747 flight dynamics wrong?

[digant]

Hello everyone,

I have a question about my 747 on FS2004.  It seems when I am cruising at top speed (340-360knots), my nose is still about 5 to 10 degrees up to maintain the same altitude.  Is this normal?

-- DK

[Delta_]

It is normal for an aircraft to have a certain pitch in order to maintain its altitude.  It is to counter act the loss of lift.  The lower pressure (due to less air) reduces lift.  I am not sure how much pitch is required for a 747 at what speed at what altitude is required.

[Nexus]

the pitch up is an aerodynamic solution, the wings are mounted at a certain incidence to produce the best lift efficiency and minimize the drag. And while flying with an upward pitch at cruise altitude you actually reduce the drag (try to think where the relative wind hits the aircraft body....)

PS. 5-10 degrees is a bit too much, probably because your flying at an altitude where your aircraft is too heavy (too much fuel?) to maintain the selected cruise speed (which always should be in mach numbers)