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Post by Andrew Godden on Jan 7, 2011 21:04:58 GMT -5
Now that you have had some time to digest the Event & Flight Briefings document, you may have realised that for some Flight Legs, you can't just climb in and go blazing around the sky. So, if you are scratching your head, consider the following. I have continued to develop the GAAR with an emphasis on "flight planning" as part of testing / developing individual skills. Just like in the real world, the GAAR requires some "flight planning" on the part of the participant. All the Flight Legs can be planned and flown using the basic Flight Planning tool in MSFS. Scant though it may seem on directional information (and this is deliberate), all the information you need is in the Briefing document. There are some great 3rd party software tools as well and one I personally use extensively is "Plan G" by Tim Arnot. It is fantastic and, more importantly, it is freeware and available at the following web site. www.tasoftware.co.uk/Ver 2.02 of Plan G was released late last year. Two great aspects of Plan G are, you build a MSFS version specific database for your installation so it picks up all "Add-On" scenery, and it gives you the range of the NDB / VOR when you hover the cursor over the NAVAID symbol. Of course, then there is the GPS, for those who absolutely need to use it. |
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Post by Alistair on Jan 8, 2011 13:16:12 GMT -5
This looks like a really fun event. But I'm in Canada and don't have ready access to any Australian VNC or WAC charts. I have Plan G of course but for VFR fight planning I use paper charts with protractor, scale and a CRP-5 flight "computer" so that I can properly prepare my plog, just like I do, and like everyone else does, in RW.
I also mark the map with appropriate markings showing fuel requirement to destination, time to next significant point, heading to be flown etc, so that this then forms the basis of my flight. I don't think Plan G allows that kind of operation.
So are there any VNC/WAC charts available which cover the areas of the event and can be downloaded?
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Post by Andrew Godden on Jan 8, 2011 16:13:01 GMT -5
Alistair,
On the VNC / WAC question, I am not aware of anywhere where you may be able to download the charts.
Other than along the coast, their true effectiveness could be questioned because it is so remote in the central / outback regions. This is where the IFR part really comes in.
The other factor here is how close your particular scenery set-up in MSFS, for the area travelled, represents the real world map. Major cities aside, MSFS hasn't been too good in this regard for Australia.
Final point for consideration, the "Map Print" function in Plan G. I believe you can print whatever type you are using / viewing, i.e. "Map", "Satellite", "Hybrid" or Terrain". This might be an acceptable alternative for your purposes.
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Post by Alistair on Jan 8, 2011 19:38:40 GMT -5
Thanks Andrew. I'll do that.
Can I ask why you want folks to do the test flight? The timed section is about 53.72 nautical miles in perfect weather at 4500' AMSL. Assuming nil wind, no conflicting traffic and no ATC ;D the time will depends entirely on TAS, which depends on IAS adjusted for the known altitude and known OAT, so why not just ask registrants what IAS they will fly at?
Or am I missing something?
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Post by Andrew Godden on Jan 8, 2011 21:52:30 GMT -5
Alistair, Not wanting to sound as though I am trivialising your accurate assumptions, but some GAAR participants would go "UH".  You haven't missed anything, as much as looked at it from a different perspective. The key is the 53.26 nm distance (what is used) between YPKU and YARG. The "Test Flight" time is then used to calculate ground speed (GS), which I then relate to the individual "Flight Leg" distances and calculate a "Target Time" that can be easily used and referenced in MSFS in relation to GS. Unless, of course, you have all the other necessary aircraft reference documentation required for TAS, and can interpret it, or you want to calculate calibrated airspeed (CAS) and equivalent airspeed (EAS), manually, and from first principles. The GAAR caters for novices, and experienced pilots alike, so I have to find a balance, whilst making it enjoyable. Using a Waypoint that is an intersection of NAVAID bearings can be a big challenge for some participants. The current structure of the event appears to work for those who want to go to the level of detail of which you speak, to the other end of the spectrum and also, somewhere in between. Furthermore, there are other assumptions made in relation to individual aircraft performance, as part of calculating the "Target Times". These assumptions are only approximations of aircraft performance. Whilst there is an "anal logic" part of me which would like the "Target Times" to accurately reflect each individual aircraft, I don't have the authoritative reference material for the wide and sometimes weird range of aircraft entered in the GAAR. As I am retired (and at an early age), time is not necessarily a problem and in time, I might be able to build such a database, but the question then is, "Will the GAAR still be running and can the data be used?". The answer to this, and the "Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything" is, of course, "42" (additionally, a towel is the most important item a hitchhiker can have and to know where one's towel is, indicates you are in control of your life). For the moment though, I would rather be flying. |
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Post by Capt Zlogg on Jan 14, 2011 6:53:58 GMT -5
Comrades,
we are pleased to see the first leg this year will also include Romania since BMR NDB is located near Cluj Napoja! You will be treated to a great Karpatian Evening including Red Star beer, borsjt and a table dance by Valentina Leggorova.
Before t/o to finish the 1st leg at YCCA Babushka will demonstrate her latest secret invention.
cheers
Capt. Zlogg
vp KGB Air Droppers (cows, rhino's & elephants)
ceo Distrust Kapitalisny Society
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Smudger
Member
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Posts: 11
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Post by Smudger on Jan 14, 2011 11:27:19 GMT -5
Do ve haff to vear ze red satin-lined black cape and fang extensions?
I've ordered in a crate of neck protectors, just in case...
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Post by rattler1 on Jan 14, 2011 13:26:09 GMT -5
My friend, zat ist Transylvania, home of Count Duckula, the famous vegetarian vampire duck.
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Post by Capt Zlogg on Jan 23, 2011 4:08:33 GMT -5
My friend, zat ist Transylvania, home of Count Duckula, the famous vegetarian vampire duck. Comrade Shaker, duck is sitting - like all kapitalistny cheers Capt Zlogg vp KGB Air Droppers (cows, elephants & rhinos) inventor of popular dance " the burping duck" |
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Post by marklory on Feb 1, 2011 13:44:08 GMT -5
Hi all, Just wanted to say I've flown a few of the legs so far, using Plan G to work out routing. Not to actually create a GPS plan though, but to identify landmarks etc that actually appear in FS and name them has made the planning more fun and interesting. Such as heading for what I now know is Barren Island, trying to compensate for the wind drift, and making adjustments to heading once I spotted it visually, off to one side  On the leg to Alpha I did the first overland bit from reservoir to reservoir Great fun, really enjoying the routings and back story too. Thanks for a great event Mark Lory GAAR 072 |
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You haven't missed anything, as much as looked at it from a different perspective.
