Why can't the B737-800 make it from San Diego to NY city on Flight Simulator X?
The distance between the two cities is like 2300 miles but the aircraft should have a range of 3150 miles. I usually end up needing to refuel in Nebraska or Colorado. What can I do to increase my range? What should my speed and altitude be?
Aircraft - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Fly high as possible for less wind resistance. Set flaps to zero except for t/o and land. Make sure gear is up.
2 :
You have your aircraft improperly configured for the trip. For maximum range, you need to fly at high altitudes in clean configuration (no flaps, gear, or slats extended). For this particular route, try 35,000 feet or so, with a true airspeed of about 440 knots (260 knots indicated or Mach 0.76). You should see the autopilot maintaining your pitch attitude at about 2-3 degrees nose-up in cruise, which is the most fuel-efficient configuration for the aircraft. The real 737 has a flight management system that calculates the optimal configuration for range, but the default 737 in FSX is not equipped with a FMS. If you want a FMS like the real thing, consider getting PMDG's add-on 737 for FSX, which is about 100 times more realistic than the default 737 and includes a FMS that works like the real airplane. If you're running low on fuel just half-way to New York, you must be quite far from the optimal configuration for the trip. A 737 can easily get from SAN to JFK non-stop, even fully loaded. The most common routes are about 2198 nm, and the range for a 737-800 is about 3115 nm.
3 :
I have never use flight simulator, but I know aircraft. The range of an aircraft differs hugely from one route to another. The reason for this is mainly because not all airports are on the same altitude. Aircraft burn more fuel on take-offs at high altitude airports than ones at lower altitudes. Climatic conditions will also affect the economy of the aircraft just as the amount of payload. The range given for a particular aircraft by a manufacturer is therefor only a guideline.
