An Observation: Big learning curve between I4 and I5
Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 11:58 am
Not a critique or a complaint... just something I noticed as an X-Plane user.......
I've been muddling through the ratings.. Keith has done a really nice job at presenting enough information to make it interesting during the ratings. Still making you do a little brain-work to get through them rather than a "step by step holding your hand". I've actually really enjoyed it.
I was able to (pretty rapidly) move from I1 to I4....... But I've hit a major roadblock going to I5...
As a refresher, I5 is where you start doing SID and STAR transitions. The issue actually is not in understanding SIDs and STARs (I think I get it!) ... the issue is the airplane required to complete the certification. Since it's a very long flight, Keith (correctly, in my opinion) recommends a turbo-prop or a jet. (KBUR to KLAS, 280nm).
All of my cockpit time so far has been in a C172 or a Baron 58, or a Mooney... steam gauges, mostly. I've intentionally avoided the GPS, in fact, because I wanted to learn the CORRECT way to navigate using basic gear. As I've searched the X-Plane world for my "next airplane" so I can start doing these longer flights, I've quickly discovered that there is a massive learning curve associated with the transition. My steam gauges are typically gone.. all of the VOR/DME gauges are glass.. etc. I can't find any "fast" planes for X-Plane that are /A
So before I can really effectively move to I5, it seems I've got to really sit down and learn how to navigate in a glass-cockpit.
I see three possible alternatives:
1) I can find a faster turbo-prop plane that's still /A -- I haven't found one yet for X-Plane, but any pointers would be greatly appreciated!!!
2) I can coordinate with a controller for some time-acceleration between some of the longer routes, effectively simulating a faster plane. (I hate doing this, but..)
3) Maybe the I5 rating could choose two closer airports? (KSNA and KSAN, for example) so that the need to move up to bigger aircraft isn't there.
Thoughts? Maybe I'm being whiney and should just bite the bullet and learn how to fly with a glass cockpit...
I've been muddling through the ratings.. Keith has done a really nice job at presenting enough information to make it interesting during the ratings. Still making you do a little brain-work to get through them rather than a "step by step holding your hand". I've actually really enjoyed it.
I was able to (pretty rapidly) move from I1 to I4....... But I've hit a major roadblock going to I5...
As a refresher, I5 is where you start doing SID and STAR transitions. The issue actually is not in understanding SIDs and STARs (I think I get it!) ... the issue is the airplane required to complete the certification. Since it's a very long flight, Keith (correctly, in my opinion) recommends a turbo-prop or a jet. (KBUR to KLAS, 280nm).
All of my cockpit time so far has been in a C172 or a Baron 58, or a Mooney... steam gauges, mostly. I've intentionally avoided the GPS, in fact, because I wanted to learn the CORRECT way to navigate using basic gear. As I've searched the X-Plane world for my "next airplane" so I can start doing these longer flights, I've quickly discovered that there is a massive learning curve associated with the transition. My steam gauges are typically gone.. all of the VOR/DME gauges are glass.. etc. I can't find any "fast" planes for X-Plane that are /A
So before I can really effectively move to I5, it seems I've got to really sit down and learn how to navigate in a glass-cockpit.
I see three possible alternatives:
1) I can find a faster turbo-prop plane that's still /A -- I haven't found one yet for X-Plane, but any pointers would be greatly appreciated!!!
2) I can coordinate with a controller for some time-acceleration between some of the longer routes, effectively simulating a faster plane. (I hate doing this, but..)
3) Maybe the I5 rating could choose two closer airports? (KSNA and KSAN, for example) so that the need to move up to bigger aircraft isn't there.
Thoughts? Maybe I'm being whiney and should just bite the bullet and learn how to fly with a glass cockpit...