Small twin to a jet question.

[BoDEAN]

Quick question. Currently training in an EMB 145 sim. I've had 6 sim sessions, and I am having a tendency to constantly put in aileron inputs while flying. I also have a happy of occasionaly getting in a right roll, left roll, right roll, tendency.

I am coming from being a flight instructor, use to flying light twins. Any input on why this is happening, and how to fix it? My sim instructor told me I am too tense, and I need to relax. Maybe it is by focusing too much on the flight director. My sim instructor told me a lot of people from GA world have this issue.

Any input would be appreciated

 

[urflyingme?!]

In the Baron(s) I flew there was a little bit of a 'dead' zone where leaving the yoke at a 1-2 degree deflection would not impact the controls, and act as if they were perfectly centered. Maybe you flew an aircraft like that?

One rule that helped me a lot is "The less you fly it the better" meaning the fewer control inputs you put in the better you will do...

PS.
I could be absolutely wrong!

 

[BoDEAN]

Noted. Flew Seneca's and Seminoles mainly. Maybe it's nerves.

 

[Lear Wanna Be]

System management is all that is required. Learn how to use the AP.

 

[Flyerjosh]

I agree with LWB... in the sim, learn to use the autopilot. That's what it's there for... to make life easier.

Also keep in mind that you are flying a large hydraulically operated plane. It might take a half-second or so for the airplane to respond to your control inputs. Be slow and smooth when inputting your controls. Particularly in the simulator, which can be ultra sensitive. Remember it's a heavy airplane that flies twice as fast (or much more) as what you are used to, especially in the terminal environment.

 

[FL420]

I remember my first flight in a jet. I did exactly the same thing but had a stick rather than a yoke. Jets, especially those with fully powered controls, are much more sensitive than a straight wing prop.

My instructor told me to hold the stick lower(less mechanical advantage) and to hold it lightly with my fingertips. Oscillations were a thing of the past after a few minutes.

 

[Flyerjosh]

If this is your first training event at an airline, I suggest reading this article... it contains some very valuable advice from a well seasoned friend of mine...

http://aviation.crosswindlanding.com/professionalpilot/playingthegame.htm

 

[DrewBlows]

The first thing I thought when I read your post was that you have a heavy hand. You'll see it with students as a consistant but small left roll (when flying from the left seat, right roll from the right seat) when they are distracted. When they correct they bring the wings level, but any deviation is to the left, so it's a constant and annoying left roll, right roll to level, left roll, right roll to level, ect. From the right seat it would be right roll, left roll to level, ect. This usually happens when a student is holding on too tight, from nervousness or more likely because they are out of trim. If this sounds like what you are doing the solution is to conscioiusly relax, which can be more difficult than it sounds, but make sure that every few minutes you take a deep breath and take your hands off the yoke, and make sure you are trimmed.

The next thing that I thought might be happening is that you are a slightly behind the flight director. If you are not seated perfectly in the flight director it will constantly give you a correction in the opposite direction, hence a slight roll back and forth. Look past the flight director and make sure that when you are on your heading the wings are level, regardless of the flight director. You still have to think with a flight director, after all. And as Lear said, use the autopilot unless your instructor wants you to hand fly.

 

[BoDEAN]

Great replies! Ill give the tips provided here a try today.

 

[Cardinal]

occasionally getting in a right roll, left roll, right roll, tendency.

Don't worry, the EMB autopilot does this all day long anyway - nobody will notice