HiI can't save a flight or panel state with the Airstairs deployed, when I reload a saved flight or panel state the stairs are always stowed again.Anyone know if this should work or am I doing something wrong ?

I'm surprised I'm the only one asking for this to be added to the 'panel save' options.As most of us here are looking for realism, what could be more satisfying than walking up to your nice shiny PMDG 737NGX with your FO, flight bag in hand walking up the Airstairs that maintenance have already deployed :wink:This may sound a petty request but this aeroplane is so good its the only thing for me that's missing, being able to save a panel state that a RW crew would see when they approach the aircraft.I did bring this up some time ago and Ryan replied saying he thought it was fixed in one of the Hot Fixes.Glen

I for one never used the air stairs so I wouldn't know if indeed they are not saved with Panel State save. Since the other things such as doors and chocks are indeed saved it would indeed seem to be a bug. So go ahead and remind them kindly via their support ticketing system that even in Sp1c it is still not working and if verified they can add it to their bug tracking system.

I have been looking for a fix for this. I open my flightsim with an impressive external view, PMDG 739ngx cold, dark, ground support units, door open - airstair missing - how do I get in?

I have been looking for a fix for this. I open my flightsim with an impressive external view, PMDG 739ngx cold, dark, ground support units, door open - airstair missing - how do I get in?

 

Get a GSX portable stairs to come 'round. Those internal stairs are more trouble than they're worth :P

 

Trent Hopkinson

I realise that the airstair could not be deployed without battery on, however without the airstair state being included in any save it becomes a "chicken/egg" scenario.

 

I left the plane last night cold and dark, door closed, descended the airstair......

This morning I return to the field, and cant get in!

 

The manual states:

"For air-stair equipped aircraft, you must close door 1L before you can retract the stairs into the airplane"

 

By necessity the door has to OPEN without the airstair deployed for the alternate methods of disembarkation. However when I start FSX I like to see the external view on my outer stand, and things arent right with Door 1L open with no stairs at all ........ H & S nightmare!

 

Maybe a hotspot on the fuselage might be the answer?

 

Best wishes

Kev

I'd be interested to hear someone who has some line experience with an airstair equipped plane. When jetbridges are used, it's a requirement to bring the bridge away from the aircraft if it's being left overnight. I'm guessing the airstars would also be required to be stowed as well.

The FO has to give you a boost.

I'd be interested to hear someone who has some line experience with an airstair equipped plane. When jetbridges are used, it's a requirement to bring the bridge away from the aircraft if it's being left overnight. I'm guessing the airstars would also be required to be stowed as well.

 

No experience on the NG but on the ol' -200's they can be stowed/opened no problem from the outside using the exterior control handle. It's powered via both the AC (airstair itself) and DC bus' (airstair door) normally, or by Battery/External DC power in Standby mode. No need for ships power to be left on. You only leave the stairs sitting out for as long as you need em, and you would try to avoid leaving them overnight. You avoid the chance of contaminants getting in the fuse (birds, bird feces, water...etc) if you close up the airstairs when you are done.

 

They may left out during longish turns, but if there isn't going to be anybody needing inside the aircraft (ie: groomers or AMEs doing a DI or something) for more than a couple hours you might as well close it up.

 

You could also manually operate the airstair if you are really stuck by going into the electronics compartment and unlocking a lever and kind of guiding the thing out by hand, and disconnecting the drive coupling off the actuator. A bit more sequencing maintenance follows after that.

 

Or do what most do, the top of any pickup is a good height to climb up and open the door ;)

Cool. Thanks!

 

Or do what most do, the top of any pickup is a good height to climb up and open the door ;)

 

Yeah, no joke. I used to have to chase mechanics off on the overnight shift because they kept using our beltloaders to do APU work on CR7s. While I saw it as clever, the company took it as a liability (understandably so in lawsuit-happy America).

My initial comment on this subject was based on Real World. As a Captain on the 737 NGX I would think it very rare for the flight crew to open the Fwd Left passenger door after deploying the Airstairs. On most occasions this would be done by the ground staff, as the aircraft would need to be maintained and cleaned prior to the next flight.

 

As this is a very 'realistic' interpretation of the B737 NGX, it would be useful to have the aeroplane configured for the Flight Crew to arrive at the aircraft, i.e. Front Left door open with some kind of stairs avalable, Airstairs, Mobile Stairs or Air Bridge. Having spent 35 years in the aircraft industry as both a Ground Engineer and Flight Crew (747 Flt Eng) I do have some practical experience in this area.

 

Ryan answered a previous question of mine on this subject and said he thought this inability to save the Airstair position was fixed in one of the early Hotfixes. I can only assume from this answer that its a known bug that so far has been overlooked !!

 

Glen

It is indeed possible that this was overlooked, or was only fixed after SP1c (and is scheduled for SP2) - try submitting a ticket.

As far as I recall there was a comment some time ago that this is not deemed important enough to introduce a new parameter and thus create format-incompatibilities.

 

But I cannot find a quote, so take it with a grain of salt.