Hi Guys - I had to reinstall XP, and iv reloaded FSX and the PMDG 747 fine (from CD).Problem i have now, is that the default panel state seems to be wrong - the plane is not powered up be default. A popup in FSX shows telling me the engines are off and to hit CTRL+E to start.How can i set the default panel state to load the plane fully powered up ready to go?Thanks!

Are the engines actually quiet or is the pop up message correct. Most turn the tool tips off because they do not reflect what is actually happening in the complex simulators, especially the fuel low warning.If the pop up message is correct, I would consider the stopped engines on default startup a very odd problem. You can save a situation with engines and everything powered, flaps ready for takeoff, etc., and select the load flight option. But, I don't know why the default startup would be cold and dark. Really strange. Have you tried the save/load panel states option?

Thing is, once i load the flight, its on for a brief second. The it pops off.Then, once iv started the plane, its fine.

Should also add if i power up the plane and save the panel state, if i exit FSX and reload, it still doesnt work.Although i love PMDG products when they work, they are buggy as hell!!! ;-)

Adrian, you're describing a problem that has not been reported as a problem since the 747X was brought out. It is possible that this is due to "buggy" software but just maybe you are missing something. Keep an open mind while we try to figure out why the engines are not running when you load the simulation.I recommend turning off the tool tips... they are good for beginners but you are past that.Let's ignore panels states for now... focus on loading the airplane from scratch. When you select a free flight by choosing the PMDG 747 and a location, time and weather... does it load with the engines running?

Adrian, you're describing a problem that has not been reported as a problem since the 747X was brought out. It is possible that this is due to "buggy" software but just maybe you are missing something. Keep an open mind while we try to figure out why the engines are not running when you load the simulation.I recommend turning off the tool tips... they are good for beginners but you are past that.Let's ignore panels states for now... focus on loading the airplane from scratch. When you select a free flight by choosing the PMDG 747 and a location, time and weather... does it load with the engines running?

Thanks for your reply - Ok, ill talk you through what happens from the beginning:1. I load FSX, the choose the PMDG 747, then set my location, time, season, etc.2. Start the flight, i can hear the engines running.3. After 5 - 10 seconds, the plane goes dead, no power, nothing.4. The Start Engines (FSX tool tip) pops up.5. I then need to manually start the engines, then all runs ok.Once iv got the plane running, i saved the state. But when i reload the state, nothing happens.

Great description. Thanks.This is a new problem for me, so bear with me and maybe someone will come along in the forum that has run into this before and know exactly what it is... you can send an email to pmdg support with the good description you provided.Normally, the default startup you describe does have engines running. When you say plane goes "dead, no power, nothing" does that mean electrical loads are also shutdown?What position are the run switches (center console below throttles). They should be up in the run position. Have you assigned the run switches to buttons or keycommands?Hopefully, someone else will jump in here soon to help out.

Get this - If my selected plane is anything BUT the Cessna (default) before i load the PMDG, guess what? Issue resolved.Im guessing an issue with SimConnect, methinks...

Darn, I wish I had mentioned that... right, never make a complex simulator the default selection in either MSFS. My default is the trike ultralight in FSX. Glad you figured that out. Now if I could just remember this gem for the next time. Happy contrails Adrian.

Thanks for your help, Dan.We got there in the end!