Private Pilot Licence

[stankar]

Although I've been flying for over 2 years, I never realized how difficult it was going to be to pass the PPL in FS2K2. There is a posting on this in the tips section, but this hasn't helped me much. Maybe somebody can help. The most difficult phase is the steep turn. I find that although I execute the turn correctly, according to the flight analysis, I cannot get past this, and I suspect its because I don't get into the 45* turn quick enough and maintain this within 5*. I find that if I try and get into the right attitude quickly, just before I hit 45* the plane goes into a quick descent, and when I react by giving power and pulling back on the stick, the plane takes some time and fancy stickwork and rudder compensation before it stabilizes. I have tried giving power and rudder and elevator compensation before going into the turn, but I can't get it right. If I ease into the turn slowly and gently and carefully control the ball, I execute the 360* turn just fine, but the gal still tells me how sorry she is but I've got to go back to flight school, and I'm getting pretty frustrated.
So - you veterans, and successful certificate holders - any advice or suggestions?
Thanks
Stan

[NTX]

I dont remember it very well, but i think that when she first says to turn it isnt the hard turn, but to go to the place to do the hard turn. Or maybe the first turn isnt a 360 turn.
As i told you, i dont remember it very well. I think ill try the test again to remember it.

[C172_Flyer]

Takes the same patience and practice that it takes to get the real licence. Make smooth movements and do not over control. Think back to your training for the real thing. As you bring the wings through about 30* of bank add 100 or 200 RPM (maybe need to adjust for the sim - ie: whatever works!) Add a little back pressure on the stick. Keep it smooth. Keep practicing... you'll get it.

[NTX]

I was wrong, there is nothing of that

Hold runway course properly after take off, climb at 75 knots (remember to raise flaps after the take off). For hard turn full throttle to gain some speed before begining the turn. Then a really hard turn. And level wings early enough to not to overpass the course 090 (the course at the begining of the hard turn).

Later, remember to be at the correct altitude before entering the circuit for landing.

[stankar]

Hi again.
What a way to spend Xmas, but I'm still having problems. Your advice makes a lot of sense, but I'm still failing on the steep turns. I need to know:
1. Just how quickly must I get into the bank angle of 45*? If I go to fast, (and simultaneously increase throttle and pull back rudder), it still suddenly goes into a deep descent which is difficult to get out of and maintain altitude. If I go too slowly, then I still fail, presumably because I just don't get there quick enough. I have now tried decreasing joystick sensitivities, and am playing around on that one. Should I be applying elevator and throttle simultanously with aileron or should I first get the bank angle quickly and then open throttle and pull back, or what. Sorry if I sound so confused, but I'm just not getting it right, and I've been flightsimming for some time, so this is really frustrating.

2. I know its not the correct thing to do, but do you suggest I leave autorudder on?

3. Interestingly, in Ron Machado's flight school, even if I do it REALLY badly, I get a congratulatory message, so that isn't very helpful.

4. Hope you have a great Xmas and relaxing day.

Thanks
Stan

[flyinggriffin]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Dec-25-01 AT 12:22PM (EDT)[/font][p] If its any consolation to you, steep turns are a piece of cake in real life. Control pressures let you know whats going on. The roll into the turn should be smooth and take about 3-5 seconds. When you hit 30 degrees of bank, try putting the AI airplane one dot high. What makes this more difficult in the sim vs real life is that in real life you are going between looking out the window, and the instruments. You get fixated on any of them and you get into trouble. Oh yeah..don't forget to lead the roll out the number of degrees by about half the amount of bank angle.
My primary instructor taught me do do steep turns in a C152 at 60 degree bank angle. Now that is fun!

[sewells]

steep turns were never a piece of cake for me in a real plane. I think the steep turns are there to each about loosing lift, reduced speeds, spacial disorientation, multi-tasking. It took me a bunch of work to get it right in real life. The hardest for me was keeping my speed as required.

http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...e93e163a8d.jpg

[sewells]

ok ok ok

I tried the PPL checkride, three times, and did a textbook takeoff, climb to 2000', turn to 090, and then a steep turn to the left. I managed my speed +-3 kts, altitude +-50ft, hit the headings dead on, and kept the ball centered. BUT I DIDN'T PASS. It even said that I would get two tries, but it just rejected me. I passed my real checkride with less, does this thing work? Or am I missing something??


http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...e93e163a8d.jpg

[johnrico2040]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Dec-31-01 AT 00:17AM (EDT)[/font][p]heh!

remember when I asked you guys how do I retrieved my PPL Cert. in FS2002... Well, I decided to take the test again to earn my cert. again. But I tried 3 times and after making that 360* steep turn, that instructor ended the test immediately! What's happening?

I did not know how I passed the first time, guess it was luck! One tip, don't make your joystick too sensetive!

[sewells]

Finally!! on the fifth try! It seems as though I wasn't agressive enough in entering the steep turn (as prior posted). Thinking back, my examiner in real life bugged me about that too. My cut is that I'd rather maintain positive control over altitude and speed than just slam into a 45 deg turn.

http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...3e234a47ed.jpg

http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...e93e163a8d.jpg