OK, we have given you the intro to X-Plane, we have run you through the menus, and we have run you through the instruments. Now it is time for a quick flight!0
1. Go to the "Location" menu, "Place Aircraft by Airport" option. Go to San Bernardino, or KSBD, which is the airport ID. That is actually the airport you start at by default, but we are running you through this in case you have moved. In a few seconds you're on runway 06 of San Bernardino, ready for a short instrument flight to KRAL, Riverside Municipal airport - which is about 13 miles west-north-west.
2. Let's take a fun plane. Load the Glasair from the "File:Open Aircraft" menu option. It is in the "Homebuils" folder, as you recall. Austin Meyer, the author of X-Plane, is building one of these in his garage, though it is highly doubtful he will ever finish it... it takes too much time.
3. Anyway, press Enter/Return and the up-arrow to file your flightplan. Set altitude to 4000 feet and destination to KRAL. Click IFR (top left). Close your flightplan now by clicking the window close-button, top left.
4. Next use the knobs in the instrument bar below the glareshield to set ALT 4000 feet, VVI 1000 feet per minute.
5. Set the GPS to the destination airport (set "KRAL" - read 215°-13 nm).
6. Check the airport map of "Riverside Municipal"
in the "Plates" menu.
Note the heading of the landing runway and its ILS frequency. You will go for runway
9 with ILS frequency 110.9.
7. Set the HSI needle to 90 (left yellow knob on the directional gyro) and NAV1 to the ILS 110.90.
8. Select "Settings:Weights and Fuel" to adjust the weight of your Glasair. Enter your own weight as the fixed payload, plus the weight of any other people watching over your shoulder while you fly. Enter 1/2 tanks of fuel. or so.
9. Preflight check: Flaps 1 notch, GPS and Nav radios set, ALT and VVI autopilot values set, the engine at idle.
10. Press Enter/Return and select "Pick-up Flightplan". Check and write down the ATC instructions that follow. Set the transponder as instructed and load the tower frequency into the COM radio.
11. Call ATC for take-off permission and note the instructions.
12. Release the brakes (mouse or "b" key), and throttle up to full. At about 70 knots gently pull the stick to rotate and take off. At a positive climb press the autopilot for VVI SEL and climb to the altitude indicated by Air Traffic Control. If climb to 4000 feet is approved, press ALT SEL, and re-enter the VVI selection if needed.
13. Follow the instructions from ATC, change radio frequency to Departure (if advised) and Riverside's airport. Don't misread ATC. Ask for a "Say again" when in doubt.
14. Follow the heading instructions from ATC by hand-flying or switching the autopilot to HDNG/HDG SEL and turning the orange bug in the HSI with the orange (second left) knob under the HSI to the compass direction ATC has given.
15. You'll be vectored to the ILS of Riverside in a wide curve.
16. At 13 nm DME from Riverside reduce your airspeed to 120 knots, and set 1 notch flaps. Follow the approach instructions from ATC carefully now.
17. You will be advised to "intercept the localizer for runway 09" - press HDNG NAV1 and ALT NAV1 in the autopilot. The Glasair will turn to the Riverside ILS, flying the ILS until you disengage the autopilot and land.
18. When you visually see the runway deselect the autopilot to fly the Glasair gently to the runway. Glasairs like to fly their approaches at about 80 to 100 knots with partial or full flaps. Gently raise the nose when close to the ground to ease out of your descent and touch down. Power off, hit the brakes, and taxi clear of the runway. Hit enter again to tell the tower that you are clear of the active runway and ready to taxi to the ramp for a cold one. (Iced tea if you will be flying back to San Bernardino today, beer otherwise)
