What a fantastic deal! I purchased it for $80 about a year ago and have never for a moment regretted spending a penny of the purchase price. This is a plane that exceeded my expectations. :( There is so much to learn so take your time and have fun with it. I was too excited to read the manuals at first, so I installed the Reality XP GNS 530 just so I could hand-fly it and know where I was. :( Here's a "Boeing 747-400 Standard Procedure's Guide" from smithplanet.com that I ran thru once. It was written for FS9 but worked ok for FSX (pushback must have bumped me into a terminal as from that point on my 747 trailed black smoke :( ). I think you'll find it worth checking out.A pic of me recently (2 days ago?) teasing one of my AVSIM RTWR Teammates... B)

Jackpot. This is exactly what I am looking for. Aren't forums and fellow simmers wonderful. Thanks a million Great Ozzie. I will start my own manual and read myself to sleep each night. I am a retired real world pilot with a lot of time on my hands. I have an upcoming vacation in Texas from Thanksgiving until early next year - depends on what day Texas plays in the BCS championship -and I plan to start flying this baby then. My laptop conked out so I'm actually going to take my desktop, monitor, yoke, etc with me.

follow the tutorial line by line. it helps you learn how to operate the aircraft in normal procedures. Then you start to pickup how to program the FMC and you are off!

and which tutorial are you referring to? Thanks for the advice.

Here is a series of 9 videos on youtube that I would recommend to help you learn to create a flight plan and program it into the FMC along with lots other valuable info. They are made for the FS9 PMDG 737 but most of it can used with your 747.

Thanks, I will start viewing right away.

towards the end of the pmdg manual is a tutorial flight that has step by step everything to do. Memorize that checklist, and research how to manually program the FMC, and you will never fly another heavy iron again! The 747 is truly queen of the skies.

towards the end of the pmdg manual is a tutorial flight that has step by step everything to do. Memorize that checklist, and research how to manually program the FMC, and you will never fly another heavy iron again! The 747 is truly queen of the skies.

Thanks for the advice 412X3. Looking forward to getting in the air.Thanks everyone - I am closing out this thread. I started a new one in the PMDG 747 400 section. I hate have almost duplicate threads open. I will be spending lots and lots of time catching up with you guys and girls. RayM

Couple of random 'rules of thumb' to help you with the -400X.As soon as you're in the VC, get the External Power connected and ON, this plane can't do much without plenty of electrical 'juice' !Next start APU - after turning to 'start' it takes around 2-3 minutes to turn on, so be patient.Now, on theupper left hand side of the Overhead, the APU Gen will say "Avail", so switch power over to the APU, so you're independent.Starting is easy - Turn Packs OFF (you may not even have to, may be automatic), turn all the engine switches on the Throttle Pedestal ON, as you're start up will be automated (ie...no need to introduce fuel switches at 17% N1, etc).Now pull the two left black round buttons in the top centre of the overhead out - these are the start switches for engines 1 & 2, and yes you can start 2 engines at once - the APU on the 744 is very powerful. All remaining engine start up is automated. Repeat with the other two engine start round black switches, for engines 3 & 4.One other tip - you cannot start the APU in flight in the 744 (which is realistic).Your next big areas of tasks for preperation for flight will be:- FMC set up, MCP and EFIS set up, config for take-off, then hit LNAV, VNAV (can be armed on the ground), and engage autopilot to CMD on take-off and sit back and enjoy the view!Enjoy!

new thread at http://forums1.avsim.net/index.php?showtopic=266318.RayM