After the fix: New features/implemenations?

[HiFly 16]

Most of the posts so far this morning, quite naturally fall into two categories: install issues and/or whether new fix actually solves CTD issues that some have been having. But what about all the myriads of tweaks and improvements that were to be included in this fix according to Robert's announcement? Have any of you noticed any improvements or changes in systems or visuals? Most importantly, have they fixed any of the main issues such as the "drunken" ADF gauge? What about a fluid refill option in the FMC? Have any of you tried a go-around on other than an autoland? Does the power still decrease without immediate intervention? What about landing lights on dusk or night arrivals? Have they been re-aimed to light up the TDZ on approach? I have original Aug 5th without any fixes added and though I have problems trying to reload a saved situation if aircraft was not saved in a level altitude state, I have not experienced any freezes or CTDS so I can see no advantage to upgrading with the fix unless these other important issues have been improved. Anybody out there have any info on this?

[JokersWild 34]

Most of the posts so far this morning, quite naturally fall into two categories: install issues and/or whether new fix actually solves CTD issues that some have been having. But what about all the myriads of tweaks and improvements that were to be included in this fix according to Robert's announcement? Have any of you noticed any improvements or changes in systems or visuals? Most importantly, have they fixed any of the main issues such as the "drunken" ADF gauge? What about a fluid refill option in the FMC? Have any of you tried a go-around on other than an autoland? Does the power still decrease without immediate intervention? What about landing lights on dusk or night arrivals? Have they been re-aimed to light up the TDZ on approach? I have original Aug 5th without any fixes added and though I have problems trying to reload a saved situation if aircraft was not saved in a level altitude state, I have not experienced any freezes or CTDS so I can see no advantage to upgrading with the fix unless these other important issues have been improved. Anybody out there have any info on this?

I'm not off the ground yet, but the IRS seems to have a countdown on the display now. And it may just be placebo effect, but I feel like I'm getting slightly better performance at an airport that was bringing me to a crawl before. I hear you can see the terrain display on the FO side now also.

[HiFly 16]

HI Chris! That is the second time I read that there was a problem viewing a countdown on the IRS CDU. As I mentioned, I have the original download and I have ALWAYS had a countdown for each of the units displaying on the CDU if the top selector is placed in HDG. I was unaware that Terrain was not implemented in the FO side --- never tried it. Anything else that has been improved that you notice, post it back to this thread. Thanks.

[JokersWild 34]

HI Chris! That is the second time I read that there was a problem viewing a countdown on the IRS CDU. As I mentioned, I have the original download and I have ALWAYS had a countdown for each of the units displaying on the CDU if the top selector is placed in HDG. I was unaware that Terrain was not implemented in the FO side --- never tried it. Anything else that has been improved that you notice, post it back to this thread. Thanks.

I had no idea the counter had been there the whole time and I wasn't seeing it before today! Am I also the only one that had no sound from the GPU cart (and still don't)? This is something I would consider an improvement had they told us that they'd done it, but it seems that the options and other menus in the CDU have been reorganized in a slightly more logical manner...once the confusion about where it all went has cleared.

[HiFly 16]

...it seems that the options and other menus in the CDU have been reorganized in a slightly more logical manner...once the confusion about where it all went has cleared.

Yes, I just read that in another thread. I gather everything is still all there, just placed in different menus(?)

[JokersWild 34]

Yes, I just read that in another thread. I gather everything is still all there, just placed in different menus(?)

With a few additions maybe. I just saw one for turning the brake temp indicator on and off that I don't recall prior.

[HiFly 16]

With a few additions maybe.

In any of the maintenance or failure menus, do you find anything related to "refilling" fluid levels for either oil or hydraulics? I have been using a startup file with my oil qty frozen at 18 quarts/engine for each flight. Originally they were filled to 20 quarts/engine but I don't know how to get it back up to this level and don't want to activate any maintenance-related failures yet until this issue (it was promised to be addressed) is resolved. Your quantities should be back to 20 quarts/engine after you installed the fix. Keep that original "cold & dark" startup file in a safe place and don't foolishly delete it as I have done. It may be the only way we can continue to fly the NGX if not fixed. I have no 'failures' active yet if I continue to fly sequentially without restarting, my oil qty's just keep decreasing. Many have reported they eventually are getting engine failures and overheats when it gets too low. BTW, the brake temp indicator option is available in my original download.

