C. FLIGHT ENGINEER'S PANEL Main page

Lockheed L-049A Constellation

Flight Engineer's Panel

  1. Icon - Back to Captain's Panel.
  2. Icon - Auxiliary Control Stand
    Toggles the Fuel Panel.
  3. Icon - Kneeboard
    Use this icon to view checklists, handling notes and panel reference.
  4. Icon - Engine Auto Start
    Rookie engine start. It's much more fun to start the engines using the checklist. Apart from that, the engine auto start will not work on airports with high elevation, where the fuel-air-mixture must be leaned for a successful engine start.
  5. Icon - Add Fuel Quantity
    Each mouse click will add a certain amount of fuel (about 25% of the total fuel tank capacity)
  6. Icon - Mixture Set Best
    Clicking this icon will cause the Mixture Levers (57) to move slowly to the best position. See (8) on the Captain's Panel.
  7. Outside Air Temperature (OAT)
  8. Main Inverter Switch ON/OFF
    AC power supply for radios and other instruments.
    [FS: toggles avionics master switch]
  9. Voltmeter (main bus voltage)
  10. Amperemeter (generator amps)
  11. Generator Switches ON/OFF
    [FS: Click to open the protection cover. Then, each click toggles the switch ON/OFF. The cover closes automatically, but only with generator toggled on.]
  12. Batteries Switch ON/OFF
  13. Generator Warning Lights
    Control lamps for (11).
  14. Ignition Switches
    Normally located on the pilot's overhead panel. See (16) and (17).
  15. Propeller De-Icing ON/OFF
  16. Engine Selector
    Selects the engine to be affected when using the Primer (18) or the Starter (19) switches. Also, the Ignition Light (17) always refers to the engine selected by this switch.
  17. Engine Start Ignition Light
    Only used during engine start: Indicates, that the Ignition Switch (14) of the engine selected by (16) is in a proper position. When engaging the Starter (19), hold it until the light goes out, signalling you that the engine is running.
  18. Primer
    This spring-loaded switch is used during engine start: Each push gives a shot of primer. It depends whether an engine is cold or hot, if the Primer is required or not. For more details see (19).
  19. Engine Starter
    Invokes the starter of the engine selected by (16). For a successful engine start, following the checklist is strongly recommended, otherwise the engine start cheat button (4) will become your best friend. But before this is going to be the case, here are some items for you to check if your engine doesn't start:
     
    a) Switch to the Fuel Panel to ensure that the engine is connected to a tank containing fuel (Set Fuel Tank Lever (5) on the Fuel Panel to position OPEN and confirm that there is some fuel in that tank).
    b) Emergency Shut-Off (3) on the Fuel Panel must be ON.
    c) Ignition Switch (14) of the engine should be in position BOTH.
    d) Batteries Switch (12) toggled ON and the Ignition Light (17) is illuminating.
    e) Auxiliary Fuel Pump Switch (1) on the Fuel Panel of the engine selected is in position HIGH or LOW.
    f) Throttle Lever (55) must not be completely closed (open it 6-8%).
    g) The required position of the Mixture Lever (57) and use of the Primer (18) depends on the engine to be started is hot or cold:
     
    Hot engine (oil temperature > 40°C):
    Primer (18) is optional (engine will start with or without prior use)
    It is very difficult, to start an engine with Mixture Lever (57) set to IDLE (as directed in the checklist). For easier engine start, it is recommended to set lever between IDLE and LEAN.
     
    Cold engine (oil temperature < 40°C):
    Primer (18) is required (at least one time)
    Mixture Lever (57) has position AUTO RICH.
  20. Pitot Heating On Indicator Light
    Warning for (21)
  21. Pitot Heating ON/OFF
    Don't forget to use this switch with low temperatures, otherwise your Airspeed Indicators (24) on the Captain's Panel and (48) may not work properly (see (20).)
  22. Pneumatic De-Icer Control
    Toggles the pneumatic rubber de-icing boots located at the leading edges of wings, tail fins and horizontal stabilizer. Contrary to electrically heated de-icer systems, the pneumatic de-icer boots are left off until a certain amount of ice has formed. Only then, they are turned on until all ice is broken off. The three positions of the switch are OFF, NORMAL and EXTENDED.
    [FS: structural de-icing is toggled on in positions NORMAL and EXTENDED]
     
