VC10 C1K Flying Tips
Panel Manual | Checklists | Flying Tips
General Tips | Auto Coupled Approach
Takeoff
The tail trim setting is important for takeoff. The model normally needs around 3.5 degrees of nose up trim or it will not rotate at the correct Vr speed. The Tail Trim gauge can be used to accurately set the nose up trim. Click it to alter the trim setting. Click the 'Speed Reference Chart' on the right of the centre panel to get the correct speeds for the aircraft's current weight. If you click the 'Speed Reference Chart', the four bugs on the air speed indicator will mark Rotate Speed for takeoff (VR), Safe flying speed (V2), Climb out speed and Flaps Up Safety Speed. The normal RPM setting is 96%, or 93% if the aircraft is light enough. This is also shown on the 'Speed Reference Chart' along with the aircraft's weight in tonnes. Flaps should always be set at 20 degrees. The 'checklist' toggle button gives the essential settings needed for a takeoff. Each setting is shown with a tick or a cross, making it easy to quickly check if your configuration is correct.
Climb
Normal climb speed is 290 to 300 kt, with the power setting not exceeding 93% RPM. The model normally needs a small amount of nose up trim for a steady 290 kts. When you get to the climb speed, select IAS hold on the auto pilot. IAS Hold will alter your climb rate to keep you at the climb speed. Small changes to the thrust setting will gently alter your climb rate in IAS hold mode. At higher altitudes, you can switch to MACH hold rather than IAS hold. MACH hold can be slightly erratic compared to IAS hold. When you reach cruise altitude, if you need to keep an exact altitude, select ALT hold & adjust your thrust to keep a steady cruise speed.
Cruise
Normal cruise altitudes range from 32,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Normal cruise speed is Mach 0.84. Use Mach 0.82 for economy cruise & Mach 0.86 for high speed cruise. With climb configuration set, the aircraft has a natural maximum altitude depending on its speed & weight. It is usual to rise to higher cruise altitudes as fuel is burnt off. If the tail trim is registering more than 0.5 deg nose up, you may be cruising too high or too slow. If the tail trim is going nose down, you are probably cruising too low or too fast.
Landing
The flaps cause a nose down attitude. Compensate with nose up trim. It is normal for the model to need around 6 degrees of nose up trim with full flaps selected. When flying at the correct speed and exactly on the glideslope, the VC10 should be pretty much level, showing zero degrees of pitch on the Attitude Indicator. Click the 'Speed Reference Chart' on the right of the centre panel to get the correct landing speed (Vat) for the aircraft's current weight. If you click the 'Speed Reference Chart', the four bugs on the air speed indicator will mark Flaps Up Safety Speed, Minimum Speed with 35 degrees flap (VAT+20), Minimum Speed with 45 degrees flap (VAT+10) and Landing Speed (VAT - speed at runway threshold). Be aware of the maximum landing weights & their speeds. While the aircraft can land safely at full weight, over weight landings are only done in an emergency as they can cause damage to the aircraft's structure. Normal landing weights will give Vat speeds of between 132 & 123 kts for a Standard VC10, 137 & 123 kts for a Super VC10. Select full flaps on the approach at around 1500 ft above the ground. The VC10 doesn't have auto spoilers. Raise spoilers manually after touchdown. If you are using auto throttle during landing, it is advisable to close your joystick/yoke throttle in FS. If you do not do this, the throttle setting from your joystick/yoke can unexpectedly register after auto throttle is turned off. To autoland using an ILS, select the 'FLARE' option on the autopilot instead of 'GS AUTO' (Approach mode). The ILS must have an active glideslope beam for autoland to work. The autoland heading is not always accurate in FS if there is a significant crosswind.
Range, Payload & Fuel
With a maximum payload, the amount of fuel must be limited to keep below the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) The model is set up for maximum range, with a full fuel load & a light payload. If you would like to carry more payload, you will need to reduce the fuel to make MTOW. Maximum payload is 40,420 lb for the Standard & 58,120 lb for the Super. The range figures can look confusing for the Standard & Super VC10. On paper, at maximum payload, the Standard VC10 has a longer range than a Super. However in service, the Super VC10 was far less likely to hit its maximum payload figure, leaving room for higher fuel loads & greater range. The Standard could often reach maximum payload & had to restrict its fuel load to make MTOW. With maximum seating configurations, the Super's maximum payload worked out at around 335 lb per passenger, while the Standard's was around 270 lb per passenger.

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