Proper Cruise Settings
I'm interested in knowing what you think about the way most PPLs seem to be taught about cruise power settings. Most people seem to taught to fly airpspeed/rpm combination irrespctive of altitude and temperature e.g. 90kias/2250rpm in 152s or 110kias/2400rpm in 4-seaters. The problem is that fuel burn becomes an unknown. Also on a very hot day or at higher altitudes, the 'normal' cruise settings can easily exceed the highest recommended cruise settings, and this isn't good for the engine.
There was an accident not too long ago because someone flew a C152 at 2500rpm and ended up runing out of fuel, his explanation was that he usually flies PA28s and he confused the power settings (still 2500 is a little high for a pa28).
The method I use(so correct me if I'm wrong) is
1. select % power hence fuel flow
2. use POH graphs to find rpm and TAS
3. Calculate IAS
I would be grateful if you could explain how you can vary power and airspeed to take advantage of head/tailwinds.
Thanks
Capt. Manuvar