Hi all,I wanted to officially say hello and thanks to everyone here who contributes so much to this community. I've been flight simming off and on (mostly off) for many years now and haven't been active in any forums since the days of Pro Pilot '99, Flight Unlimited and Fly! I lost my original profile to AVSIM years ago so I'm starting all over again.Actually, I've been lurking around for quite some time gathering up a ton of good information and advice to the point where I finally have a system that does FSX justice. I am in awe of just how far flight simulation has come since the days of my old favorite, Fly! Like most of you already know, with the addition of quality addons like aircraft from RealAir (and others, of course) and products from RealityXP, etc., flight simming has become more than just a game.I've decided to try my hand at making a video, not just because I'd like to give back a little to the community, but because I thought it might be fun. The Turbine Duke is such an awesome aircraft and when combined with the GNS430/530 from RealityXP, it's such a blast to fly.My intention with this video was to show-off the Duke more than anything but while shooting this RNAV approach I realized that the 430/530 was as much of a star as the Duke. I really didn't mean for it to come across as a how-to video so forgive me for that. You won't see any cool intros or hear any fancy background music, just me droning on. It's a little longer than I planned so try not to fall asleep before the end. ;-)Here's the "real life" star of the show:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gej5yFKfoPY&feature=player_detailpage

Thanks again to everyone (even if you don't know who you are) for helping me to enjoy flight simming again.Eric

BRILIANT! ;) Don’t change a thing. I really enjoyed that flight. It’s almost hard to believe you’ve taken a break from the simulator. You must fly in your day job? The voice over really made the video worth watching. It’s funny; I was actually looking for Duke Turbine videos today – just to enjoy a great aircraft I don’t have yet. If you’re able I’d like to see your next flight ;)If you take requests, fly SADDE into KLAX – with the Duke. :(

Thanks Eric. Great video!jja

Nice video Eric, thanks for NOT adding music!

Nice video Eric, thanks for NOT adding music!

+1.

Well done, indeed.

Great way to ShowCase two fantastic products!! Nicely done Eric!!:(

Great, thanks very much! I think this aircraft is very different than most in that there really ae not very many B60 Turbine conversions in actual existence - only 18 I believe. As such, the STC performance data and POH pages are practically impossible to obtain without buying the aircraft plus the 1M for the conversion. Zane Gard (zfehr) has already answered a number of technical operating questions and that has been very helpful. This video adds more helpful detail but also opens at least a couple more questions for me: 1.) Props - Full forward on initial approach; is this actual SOP for the PT6-35? or should props be left in at cruise setting (1800-1900RPM) unless needed for Go-Around/MA?2.) Oil Cooler Doors - I notice the OC doors were at least half-open for the initial approach. I had not considered OC doors for the approach-landing phase. Is this actual SOP? I've started using half-open for all climbs after takeoff. Should the OC doors be open prior to takeoff, or on climbout as required? I think we need as many tutorials on this aircraft as we can get. Thanks again for the effort. Les Parson

Hi Les,Well, Zane and others might chime in here, but it's my understanding that props are safer fully fine for landing in case you need some quick acceleration after a mishap or a go-around as you mention. The Duke does accelerate quickly but maybe at 1800-1900 rpm this is similar to trying to accelerate a car out of trouble uphill in a high gear!Rob - RealAir

I'm glad to see some positive response!I should make it clear that some of the techniques you saw me use in the video were from my real-world flying experience. I should have said right off the bat that I have not flown a real Turbine Duke so I've applied a bit of artistic license to how I fly the aircraft.

1.) Props - Full forward on initial approach; is this actual SOP for the PT6-35? or should props be left in at cruise setting (1800-1900RPM) unless needed for Go-Around/MA?

I can't imagine a situation when you wouldn't want the props to full high for the approach and possible go-around. I mumbled something about a "modified" GUMP check that all of us probably learned when we first transitioned into the "high-performance" aircraft; Gas, Undercarriage, Mixture, Prop. I haven't flow any aircraft with PT6s but I did fly with Garrett TPE331s and we always brought the props up on final.

2.) Oil Cooler Doors - I notice the OC doors were at least half-open for the initial approach. I had not considered OC doors for the approach-landing phase. Is this actual SOP? I've started using half-open for all climbs after takeoff. Should the OC doors be open prior to takeoff, or on climbout as required?

This is just my "common sense" technique. I believe every approach should be flown with the assumption that a go-around WILL occur and on a hot summer day in Phoenix I'd definitely want my oil cooler doors open should I have to go-around because the guy in front of me just blew a tire on landing. Anytime high power settings are or will be used I think those doors should be open.

BRILIANT! ;) Don’t change a thing. I really enjoyed that flight. It’s almost hard to believe you’ve taken a break from the simulator. You must fly in your day job? The voice over really made the video worth watching. It’s funny; I was actually looking for Duke Turbine videos today – just to enjoy a great aircraft I don’t have yet. If you’re able I’d like to see your next flight ;)If you take requests, fly SADDE into KLAX – with the Duke. :(

I'm glad you liked it. My other hobby is music so I toyed with the idea of adding some of my "masterpieces" (not my everyday stuff, mind you :( ) to the background but then I started falling asleep myself.I do enjoy flying around Southern California so I might just do something like you suggest. I thought about a trip between KLAX and KLAS but the default scenery east of the mountains of LA on the way to Las Vegas is so spectacular I figured everyone would be mesmerized by it and wouldn't pay attention to what I was saying.:( I like your idea better.

Well done, made me realise how much I still have to learn !!G

Hi Les,Well, Zane and others might chime in here, but it's my understanding that props are safer fully fine for landing in case you need some quick acceleration after a mishap or a go-around as you mention. The Duke does accelerate quickly but maybe at 1800-1900 rpm this is similar to trying to accelerate a car out of trouble uphill in a high gear!Rob - RealAir

Also consider the torque strain by applying full power with a low RPM setting.

Great job Man!! Really good video!

Just want to also say ....Great Job!!. Folks like you are a credit to the Hobby. I do love this wonderful aircraft and it has changed the entire FSX experience for the better. Seeing it in the hands of a real world pilot just makes it better. Looking forward to more of your flights.