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Flight Simulation

A serious training session is mandatory with the Pilatus PC-21 before attempting a landing in Fairoaks

A Pilatus PC-21 aircraft over Shoreham, United Kingdom
A Pilatus PC-21 aircraft over Shoreham, United Kingdom
Near the Fairoaks airport, United Kingdom. Flaps and gear down on the Pilatus PC-21
Near the Fairoaks airport, United Kingdom. Flaps and gear down on the Pilatus PC-21

The IRIS Pilatus PC-21 Pro Training Series is a high performance aircraft. It is equipped with a five blade graphite propeller as well as a Pratt-Whitney PT6A-68B engine able to develop 1600 SHP. Until the PC-21 was created, there were only jet aircrafts that could provide such performance when it comes to pilot training. The PC-21’s maximum airspeed is 370 knots, its service ceiling 38,000 feet and it can climb at a rate of 4000 feet/minute.

PC-21 aircraft near the Fairoaks airport, United Kingdom
PC-21 aircraft near the Fairoaks airport, United Kingdom

The above sequence of pictures represents a familiarization flight with that aircraft, before trying to attempt to land in Fairoaks. I have included this flight under the “flight simulation” section of the site, under “standard virtual flights”.

PC-21 turning final for Fairoaks airport, United Kingdom
PC-21 turning final for Fairoaks airport, United Kingdom

The takeoff was done from Southampton and the route included Shoreham, Gatwick, Heathrow to finally end in Fairoaks. Along the route, different exercises were practiced like slow flight, inverted flight and other manoeuvers that allowed to learn the behavior of the machine under all kind of configurations.

PC-21 aircraft on final for the Fairoaks airport, United Kingdom
PC-21 aircraft on final for the Fairoaks airport, United Kingdom
A PC-21 aircraft and the Fairoaks airport, United Kingdom
A PC-21 aircraft and the Fairoaks airport, United Kingdom

IRIS created that virtual Pilatus. ORBX is responsible for the Southampton, Shoreham and Fairoaks virtual airports, as well as sceneries generated by their well known Global, Vector, Open LC and Trees HD products. FSX was used for the flight. Clouds were generated by REX and CumulusX. For an even more realistic experience, UK2000 virtual airports like London Gatwick and London Heathrow could have been used since they are of excellent quality.

Pilatus PC-21 on the Fairoaks airport (FSX)
Pilatus PC-21 on the Fairoaks airport (FSX)

Beware of the approach in Fairoaks. There are trees near the threshold of the runway and the landing surface is relatively short, measuring only 813m (2667 feet). Flying an aircraft equipped with such a powerful engine and whose stall speed approximates 150 kmh with flaps and gear down will require much attention on the approach. It will be the difference between a successful landing or having your name in the first page of Fairoaks local newspaper the next day.

For other ideas of virtual flights that do not require a lot of experience, click on the following link: Standard virtual flights

For more articles on flight simulation on my web site, click on the following link : Flight simulation

Good luck!