Oh I guess I had a manual to go by Bill? (in fact I own many real world manuals and CBTS and ONLY use these). You are right to an extent but this in no way justifies a person claiming that "it does not work" when his post rest upon (so you assume) the "I have no manual"? If you do not know how it is suppose to work, then you cannot say that it does not work. You know how many times when I was involved in the PIC 767 forum I saw RTFM in posts? It's no excuse but most people have a hard time reading manuals or instructions. If you desire such a complex add-on be perpared to learn on how to operate it correctly. There is enough information about to get you going. I have no idea why there is no manual right now although I can assume it's because there are more features being added etc but that's only my guess. But back to the point, this was NOT his claim. One can download the PIC FMC manual to get ***BASIC*** FMC operation knowledge . Many people who are serious about airline flight purchase books such as Capt Bill Bulfer's 737 NG or Big Boeing books. There are also Simulator Check Ride books that are very good. A *manual* itself will not cover all you need to know, this will come from a varity of sources including active participation in the PMDG forum. [h4]Best Wishes,Randy J. Smithhttp://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/196432/winglets_lg.jpg [h3] AMD XP 2200 |MUNCHKIN 512 DDR RAM |ECS[/b ][i] K7S5A MB[/i] |GF2 MX 32 MEG and still runs GOOD!|WIN XP PRO |MITSUBISHI DIAMOND PLUS 91 19"[/h3]

Ray for one when I convert an FS2k4 route to an .rte file, I can't get the FMC to display the whole route fully. What I mean is when I activate the flight plan in the FMC I get this path on the Inboard Display going no where. I tried taking off to see if it at least pointed in the right direction only to find that my flight was directed by ATC to go one direction and the Inboard Display based on the FMC data was showing a whole other direction for my flight. Almost opposite of my intended destination. This was the case for any converted FS2k4 flight. Maybe I'm just used to how the PSS's MCDU converted FS2k2 routes, very painless...Now like I said earlier maybe it's just my lack of knowledge of how to get the FMC to work but after reading through various post made on PMDG's forums I came to the conclusion that the FMC was still needing a little work before it'll be fully usable. PMDG has already acknowledged and patched issues with the FMC with the release of their last update. Here are some of the comments that lead me to believe the FMC still had some issues:Hi,I just downloaded the latest NAV DATABASE and discovered that the FMC does not recognize any airport/VOR/ADF/SID STAR.The installation is under FS2004 and WinXP. On another HD, there is still the 737 under FS2002 and there I don't have any problem.By the way, (as out of a 737NG ground engineer's point of view) this add on is incredible realistic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Does anyone have a fix for this snag?EricPMDG:Gentleman, This has been an ongoing discussion and a problem I too encountered. For simplicity, click on the link which should resolve the issue

Randy it's not that serious, read my post above... I have one question though. Why are you on a team that has put soo much effort into a Virtual Flight Deck and Cabin when you know you hate the things??? You get very negative if anyone raises any issue with them which leads to some poor customer service.It's almost like me being on the Intel team that developed HT Technology knowing I hated the concept. What's the need in making one processor look like two and then lying to people making them feel they have a dual processor PC.I actually don't mind HT Technology but that's the best example I could think of. If you don't totally believe in something why be a part of it???

Well no one said the NG was perfect, itmes have and are being addressed but the FMC is my area of knowledge and I know what is working and what needs to be implemented. Maybe we got a little off tract here. I really did not like the picture you painted in your original post, you bringing up people's concerns is a better way and a bit more honest, as you can see I am all for working out real issues since the whole purpose of this 737 is to provide users with a realistic and trouble free Ng simulation. I think you can understand that you not only have to deal with the sim itself but with every user's computer-what they are running windows wise, other add-ons running at the same time, different graphic cards, FSUIPC, Navdata installed wrong etc. Sometimes problems lie with the sim or with the user, only detailed information can show which is the case. Ah the virtual cockpit. If it was up to me I would never make one but I am not PMDG. This is my personal choice but as you know not a wise choice when producing a FS9 aircraft. VC are getting better but without a very fast computer system most users will have poor preforamce with ANY complex airliner VC. I cannot fly the way I do in 2D in a VC for a airliner, others can but I feel more at home in 2D. 2D will always run smoother than your typical VCs. It boils down to personal choice and the high end system but 2D still looks cleaner IMO. [h4]Best Wishes,Randy J. Smithhttp://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/196432/winglets_lg.jpg [h3] AMD XP 2200 |MUNCHKIN 512 DDR RAM |ECS[/b ][i] K7S5A MB[/i] |GF2 MX 32 MEG and still runs GOOD!|WIN XP PRO |MITSUBISHI DIAMOND PLUS 91 19"[/h3]

