How to fly the B-52?

On Sat, 7 May 2011 06:16:30 -0700, "Peter Greenstein"
wrote:

I think I'd like to find something that is more specific to the B-52.

This plane was designed in the 1950's as a strategic weapon, to get up and
get going in a hurry to bomb the USSR! That's why I see climb speeds of
5000-6000 ft/min which is strong for a large heavy bomber.

But if this FSX rendering is over-powered, 85% N2 may result in an
unrealistic air speed. Or it may not be enough. This would be nice to know.

Thank you for the suggestion re stall speed. Using autopilot I have been
able to stabiilize this a/c at speeds between 120-150 on approach.

One way to set it up (and this may be poo-pooed by more experienced
simmers) is to set the sim's weather for "no weather" i.e. clear
skies, no wind. Then take the a/c up to 50,000ft, and see where the
groundspeed (shown on the GPS) maxes out.

If that speed is not around about 560kts, then go to the aircraft.cfg
fime and change the engine's power scalar untill you get the right max
speed.

And then live with whatever climb rate you get.

= = = =
About how to determine the right final approach speed of any aircraft,
this is the system I use (when I can be bothered):

Flying at about 2000 ft above the destination airfield's altitude,
slow the plane down, extending flaps and gear at the appropriate
airspeed until you reach a point where, with the flaps set at the
landing configuration, the aicraft's attitude is about 5 deg nose-up.
the IAS at this point will be your final approach speed.

This way I don't need the aricraft manual, I don't need to know what
the gross weigh is, I just let the aircraft tell me what speed it
likes for the final apporach.

RL pilots might go nuts at me for suggesting this method, but, hey,
it's jus a hobby, and it works for me... :-)



Walt
* * *
Offence freely given to those who wish to take it.

"Walt_M" wrote in message
news:

On Sat, 7 May 2011 06:16:30 -0700, "Peter Greenstein"
wrote:

I think I'd like to find something that is more specific to the B-52.

One way to set it up (and this may be poo-pooed by more experienced
simmers) is to set the sim's weather for "no weather" i.e. clear
skies, no wind. Then take the a/c up to 50,000ft, and see where the
groundspeed (shown on the GPS) maxes out.

If that speed is not around about 560kts, then go to the aircraft.cfg
fime and change the engine's power scalar untill you get the right max
speed.

And then live with whatever climb rate you get.

= = = = >
About how to determine the right final approach speed of any aircraft,
this is the system I use (when I can be bothered):

Flying at about 2000 ft above the destination airfield's altitude,
slow the plane down, extending flaps and gear at the appropriate
airspeed until you reach a point where, with the flaps set at the
landing configuration, the aicraft's attitude is about 5 deg nose-up.
the IAS at this point will be your final approach speed.

This way I don't need the aricraft manual, I don't need to know what
the gross weigh is, I just let the aircraft tell me what speed it
likes for the final apporach.

RL pilots might go nuts at me for suggesting this method, but, hey,
it's jus a hobby, and it works for me... :-)



Walt
* * *
Offence freely given to those who wish to take it.

Hi Walt,

Thanks for these tips. I'm going to take a look at the power scalar.

Walt, I guess I'll have to admit that I'm in the realism camp on this one. I
would like to fly this plane at real world climb speeds and ground speeds. I
did try your suggestion about Approach Speeds and I think this a/c is quite
realistic. Well, it is if I reduce the fuel quantity to about 35%. It's
interesting that such a large, heavy a/c can land at 110-120 knots.

I'm now registered at http://www.stratofortress.org/ and I've posted my
questions there. It's not a very active forum so it may take some time for a
veteran pilot to respond.

peter

On May 6, 10:46 am, "Peter Greenstein" wrote:

Recently I posted a question on editing the spoilers on my B-52H for FSX.
Thanks to all for the advice and I have file those for future use. But after
re-testing I've found that the a/c is braking well enough. I think I had
been landing with far too much fuel aboard! I think my version is an update
of one by Mike Stone.

Also, I've been hitting the runway at too high a speed. I guess I have been
used to landing 737's at 150 kts. Now I'm surprised at how much lower the
B-52 can approach and land. I think I've found suggestions for 110-130 kts,
or even less. To my mind that's amazing for such a large, heavy bomber, but
what do I know?!

