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I have an interview and a flight test that will be done in the Caravan. I have never been in one nor have any turbine time. Any power settings speeds, and suggestions would be appreciated!!
Easy to fly.
Ice. Just act like it has no de-icing systems and make every effort to leave
the icing conditions IMMEDIATELY. 120KIAS is the magic number. If you can't
maintain that, it's time to find an airport or find warm air.
Enjoy it. It's a great plane.
CE
Hmm, I dont have any straight and level time in the Caravan, I flew skydivers in it. She's a great bird, very docile and responsive. All I know is power to flight idle at 13,500' and pitch 5 knots below Vmo and your main wheels will be on the ground in 2 minutes and 50 seconds. When you set the power for takeoff, add it slowly, and make sure you set it about 50 lbs or more below red line torque (1870 ft/lbs I THINK) because it will ram rise as your airspeed increases. You will need to keep advancing the power lever to mantain a certain torque setting in the climb, it decreases with altitude similar to manifold pressure. Also, she's pretty nose heavy in the flare, so dont take the power out early and be ready for a good bit of back pressure to get her nose up. Enjoy and good luck bro!
A very important thing to remember about the Van, in addition to the points brought up already in this thread, is the way the wing is constructed. Take a look at the diagram of the plane and you'll notice two things. One: the airlerons are pathetically small for a wing that big. Two: the flaps are enormous, darn near the size of a 172 wing. Keep these points in mind as you're flying the thing.
With those tiny ailerons, your roll responsiveness is going to be lousy at best. That means your ability to correct course and heading will be adversely affected and locking onto a localizer can be an exercise in hilarity and frustration if you're not careful. Best bet is to keep the corrections tight, and focus on locking onto a heading rather than chasing the localizer needle.
With the gigantic flaps, the airplane WILL react when you move them. Take out flaps, and the plane will literally fall out from under you. Extend flaps, and the thing will feel like it's leaping towards the moon. Anticipate these reactions when you move the flaps and be ready on the elevator. Depending on the speed, you're going to have to push/pull suprisingly hard on that control wheel to maintain an altitude or a glideslope.
Oh, one more thing. Keep that ball centered at all times. If you should happen to stall the sucker and it's not coordinated, you're going for a ride that you will NOT enjoy.
Is there a story behind that remark