It all seems so easy doesn't it? You load the software and there you are sitting at the end of the runway with the engine running and nothing but blue sky above you. Who can resist just giving it power and then trying your best to get into the air and back down again. After a few tries you might actually start doing something that resembles controlled flight and you might even figure out how to land the thing. For a lot of people who come to simulated flight without prior flight experience, this is the extent of the training process. Using this approach you'll eventually learn to get around from point A to point B but you'll never really be a good sim pilot. Landings will always be an adventure and you'll never escape that feeling of not really being in total control of the aircraft.

The purpose of this series of tutorials is to roll things back a bit and teach the same principals that real pilots use to fly in a precise and safe manner. While the bulk of these lessons will be based on the stock Cessna 172 the principals involved, once mastered, can be applied to any type of aircraft. Although the information covered comes from the real world we do realize that as good as MSFS is, there's an awful lot that's not simulated. The intent here is not to teach you to fly a real 172 but to use real world flying techniques and procedures that are relevant in the flight sim world. Like most things, flying is a matter of approach and understanding the basic principals involved. It's easier than you think so let's get started!

We're going to start off by changing the basic startup situation that MSFS uses. Suddenly beaming down into an airplane that's humming at the end of the runway, ready to fly is a time saver but it's not a very realistic way to begin a flight. It might seem like a bother to take the extra time to go through all the pre-flight work but you'll have a much better understanding of both the airplane and the flight environment if you do.

To get started you'll first need to setup and save a startup situation that locates you in the parking area of your favorite airport with all aircraft systems off. To do this go to the "Create a Flight" window, select the 172 as your aircraft and change your location to the parking area of your airport of choice. For this tutorial we'll be using Bellingham Washington (IBLI). Turn off all weather effects. Shut down the aircraft by turning off the avionics master, master alt/bat and engine ignition switches to "off". Bring up the menu, click on "Files", "Save Flight", fill in title and description and click "OK".

Now we're ready to get started. The following logical steps will take the 172 from cold and dark to ready for take-off.

Every flight should begin with a flight plan. This will give you a clear idea of where you are, where you are going, and how you will get there. For a local VFR flight in MSFS this involves five steps:

1. Identify your position on the tarmac.

2. Identify the active runway.

3. Plan a route via the taxiways that will take you to the active runway.

4. Identify the area and altitude where your flight will take place.

5. Determine the amount of fuel you will need to complete your trip.

Getting around on the ground in most flight sims can be very difficult. Your view from the cockpit is very restricted and detail is limited. Do try and resist the temptation of just charging off, ignoring taxiways and everything else as you tear around looking for the runway. If you don't have a chart of the airport in use then go to a high overhead view to sort out steps 1 to 3. Keep in mind that the active runway will normally be the one that's comes closest to facing into the wind, if any.

Here's a look at our current position at Bellingham. We're in the parking area facing away from the runway. Runway 16, the one we'll be using for takeoffs and landings today, is to the left in this view. If you ever find yourself getting lost at an airport just bring up this view from the "View Options" menu item and you'll be able to sort things out.

Our first flight today will be simple and limited to the local area so we don't need to worry much about number 4 although it will become the major part of your pre-flight planning when you really start flying.

Item number 5 is important in more ways than you might think. It's obvious that you'll need to have enough fuel on-board to complete your trip with a reasonable reserve. What's not so obvious is that the amount of fuel you have will effect the performance of the aircraft. MSFS starts you off with 100% fuel every time you load a new airplane. Setting the fuel level to around 20% will be plenty for the sort flight we'll be doing today and will result in a weight condition that's much closer to what you would normally have during approach and landing at the end of a trip.

It's a good idea to set up your nav/comms prior to engine start. This minimizes the amount of time spent on the ground with the engine running. For a local VFR flight in MSFS this involves five steps:

1. Turn on the Master Alt/Bat Switch.

2. Turn on the Avionics Master.

3. Open the avionics window and set the communication radio to the appropriate frequency.

4. Close the avionics window and turn off the Avionics Master.

5. Turn off the Master Switch.

*VFR stands for Visual Flight Rules.

