User Guide

Flight Simulator

20002000

2000

Microsoft

2. Now raise the nose (make a shallower hill) and find an attitude that produces an airspeed

reading of 70 knots.

3. Since the airplane is trimmed for an 80-knot glide, slowly release the back pressure on the

joystick and resume the 80-knot descent.

4. Once the airspeed stabilizes at 80 knots, press P to pause the simulation.

5. Click World, click Map View, and type 5000 in the Altitude (MSL) field. Click the OK icon and

we’re back to 5,000 feet above sea level.

The reason I had you change pitch with the power set at flight idle was to give you an idea of how we

control the airplane’s airspeed. This becomes very important when you prepare for landings. After all,

you’ll need to fly at different speeds when making your landing approach. By making changes in

pitch you can descend at any airspeed you desire.

Changing Descent Rates

What if you want to descend at the same airspeed but at a slower descent rate (a smaller reading on

the VSI)? Well, here’s your chance for power. (Sorry, I mean engine power. No world domination

today!) Power has a direct bearing on your rate of descent.

1. Press P to reactivate the simulation.

At 80 knots, with the power at flight idle, the airplane descends at approximately 700 FPM.

Suppose, for example, you’re approaching to land and need less of a descent rate to make it to

the runway. What do you do?

2. Simply increase your MP to a higher value, say 11 inches and adjust the pitch slightly to

maintain 80 knots.

3. Retrim as necessary.

With this slight increase in power, the airplane descends at 300 FPM. Of course, as more power

is added, the airplane will stop descending. And, if you give it even more power, the airplane will

fly level or even start climbing at 80 knots.

4. Press P to pause the simulation.

At this stage of your training, it’s a good time to agree on how you’ll control the airplane. Power

(throttle position) should be your means of adjusting the rate of descent (what the VSI reads). The

airplane’s pitch attitude (controlled by the joystick) is your means of maintaining a specific airspeed.

And, in a climb, you’ll always use the maximum allowable power (usually full throttle) while adjusting

the airplane’s attitude with the joystick for the airspeed desired. Since you’re familiar with the

procedure for making climbs and descents, let’s combine these with the skills we developed in

tutorial two.