Hey guys,

 

In view of the up coming product releases, We're all going to have to learn new aircraft (for those of us who decide to take the plunge).

 

Can I ask what's everyone's apprach to learning a new aircraft?

 

Do you make yourself knowledgeable about the aircrafts systems first? I did for the 737NGX.

 

Do you learn where all the switches and controls are in the cockpit before you actually attempt to fly the aircraft? I didn't for the 737NGX, I just learned what I needed to know to get the aircraft off the ground and learned the rest later.

 

Do you fly circuits to get a feel for the aircraft first? I did with the 737NGX at KBFI, trying to simulate taking delivery of a new aircraft.

 

Do you read the tutorials before attempting a flight from A to B? I didn't with the 737NGX cause by the time I actually read the turorial, I'd already done short legs, after all flying a 737 bears mostly the same considerations as flying a 747.

 

I imagine that with anything new, it takes a while getting used to it but I seem to like to learn along the way, rather than everything up front. That's good and bad at the same time.

Honestly, if you know the 747 or NGX well then the 777 will be extremely easy. It has such a clear, clean Flight Deck. Very automatic, complex systems which are shown nice and clear on the Synoptic pages. I don't think many people will have problems with her right out the box.. I'm not 100% sure if they're making the B748 Flight Deck like it is or just using the new 744 one. The 748's a mix between the old 747 and 777.

Now.. I'll be buying also the DC6.... and thats another subject heheh :Just Kidding:

The 748 will be an accurate representation of the real life counterpart, not like the 747-400X.

Honestly, if you know the 747 or NGX well then the 777 will be extremely easy.

 

I've heard that a lot, although what I've heard is probably true. My thinking is being sent down this line cause when I bought the 737NGX, the systems to me where like "Huh? This does what?". Manipulating the glareshield, and using the FMC etc where simple, as I was used to the 747 but the systems took me a little while before I truly understod them.

 

For the 777, I've heard the systems more resemble the 747, especially in terms of their automation. The only unknown then should be how the aircraft actually feels.

 

I'll probably be ok.

Kirk,

 

My general approach is that a Boeing is a Boeing, the sim is the sim, and the intro and tutorial are enough to get you started (pun intended).

 

Let me clarify:

-Boeings will always have some sort of similarity to them. The FMC to a certain degree has the same flow and feel. The systems on the overhead are placed in similar arrangements.

-The sim is a simulation of reality. Feel free to do something you're not comfortable doing in a real plane. If you're not sure what something does, you can try it without any real repercussion. If you're a realist in the sim, just don't do it on a "passenger carrying flight." For me, that's an issue, so I just load up the PMDG livery and go for some practice approaches. On those flights I tend to try new things (there aren't any "passengers" to bother). Weird, sure, but it's a mindset thing for me. If I have pretend passengers in back, I fly like I have passengers in back.

-The intro and the tutorial are there for beginners and seasoned simmers alike. Sure, I didn't get as much out of the tutorial as someone who'd never seen a 737 before, but it gave me a framework in which to learn. From there, I'd branch out into new things.

 

 

As an instructor for a living, I'd stress the following:

Practical application trumps everything else. The effect of intensity (being there, interacting with something) is hugely important in learning. That said, if you love reading, that's great, but don't think reading alone will get you to learn it all. Words are just words until the brain gives them meaning. Most of that meaning comes from using the words, which in this case, is flying the sim.

 

So, when you get a new product, read the intro, then bust out the tutorial and run through it. After that flight, use the framework of the tutorial for a flight with a different city pair with a longer cruise. While in cruise, bust open the flight manual if you feel so inclined. To be honest, I never read flight manuals unprompted, as if I'd read a novel. They're too dry for that. Normally, as I come across a question, I'll dive into a specific part of the manual to answer that question, but as soon as the question is answered, the manual is closed. Technical manuals aren't generally made to be read. They're made to be referenced.

Step 1) Load up plane on Vatsim, at a busy airport, preferably during a major fly-in.

Step 2) Start pushing buttons until you get the engines started.....if all else fails try CTRL-E, if that does not work then try to change panel state to engines running.

Step 3) Push throttles to the stops and get airborne.

Step 4) During critical phases of flight, post your questions in the PMDG forums and hope for an answer before landing.

Step 5) And this is really important....do not read the manual in advance.

Step 1) Load up plane on Vatsim, at a busy airport, preferably during a major fly-in.

Step 2) Start pushing buttons until you get the engines started.....if all else fails try CTRL-E, if that does not work then try to change panel state to engines running.

Step 3) Push throttles to the stops and get airborne.

Step 4) During critical phases of flight, post your questions in the PMDG forums and hope for an answer before landing.

Step 5) And this is really important....do not read the manual in advance.

 

Thanks a lot you broke my sarcasm detector!

So, when you get a new product, read the intro, then bust out the tutorial and run through it. After that flight, use the framework of the tutorial for a flight with a different city pair with a longer cruise. While in cruise, bust open the flight manual if you feel so inclined. To be honest, I never read flight manuals unprompted, as if I'd read a novel. They're too dry for that. Normally, as I come across a question, I'll dive into a specific part of the manual to answer that question, but as soon as the question is answered, the manual is closed. Technical manuals aren't generally made to be read. They're made to be referenced.

 

I've got it, Kyle. My approach from here on in, will probably be to fly, then read. Then I back up the flying with more reading, and reinforce the reading, with more flying. To me, the most important thing you said was that technical manuals aren't made to be read, they're made to be referenced. So when I see something that I don't understand or would like to know more about, I read about it. Going back and forth between the manual and the aircraft, technical knowledge develops over time.

 

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction, Kyle!

 

This is pretty much exactly how I do it. I honestly haven't had to do much serious systems investigation for any Boeing add-ons since the original Wilco 767 and PSS 747-400 came out for FS2000. Boeing uses a similar design philosophy for all their modern aircraft. The best part about the NGX (and I'm sure the future 777) is I can 100% trust the manuals to give me an answer.

 

I agree, the DC-6 will be a different story altogether. That will definitely take me back to the days when I was first learning complex FS add-ons where I knew nothing. And I'm sure when FSLabs release their Airbus, I'll have to start somewhat from scratch, although the PSS Airbus and to some extent the FS9 feelThere Aibus gave me a limited introduction to the type.

While Boeing didn't do as good of a job keeping with cockpit commonality like AIrbus did they do have major similarities. Just read the manuals as they should answer all questions and don't be afraid to tinker around either.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction, Kyle!

 

You're welcome. Glad I could help.

First, I'll load up the aircraft, and take a look around.

 

Next, I'll skim over the systems operations and procedures just to make sure nothing is extremely different, since most Boeings are very similar.

 

Third, I'll skim through the tutorial, but after reading it, I'll do my own practice route to get a hang of the operation. If I have a problem, then I pause and look up specifics in the manual.

 

After that I will usually take it to the manufacturer's airport and do circuits without automation at various weights to get a feel for it.

 

Then it's open season!

I'm not 100% sure if they're making the B748 Flight Deck like it is or just using the new 744 one.

 

As it is.

For me the previous release of the PMDG NGX was a familiar sight in the Flight Deck, But learning those systems took a good while, and with the help of a few tutorials on YouTube and reading manuals I got there!

 

The DC-6 on the other hand is going to be completely virgin territory for me and... I guess allot of us around here! But I am very looking forward to getting my hands on it and learning as much as I can about the Old' Bird before taking her up into the skies and beyond.