Hi

I recently downloaded a Posky A340-300.

I set my fuel to 20% and the payload as default. I flew my final approach at 150 KIAS (full flaps) and my pitch was about 6 or 7 degrees up. Is this the normal pitch for final approach or should I be coming in faster?  :-?

F35LightningII wrote on Apr 27^th, 2011 at 11:05pm:

Hi I recently downloaded a Posky A340-300. I set my fuel to 20% and the payload as default. I flew my final approach at 150 KIAS (full flaps) and my pitch was about 6 or 7 degrees up. Is this the normal pitch for final approach or should I be coming in faster?  :-?

That pitch sounds a little bit too high for final.  I'm going to guess that in the real thing (basing my guess on the typical behavior of a number of rather good payware airliners) that your deck angle would be around 3-4 degrees, and then only rise to 6 or 7 during the flare maneuver.  You are probably risking a tail strike if you ever get much higher than 10.

Don't those Posky planes come with any documentation, such as charts of V speeds?  I downloaded one of them a couple of years ago and seem to recall that the docs were quite good for a freeware plane, and included all that.  Try checking the FSX kneeboard...it might have the Vrefs.

snippyfsxer wrote on Apr 28^th, 2011 at 12:46am:

F35LightningII wrote on Apr 27th, 2011 at 11:05pm: Hi I recently downloaded a Posky A340-300. I set my fuel to 20% and the payload as default. I flew my final approach at 150 KIAS (full flaps) and my pitch was about 6 or 7 degrees up. Is this the normal pitch for final approach or should I be coming in faster?  :-? That pitch sounds a little bit too high for final.  I'm going to guess that in the real thing (basing my guess on the typical behavior of a number of rather good payware airliners) that your deck angle would be around 3-4 degrees, and then only rise to 6 or 7 during the flare maneuver.  You are probably risking a tail strike if you ever get much higher than 10. Don't those Posky planes come with any documentation, such as charts of V speeds?  I downloaded one of them a couple of years ago and seem to recall that the docs were quite good for a freeware plane, and included all that.  Try checking the FSX kneeboard...it might have the Vrefs.

Unfortunately there was no documentation. I did however find an A340 checklist online and it said to have a final approach speed of 150 KIAS.

F35LightningII wrote on Apr 28^th, 2011 at 12:52am:

Unfortunately there was no documentation. I did however find an A340 checklist online and it said to have a final approach speed of 150 KIAS.

That approach speed is going to be dependent on your weight, and the wind and the pressure and temperature, and of course your flap configuration... and I'm guessing it will vary anywhere from 160 knots to 120 (again, just a guess).  In the real thing, you would type your approach info into the FMS, and it would tell you all the relevant numbers.  Since the plane you are using probably doesn't have a modelled FMS, you will have to find a table.

(go buy yourself a PMDG at Best Buy for 30 bucks, if they are still selling it, really :) :))

But if this is FS9 and you want a good freeware plane, try the Ready for Pushback 747.

Found a manual with Vref speeds! However, it's for the A340-500/600. Would the speeds be similar? If not, would the -300 speeds be higher or lower?

F35LightningII wrote on Apr 28^th, 2011 at 1:17am:

Found a manual with Vref speeds! However, it's for the A340-500/600. Would the speeds be similar? If not, would the -300 speeds be higher or lower?

Those aircraft have a different wing, according to Wikipedia, and the -300 is also a little bit shorter.  You are probably close enough...but I have no idea how accurate the Flight model of the POSKY plane is..so, yes, you are probably close enough :)

You do realize that I'm just guessing my butt off, don't you? :D

Well I guess I'll just have to use whatever I have. The A340-500/600 manual will have to do.  :)