I spend most of my time either flying DC-3s, GA or fast jets. I don't often get to play with the heavies, but this week I thought I would flash a few of my favourites up to remind myself how to fly the things ... or try to fly the things.With a number of aircraft .... whether MELJET, POSKY or my favourite Tristars ... I find that when in range, flying at, say, 2 or 3,000 feet setting up for final at 250KIAS, my aircraft sits right back and will not fly level. If speed is increased, over FAA maximum for that altitude, they'll level out. But otherwise, I always seem to be flying with a horrible nose up attitude. I know that with some jets this is as designed when on final approach; but not, surely, simply slow flying in the pattern.What am I doing wrong, O Boeing and Airbus Maestros?Mark "Dark Moment" Beaumonthttp://www.swiremariners.com/newlogo.jpg

Your configuration of the plane is too heavy. Deploy flap until pitch is acceptable.

I find I need a few degrees of flaps to level out the airliners at low speeds. Whether this is realistic or not, I don't know. If it's not realistic, then the lift being applied to the aircraft is too small with zero flaps. I suspect that lift is a function of airspeed in the FS flight models, but there must be some coefficients in there somewhere. It's also possible that the equations "break down" at low speed because they are a bit too simplistic - frequently a trade-off in simulators where you've got to balance model accuracy with computational speed.

Yes, lift is a function of speed. Wings are designed (without flaps deployed) such that just right amount of lift provide at crusing speed and altitude. So yeah, at a much slower speed, the plane has to increase the AoA to increase lift.

I agree with the others Mark. Too much weight, and/or too little speed, and/or too little flaps deployed. For example, try 130 KIAS, 10-20% fuel, and flaps 30 with a 737.Doug

I can't accept that it is necessary to fly with flaps in the pattern; to my understanding, most heavies (or 737s, whatever) should be able to fly level at 250KIAS without the necessity of having flaps deployed, although I do appreciate the power/trim equation. Where I think you have all hit on my mistake is that I have too much fuel on board for the circumstances in which I find this problem, so I am probably overweight. Off to do some serious testing, and thanks ...Mark "Dark Moment" Beaumonthttp://www.swiremariners.com/newlogo.jpg

Another issue could be the planes themselves. I've heard a few say that some add-ons do this more than others. All in all, I'd say you have too much fuel though as you mentioned.

Mark, From what I have read in the past, adjusting the line cruise_lift_scalar = 1.0found in the Flight Tuning section of the aircraft.cfg can change the overall pitch attitude of any plane. I haven't tried it myself though as I like to see all the figures in this section set to 1.0! I don't know which direction the figures go to bring the nose down so I suggest you try 0.7 or 1.4 to begin with, then fine tune to your liking. Regards,

Mark,As you are bringing up the 737 as an example. The real 737, or at least the NG, flies with a slight nose up attitude at cruize level and speed. approx 2-3

>Mark,>>As you are bringing up the 737 as an example. The real 737, or>at least the NG, flies with a slight nose up attitude at>cruize level and speed. approx 2-3

Mark,You generally need to use some flap in the pattern - few if any jets fly at 250 kts whilst being vectored within the pattern. I think your aircraft are too heavy - try reducing fuel etc then fly the pattern but use flap to get your nose down.Kev