I’ve tryed to compare some C172 performance with a POH I found on the internet, I don’t know exactly what Cessna 172 model is included in FS2020 but I assume its a Cessna 172S or similair in performance, this isn’t an exact science obviously, so take it with a grain of salt. Also I did not check the full envelope, but it might give some indication.
Take-off:
I tested take-off roll by starting with the nose gear on the threshold, and then pause the sim at 51 kts (rotate speed according to the appropriate table), I then compared a top down view of FS2020 with bing maps to measure distance (again not an exact science so might be off a little). Conditions:
- 2550 lbs
- 0C / 20C and 40C
- Sea Level
- No wind
- Flaps one notch
- Full power before brake release
- Rotate speed 51 kts
- CG center (tried FWD CG, no significant difference in perf.)
I came up with the following take-off rolls:
- SL with 0C = 1003 ft (table 860 ft) = +17%
- SL with 20C = 1193 ft (table 995 ft) = +20%
- SL with 40C = 1355 ft (table 1150 ft) = +18%
Climb Performance:
I climbed starting from SL with 73 kts, noting down the VS around 1000 ft using the following conditions:
- 2550 lbs
- -20C / 0C and 40C
- 1000 ft PA
- No wind
- Flaps up
- Full power without leaning mixture
- Climb speed 73 kts
I came up with the following vertical speeds:
- -20C = 700 ft/min (table 808 ft/min interpolated) = -13%
- 0C = 650 ft/min (table 740 ft/min interpolated) = -12%
- 40C = 450 ft/min (table 603 ft.min interpolated) = -25%
Climbing from sea level at 73 kts in ISA to 3000 ft, clean configuration, without leaning:
- Rate of climb at 3000 ft = 400 ft/min (table = 620 ft/min) = -35%
- Time = 5:46 (table = 4 min) = +44%
- Fuel used = 1.44 USG (table = 1.2 USG) = +20%
- Distance to climb not measured
Cruise performance:
2000 ft PA, ISA, 2550 lbs, 2300 RPM mixture leaned.
- TAS = 109 kts (table = 104 kts) = +5%
- Fuel flow is hard to measure since the G1000 leaning pages etc. are not modelled and there is no accurate readout. Leaning to peak EGT resulted in around 10 USG per hr.
Bugs:
- “Don’t sink” GPWS alert during descent. GPWS Mode 3 alerts should only occur when losing barometric altitude after take-off or go-around, it should disable > 1000 ft AGL.
- Autopilot reacting too slowly, entering a phugoid when using FLC.
- Autopilot not disconnecting at stall warning activation.
