AlphaSim B-52G Stratofortress Procedures

Please see the Reference for explanations of the panel functions.

For performance and aircraft specifications see the aircraft menu.

Advanced/Simple Flight Models

This aircraft comes with a simplified flight model which limits the total aircraft weight to approximately 302,000 pounds by reducing the total amount of fuel available. It also is configured to have electric power always available. An advanced flight model is available in the "advanced" folder which enables a full fuel load and allows for electrical failures. First unzip the files in the "Advanced" folder. Then copy the file named "aircraft.cfg" from the "advanced" folder into the main aircraft folder, overwriting the existing "aircraft.cfg" file, to enable the advanced flight model. With the advanced flight model, the electric power will drain very quickly if the engines are off or the generators are shut down.

A summary of the differences between the advanced and simple flight models is as follows:

Property | Advanced FM | Simple FM
All fuel tanks-max weight over 480,000 pounds | Yes | No
Limited fuel-max weight 302,000 pounds | No | Yes
CG management required with fuel burn | Yes | No
60-second flap extension | Yes | No
10-second flap extension | No | Yes
Electrical power always available | No | Yes
Significant trim change with flaps/gear/spoiler extension | Yes | No

Wing Flaps

The wing flaps have three positions: maneuvering, high-drag (approach), and high-lift (maximum).

Engine Start

Use Ctrl-E (autostart) to start the aircraft, or:

1. Set parking brake.
2. Set throttle to IDLE.
3. Bring up the Electrical Panel using the panel icon.
4. Turn OFF Avionics and Deice switches.
5. Turn on Master Battery switch.
6. Ensure fuel supply is on (Ctrl-Alt-F4).
7. Make sure all engine fuel cutoff buttons are not lit.
8. Bring up throttle panel.
9. Start Engine 1 using the engine start switch.
10. Monitor oil pressure and temperature.
11. Repeat for remaining engines.

Takeoff (302,000 lbs.)

1. Make sure fuel is set to fullest tank.
2. Set elevator trim 1-2 degrees nose-up.
3. Set flaps to full down (100%). (Flaps take 60 seconds to extend with the Advanced Flight Model).
4. Confirm spoilers are retracted.
5. Apply full power smoothly. Water injection will come on automatically at near full throttle.
6. Observe fuel flow meters rise to over 13,000 pph per engine.
7. Pull back on the stick slightly to lighten the nose at about 120 KIAS.
8. The plane will fly itself off the runway at about 140 KIAS.

Takeoff (488,000 lbs.)

1. Make sure fuel is set to fullest tank.
2. Set elevator trim 5-6 degrees nose-up.
3. Set flaps to full down (100%). (Flaps take 60 seconds to extend with the Advanced Flight Model).
4. Confirm spoilers are retracted.
5. Apply full power smoothly. Water injection will come on automatically at near full throttle.
6. Observe fuel flow meters rise to over 13,000 pph per engine.
7. Pull back on the stick slightly to lighten the nose at about 140 KIAS.
8. The plane will fly itself off the runway at about 160 KIAS.

Note: the aircraft will lift off rear wheels first unless some back pressure is applied to the control column before unstick speed is reached, or if it is not properly trimmed for takeoff.

After Takeoff

1. Retract landing gear once a positive rate of climb is established.
2. Allow the aircraft to accelerate to 180 KIAS with a vertical speed of at least 1,000 feet/minute.
3. Once the aircraft is at least 1,000 feet above the terrain, retract the flaps.
4. Reduce throttle to 97% N1 (about 88% throttle position).
5. Observe fuel flow meter; fuel flow should reduce to about 13,000 pph per engine during initial climb.
6. During the last half of flaps retraction, substantial nose-up trim will be necessary with the advanced flight model.
7. Allow the aircraft to accelerate to the normal climb speed of 240 KIAS.

Climb

Climb at 240-250 KIAS after completing the "After Takeoff" checklist. Above 10,000 feet, allow the aircraft to accelerate to 270-280 KIAS, using the vertical speed adjustment to maintain the desired speed. A climb to 30,000 feet will take about 16 minutes, use about 5,000 pounds of fuel, and cover about 89 nautical miles for a weight of 302,000 pounds.

Cruising

Use autopilot/autothrottle to set cruise parameters.

Altitude | Airspeed | Fuel Consumption | Naut. miles/1000 lbs
25,000 feet | 0.75 Mach | 17,100 pounds/hour | 26.4

Normal Descent

1. Begin descent 40 miles from the airfield.
2. Retard throttles to idle.
3. Lower landing gear observing speed restrictions.
4. Use spoilers as required.
5. Set descent rate and speed as desired using the autopilot.
6. Limit descent rate to 6,000 fpm.
7. Limit speed to 240 KIAS.

Tactical Descent

1. Use full spoilers and point the nose down ten degrees.
2. Rate of descent may exceed 10,000 feet per minute.
3. Level out 1,000 feet above target altitude and reestablish normal flight.

Landing (250,000 pounds)

1. Approach the field at about 240 KIAS with plenty of room to slow down using normal descent procedures.
2. Use spoilers as needed to slow the aircraft and lose altitude.
3. Check landing gear is down and locked.
4. Deploy flaps to first position on downwind and maintain 150 KIAS.
5. Flaps require 60 seconds to reach full extension.
6. Substantial trimming will be required with flap and spoiler extension.
7. Extend spoilers to Position 2.
8. Deploy flaps to second (high-drag) position on base leg.
9. Deploy full flaps (high-lift) and extend spoilers to Position 4 on final.
10. Slow to approach speed of 140 KIAS and set autothrottle to hold speed during final.
11. Over airfield boundary speed should be 140 KIAS.
12. Best flare speed per the manual at this weight is 130 KIAS.
13. Minimum touchdown speed is 116 KIAS.
14. After touchdown extend spoilers fully.
15. Brake as necessary after front main gear touches down.