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Blue Crown Airways
Revision 1.2.2
January 20th 2008
(Only for company pilots)


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Fairchild DC227 Metro 23
Pilots Manual



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A word from the manager

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Dear newcomer. Welcome to Blue Crown Airways.  It is my hope that you will enjoy flying for us.  As a manager I must inform you that the company standards for pilots are high. We only accept pilots that are reliable and accurate in their profession.  If you can follow our procedures as described in this manual then you are in, otherwise not!

Blue Crown Airways at this stage only operates the Fairchild Metro 23.  The Metro planes are not “in” these days with many companies.  But we see an opportunity.  We’ve managed to buy our Metro’s at very acceptable prices.

Our target customers are primarily the people and businessmen of smaller towns and cities that bigger airline companies ignore. These customers appreciate our effort to provide flight service, low fares and efficient transportation to the bigger cities.  We typically don’t fly to the biggest airports, but maybe the next aside.

The Metro 23 aircraft is a good performer in terms of speed and can swiftly and economically transfer up to 19 passengers on short haul routes.  But let us keep in mind that for its size the Metro 23 is a runway consuming and a fast takeoff and landing aircraft.  This makes the Fairchild Metro 23 a challenge for any pilot.  Anyone can jerk a Metro 23 between places, but to fly it smoothly and precisely is the art.  Are you up to it?

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My best wishes
P.L. Majorstone Jr.
Blue Crown Airways Manager


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Pilot's manual index

1. The Metro23 power quadrant
- Speed levers operation
- Power levers operation

2. Blue Crown flight preperation procedures

3. Flying tips
- Setting the panel in off position
- The Angle Of Attack gauge
- Autopilot tips
- Taxiing tips
- Take off tips
- Climb tips
- Cruise tips
- Descent tips
- Landing tips

4. Checklists


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1. The Metro23 Power quadrant

Please take a moment to familiarize your self with the FS2004 Fairchild Metro23 power quadrant:

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Picture 1: The Fairchild Metro 23 FS2004 Power Quadrant.

3hyrn.gif (64 bytes) Speed levers operation

To move the speed levers move prop lever on game throttle quadrant or use keyboard Ctrl+F1-F4.

Marked orange between power levers on the left and flap lever on the right on picture 1 are the speed levers.  These levers exist in aircraft types that operate the Garret TPE 331 direct shaft turbine engine like for instance the Metroliners, Jetstream 31 and Doirner 228. As the Metro23 pilot you must understand the operation of these levers!

Speed levers basically control the rotational speed (RPM) of the Metro23 engines kind of like a gas pedal in a car controls the RPM of the car's engine.  One would step down the pedal in a car for higher RPM but in the Metro23 you push the speed levers forward for higher RPM. 


Although speed levers are fully scalable levers capable of small incriments back and forth they are only operated in three predefined settings: Fully backwards in LOW position (idle RPM), fully forward in HIGH position (100% RPM) and then cruise setting of 97% RPM (speed levers moved tiny bit backwards).  This is indeed unusual operation of an engine, almost like our before mentioned car would be equiped with gas pedal that only would have two positions, pedal fully up or pedal fully down. 

LOW and HIGH settings are labelled on the power quadrant but there are no markings or labels for the cruise setting of 97% RPM.  Pilots will have to adjust speed levers carefully tiny bit backwards and read the RPM value of the RPM gauge. The 97% setting is the lower end of the tiny green arc on the RPM gauge.

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Picture 2: The RPM gauge 97%, 100% and idle readings

As probably noticed by the reader pilot will NOT be moving the speed levers much around in each flight, in fact pilot will only touch them about four times per flight. Here is a more specific description: Pilot will set them to HIGH before take off run (100% RPM) and maintain HIGH during climb , adjust them litle bit back for 97% RPM in the cruise phase and decent phase. On final approach pilot will again set them fully forward to 100% RPM and then fully back to LOW when the aircraft has slowed down to about 60 kts in the landing run.


3hyrn.gif (64 bytes) Power levers operation
 
To move the power levers move the throttle lever on game throttle quadrant or use keyboard F1-F4.

