User manual

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Be careful not to veer off the runway. In a real plane, chances are that you would crash
(or get stopped on the grass). Usually this means bent landing gear and a broken prop.
If your plane has retracts, they could even be torn out of the wing.
For the best practice, it’s recommended that you utilize the Takeoff Trainer available
with RealFlight 6.5. For more information, see the Takeoff Trainer section on page
242.
Landings-
It is very important to land on the runway, rather than veering off, or touching down
before you reach the runway. Either of the latter usually produces a moderately
expensive crash. If you “cartwheel” (wing tip hits the ground first), the wing can break,
resulting in lengthy down time while you repair your airplane.
Start by aligning your plane parallel with the runway. Fly the approach normally, using
your throttle to control the rate of descent. Try to land at the slowest speed possible.
If your plane has flaps, use them to kill speed (but be careful; with flaps down your
plane will try to pitch up and climb). If your plane has retractable landing gear, lower
them. As you touch down, remember to keep your nose up!
RealFlight has several tools to help you practice landings.
• Gain experience through the Landing Trainer. It offers guidance and helps set you
up for the perfect landing. See the Landing Trainer on page 247 for more
information.
• During your approach, use the NavGuides to keep track of your speed, altitude,
and distance above ground.
Aerobatics-
When you practice aerobatics, the three important steps are:
• Start the plane straight and level, in a controlled situation
• Perform the maneuver
• Return to a straight, controlled situation
Anyone can give it full throttle, jam the sticks in all directions and watch the plane
tumble and roll. However, this is not what you will do out in the field. Do this and you
will not have control of the airplane!
The key to properly performing the maneuver is in the setup. Doing so will allow you
to cleanly finish and your experience will be more rewarding as well as more realistic.