User Guide

Learning To Fly with Rod Machado
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the way back) but don’t touch the joystick.
3. Observe the airplane’s response as it pitches nose down and goes through a few pitch cycles
until its attitude stabilizes.
4. Press P to pause the simulation.
Even though we’ve reduced power, the airspeed stays relatively constant at approximately 80
knots. Once the airplane is trimmed to maintain a specific airspeed, it will attempt to maintain
that airspeed even with a power change (many factors affect this, so the airspeed will vary a
little.)
The VSI shows a 700 foot per minute (FPM) descent while the airplane is at a 3-degree nose-up
attitude (an attitude lower than the previous climb attitude). Whether you know it or not, you’ve just
made your first successful descent.
Think of descending in an airplane as you would going down a hill in aThink of descending in an airplane as you would going down a hill in a
Think of descending in an airplane as you would going down a hill in aThink of descending in an airplane as you would going down a hill in a
Think of descending in an airplane as you would going down a hill in a
car. First, as the car points down a steep hill, you normally take yourcar. First, as the car points down a steep hill, you normally take your
car. First, as the car points down a steep hill, you normally take yourcar. First, as the car points down a steep hill, you normally take your
car. First, as the car points down a steep hill, you normally take your
foot off the accelerator and coast downward (especially near a donutfoot off the accelerator and coast downward (especially near a donut
foot off the accelerator and coast downward (especially near a donutfoot off the accelerator and coast downward (especially near a donut
foot off the accelerator and coast downward (especially near a donut
shop—that’s where the police are). The steepness of the hill determinesshop—that’s where the police are). The steepness of the hill determines
shop—that’s where the police are). The steepness of the hill determinesshop—that’s where the police are). The steepness of the hill determines
shop—that’s where the police are). The steepness of the hill determines
the car’s eventual speed. Steep hills result in faster coasting speeds, whilethe car’s eventual speed. Steep hills result in faster coasting speeds, while
the car’s eventual speed. Steep hills result in faster coasting speeds, whilethe car’s eventual speed. Steep hills result in faster coasting speeds, while
the car’s eventual speed. Steep hills result in faster coasting speeds, while
shallow hills result in slower coasting speeds. Airplanes work similarly.shallow hills result in slower coasting speeds. Airplanes work similarly.
shallow hills result in slower coasting speeds. Airplanes work similarly.shallow hills result in slower coasting speeds. Airplanes work similarly.
shallow hills result in slower coasting speeds. Airplanes work similarly.
We’ve reduced the power to flight idle. In a sense we’re coasting down a hill. Our airspeed stabilized
at 80 knots because the previous trim setting determined the steepness of our hill. Now, let’s change
the steepness of the hill.
But first, let’s give ourselves a little more altitude. If we go too low in this part of the country, we’ll
need permission from the Bureau of Land Management—because we’ll hit something.
1. On the World menu, click Map View.
2. Click in the Altitude (MSL) text box (make sure it’s the aircraft one, not the tower one) and type
the number 5000, which represents 5,000 feet above sea level.
3. Click the OK icon.
You’re automatically boosted to 5,000 feet without having to rub a genie’s lamp.
4. Press P to reactivate the simulation (remember, the wing leveler is still active).
Pitch Change Means Airspeed Change
Let’s see how a small change in pitch affects the airspeed. Without readjusting the trim, I want you to
lower the nose slightly (make a steeper hill) and find an attitude that produces an airspeed reading of
90 knots.
1. Using the attitude indicator, make a small, slight pitch adjustment—perhaps a degree or two—,
hold it, and watch the airspeed’s response.
Observe the change, but don’t chase the airspeed needle. If you want to descend at this speed,
you’d simply trim the airplane to maintain this attitude.