Cheyenne : one user's notes

[Renard 0]

Hello happy Cheyenne pilots !

I would like to share a few practical operating remarks, for functions for which I have hesitated while learning how to use the plane:

Engine starting up

Just after the starting up sequence, when the engines are running steadily, push the "Auto ignition/Manual" and "Starter/Generator" overhead switches into "Auto ignition" and "Generator" modes. For the "Generator" mode, right-click twice on the switch, because there is an intermediate position.

If the "Generator" mode is not switched on, the electric power only comes out of the batteries, which are quickly emptied, so that electric devices will suddenly and very unpleasantly shut down during the flight.

Inverted power switch

When starting up from "cold and dark", push the "inverted power" switch to have the gyro working.

This transforms the direct current coming out of the generators into the alternative current used by the gyro.

The switch is located at the down-left of the captain's view.

Avionics master switch

When starting from "cold and dark", click on the "Avionics master switch" to put it in "on" position. This starts all avionics instruments.

The switch is located in the copilot view, and can also be accessed through Shift 6.

Transponder

When starting from "cold and dark", set the transponder mode to "on", later on push the numeric keys underneath, to enter the transponder number as requested by the ATC.

If not, the ATC will keep on telling you that your transponder number is not OK, and will finally stop the IFR service.

Navigation frequency selector "Nav"

As said in the manual, we have to move the set frequency out of the ILS frequency range (ILS frequencies are between 108.10 and 111.95 and decimal part starts with an odd digit) in order to switch from "VOR/ILS" to "GPS" source, i.e. flight plan, for navigation information.

Brakes

When taxying with this plane, for sharp turns, it seems especially efficient to use the F11 and F12 keys, to brake either with the left or the right wheel only.

Landing

Whatever elaborate approach tactics you carried out before, check that the "GS CPLD" sign is displayed as you think you are going down the glideslope.

If not, the GS is not coupled in reality, and the plane will not automatically reduce its altitude down to the runway level, resulting in eventually missing the runway.

Bests,

Philippe