AlphaSim F-117A Procedures

For specifications and weights see the aircraft menu.  Use the Fuel and Payloads options to set up weight and fuel loading.

• Stall speed, clean: 149 KIAS at 48,753 lbs.
• Minimum control speed: 140 KIAS
• Max gear extension: 300 KIAS
• Max Mach: 0.90
• Max IAS: 525 KIAS

Engine Start

Use Ctrl-E (autostart) to start the aircraft, or:

1. Set parking brake.
2. Set throttle to IDLE.
3. Bring up the Electrical Panel using the panel icon.
4. Turn OFF Avionics and Deice switches.
5. Turn on Master Battery switch.
6. Ensure fuel supply is on (advance mixture control fully or press Ctrl-Shift-F4).
7. Bring up throttle panel.
8. Start Engine using the engine start switch.
9. Monitor oil pressure and temperature.

Takeoff (45,000 lbs.)

1. Make sure fuel is sufficient.
2. Check aircraft weight.
3. Set elevator trim neutral.
4. Apply full power with afterburner smoothly.
5. Lighten the nose at 130 KIAS.
6. Rotate smoothly at about 150 KIAS.

After Takeoff

1. Retract landing gear once a positive rate of climb is established.
2. Climb at 340 KIAS and 100% power for normal climb.
3. Climb at 0.78 Mach above 10,000 feet for normal climb.

Cruise (45,000 lbs)

Normal Descent

1. Retard throttles to idle or as desired.
2. Lower landing gear observing speed restrictions.

Landing (37,000 lbs.)

1. Maximum crosswind compenent is 25 knots for a dry runway, 15 knots wet.
2. Approach the field at about 250 KIAS with plenty of room to slow down.
3. Lower landing gear.
4. Speed on base leg should be 200 KIAS.
5. Turn to final, maintaining 158 KIAS using autothrottle.
6. Use 9.5 units of AoA on final approach.
7. In turbulence or gusting conditions use 8 units AoA (+15 KIAS on approach).
8. Touch down at about 149 KIAS or 7 units AoA.
9. Apply brakes at 127 KIAS after the front wheel alights.
10. Use braking chute as required by toggling spoiler key.

Acrobatics and and Aircraft Limitations

The maximum angle of attack for this aircraft is 11.5 degrees.  Exceeding this value may cause a departure from controlled flight as the stability augmentation system will no longer be effective.  The aircraft will probably go completely out of control and recovery is very unlikely.

The aircraft is limited to a maximum of 7 g at full stick deflection at 500 KIAS.  Roll authority is about 80 degrees per second at slower speeds (approach speed) and 180 degrees per second at 500 KIAS.

The airplane is not especially agile and acrobatics should generally be avoided because of its inherent instability if the maximum angle of attack is exceeded.