Flying GA planes

[Captain-787]

Hey everyone, I want to get much better at GA planes such as C172. Currently I am horrible because I fly airliners much much more often. Any tips to help me get better?

[lucaviness]

Hey! I’d recommend making very small adjustments when flying. Start with something a bit bigger like the TBM and work your way up to lighter aircraft like the XCub. Make sure to use trim and rudder too!

[Lucas_Piedra]

I recommend familiarizing yourself with the startup procedures of the 172. Here’s a handy tutorial that is very useful.

Cessna 172 Checklist - Infinite Flight

Hello folks! It’s me. I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the recently updated Cessna 172, especially with all the new features it brings. It is detailed, and IFLLC did such a great job bringing us an amazing aircraft. I wanted to make this checklist for people who may have been having some trouble starting up this wonderful bird. If you have any questions or comments, please let me know. Thanks! Cessna 172 Checklist - Infinite Flight __ Before Start: Fuel Quantity - Checked Weight & Balance …

Also, if you would like to fly using the cockpit view (glass, steam gauge) then check out the 172 cockpit tutorial to maximize your flight experience

The C172 Cockpit: Explained

[image] Welcome to the Cessna 172 cockpit tutorial. We will go over the two types of cockpits and how everything works within them. The new C172 cockpit introduces multiple new systems to Infinite Flight. You will the glass panel to have some more detailed instruments as it contains a Multifunction Display (MFD) which displays a map with your flight plan on it. Like always, if you have any questions, feel free to ask below. [image]

Cockpit Details

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Bottom line is that practice makes good progress. It might be rocky at first, but once you familiarize yourself with the features, then GA flying will be a dream. Additionally, VFR flight in GA aircraft is definitely a good use of these planes as well as VOR navigation given the features included in the cockpit above.

[Asher]

I just flew the C172 irl like 10 mins ago. Trim is super important and will help you tremendously. When landing make small corrections to stay aligned with the runway.

[Butter_Boi]

GA planes may seem slower than airliners, so the big thing is to be patient. If you’re willing to take the time to slow down from airliner life you’ll be so much better at GA. Just make sure to make small movements, nothing like aerobatics, just be gentle with the plane. Also, if you use autopilot, you won’t get any better (it’s ok in some cases though). Fly manually and then you’ll be better at flying both light aircraft, and airliners. Also, remember your trim! This will help tremendously when both hand-flying manually, and when doing takeoffs and landings. I’d you need any more advice on flying GA planes, feel free to PM me!

[anon38496261]

I can also help you one on one if you’d like, in addition to the tutorials above :)

[Rob_M]

Seeing this topic is great! General aviation is clearly something the devs have put significant time into for many recent updates(see the C172 and TBM), but when GA is featured most people still opt to fly airliners. As for tips, all of the above helps. I’ll also link a tutorial from none other than Tyler himself flying a pattern in the cockpit of the C172. Good luck and have fun exploring GA!

Pattern Work Tutorial

[Lucas_Brien]

Practice patterns. In the 172, take off at 55 or 60 knots, climb at 80, turn crosswind at 600ft AGL, downwind at 1000 AGL, pull out the power and flaps 10 abeam the numbers of the runway you’re landing on, when the runway is 45 degrees to your rear turn base and flaps 20, and then turn final and flaps 30/F. When I’m in the traffic pattern IRL that’s what I go by in my 172.

[Captain-787]

I agree, the devs really put lots of time and effort into GA planes. Same goes for military planes as well, and nobody really flies them. I think that the community needs to give both of them a shot.