Anyone managed to land the PE-2 yet?

[pilotpierre]

If so, what approach and touchdown speeds are you using? I can land it but not without buggering up at least one engine.

[Finkeren]

Not flying myself due to vacation, but you remember never to use full flaps right?

 

You're supposed to land it with no more than 20 degrees I think.

[Bando]

You got to "fly" it onto the runway. Do not flare it or cut power at the last moment. I managed to fly my wheels to the ground, gradually reduced the last bit of power and was able to stop. It bounced lightly once. Speed was well below 200, but I was looking out, so not sure how much exactly. I did have full flaps. I'll try again after reading Finkeren's post with half flaps.

 

Now taxiing this bird is something else. Geez, I must look like a ballerina......

Edited April 12, 2014 by Bando

[pilotpierre]

I finally cracked it once and recorded it. But the bloody recording can't be manipulated to look down during the replay to see what speed I touched down at.

Only been using between 30 and 50% flaps. Will try it with less.

[pilotpierre]

Ok, I think I've cracked it, just did 2 more touchdowns @ 200 kph, a couple of small bounces but no damage. Around 30% of flap

[FuriousMeow]

No landing yet, but I shot one up and the right wing didn't totally separate. Instead it fluttered/vibrated before the Pe-2 crashed into the ground. It was interesting to watch though, I bet if some Gs had been pulled the wing would have folded and fallen away.

 

Edited April 12, 2014 by FuriousMeow

[AndyJWest]

...the bloody recording can't be manipulated to look down during the replay to see what speed I touched down at.

You should be able to use 'Camera: head-unlinked-cockpit' (L-Alt+F1 by default) to do that.

[Requiem]

Yeah half flaps does the trick Pete. I didn't like doing full flap approaches during beta testing.

[ShamrockOneFive]

Made the mistake of power off... I've crashed short of the runway a few times now. More practice required

[pilotpierre]

It's still a tricky beast to land, after I managed 3 good ones, I followed it up with 3 prangs, one complete write off and 2 with one engine buggered.

As Bando said, you really have to fly it to the ground and REALLY resist the flair and throttle reduction, both are bloody reflex actions for me.

I am interested in your efforts Req, how many landings before you cracked it?

Also do you have any CEM data?

[Georgio]

Only one landing and did the usual chop and flare. Not a good result as it hit so hard I lost both wings but I did survive so a successful landing then...^^

Stupid computer announced I had been shot down by ground fire which considering I'd just flown the gauntlet over the German field was about right.

[sturmkraehe]

I flew it once and landed it safely. My feeling is that the force feedback looses "bite" as soon as you descend below 200 kph. You can still fly though at 150 kph (flaps fully down). The FM probably still needs some tweaking.

 

Flap position indicator is the instrument on the right side of the gun sight. Flaps go up to 45°.

 

Any hints where the compass is? I don't want to open the map to check my heading.

Edited April 12, 2014 by sturmkraehe

[SimFreak]

http://youtu.be/NwFJfgzhxvE

 

Here's my attempt. I think I came a bit slow.

[pilotpierre]

 

Any hints where the compass is? I don't want to open the map to check my heading.

LHS from memory 2 instruments below the dash.

[Requiem]

Pete, and for anyone else who is interested. Here is a track showing the landing of the Pe-2 in the current version 11 April 2014. My Pe-2 famil won't be out until after the Yak-1 famil, but this track will help out with landing in the meantime if you're having problems.

 

I'm guessing that those who are having trouble landing the Pe-2 might just be starting in the QMB and making a bee-line for final approach. My track shows an initial and pitch through to the landing (which is very smooth), and I find doing that made everything a lot easier. (Approach speed about 200 or less and touchdown 150-160)

 

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/32760020/Requiem%20Pe-2%20Landing.zip

 

 

[Talisman]

Landing is easy compared to trying to get the rear guns to work.  How the hell do are we supposed to move the gunsight?  I can take control and nestle up to it, hell I can even fire it, but can I move the bloody thing, no I can't.

[Bando]

With the mouse. That is... on my install. I press Control C, Shift T and T (I believe out of the top of my head) and it works.

[BMA_West]

With the mouse. That is... on my install. I press Control C, Shift T and T (I believe out of the top of my head) and it works.

Lctrl+C changes position, next T (aquire gun - aiming by yellow recticule while sight direction is yellow circle) after which you may Lshft+T for nestling to gunsight and zoom for both  those and to get the actual sight for the sideguns and the belly gun.

