Question on longer flights.

[Mr_G]

I've built up a mission for a D3A2 that should take a little over three hours flying time. Unfortunately, I seen to run out of fuel at the 2:45 mark. I'm flying at 250 KPH (155MPH), so I'm a little under cruising speed. With this aircraft, I should have a flight range of between 850-950 miles. Am I doing something wrong, or do I have to use manual engine management?
Thanks.

[100th_Alien]

I would use the complex engine management, BTW, which a/c was it?

[MaXMhZ]

Like 100th said, select complex engine management. Fly the aircraft high and reduce mixture(less fuel, more air), also select the right supercharger stage if the aircraft has manual control over it. This will increase range and flying time considerably Try to keep the engine running smoothly by altering prop pitch will increase it some more. Taking these simple steps should get you there. It's much like driving a car with targeted fuel economy. Don't race if you want the best milage

Don't forget to trim the aircraft too - you got the time for that

In the beginning of the Pacific war Lightning pilots had great difficulty with long distance targets, often returning flying on fumes, or not making it back. It took a great man like Howard Hughes to learn them about fuel economy flying. On one of his missions Howard even downed a Japanese fighter (him being the only civilian with an enemy kill during the war

[Mr_G]

Thanks. I tried it again, last night on auto, and managed to make it back on fumes. Non of the other 19 AI Vals made it back. They all ran out of gas with 5 minutes to go.