Had a great online flight tonight (Vatsim). Gatwick - Krakow. Dead busy at both ends. I had quite a few problems throughout each stage of flight which Ill list below. Most of them were self-inflicted and down to my limited hours on type and online client! Using PMDG737NGX and FSINN... Forgot to Squawk Mode Charlie - Although I had mode C set in the aircraft, you need to select it in FSINN too. Polite reminder from ATC during the climb out. Forgot to retract take-off flap! It took me a while to realise this, even though I only had Flap 1 selected for take off, the a/c just wont accelerate while its deployed. Couldnt climb above about 21000ft. There is a bug in FSINN weather which screws up the outside air temperature. It increases with height! I had FSINN real weather set for the departure from Gatwick, but forgot to disable it during the climb. Once it was disabled, I went up like a rocket. This, combined with the flap issue, meant that Jason and Clive soon wizzed past me! This was further complicated by the intrusion of Brussels ATC, who wasnt online until I reached his airspace, but he was quite accommodating and gave me a lower flight level until I sorted myself out. Once settled nicely in the cruise, I inadvertently turned off the right IRS while fumbling for the dome light switch in the dark! This caused all manor of problems. The autopilot automatically disconnects without 2 IRSs working. So Im now hand flying in the pitch black at FL390. Major hint here... Trim! Trim correctly and it reduces the workload a LOT. Once trimmed and flying straight and level (essential for IRS re-alignment in-flight), out with the QRH and try and sort out the IRS. It took a while, but the magnetic heading needs to be input into the FMC, not the IRS itself! What a relief once I could re-engage the A/P! By this time I had passed top of descent and was approaching Polish airspace, which was fully staffed. I called Krakow approach and requested descent. Once under radar control, I could fly the autopilot on HDG and ALT, which was a relief because my spell of hand flying had thrown the LNAV/VNAV route to cock! Realising I was miles high, the Krakow controller gave me a 360 degree turn and positioned me onto the VOR approach for 07 (no ILS!!!). With the correct NAV frequencies dialled in and course 077 set, my next problem. No VOR signal. A quick look up however, and there was the approach lights just off to my right. Reported visual and was told to expect late landing clearance. It was busy here tonight. Landing clearance given and time to land this sucker... landed a little fast and long, couldnt find reverse thrust quick enough, but managed a handbrake turn at the end without getting the wheels too muddy! Told to hold position on the taxiway due to the controller sorting out parking places for the rush of inbounds, and eventually get instructions to park on stand 14. All in all, a really enjoyable flight, despite the problems. While tempting to disconnect during the cruise sector IRS problems, Im glad I stayed with it. PMDG and VATSIM really do make it As Real As It Gets.
Posted on: Sun, 09 Mar 2014 21:31:40 +0000
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