Periscope sight of that last one is still a riddle to me ... or is it the bomb sight???

Edited April 12, 2014 by West

[pilotpierre]

Pete, and for anyone else who is interested. Here is a track showing the landing of the Pe-2 in the current version 11 April 2014. My Pe-2 famil won't be out until after the Yak-1 famil, but this track will help out with landing in the meantime if you're having problems.

 

I'm guessing that those who are having trouble landing the Pe-2 might just be starting in the QMB and making a bee-line for final approach. My track shows an initial and pitch through to the landing (which is very smooth), and I find doing that made everything a lot easier. (Approach speed about 200 or less and touchdown 150-160)

 

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/32760020/Requiem%20Pe-2%20Landing.zip

Thanks Req, can't open on my iPad, will try it on the PC when I get back from the grand kids football match.

[LukeFF]

Lctrl+C changes position, next T (aquire gun - aiming by yellow recticule while sight direction is yellow circle) after which you may Lshft+T for nestling to gunsight and zoom for both  those and to get the actual sight for the sideguns and the belly gun.

Periscope sight of that last one is still a riddle to me ... or is it the bomb sight???

 

• To cycle through the crew positions on a multi-crew plane, press the Left Ctrl + C key combination (Toggle combat post). Note that unless you have enabled autopilot, you will still be in control of the aircraft when you move to a gunner position. To level out the aircraft in such a case, press the Left Shift + A key combination (Level Autopilot).

• To take control of a turret-mounted gun, press the T key (Turret: take/leave control). This allows you to move the gun laterally & vertically with your mouse and to fire the gun with either the keyboard’s spacebar or the left-hand button on your mouse (Turret MG fire).

• To aim a turret-mounted machine gun with the gun sights, press the Left Shift + T key combination (Turret: nestle to the gunsight). Note: this command does not enable you to take control of the gun. You will still need to perform the Turret: take/leave control command to take control of the gun.

• To clear a jam/misfire on a turret-mounted machine gun, press either the R key or the middle button on your mouse (Turret MG recharge).

• To move a machine gun from one mounting to another, press the Left Shift + C key combination (Switch firing point).

 

(From the ROF manual, but it's the exact same procedure).

Edited April 12, 2014 by LukeFF

[Sokol1]

One engine "boing boing" landing. 

 

 

Sokol1

 

 

[andyw248]

... cutting power just before threshold ...  but it still is bumpy and once slowed trying to taxi is a 4-time waltz .....

 

Some planes are just not meant to be landed by "cutting power"... it might be worth trying to maintain some power, flying the plane close to the ground, and then gradually reducing power while bringing the tail wheel down before the main wheels touch ground. All of this with the flaps set to 1/3 to 1/2.

 

I've never tried to lower flaps while flaring. I like to have everything stabilized on final approach so that I can focus on the two things that matter during the flare: gradually pulling back the stick while at the same time gradually reducing power.

[56RAF_phoenix56]

The trick for me seems the opposite to cutting power - I get on fine if I make sure the speed is high enough before flare that the elevators have authority - then reduce power.

 

56RAF_phoenix

> Flap position indicator is the instrument on the right side of the gun sight. Flaps go up to 45°.

 

Can anyone point out the instrument? The dial on the right of my gunsight does nothing.

 

56RAF_phoenix

Edited April 13, 2014 by 56RAF56RAF_phoenix

[AndyJWest]

The flap position indicator varies, depending on which version of the Pe-2 you are flying. In the early version (with the open upper gun position) it is on the console to the lower left of the pilot - not very obvious. If you select the later Pe-2 with the turret, the indicator is moved to the front - to the right of what I think is the radio direction finder.

 

 

Early version.

 

Late version.

Edited April 13, 2014 by AndyJWest

[peregrine7]

Landed it first try, very interesting plane to fly!

Some advice:

 

1. The sink rate gets you by surprise, keep at least 10% power on when landing until the moment the wheel are about to touch. Use a shallower than usual approach and keep track of your sink rate.
2. The plane can bounce surprisingly high off the main wheels, but the rear sticks easily. If you experience a small bounce off two wheels then drop power, nose up and get the back wheel down.
3. If having trouble with your current landing approach, try the 3 wheeled landing or the 2 wheeled, whichever you aren't currently attempting. 2 Wheeled you fly it on to the runway very gently, it's far easier to bounce on a 2 wheeled landing. 3 Wheeled you stall it on to the ground.
4. If you bounce any more than a meter or two POWER ON AND ABORT, the stall and sink can easily catch you by surprise.
5. Vary your flap setting, for 2 wheeled I land best on 50% flaps, for 3 wheeled try a little less. Only use full flaps once you're confident and only if you need a really short stopping distance.

