| 1:
Introduction |
This is a starter guide to operating the Comet 4. As usual it's
aimed at the novice, so please don't be insulted if you know all
the basics.
Again slightly different to previous guides (VC10 & 1-11), this
one is a simple run through the checklists incorporating the before
starting, starting, taxi, takeoff, after takeoff, climb & cruise,
descent, approach, final, after landing and shutdown checks.
The guide is made from the VC, but it will still be of use to 2D
panel users.
Also take a good look through the Comet
Manual to get the most out of the model.
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The panel has a number of icon buttons
grouped on a popup window.
This popup window is toggled on & off by clicking on the
icon button 
Clicking the 'checklist' icon 
brings up the Comet 4 checklists booklet.
Click the preset views - 3 overhead, 2 forward, Engineer, Left
Window, Right Window & Pedestal to see all the useful sections
of the VC.
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Page through the booklet by clicking
on the arrows at the bottom of the page.
The extra data sheet on the right can be toggled on & off
by clicking the icon in its top left corner.
Please be aware that the items in this guide may change slightly
over time as the model develops. |
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The model will be loaded into FS with all systems running.
Once the model is fully loaded into the sim, so long as you are stationary,
you can click the 'cold start' 
icon to shut everything down. This guide assumes you are starting
from cold.
Note that the first 8 seconds after the model is loaded is an initialization
period. Any clicks you do during this time may well be ignored.
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| 2: Before Starting |
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| Battery (or External Power) |
ON |
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The model has no real link to external
power.
The external power setting is only pretend & actually uses
the FS battery.
Because of this there is still a time limit before the power
runs out when external power is selected.
Once the engines are started, battery power is no longer used. |
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| Invertors |
ON |
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| The invertors convert DC power to
provide AC power to various instruments. |
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| Parking Brake |
ON |
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| Nav Lights |
ON |
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| Beacon |
ON |
Either knob on the left can be clicked
to turn on the VC roof lights. Can be useful during day time
as it can still get a little dark in a VC.
If the beacon causes the VC roof lighting to flash, turn the
VC lights off & turn them back on again.
The other switches on this panel are only dummy switches. |
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| Fuel Cocks |
ON |
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The model uses a simplified left
/ centre / right arrangement for the fuel system.
All left tank cocks operate together, same with the right. |
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| Wing Fuel Pumps |
ON |
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All of the left & right tanks
are in the wings.
Similar to the fuel cocks, all left fuel pumps operate together,
same with the right pumps.
On the Comet the fuel pumps are used to bring the tanks in and
out of the fuel system, never the fuel cocks.
The fuel cocks are always OPEN unless the fuel tank is empty,
in which case the fuel cock must be closed.
On the model, when fuel pumps are off, fuel can not be delivered
from that tank. |
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| Centre Fuel Pumps |
OFF |
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The lines on the schematic show how the fuel tanks
link to the four engines, with the round 'gulls eye' indicators
either linking or breaking the connections.
Note that the centre tank is naturally routed to only feed the
left two engines. It will only ever feed the right side if the
crossfeed is opened.
The three crossfeeds are represented with three 'gulls eye'
indicators between the fuel flow gauges at the top. |
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| Fuel Crossfeeds |
CLOSED |
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| With the centre pumps off and the
crossfeeds closed, the engines are being fed direct from their
respective wing fuel tanks. |
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| Fuel Heaters |
As Required |
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If the temperature is below 5 deg
C, fuel heaters would be required.
Fuel inlet temperature is shown by the gauges above the switches. |
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| Starter Master Switch |
ON |
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| No engines can be started without
the Starter Master Switch being on. |
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| 3: Starting |
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| Repeat for
each engine |
| Select Engine
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(1,2,3,4) |
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This is a four
way rotary switch 1,2,3,4.
Each click with the mouse advances it to the next engine.
Clicking when on engine 4 returns it to engine 1. |
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| LP Cock |
ON |
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| HP Cock |
ON |
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| On the Comet the
HP cock is fully on before ignition. |
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| Starter Button |
PRESS |
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Once pressed, the
starter button stays down until the start sequence is complete
to ignition or not.
Each engine has a generator which should automatically come
on line as the engine starts.
If the engine fails to light and reach idle RPM, wait until
it has wound down (check RPM gauge) and press the engine starter
button again.
If the generator is not active, it will need to be reset on
the engineers electrical panel (there are 4 generator buttons
behind red guards) |
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| All Engines |
Running |
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| Only proceed once all engines are
running. |
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| Starter Master Switch |
OFF |
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| Pressure Supply Levers |
ON |
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Each engine provides air to the pressurization
& heating system.
This air is only provided at RPMs well above Idle. If heating
is needed on the ground, set engine RPMs up until the cabin
mass flow gauges (on the pressurization panel) register more
than 1. |
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| De-ice Levers |
As Required |
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If it was cold, de-ice would be required.
