I created my first IFR flight (KAVX to KSAN) in MSFS using low altitude airways and the Longitude. I have a few questions about the updated avionics and I'm also looking for walkthrough tutorials.

If the first waypoint is about 10 miles behind me, after take-off from an airport (no ATC):

1. Do I need to manually guide (using HDG) the plane to the first waypoint?
2. Should the SPD mode be in FMS or MAN mode?
3. When, where and at what altitude should I activate the auto-pilot and NAV?
4. Do I need to manually activate each waypoint leg?
5. Do I need to manually enter ILS frequencies?




 

Hi Matt.  Welcome to Avsim.

1.  If you're not really using ATC then yes you must self-navigate to the first fix.  But you can use the Direct To feature of the G5000 to goto the next fix ahead of you in the flight plan.  Just click on the fix you want to go to then press Direct To (It's the D with the arrow through it).

2. Depends what you want to do.  If you're trying to follow USA rules you need to be no faster than 250 knots under 10,000 ft.  So I think if you leave it in FMS (and you're using AT or auto throttles) it should keep you below 250 or right at 250.  I can't recall off the top of my head.  If you use MAN, it's you who decides what speed to set.

3. It differs a bit between aircraft type, airline/company procedure, and since you're flying without ATC you could do it almost right away, about 400 ft off the ground.  You don't have to use AP though.  You can "hand fly" for the entire flight if you like.

4. No.  Assuming you're on course (you're centered on the magenta line - or more importantly, your EHSI's needle is centered), the GPS will sequence to the next fix automatically.

5.  If you press PROC and select an ILS I believe it will place that frequency in your standby NAV1 box.... It might place it in active I can't recall.  

drodemo by Ryan Butterworth, on Flickr

Thank you. For pattern practice, how do I manually move or rotate the course select arrow (the magenta colored arrow) in the HSI in the Longitude?

4 minutes ago, Matt Sdeel said:

Thank you. For pattern practice, how do I manually move or rotate the course select arrow (the magenta colored arrow) in the HSI in the Longitude?

I'd switch to VLOC (it might be called NAV1) so you can the turn your CRS knob (on the autopilot control panel).

I assume you want to do this for reference to the pattern runway alignment?

Edited March 13, 20233 yr by ryanbatc

Yes, that is exactly what I want to do. I can't find the switch to VLOC or NAV1.

 

7 hours ago, Matt Sdeel said:

Yes, that is exactly what I want to do. I can't find the switch to VLOC or NAV1.

 

The option is called LOC1 on the Longitude. You can find the 'switch' on the left GTC (the Garmin Touch Controller on your left): look for Nav Source (click the Home button if you don't see it) and click on it to toggle between FMS, LOC1 and LOC2.

Edited March 13, 20233 yr by tup61

11 hours ago, Matt Sdeel said:

1. Do I need to manually guide (using HDG) the plane to the first waypoint?
2. Should the SPD mode be in FMS or MAN mode?
3. When, where and at what altitude should I activate the auto-pilot and NAV?
4. Do I need to manually activate each waypoint leg?
5. Do I need to manually enter ILS frequencies?

In addition to what ryanbatc already posted:

1. Take note that in order to intercept the magenta line in FMS mode you need to be on a proper intercept heading towards it. So if the magenta line is behind you, you will either have to manually put yourself on a good intercept heading or use the AP HDG mode to get you there. Arm NAV and it will become active (going from white to green) once the intercept is okay.

2. The advantage of FMS is that it will keep every speed constraint, like 250 kts beneath 10.000 ft (which is a world wide limit afaik and not just in the US). I myself always fly in FMS mode. Very convenient. 😉 Of course you have to have AT (Auto throttle) enabled. You can enbale AT on the ground already: I usually press that buttons once I a lined up on the runway.

