AlphaSim F3D Skyknight Procedures

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

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 1 using the engine start switch.
  9. Monitor oil pressure and temperature.
  10. Repeat for remaining engines.

Takeoff (normal fuel)

  1. Make sure fuel is set to fullest tank.
  2. Set flaps to 1/2 down.
  3. Set elevator trim neutral.
  4. Apply full power smoothly.
  5. Pull back on the stick slightly to lighten the nose at about 100 KIAS.
  6. Rotate smoothly at about 115 KIAS; don't over-rotate or you'll hit the tail skid.

After Takeoff

  1. Retract landing gear once a positive rate of climb is established.
  2. Make your initial climb at a very shallow angle until 180 KIAS is reached.
  3. Retract flaps in stages as you climb.
  4. After flaps are retracted reduce throttle to 95% N1.
  5. Allow the aircraft to accelerate to 250-260 KIAS.
  6. Climb at about 260 KIAS for best rate of climb.
  7. For quickest time to climb, allow climb speed to decrease to 240 KIAS at 35,000 feet.

Climb

A climb to 35,000 feet at combat weight, with no wing tanks or stores, will take about 30 minutes and cover 175 miles, using about 1900 lbs. of fuel.  The rate of climb at sea level is about 3,500 fpm, declining to about 500 fpm at 35,000 feet with climb speed also declining to about 240 KIAS.

Cruising

Altitude Airspeed Fuel Consumption Nautical miles/1000 lbs Pilot's IAS Ground Speed, knots
34,100 feet 0.68 Mach  2564 pounds/hour 15 237 395

Normal Descent

  1. Retard throttles to idle.
  2. Lower landing gear observing speed restrictions.
  3. Use speed brakes as necessary.

Landing (18,000 lbs.)

  1. For optimal CG location land with forward and aft center tanks and drop tanks empty.
  2. Approach the field at about 240 KIAS with plenty of room to slow down.
  3. Use speed brakes as needed.
  4. Slow to approach speed of 170 KIAS
  5. Lower gear on downwind and deploy first stage of flaps.
  6. Speed on base leg should be 150 KIAS; lower second stage of flaps.
  7. Turn to final and lower full flaps, maintaining 130 KIAS.
  8. Over airfield boundary speed should be 110 KIAS.
  9. Touch down in a slightly nose-up attitude at about 90 KIAS.
  10. Brake as necessary after front main gear touches down.