About the Final Approach Phase in Flight Simulator.
Later on you'll be able to determine your distance from the airport very easily and reliably once you have enough experience, but for now you'll have to guess. From this altitude, however, you'll be just about five miles from the airport when the direction of the runway first becomes distinct on the computer screen. As you approach your destination runway, look ahead at the runway threshold—the point where the pavement of the runway begins. If you're headed directly for that touch-down point, then that point will remain at the exact same spot on the windshield. If the touch-down spot is slowly creeping up on the wind-shield, however, it means your present glide path will cause you to touch down short of the runway. To prevent this, add a little engine power to extend the glide. If the touch-down spot is moving down on the wind-shield, then your present glide path will cause you to over-shoot the runway threshold. To prevent overshooting, reduce the power to adjust your glide accordingly.
About Landing using Flight Simulator.
Keep an eye on the position of that touch-down point on the aircraft's windshield, and adjust the throttle as necessary to keep the spot steady. Make shallow, gentle turns now, to get the aircraft lined up with the runway. The sooner you get lined up the better, but be patient and keep the turns shallow. Your airspeed will be low, so aerodynamic stalls will be much more threatening to your flight, and the flight simulation controls will be somewhat mushy and difficult to handle. Glance at the altimeter from time to time, to determine how far you are above the ground. Increase power if you're coming down short of the runway—use full power if you need it—but power back a bit if you seem too high.
As the aircraft is just about to touch down, ease back on the power and raise the nose very slightly. This is called the flare, and it does take some practice to get the feel, but you'll have very little trouble with it if the virtual airline flight's approach itself is executed properly. Keep an eye on the altimeter—it will help you determine when the aircraft is just about to touch down. At Bridgeport, the aircraft will touch down when the altimeter reads 22 feet. This is the airport elevation; it's shown on aviation charts for flight simulation (and on some of the Flight Simulator charts) just below the airport name. On Flight Simulator charts, the airport elevation is generally given in the table listing the airports available in flight simulator. Be careful of over-controlling the aircraft. You have to be quick and decisive—but gentle—in handling the elevator flight simulation control at this point. Just nudge the flight simulation stick up or down as required to keep the nose slightly up and under control. Gentle up or down nudges are the key. Don't raise the nose too much, however, or your airspeed will fall off, you'll hear the stall-warning horn, and.… .When you touch down, cut the power; center the flight simulation controls; and raise the flaps. You may hear the stall-warning horn, but that's OK if you're no longer airborne. Slow down with the brakes, and turn off the runway at the earliest possible taxiway.