Marked green on picture 1 above are the power levers.  The power levers control power output or torque for a given engine RPM by altering the pitch of the propeller blades. The Metro 23 power levers can in some way be compared to conventional throttle levers as the plane accelerates when pushing forward and decelerates when pulling back. As the pilot you will be adjusting the power levers more or less through out the flight similar as you would with the conventional throttle levers.


Please get familiar with the power levers basic layout as shown below on picture 3:

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Picture 3: Metro23 power levers basic layout

IMPORTANT AIRBORNE NOTE! Never pull the power levers into the ground beta zone while airborne. This will result in catastrophic mid air deceleration and might lead to terrain impact due to an uncontrollable decent.



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2. Blue Crown flight preperation procedures

Flight preparation is going to take 5-15 minutes of your time. This flight preperation procedure is company standard practise. Use real weather settings in you simulator if possible.   At Blue Crown Airways flight preparation consists of following steps:

3hyrn_grar.gif (56 bytes) STEP 1: Decide your flight departure airport and destination airport.

3hyrn_grar.gif (56 bytes) STEP 2: Optain weather information about your departure and destination airport from a website providing online METAR information like for instance http://en.allmetsat.com/metar-taf/index.html .

3hyrn_grar.gif (56 bytes) STEP 3: Open the FS2004 flight planner and plan your flight in detail. Typically plan your cruising altitude at 16.000 to 25.000 ft. Flying high reduces in most cases fuel consumption, even though more fuel is spent climbing.

3hyrn_grar.gif (56 bytes) STEP 4: Still with your FS2004 flight planner open gather information about your departure and destination airports. This is done by zooming in on the airports in the flight planner and mouse click the airports. Then a facility information window will display as shown below. Take note of the following:
- Runway elevation
- Runway length
- Radio frequencies
- ILS frequencies


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3hyrn_grar.gif (56 bytes) STEP 5: Make conclusions from the weather information and airport facility information what runway you expect to use for landing (check also for your departure airport what runway to expect for takoff).

3hyrn_grar.gif (56 bytes) STEP 6: Still with your flight planner open hit the NavLog button and observe the total distance to be flown.

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3hyrn_grar.gif (56 bytes) STEP 7: Open the Blue Crown Airways L&P sheet (Load and Performance sheet) "metro23_loadsheet.xls". It is located in the fs9\aircraft\Metro23 Blue Crown folder. This is an Excel calculating document for Excel 5.0 or higher. User input fields are indicated with the blue cyan color.

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3hyrn_grar.gif (56 bytes) STEP 8: In the "Departure" section enter the weather information optained from the METAR website and airport facility information you've gathered.

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3hyrn_grar.gif (56 bytes) STEP 9: In the "Enroute" section enter the flight total distance obtained from fs2004 flightplanner NavLog, the preferred crusing altitude and the preferred power settings (60, 70 or 80% torque) and mean enroute wind component (if available).

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3hyrn_grar.gif (56 bytes) STEP 10: In the "Departure" section enter the number of passangers of today's flight and baggage loads.

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3hyrn_grar.gif (56 bytes) STEP 11: In the "Departure" section enter the preferred fuel quantity in accordance with the total flying distance. When flying to remote airports note that A1JET fuel might not be available. Then fuel forth and back has to be taken in account. Reserve fuel is automatically calculated in the Enroute section of the L&P sheet and must not be less than 45 minutes:

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3hyrn_grar.gif (56 bytes) STEP 12: Review the L&P sheet and observe if there are any "Attention!" remarks in the remark section.  Take appropriate action to correct if any.  Attention remarks can be any of the following:

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3hyrn_grar.gif (56 bytes) STEP 13: Note down some key performance figures that have automatically been calculated on the L&P sheet as a result of the information input (or use File-Print to print them):

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- TOW = Aircraft take off weight
- TOD = Take of distance

- TO torque = Recommended take off torque
- VR = rotate speed
- VLOF =lift off speed
- Enroute = Estimated enroute speed IAS
- LW = Aircraft landing weight
- VREF = reference speed at threshold 50ft above runway when landing


3hyrn_grar.gif (56 bytes) STEP 14: Go to the "Fuel and Payload.." section in the MS Flight Simulator 2004 and configure the Metro 23 in accordance with the L&P sheet:

3hyrn_grar.gif (56 bytes) STEP 15: Congratulations! All set. You are a Pro indeed!


