[XP-38 Documentation]
=== TOP SECRET !!! ===
XP-38 OPERATING PROCEDURES - Dec 1938
=== THIS IS AN EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT ===
Use extreme caution when operating this aircraft,
as it is one-of-a-kind and cannot be replaced.
Unless conducting approved flight tests, do not
operate beyond the limits stated here. Violators
will be prosecuted and/or court-martialed.
__________________________________
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
[ ] Brakes -- TEST and SET
[ ] Electrical Equipment -- OFF
[ ] Landing Gear Lever -- DOWN
[ ] Close Canopy -- Shift + E
[ ] Open Engine Air Inlets/Vents
-- press Ctrl+Shift+V 7 times
[ ] Check/Set fuel level as desired
[ ] Set AC realism to auto-mixture (Until cruise)
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ENGINE START
Press Ctrl+E to initiate engine auto-start, or:
LEFT ENGINE
[ ] Propeller -- HIGH rpm
[ ] Mixture -- RICH
[ ] Propeller Area -- CLEAR
[ ] Master Battery Switch -- ON
[ ] Ignition -- BOTH
[ ] Hold Engine Start Switch -- ON until it catches
Then:
[ ] Throttle -- 1,000 rpm
[ ] Oil Pressure -- CHECK
RIGHT ENGINE
[ ] Propeller -- HIGH rpm
[ ] Mixture -- RICH
[ ] Propeller Area -- CLEAR
[ ] Master Battery Switch -- ON
[ ] Ignition -- BOTH
[ ] Hold Engine Start Switch -- ON until it catches
Then:
[ ] Throttle -- 1,000 rpm
[ ] Oil Pressure -- CHECK
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BEFORE TAKEOFF
[ ] Brakes -- SET
[ ] Flight Controls -- FREE and CORRECT
[ ] Flight Instruments -- CHECK and SET including clock and alt.
[ ] Mixture -- AUTO MIXTURE (Set levers rich, idle cutoff is active)
[ ] Fuel Quantity -- CHECK
[ ] Elevator Trim -- SET for takeoff at 1/2 up
[ ] Rudder Trim -- SET for takeoff at neutral
LEFT ENGINE
[ ] Throttle -- 2,300 rpm
[ ] Magnetos -- CHECK
[ ] Propeller -- CYCLE high rpm/
low rpm/high rpm
[ ] Engine Instruments -- CHECK
[ ] Throttle -- 800-1,000 rpm
RIGHT ENGINE
[ ] Throttle -- 2,300 rpm
[ ] Magnetos -- CHECK
[ ] Propeller -- CYCLE high rpm/
low rpm/high rpm
[ ] Engine Instruments -- CHECK
[ ] Throttle -- 800-1,000 rpm
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TAXIING
The airplane taxis easily and forward visibility is good.
Use differential throttle to save the brakes. There is no
danger of nose over or ground loop should it become necessary
to turn sharply or to apply full brakes.
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TAKEOFF
Once lined up on the runway, taxi a few feet straight so
that the nose wheel will be in line when take-off power
is applied. Maximum performance take-offs require holding
the airplane with brakes at the end of the runway until
engine power reaches desired setting. Because of the
tricycle landing gear, there is no tendency for the
airplane to take-off by itself, and no feeling of lightness
as take-off speed is reached. Start to ease the control
column back at about 70 mph, then at 90 or 100 lift the
airplane into the air.
[ ] Flaps -- As desired up to 1/3 for short take-off distance
[ ] Throttles -- 46 in. Hg. (if short field use 54 in.)
[ ] Mixtures -- RICH (may be leaned above 3000' if automixture turned off)
[ ] Propellers -- FULL FORWARD
[ ] Brakes -- RELEASE
[ ] Elevator Control -- LIFT NOSE WHEEL at 70-80 mph
[ ] Climb Speed -- 160 mph
[ ] Brakes -- APPLY momentarily when airborne to stop wheels from turning
[ ] Landing Gear -- UP
[ ] Flaps -- RETRACT
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CLIMB
NORMAL CLIMB
[ ] Airspeed -- 160 mph
[ ] Throttle -- 46 in. Hg.
[ ] Propeller -- 2,600 rpm
[ ] Fuel Selector Valve -- BOTH
[ ] Mixture -- AUTO-MIXTURE (may be leaned above 3,000' if auto mixture off)
[ ] Close Air inlets -- Ctrl+Shift+C 7 times
MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE CLIMB
[ ] Airspeed -- 200 mph
[ ] Throttle -- FULL (54 in. Hg.)
