Airccraft Information

[barrymb]

Hi
   New to FS, and finally got everything working. What agreat program. I have been downloading several aircraft and becoming ok at most aspects of FS.
  I know and have read the info in the learning center. I have read the manuals on this site, and I have read the flying instructions that come with many of the planes.
  However is there a book or place where I can learn more about the gauges and aspects of the panels.
    I have many questions that I need to be answered so I can put the entire flight in perspective. Questions about temps, mixtures. rmp's. What to do when, and the WHY.
   Ant suggestions will greatly be appteciated.
                       Thanks in advance
                                           Barry

[Nav]

barrymb, use the Learning Centre index, look up any aeroplane you want to fly and go to 'Flight Notes,' you should find most of what you need. Also click on 'Aircraft/Kneeboard/Checklist' when flying or parked, more information there. Most downloads also include notes on settings.

As to mixture in a prop, best way is to lean it ('Ctrl/Shift/Tap F2') until the engine coughs, then 'Ctrl/Shift/Tap F3' to rich it up a bit - BEFORE the engine dies on you! Once you get the hang of that, the more refined method is to lean the mixture so as to maximise CHT or TIT (Cylinder Head Temperature or Turbine Intake Temperature, you'll have a gauge for one or the other on any prop) for a given RPM, that's the 'professional' way.

Any of us would be more than happy to answer specific questions. Any detail that that bugs you, just ask on here.

[garymbuska]

Of course there is always the lessons. Although do not expect to pass the check rides as most if not all of them are nearly imposable to pass. But the lessons are a great way to learn how to use most of the gauges including  the VOR and NDB gauges. 8-)

[Brett_Henderson]

A book, or at least a chapter, can be written about mixture settings.. Unfortunately, one of the shortcomings in MSFS realism, is the gauges that center around mixture adjustment; EGT and fuel-flow, specifically. There is more than one method, and more than one proper setting.

Since you, as a pilot, will know what your fuel-flow will be at a given altitude and power setting; the fuel-flow gauge is more like a confirmation gauge to cross check after leaning. The EGT (or ITT on a turbo-charged engine) is the primary mixture gauge.

"By the book", after you're level and trimmed, you'd lean SLOWLY until the EGT peaks, and then richen by one increment colder. Now.. some pilots (plane owners) believe it's better to lean to peak and stay there. The logic is that even though you'll shorten engine life by a tad; the money saved in fuel more than makes up for it. You can pretty much duplicate this by leaning until you lose power audibly and then richen slightly (how many students are taught in planes with no EGT).

The big rule of thumb is... Full rich under full power until 3000msl, then lean just enough to see a slight temp increase on the EGT and try to keep it there (never letting it peak) until you level for cruise and then lean accordingly.

Richening for descent is an in-exact science. Just try to richen in proportion to your altidude (if you were cruising at 6000msl, have the mixture 1/2 way in by 3000, etc.) and have the mixture at max power before landing.

Now.. max power can be a tricky thing when you're taking off or landing at a high-altitude (or high density altitude) airport. If, for example, the density altitude is 3000feet, and your plane is at maximum gross takeoff weight, a full rich setting will yield way less than the maximum power you'll need. Finding that sweet-spot is important. You can't just do a run-up and lean like you would for cruise,

[barrymb]

Hi guys
   Thanks for the suggestions and all the info.
                        Barry