AlphaSim C-5 Galaxy Procedures

Please see the Reference for explanations of the panel functions.

For performance and aircraft specifications see the aircraft menu.

Advanced/Simple Flight Models

This aircraft comes with a simplified flight model which limits the total aircraft weight to approximately 570,000 pounds by reducing the total amount of fuel available.  It also is configured to have electric power always available.  An advanced flight model is available in the "ADVANCED" folder which enables a full fuel load and allows for electrical failures.  Copy the files named "aircraft.cfg" and "c5.air" from the "ADVANCED" folder into the main aircraft folder, overwriting the existing files of the same name, to enable the advanced flight model.  With the advanced flight model, the electric power will drain very quickly if the engines are off or the generators are shut down.  The aircraft will also be very heavy so keep this in mind during takeoffs; the rotation speed is about 135 KIAS at 680,000 pounds.  See the Reference for a complete explanation of the Advanced Flight Model.

Wing Flaps/Slats

The wing flaps/slats have six positions:

1. UP (0%)
2. Maneuvering (8 degrees/20 percent)
3. Intermediate I (16 degrees/40 percent)
4. Intermediate II (25 degrees/62.5 percent)
5. Takeoff (32 degrees/80 percent)
6. Landing (40 degrees/100 percent)

The wing flaps take 29 seconds to extend.  The slats work in conjunction with the wing flaps switch but take only 11 seconds to extend.  The slats cannot be controlled separately.  (Flap extension times are uniformly 5 seconds for the simple flight model).

Power Schedule

Set power quickly by using the mouse to determine your exact percentage of throttle opening, which will correspond to the N1 rpm values in the table.  The settings will differ depending on altitude.  Use these tables as a guideline to help determine approximate throttle settings quickly.

Engine Start

Use Ctrl-E (autostart) to start the aircraft, or use the "Autostart" switch on the electrical panel popup.  This will start all four engines in sequence.

Takeoff and Climb (680,000 lbs.)

• Make sure fuel supply is adequate for the intended flight.
• Set elevator trim to neutral.
• Set flaps/slats to 32 degrees (80% - read this by mousing over the flaps gauge or handle).  
• Confirm spoilers are retracted.
• Line up aircraft on runway.
• Set brakes unless rolling takeoff is planned.
• Apply takeoff power smoothly (89% throttle, 97% N1)
• Release brakes when power is at 97% N1.
• Pull back on the stick slightly to lighten the nose at about 125 KIAS.
• Rotate smoothly at about 135 KIAS.
• 9,000 feet of runway are needed to lift off at this weight.
• Retract landing gear once a positive rate of climb is established.
• Allow the aircraft to accelerate to 175 KIAS and maintain that speed.
• Once the aircraft is at least 1,000 feet above the terrain, retract the flaps.
• Set climb power to 90-95% N1 RPM, which roughly corresponds to 81-86% throttle (use mouse to read this in the VC).
• Allow the aircraft to accelerate to the normal climb speed of 250 KIAS below 10,000 feet after flaps are retracted.
• Adjust rate of climb to maintain a total fuel flow of 30,000 pph during the climb.
• After passing through 10,000 feet with a climb rate of about +500 fpm, accelerate to 270 KIAS.
• Maintain 270 KIAS until reaching Mach 0.7.
• Maintain Mach 0.7 until reaching cruising altitude.

Instrument Takeoff and Climb (680,000 lbs.)

• Make sure fuel supply is adequate for the intended flight.
• Set elevator trim to neutral.
• Set flaps/slats to 32 degrees (80% - read this by mousing over the flaps gauge or handle).  
• Confirm spoilers are retracted.
• Set IAS hold speed value to 250 KIAS.
• Enter desired cruising altitude in altitude hold window.
• Set heading to runway heading or as desired.
• Line up aircraft on runway.
• Set brakes unless rolling takeoff is planned.
• Engage TOGA (use keystroke or joystick button, no button is available on the panel).
• Confirm Flight Director flags visible in Expanded Scale ADI.
• Power will increase to 97% N1 automatically.
• Observe horizontal command bar rise to computed takeoff pitch.
• Pull back on the stick slightly to lighten the nose at about 125 KIAS.
• Rotate smoothly at about 135 KIAS, aligning horizontal command bar with miniature airplane in ADI.
• Retract landing gear once a positive rate of climb is established.
• After a stable 8-degree pitch is established, engage autopilot master and wing leveler.
• TOGA will now hold the climb pitch at 8 degrees.
• Retract flaps when the aircraft is at least 1,000 feet above the terrain.
• After sufficient altitude has been achieved, engage the altitude hold and IAS hold.
• Engage heading hold or navigation commands (VOR, ADF, or GPS) as desired.
• Complete climb as with normal takeoff.

Cruising (710,000 lbs.)

Normal Descent

A typical enroute descent profile is conducted at 300 KIAS/Mach 0.77 with the airplane in clean configuration.  Set descent rate to 1500 fpm with a throttle setting of 90% N1 as an initial setting for descent from 25,000 feet at a weight of 700,000 lbs.  For quicker descents, set power and descent rate as desired, using spoilers as necessary.  For emergency descents, use maximum spoilers with flaps and gear extended as desired while keeping the airspeeds within posted limits.

Landing (620,000 pounds)

• Approach the field at about 215 KIAS in clean configuration.
• Deploy flaps/slats to 40% on downwind and maintain 210 KIAS.
• Lower landing gear after flaps extension and check down/locked.
• On base leg, check flaps 40% and gear down/locked.  Maintain 200 KIAS.
• After turning on final, lower flaps to 100 percent and maintain 165 KIAS.
• Over airfield boundary speed should be 160 KIAS.
• Best flare speed  is 155 KIAS.
• Minimum touchdown speed is 150 KIAS.
• After touchdown extend spoilers fully.
• Brake as necessary after nose gear touches down.

Landing (375,000 pounds)

• Approach the field at about 215 KIAS in clean configuration.
• Deploy flaps/slats to 40% on downwind and maintain 180 KIAS.
• Lower landing gear after flaps extension and check down/locked.
• On base leg, check flaps 40% and gear down/locked.  Maintain 150 KIAS.
• After turning on final, lower flaps to 100 percent and maintain 125 KIAS.
• Over airfield boundary speed should be 120 KIAS.
• Best flare speed  is 115 KIAS.
• Minimum touchdown speed is 110 KIAS.
• After touchdown extend spoilers fully.
• Brake as necessary after nose gear touches down.

ILS Approach (620,000 pounds)

• Approach airfield at the prescribed altitude and speed, usually 2-3000 ft above field elevation.
• Tune ILS frequency on the NAV radio and make sure it is active.
• On extended final, set autopilot ON and altitude hold to the prescribed altitude.
• Turn on "Approach" hold (APR button on the autopilot panel).
• Set IAS hold to desired speed if not already done.
• Aircraft should fly runway heading on localizer at the altitude set in autopilot.
• When glideslope is intercepted, ALT hold light will go out and aircraft will now follow the glideslope.
• IAS hold will automatically hold correct approach speed of 165 KIAS.
• For weights lighter than 620,000 pounds, select appropriate IAS hold speed value.

The actual C-5A/B manual was used to create this flight model, aircraft panel and procedures.  The procedures have been condensed and modified for use in Flight Simulator.  Certain liberties have been taken with the panel design to best utilize the limited space available.