Wikiposts
Search
Professional Pilot Training (includes ground studies) A forum for those on the steep path to that coveted professional licence. Whether studying for the written exams, training for the flight tests or building experience here's where you can hang out.

Flew Airbus A320 Flight Simulator

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 8th Jan 2013, 05:22
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: singapore
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Flew Airbus A320 Flight Simulator

and it wasnt worth it for money.

I did IFR and stared at the ADI the whole time. There was little scenery.

Anyway, after flying, there are still certain things that I dont understand.

The "pilot" told me that IFR is used on commerical airlines. In that case what is the use of VFR if using instruments is more reliable?

Why did the GPWS activate even though the landing gear was down and I was going to land?

Why was the rudder trim set to zero? How could I take off or land in a straight line then?

Why did the TCAS not sound on the ground when there are other planes there? I thought the TCAS was supposed to be activated on the taxiway?

Disclaimer: I am not a pilot

Last edited by tcasdescend; 8th Jan 2013 at 06:17.
tcasdescend is offline  
Old 8th Jan 2013, 05:46
  #2 (permalink)  
ZFT
N4790P
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Asia
Age: 73
Posts: 2,270
Received 25 Likes on 7 Posts
oh dear....
ZFT is offline  
Old 8th Jan 2013, 08:34
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Just Around The Corner
Posts: 1,395
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Try Microsoft FS , you can be an hero.....
Nick 1 is offline  
Old 8th Jan 2013, 09:27
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Lithuania
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
For example VFR can be used in not at busy airports to land faster (visually) as you don't need to fly published approach.

Maybe GPWS was activated by unstable approach? Too big descent rate ect. I think it can be also activated if you are with gear down, low and not near airport. It depends how the modern system is.

If rudder trim is 0 rudder is centered. If you set it to non zero aircraft will turn left of right.

TCAS uses special logic when the aircraft is near or on the ground. For example it will not issue descent RA when you are near the ground.
Turbavykas is offline  
Old 8th Jan 2013, 10:18
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: In the SIM
Posts: 976
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Was there a chocolate fire guard around the sim?

Last edited by CAT3C AUTOLAND; 9th Jan 2013 at 23:54.
CAT3C AUTOLAND is offline  
Old 8th Jan 2013, 11:19
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: My views - Not my employer!
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The "pilot" told me that IFR is used on commerical airlines. In that case what is the use of VFR if using instruments is more reliable?
Not all runways have an ILS to them or even a RNAV approach. You have to look out the window to land. Also, you may fly an approach joining final at 500-1000' if VFR, IFR more like 10-15 miles. Fuel saving!

You opted to fly the aircraft IFR. As a pilot, I would prefer to operate VFR, having spent too many hours in cloud! Far more entertaining! This may contribute to your feeling of being let down by the sessions enjoyment factor.

Zero rudder trim is straight head. If it says 15 (either plus or minus) you are going in a big circle, unless you intervene.
Cough is offline  
Old 8th Jan 2013, 13:32
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: -
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Not a pilot, eh?
RedBullGaveMeWings is offline  
Old 8th Jan 2013, 15:35
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Professional Pilot Training forum. Dear oh dear. This one's heading for the spotters or Jet Blast.
Torque Tonight is offline  
Old 8th Jan 2013, 16:14
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: CPT Embraer
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The "pilot" told me that IFR is used on commerical airlines. In that case what is the use of VFR if using instruments is more reliable?
A pilot can fly his aircraft visually, but also on instruments. He is trained for both because it's still the same aircraft inputs. But at most controlled airports they want to control the traffic flow and therefore aircraft are instructed to exactly fly predetermined routes. So your don't fly by looking outside, but by looking on your instruments and turn your aircraft at predescribed points/tracks/distances/altitudes. And during cruiseflight, ATC will instruct aircraft to stay on specified tracks/airways/heading which you will need to fly according your instruments because you can't see these routings when watching outside....

The visual part comes along when weather is good and/or airfields don't have modern guidance like ILS. Then pilots may request to continue visually by looking outside to airport/runway/PAPI. But that doesn't work if visiblity or ceiling clouds are there, so then the pilots still have to fly according instrument procedures and look on their instruments.

Why did the GPWS activate even though the landing gear was down and I was going to land?
Maybe your simulator wasn't uploaded with the latest database of airports or you exceeded some parameters. So if the aircraft doesn't expect your flight pattern than it will activate these GPWS warnings.

Why was the rudder trim set to zero? How could I take off or land in a straight line then?
It is the INITIAL setting. So during takeoff you use your rudder pedals to stay aligned with the runway, and thereafter when airborn you fly and the Airbus may start to change the initial setting automatically to keep the airplane straight and level without control inputs. This might be the case when one engine is producing slightly more thrust and therefore 'yawing' the airplane.

Why did the TCAS not sound on the ground when there are other planes there? I thought the TCAS was supposed to be activated on the taxiway?
No, TCAS is to avoid accidents and to give RA's (Resolution Advisory) to avoid a conflict. So it says 'climb' or 'descend'. But how is that possible when you are just airborne and another plane is in the vicinity..? One of them probably has to descend but then again he runs out of air and will dive into mother earth. So TCAS is inhibited below a certain altitude and will most probably only give a TA (Traffic Advisory) "Traffic" to warn you only. So you have to take maneouvring actions yourself by identifying the intruder.
PH-Chucky is offline  
Old 8th Jan 2013, 17:03
  #10 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: In a cave
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Give the lad a break. We all started our passion somewhere. What's wrong with everyone?
Artic Monkey is offline  
Old 10th Jan 2013, 02:36
  #11 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Not from round these parts
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Give the lad a break. We all started our passion somewhere. What's wrong with everyone?
This.

There are certainly no shortage of armchair aviators willing to spend their time on pprune (doubtless in their pants with a half eaten 2 day old pizza beside them) waiting, eagle-eyed, for opportunities to stick their topgun shades on and demonstrate how cool they are.

You should all be ashamed of yourselves. I earnestly hope none of you are instructors.

OP:

VFR is "useful" because we don't all have an IR. We all learn to fly VFR first because that's how you learn the fundamentals of how to fly - attitude and power, lookout, pilotage and the other stuff that you later build on when you learn how to fly IFR.

The GPWS I'm not sure about, I don't fly airliners, but I do think it should automatically disarm under the conditions you described, perhaps a glitch in the sim, or a misconfiguration by the instructor.

TCAS I believe should be automatically inhibited on the ground, so it would be normal not to receive a TCAS TA or RA on the ground.
Conan the Vulgarian is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.