Guys,After reading all the updates from the team on the level of detail that they are building into the internals of this amazing release, I was wondering if anyone out there had or was planning on doing a checklist of some sort that would exercise the various features, like the brake temps and hydraulic pressure models etc etc?  I'm thinking of the documentary that was on TV a while ago about the creation of the 777 and the various routines the test pilot went through to check the systems, like a rejected take off at full fuel/payload where the brakes ended up catching fire!  It'd be great to have a list of flows that would contain various tests and expected responses/required recovery actions so we can all "test" all the amazing details in this bad boy.I'm sure with all the detailed operating knowledge I read on here that there would be loads of fun tests that we could do with such an accurate model to really showcase the hard work the PMDG team are putting in to the bits "under the covers"?Cheers

Pretty neat idea

+1 for that idea. It would be pretty awesome for os none typerated 737 simmers

An aircraft manufacturer develops checklists as part of type certification. I see no reason for PMDG to reenvent the wheel. Nor does the B737 pilot need extra items on top of the current workload. You want to play? play!

An aircraft manufacturer develops checklists as part of type certification. I see no reason for PMDG to reenvent the wheel. Nor does the B737 pilot need extra items on top of the current workload. You want to play? play!

I totally agree wit you, but it could be fun to see how much detail that PMDG has put into the systems, by adding a checklist, so you could "test" the NGX.I don't think the checklist should be used for nomal operations, but just so we could act like testpilots, and actually see how much depth there are in the systems. Something that we maybe not would see, if we just flew the bird from A to B like a normal flight But then again, don't want to but any more work on PMDG shoulders, I think they have enough in just getting the bird released.

As a RW experimental test pilot I can assure you that brake temperature wasn't designed for test pilots, but for all pilots to use. This applies to the vast majority of cockpit controls and displays.

What you guys are referring to is a FCF (Functional Check Flight). They should be done upon initial acceptance of any aircraft (whether brand new, or used) between the person delivering and recieving the aircraft. I am unsure about civlian craft, but in the military we actually have specialized FCF checklists that we use to perform them. Our procedures to do this are pretty simple in theory, but sometimes take awhile to complete. Usually do a full A-profile FCF, do vibration checks, hydraulic system samples, verify serial numbers of all installed components, and verify all the logs/records. Thankfully in FSX you do not have to do all of the above steps, but you can do a basic FCF (which is what I do for all complex third party add-ons I buy). Essentially it involves doing static checks (easy, just follow the cold/dark cockpit prep), then you go into your normal flow. The difference with FCFing a bird is that you will check cross bleed starts, APU, check all your electrical buses, etc. Essentially check everything for proper ground operation, then you go into taxi tests, and then flight tests. I myself like to do a RTO to check for proper operation, but you may not want to as it takes the brakes awhile to cool back down within limits (in real life I think you would have to change the brake assy's, but do notknow for certain).. Then just go through and check everything in flight, and you are done! It is a lot of work, and in real life it would only be done by check certified pilots who are trained above and beyond even the PIC/Captain levels. Still a step below actual experimental test pilots because a FCF is not that extreme. Sometimes you can be FCF complete in one flight whereas a test program can take months to years of extreme testing. On a side note while we are talking about doing check flights. Can't wait to see this cycle/maintenance module thing they have talked about. On the A2A Accu-sim birds I like doing mini-check flights after replacing engines, and on the B-17 doing checks after replacing the components (checking oil consumption, etc). I actually enjoy doing all the extra stuff. At least you don't have to fill out all the paperwork (at least not yet!). Wish I could do all this in real life, but I can only do basic op checks on the ground. Ah well though. At least there is FSX to get my flying in.

If you really want to do a detailed check of a 737 (and not just the PMDG NG), I would recommend getting hold of Chris Brady's 'The 737 Technical Guide' (Chris Brady being the guy who runs http://www.b737.org.uk/). Frankly, it's really a must-have book if you are involved in the 737, being useful for simmers as well as pilots of the real thing.In his book, Chris devotes an entire chapter (p267-p283) to explaining how to properly conduct an airtest on a Boeing 737 (and that's for all variants, not just the NG). Since I am not a test pilot, I found that part of his book especially worthwhile and I have in fact used it as the basis for testing some review products (the Ariane 737 and the CS 727 and the Simcheck A300 amongst others), so it really came in handy, although one should be aware that even with high end add-ons, one can hardly expect a PC simulation to tick every single box that a real aircraft would.Anyway, it is well worth seeking that book out if you are into doing things correctly and wish to really understand the 737 in depth and fly it properly.Al

Thanks for the replies guys, the FCF sounds like what I was thinking about, I guess it would be an expansion of the checklists for me, so more detail on why something is reacting the way it is and why you are taking the recovery actions you are, rather than just a switch this off, switch that on sort of flow.  Like I say more of a list to showcase all the attention to detail gone into the model and subsystems.  I'll check out Chris' book thanks Al, I'm guessing that there will be loads of real world bits and bobs that PMDG have modelled :-D

Al-I also have the 737 Technical Guide and agree that it is a splendid reference for the 737. The section for flight checks is very good.I'd also have to recommend Mike Ray's 737 Checkride survival manual. While it is geared to the classics, much of it applies to the NGs. It includes flows and profiles for things like engine out TOs and CDAP approaches, as well as giving a basic overview of what is required to pass a checkride, and basic emergency procedures.