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Instructions for Test Flight

Download the Test Flight zip file and unzip the enclosed files to your Flight Simulator files folder.   The default location for FS9 is c:\Documents and Settings\user\My Documents\Flight Simulator Files. The default location for FSX is c:\Documents and Settings\user\My Documents\Flight Simulator X Files.

NZAR Test Flight

In preparation for the flight, ensure you have added a flight timer to the panel of you chosen aircraft.  It is recommended that you download and use Tom Goodrick’s FTime flight timer, available from the following link.

FTimeV4

Select the aircraft that you wish to fly in the NZAR.

This can be any piston engine or turboprop driven aircraft manufactured between 1903 to 1975. Pilots please remember that the shortest runway for the NZAR is 3599 ft in length.

Your cruising altitude will be 7000 ft for the test flight.

This is a compromise altitude between piston and turboprop driven aircraft.

If your aircraft has difficulty reaching or operating at 7000 ft, you may fly the test flight at a lower altitude. The minimum safe altitude for the test flight is 4000 ft.

PROCEDURES AND INFORMATION

The test flight is a timed flight at cruise level from overhead the Nadi NDB VK 405.0, direct to overhead the Nausori NDB NA 307.0 on a heading of 091 degrees.

Nausori VOR/DME NA is 112.20 for your DME read out.

Distance from Nadi NDB to Nausori NDB is 68nm.

Test flight is to be flown in daylight, clear weather with nil wind.

Set your ADF to 405.0.

Depart Nadi Intl NFFN from your runway of choice. 02/20 or 09/27.

Once airborne track to the WEST of the airport and commence your climb.

You may use any climb pattern you wish remaining West of the airport.

When established at altitude and cruise, track to return overhead the Nadi NDB.

Once overhead the Nadi NDB set your track to 090 degrees and start your timer.

Set your ADF to the Nausori NDB 307.0.

Track directly to the Nausori NDB.

Once overhead the Nausori NDB, stop your timer and record your time.

Remember, all times must be in minutes and converted to decimals (see the Rules for clarification).

Test Flight Hints

Trial the Test Flight a number of times before submitting your Test Flight time in order to achieve a consistent result.  You will find this helpful during the flying of the actual Flight Legs.  Pilot Registration can be submitted up to September 25^th and sufficient time has been allowed for the flying of the event (even in advance for those who have other commitments that may conflict with the official September-October period).

In particular, give yourself sufficient time to establish your aircraft at the cruise altitude of 4,000-7,000' and a steady cruise speed before intersecting and turning onto the 091 radial to NA and overflying VK to commence your timed run.

The Test Flight is to be flown in perfect weather conditions.  The actual Flight Legs of the NZAR will have a variety of weather variables typical of the area and time of the year being flown.  Therefore, it is strongly recommended the Test Flight is flown at an economical cruise speed.  This should ensure you will have enough of a performance margin capability in your chosen aircraft to compensate for the weather variables.

Good Luck.

 
Because this time is used to calculate the reference speed on which all estimated times and scoring are based, it is a good idea to use an autopilot to make the flight as steady as possible.  Due to a flaw in Flight Simulator 9, which does not calculate the speed = distance / time correctly, we are including a correction in calculations for Reference Speed,  Estimated Flight Time and Scoring.  We are using Reference Speed = 57.78 / Time x Distance.  If FS 9 made the computations correctly the 57.78 would be 60.00    57.78 is an average we obtained by testing eight aircraft.
 
Submit your elapsed time in minutes rounded to 2 decimal places on the NZAR 2015 Application.
 
If you are using another timer, convert seconds into a two decimal place number.
 
Add the decimal equivalent for the seconds to the minutes flown. 
 
Here is a conversion chart.  Use this method for all of the NZAR 2015 flights.

Once completed, submit an email to gaar15director(at)gmail.com (substitute @ for (at) in the email address) with the following information:

Name: "Your Name"
Email Address: "Your Email Address"
FS Version: "FS9 or FSX"
Aircraft: "Aircraft you are flying in the event"
Country: "Country of Residence"
Virtual Airline: If Applicable - "Virtual Airline you fly with"
Virtual Airline ID: If Applicable - "Your Virtual Airline ID"
Test Flight Time: Time flown for the Test Flight (in minutes and decimals, e.g. 53.84)

No confirmation email will be sent regarding Pilot Registration.  The Roster is the authoritative confirmation of your Pilot Registration being received by the event organisers.  Any queries, concerns, errors or omissions should be directed immediately to the Rally Director at gaar15director(at)gmail.com (substitute @ for (at) in the email address).

Your submission of Registration for the NZAR is taken as your acceptance of the Rules for the event.