14. REAL AVIATION

From FlightSim

Caution: These discussions primarily relate to Real World Aviation. To the extent you apply them to Flight Simulator (any version), there may be a few discrepancies. This is primarily because many (most?) "flight models" in FS are not exactly as the aircraft would be in the real world, at least partly because it is a difficult art to modify the "flight model" in FS, and different folks have different perceptions of how the necessary compromises should be traded off.

This is as true of the default (included with FS) aircraft as it is of add-ons, either free or purchased. Also, while many contributors are very experienced pilots, and some are even flight instructors, these are still just opinions, and certain contributions may not apply precisely to some specific real world situations. So don't take any of this as "How To Fly" in the real world, but rather as an education in what generally is true.

• 14.1 What does FS98 mean to real aviation?
• 14.2 Is sim time approved by the FAA?
• 14.3 Does fly by wire compensate for crosswinds by applying rudder?
• 14.4 What is the difference between "indicated" (IAS) and "true" (TAS) airspeed?
• 14.5 Is there some sort of equation to figure out true airspeed (TAS)?
• 14.6 Is there a value that I can use to convert deg/min/sec to decimal format?
• 14.7 Do minutes and seconds in longitute and latitude relate to a constant mileage?
• 14.8 Is there a formula for calculating the direction and distance to a waypoint?
• 14.9 What are OAT and RAT?
• 14.10 What are the "flaps" on the leading edge of 747 wings?
• 14.11 Is runway width generally enough for a 180 deg turn?
• 14.12 Can anyone tell me what a procedure turn is?
• 14.13 How did pilots navigate over the ocean before GPS?
• 14.14 When ATC gives a vector do they want us to fly a compass heading?
• 14.15 Is there a "rule of thumb" as to when to turn the base leg?
• 14.16 How do I recover from a spin?
• 14.17 What are some reasons for hard landings?
• 14.18 Here's a suggestion for landing reciprocating engine aircraft.
• 14.19 How do the stick and the throttle control airspeed and altitude?
• 14.20 What does pitot heat do?
• 14.21 What does the "AOA" (angle of attack) instrument indicate?
• 14.22 What is the function of the "yaw damper" on the autopilot?
• 14.23 I need help with landing procedures!
• 14.24 What is the N1% with full throttle on a real 757, 747, etc?
• 14.25 Is there a way to determine the "lead point" for turning onto a radial?
• 14.26 Can anybody tell me about propeller/mixture settings?
• 14.27 What does "J168" mean - and what's a GPS?
• 14.28 What does "KNOTS" mean on the HSI (right upper corner)?
• 14.29 What's the proper way to lose speed in an approach and landing?
• 14.30 When both NDB's and VOR's are available, is one preferable over the other?
• 14.31 I need help landing the 747 in a crosswind!
• 14.32 What are STARS and SIDS?
• 14.33 Is there a proper way to calculate when to slow down and start the descent?
• 14.34 What are the average and maximum glideslope for a 737 OR 777?
• 14.35 How far from the airport must I turn from base to final in a Cessna 180? 14.36 What airspeed do I need to hold in a pattern and when should I deploy flaps?
• 14.37 How soon (distance) after take-off can you start making a turn to your heading?
• 14.38 When using an approach plate, how do you fly an "arc D15"?

This segment of the FS98 FAQ transferred to the Wiki by Larry N.