These levers provide structural de-icing of leading edges etc. |
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| Engine De-ice |
As Required |
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| If it was cold, engine de-ice would
be required. |
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| External Power |
OFF |
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Once the engines are going, battery
& or external power is not needed.
If external power was selected it should be deselected before
taxi. |
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| 5: Takeoff |
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| Pitot Heat |
ON |
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| Keeps the pitot tubes clear of ice
& so ensures that the IAS indicator keeps working. |
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| Reverse Lock |
ON |
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Reverse lock blocks selection of
reverse thrust.
This lever is only available in the VC. In FS there is no real
disadvantage in ignoring it.
The Comet had it because reverse thrust was selected by pulling
the outer throttles back beyond the idle position. |
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| Autopilot Master |
ON |
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| Autopilot |
DISENGAGED |
Autopilot can not be powered up without
Autopilot Master being switched on.
And there is a double check that the A/P is not somehow engaged. |
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| Landing Lamps |
ON |
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| Top Temp Control |
ON |
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Top Temp monitors the engines &
will automatically reduce power to keep them within set limits.
It is impossible to overheat the engines with Top Temp on. |
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| Relight Override |
ON |
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Sets all engines to automatically
attempt a relight in the event of an engine stopping.
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| Engine Synchronizer |
OFF |
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The engine synchronizer forces other
engines to adopt the same RPM as the nominated engine (usually
no 1 engine 'Port Outer').
All engine control must be independant for takeoff. |
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| Power |
FULL |
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| Brakes |
OFF |
Full power should give around 8000
- 8150 RPM depending on the conditions.
Rolling start or hold with pedal brakes is ok. |
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Calls will come for V1 and Rotate (Vr).
At rotate gently pull back the yoke & lift off.
The Comet can climb steeply even when at full weight.
It was quite normal to adopt an initial climb speed of only
150 kt, gaining height quickly to help with noise abatement.
Acceleration is rapid & so the yoke needs to be held back
to keep to 150 kt.
Adjust elevator trim if needed. |
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| 6: After
Takeoff |
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| Gear |
UP |
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| In the VC this lever needs to be
dragged, rather than just a single click. |
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| Yaw Damper |
ON |
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This gauge is on the co-pilot side
& is only available in the VC.
There's no great need to set it on in FS. |
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| Flaps |
UP at 1500 ft |
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Once the flaps are up you will need
to lower the nose & get some speed up.
Some elevator trim adjustment is usually required.
The large wing creates a fair amount of drag at higher angles
of incidence, so keep a positive acceleration up to your climb
speed. |
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| Landing Lamps |
OFF |
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| No great rush, as there's no damaging
speed to worry about for the lights since they are all flush
fitted into the wing. |
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| Cabin Alt |
Check Rising |
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Make sure pressurization is working
properly, the rate should normally rise at 400 ft per minute
until the cabin height has reached the set required level.
The rate can be selected using the knob at the top left of the
gauge. |
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| Climb Power |
7400 RPM |
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| Max continuous engine temperature
is 570 deg C, but up to 650 is allowed for 5 mins. |
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| Autopilot |
POWER ON |
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The A/P will take about 45 seconds
to power up.
Once ready the amber 'READY' light will come on & only then
can it be engaged by pressing the blue button. |
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| SFS |
NAV1 or NAV2 |
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| The Smith's Flight System has to
be set to run off NAV1 or NAV2. This provides signal data to
the compass & flight director etc. |
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| Fuel Heaters |
ON |
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Temperatures get very cold at higher
altitudes, so fuel heat is needed.
If there is no fuel heat the filters can get blocked & the
red light next to the switch will light. |
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| Relight Override |
OFF |
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| With this off, any engine relight
should be done by using the relight buttons on the starter panel. |
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| 7: Climb
& Cruise |
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| Power |
max is 7500 RPM |
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| IAS |
max is 330 kt |
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| Mach |
max is 0.76 |
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Note that this panel is a generic
panel for all marks of Comet 4, 4B & 4C.
The normal cruise for a 4B was faster & the speeds shown
in the checks reflect that.
Normal cruise for a 4 & 4C is mach 0.74 |
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| Fuel Crossfeeds |
OPEN |
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| Allows fuel to get from all tanks
to all engines. |
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Centre Fuel Pumps
(if fuel loaded) |
ON |
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The Comet had a strange arrangement
for the Centre tank, where it would only feed the left side
engines, unless the crossfeed was open. Once in climb &
cruise you want to burn the centre tank off, leaving excess
fuel in the wings.
With all crossfeeds open & centre tank pumps on, you can
turn the wing tank pumps off if desired & burn only from
the centre tank.
Red lights will illuminate under each tank when the levels are
getting low. |
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| Engine Synchronizer |
ON |
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The engine synchronizer forces other
engines to adopt the same RPM as the nominated engine.
VC only, the 2D has the flaps gauge in this position.
This is no great use if you only have a single throttle control
on your yoke/stick.
