| 5: Climb & Cruise |
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Right, we're nicely settled at 94% RPM, a good climb rate but still gently accelerating.
We need to get on course for the OCK beacon.
The VOR indicator is showing that the beacon is slightly left of the aircraft's nose at 060. The CDI (course deviation indicator) on the central compass unit also shows that we need to move to the left to be properly on course 063.
So, we will turn left to intercept the VOR beam.
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I'm using the AP 'TURN' knob to perform a left turn with 20 degrees of bank.
Turn back level when we are flying toward the beam, say a heading of about 015.
Use the white 'UP / DOWN' pitch wheels to alter the pitch in order to keep the speed on target for 300kt. |
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As we approach the beam, you can see the CDI moving into line in the centre of the compass.
So, now turn back right again onto a heading of 063.
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Wings level at 063, we are now on course.
See the 'MILES' count of 40 in the corner, this is the DME reading from the OCK beacon. We have 40 miles to go until we get there.
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If you prefer you can switch the AP from 'MAN' mode into 'LOC/VOR' mode. This will track the VOR beam automatically.
It's not essential & as I don't like 'LOC/VOR' mode I tend to use 'HDG' mode instead & simply adjust things myself. Some real pilots did the same, so maybe LOC/VOR was a bit wobbly in real life as well. |
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Keep checking on the RPMs, if it falls below 94% nudge the throttles up to get RPM back to 94%. |
At some point during the climb you may get a red warning light. This will probably be the ice-detection warning & you should turn on the Anti-Icing systems & the red light will go out. |
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We are now only 14 miles from the OCK beacon.
By now I've adjusted the AP pitch wheels 'DOWN' some more, giving us a steady 1000 ft/min climb rate at 300 kt.
If you needed a higher climb rate that could be done by climbing at a slower speed, say 270 kt.
As you get closer to a beacon the CDI will usually move out of line, this is simply because the beacon is close and that magnifies the course error. No need to adjust the course.
Once again, keep checking on the RPMs, if it falls below 94% nudge the throttles up some more. |
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After OCK the flight plan shows we need to fly a course of 007 for 30 miles. We will also use the OCK beacon to do this, so make sure the AP is not in 'LOC/VOR' mode (I'm using 'HDG') then dial in the new course of 007.
See how the CDI now shows the VOR beam in relation to the aircraft. When the CDI moves toward the centre we need to be turning left to get onto the new course.
Use the 'MILES' counter as a guide, turn at about 8 miles to run. |
On the new course of 007 we now need to keep an eye on the 'MILES' counting up from the OCK beacon.
At 30 miles from OCK we need to have turned left again onto a new course of 334.
At that point we will then tune to the next VOR beacon TNT. |
 
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Keep an eye on the altitude. When we get to our cruise altitude of 23,000 we want to select 'ALT' hold on the AP.
Once out of the climb we will not need as much engine power, so reduce to about 91% & see how we go. IAS in the cruise should be around 310 kt. |
Here's the state of play as we complete the turn onto course 334.
All going well, nice & steady flying on AP 'HDG' mode, 'ALT' locked at 23,000 ft, 310 kt IAS and 90% RPM. |
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Once settled on 334 we need to get the next VOR tuned into the NAV1 radio.
That is TNT on 115.70
May as well set the next VOR into NAV2 while we're at it. POL on 112.10
We should have around 85 miles to run to the TNT beacon. |
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Well, 85 miles was a good guess.
We can turn left a bit to get spot on course and then it's all rather boring for 75 miles or so.
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Approaching TNT (4 miles to run), we need to adjust course to 345 to intercept the POL VOR beacon.
Once the course is set, adjust the heading bug to make the autopilot turn.
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Set the POL VOR beacon into the NAV1 radio (the instruments will only display from NAV1)
To make things easier in Flight Simulator a quick way to swap the NAV1 & NAV2 frequencies over is by clicking the <- NAV -> button.
Ok, we are now happily on course for POL with 37 miles till we get there.
In 20 miles time I'm going to start a gentle descent, that gives us 100 miles or so to get down ready for landing. |
