Ground Ops
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{ 46 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Chris great video like always! Is there any way you can explain why you need to face the wind on the taxiway when doing the runup checklist?
Also when do you think we will see the video about leaning the mixture? Or did I miss it?
Thanks for making all these videos!
Hey Houston,
About Wind.
If you were in a very gusty situation, you want to be facing into the wind. Otherwise, a gust could catch the wing and flip you over. Very rare, but still possible.
We will be learning about the mixture a lot later. At Sea Level (where this airport is) you’ll be full rich anyway. Also, the mixture is generally leaned precisely during the runup, which we won’t cover for now. Only a rough ‘guess’ of the mixture is done during the taxi. Like I said, at sea level, full rich is just fine.
Thanks for the great questions! Let me know if you want me to clarify more.
Message to Houston – Facing into wind also helps with cooling the engine – we get some very hot weather this time of the year in Australia so you don’t want to be idling too long facing downwind, although the propellor wash helps.
Very good point on this one. It also depends on what type of engine you have. But, very good point.
Wow!!! They get better & better!!! Thank You!!!
Glad you liked it! What was your favorite part, Pat?
Amazing job Chris. I look forward to each and every one of these. I myself know most of what is being taught, but it is a fantastic review. On the other hand, I have a friend who just got into Flight Sim, and, when a new one of these comes out, I post the link to him and watches. They help him a lot, and he enjoys them too. He says they are “well-made and professional”. Great job Chris! Keep it up!
Thanks a ton, Kevin! Later on I hope to really challenge all of our thinking, including mine. Also great to know that your friend is enjoying them. It’s been a lot of fun so far and I’m glad we’re finally getting to the ‘flight’ stuff. It’ll get much more interesting after these next 5 episodes, but at the same time, I know that the information I’m sharing now is a gold mine for someone out there. Anyway, thanks. Have a good one.
Now we’re getting to the good stuff. Watching this vid reminded me clearly of the time I spent in real-world training. One of the first major milestones was learning to talk on the radio. Man, the first couple of times I made the calls correctly and got the usual glib tower response, I was feeling like a stud! Thanks for reminding me about run-ups, too. Many times, I skip that step in virtual flight, but it’s a good habit to get into and stay into, even when you know there are no repercussions in the sim. Good habits are just good habits, you know?
One nice thing that you might add to future flights would be a downloadable flight situation we could use to follow along with you, airport and weather-wise. Even without that, these are great refresher lessons. Thanks, Chris!
Dang it! I have those. I’ll upload them. I thought ahead
Run-ups are a funny thing in flight sim, but, it’s a chance to make sure everything is set right. If nothing else, it makes sure we don’t waste time by piling it up on the runway, or somewhere else. Anyway, no one likes a waste of time.
Not only that, if you’re looking to transfer this knowledge to the real world, or you’re a real world pilot is well, you’ve GOT to do everything pretty much the same.
Glad you enjoyed this episode, Bill. Always great to have you around.
These videos are really well produced. They certainly show a professional level of development! Thanks for the info.
Thanks Chris. Did you learn anything new?
Previously, I had only established radio contact on the ground and then proceeded to the indicated runway. I had never thought about requesting a runway based on ATIS and wind direction before. Also, previously my run-up only consisted of turning the engine on.
Right on! That’s what we’re looking for.
Still getting better!!! I love these! Can’t wait for the next one!!!
Thanks, Tim! Throttle On!
Wow, this series is fantastic! Flight simming enjoys a sharing and entheusiastic community and this series is indicative of that Chris. This series compliments the AOA DVDs perfectly as so many of these principles are taken for granted when “flying the glass” that when things happen not according to plan some simmers clamber to recall then catch up. Looking so forward to the next installment.
Throttle On!
Best Regards,
Bruce
The new logo is tuff Bro! It looks realy good on that cloud layer backround. Well Done!
Throttle On!
Bruce
Thanks! Glad you noticed. We really love our new mark.
Hi
The videos are just fantastic. I’m 65 and it’s very easy, even for an oldie, to understand and follow the instructions. I wait for every odd date just like a kid waiting for a christmas present. The videos get better and better, so where will this end? ;.)))))
Jack
The The Swede In Spain
Jack!
Wow, what a great comment! It’s great to see you old and wise guys be part of this great flight simulator community. Without you, us young guys would be running wild.
I’m overjoyed to hear you’re loving the series. Here’s to the next odd day!
Throttle on!
Another great video. I love the intro on each episode.
It makes me sad that there’s only going to be 45!
Haha! Sorry to disappoint, Andrew. I guess you get what you pay for
Hi Chris, great video. I was wondering how you asked for a radio check in FSX. I do not remember seeing that as an option in the atc menu. Are you using a different ATC program other then the default.
Thanks.
Hey Mike,
I just did the radio check myself. This is how it’s done in real life, and kinda how it’s done on VATSIM. VATSIM is done with text only when on the CTAF, but you still kinda talk the same.