There are three sync modes:-
All engines to Port Outer (engine 1)
All engines to Starboard Inner (engine 3)
Outer engines (1 & 4) to Port Outer (engine 1) |
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| Cabin Pressure |
OK |
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The two readings on the Cabin Pressure
Differential & Cabin Altitude gauges must remain outside
the red sections.
Setting a higher 'Required Cabin Alt' will raise the Cabin Alt
and reduce the Cabin Pressure Differential.
High Cabin Alt is uncomfortable for the passengers, but High
Pressure Differential stresses the aircraft. Try to roughly
balance them out. |
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| Cabin Temperature |
OK |
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Make sure that the cabin is at a
reasonable temperature for the passengers.
If not, increase the required temperature with the switch.
If there is still no raise in cabin temperature, your air inlet
temperatures also needs increasing. |
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| Fuel Balance |
OK |
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If one wing gets much heavier than
the other, or if either wing is carrying less than the centre
tank, the fuel needs balancing out better.
Balance the tanks by burning fuel from the tank that needs the
fuel load reduced. Do this by switching off the pumps of the
other tanks. |
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| De-icing |
As Required |
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If temperatures are in a range where
ice could be a problem, de-ice should be used.
Structural de-ice and engine de-ice is on here.
Pitot heater and fuel heaters are also included in this check.
If icing conditions could be present and any of the above systems
is off, the checklist will show a cross. |
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| Altimeter |
1013 mbs |
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| At cruise altitudes, the standard
altimeter pressure setting of 1013 mbs (29.92 in hg) should
have been set. |
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| 8: Descent |
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| Engine Synchronizer |
OFF |
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For descent it is normal to throttle
the inner engines fully back and leave the outer engines at
6500 RPM.
The outers can be throttled back more if speed is creeping up,
particularly under 20000ft, but a fair amount of RPM is needed
to keep the pressurization under control.
The Cabin Mass Flow gauges should always be in the white 'normal
range' section for pressurization to work properly. |
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| Wing Fuel Pumps |
ON |
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| Centre Fuel Pumps |
OFF |
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| Fuel Crossfeeds |
CLOSED |
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| With the centre pumps off and the
crossfeeds closed, the engines are being fed direct from their
respective wing fuel tanks. |
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| De-icing |
As Required |
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If temperatures are in a range where
ice could be a problem, de-ice should be used.
Structural de-ice and engine de-ice is on here.
Pitot heater and fuel heaters are also included in this check.
If icing conditions could be present and any of the above systems
is off, the checklist will show a cross. |
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| Req Cabin Alt |
2000 or Less |
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| Cabin Alt |
Check Reducing |
If you are expecting to be holding
before approach, it may be best to set required cabin alt of
2000.
I know I'll be going straight in for landing so it's right down
to zero.
If the airport is at a higher altitude, set the eqivalent value. |
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| Altimeter |
Set |
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Set the altimeter pressure for the
destination airport.
You can get this pressure from the COM radio by tuning to the
airport ATIS or the Control Tower. |
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| 9: Approach |
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| Max Land Weight |
CHECK |
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Maximum landing weight for the Comet is 54431
kg.
You should really only be landing above this weight in an emergency. |
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| Air Brake |
IN |
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If you need to descend at more than
about 1500 ft/min in the latter stages, you'll probably have
to make use of the air brake.
It's easily left out after the descent. |
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| De-icing |
As Required |
|
If temperatures are in a range where
ice could be a problem, de-ice should be used.
Structural de-ice and engine de-ice is on here.
Pitot heater and fuel heaters are also included in this check.
If icing conditions could be present and any of the above systems
is off, the checklist will show a cross. |
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| Req Cabin Alt |
0 |
|
If the airport is at a higher altitude,
you can set the equivalent value in here.
Once on the ground, the pressure valve is opened to fully equalize
any difference anyway. |
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| Landing Speeds |
CHECKED |
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Click the gauge to get the speeds
for current weight.
Vat is the speed that you need to be at the runway threshold
for a safe landing. |
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| Landing Lamps |
ON |
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| Flap |
20 - 40 deg |
 |
Once flaps are in use, set all engines
to around 6500 - 6700 RPM.
That should give around 180 kt on the glide slope with 20 deg
flap.
Once you have around 180 kt with 20 deg flap, keep the RPMs
stable & introduce more flap to slow more for final.
As a rough guide 30 deg = 150 kts, 40 deg = 140 kts, 60 deg
= 130 kts, 80 deg = 120 kts |
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| Gear |
DOWN |
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| In the VC this lever needs to be
dragged, rather than just a single click. |
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| Brakes |
OFF |
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Brakes off. Parking brakes &
pedal brakes.
The four gauges on the co-pilot's outer panel show any current
pedal brake pressure being applied.
Test that the pedal brakes do register on Green & then return
to zero when released.
Green is the normal hydraulic channel, red is only active if
green fails. |
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| Final |
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