VC all the way ;-)

Hi Dillon :-) (that's better)<,when I convert an FS2k4 route to an .rte file, I can't get the FMC to display the whole route fully.>>My first question would be what program are you using to do the conversion? Is it 100% compatible with PMDG's FMC. Also, there is a known problem with displaying the route line on the ND but this should be fixed with the second patch due soon. I've seen this anomaly myself.OTOH, it could be that the conversion process has included a duplicate waypoint that is thousands of miles away from the intended waypoint. This is common on conversion programs and it did occur quite often with the freeware version of FSBuild. Instead why don't you manually enter the route in the FMC? I quite enjoy doing this - building up a route from the jet routes in FSNav.It may be that you aren't fully up to speed with the FMC but if that's the case why don't you download Timothy Metzinger's excellent manual on how the whole PMDG737 works. You can find the file on the AvSim library - just search on Metzinger. You must use AIRAC cycle 0308 though, there are known problems with 0309.<>Now that you have explained why I don't have a problem with that. The issue of SIDs and STARs may just be down to specific ones being incorrect. I've successfully used ones for EGCC and EGKK so it's not a widespread problem. I'm sure there will be more functionality with the second update.Personally I don't like the VCs. I find the gauges difficult to read preferring the clarity of 2D panels but each to his own. As for the poor frame rates with the VC these are also apparent with the 2D panel and are due to the complexity of the gauges. I'm afraid it's a price we have to pay for sophistication :-(Let me know how you get on with Timothy's tutorial. I certainly learned a few things I didn't know.Cheers,

There is only one airliner add on you need and it's the best one ever released. Wilco's B767 PIC Pilot in Commandhttp://www.pic767flyingclub.com/http://www.flightsim.com/cgi/kds?$=main/re...ic2/767pic2.htm

you mean the 747RFP http://www.panelshop.comNo problems with routes not showing up in the FMC or ND in an aircraft that uses neither :-lol

Well if it's not Ed, how ya doing Ed? Still leveling off at the wrong altitude I see ;)[h4]Best Wishes,Randy J. Smithhttp://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-8/196432/winglets_lg.jpg [h3] AMD XP 2200 |MUNCHKIN 512 DDR RAM |ECS[/b ][i] K7S5A MB[/i] |GF2 MX 32 MEG and still runs GOOD!|WIN XP PRO |MITSUBISHI DIAMOND PLUS 91 19"[/h3]

Randy,I sure the guys at PMDG are working hard to get everything right and it's just a matter of time, and they will.Add on aircraft have become so complex that it would take the average simmer weeks to acquire the knowledge to fly them correctly and learn to operate it's systems, especially an FMC.I am just waiting for the B767PIC version 2 to come out and hopefully it will have a B757 FMC programed to match up with Project Open Sky's new B757. It's one beautiful model?Try flying Richard Probst's B727 around on a flight and see how much work it is to fly a non-FMC aircraft! It really makes you appreciate a FMC! I do that ever now an then just for kicks! How about a trans-continental flight in one of Tom Gibson's DC-7B's or DC-6B's.Flight simming is a great hobby and to have so many differnet airplanes to fly is nothing short of amazing. Flight simulation sure has come a long way. Just think what it will be like 10 years from now! Best of luck to everyone at PMDG! ED

Ray thank you so much for any help you can give me. I haven't had the time to get back to you for help but I'm looking forward to it. As soon as I can get a minute at the computer it would be nice to hear any advice you can give me... Until then I'll be looking at Timothy's tutorial exclusively to learn as much as I can about FMC operation. You never know before long Microsoft might start adding an FMC as part of the default installation much like the current GPS.

Hi Dillon,Once you've gone through Timothy's tutorial I doubt you'll have any questions! :-) However, if you do feel free to post and if I can help I'll chip in. Probably best to post them over in the PMDG Forum though.Yes, a FMC is long overdue in the jets. These have remained unchanged for three generations now and it's about time we saw something better for our money even if it's in a "Professional" version.Cheers,

I think of buying the PMDC 737 and I belive I will have good use for a FMC tutorial, where can I find it?TIA,Richard

Richard,Search on Timothy Metzinger in AvSim's library.Cheers,

Thanks, I will.Richard