Optimal Mach and altitude for maximum range/endurance

[amalahama]

Is there any way to know optimal Mach and altitude for maximum range or endurance in CDU?

 

I know there are tables available in the A-10A flight manual, but fighters like F-16 or F/A-18 can give you the figures directly, using CRUS DED page in the first, FPAS page in the last.

 

Regards!

Edited April 12, 2012 by amalahama

[Eddie]

Nope, nothing in the CDU. The only method for deriving optimum cruise/loiter speeds is via the marks on the AoA gauge.

 

Mmmmmmm FPAS. If only.

[lobo]

Flying the AoA guage was key to my longest ever DCS A-10C unrefuelled flight, 8 hours and 1 minute.

 

With the ferry range listed in various sources as 2240 nm I was curious to see what the sim could do non-stop, with no in flight refueling. I started out with full fuel, no weps, and 3 external 600 gallon fuel tanks. Zero wind conditions.

 

Climb to altitude was slooow. Step climbed higher as fuel was burned and weight decreased. Adjusted airspeed to achieve an AoA between max range and max endurance, as shown on the AoA indicator. Jettisoned external tanks as they ran dry. (although I messed up with the center tank... releasing it while it still had some fuel in it.)

 

At FL350 with external tanks gone and fuel remaining at approx 4000lbs, I was able to get the fuel burn down to 2000lbs/hr (total). As weight decreased I was able to reduce power and fuel burn. I did not try any higher than FL350. At 7 hours 30 minutes into the flight, both fuel low level caution lights came on with approx. 1000 lbs fuel remaining.

 

On landing the total flight time 8 hours and 1 minute. Average fuel burn over the 8 hour flight was 2625 lbs/hr. Consumed approx 21000 lbs fuel, with 300 Lbs remaining on landing. At an average g/s of approx. 305 kts. I calculate the total distance covered in this flight at approx 2440 nm.

[Kaiza]

LOL now that is amazing, borderline OCD, but amazing. Rep to you lobo.

[Cedaway]

Flying the AoA guage was key to my longest ever DCS A-10C unrefuelled flight, 8 hours and 1 minute. ...

 

Wait, you stood in front of your computer flying during 8 HOURS!

:notworthy::notworthy::notworthy:

Respect

[Impact]

Wait, you stood in front of your computer flying during 8 HOURS!

:notworthy::notworthy::notworthy:

Respect

 

 

I think he didn't stand in front of it, but used such remarkable invention as this comfy seat

 

[Cedaway]

...

 

 

Cool, left plate for pizza, right for coke? errr OK, just kidding.:chair:

I'm just jealous.

[FreeFall]

Piddle pack consumption mentioned? :music_whistling:

[Harzach]

Piddle pack consumption mentioned? :music_whistling:

 

You've been consuming them? :blink:

[lobo]

How, in only 9 posts, did this thread go from optimal Mach and altitude to the consumption of piddle packs... lol

[FreeFall]

How, in only 9 posts, did this thread go from optimal Mach and altitude to the consumption of piddle packs... lol

 

I'm not laughing, not at all. This is serious shit, man. Or urine. Anyway.... ;)

[cichlidfan]

How, in only 9 posts, did this thread go from optimal Mach and altitude to the consumption of piddle packs... lol

 

Seems like a natural progression to me!;)

[GGTharos]

You may want to look up what Ctrl-Z does ... :D

 

Wait, you stood in front of your computer flying during 8 HOURS!

:notworthy::notworthy::notworthy:

Respect

[Rusty_M]

Forgive my ignorance and stupidity, but could anyone please remind me where to find the AOA guage and the maximum endurance etc cues?

 

 

Always trying to learn.

[GGTharos]

... in the manual? ...

[lobo]

Forgive my ignorance and stupidity, but could anyone please remind me where to find the AOA guage and the maximum endurance etc cues?

 

 

Always trying to learn.

 

 

http://www.google.ca/imgres?q=dcs+a10+aoa+indicator&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1920&bih=955&tbm=isch&tbnid=ja5cKIaB3sKIxM:&imgrefurl=http://kriegsimulation.blogspot.com/2010/10/dcs-10c-warthog-angle-of-attack-watch_24.html&docid=O32kMABDRgXYCM&imgurl=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CjFQem7UIVI/TMSPdwdzJBI/AAAAAAAABxM/0w2IuujOExE/s1600/EnduranceAoA.jpg&w=1024&h=768&ei=2xuHT5G6J4SC8QS96IHECA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=403&vpy=151&dur=8376&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=186&ty=106&sig=113648534349574765712&page=1&tbnh=138&tbnw=197&start=0&ndsp=46&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0,i:68

 

From the A-10a -1: At 15.6 scale is max range index, at 17.5 is max endurance index and at 21.5 is approach index.

Edited April 12, 2012 by lobo**

[amalahama]

How, in only 9 posts, did this thread go from optimal Mach and altitude to the consumption of piddle packs... lol

 

Oh don't worry about the OT, Eddie's answer satisfied my knolewdge appetite.

 

And piddle packs are always a fascinating topic of discussion. Specially what to do with them once the flight is over :D

 

Regards!

[Harzach]

How, in only 9 posts, did this thread go from optimal Mach and altitude to the consumption of piddle packs... lol

 

You can always count on me to keep it classy. :thumbup:

[FreeFall]

OK, I do apologize. The piddle pack thing just occurred to me. After having a couple of beers. No offence meant, whatsoever. Maybe it was not so funny, afterwards. Sorry. :huh:

[Rösti1995]

Flying the AoA guage was key to my longest ever DCS A-10C unrefuelled flight, 8 hours and 1 minute.

 

And where can I see the Optimum AoA?

[pocketedition]

Bunch of softies, a real pilot would piss in his pants.

[Yurgon]

And where can I see the Optimum AoA?

 

Despite almost 7 years of dust on them, posts #15 and #16 still answer that very question, don't they?

[Ready]

Nice one!