Problems with throttles

[Oscar Lopez 913987]

Hi:

I am really excited using Squawkbox 3, and now have more than 230 hours of flight.

In general, I have had no problems, but this one:

As you know, when you accelerate, both of the throttles move in a synchronous way. But sometimes, not always, when I am flying, one of the throttles gets stuck and no longer works. It happens with different planes.

This is especially critical when you have had a long flight with auto-throttle on and prepare to approach, because you are not aware of the problem.

As you know, when approaching, you are constantly moving up and down the throttles to preserve speed, but it gets very difficult with my problem. It is like if I had lost one engine.

Does anyone know what is happening with my throttles?

Just in case, I have never used the "Failures" feature.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

Oscar "Tito" Lopez

[Ruth McTighe 824054]

I think it's something to do with the fact that FS uses keyboard commands to control the engines, and if you have the focus in the wrong window when you think you are typing in SB/FSInn you can acdidentally decouple one of the engines from the throttle. I've done it many times!

 

If you spot it has happened, put the focus in the FS window and type E 1 2 to make sure both throttles are synchronised.

 

Ruth

VATUK2

[Oscar Lopez 913987]

Hi, Ruth:

You may be terribly right...!

I hope it will help.

 

Thanks a lot.

[Marc Sykes 852946]

If you want it to stop happening in the future, go into the FS key [Mod - Happy Thoughts]ignments page and delete the "E" key [Mod - Happy Thoughts]ignment. I can't really think of a situation in a multiengine aircraft where you would ever want to move the throttles asynchronously, so it's a totally unnecessary command. The E + 1&2 method to resync them seems to be inconsistent, it works sometimes but not always. I favor a more permanent solution.

[Craig Moulton]

I can't really think of a situation in a multiengine aircraft where you would ever want to move the throttles asynchronously, so it's a totally unnecessary command.

 

I use all the time to help with tight turns on the ground. Some of the aircraft I fly just don't want to turn, even when as slow as 5-10kts, so the extra help with one of the engines aids immensly.

 

Having said that, I too occ[Mod - Happy Thoughts]ionaly start typing a message even though FS still has the focus, making strange (and occ[Mod - Happy Thoughts]ionally upleasant) things happen. One thing I've done is use FSUIPC (registered version) to quicky resync the engines. I would have to double check, but I believe that I set up CTR+SHIFT+E as my hot Keys for resync-ing them.

[Oscar Lopez 913987]

To all who helped, thanks a lot. Great advise.

 

Oscar "Tito" Lopez

[Ross Carlson]

I can't really think of a situation in a multiengine aircraft where you would ever want to move the throttles asynchronously, so it's a totally unnecessary command.

 

Tell that to the pilots of United 232 which crash landed at Sioux City after total hydraulic failure. They controlled pitch and yaw (and I think even roll) using only asynchronous thrust.

 

Of course, this reply is only in jest ... such a thing probably wouldn't work out so well in Flight Simulator.

[Andre Koch 852831]

Of course, this reply is only in jest ... such a thing probably wouldn't work out so well in Flight Simulator.

...and in the "real" simulator as well. When they tried to recreate this accident in a simulator, not one single crew managed to bring the plane down the way the heroic crew of UA232 did it. Even though sadly many people lost their lives on that day, even more survived.

[Ross Carlson]

Yeah, I remember reading that they couldn't do it in the sim. I wonder if that was a result of limitations of the sim, or lack of skill by the pilots. (Or just plain lack of "grace under pressure" factor. ) Pretty amazing.

[Richard Quigley]

Oh you Jet Jockies!

 

It's the ONLY way to taxi a multi engined tail dragger!

 

Anonymous quote re the DC-3 "If you can taxi this aircraft you can probably fly it!"

[Matt Stagg 900323]

is there a way to fix it when it happens to the PMDG 737?

[Randy Blackwell 925656]

I have that happen at the worst times. Thanks to all who suggested those key commands. I'll have to try them.