First PMDG 744 Flight

James1979 · Post by **James1979** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 10:08 pm

"I just got done taking the PMDG 744 around the patch at PANC. The APU start, IRS Align/FMC programming, and engine start feel like cheating after flying the RFP. I landed manually, no surprises there. Maybe one day I'll try the autoland. Ralph, I got to hand it to ya buddy. You're RFP is darn nice, and makes me feel as if I just payed $55 to add an FMC to my 742. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]"

James1979 · Post by **James1979** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 10:55 pm

*YOUR even [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img] *PAID (good Lord what has happened to my spelling tonight?? hehe)

globecar · Post by **globecar** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 12:27 pm

"The differences are so vast that it is very hard to make a comparison. Over the last two days I have re-watched the ITVV Virgin Atlantic DVD's for both the 747 Classic and the 747-400. From engine start to shutdown the simplicity of the 747-400 is exactly what many simmers need and should be making use of. At 1,000 feet the crew had the 747-400 on auto pilot and using the profile that was preset. A simmer following these procedures could put his feet up within the first 10 minutes of flight and the ""Set it and Forget it"" mentality could take over. It boils down to deciding what you want to be."

_ags_ · Post by **_ags_** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 1:10 pm

Becoming a fire & forget is not for me.

James1979 · Post by **James1979** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 1:25 pm

"Well, I'm a pilot. But I started as an A&P Mechanic (Aircraft Engineer). My sympathy lies with the Flight Engineer [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img] I'll do my Globe flying in the -200"

globecar · Post by **globecar** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 1:41 pm

"You are so right James. The engineer on the Classic is a busy guy. He not only looks after the FE station but helps with the throttles, overhead and other duties when called upon."

wijnand · Post by **wijnand** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 5:06 pm

"<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(globecar @ Aug 4 2005, 06:41 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'>You are so right James. The engineer on the Classic is a busy guy. He not only looks after the FE station but helps with the throttles, overhead and other duties when called upon. [right][snapback]4588[/snapback][/right] </div> Lately I saw I nice cartoon in one of the forums, there were in fact two drawings to show the difference between DC9 and Airbus: the left one was a pilot (DC9) sitting in front of an impressive array of buttons, switches, gauges aso. The right one (Airbus) was a pilot sitting in front of ONE switch: labeled ""UP"" / ""DOWN"" I believe that computers are great servants, but they can never replace the expertise and experience of that person behind you. I was wondering: are there maybe real life pilots in the forum who have flown both the classic and the -400? Would be nice to here their opinion. Take care, Wijnand (EHBK) "

globecar · Post by **globecar** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 5:10 pm

"If I remember correctly, Bert Kuiper had mentioned once that he flew both aircraft when he was with NWA."

Murray_1167 · Post by **Murray_1167** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 8:11 pm

"<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(James1264 @ Aug 3 2005, 11:08 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'>I just got done taking the PMDG 744 around the patch at PANC. The APU start, IRS Align/FMC programming, and engine start feel like cheating after flying the RFP. I landed manually, no surprises there. Maybe one day I'll try the autoland. Ralph, I got to hand it to ya buddy. You're RFP is darn nice, and makes me feel as if I just payed $55 to add an FMC to my 742. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img] [right][snapback]4571[/snapback][/right] </div> I have no problems flying the new stuff. There is STILL alot to do. BUT what I don't like so far is 1) the price 2) the Frame Rates are terrible (right now) when using multiple panels on mutiple monitors. I lock my FS at 25 and I can open every sub panel of the RFP and all of my other addon planes. With the new 747, the frames drop to 6 from 25... and that is on the ground in a ""cold and dark"" situation. 3) I have flown 3 test flights and in all but one, I had problems with the AP (vnav would not take control) and the Flight Change button (it got stuck in the on position). They will probabaly get things fixed... but right now I am not very happy. As a matter of fact, I am very unhappy. All I can say is, thanks for the RFP Ralph!"

bb1134 · Post by **bb1134** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 11:28 pm

"Hey everyone. I've been putting the dash 400 through its paces for the last two days. Other than looking similar on the outside, you can't compare 200 to the 400. There's nothing much to draw a comparison on. As far as preference - I don't have one. I fly by mood. There's something very nice about sitting in front of the analog panel of the 200, setting up the IRS and flipping switches when I'm in the mood. Other days, I'd rather push buttons. What I can say is that all four aircraft are amazing. The Boeing 747-200, the RFP 747-200, the Boeing 747-400 and the PMDG 747-400. Nothing looks cooler than a 747 taking a corner with the pilot sitting way up there in the cockpit. I'm looking forward to doing some long haul flights in the -400 when the F model is released. Bob 1168"

James1979 · Post by **James1979** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 3:41 pm

"RTFM hehe Its all automated, but I'm having to learn where to look [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]"

Brogs · Post by **Brogs** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 6:36 am

"Hi I have a few Hundred hrs under my belt flying the PMDG in its various guises and have been toying with buying the 747/400, but I think James is correct,most of the flying in the PMDG although they are great Aircraft is done on Takeoff and the last 1000 ft on Final Approach, so all my Flying now is done in the RFP apart from some light relief in the Douglas DC3 and the Cessna or Piper,even on my other VA all I,m flying is Cargo which is a Testament to what a great Aircraft the Classic is ! Safe landings Mike"

cyoo eddie · Post by **cyoo eddie** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 8:57 pm

"reminds me of that old joke, with the new planes there is one pilot and one dog up front, the pilots job is to feed the dog, the dogs job is to bite the pilot if he touches anything.... [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img] ed mosier"

globecar · Post by **globecar** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 8:59 pm

I like that [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

Morn · Post by **Morn** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 9:50 am

"Computers are great an all, the 747-400 is certainly easier to manage, at least when doing the flight engineers tasks. On the other hand, the FMC is not such a simple thing to learn, and I'd feel more comfortable with the 747-200's cockpit, which I fully understand and am comfortable, and which doesn't have a FMC. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ninja.gif[/img]"