User Guide

Learning To Fly with Rod Machado
103
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1. Press P to activate the simulation.
2. When you are abeam of the end of the
runway, apply 10 degrees of flaps (press F7
once).
3. Adjust the pitch with the joystick to hold
altitude.
4. Trim the airplane as shown in Figure 11.
(Remember, don’t use trim to change the
pitch. That’s what the joystick’s for. Use trim
to take the pressure off the joystick once the
desired attitude is established.)
5. Press P to pause the simulation once you’re
trimmed for level flight.
It’s important to hold your altitude on the downwind leg. After all, airplanes are entering the pattern
on the downwind leg and a premature descent from TPA could result in landing on someone (I think
this is how biplanes were invented).
Base Leg
Now it’s time for another 90-degree turn to the left. We call this base leg, and from here you have
only one more 90-degree turn before you’re on final approach. But where should you start your turn
to base leg?
Assuming airplane traffic isn’t a factor, it’s convenient and practical to start your turn onto base leg
when the landing threshold appears about 45 degrees between the wing (left wing in this instance)
and the tail of your airplane (Figure 12). In other words, as you look out the left window, the runway’s
threshold appears to be at a 45-degree angle to the left of the wing (or midway between the wing
and the tail). This provides for a symmetrical, rectangular traffic pattern, instead of one having the
shape of an
enormous
amoeba.
Additionally, it
provides you with
enough distance
from the runway
to make a
comfortable
approach.
Base leg is a point of transition for landing. It’s the place where important adjustments are made in
the airplane’s speed and landing configuration. This is why, even when you’re not following other
Figure 12
Figure 11
BASE LEG