Pilatus PC-12 performance

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   Just started flying the PC-12 aqain after a few weeks lay-off, but it doesn't seem to maintain airspeed as I remember it did.  At FL140, I cannot exceed 168 IAS with TRQ 38, OAT -12, 8076lb gross wt.  Manual override is off and I can get max TRQ of 44 with power lever & condition lever full forward.  Doesn't seem to be anything obvious, eg flaps and all cockpit instruments seem to read as expected. Poor performance is seen at all altitudes and also with calm winds.

I'm sure I was getting cruise speeds >210 IAS a few weeks ago at reasonably high altitudes and the performance graphs in the manual suggest this is the case.  I've tried a reinstall but to no avail; the aircraft flies well otherwise, just slow.  Any ideas would be appreciated.

ps condition lever doesn't seem to effect performance other than change in audio, should it? 

Gerard

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borgfan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Intermediate Group Joined: August-18-2010 Points: 42	Post Options Post Reply Quote borgfan Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Pilatus PC-12 performance Posted: October-20-2010 at 8:18am
	Just started flying the PC-12 aqain after a few weeks lay-off, but it doesn't seem to maintain airspeed as I remember it did. At FL140, I cannot exceed 168 IAS with TRQ 38, OAT -12, 8076lb gross wt. Manual override is off and I can get max TRQ of 44 with power lever & condition lever full forward. Doesn't seem to be anything obvious, eg flaps and all cockpit instruments seem to read as expected. Poor performance is seen at all altitudes and also with calm winds. I'm sure I was getting cruise speeds >210 IAS a few weeks ago at reasonably high altitudes and the performance graphs in the manual suggest this is the case. I've tried a reinstall but to no avail; the aircraft flies well otherwise, just slow. Any ideas would be appreciated. ps condition lever doesn't seem to effect performance other than change in audio, should it? Gerard

crashdriver Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New Member Joined: October-12-2010 Location: USA Points: 17	Post Options Post Reply Quote crashdriver Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: November-11-2010 at 9:58am
	The condition lever will only control the idle speed of the engine so that you don't go taxiing 800 mph across the ramp, though MSFS does a pretty poor job of simulating this, but that's another topic. One thing I would check was to make sure that you were looking at indicated airspeed instead of true airspeed. Your indicated airspeed will decrease with altitude due to the lack of air density. And though I haven't really looked at the performance charts for the 12 I know most other manufacturers list true airspeed, since that's what you use to calculate ground speed.
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