Howto:Seneca II: Difference between revisions

To follow this HOWTO, you need

* A running version of FlightGear

* The [[Seneca II Checklist]]

* The [[Seneca II Panel Reference]]

* Some spare time: 1 hour for the VFR part, 2 hours for the complete session

The reference screenshots may help, if you are not familiar with the location of the controls:

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= Basics - VFR =

To keep the beginning simple, let's start on a nice sunny day in San Francisco Intl - KSFO, FlightGear's default airport.

Start your FlightGear with

== Startup, Takeoff, Straight and Level ==

First of all, we have to start the engines. Once again, the checklist will help us doing the right things in the correct order.

The operation of the primer is not needed in the simulation, so you can safely skip the operation of the primer here, since the engines will fire regardless of priming or not. After ignition, you have to open the throttles to let the engines run at more than 1000RPM for a short time to keep them alive.

And in case of emergency: hit the ESC-key and restart FlightGear.

'''D-GEAR: cleared for takeoff runway 28R'''

When cleared for takeoff, advance the throttle slowly to apply 40" of manifold pressure. In reality you should only advance to 39" of manifold pressure, the remaining inch will build up on the run due to ramair. A warning light in the annunciator panel will illuminate if you exceed 40". Reduce throttle on the corresponding engine in that case to avoid engine damage.

When MP is stabilized, release the parking brake (Shift-B) for the takeoff-run. Maintain the centerline and observe the airspeed indicator passing the red line (minimum control speed air) and rotate at 70knots by pulling the yoke (or joystick) a little back. When airborne, accelerate past the blue line (best rate of climb single engine) to 95knots. When the runway is not sufficient for landing anymore, retract the gear and turn off the landing lights.At 500ft above the field reduce the power to 31" manifold pressure and 2500 RPM.Accelerate to 100knots climb speed for a better engine cooling. When your workload permitts, read the '''''After Takeoff Check'''''.

You should be now on a straight and level flight at 2000ft at some 130 knots. If you want, go to the next section or hit the 'P'-key to pause and have a coffee.

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=== Standard Rate Turn ===

The standart rate turn is defined (for slow aircraft like the Seneca) as turning with a rate of 3 degrees per second. That makes a full circle in 2 minutes. That's why some people call this a 2-minute-turn. The turn coordinator helps you in the correct timing. When the aircraft starts turning (rotate around the vertical axis), the little aircraft symbol starts to bank. When the right wing of that symbol aligns with the R marking, the aircraft turns right at exactly the 3 degrees per second rate. And it works on left turns, too. Just use the L marking and the left wing of the aircraft symbol for that.

=== Steep Turn ===

This is fun! Steep turn are at 60 degrees bank angle (this is the second long marking on the attitude indicator). In reality this makes you feel the g-force and if you make it perfect, you enter you own wake turbulance when finishing the 360.

=== Slow Flight ===

At the present altitude of 3000ft and heading 090 reduce the power to 18" manifold pressure. While maintaining altitude 3000ft, the aircraft slows down. At 129 knots or below, lower the landing gear. At 105 knots (white arc begins) lower flaps one, than two and finally three notches to full extension. Let the speed reduce to 80 knots. You now fly a big, clumsy tanker. To maintain your speed and altitude adjust the powersetting by 3 to 4 inches and be careful with the yoke, don't pull to hard - the stall is just around the corner. Try to further reduce speed to 70 knots. Now go for a heading change - turn left heading north. Be very careful, make it shallow and smooth. Only small corrections with the ailerons are allowed and using the rudder is strongly recommended.  

Its easy to get a stall and end up in a spin.  

=== Stalls ===

==== Approach Stall ====

The first stall to achieve is the approach stall. This is done in approach configuration: gear down, flaps fully set and low power. The goal is to recover from this stall without any altitude loss, because there is no altitude to loose when approaching a runway and getting into a stall 300ft above ground. The stall is indicated by either

* end of white arc on airspeed indicator

==== Clean Stall ====

Clean stalls happen in clean configuration - flaps up and gear up and reduced power. A altitude loss of up to 100ft is acceptable. Stall indicators are

* end of green arc on airspeed indicator

==== Power On Stall ====

Power on stalls are also in clean configuration but with power either climb or full power. They occur on climbouts on a too high angle of attack. Recovery usually leads to an altitude loss. The stall indicators are

* end of green arc on airspeed indicator

When you have the airport in sight, proceed direct to the field descending altitude 1000ft.

To get home if you are lost, tune the NDB radio to 379, hit the <-> button to enable the frequency and press the ADF button. This is the SF ndb standing a few miles from the airport on the extended centerline of RWY 28. The needle of the NDB indicator points directly to this beacon. Now turn in the direction the needle is pointing until the needle show straight up to N. While on your way, descend altitude 2000ft. This is a good moment for reading the approach check from the checklist.

When the ADF needle starts to move quickly maintain you heading until it has passed the E or W marking. Now you have passed the SF beacon. Turn the shortest way to heading 280 and reduce power to 21" manifold pressure and 2300RPM. Descend at a rate of 500 feet per minute to altitude 1000ft. Follow the costline until you can see the airport, proceed to runway intersection and enter right downwind RWY 28R.

* [[Seneca II Checklist]]

* [[Seneca II Panel Reference]]

[[Category:Howto|Seneca II]]

[[Category:Piper PA34-200T Seneca II]]