You won't need to make any NAV/COMM settings today but it's a good idea to go through the motions as it will become an important part of your pre-flight prep in later flights.

Engine starts are fairly straight forward in the MSFS C-172, here's how to do it:

1. Apply the parking brake (CTRL + .)

2. Open the throttle slightly.

3. Ensure that the mixture is full rich (all the way in).

4. Ensure that the carb heat is cold (H cycles on/off). (This item does not apply to the 172 because it's engine is fuel injected. It is included for completeness as this is a very important item for any carbureted aircraft engine)

5. Turn on the fuel pump.

6. Turn on the master switch.

7. Turn on the beacon light.

8. Turn the magneto key to ‘start’ and hold it until the engine catches.

9. Set power to 1000 rpm.

10. Lean the mixture slightly.

11. Turn off the fuel pump.

12. Turn on the Avionics Master.

Step 4: Taxi to the Runup Area and Perform a Pre-Takeoff Check

A pre-takeoff check should be performed at some point between engine start and takeoff. This will ensure the correct operation of the flight controls, fuel system, electrical system, and engine. To perform a pre-takeoff check in MSFS follow these steps:

1. Taxi the aircraft to a suitable runup spot. This spot must position your aircraft into the wind without blocking any taxiways. Note that if you are at a controlled airport you will have to obtain an ATC clearance prior to taxiing.

2. Once in position, set the parking brake (CTRL+.) and idle the engine at 1000 rpm.

3. Control check. Move the ailerons, elevators, and rudders. Look at the control surfaces in spot or tower view (Use S to cycle through the basic views) and ensure proper movement. In MSFS this is a good way to confirm that the autopilot is disengaged. Remember that the aileron you push the stick towards moves up. The rudder moves to the same side as the depressed pedal and the elevator moves up when you pull back on the stick.

4. Confirm that the directional gyro is indicating the same heading as the compass (go to menu item "views", "instrument panel" and select "compass".)

5. Confirm that the altimeter is set correctly (166' for Bellingham).  

6. Confirm that the fuel gauges are reading correctly.

7. Set the mixture to ‘full rich’ (all the way in)

8. Confirm that the elevator trim indicator is in the ‘take off’ position.

9. Increase the throttle to 1800 rpm.

10. Turn the magneto switch to ‘left’, then ‘right’, then ‘both’. Note the variation in rpm.

11. Confirm that the suction gauge is in the green arc.

12. Confirm that the oil temperature and pressure gauges are in the green arc.

13. Lean the mixture until you detect an  increase in rpms. As soon as you detect an increase, increase the mixture slightly.

14. Turn on the carb heat (H). Note the rpm drop. (carbureted engines only)

15. Reduce throttle to idle, confirm that the engine is still running, and increase the throttle to 1000 rpm.              

15. Confirm that the autopilot is off.

16. Set flaps for takeoff (if necessary: 10 degrees is used for a short or soft field takeoff)

17. Turn off the carb heat. (carbureted engines only)

18. Release the brakes and taxi to the departure runway’s hold short position.

Once you're on the taxiway just follow the solid yellow lines. You might find it easier to drop the panel and mini-panel to get a better view of your progress (the "W" key cycles the panel views). Watch your taxi speed, it's very easy to get going too fast. The 172 will require a small burst of power to get moving but once in motion you can throttle back to around 800 RPM and maintain a good pace.

 The hold short line is shown in the picture below. The runway at Bellingham is 6751' ft. long so flaps will not be needed for takeoff.

Step 5: Perform a Final Pre-Takeoff Check

The final pre-takeoff check is performed immediately before you roll onto the runway. In MSFS it should consist of the following items:

1. Set the mixture to ‘full rich’

2. Turn on the landing light

3. Confirm that the carb heat is set to ‘cold’ (carbureted engines only)

The aircraft is now ready for takeoff.