In the simulator we are currently using, the GPWS (Ground Proximity Warning System, pronounced Jeep-Whizz) doesn't have a forward-looking feature, so it only goes off when the radar altimeter starts to unwind at an alarming rate. In our actual airplane, our GPWS has a terrain database built-in and it can predict whether a mountain will be a problem a lot earlier than this system. Still, it's kinda fun to do this in the simulator, it shows us how little time we have to react in a case like this. A few seconds longer, and we would be a pancake on the side of a virtual hill.
This simulator is a Level C sim, with the full-motion and whatnot. Graphics are adequate, but my Xbox 360 totally pwns them. Too bad my 360 doesn't have a good flight sim program built around an actual airplane cockpit...
3 comments:
That's pretty scary. Especially in IMC/Night.
I noticed that you stopped pulling up (at 10,000' I think) and the GWPS started complaining again.
In a real life situation.. how would you know when to stop climbing? Especially if you cant see the mountain. Do you just keep your eye on the radalt until it starts increasing again?
I'll restrict my comments about Flight Safety to saying that a couple of staff there tried to ruin my career and did pretty good damage to it. On top of being the poorest quality of the major training centers.
Blake - In the lower 48 States of the USA, if you climb to 15,000 feet, you'll top every mountain peak. If the GPWS keeps barking, keep climbing.
Even if the Radar Altimeter starts showing lowering terrain, can you assume that there are no more hills? Nope. Keep climbing and call ATC.
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