February 22, 201313 yr Hello All Actually a couple of questions (relevant to other aircraft too) 1. My Piper Seneca has something in it called 'Lateral mode selector) it has a click spot so its meant to do something ,my question is what ? Have had a little tinker ,but it appeared to have know noticeable effect on my flight. 2. Fuel pump switch.. I have noticed this on a number of aircraft. I leave it alone ,as it appears to have now discernible effect (on sim flying) at least. My question is what is it and when is it used. That's it cheers All Andy
February 22, 201313 yr Hi Andy, I can only try to answer No. 2, hoping that you mean that very fuel pump switch which I have in mind. - In the planes I regularly use (rather vintage ones) the fuel pumps pump fuel from the tanks to the engines, particularly when starting the engines. If I dont't switch them on, engines just won't start... Furthermore, fuel trimming wasn't able without fuel pumps. Cheers, Harald Harald Geyer Gründer der Messerschmitt Freunde Dresden v. V.
February 22, 201313 yr Author Thanks Harold I did think that the fuel pump may have had something to do with initial startup ,but wasn't sure. I have planes with fuel pump switches ,but have never had any problem starting them if left off, Perhaps it has to do with the complexity of different models available for sim use. Thanks for your thoughts. Andy
February 23, 201313 yr If you follow the aircraft checklist you will see when to switch the fuel pump (electric) on and off. Used on take offs, ensuring fuel reaches the engine, and thus avoiding a nasty fate. Cold engine starting on many aircraft need use of the fuel primer to inject fuel into the cylinders before the starting procedure. Regards Echofox
February 23, 201313 yr Author If you follow the aircraft checklist you will see when to switch the fuel pump (electric) on and off. Used on take offs, ensuring fuel reaches the engine, and thus avoiding a nasty fate. Cold engine starting on many aircraft need use of the fuel primer to inject fuel into the cylinders before the starting procedure. Regards Echofox Ok Thanks for that. I have various aircraft models with primer and fuel pump switches (including default dc3) but on these aircraft I have had no problems starting and flying without there use. However for the sake of a bit more reality into my sim flying I will use them in future. Can you tell me at what point after takeoff you would switch of the fuel pump switch. Whoops I will check the checklist. Also re my original question..any ideas what the 'lateral mode selector ' is and what it does .This is present in my JF P.Seneca . cheers Andy
February 23, 201313 yr Also re my original question..any ideas what the 'lateral mode selector ' is and what it does .This is present in my JF P.Seneca . I'm just guessing, but would it be some kind of LNAV or NAV/GPS button? And thus, you wouldn't see any effect until you have a flightplan loaded and the AP on? What does the manual say about this? Best regards,Luis Hernández Main rig: self built, AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D (with SMT off and CO -50 mV), 2x16 GB DDR4-3200 RAM, Nvidia RTX 5060Ti 16GB, 256 GB M.2 SSD (OS+apps) + 2x1 TB SATA III SSD (sims) + 1 TB 7200 rpm HDD (storage), ID-Cooling SE-224-XTS air cooler, Viewsonic VX2458-MHD 1920x1080@120-144 Hz (G-sync compatible), Windows 11. Running P3D v5.4 (with v4.5 scenery objects as an additional library, just in case), FSX-SE, MSFS2020, MSFS2024 and even FS9! Lossless Scaling for all my sims. What a godsend...Mobile rig: ASUS Zenbook UM425QA (AMD Ryzen 7 5800H APU @3.2 GHz and boost disabled, 1 TB M.2 SSD, 16 GB RAM, Windows 11 Pro). Running FS9 there .VKB Gladiator NXT Premium Left + GNX THQ as primary controllers. Xbox Series X|S wireless controller as standby/mobile.
February 23, 201313 yr Andy, Google "define aircraft lateral mode selector", top listing should be Flight Director Systems which also is www.allstar.fiu.edu/aero/FltDirS.htm. The answer to your question is the panel of buttons Alt Hdg Nav etc. Anyway the above is well worth reading. Regards. Echofox
February 24, 201313 yr 1. My Piper Seneca has something in it called 'Lateral mode selector) it has a click spot so its meant to do something ,my question is what ? Have had a little tinker ,but it appeared to have know noticeable effect on my flight. Is it the gauge circled in this image? That knob is used to select how the autopilot's lateral (roll) mode is controlled. (nav, vor, heading, localizer, backcourse) If that is not it, could you post an image showing which gauge you mean?
February 24, 201313 yr Check this out too. Its an old style Century 3 A/P system. This pdf tells you exactly how it works in real life - not sure if the Seneca is modeled to suit 100%. http://www.centuryflight.com/manuals/CENTIII.PDF Ron W
February 24, 201313 yr Author Ron and Jeroen That is exactly the equipment installed in my Seneca (Just Flight) so thanks for your replies ,I now know what it is and what it does (getting it to do it might be another question :rolleyes: ) I will probably chicken out and install the Bendix from the default 172/182 Ron your operating manual appears to be very comprehensive, but as I tend to break out in a cold sweat when faced with manuals , I will mull over it at my leisure whilst enjoying my flights with the Seneca/ Bendix combo . :biggrin: Thanks to all who chipped in. Andy
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