Simviation Forums

I've been flying FS2002 for about 4 months and am making good progress at getting my planes back to earth in a somewhat elegant fashion after short flights (most of the time).  I like flying commercial jets and have always chosen short flights that seldom reach more than 19,000 feet.

The other day I decided to to do a full length monster flight that took me to 41,000 feet and mach .84.  That's when I realized that I had no idea what the procedure is is to get a heavy jet slowed up and into a normal approach at a reasonable altitude.  I started 100 miles out, but was still way too high and way too fast as I got close to the airport.

I haven't been able to find any specific help in my guidebooks, so could someone here please give me a step-by-step guide?  What do you do first?  How fast should you be at what altitude?  How do you plan your descent to fly straight into the approach and landing?  When and how do you use airbrakes?  Every time I've popped them while descending using autopilot, the plane has stalled and crashed.  As alaways, I thank the experts here in advance!

-Scott

100 miles is a good distance to start, there is an equation but i can remember it someone else might, i have a 747-200 that has the same problem. with the airbrakes open up the throttle quadrent and use the lever manually pull it down to about 40-50% that way it wont completley kill the speed and remember to use it in short stints

First off I dont think planes have airbrakes im not sure (Correct me if im wrong) all I know of is Spoilers and Flaps and Autobrakes. Second Fly IFR (Instrument Flight Rules)

hi nitrotc3 i believe they use the spoilers as airbrakes for controlled decent when they need to loose speed and height quickly i have seen them used a few times when onboard an md11

Also, do a search for "descent calculator" and download the program, which provides you with info on when to begin your descent (depending on various factors).

Ok had to make sure the only things I know with airbrakes are 18 wheelers and Trains

The typical Airliner descent is 10,000 for 30 miles.
So 30,000ft  is about 90-100 miles, etc. Base it on that & you won't go far wrong.
To start your descent 1st reduce your throttle -

Of course - this will all be done on AP in the real world.  

All airliners I know have airbrakes & these are used to slow the bird down primarily during descent.
Consult the manual for descent speeds.

I think the proper term is speedbrake.

no,airbrake,because it's used to slow down the plane in the air.

The airbrakes I believe are the spoilers.  I remember being on a Northwest flight into Honolulu (for real, not sim) and looking out the window during our decent the spoilers came up and the plane shook a bit as we slowed down.  It was a crazy feeling decent.  If I was in the cockpit, it would have looked normal.

Anyway,  you should be able to engage the spoilers during your decent if it is nessesary.  Just don't leave them in for a long time or you will stall.  Plus, during the decent it is better to control it with the throttle.  Bring the power back as needed, and try not to decend too rapidly or else you will not bleed off the speed.  I think normal operating speeds are around 250 to 280knts when making your decent and approach....(for the jet liners.)

Of course landing speeds on final.

Decending a heavy should be done in increments. Step down from say, 30,000 to 20k, then 10k. Decrease the throttle to almost idle, and use your flaps to control your speed as you decend. Use your altitude hold on the AP to control your altitude and set the verticle speed to about -1800 f.p.s., but manually control your speed and heading. Keep a close eye on your speed. Don't stall. Remember to set your Nav radio for the VOR, then when close enough, switch to the ILS frequency and ride it down.
Try to keep in mind what would be a comfortable ride for your passengers.

Also remember that out there in the real world, no one would ever fly a commercial jet VFR . . .

 If you bring up the throttle quadrant in any airliner, there will be a lever marked speedbrake, I assume this lever controls the spoilers, it definitely helps you control your speed on descent.
ATI I understand your reasoning, but I can't seem to find the airbrake lever anywhere.

I think the only way you'd find it is if you were flyin' a Cab-over Pete or Conventional Mack!

Sorry, guys. I couldn't resist.

I think the only way you'd find it is if you were flyin' a Cab-over Pete or Conventional Mack!

Wouldn't that be a JAKE BRAKE?

Speedbrake/Spoiler/Airbrake, whatever ya'all call it, it does slow the plane down.  On my keyboard it's the / key (probably because that what the spoilers look like in profile).