Estimated time to complete:
- 60 minutes

Aircraft:
- Beechcraft King Air 350

Objectives:
- The King Air Checkout Flight

 

The King Air checkout flight begins at the terminal at the Jeffco airport. There's a layer of clouds that will require an instrument approach to get back, but it's clear on top for practicing maneuvers.

By now, you know the routine to get used to a new airplane. You'll do these maneuvers below the Va (maneuvering speed) of 184 knots, clearing the area before each maneuver to make sure no airplanes are nearby. You want to get a feel for how much control each activity takes and what the view looks like out the windows as you adjust your attitude

  • Steep turns (at least 50° of bank)
  •  Slow flight (110 knots is quite slow in this plane)
  •  Stalls (power on and power off )
  •  Single-engine maneuvers (the yaw damper really helps here)
  •  Emergency descent

For practice, try a missed approach the first time, get vectors back around, and shut down one engine so you can practice a single engine IFR approach. Aft er that, change the weather at Jeffco to be higher ceilings so you can just practice takeoff s and landings in the traffic pattern.


Ref.: West, Jeff Van. Microsoft Flight Simulator X For Pilots: Real World Training,   Wiley. Bonus Chapter 1 - Oxygene and Kerosene (Page 740).

MISSION'S SCENARIOS

King Air Checkout Flight

  1. Initial conditions:
    1. The flight begins at the terminal at the Jeffco airport.
    2. There is a layer of clouds that will require an instrument approach to get back.
    3. It is clear on top to practice maneuvers.
    4. You need a 3D or full-screen version 2D panel to get all the needed switches and the throtttle quadrant.
  2. Start-up:
    1. Leave the fuel condition levers off.
    2. Battery: ON.
    3. Beacon: ON.
    4. Propeller area: CLEAR.
    5. Right ignition and engine start switch: Click switch once.
    6. When N1 turbine rpm has reached 12%:
      1. Right condition lever: LOW IDLE.
      2. Fuel flow: CHECK 80-110 PPH.
      3. ITT: CHECK Less than 810 ºC.
    7. When N1 turbine rpm has reached 52%:
      1. Right ignition and engine start switch: Click once.
    8. Repeat this procedure for the left engine.
    9. Continue with the FSX checklist.
  3. Taxi:
    1. Don't bother about filing and IFR flight plan and getting a clearance.
    2. Listen to the ATIS.
    3. Call Jeffco ground to taxi to the active runway.
    4. If you get going too fast when taxiing:
      1. Press "F2 key" on your keyboard (puts the propeller blades briefly into reverse).
      2. Press "F1 key" on your keyboard (Reset the blades to forward, the normal setting.
  4. Takeoff and climb:
    1. You can keep the flaps up (unless it is a very short runway).
    2. Turn the ignition switch on just before takeoff.
    3. Switch the ignition off again during the cruise climb.
    4. Reference speeds are the following:
      1. V1 is about 108 knots.
      2. Rotation is at 111 knots.
      3. V2 is 117 knots.
      4. Vyse (best rate of climb, single engine) is 125 knots.
      5. Cruise climb speed is 170 knots up to 10000 feet.
    5. You will want to be at Vyse as soon as possible.
    6. Once clear of the airport area:
      1. Turn to a northeasterly heading.
      2. Climb to 9500 feet (or high enough to get clear of the clouds).
  5. Maneuvers:
    1. These maneuvers are done below the Va (maneuvering speed) of 184 knots.
    2. Clear the area before each maneuver (to make sure no airplanes are nearby).
    3. Perform each of the following maneuvers:
      1. Steep turns (at least 50º of bank).
      2. Slow flight (110 knots is quite slow in that plane).
      3. Stalls (power on and power off).
      4. Single-engine maneuvers (the yaw damper really help here).
      5. Emergency descent.
    4. You want to get a feel for how much control each activity takes.
    5. You want to see what the view looks like out the window as you adjust your attitude.
  6. Approach and landing:
    1. The winds are favoring the ILS Runway 29R approach.
    2. You have the choice to:
      1. Fly the approach yourself (using your GPS to guide you to the localizer).
      2. Call Denver Approach and get vectors in.
    3. For practice try a missed approach the first time.
    4. Get vectors back around.
    5. Shut down one engine.
    6. Practice a single engine IFR approach.
    7. Change the weather at Jeffco to get a higher ceiling.
    8. Practice takeoffs and landings in the traffic pattern.
    9. You want to be smooth with these touch and goes.
    10. A good airspeed for short final is 105 knots.
    11. Like most FSX airplane, the King Air requires the landing panel to see the runway as you approach.

MAPS & CHARTS

King Air Configuration Table:


KBJC Airport Diagram:


KBJC GPS 29R:


KBJC ILS 29R: