Overview
Tasks
Simulator Setup Overview
Use the following images and settings to set up your simulator. Be sure to reference and for help with setup. Aircraft and environmental defaults
Aircraft: CUSTOMIZED Alpha 40, Scaled 60-size, 72-in Span (7-lb). See Transmitter: Orqa | Be sure to calibrate Flying Site: Frasca Airport Wind: Steady Winds: 0 mph at startup Flight screen must show transmitter and HUD.
Aircraft Setup
The aircraft in it’s current configuration is overpowered relative to the Believer. Please follow the guidance in by to set the aircraft output to 75% of the current. Convert and Define Speeds
The SeligSIM (at the time of writing) does not allow changing the airspeed units from miles per hour (mph). In this and all future SeligSIM assignments, we will follow and reference the Believer's airspeed settings.
Create a table below that shows the unit corrected speeds from the . The table must include four columns: 1. Parameter/condition Name, 2. YOUR description of the parameter/condition, 3. Speed (m/s), 4. and Speed (mph). The description of each parameter may require some research into as well as some intuition. There should be 9 rows in your table. The conversion from m/s or kts to mph MUST be completed using a formula entered into Coda. You may use AI and the Coda help docs to build your formula. Type out your formula in the callout below. Conversion Table
Build and complete the required conversion table as a deliverable.
Scaled Platform Checklist
I named all parameters as Radio Control airspeeds, as they do not correlate correctly with the conditionals after conversion.
Speed Questions
Reference and explain what a V-speed is. Specific airspeeds which correspond to maneuvers or requirements in an aircraft. Add a column to the table above and include V-speed indicators. There may not be an exact match, so think critically about what the parameter “speed” represents. Traffic Pattern Diagram
Throughout the Believer flight training, you will be expected to navigate and communicate using standardized aviation language. Positional information about the aircraft will be communicated in accordance with a standard traffic pattern. That is, if your instructor commands a left turn for base, you must know what that means and execute the maneuver expeditiously and confidently. Additionally, each leg of the traffic pattern may have a different speed requirement that must be followed for successful launch, cruise, and landing.
For this task, draw and label a standard left-hand traffic pattern for the simulated Frasca Airport. Assume that the aircraft is oriented to take off on runway 09. You must label the leg name in the traffic pattern AND the desired speed for each leg. If needed, you may justify your response in the footer of your drawing.
I modeled the speeds to what a typical pattern is like, the speeds are not entirely accurate because this is an RC plane not a real one.
Drawing
Traffic pattern drawing required as a deliverable.
Controls Check
Perform a controls check according to and answer the following questions. Remember that a control check is required before each flight. A full upward deflection of the right stick moves which control surface and in which direction? A full rightward deflection of the left stick (at throttle idle) causes which two controls to move? What rotational motion will result from this input? Refer to the for additional information. Moves the rudder and nosewheel to the right. Rotating to the right. Takeoff and Energy Management
Next, you will perform an aircraft takeoff while maintaining the proper takeoff speed through the system's energy management. The Believer (and any system with a stabilized mode) has a total energy control system (TECS) algorithm built in to continually monitor and adjust the aircraft to balance its kinetic and potential energy, maintaining sufficient lift at all times. When this system is well-tuned, entering a stall condition on the Believer is very difficult (though still possible). [Optional] You may read for more information on the algorithm architecture. Before your first recorded takeoff, answer the following. Many of these questions can be answered from the . Under high power (i.e., during takeoff), the aircraft will experience an asymmetric condition called “P-factor.” Define P-factor and describe the control inputs required to counteract it. During a climb, the propeller’s center of thrust moves to the right and becomes asymmetrical, causing a left-turning yaw movement. Counter with mainly a lot of right rudder and respective aileron input. During the takeoff climb, power must be “pinned” fully open (i.e., throttle control stick full upward deflection) until you reach your cruise altitude and “level off.” You must maintain your takeoff speed according to your values from . What control input should you use to set your speed? The elevator should be used because at full power in climb, you regulate speed by AoA. As you reach cruise altitude (say, 200 ft AGL), how will you need to adjust the control to level the aircraft at 200 ft AGL while maintaining cruise speed? Nose down to the horizon, then pull back on throttle to the desired cruise setting. Screen Recording
Record the takeoff maneuver described below.
