Flaps

[Praetorx]

Are there set requirements for the flaps to go down? When I'm landing I want them to go down when I press the button but they don't until some random time later.

[leafer]

Can't lower the flaps until you reduce speed to around 170-ish.

[baltic_dragon]

Also keep in mind that if you press the button over ~ 170, the flaps will only go down when you reduce the speed and then retract again if you increase your speed. That means that your plane "remembers" that you pressed it.

[Lobo_63]

Did you ever notice the yellow mark on the airspeed indicator? That mark (at 200 kts) indicates the max speed for your gear and flaps. :)

[Tucano_uy]

Gear will deploy and retract at any speed IIRC. There may be procedural speed restrictions to deploy, retract and to fly with the gear down (i don't have the.manual with me).

 

I've noticed that on take off the A10 will fly quite well even if one retracts the flaps very early. I see no point on keeping the acft dirty for for more than a couple of seconds after take off. At what speed do you guys retract the flaps on the climb?

 

To the OP, check the flap lever position, by the throttles. The flaps will move to the set position once below the previously mentioned ~170 kts. And when above that speed, will retract automatically but the flap lever will stay in the same position. To avoid surprises check that the flap lever is in the UP position when you're flying faster than 170kts and you want them to stay up.

Edited February 19, 2012 by Tucano_uy

[MTFDarkEagle]

@Tucano_Uy: On positive climb rate, I retract gears. Once the warning sound of the gear moving stops I retract the flaps.

[CarneyUK]

After reading this thread it got me thinking...(ouch LOL)

 

There is a max speed for gear i.e. you can put gear up and down anytime under 200kts. For me it's like MTFDArkEagle said: positive rate of climb.

 

As for flaps, could you technically leave them set down and let them move automatically whilst flying? and also would this aid low and slow combat flight making it safer with less chance of stall?

[baltic_dragon]

 

As for flaps, could you technically leave them set down and let them move automatically whilst flying? and also would this aid low and slow combat flight making it safer with less chance of stall?

 

Yes, if you set the flaps to one of the "down" positions and you exceed 200 speed, they will automatically retract and drop down to the pre-set position anytime you go below 200 again. It could help you in combat, but I guess it is still better to have full control over what you are doing.. thus I would not recommend flying on "auto flaps" down ;)

[effte]

You need to look up your take-off speed. Flap retraction not before you have your takeoff speed + 10 KIAS.

 

Retract your flaps too soon, and you end up with not enough stall margin. If you are hit by a gust reducing your airspeed, or if you enter a wind shear, you'll end up in trouble.

 

The aircraft does not have automatic flaps. Don't fly it like it does, even though the systems will protect you from damaging anything if you do forget them.

[Moa]

When you retract your flaps your rate of climb will decrease. If you are slow and have a small rate of climb then retracting your flaps may actually result in a sink (small decrease in altitude). Needless to say this can be dangerous - so don't retract your flaps just after you have gear up (unless you are on afterburner, which the A-10C doesn't have, and quickly nearing your flaps out speed).

 

The usual rules on takeoff are:

1) Once you are airborne and have a positive rate of climb then retract your gear (this is almost immediately after you leave the runway).

 

2) Once you are airborne, have a positive rate of climb, and reach a minimum altitude (could be as low as 200 feet, could be 500 feet) but before you reach your maximum flaps out speed then retract your flaps. Any sink will not be significant. Plus, by leaving your flaps out for a few tens of seconds after takeoff you are better configured to handle a dangerous EFATO (Engine FAilure on Take-Off) situation and attempt a forced landing.

Edited February 19, 2012 by Moa

[Tucano_uy]

@effte: tkoff speed + 10 kias is achieved quite quickly, even in the hog, loaded and at a healthy ROC. Nice note on the gust and wind shear, definitely something to consider. i don't have the sim with me to try but my perception is that the hog rarely struggles to climb out of the runway and that i've never seen it sink after flap retraction. ROC reduced, yes off couse, but only momentarily until the clean airframe picks up some speed.

It would be nice to have V1, Vr, V2, Vref, etc calculated in the ME. Somebody needs to write a nice app for that!!

 

Hijacked post? Apologies to the OP. I think the question was answered.

Edited February 19, 2012 by Tucano_uy

[Markeebo]

FWIW.....

 

After liftoff and positive rate, I raise the gear and pitch for 5 deg with the VVI, flight path marker, whatever you care to call it. Accelerating through 180KIAS, I will raise the flaps.

 

IRL, on the civilian side, we climb to a predefined altitude at a predetermined pitch to acceleration alt. (Typically 1000 feet AFE) before cleaning up but I'm not sure how real Hog Drivers execute that.

 

I'm sure that with the stable of knowledgeable blokes that we have here, someone can shed some light upon the acceleration altitude the the USAF uses for the Hog.

\

Markeebo

[joey45]

I normally riase the gear as soon as I leave the ground.