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3. Flying tips


3hyrn.gif (64 bytes) Setting the panel in off mode

In Flight simulator 2004 engines are running when you enter the plane.  If you want to enjoy starting the plane you have to turn everything off and save the flight. Thats more fun..

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Picture 3: Panel in off mode


To set the panel in off position do the following:
- Cut off the fuel (ctrl+shift+F1), engines will stop
- Drag fully down the power levers (A) and the speed levers (B)
- Turn off all light switches (C)
- Turn off the aviation master (D), the gen1 & 2 (E) and finally the master (battery) (F)
- Save the flight



3hyrn.gif (64 bytes) The Angle Of Attack gauge (AOA)
- AOA gauge basically helps pilot to avoid stalling the aircraft (red zone equals stall)
- The AOA gauge needle moves anti clockvise green-white-yellow-red as angle of attack increases
- The indication of AOA gauge is a combination of aircraft speed and nose up position, thus the relative airflow
- Try to avoid yellow and red zones of the AOA gauge as the aircraft is then to slow and nose to high
- In the lift off and touch down it is normal for AOA to enter (or almost enter) the white zone
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3hyrn.gif (64 bytes) Autopilot tips
- Configure autopilot before taxiing if possible
- The climb performance value in the lower left corner of L&P sheet is a good start value for autopilot
- When autopilot is engaged reduce or increase climb rate to maintain 170 kts. IAS
- Climb performance is reduced as aircraft climbs higher and is tipically 800-1000 ft/min above 20.000 ft.


3hyrn.gif (64 bytes) Taxiing tips
- Use speed levers LOW setting on ground while taxiing. Move power levers to control power while taxiing.
- On ground only move power levers within the ground beta zone
- Note that when aircraft is light loaded the aircraft can start taxiing at idle power
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3hyrn.gif (64 bytes) Take off tips
- When aircraft is ready for take off, push the speed levers fully forward to HIGH. 
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- With speed levers HIGH, engine noise increases as the RPM increases. 
- Aircraft moves very litle if nothing at this point even though engines RPM setting is HIGH

- That is because the propeller blades are very flat and produce not much torque
- Advance the power levers forward in steadily manner to the L&P sheet recommended take off torque
- Blade angle increases and power is produced. Aircraft moves forward
- Recommended take off torque depends on aircraft weight, rwy length and air density and can be 90%, 100% or 110%
- When L&P sheet suggests 90% torque (long runway) adding few kts to lift off speed is in order for better initial climb
- When VR (rotate speed) is reached (as stated on the L&P sheet), pull the controls and start raising the nose
- Have the nose raised 15°-20° as the aircraft reaches VLOF (lift off speed)

- In the lift off keep the needle within the white zone on the AOA gauge for first 200-400 ft then move towards green.

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3hyrn.gif (64 bytes) Climb tips
- As aircraft lifts off keep nose 15-20° in the initial climb and use AOA gauge as guideline (needle on white zone)

- Maintain speed safely above V2 (typically add 10kts to V2min value on L&P sheet) while retracting flaps 
- Take off power at more than 100% torque is only permitted for 1 minute
- Take off power at 100% is only permitted for 5 minutes
- Reduce power to max continous power (90%) as soon as possible

- As aircraft climbs and more hight is gained the torque drops. Pilot has to move throttle forward to maintain 90% torque
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3hyrn.gif (64 bytes) Cruise tips
- When aircraft is level and cruise speed is gained reduce RPM to 97% (speed levers tiny bit backwards)

- Typical cruise power is 70% torque. Move power levers accordingly
- Cruise power of 60 or 80% is also an option


3hyrn.gif (64 bytes) Decent tips
- The Metro23 is a hard to slow down in descent even at low power. Watch your speed in decent!
- Plan your descent and try to maintain 1000 ft/min descent rate or less
- 1500 ft/min descent rate is about maximum without use of flaps
- For speed control in 1500 ft/min descent pull power levers ABOVE flight idle line.
- Pilot will hear a distinct engine/prop sound when prop blades become more flat near ground beta zone
- Consider that a warning signal and don't retard power levers much further back
- Pilot can use flap1 settings to slow down in a descent more than 1500 ft/min (if speed is below 215 kts.)
- Flap settings and max speed (IAS) for operation are as follows:

Setting Extention Max speed operation (IAS)
Flap1 1/4 215 kts.
Flap2 1/2 188 kts.
Flap3 Fully ext. 166 kts.