Now, perform a takeoff maneuver and achieve the following (you do not need to turn or land - you can press the ESC key to respawn at launch):
Control speed according to the converted values from the Level off at a cruise altitude of 200 ft AGL. Turns and Energy Management
After a successful takeoff, depending on the aircraft's performance before or after reaching cruise altitude, you will need to turn crosswind. There are several special considerations when turning in a fixed-wing aircraft. Answer the following questions to guide your understanding before entering a turn in the simulator. Again, many of these questions can be answered from the . What throttle input is used during takeoff (in percentage)? What throttle input is used during cruise (in percentage)? Describe the aileron input(s) required to achieve and maintain a 20° bank. Aileron should bank in the direction of travel, then should be centered, and minor adjustmentsshould be made to maintain the bank. In the 20° bank above, what will happen to the altitude of the aircraft if neither the throttle nor the pitch is adjusted? Using the two questions above, what inputs are required to complete a turn from departure to crosswind? Aileron to set the bank, rudder to keep a coordinated turn, and elevator to either maintain the climb or altitude. Screen Recording
Record the turning maneuver described below.
Now, combine the procedure in and add in turns to achieve the following (you do not need to turn or land - you can press the ESC key to respawn at launch as needed): Level off at a cruise altitude of 200 ft AGL. Maintain cruise speed (±5 mph) Perform all turns in the traffic pattern without gaining or losing altitude (± 25 ft) Complete the traffic pattern two times (do not set up for landing - fly the runway at cruise altitude) Landing Approach and Go Arounds
Now that you have mastered the takeoff, turns, and the traffic pattern, it’s time to start the landing approach. As you might have guessed, this part is also about energy management. In this case, we are looking to shed energy. In this task, you will not land, but instead complete low pass approaches to the runway while maintaining centerline AND altitude discipline before performing a go-around and reentering the pattern. Answer the following questions regarding the landing approach. Refer to the as needed. What speed (in mph) should you target for your landing approach according to the ? 34mph. I don’t think this is right. Imagine the aircraft is aligned on the centerline, and you have hit the target altitude by the final turn. Describe the shape of the aircraft as it approaches you/the touchdown point? The aircraft should appear to be about level to your viewpoint and getting larger. If you notice that, as the aircraft is approaching you, it appears to be moving lower within your reference frame, what input should you provide to stop the ascent? What is a flare, and what is the purpose of this maneuver? When the aircraft is in ground effect, you are holding up the elevator to prevent it from touching down immediately. Letting the aircraft slow down until it lands on the rear main gear. To gently land the aircraft by allowing ground effect to do the work. At what point in the landing operation should you target the AIRSPEED_MIN_LND? The descent requires the opposite inputs from the ascent. Describe the throttle and pitch inputs needed to transition from straight and level flight in cruise into a descent? For an RC aircraft, throttle at idle, pitch down, and ailerons for correction. Rudder for crosswind correction. For an actual aircraft, the throttle comes down in increments, with idle only once the runway is made (or if too high). Screen Recording
Record the landing approach maneuver described below.
Now, combine the procedures in , , and add in the landing approach to achieve the following (you do not need to turn or land - you can press the ESC key to respawn at launch as needed): Level off at a cruise altitude of 200 ft AGL early in the downwind leg. Maintain cruise speed (±5 mph) Begin descent and target approach speed as you turn base. Continue descent through base and target ~75-100 ft AGL as your turn final. Continue descent, maintaining glide slope (ensure the aircraft does not move up or down in the reference frame). As you approach the runway, stop the ascent at eye level by adding throttle. Maintain centerline and eye level as the aircraft flies past your location. Perform a go-around as the aircraft passes you by, applying full throttle and targeting the takeoff speed. If you have mastered the lowpass, perform a touch and go by pulling throttle to idle, and begin rounding out (flare) until the rear wheels touch the runway (reference figure 9-10 in ) Before the front wheel touches, perform a go-around as the aircraft passes you by, applying full throttle and targeting the takeoff speed. Deliverables
Upload a completed copy of this document (as a PDF) to brightspace by the due date listed in the . See to add this page to your own doc. See to create a PDF of your doc for submission. Screenshot of updated motor/engine output from . Inline or attached to Brightspace submission. Traffic pattern drawing from Inline or attached to Brightspace submission. Inline or attached to Brightspace submission.