Contents
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Many factors affect flight planning and aircraft operation, including aircraft weight, weather, and runway surface. The recommended flight parameters listed below are intended to give approximations for flights at maximum takeoff or landing weight on a day with International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) conditions.
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Important: These instructions are intended for use with Flight Simulator only and are no substitute for using the actual aircraft manual for real-world flight. Note: As with all of the Flight Simulator aircraft, the V-speeds and checklists are located on the Kneeboard. To access the Kneeboard while flying, press SHIFT+F10, or on the Aircraft menu, click Kneeboard. Note: All speeds given in Flight Notes are indicated airspeeds. If you're using these speeds as reference, be sure that you select "Display Indicated Airspeed" in the Realism Settings dialog box. Speeds listed in the specifications table are shown as true airspeeds. |
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By default, this aircraft has full fuel and payload. Depending on atmospheric conditions, altitude, and other factors, you will not get the same performance at gross weight that you would with a lighter load. |
Required Runway Length
Takeoff: 813 feet (248 meters)
Landing: 1,798 feet (548 meters)
The length required for both takeoff and landing is a result of a number of factors, such as aircraft weight, altitude, headwind, use of flaps, and ambient temperature. The figures here are conservative and assume:
Weight: 2,095 pounds (950 kilograms)
Altitude: sea level
Wind: no headwind
Temperature: 15° C
Runway: hard surface
Lower weights and temperatures will result in better performance, as will having a headwind component. Higher altitudes and temperatures will degrade performance.
Engine Startup
The engine is running by default when you begin a flight. If you shut the engine down, you can initiate an auto-startup sequence by pressing CTRL+E. If you want to do the startup procedures manually, use the checklist on the Kneeboard.
Taxiing
While taxiing, the power should be set at around 1000 rpm (prop and mixture are full forward). As you move down the taxiway, turn the nose right and left for directional control by using the rudder (twist the joystick, use the rudder pedals, or press 0 [left] or ENTER [right] on the numeric keypad).
Flaps
The 300S doesn't have flaps.
Takeoff
Run through the Before Takeoff checklist.
With the aircraft aligned with the runway centerline, advance the throttle control to full power. Keep a slight forward pressure on the stick (use the joystick or yoke, or press the UP ARROW), and the tail will come up fairly soon at around 40 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS). Then, rotate slightly nose-up (use the joystick or yoke, or press the DOWN ARROW), and the plane will become airborne at around 70 KIAS.
Climb
Here's where the fun starts with the 300S. After takeoff, level out and let the speed build to around 120 KIAS, which will happen quite quickly. Then, check out the performance of this amazing airplane. You can pull up and through the vertical into an Immelmann right over the runway.
Experiment with throttle settings. You'll find the Extra is extremely responsive to throttle changes; this will aid you as you learn to maneuver this little sport plane.
If you're using the Extra to cruise cross-country, reduce power after takeoff to 25 inches of manifold pressure (use the joystick throttle, press F2, or drag the throttle control). Raise the nose, and climb out at around 100 KIAS.
Cruise
Cruise altitude would normally be determined by winds, weather, and other factors. You might want to use these factors in your flight planning if you have created weather systems along your route. Optimum altitude is the altitude that gives the best fuel economy for a given configuration and gross weight. A complete discussion about choosing altitudes is beyond the scope of this section.
The Extra isn't designed for long cross-country flights, but it will get you there at about 150 knots at typical cruise-power settings.
Try using 24 inches of manifold pressure (use the joystick throttle, press F2, or drag the throttle control) and 2400 rpm (press CTRL+F2, or drag the prop control). You can fly for about two hours under most conditions and still have a safe fuel reserve.
Landing
Precise speed control is essential for smooth landings in the 300S. Plan to fly your final approach at 80 knots, keeping some power on. If you get much slower, the Extra will start to descend rapidly. Try to land any faster, and you'll float down the runway.
As you enter the traffic pattern, bring the power back to about 15 inches of manifold pressure (use the joystick throttle, press F2, or drag the throttle control).
Adjust the pitch attitude of the nose to hold airspeed at 70 knots. If you get a little low, add an inch or two of manifold pressure. If you think you're too high, reduce power by an inch or two.
As you cross over the runway threshold, smoothly reduce power to idle, and hold the nose slightly above the horizon. Let the airplane settle gently onto the runway. Look outside using your peripheral vision to stay lined up until you exit the runway.
Upon touchdown, bring the power back to idle, hold full back pressure on the stick (use the joystick or yoke, or press the DOWN ARROW), apply brakes (press the PERIOD key), and exit the runway.