NZFF

Over the weekend I thought I’d see if Flight Simulator could give an idea of what it might be like to fly a long range Search mission. That’s what it’s about after all: simulation. I also figured I would have about as much chance as anybody, finding debris from Flight MH 370.
The RNZAF being part of the effort, we set off to Bullsbrook, Western Australia in the KBT P-3 Orion.



No custom scenery for RAAF Base Pearce, but luckily FS9 has a few of the supporting cast available, to pad things out a bit.



Off we go, it’s a long flight just to get to the designated search area.



Armed with all the information available in our web-connected world, it’s relatively straight forward plotting the search box, 1600nm away.



Then, settle in under the cloud cover and “mow the lawnâ€￾.



The search is very fuel-limited: We took off with 47,000lbs on board. Outbound we consumed 18,354 lbs, and expect the same or less on return. With a half hour reserve of 1500 lbs, that leaves fuel for only 110 minutes in the search pattern.

Even this reduced window must be mind numbing; you must stay alert while faced with an unchanging vista. I gave up because I knew I wasn’t going to find anything; the crew don’t have that luxury, a moment’s distraction could mean you miss a vital glint somewhere in the grey.
After a couple of hours, the long haul back - empty handed.
Maybe tomorrow, or the day after, or the day after that…



I reckon my original question was answered well enough, and I feel I have more of an insight into the work these dedicated fellows do.
Quite relentless, really. I imagine a Rescue mission must make a huge difference to your job satisfaction though.

Charl .... that is the post of the year ... magic.
Beautiful screens .... and superb detailing , stunned

Great stuff Mr Charl shes a great machine !,....may I direct you to a new proper P-3K2 for your next mission ,....get him HERE. Enjoy.

AB

Thank you guys, I really do enjoy learning things through FS!

Now AB I have been watching your progress, and understood this to be a Dark Side aircraft!
Also MS does not recognise me anymore, not even for a looksie...

Hah Charl updated my thread...you need KBT's basepack installed first ,..panel and sound are aliased to that,..if you don't the model will not show up !. ( p-3c_orion_fsx_v32.zip )

AB

To complete the thought: the US Navy has deployed a couple of Poseidons to the search area. Would there be any advantage in using the faster jet?



POSKY made a pretty good P-8, although perhaps the Sidewinders would not be needed on this Search mission!



Outbound in 3 hours 50 minutes, the P-8 shaved almost an hour off the Orion’s time.
In so doing, it used almost twice the fuel. Starting out with 67,000lbs on board, and allowing for a half hour reserve, there would be just 115 minutes in the search pattern.



Having said that, the Poseidon has a sophisticated Synthetic Aperture Radar and other clever bits to aid the Mk I eyeball. It would cover a vast area in that time.
The crew would have a couple of extra hours rest over the Orion once home, too.



Based on the published range figures of 1200nm and 4 hours loiter, the POSKY model gave a pretty accurate account of itself.

No less a wearisome task than the Orion flight though, the crew needing to keep focussed against very little possible reward. Interesting to note that Peter Jackson’s Gulfstream has joined the party, apparently to act as a mini-AWACS!

Wonderful images. I especially like that long panorama shot of the P-3 below the main panel image, as well as those of the busy ramp area. Again, fantastic set.

Awesome work Charl .

Great stuff Charl !! .. as you say, lots to learn from simming huh, physics, geography, maths, art (screenies are art right ) ... and fun to boot

Heh... I fob all the unbelievers off with the "educational" blarney...

Geography was never a favourite of mine, but I sure got to know the (flightsim) world in the last decade.
And a secret: when I find myself in a new place in the sim, there will often be a browser open, and as we all know, you go hop-hop-hopping to broaden the experience.

So did you find MH370 or just turn up some sea junk?