Hi all, I want to ask the PMDG team if the Boeing 747 will have 3 fmc's just like the real thing, 2 for pilot and co-pilot and one in the rear of the cockpit. Also will the fmc control the taxi directions along taxiways and to gates etc as in real 747 to if there is CatIII at airport.RegardsDavid Bowen

the 3th FMC is mostly used for ACARS.

Here's a diagram showing its exact location. It would be good if it was modelled.http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/84368.jpgCheers,

Hi!>" Also will the fmc control the taxi directions along taxiways and to >gates etc as in real 747 to if there is CatIII at airport."Where do you have this info from?? Never seen any data in the FMC concerning taxi-directions or gates (only the optional gate-entry on POS-page)... The only thing I could imagine you think of is the PVD (para visual display), which assists in staying on the rwy-centerline during low-visb. conditions.Best regards and tell me, what you thought of (maybe even a pic?),Stefan

Where do you have this info from?? Never seen any data in the FMC concerning taxi-directions or gates Hi, Which fmc are you talking about I wonder, the Boeing 747 is capable of finding its own way to a gate if youlet it. The information I have about the 747 has come from reading documents and pulbications about its capabilities because I am a great fan of the 747.David

> Which fmc are you talking about I wonder, the Boeing 747 is>capable of finding its own way to a gate if youlet it.Well, I know PS1.3's FMC (which is nearly a 1:1 replica of the real one)... I'ma also a fan of the B747 and new helpful technologies (like the new EVS and other avionics-stuff for Business-Jets) but I never found documents about that! Do you have a link? How should the autopilot do that (by the way, it's not possible to engage the B747's AP on ground, except when doing a CAT3-landing where the AP controlls the rollout and flare - but that's all)? Stefan

I think you'll find that this sort of stuff is still in its experimental phase, David (I work on 747-400's from all parts of the world on a daily basis, and I can't say I've seen any 744's fitted with taxi guidance).Re the 3 FMC's.... There are only two FMC's on the 747-400. What you refer to is the CDU... or MCDU (Multifunction Control Display Unit)... one on the pedestal and two on the forward control stand.On most 747-400's, you can't access the FMC from the Centre CDU on the pedestal, but I believe it is an option. The Centre CDU is mostly for ACARS, SATCOM, Central Maintenance Computer, and ACMS. There is another function for the Centre CDU, but which is rarely used: The 747-400 has three ILS receivers.... and the FMC (computer) normally tunes these receivers. The Center CDU can be used to tune the third ILS receiver if both FMC (computers) fail (This is the only time the NAV RAD button on the Center CDU will operate).You can also access SATCOM, ACARS and the CMC on the two CDU's on the forward control stand on most 744's. If the Center CDU is not modelled in PMDG's 744, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Almost all interesting CDU functions are accessible through the forward CDU's.Hope this helps.Cheers.Ian.

Hi Ian, Thanks for clearing that up and setting me straight.hehe.RegardsDavid