PURE FRUSTRATION…I am flying my c172 in “Activities” specifically in “VFR Navigation”. Captain tells me climb to 6500’ at 75 kts. My plane will not even come close. The best I have achieved so far is 5300’ and my speed is in the low 60 kts. I suddenly go into a crash as Captain repeatedly reminds me…“GO 75 kts”!!
I’m just not clear on what the UAP’s are flying around…I find them confusing.
Has anyone else had this issue. Is my AOA too great? I would appreciate any words of advice for my 73 y/o brain…no I am not demented!!
I appreciate you all,
Foxtrot7975
Are you leaning the mix as you climb? Leaving the mix at full rich will severely reduce performance as you climb. Adjust the mixture for max RPM as you climb and you will see better results.
This. Sedona is a fairly poor choice for introductory lessons because it sits at a fairly high density altitude to begin with, so your performance is going to be robbed right out of the gate. Plus it’s surrounded by high terrain and sits on a plateau, the latter of which can complicate things on short final as it produces downdrafts (an effect that can be overemphasized by the sim depending on weather settings).
Then, the sim also overemphasizes the power reduction from an overly rich mixture, which is also a function of altitude. So leaning is crucial. I recommend doing it as part of a static takeoff - hold the brakes, run the throttle up to full and lean for peak RPM before brake release. This is common mountain flying technique, anyway.
The lessons should have been done at an airport in the middle of flat, low-altitude nowhere rather than an attempt to highlight the scenery. Or if nothing else, at least add the mountain-flying advice, tell you what’s complicating things.
Also, @FoxTrot7975 I can’t remember if that lesson starts you with a notch of flaps, but make sure you retract them at a safe speed once airborne.
That is an excellent idea that I did not even consider. As my engine was not indicating any signs of a problem I did not consider this. Why does Captain not warn me or make some advice?
It’s a great idea and I will keep you in the loop.
Thank you kindly.
I am blown away at the speed at which I am getting such knowledgeble suggestions. I think, no I know, you are surely correct. I totally agree with your reasoning as well.
The program automatically places 10 degrees of flaps…as I get airborn I retract them.
I really appreciate the way that you give for testing it during the static take-off. I have learned valuable info, so perhaps it will be an OK day after all.
Thanks CharlieFox00 and tclayton2k…you guys are great.
Hey guys, here is my result. Sitting on runway on top of the mesa with throttle wide open I get 2270 rpms. When I adjust the mixture the best I can achieve after multiple tries is 2310 rpms. Just 40 rpms more that made very little improvement. Sad.
Do you think I should try another airplane? Maybe the Piper PA-28? Or do you have other suggestions. I would rather not change planes just yet if I do not have to. Perhaps I’ll just have to pass this lesson.
I’ll keep an eye out for other thoughts. Thank you much again.
I don’t think it’ll let you change planes.
If you’re developing full power and retracting flaps soon after takeoff, the next thing is to make sure that you’re maintaining the prescribed speed the entire way.
The goals of this mission are not realistic to how we do it in the real world. In the real world pattern you accept whatever climb rate you get at Vy (best rate of climb speed), as long as there aren’t obstacles in the way, and the resulting angle/gradient. If the rate of climb is dangerously low, then leave some people or fuel on the ground or pick a better (cooler) time of day to fly. Or just don’t fly there in the first place, haha.
In the sim, they force the geometry of the pattern on you, which, given the above regarding density altitude, is pretty nonsensical and potentially quite dangerous.
I gave you static info…however once in the “air” I have cancelled out some “drag” and the results are better. By using your suggestion I can get up to 2590 rpms (an extra 280). I can feel more power. I think I just need to practice these patterns more. This was my first try.
It sure is nice to have you guys around.
Thank you very much.
Fixed-pitch props often will rise in RPMs once you start getting slipstream involved as you move forward. An increase of 40-70 or so RPM from static to climb speeds in a 172S is pretty normal. I’m not sure at which point you’re getting 280 more RPM unless you’re in a descent with the throttle wide open.
In the real 172S, I’m fairly used to 2350 static, increasing to about 2410-2420 in the climb.
CharlieFox00,
I reached 2590 rpms at 8000’ and the plane completely trimmed.
Thanks again for your expert help.
PS I live and fly almost exclusively at my novice level in flat Indiana. Most of the airports around me are at 800-900’ above MSL.