My question is now, does anyone have a link to B-52 flight manual or some
kind of guide to the basics of flying this a/c?

I've come across some listings for initial climb speed of 5000-6000 ft/min.
That's impressive, but I'm wondering at what speed and for how long can the
B-52H sustain this climb speed? 250-300KIAS or maybe Mach 0.60 and to what
altitude?

Thanks for any ideas/advice!

Peter Greensteinhttp://www.wakefieldjazz.com/

You could download the Capt Sim B-52 Driver pdf's.

"Peter Greenstein" wrote in message
news:iq3gn7$c4g$

I think I'd like to find something that is more specific to the B-52.

This plane was designed in the 1950's as a strategic weapon, to get up and
get going in a hurry to bomb the USSR! That's why I see climb speeds of
5000-6000 ft/min which is strong for a large heavy bomber.

But if this FSX rendering is over-powered, 85% N2 may result in an
unrealistic air speed. Or it may not be enough. This would be nice to
know.

Thank you for the suggestion re stall speed. Using autopilot I have been
able to stabiilize this a/c at speeds between 120-150 on approach.

Peter Greenstein
http://www.wakefieldjazz.com/

The 5000 - 6000 ft/min sounds about right for the first 10.000 ft or so, but
I don't think it would be realistic to have that much lift all the way to FL
500, even the U2 starts to level out at about FL 200.

Tommy C, Denmark

On Sat, 7 May 2011 20:52:05 -0700, "Peter Greenstein"
wrote:

"Walt_M" wrote in message
news:

On Sat, 7 May 2011 06:16:30 -0700, "Peter Greenstein"
wrote:

I think I'd like to find something that is more specific to the B-52.

One way to set it up (and this may be poo-pooed by more experienced
simmers) is to set the sim's weather for "no weather" i.e. clear
skies, no wind. Then take the a/c up to 50,000ft, and see where the
groundspeed (shown on the GPS) maxes out.

If that speed is not around about 560kts, then go to the aircraft.cfg
fime and change the engine's power scalar untill you get the right max
speed.

And then live with whatever climb rate you get.

= = = = >>
About how to determine the right final approach speed of any aircraft,
this is the system I use (when I can be bothered):

Flying at about 2000 ft above the destination airfield's altitude,
slow the plane down, extending flaps and gear at the appropriate
airspeed until you reach a point where, with the flaps set at the
landing configuration, the aicraft's attitude is about 5 deg nose-up.
the IAS at this point will be your final approach speed.

This way I don't need the aricraft manual, I don't need to know what
the gross weigh is, I just let the aircraft tell me what speed it
likes for the final apporach.

RL pilots might go nuts at me for suggesting this method, but, hey,
it's jus a hobby, and it works for me... :-)

Thanks for these tips. I'm going to take a look at the power scalar.

Walt, I guess I'll have to admit that I'm in the realism camp on this one. I
would like to fly this plane at real world climb speeds and ground speeds.

My limited understanding of the mysteries of MSFS leads me to believe
that much of the "fiddling" you may need to do in order to pursue your
dream of greater realism will require you to master the dark art of
.air file editing. I shudeder at the mere prospect, but braver hearts
have had some success there.

No doubt some experts here will set you straight in due course.
Especially if you utter the de rigueur patriotic patter. Seems to
work every time.

I did try your suggestion about Approach Speeds and I think this a/c is quite
realistic. Well, it is if I reduce the fuel quantity to about 35%.

I guess one of things to consider is that these a/c would usually be
returning from a mission (i.e. landing) quite "light".

It's interesting that such a large, heavy a/c can land at 110-120 knots.

I has huge wings and huge flaps. I think it's a bloody albatross. I
like flying it. Occasionally. I like flying a lot of a/c
occasionally. I go through "fads" where I will fly a particular a/c a
lot, then tire of it and pick a completely different one to fly.

I'm now registered at http://www.stratofortress.org/ and I've posted my
questions there. It's not a very active forum so it may take some time for a
veteran pilot to respond.

They should be able to fix you up with specs.



Walt
* * *
Offence freely given to those who wish to take it.