This demo flight is a sightseeing VFR flight from Boeing field
(KBFI) in Seattle to Portland International (KPDX). I
recommend that you read this entire document and familiarize
yourself with it before flying the demo.
The flight will take you around Mount Rainier, past Mount
St. Helens, east to get a great view of Mount Adams, south
towards Mount Hood and down the columbia gorge to Portland.
If you have been to this part of the country, you know how
beautiful it is. The selected Aircraft for the flight is the
Mooney Bravo. You may use any aircraft of your choice but the
plan and flight default is the Mooney.
This flight will demonstrate the features of AirPlan especially
the ability to match real world features to sectional charts.
The plan waypoints are a combination of airports, and user
defined waypoints located at visually significant points.
We highly recommend downloading and installing the north Cascades
38M terrain mesh data from FSGenesis. The data is available free
at www.fsgenesis.com. The more accurate terrain really enhances
the demonstration.
Included with the demo is sectional chart data coverage for the
entire route.
The demo includes the following files:
AirPlandemo.AFP - AirPlan flight plan file
AirPlandemo.PLN - MSFS exported flight plan
AirPlan Seattle to Portland VFR.FLT - MSFS flight files
AirPlan Seattle to Portland VFR.WX
USER WAYPOINTS.XLS - User defined waypoints spreadsheet
Sectional chart data files
N47W123.gif
N46W122.gif
N48W122.gif
N46W123.gif
N48W123.gif
N47W122.gif
Installation instructions
1. Copy AirPlandemo.AFP to AirPlan plans folder (..\AirPlan\plans)
2. Copy AirPlandemo.PLN to MSFS myflts folder
3. Copy USER WAYPOINTS.XLS to Airplan program folder
(replace the existing file)
4. Copy AirPlan Seattle to Portland VFR.* files to MSFS myflts
folder
5. Copy the map data files to AirPlan sectional folder
(..\AirPlan\Sectionals)
Flight planning
1. Start AirPlan
2. Select Edit | User Waypoints | Excel Import to import plan user
waypoints
3. Load (File|Open) the AirPlandemo flight plan
4. Turn on the sectional charts (Charts|Show Charts -> Sectionals)
5. Set the map scale to 60nm - the route should overlay the
sectional charts
6. If using the Mooney, print the flight plan (File|Print)
7. Print the flight profile if desired (F7 - Print)
8. If not using the Mooney, select aircraft and adjust plan as
necessary
Preparing for the demo flight
1. Start Microsoft Flight Simulator
2. Select flight "AirPlan Seattle to Portland VFR". Note that the
weather is near perfect to allow your attention to focus on the
visual experience.
3. The flight plan should load automatically. Load AirPlandemo if
it doesn't.
At this point you should be looking down the Boeing field 13R
runway at Mount Rainier. The Mooney should be running and the
GPS and radio stack windows should be visible. Make any
necessary configuration changes in preparation for takeoff (the
Mooney should already be ready to go). The autopilot is
pre-configured and armed so don't change it unless necessary.
The flight plan should be displayed on the GPS.
4. Establish a connection between AirPlan and MSFS (see AirPlan
manual). Set up the MSFS and Airplan windows as desired.
5. Turn on the moving map (Tools | Microsoft Flightsim Moving Map
or GPS | Moving Map (NMEA)). The Airplane icon should be
displayed on top of the sectional chart.
6. Adjust the AirPlan map scale as desired. I prefer the 30nm
scale.
7. Have the appropriate checklists and planning information handy.
You are now ready to go!
Flying the route
1. I recommend using the autopilot for most of the flight. This
will allow you to look around and appreciate the view and the
value of the AirPlan moving map. The autopilot is already
configured and can be engaged soon after takeoff. Turning off
the gyro drift may also make the flight easier.
2. Take off and engage the autopilot or make the turn soon after
departure. Don't forget to raise the gear and flaps.
3. The rate of climb should be around 800fpm to maintain 104kts.
Adjust the rate of climb as necessary to maintain 104kts until
reaching 7000ft. Adjust propeller RPM and mixture as necessary.
4. Once the autopilot is enaged and you confirm you are on course
using the GPS and/or AirPlan, take a moment to look around.
5. Look at sectional chart features and match to the simulator.
You will of course find roads, rivers, lakes, hills, radio
towers, and airports where they are located on the map.
6. Fly the plan. The plan should closely match the simulator
flight.
Notes on the demo flight:
- Pay particular attention to the map contours and simulation
terrain. If you installed the 38m data, you will be amazed how
close the map matches the simulated terrain. Valleys, ridges,
and mountains are right where they are supposed to be.
- Observe highway intersections on the map and in simulation.
They are generally pretty close and great clues for situational
awareness.
- Bodies of water are great visual references. Some of the
heading changes are over water to demonstrate the visual effect.
- Pay attention to Portland city landmarks on approach. The radio
antennas are great visual references.
