Complex engine management?

[Maulkin]

So I have done all of the training and the only part that has me working with the cooling systems is the startup. Is there any material that covers general engine management, what to be looking for, and standard practises to prevent engine failure during flight. More often then not I find myself in situations where the engine seizes and I have no idea what I did wrong.

 

Also, when coming in for a landing what is the best method to bleed off speed? I find I am always coming in a bit too hot even if I back the throttle right off. I typically keep the prop pitch to fine in case I have to abort the landing (yeah that happens alot when I discover I am just too fast) but sometimes I feel the only thing left is to set the prop to coarse to attempt to use the prop and an airbrake. Is there something I am missing?

[sobek]

The prop will work better as a brake when you keep it at high RPM.

 

The cliffs notes:

In general, you always want to stick to the default power/rpm settings so you are not overboosting your engine. Don't use significantly more boost at a certain RPM than is stated in the default settings (TO/max cont/max cruise).

 

Do not use RPM/boost settings above maximum continuous for prolonged times (iirc 15 mins total for TO, 5 mins total for WEP, that is the absolute most of what the engine can take !!! for one flight!!!).

 

If you then manage to keep your temps in the green, your engine won't seize on you.

 

The default power settings can be found in the manual as well as on the plaquette on the right cockpit wall.

 

Edit: Oh, and if you want to be fancy: When going to higher RPM/boost, always move the RPM lever first, then the throttle. When going to lower RPM/boost, always move the throttle first.

 

EditII: One more thing to consider is that the oil pump doesn't like prolonged unloaded flying, so if you like fly inverted, get ready to die inverted.

Edited May 29, 2013 by sobek

[Echo38]

Also, when coming in for a landing what is the best method to bleed off speed? I find I am always coming in a bit too hot even if I back the throttle right off. I typically keep the prop pitch to fine in case I have to abort the landing (yeah that happens alot when I discover I am just too fast) but sometimes I feel the only thing left is to set the prop to coarse to attempt to use the prop and an airbrake. Is there something I am missing?

 

Slip. If you're turning left toward the runway for your final, you'll be in a left bank, so here you'll give a hefty amount of right rudder to slow yourself down. Careful not to over-do it; primary danger is entering a spin, but you also need to be sure you don't bleed off too much energy in the slip. If you're on a straight approach, then bank to either direction and yaw in the opposite--so left aileron & right rudder, or right aileron & left rudder.

[9.JG27 DavidRed]

regarding the landing proceedure and bleeding off energy, i can only recommend the training mission within the sim...this mission explains all the settings and proceedures you will need to make a successfull landing.

...but you said you already mastered those training missions?

[sobek]

Slip. If you're turning left toward the runway for your final, you'll be in a left bank, so here you'll give a hefty amount of right rudder to slow yourself down. Careful not to over-do it; primary danger is entering a spin, but you also need to be sure you don't bleed off too much energy in the slip. If you're on a straight approach, then bank to either direction and yaw in the opposite--so left aileron & right rudder, or right aileron & left rudder.

 

Flaps are also an option and are less dangerous to apply. The lower flap settings can be used even at comparatively high speeds (the never exceed speeds for the individual flap settings can be found on the left cockpit wall). Applying full flaps is like throwing out an anchor line.

[Maulkin]

regarding the landing proceedure and bleeding off energy, i can only recommend the training mission within the sim...this mission explains all the settings and proceedures you will need to make a successfull landing.

...but you said you already mastered those training missions?

 

Yes I have done that mission several times but even with those the trainer is say "reduce speed to XX on final" and I'm struggling to maintain approach and decent rate while reducing speed. So technically I was able to complete the mission several times but I have never felt good about it.

[Maulkin]

Flaps are also an option and are less dangerous to apply. The lower flap settings can be used even at comparatively high speeds (the never exceed speeds for the individual flap settings can be found on the left cockpit wall). Applying full flaps is like throwing out an anchor line.

 

Thanks I have been trying side slipping but perhaps not aggressively enough. So I should use a fine setting on my prop (lever full forward?)? I have not noticed the effect of full flaps acting like a boat anchor. I will need to confirm that they are deploying properly. Lately I have been dropping the landing gear early just to slow it down.

