We have currently 18 pilots sign up for the Tropical Traders Event, which is bound to start next Friday.
Are you all ready for this ProPilot adventure?
I know I have been practising a bit, in order to be well-prepared.
This time, I am planning to fly the entire Event on X-Plane10, using the Leading Edge Simulations DC-3. She's a real work to fly, I must say! It's by no means a full-throttle-off-you-go type of plane! If you treat her like that, you'll find yourself back on the ground within 5 minutes. The engines need gentle treatment in order not to blow up right after take-off. Constantly monitoring not only rpm and manifold pressure, but also oil- and cylinder head temperatures. On the ground: cowl flaps open; keep them open while flying, and your oil might become too thick (cold), and stop lubricating the engines enough... Oil pressure needs to atay "in the green" at all times.
If that is not enough, if you blindly flip all switches to the "on" position, you will be dumping fuel along the way. Leaving you with both 210 gallon main tanks empty well within the hour. By that time, you better know where to find BOTH fuel selectors, or you'll find yourself with at least one engine less. Flying on one engine is do-able, but climb power will be near to zero. So that's a something to keep in mind. And adding flaps will then produce so much drag, that you will not be able to maintain altitude (without over-stressing the remaining engine). Then there is the challenge of landing a taildragger in high crosswinds ... I haven't tried that one yet with one engine, but I'll probably get around to that somewhere this week. And did I mention the "autopilot", which is not much pore than a wing leveler...
Then there is the "challenge" (for me at least) to manage X-IvAp properly. It is similar to the FSX version, but still somewhat different. Not sure if TeamSpeak gets fired up, since I did not see it, but I also did not need it yet (no ATC), so I forgot to check. Will give that a try too, this week.
At least there's no significant frame rate drop, or frame boosting fog, when flying on-line. I saw (visually) one other plane, so there's a start already.
Lots to do, still, this coming week, in order to show up well prepared at WSSS.
Study the manuals, checklists, etc. Experiment a little more with connecting and such. Perfecting my emergency procedures. Getting all round proficiency
Then buy me some mosquito repellent. I already had all my shots last month ...
