THE PRINCESS AND HALF THE KINGDOM?Frank

Hello Tim,Have you considered using the company who released the CD version of the 600/700 series(can't remember who, but I will check)?As an afterthought, and I know this is out of the question for you given your schedule, I think there would definitely be a market for a comprehensive handbook on this exceptional airplane, especially since the manuals(which are good) are in 'engineering' format. There are plenty of real airplane systems manuals out there, but user friendly operating manuals are in short supply. Of course, tutorials such as your own are of enormous help and, coupled with the extensive and friendly assistance available on this forum, have taught many people to fly the NG(I guess, but I think it's a reasonable guess?). Still, I would be happy to pay serious money for a book that explained, say, how different aircraft systems(electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, etc) work and integrate with each other, heavily annotated procedure and check lists that show why each action is carried out and why in that particular sequence, advice on how to carry out cockpit briefings and how pilots cooperate to manage cockpit workload, etc, etc. The list is extensive!The point I'm trying to make, long-windedly, is that, although an awful lot of information is available "out there" if one is patient and digs for it, it would be very nice to have a bible of sorts geared to flight simmers, many of whom are seriously interested in how everything works, but who will never get to sit in the real cockpit. Now I'm rambling again....:-)I look forward to v3 of your tutorials.BR,Frank

>>The point I'm trying to make, long-windedly, is that, although>an awful lot of information is available "out there" if one is>patient and digs for it, it would be very nice to have a bible>of sorts geared to flight simmers, many of whom are seriously>interested in how everything works, but who will never get to>sit in the real cockpit. Now I'm rambling again....:-)Well, I need to get the tutorial done first, but I've often thought about reviving the flight sim book format - sort of like what Charles Gulick did back in the early days. I'll make a promise - if I get to go to an NG type rating course, I'll try to synthesize it into a book like you describe. I could take a stab at it, but I know I'd get some info wrong without the benefit of the full ground school and sim training.Thanks for your comments.

>THE PRINCESS AND HALF THE KINGDOM?>>FrankI've got a seven-year-old, princess... but no kingdom I'm afraid!Tim... what about Flight1!?!

Hi Tim-I agree with you. In fact I read every one of Charlie's books as they were released and we have since become good friends. He is living in West Palm Beach and I keep trying to convince him to write some more books.Take care,Howard

Hi Tim,You're lucky! I don't even have a princess!BR,Frank

Hi Tim,Yes, it's a big undertaking, all right, and would consume even more valuable time. Maybe after the tutorials are published, it might be worth doing some market research here on these forums to see if there is sufficient interest in supporting such a venture?I am learning a great deal from your tutorials. It's taking a lot of flights to get everything right, but I always learn something more about how this plane operates. I am particularly grateful for your explanations of how the different modes of the autoflight system operate and interact(more please :-)).Many thanks,Frank

I would never been able to get the 600/700 up the air without the CTRL-E command if it wasn

Hey,Tim, call me simplistic of mind by why not talk to PMDG as a retailer of your tutorial?They already have the whole e-commerce set up etc. and your tute will be for their product so who better?CheersDavidP.s. I think 'Guide' sounds better than tutorial if it's going payware, just an opinion :)

>Hey,>>Tim, call me simplistic of mind by why not talk to PMDG as a>retailer of your tutorial?>>They already have the whole e-commerce set up etc. and your>tute will be for their product so who better?>>Cheers>>David>>P.s. I think 'Guide' sounds better than tutorial if it's going>payware, just an opinion :)I'm waiting to hear from the developer support folks at flight 1, as I like their model (bind the product to a wrapper that allows anyone to download, but requires payment to open) as it relieves me from dealing with "I paid but couldn't download" issues.And it will be a "guide" or something similar. One person suggested shooting some video of operations, and I'll have to see if I can create files that would give reasonably good resolution without taking up a TON of space.I'm working on the outline now, and since I'm gonna charge for it, I'm going to try and make it more structured, longer, and include a section on flying online with VATSIM. Since I'm a SimSouthwest captain the underlying flights will be based on Southwest routes, but of course we're the NEW Southwest and we love things like VNAV and autothrottles.One comment for people "waiting" to buy the 800/900 - don't! It's a tremendous enhancement, and over 95% of the techniques I've already shown work the same. RUN, don't walk to buy this baby.There's no difference FMC-wise between the 6/7 and the 8/9 variants, only a little more weight and longer takeoff rolls.

Didn't download when it was free - so I'm hardly likely to if I have to pay for it.Just happy to stumble along as I go.AB

Hi AB, a "stumbler" I was too until I read the original manual. It changed the way I fly (is how good that was!!!). I learned few nifty tricks (especially with the FMC and its basic use), but even a few extra things to look out for which are not immediately obvious to a "stumbler" like myself.All I have to say is "stumble" on if you like it that way - but if you wanna get somewhere beyond "stumbling" ...and I do mean take your time on this ...when you are ready ...then a good peek at the manual. It is is a cracker ... I know ... (being a previous "stumbler).:-)Ronnie... man ... that sounded like Tim should have a new sig logo called "Proud Tim PMDG Tutorial Supporter" :-lol http://ronnie.vandelaak.com/baw644.gif