[ ] Propeller -- 2,900 rpm
[ ] Mixture -- AUTO-MIXTURE
[ ] Close Air inlets -- Ctrl+Shift+C 7 times
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MAXIMUM CRUISE
[ ] Throttles -- 43 in. Hg.
[ ] Propellers -- 2,600 rpm
[ ] Mixtures -- MAY Remain in Auto-Mixture
[ ] Elevator Trim -- ADJUST
[ ] Rudder Trim -- ADJUST
Max. normal engine speed 2,600 rpm
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LONG RANGE CRUISE
[ ] Throttles -- 22 in. Hg.
[ ] Propellers -- 2,000 rpm
[ ] Elevator Trim -- ADJUST
[ ] Rudder Trim -- ADJUST
[ ] Mixtures -- LEAN as required: turn off auto-mixture and press CTRL+SHIFT+F2 several times until engine loses power, then press CTRL+SHIFT+F3 once for full power.
See Reference Tab for more cruise settings
___________________________________
DIVING
[ ] Canopy -- CLOSED
[ ] Landing Gear -- UP
[ ] Wing Flaps -- UP
[ ] Propellers -- 2400 rpm or less
[ ] Mixtures -- AUTO MIXTURE
[ ] Throttles -- SLIGHTLY OPEN
[ ] Airspeed -- Max. mph
410 @ 10,000 ft
360 @ 20,000 ft
290 @ 30,000 FT
Manifold pressure must be kept above 20 in. Hg. during dive
Engine speed must not exceed 3,120 rpm
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SINGLE ENGINE OPERATIONS
[ ] Throttle -- 45 in. Hg.
[ ] Propeller -- 3,000 rpm
[ ] Airspeed -- 165 mph
[ ] Mixture -- AUTO MIXTURE
Do not use full power on the live engine below 120 mph
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DESCENT
[ ] Throttle -- AS DESIRED
[ ] Propeller -- AS DESIRED
[ ] Mixture -- SET TO AUTO-MIXTURE
Carburetor heat is automatically provided by
superchargers
[ ] Flaps -- AS DESIRED WITHIN PLACARD LIMITS -- (See Below)
___________________________________
BEFORE LANDING
[ ] Airspeed -- 120 mph
[ ] Landing Gear -- DOWN
(below 175 mph)
[ ] Flaps -- Up to 1/3 down (below 175 mph)
[ ] Mixtures -- AUTO-MIXTURE, OR RICH
[ ] Propellers -- 2800 rpm
[ ] Carburetor Heat -- in extremely cold conditions Lower flaps to 1/3 and increase power boldly.
[ ] Trim -- ADJUST TO NEUTRAL
___________________________________
LANDING
[ ] Landing Light -- As needed (toggle on panel)
[ ] Flaps -- 2/3 or FULL DOWN (below 150 mph)
[ ] Airspeed -- 105-110 mph (flaps DOWN)
[ ] Flare to make contact at about 70-80 mph
[ ] Touchdown -- MAIN WHEELS FIRST
[ ] Landing Roll -- LOWER NOSE WHEEL GENTLY
[ ] Braking -- MINIMUM REQUIRED
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AFTER LANDING
[ ] Flaps -- UP
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BELLY LANDINGS and
WATER LANDINGS (DITCHING)
[ ] Landing Gear -- UP
[ ] Landing Flaps -- DOWN
[ ] Shoulder Harness -- LOCKED
[ ] Canopy -- OPEN
PRIOR TO CONTACT WITH GROUND OR WATER
[ ] Switches -- OFF
[ ] Fuel Selector OFF
___________________________________
BAILING OUT
[ ] Airspeed -- REDUCE as much as possible
[ ] Canopy -- OPEN
[ ] Abandon airplane
CAUTION: Before bailing out at altitude,
inhale as much oxygen as possible.
___________________________________
SECURING AIRPLANE
[ ] Brakes -- SET
Right Engine
[ ] Throttle -- IDLE
[ ] Propeller -- HIGH rpm
[ ] Mixture -- IDLE CUT-OFF
[ ] Ignition Switch -- OFF
Left Engine
[ ] Throttle -- IDLE
[ ] Propeller -- HIGH rpm
[ ] Mixture -- IDLE CUTOFF
[ ] Ignition Switch -- OFF
[ ] Master Battery Switch -- OFF
Snap rolls and intentional spins are prohibited with
this airplane; such maneuvers as Immelmans, loops, and
rolls are permitted with the exercise of extreme care.
Continuous inverted flight is prohibited.