The ‘radio’ sound you heard was just a special effect.
I tried VATSIM but only for a very short time. I plan to get back into it, but what put me off was finding it difficult to understand what controllers were saying because they had the mics too close to their mouths or something. Any tips for that, Chris? Does that happen in real-life aviation?
The quality of sound within VATSIM is very poor. In real life, at least for me, it’s much more clear. I think there’s actually a setting within squawkbox that you can delete that sound. Believe it or not, there’s a thing within the software that tries to make it sound more like a radio.
yeah, i have the same problem just like you Andrew. i have trouble to understand what controller said since i am from Asia and english is not my first language. but then i changed to IVAO and the voice quality is just awesome and crystal clear. i am guessing its because of the voice client.
Chris, great lesson as always. I’ve learned alot since I started watching these. I’ve always wanted to complete a proper flight without just starting from the active runway.
Can’t wait for the next one. Great Job!!
Thanks Rob! New one out today. Throttle On!
Nice stuff Chris. Not being a real world pilot and even with 30 yrs of Flight Sim, I never thought about cocking into the wind for a run up. Coming closer to “As Real As It…..”
Thank you
Tom
Thanks, Tom,
For me those things are really simple because I know them. But one thing I’ve come to realize is that I too started somewhere, and I would have loved something like Aviator90 to learn. So, I’m trying to take care of all that
Glad you learned something!
Throttle On.
Dear Chris (Angle of Attack),
I’ve been watching y’alls videos on Aviator 90 since the beginning and I must say that while all have been absolutely amazing, it never really hit me untill this one that this is a breathtaking and outstanding experience we all get to experience for free. The level of content and detail put into these episodes is extremely professional and top notch. I came away from this episode feeling almost stunned at what I had seen. Not in a bad way, rather, just because I feel this is a level of expertise rarely ever seen in the flight simulator world. To me… Aviator 90 is the best add-on I’ll ever have.
From and extremely grateful and appreciative flight simmer
Wow, those are big words, Ralston! Really glad you are liking everything we’re doing. We hope it just gets better and better. Keep in mind, we JUST started!
hi chris,
Im 14 and kinda new to the flight sim and these vids helped me alot
whats your gamespy id cause id really like to fly with you one day
thanks
kyle
Hey Kyle,
Not all bad!
I don’t get on Gamespy. I guess I’m spending too much time recording videos and making lessons
Keep on goin’ with Aviator90. There is a LOT to learn.
Chris,
Going back over several Aviator 90 episodes. In this episode, which airport is this?
Thanks
Ted
This is the Tillamook airport, I believe. Might be KTMK but I could be wrong.
S47 Chris.
Just did some rudder work in FSX tonight there this evening.
It use to be S47. It has the full 4 letter ident now, although I think it still may not be fixed in FSX. I through ORBX fixed it, but I guess not.
Ahhh, yes, sorry. I stand corrected. It is indeed S47 in FSX…. and I have PNW so Orbx didn’t fix that either.
But, yep, see the correct ICAO code is KTMK.
http://www.airnav.com/airport/KTMK
Also, a bit of great reading here:
http://www.skygod.com/asstd/abc.html
Triva, what was the original name of O’Hare Airport that gives it the code “ORD”? Have to read the article.
Fantastic. Thank you. I’ve got the Saitek yoke and CH pedals. I really like the yoke! The pedals I like. They sit well on the floor, fit the feet well, but they are MUCH harder to get used to. It seems like they are “overly” sensitive. Why, I don’t know. But, it’s very easy to over steer with the rudder pedals. So, I’m working on that right now before I go much further.
I program dead zones into my rudder pedals so they can be neutral for real. That way in the middle I don’t have to constantly go back and forth.
Please explain.
I kind of understand what you mean… and perhaps it would benefit others too.
I did notice there was a difference in rudder work in the Carenado 182 and the Carenado 172. The Carenado 172 rudder steering is much more smooth … more fluid.
Chris, been making slow progress getting used to the pedals, which is good. I battle knee problems so sometimes it’s not as smooth as I’d like. But, getting there.
I’m very glad I signed up for aviator pro! After following yellow lines (or trying to) I took it up and did a couple traffic patterns. First was AWEFUL. Too low, couldn’t see the runway. Second, much better. AND, your episode 4 on instruments really paid off! The information on the turn indicator really helped from that episode.
FSX defaults to the 3d cockpit. I have found that if I switch to the 2d, it works much better when taxiing. But, now that I’m used the 3d cockpit, I find 2d irritating because you feel like a dash ornament constantly looking down at the pavement and you can’t see “up”.
Now, I really need to get my TrackIR re set up. But, question that might benefit those who might not have a TrackIR… In 3d, what’s the secret to seeing over the panel to see the yellow line to taxi?
Thanks
Ted
Well, if you are in 3D and you have EZDOK, you can ‘raise’ your head with the page up key. This helps about a ton to see over the dash. When you get trackIR you can actually raise your head. VERY helpful.