[JokersWild 34]

In any of the maintenance or failure menus, do you find anything related to "refilling" fluid levels for either oil or hydraulics? I have been using a startup file with my oil qty frozen at 18 quarts/engine for each flight. Originally they were filled to 20 quarts/engine but I don't know how to get it back up to this level and don't want to activate any maintenance-related failures yet until this issue (it was promised to be addressed) is resolved. Your quantities should be back to 20 quarts/engine after you installed the fix. Keep that original "cold & dark" startup file in a safe place and don't foolishly delete it as I have done. It may be the only way we can continue to fly the NGX if not fixed. I have no 'failures' active yet if I continue to fly sequentially without restarting, my oil qty's just keep decreasing. Many have reported they eventually are getting engine failures and overheats when it gets too low. BTW, the brake temp indicator option is available in my original download.

In a quick check, I don't see anything specific to just refilling fluids. Only "service system". I'm not sure if that will overhaul the whole system or just fill'er up.

[rnathe 7]

I don't know about everybody else, but I noticed the MCP and radio fonts have changed...they look awesome now. (Not like they didn't before)

[HiFly 16]

In a quick check, I don't see anything specific to just refilling fluids. Only "service system". I'm not sure if that will overhaul the whole system or just fill'er up.

Not sure. That option is available on my original but did nothing for fluid levels. Maybe they have now implemented it to include the 'refill'. You won't be able to test it until your levels start to decrease. They won't if you start with the default "cold & dark" option in the FMS setup each time. Had I known, I would have done that. I had made it a practice of starting a new flight from the same airport I had left the plane at from the previous flight and I would save the panel/aircraft setup in the FMC before I closed down the flight. My aircraft state was thus cumulative and before I realized what NGX was doing I was already down to 18 quarts/engine. I then froze the startup and have been using that ever since. I remember reading a thread where several users commented that they had dropped down below 16% oil quantity and were getting all sorts of engine failures and overheats.

[Ty53650 1]

how about floating on landing? Ryan said they were aware of the issue, here's hoping it made the cut for the hot fix. Any improvement?

[HiFly 16]

how about floating on landing? Ryan said they were aware of the issue, here's hoping it made the cut for the hot fix. Any improvement?

I remember the thread discussing that and I thought it was resolved by reducing Vref by 5k. I checked the charts and the FMC encoded Vref is indeed 5K over what it should be. I only have the original release, as I have stated previously, but I have had no problems putting it down where it should be by using the reduced Vref. It also gives me a proper AOA on touchdown. Of course you have to control your speed so that you are at Vref (AT and AP off, throttles closed) and 50 ft over the threshold or you will eat up the runway before you get it down. From what I have read this correction seems to have it performing RW, Ty.

[Ty53650 1]

I will give that a shot, but that still means there's an issue that should be fixed correct? That's a good work around for now though, thanks!

[HiFly 16]

I will give that a shot, but that still means there's an issue that should be fixed correct? That's a good work around for now though, thanks!

What needs to be fixed is the calcuated data displayed in the FMC. With the 5 knot reduction, I can fly at Vref+5 ( or 1/2 headwind ) and maintain GS and by reducing to Vref over threshold I notice NO excess floating. It is right on target according to the specs. Somebody just read the charts wrong when they coded for the FMC, it seems.

[JRBarrett 1,347]

how about floating on landing? Ryan said they were aware of the issue, here's hoping it made the cut for the hot fix. Any improvement?

Yes, this has been improved in the new hotfix. Landing attitude at VREF is now about 2.5 degrees nose up, where before it was zero degrees. The tendency to float has been reduced. I just completed my first post-hotfix flight, and saw a definite change.