I'm new to FSX and am primarily interested in finding add-ons / simulations that closely replicate the authentic FMS for commercial aircraft. I've seen the PMDG 747-400, which looks very good, but would really love to get my hands on a full FMS simulation for the 777 FMS. I'm guessing anything for the 787 isn't available yet. In terms of features - LNAV, VNAV, full Performance calculations, etc. Is this available at all?Appreciate any suggestions or references anyone can provide.

Might want to take a look at this:http://www.isgsim.com/Can be used for many other aircraft in FSX.Regards,Ed

I think the LDS 767 probably has one of the best FMCs if you are seeking systems realism, certainly one which better emulates the more modern features FMCs have, so you might want to take a look at that. It's not the only decent one there is, but since it simulates the Pegasus found in the real Boeing, and Seattle seems to be where your preference lies, it'd be worth a look.Unfortunately, there are going to be limitations with all FS FMCs as far as full on realism goes, since the vast majority of them do not really feature the ACARS and DFDAU interfaces. PMDG did at one point suggest they would expand those features on their 747, but I'm not sure if that is still in the pipeline, probably not unfortunately.You can get around that to some extent by adding the ACARS device from Aerosoft's wonderful Flight Keeper add-on to your aircraft, and you can sort of emulate the more useful features of DFDAU if you do that too, such as printing off the flight data from the Flight Keeper GUI, which is a bit like printing a data report from the DFDAU of the kind it transmits to the Flight Data Recorders. Of course all the other typical ACARS stuff is in there too, so it's well worth a look if you want more than what a typical FS FMC tends to do.Al

I'm not aware of any 777 or 787 FMS' out there. The ones in the Level D 767 and in the PMDG 747 are fairly complete, with the limitations that Al mention. They are also quite similar to each other - for something different try the PMDG MD-11 that has a Honeywell FMS.The MD-11 was developed specifically for FSX, by the way, and performs really well. The 767 and 747 are portovers from FS9 and they are a bit heavier on the frames - the 747 in particular does tax your system a bit.

I'm not aware of any 777 or 787 FMS' out there. The ones in the Level D 767 and in the PMDG 747 are fairly complete, with the limitations that Al mention. They are also quite similar to each other - for something different try the PMDG MD-11 that has a Honeywell FMS.The MD-11 was developed specifically for FSX, by the way, and performs really well. The 767 and 747 are portovers from FS9 and they are a bit heavier on the frames - the 747 in particular does tax your system a bit.

The levelD for FSX is native SP2 model, and I don't have any fps issues with it - I don't know about the 747

Wow, thanks for all the great replies, this is all very helpful information.I am primarily interested in Boeing FMCs right now. It sounds like the 767 Peg. box is a good start, and I'm also thinking I want the 747.As I mentioned, I was desperately hoping for a 777 simulation since it has a more modern FMS from a performance management point of view, but that doesn't sound possible. Glad to hear about the MD-11, so I will be looking in to that.In general with the simulations you mentioned, can I enter a flight plan with altitude and speed constraints and have the autopilot fly those, or have the FMS fly a descent path for me? As I said, I'm looking for the more advanced VNAV functionality.** Thanks so much for your help! No FSX experience since I was very young **

In general with the simulations you mentioned, can I enter a flight plan with altitude and speed constraints and have the autopilot fly those, or have the FMS fly a descent path for me? As I said, I'm looking for the more advanced VNAV functionality.

The Level-D 767 and the PMDG 747 and MD-11 will all do that very well for you. They will even land by themselves if you want them to - but why let the computer have all the fun :( Tom

Pretty much any FMC in an FS aeroplane will let you load a flight plan and automatically fly both vertical and lateral navigation via the autopilot, even the relatively simple FMCs in 'Lite' simulations (such as the CLS 747-200/300) can do that.There are some things you will have to operate (as with the real thing), even sophisticated FMCs need some input from you on the Mode Control Panel when doing fully automated flight. More often than not it is simply a case of 'giving the FMC permission to descend or ascend' by entering an altitude constraint in the MCP autopilot altitude window, since an FMC will typically not pass through the altitude you have set in the MCP altitude window. If you regard the MCP altitude window as a 'barrier in the sky' which you can use to indicate the altitude air traffic control has cleared you to, and only alter the setting in the MCP when you have clearance to climb or descend, then you should do okay.Al