747-400X Maximum flight range

[Guest DJTaz]

hi!I am a bit confused about the PMDG 747-400X range.I loaded the 747-400X (GE) with Full fuel. Programmed a flight from ESSA to KJFK. That is about 3500nm.The maximum range for this 747-400 is 7260nm in real life. the ER version can go as long as 7670nm.The issue is that FMC tells me there is insufficiant fuel. The max fuel you can load with the manager is 354312Lbs of fuel.But in real life its 394.088lbs I can get that it differs but not that the range is cut in half?Is there an explanation to this? engines to thirsty? hehe or something else? I only loaded the plane with 2/3 of passangers...singel seats.Please enlight me here about this. No fun that I cant do long flights like the 747 is supposed to do :)Cheers!Henrik Sj

[FLEX1978 373]

Henrik, Firstly insufficiant fuel alert in the FMC has nothing to do with how much fuel you have onboard, it's about how much reserves you have told the aircraft you want in reserve when you land.You cant just fill her up and fly, so many factors like cost index, winds, crz level, Gross weight, route, etc etc etc..... proper planning is a must, also the ER version is not modelled.Rob

[Guest 413X3]

good luck going that far with full cargo or pax and full fuel. there is a reason freighters stop half way like in Almaty, and it isn't for the beautiful scenery

[Guest DJTaz]

Thank for the responses.its just that I am not that good and doing these kind of calculations.Dont go to flightschool hehe. I have learned all by my self with FS and PMDG747.I am proud I can config the plance for a flight route and full auto landing. :) Think thats pretty good for no education at all.But are there and good tools to use to calculate these things?

[downscc 1,327]

The insufficient fuel message can be cause by too much in reserve or more likely one of the fixes in the flight plan is in error and it might be on the other side of the world for example. View the flight plan with the ND display in PLN view and step through the LEGS page, verifying each segment. Also, make sure you don't have discontinuities. Hope this helps.