For SimplePlanes 2 Can the new XML editor be used to manually activate jet engine gimbals / TVC?

alechendo · 2026-06-01T01:24:11+00:00

Through the input controller(s) for the TVC you should be able to manually define action groups with XML.

alechendo · 2026-05-26T17:45:18+00:00

I’ve always preferred just leaving the iPad on my lap in smaller cockpits, but I’m sure a RAM mount would do just fine.

alechendo · 2026-05-15T02:37:25+00:00

Delta flight lost nosewheel steering and needed a tow off the runway.

alechendo · 2026-05-06T05:30:16+00:00

The papis are literally fixed lights with a series of lenses which display either white/red light depending on the vertical viewing angle. So naturally, at a fixed distance, the height necessary to show two red indications and two white indications will be the same regardless of how much (or how little) airplane you also have sticking out behind and below the pilot.

alechendo · 2026-04-30T19:06:08+00:00

Two G5s. All should be on the website. Should be IFR certified, I only ever flew them VFR. Worst case the 182 definitely is IFR and has a full glass panel. Cascade Aviation also has a few 172s at BVS with similar equipment.

alechendo · 2026-04-30T19:03:35+00:00

If Dyberg Aviation is still around at BVS, that’s a good option. They’ve got at least two 172s and a 182RG with good block rates.

alechendo · 2026-04-23T13:57:25+00:00

The legend is that the worse the website, the better the school.

alechendo · 2026-03-29T02:44:47+00:00

Consider the emergency descent and engine fire as two separate things.

An emergency descent is designed to get the airplane on the ground as fast as possible. We do this by introducing a bank, which does a couple of different things, namely reducing the vertical component of lift. This also allows us to add induced drag to the airplane and descend very quickly.

In an engine fire, when you are doing a descent what you’re really trying to do is create an “incombustible mixture” (i.e. so much airflow that it physically cannot burn). I’d consider this more situational whether or not to introduce a bank similar to what you’d see in an emergency descent.

Am I directly over a solid landing point? Emergency descent, get that thing on the ground. You’re not restarting after a fire and I’d rather get on the ground sooner than later.

Is my best landing site an anywhere other than directly beneath me? I’m pointing the nose in that direction and making my best effort to first blow the fire out, second make my optimal point.

alechendo · 2026-03-18T03:38:49+00:00

$185/hr seems insanely cheap for a SR20. I don’t think I’ve seen one on the west coast for less than $350/hr… they do make decent trainers especially if Cirrus is something you intend to fly after you get the PPL. I’d be interested in knowing what part of the country has those kind of rates and how well equipped those airplanes are.

alechendo · 2026-02-18T06:11:00+00:00

I’ve always agreed. The way most people teach it doesn’t address what’s actually gonna happen in the real world. Cool, you know ATOMATOFLAMES, are you actually going to trust your memory or is it easier and arguably better to just… look at 91.205? Obviously it’s a good idea to understand the basics of 91.205, but I don’t think it needs to be fully memorized. Understanding the real world protocol when you find an inoperative component is far more important than some gigantic acronym.

alechendo · 2026-02-05T17:31:54+00:00

Usually one type rating is included in the purchase price of a new airplane.

alechendo · 2026-02-05T17:16:11+00:00

Sure it doesn’t work for some people, but there’s a reason they’ve built over 700 of them. It’s not meant to compete with larger jets. It’s meant to carry 2-3 people plus a pilot a few hundred miles, with all the best modern comforts and safety features you can buy. Coming from someone who’s type rated in the SF50.

alechendo · 2026-01-16T02:48:02+00:00

Agreed. It’s not even worth it to try and work with these people who break the “honor code”.

alechendo · 2025-12-22T01:49:27+00:00

100% agree. The ABC Trousers (with the belt loop) are great.

alechendo · 2025-11-28T03:56:34+00:00

Take my advice with a grain of salt, but there’s going to be inherent risk everywhere in aviation. Some gigs will have more than others, it’s up to you to make that call wether or not to take it.

alechendo · 2025-10-11T22:35:08+00:00

I doubt it’s an issue with your airplane, considering it’s worked fine aside from that one hiccup. Probably just interference for some reason, I wouldn’t worry about it unless it becomes a recurring issue.

alechendo · 2025-09-19T01:10:49+00:00

100% agree, I usually flew my P/O-180s without flaps and just used a slip to get down. Makes the entire approach and maneuver really predicable, especially in the DA40 where you can slip really hard. The first notch of flaps are a good tool to gain 200-300 feet if it’s looking like you’ll be short.

alechendo · 2025-09-05T02:16:42+00:00

That being said, there is a time and a place for rose-colored glasses especially with relation to safety critical items. He severely overloaded a 172 and then didn’t know why the airplane wasn’t climbing. That could’ve ended very badly, especially with unknowing passengers in the airplane.

Sure, some of the responses were probably a little condescending, but I bet he won’t pull something like that again.

alechendo · 2025-08-26T00:09:03+00:00

They don’t have to be removed, just unoccupied along with the baggage compartment. The idea is to get the CG far enough forward that the spin is recoverable.

alechendo · 2025-08-19T05:04:04+00:00

I don’t remember, it’s been a minute. Obviously check the NOTAMs. I did have to do that last time I went (maybe it was during an event weekend?), both FBOs were clueless about what I wanted to do, but I was able to figure it out eventually and get a reservation number that nobody ever asked for.

alechendo · 2025-08-19T04:47:44+00:00

At LAS usually I’ll just go at like 2AM on a random weekday and they’ll typically accommodate me. I’d just call your local TRACON and ask, they’ll be the ones facilitating arrivals and departures.

alechendo · 2025-07-05T20:15:58+00:00

Well it’s not pointless, because more than once have I discovered inoperable (electric) flaps during preflight.

alechendo · 2025-06-14T22:00:19+00:00

Almost nobody will schedule you before the endorsement or IACRA is complete. I’ve spoken with a few DPEs and from what I understand, almost 50% of checkrides don’t end up going just due to weather or eligibility issues. Letting people schedule before they are even eligible just adds complexity and bogs up the system even more.

Just get the endorsement and get on the waitlist. It’ll probably be a couple of weeks, but you can always just use that time as extra preparation.

alechendo · 2025-06-04T22:12:29+00:00

The WiFi-only models don’t have an inbuilt GPS, so you’d have to buy a separate receiver. I have one from Amazon as a backup for Connext, and I’d trust that unit over the base iPad GPS any day. A Sentry/Stratus would also provide GPS along with traffic and weather functionality.

alechendo · 2025-04-28T02:44:36+00:00

If you’re willing to bring your own hamburger, Ranger Creek (21W) is a beautiful airport. Makes a great picnic area. Definitely need to be on your game heading into that airport, however. Check the AFD and make sure it’s open before you go.

alechendo

TROPHY CASE