    The Pneumatic De-Icer On Light (42) will remind you to turn off the de-icer boots after some time (if left on, ice will form over them, with an air gap for the boot to inflate into).
  23. Carburetor Air Heating Switches
    These switches have three positions OFF, COLD and HOT. Position HOT is spring-loaded to OFF. HOT actuates a rotary valve in the carburetor air intake scoop permitting hot air from behind the cylinders to enter the carburetor, while COLD supplies unheated air to the carburetor. Moving the switch to OFF is stopping the valve in any intermediate position.
    [FS: COLD: heating is turned off. HOT: spring-loaded to OFF, carburetor air heating is turned on. OFF: heating remains off if switch was in position COLD before and remains turned on if switch comes from HOT. There are no carburetor air temperature indicators available. Instead, activate the Cockpit-Quick-Tips, to have the current temperature displayed.]
  24. Cowl Flap Switches
    See Pilot's Handling Notes for details on cowl flap operation to control CHT (see (38)).
    [FS: Between switch 2 and 3 is a hot spot for operating all cowl flaps together.]
  25. Altimeter
    Use the left knob to adjust the altimeter to the local barometric pressure (or hit B). See also (28) on the Captain's Panel.
  26. Rate of Climb Indicator (VSI)
  27. Gear Hydraulic Pressure Gauge
    The gear hydraulic circuit operates gear, flaps, wheel brakes and nosewheel steering. Normal pressure is 1500 psi (see also (35) on the Captain's Panel and (33)).
  28. Left Inboard Fuel Tanks
    The 049 has four tanks. This is Tank 2 (790 gal) normally feeding the left inboard engine. In case of model 149, having six tanks, there is an additional needle A for Tank 2A (565 gal). See also Fuel Flow Indicators (37) and Fuel Panel.
    [FS: Needle 2 corresponds to the left main tank in the FS2004 fuel menu, and needle A to the left aux tank.]
  29. Right Inboard Fuel Tanks
    This is Tank 3 (790 gal) normally feeding the right inboard engine. In case of model 149, there is an additional needle A for Tank 3A (565 gal). See also Fuel Flow Indicators (37) and Fuel Panel.
    [FS: Needle 3 corresponds to the right main tank in the FS2004 fuel menu, and needle A to the right aux tank.]
  30. Left Outboard Fuel Tanks
    This is Tank 1 (1555 gal) normally feeding the left outboard engine. See also Fuel Flow Indicators (37) and Fuel Panel.
    [FS: Needle 1 corresponds to center1 tank in the FS2004 fuel menu.]
  31. Right Outboard Fuel Tanks
    This is Tank 4 (1555 gal) normally feeding the right outboard engine. See also Fuel Flow Indicators (37) and Fuel Panel.
    [FS: Needle 4 corresponds to center2 tank in the FS2004 fuel menu.]
  32. Fuel Tank Warning Lights
    Low fuel warning lights. Each lamp corresponds to one of the fuel tank indicators (28), (29), (30) and (31).
    These lights are on, if the corresponding tank contains less than 10% of its total capacity (see Master Fuel Warning (44)).
  33. Gear Hydraulic Pressure Warning
    Control lamp for (27).
  34. Door Warning
    [FS: Each click into the light opens or closes the exit (or hit Shift-E).]
  35. Fire Warning Light
    You better pray that you never will see this light blinking, signalling you that one of the engines has catched fire and will fail in a few seconds.
  36. Vacuum Warning Lights
    Same as (11) on the Captain's Panel.
  37. Fuel Flow Indicator (dual)
    Engine fuel consumption is shown in pounds per hour. Divide this value by 6 to calculate the amount of fuel in gallons per hour.
    See also Fuel Panel and fuel tank indicators (28), (29), (30) and (31).
  38. Cylinder Head Temperature (dual)
    See Pilot's Handling Notes for details on which CHT is allowed. The cowl flaps can be used to control the CHT (see (24) and (39)).
  39. Cowl Flap Indicator (dual)
    Use the Cowl Flap Switches (24) to open or close the cowl flaps (see also (38)).
  40. Brake Mean Effective Pressure Indicator (dual)
    Torque pressure is calculated using the formula:
      BMEP = (HP * 13000) / (L * RPM)
         L = displacement in liters
       RPM = shaft rpm
        HP = (T * RPM) / 5252
         T = torque(ft lbs)
      