[Maulkin]

The prop will work better as a brake when you keep it at high RPM.

 

The cliffs notes:

In general, you always want to stick to the default power/rpm settings so you are not overboosting your engine. Don't use significantly more boost at a certain RPM than is stated in the default settings (TO/max cont/max cruise).

 

Do not use RPM/boost settings above maximum continuous for prolonged times (iirc 15 mins total for TO, 5 mins total for WEP, that is the absolute most of what the engine can take !!! for one flight!!!).

 

If you then manage to keep your temps in the green, your engine won't seize on you.

 

The default power settings can be found in the manual as well as on the plaquette on the right cockpit wall.

 

Edit: Oh, and if you want to be fancy: When going to higher RPM/boost, always move the RPM lever first, then the throttle. When going to lower RPM/boost, always move the throttle first.

 

EditII: One more thing to consider is that the oil pump doesn't like prolonged unloaded flying, so if you like fly inverted, get ready to die inverted.

 

I currently don't understand most of what you said there but now I have something to work with, thanks!

I'll go play with this for a while and come back with more specific questions.

 

I have not been using WEP as my interface was bugged and would not let me use it but now that I fixed it i just forget WEP is even there. :)

[sobek]

So I should use a fine setting on my prop (lever full forward?)?

 

If you want to brake, high RPM is better, yes. I wouldn't put it fully forward unless you are on short final though as it is hard on the engine. 2700 RPM is the maximum for continuous operation.

[Merlin-27]

Even though it may not be explicitly recommended, I use the side-slip technique along with the flaps when a short approach is needed. After a while it feels like second nature and you can pretty much bleed off any amount of speed you want by jamming the pedals. In easily over 100 landings like this I've never entered any kind of spin, just watch your AoA. I have no idea if that is true to life but definitely helps when, like you said, you come barreling in with too much energy. (Also a good way to hit the brakes when the AI flips the nav lights and goes 300-100 in 1 second)

[Pman]

For what its worth here is my experience, although its all based on flying formation aerobatics.

 

For loops, Rolls etc Max constant (45", 2700rpm) is used all the time, when travelling its usually 2400rpm and 35" of pressure.

 

For landing if you observe standard circuit patterns its quite easy to get the speed down in time, Mine is normally something like this

 

Assuming Im running on runway heading at circa 320mph, Set throttle and RPM to 2400RPM and 35", pull up and break right 90degrees, then start downwind leg, half way through down wind speed should be dropping between 180-220 after the climb out for the break.

 

Drop flaps all the way and drop the landing gear, this will both increase lift and slow the aircraft down further, open the coolers and the rads to cool the engine.

 

Turn base as you go past the threshold, then do a relatively steep turn in for finals keeping an eye on the airspeed as its easy to drop below 100knts. Bank in for touch down around 90-110knts.

 

hth

[9.JG27 DavidRed]

Yes I have done that mission several times but even with those the trainer is say "reduce speed to XX on final" and I'm struggling to maintain approach and decent rate while reducing speed. So technically I was able to complete the mission several times but I have never felt good about it.

 

maybe stupid question but:

-are you sure that you have set the rpm lever to 2700rpm?

(after that, leave it there and only change powersettings with the throttle-for landing approach usually between 20-30Hg)

 

-flaps, just like in the training mission, i recommend to lower the flaps ~half way already at the upwind leg....final approach=full flaps

 

-landing gear...lowering it will increase drag pretty obviously, thus reducing speed as well

 

-trimming: what i do is, once im below 150mph, i trim the plane to get a steady attitude on approach.usually at about 130mph.

 

-final approach speed: in the training mission its said it should be ~120...i think just below 150 will do, i see myself usually approaching at about 130

-touchdown speed: 90mph

 

 

side slipping really shouldnt be necessary at all!of course you can use it to bleed of speed, but if you find yourself generally too fast on final approach, then you are doing something wrong...

Edited June 2, 2013 by 9./JG27 DavidRed