in the spark plug.  Aircraft have two of them as a back up in case one fails.  Having two also increases power and efficiency.

5.  I have no idea, I think it's in the realism settings some where.  Remember though, there's no flight path when you're actually flying!

You're not a stupid pilot, because there is no such thing. You've just got a lot to learn before you BECOME a pilot

We always seem to respond to the same questions at the same time Brett!

At least our answers agree with each other.

Yeah..lol  (must be a Packer thing) 

You Packer guys have it covered, however lets point out, in case that was one of the questions, the VASI boxes Microsoft has placed at almost every airport merely Indicate a Visual Approach Slope.

I know how to do an ILS and use the runway signal lights to aid in landing, but for cruise w/o autopilot, how do I run the visual flight path? Because it doesn't give me a frequency or anything to operate on.

(btw, mthanks for the other answers guys! )

2) APU is an auxiliary power unit.. Larger aircraft have them to create electricity and/or bleed-air

Just to add to the explanation, the Auxiliary Power Unit is basically a small jet engine, but rather than use it's power for thrust, as Brett says, it is used to power electrical systems, or utilise its bleed air (for engine starting, ground heating etc).