Most of us simmers get a fresh new aircraft that has all bits and bobs work right off the bat, which ironically is highly unrealistic. Keeping a aircraft in flying condition, even new from the factory is a whole series of choices and compromises.
A brand new Boeing might carry a few errors made on the production line(documented, obviously), and thus will have it’s own character. Some electrical system might never function optimally or the hydraulic pump might give slightly less pressure then what you’d be used to. Not big problems, everything within tolerances, but it’s not a perfect world out there!
Fortunately, developers have taken it upon themselves to simulate this. Until today I had no real experience with these addons. But, I’ve the the FJS 727 working, despite the lack of a properly simulated fuel system(TL:DR, fuel imbalance due to badly modelled fuel tanks, causes lateral CG change), and this wonderful aircraft simulates damage, wear and tear and a little bit of maintenance on the side.
Today I wanted to fly from SPSO(Pisco) to SLLP(La Paz). A few days ago I made the same flight but got into a unrecoverable stall because the autopilot required all my attention, given the weird mix of switches and rotaries all over the panels.
So I hopped into the cockpit of the 727 again, with a fresh spirit and a vivid idea of how I should coerce this mechanical companion into following my plans!
A nice sunset when starting up!
A alarming sound started ringing. A bell and a vague red light did the work on the main panel. As it turned out, engine 1 had decided to excite the firedectector loops, to my great frustration. These loops should only be modified by authorized staff, and this engine most certainly was not on the staff list, nor authorized for that matter.
At this point I had levelled off and dialed in the VOR back home. As it turns out he AP disengaged without a clear visible warning, thus causing this disturbing bank angle for anyone in the back.
I obviously had tried to get the engine to accept controlled fire again, but alas it was too late and any form of cooperation had evaporated with the damaged fire sensing loop(May the great Airworthiness Directive in the sky above us have it’s soul).
Surprisingly enough windmilling gave me enough RPM to get a combustion going, but it never happened. The combustion chamber was properly damaged when the fire did the fire thing outside of the regulated and designated area’s(highly unusual).
A firm approach and a little rudder gave me a speedy touchdown that got anchored with a liberal application of thrust reverse on the grieving engines.
(image of me trying to start the engine, upload buggered for now)
I bravely attempted to resuscitate the engine on the ground once more, perhaps the massive fuel supply would breath some life into it! But alas, it had no use!
So, go out there, screw up. And improvise, who knows, you might learn a thing or two along the way!
Some of my realizations during the process:
-What’s that sound?
-Oh wait, not a stall, it’s fire!
-Where’s the bottle discharge?
-There it is! Okay engine is shutting down
-Oooh, I’ve got a second squib!
-Okay let’s try and windmill restart after levelling off, I’ve got a few minutes before i get to the next waypoint
-Hmm, no fuel? Oh wait, the discharge button keeps the fuel shut-off valve closed…
-Okay, no more then 35% engine 1… bugger
-So can I make this trip with a engine down?
-well the airport is a bit high, better not
-let’s VOR back home!
-Dammit, AP disconnected…
Trust me, failing is fun! More so in a simulator One thing you should try besides the wonderful state of a Cold and Dark cockpit!