Blackbird Sims / Milviz Forum Archive

Hi,
I just installed the T-38A on Prepar3d v3.3, and for some reason any landing with a descent rate of more than 50 fpm results in a crash--I've looked through the manual for the T-38, and there isn't much on the landing checklist other than lowering the gear and flaps, which I've done before every landing...is there something else that I'm missing?

Thanks!
-John

An Orbx airport?

wiltzei wrote:An Orbx airport?

So far I've been landing at KAPA in Colorado, stock airport from P3D. I'm not super familiar with orbx airports, but I assume you're referring to the addon airports from orbx simulations?

Correct. Never mind, then.

Are you running with Crash Detection on?

wiltzei wrote:Correct. Never mind, then.

Are you running with Crash Detection on?

Yes, crash detection is on.

Have you tried this at other airports? I ask because, honestly, it sounds like you're pan caking...

Not if his decent rate is that low. Unless his AoA is also really high (tail striking)

JonathanBleeker wrote:Not if his decent rate is that low. Unless his AoA is also really high (tail striking)

No tail strikes, just slightly flared landings around 100fpm...

I understand that a guy saying "the airplane crashes and it's not my fault" is hardly believable, so I made some recordings of the landings with and without issues. Please pardon my terrible piloting skills--but I think these videos should capture the gist of the issue I'm facing.

Here's a recording of a successful 50fpm-ish landing: https://youtu.be/aS_n0KKW8KU

Here's a recording of a 100fpm landing that resulted in a crash: https://youtu.be/KXZ0rByu7Rg

Thanks,
-John

What's your speed? And it does look like you're coming in way too hot

Krazycolin wrote:What's your speed? And it does look like you're coming in way too hot

Somewhere between 150 and 200 kts. I've had a lot of trouble coming in at anything well below 200kts as the aircraft stalls / pancakes pretty easily at low speeds. These landings are with flaps fully extended, speed brakes retracted. I've played around and managed to touch the aircraft down at speeds above 200kts just fine, it seems that the vertical speed tolerance is the only thing causing the crashes.

it's a very touchy aircraft and needs... care.

I'm sorry but I doubt this is a bug. I really think you're coming in too hot and that's what's doing it. I'm actually surprised that you're not getting a gear warning (your gear is being damaged by high speed)...

Sorry.

Not sure. Would need the FDE guy's comments but I think something is oversensitive on his system. Maybe not a bug but.....

Krazycolin wrote:it's a very touchy aircraft and needs... care.

I'm sorry but I doubt this is a bug. I really think you're coming in too hot and that's what's doing it. I'm actually surprised that you're not getting a gear warning (your gear is being damaged by high speed)...

Sorry.

I agree that my landings aren't the best (or even good), but they should be well within the design constraints of the T-38A. The safety factor designed into these aircraft should easily allow landings at 100fpm+, even at speeds in excess of 200kts (think emergency landing with flaps up).

I'd like to cite the T-38A Pilot Manual on Page 1 of Section V, Operating Limitations, which states that landing gear should not be extended in excess of 240kts: http://imgur.com/a/mSuy1

The white index marker is pre-set for the correct approach speed. He's well over speed on the approach.