[Alex_Serbanescu]

Yeah half flaps does the trick Pete. I didn't like doing full flap approaches during beta testing.

We're eagerly waiting your aicraft familiarisation tutorial for the Pe-2 

[Cybermat47]

Not flying myself due to vacation, but you remember never to use full flaps right?

 

Does that apply to all planes, or just the Pe-2?

[Alex_Serbanescu]

Check out the Live Stream Record for the Pe-2 - 

- I remeber that they mention at around min 12:00 that you should use max 50% flaps for final.

[6S.Manu]

No problems here in both takeoffs and landings, but I have to go really slow during taxi since it's really prone to ground looping.

 

The plane wobbles a lot on the ground.

[Zak]

Check out the Live Stream Record for the Pe-2 - 

- I remeber that they mention at around min 12:00 that you should use max 50% flaps for final.

Loft said 15 (well at least he ment that). The official recommendations from the archives stated - never more than 30.

[SvAF/F19_Klunk]

As soon as I got the update, I took the Pe2 for a spin and spent half an hour or so taking off and landning with different weather settings (I absolutely LOVE difficult weather settings. Even though it is difficult to land, it wasn't really that bad. I only nosed over once. Keep it steady, keep the vertical speed low and flaps at 20 degrees you'll be fine.

Once elevator trim is implemented I would think it will be easier.

 

I really appreciate challenges like this, it makes flying even more interesting. After a successful sortie you still have challenges... that's why I am longing for carrier operations

[Quax]

Engine Out Glide Approach:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzkY2ilGuTM&feature=youtu.be

 

 

Only difference to the idle power landing is, there is no option to go around  

Edited April 14, 2014 by Quax

[Requiem]

Engine Out Glide Approach:

 

Only difference to the idle power landing is, there is no option to go around  

Nice stuff Quax, love your work

[AndyJWest]

One of my better efforts:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W80TEOJoANU&feature=youtu.be

 

Apparently I perform better in the dark. 

[ShamrockOneFive]

Nice job Andy

 

I finally got the hang of landing the Pe-2. I can't tell you exactly what I'm doing... it just takes some feeling around and getting a sense of how it flies. Had some great time doing some dive bombing although the dive flaps don't seem to slow the plane as much as I was expecting them to.

[AndyJWest]

I've just been experimenting with landing with the airbrakes extended. I have a suspicion it helps, because it allows me to keep more power on, and seems to make the plane a little more stable on approach - maybe more slipstream over the tail? Anyway, I'd be interested to see what other people think, after trying it. Does it help, or am I imagining things?

[pilotpierre]

I recall reading somewhere that the dive brakes could be extended if you had to land with bombs still on board. I truly doubt it was used as a matter of course.

I tried it once when I was going too fast on a straight in approach. It slowed me down but didn't make the landing any prettier.

[Rakow]

I did ok at speed indicator at 200, 3/4 flaps. if one engine is at lower rpms i use full flaps , about one small bounce.

I do plan to try some of the other flap settings on the pe-2 some of the other pilots been haveing luck with. haveing a great time. but my all time fav is the IL2.

[Bando]

Been exercising take offs and landing for about three days straight now.

I can land this plane in any configuration now without breaking it. Some bumps still, but the plane does not loose parts anymore.

I am pretty pleased with this.

 

Oh, I forgot to say:

I LOVE this plane.

For me this is the greatest joy to fly and handle in any sim thus far.

I am really looking forward to the 111.

[ShamrockOneFive]

Been exercising take offs and landing for about three days straight now.

I can land this plane in any configuration now without breaking it. Some bumps still, but the plane does not loose parts anymore.

I am pretty pleased with this.

 

Oh, I forgot to say:

I LOVE this plane.

For me this is the greatest joy to fly and handle in any sim thus far.

I am really looking forward to the 111.

 

Feeling the Pe-2 love as well. I was excited to fly it and enjoy it back when we got it for IL-2 1946 and my feelings have been replicated here in Battle of Stalingrad. It's a versatile machine, flies well, goes fast, has some defense, some great bomb dropping options, I think it was a fantastic choice by the devs to make sure we got this on the first go.