3hyrn.gif (64 bytes) Landing tips
- Landing gear can be extended at 176 kts. IAS

- The fine pitched blade angle in the ground beta zone has effective braking action in the landing run. 
- As soon as the aircraft has touched down pull back the power levers into the ground beta zone. 
- This dramatically reduces speed, even without applying reverse thrust
- This is in fact sufficient when long runway for landing is available. 
- For extra deceleration on shorter runways apply reverse thrust and wheel brakes. 
- When speed has reduced to 60 knots pull speed lever to LOW position and taxi to ramp or gate.


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4. FS2004 Metro 23 Checklist


PREINSPECTION
[   ]   Main doors - Closed and secure (ctrl+E)
[   ]   Parking brakes - ON
[   ]   Power levers - FULLY BACK
[   ]   Speed levers - LOW
[   ]   Generators - OFF

BEFORE STARTUP
[   ]   Battery - ON
[   ]   Navigation lights - ON
[   ]   Avionics - ON
[   ]   Rotating beacon - ON
[   ]   Fuel flow - ON (mixture rich or ctrl+shift+F4)

STARTUP RIGHT
[   ]   Starter - ENGAGE
[   ]   RPM rising - CHECK
[   ]   2000 RPM - IGNITION
[   ]   Fuel flow - CHECK OK
[   ]   Oil pressure in 30 sec - GREEN
[   ]   Generator  - ON

STARTUP LEFT
[   ]   Starter - ENGAGE
[   ]   RPM rising - CHECK
[   ]   2000 RPM - IGNITION
[   ]   Fuel flow - CHECK OK
[   ]   Oil pressure in 30 sec - GREEN
[   ]   Generator  - ON

BEFORE TAXIING
[   ]   Altimeter - SET
[   ]   Autopilot - SET
[   ]   Taxi lights - ON
[   ]   Passenger speech

WHILE TAXIING
[   ]   Flaps - SET FOR TAKE OFF
[   ]   Elevator trim - SET AS REQUIRED
[   ]   Pitot heat - ON

ON RUNWAY
[   ]   Strobe lights - ON
[   ]   Landing lights - ON
[   ]   Autopilot - CHECK RWY HEADING
[   ]   Altimeter - CHECK
[   ]   Engine instruments - CHECK
[   ]   Clock - CHECK TIME

TAKE OFF
[   ]   RPM - 100%
[   ]   Torque - 100%
[   ]   Positive climb - GEAR UP
[   ]   400 feet - FLAPS RETRACTED
[   ]   Autopilot - ENGAGE

CLIMB
[   ]   Torque - 95%
[   ]   Speed - 170 KTS
[   ]   Below 10.000 feet - SPEED < 250 KTS (IAS)
[   ]   10000 feet - LANDING/TAXI-LIGHT OFF
[   ]   18000 feet - ALTIMETER 29.92

CRUISE
[   ]   Speed levers - 97% RPM
[   ]   Power levers - CRUISE POWER

DESCENT
[   ]   18000 feet - ALTIMETER TO LOCAL QNH
[   ]   Below 10.000 feet - SPEED < 250 KTS (IAS)

BEFORE LANDING
[   ]   Landing lights - ON

[   ]   Taxi lights - ON
[   ]   Gear - DOWN AND LOCKED
[   ]   Speed levers - HIGH
[   ]   Flaps - AS REQUIRED
[   ]   Speed - 140 KTS

[   ]   Speed at threshold (50ft) - VREF + 10 KTS (see VREF on L&P sheet)

AFTER LANDING
[   ]   Speed levers (at 60 kts) - LOW
[   ]   Flaps - RETRACT


OFF RUNWAY
[   ]   Landing lights - OFF
[   ]   Strobe ligths - OFF


SHUTDOWN
[   ]   Fuel flow - OFF (Mixture cut off or ctrl+shift+F1)
[   ]   Rotating beacon - OFF
[   ]   Avionics - OFF
[   ]   Navigation lights - OFF
[   ]   Battery - OFF

[   ]   Generators - OFF