5. If you load a procedure on the ground the ILS frequency will be loaded as NAV 1 standby. If you load a procedure while in the air the ILS frequency will be loaded as NAV 1 active. Because I am always a bit unsure if this goes well I always used to check the frequency on the radio page... However, lately I am using the following method to set the ILS freq myself: when on the PROC page to select the approach you will see Primary frequency in the middle of the screen: this is not just a nice piece of information, it is also a convenient button! Press that button and you will get the option to put the freq in the radio right away (I'd pick NAV 1) with one click! Very convenient.
Take note though that this option currently is a bit bugged: you may not see a frequency in that box with certain payware addons. Working Title has solved this and the fix will be released with SU12.

In addition to my own replies 😉 Using FMS mode for speed is also extremely convenient for the approach: just like with an Airbus certain speeds are linked to specific flap settings. So during approach you don't have to worry about constraint speeds (AT and FMS mode will take care of that) but also not about slowing down for the final approach: just set the next flap and the speed will drop accordingly. Sooooo convenient!
And even better: you can manually set those speeds yourself! I have my flap speeds at default apart from the full flaps one: IIRC that full flap speed was something like 160 kts but I changed that to 120 kts (pretty close to the usual Vref) so that whenever I am ready to land I will only have to go to full flaps and the AT will slow down to the proper landing speed! You can if you want to change that speed on every flight (calculated landing speed + 5 kts) but 120 kts usually works great. (I am not behind my PC right now but I think the option is under PERF > Flaps Speed).
This means I never ever have to touch the throttle after take off until I leave the landing runway. Some may find that boring but I love it. 😉

Finally, to get you going check our the 4 video's from this guy:

The Longitude is my favorite plane right now. I never flew it before AAU1 was released and only flew it because the update for the Vision Jet takes so long but I am totally hooked now. it's an awesome plane! It's the perfect combination between GA and an airliner for me: you can get going very quickly, as if it's a GA, but the flying is very similar to flying an Airbus, with all the automation up to the kind of plans you fly (with SID and STAR). I just can't stop flying it. And all that for free...! I don't even fly payware addons anymore! 😉

 

Edited March 13, 20233 yr by tup61

6 hours ago, tup61 said:

The option is called LOC1 on the Longitude. You can find the 'switch' on the left GTC (the Garmin Touch Controller on your left): look for Nav Source (click the Home button if you don't see it) and click on it to toggle between FMS, LOC1 and LOC2.

I just tried it and it works. Thank you.

5 hours ago, tup61 said:

In addition to what ryanbatc already posted:

...

Wow. A very nice detailed answer. Thank you very much. I'm going to read and study the details and tips. I'll likely have follow-up questions.

I think I'm going to like this plane too. I agree with what you said, the aircraft is a nice compromise between a GA and an airliner. I did a few traffic pattern flights and found out that with practice, I can land the plane in a 2000 - 2500 foot runway. Because it also has a 3500 mile range it might be the ideal plane for a round-the-world trip.

I hope that Asobo continue improving the plane. I think I read somewhere also that the DRM has been removed and the plane is no longer encrypted. I hope that is true and someone can mod the plane and make it even better eg. improve the model by allowing operable doors and windows, allow a walk through the cabin, get the HUD to work, improve the sound, get a few more inoperative buttons and options in the cockpit, and in the PFD and MFD working, etc. 

Has anyone got a solution to pop-out the G5000 touch panel to an actual touch device in your cockpit? Like touch screen or an iPad?

That would seem like a huge ergonomic enhancement.

I read something on the official forums that this Pop-out Panel Manager with touch support works well...

https://flightsim.to/file/35759/msfs-pop-out-panel-manager

You can use Duet to extend your Windows to an iPad and then pop-out the panel and feel like a fortunate son! 😀

EDIT: Related discussion here... sounds like the performance hit is significant! 😞 Too bad there's not an option like FBW has for the MCDU on the Airbus to be rendered on an iPad.

 

Edited March 13, 20233 yr by Virtual-Chris