    According to this, decreasing propeller RPM (see (56)), will cause the BMEP to increase and vice-versa.
  41. Tachometer (dual)
    Showing engine shaft rpm (see (37) on the Captain's Panel and (56).
  42. Pneumatic De-Icer On Light
    Indicates that the pneumatic de-icer boots (22) are activated.
  43. Propeller Synchronizer Off Indicator
    Control lamp for RPM Control Switch (49).
  44. Fuel Master Warning Light
    Indicates, that the amount of fuel selected by the Fuel Tank Levers (5) and Fuel Transfer Levers (4) on the Fuel Panel has reached a critical limit (less than 240 pounds (40 gals) selected). When it starts blinking (less than 120 pounds selected), the remaining air-time is only a few minutes (see (32), (37) and Fuel Panel).
    [FS: During a crossfeed configuration, it may happen that this light turns on, although none of the engines is running out of fuel. This is the case a short time before the current tank becomes empty while the crossfeed tank is still not in use.]
  45. Manifold Pressure Indicator (dual)
    See also (36) on the Captain's Panel.
  46. Clock
  47. Propeller Synchronization Spinners
    Each of the three spinners (for engines 2, 3 and 4) compares the propeller rpm to engine #1: The spinner is rotating clockwise, if propeller rotation is faster than the propeller of engine #1, and anti-clockwise, if it is slower.
    Activating the automatic RPM Control (49) should fade out spinner rotation within a short time.
  48. Airspeed Indicator (IAS)
  49. RPM Control ON/OFF
    The automatic propeller synchronization is used for cabin noise reduction in almost all stages of flight (turn off while taxiing when using the engines for steering). Related gauges: (43), (47).
  50. Oil Temperature Indicator (dual)
  51. Oil Pressure Gauge (dual)
  52. Oil Pressure Warning Lights
    For details refer to the Pilot's Handling Notes.
  53. Fuel Pressure Indicator (dual)
  54. Fuel Pressure Warning Lights
    For details refer to the Pilot's Handling Notes.
  55. Throttle Levers
    Always reduce throttle before prop and increase prop before throttle.
    [FS: There are several hot spots to operate the throttle levers: Each lever has its own mouse area, between lever 2 and 3 is a hot spot for moving all four throttles and placing the mouse arrow between lever 1 and 2 or between 3 and 4, allows you to move either the left or the right throttle levers.]
  56. Propeller Levers
    Always reduce throttle before prop and increase prop before throttle. Refer to the Tachometer (41) when adjusting the pitch. See also (7) on the Captain's Panel
     
    Feathering:
    a) Set engine throttle lever (55) to idle
    b) Turn off the electrical fuel pump (1) on the Fuel Panel
    c) Shutdown engine by moving the mixture lever (57) to position CUT OFF
    d) Set ignition switch (14) to position OFF
    e) Move propeller lever to position FEATHER. Propeller should stop spinning within a few seconds.
     
    [FS: Each lever has its own mouse area and between lever 2 and 3 is a hot spot for moving all four propeller levers.]
  57. Mixture Levers
    Only with the correct fuel-air-mixture, an engine can deliver its best performance. During a climb or a descent, the fuel-air-mixture must be adjusted from time to time. This can be done by manually adjusting the mixture levers or automatically with position AUTO RICH.
    FULL RICH: Can be used for engine start or takeoff on airports with low elevation.
    AUTO RICH: In that position, fuel-air-mixture is optimized for the current altitude and adjusted each time the aircraft climbs or descents. Used for engine start (cold engine) and most stages of flight (except high altitude cruise). AUTO RICH can be selected seperately for each mixture lever. To choose AUTO RICH for an engine, the corresponding lever must be set to a position between 50% and 60%.
    LEAN: Fuel-air-mixture can be leaned manually, if the lever is moved towards LEAN (ie. used for high altitude cruise or engine start on airports with very high elevation, like La Paz (SLLP), Bolivia).
    IDLE: Mixture position for hot engine start (approx. 15% mixture). Never set lever below IDLE, because engine will not start. For easier engine start, it is recommended to position the mixture lever between IDLE and LEAN. Quickly move to position AUTO RICH, as soon as engine is running.
    CUT OFF: Move to this position for engine shutdown.
     
    Generally, mixture must be leaned above 10,000 ft. and should be set to AUTO RICH below 10,000 ft. (see checklist).
    [FS: AUTO RICH can be used above 10,000 ft., too.]
    Before using this levers, ensure that you have disabled the Auto-Mixture option in the FS2004 Aircraft-Realism menu.
    For easy positioning of the levers, it is also recommended to activate the Cockpit-Quick-Infos in the FS2004 Options-Settings menu. This will give you additional information, every time the mouse arrow moves over a gauge.
    If the fuel-air-mixture is adjusted by hand (not position AUTO RICH), you can click the Mixture Set Best Icon (6), if you want to see the levers moving to the (currently) best position.
    [FS: Each lever has its own mouse area and between lever 2 and 3 is a hot spot for moving all four mixture levers.]
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