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Review: Jet or Turboprop? Part I
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As is the case with most modern aircraft,
the Flight Management System (FMS) is the heart of the avionics
system. Most of your “heads down” time in the cockpit
will be spent entering data into the FMS prior to flight.
Once airborne the FMS is used more for reference and performance
analysis and the data entry is minimal. Once again, the manual
and tutorials are essential to properly initialize, setup
and use the FMS.
For our flight I enter the takeoff
and arrival airports, departure procedure, arrival (STAR),
and the anticipated approach at the other end of the flight.
The FMS appeared to have a full database of SIDs and STARs
and seemed full featured in almost every way. The full functionality
of the FMS doesn’t seem to be reflected adequately in
the FMS documentation, which is a rather sparse 12 pages long.
Many of the functions of the FMS that work great are a bit
glossed over in the manual. After entering my route (KPWM
– MHT – BAF J80 SAX J6 MRB DRUZZ BUCKO6 KDCA) I
cycle though the waypoints and check the moving map display
for proper waypoint sequence.
After entering the route I follow
the tutorial and enter all of the pertinent performance data
(temperature, flight level, passenger and cargo load, etc.).
Some of the data for entry can be
found using the FlitePrep software, which you can consider
your own personal flight dispatcher. Most importantly (other
than assuring you are under max gross weight) is to derive
takeoff reference speeds which can be entered at the bottom
of the center MFD. These V-speeds will then show up on the
speed tape as the aircraft accelerates. We’ve also entered
the takeoff runway, surface winds and temperature into the
FMS. I used real-time weather generated by Active Sky 6, a
utility that I feel is one of the best and most essential
add-ons for FS9.
With the passengers and baggage loaded
we close the doors and prepare to start the engines. The “DOORS”
indicator on the EFIS tube verifies that the aircraft is buttoned
up and ready for engine start.
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