FlightGear Newsletter March 2014: Difference between revisions

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added some history of the plane
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[[File:Pa22cockpit-2.png|thumb|270px|The cockpit]]
[[File:Pa22cockpit-2.png|thumb|270px|The cockpit]]


The PA-22 is a classic post-World War II aircraft. The plane includes an autostart option as well as a tutorial to step you through the process. The takeoff is smooth and steady, only minimal rudder is needed to keep the aircraft lined up with the runway. We rotate at about 55 MPH, accelerate to about 85 MPH, and climb. The climb rate is decent, and pretty soon we reach our cruising altitude of 1000 feet.  
The PA-22 is a classic post-World War II aircraft. Produced from 1950-1964, it competed with other light GA aircraft of the day, including the Cessna 150. Its popular appeal lay in its ruggedness, spacious cabin, and, for the time, impressive speed.
 
Let's see how the flightgear version compares.
 
The flightgear version of the plane includes an autostart option as well as a tutorial to step you through the process. The takeoff is smooth and steady, only minimal rudder is needed to keep the aircraft lined up with the runway. We rotate at about 55 MPH, accelerate to about 85 MPH, and climb. The climb rate is decent, and pretty soon we reach our cruising altitude of 1000 feet.  


After leaning out the mixture a bit, pulling the throttle back to three quarters, I decide to turn on autopilot. There is a tutorial to step you through the use of the autopilot, which is quite simple. Since the autopilot only takes care of roll, we reach up to the ceiling to adjust the vertical trim. Clicking it will cause it to rotate in one direction, middle clicking will rotate it in the other direction.
After leaning out the mixture a bit, pulling the throttle back to three quarters, I decide to turn on autopilot. There is a tutorial to step you through the use of the autopilot, which is quite simple. Since the autopilot only takes care of roll, we reach up to the ceiling to adjust the vertical trim. Clicking it will cause it to rotate in one direction, middle clicking will rotate it in the other direction.
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