Afternoon all-

 

I am just jumping into the NGX after flying GA for the past couple of years. I flew the LevelD 767 for a while but hung it up when I got into some bush flying. Running through the tutorials on the NGX, I have a couple of easy questions:

 

1) Fuel planning.... man, there are a lot of different opinions on this matter. Aero.texas, TopCat or some of 737NG planners. Ultimately I am looking for something that is accurate and more specifically something that will cover a few different planes that I own and would like some solid fuel planning - like the JS41 and FeelThere ERJ series planes. It appears that TopCat doesn't have the specific profiles for the NGX nor JS41 nor ERJ... so that leaves me scratching my head and using the FMC to estimate fuel.

 

It would seem the FMC would calculate most accurately since it knows all aspects of the flight. Am I wrong here? Why use an outside program if you can just input the winds aloft etc?

 

 

2) Derate values – I am unclear how to get these or how to truly find the assumed temperature method. When I see some users discussing TopCat, they are in the end actually inputting different values for derating. So the question is, what should I be using to determining derate and flap conditions?

 

Thanks-

 

Benjamin.

I would not recommend TOPCAT as a fuel planner. It just takes distance and weight into account. No waypoints, no altitude, no winds aloft. Use FSBuild or PFPX when it comes out. You also can use the FMS. I think it's within 5% of the real thing.

 

To calculate an assumed temperature is not easy. It takes several things into account: payload, wind, weather, runway length, and probably more things I can't think of. I don't even know how to do it. It's not a number you can pull from a hat or a one-fits-all number. If you want to use a derate but not TOPCAT, just use the fixed derating. You use more flaps if you're heavy and need the extra performance. You use less flaps if you're light and don't need the extra performance.

Derate values – I am unclear how to get these or how to truly find the assumed temperature method. When I see some users discussing TopCat, they are in the end actually inputting different values for derating. So the question is, what should I be using to determining derate and flap conditions?

 

In real world for take off performance calculation mostly used special programs like EFRAS or Octopus.

Can be manually calculated using RTOW charts or performance sections of FCOM, QRH and FPPM.

Derates, take off flaps are mostly determined by airline SOP, runway length, weight, obstacles.

Take a look at my signature !

Thanks guys - so I see a lot of folks saying use topcat..use topcat. That's all fine and well but if you one was going to use the most accurate fuel calculator (in the FMC) - what would one use topcat for? A general load sheet only with Wx reports?

 

Bman.

Use TOPCAT to ascertain the assumed temperature.

 

Use the FMC for your fuel planning (as in Ryan's tutorial 2).

 

That way you get the best of both worlds.

 

Cheers,

 

Brian

OK - I will give it a go. Certainly won't hurt.

 

Tutorial #2 was nuts for the record. I swear I heard panic stricken passengers. Oh wait, that was me while the terrain warnings were hollering.

Topcat (when they release the NGX profiles, after PFPX) and PFPX will be the epitome of FS flight planner/fuel planner/performance calculator! Really can't wait for PFPX!

Hi Benjamin,

TOPCAT (for derate and takeoff rwys analysis) and FSBUILD for fuel planning (I add SID and STAR too to the route to have a more precise fuel calculation) are my best friends...another valid product incorporating both could be Vroute Pro...(it's a route planner based on Vatsin route and a fuel planner) but I've just the Vroute info edition...

Best Regards

Andrea- Como- Italy

Thanks Andrea and Rhen - This makes sense. I have used Vroute, it's pretty cool.

 

So what's the rumor mill saying about PFPX release date. Obviously I things have been pushed back from a 2011 release... is there any other news about when this might actually be released? I see "patience" in all the of the threads which is fine and well. Just curious to know if there is any other news I have missed.

 

Benjamin.

 

PS: What profiles are used in TopCat and FSBuild? Are you guys using whatever 737 profile is in the list? I see a BBJ version in Topcat and a non-PMDG specific profile for FSBuild.

Last time I checked, PFPX was slated for a summer/fall 2012 release. It seems a bit away, but this is really the "real deal"; it seems as if it will be essentially good enough to use with a real world airline.

Last time I checked, PFPX was slated for a summer/fall 2012 release. It seems a bit away, but this is really the "real deal"; it seems as if it will be essentially good enough to use with a real world airline.

 

I've been waiting years for it now. If it does release that'll be great, but I have my doubts at this point...

but I have my doubts at this point...

Don't say that you're killing my hopes !!! lol

It's pretty amazing that with all the planes, all the development that there isn't a solid, current, profile laden, all one, comprehensive flight planner on the market. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot out there and far far easier said than done without doubt. There are a lot of nice planners out there but they are all getting long in the tooth and not up to speed with the current state of simulator in my opinion. It seems they all miss some component that makes me jump out and buy them or subscribe to them.

 

Maybe I am wrong and they are all great and I am just looking for the wrong things.

 

As it is now, it appears FSBuild + TopCat is my combination of choice using similar 737ngx profiles.

 

Or, just use flightaware.com for the planning and fuel.aerotexas.com for a rough fuel calculator (... or more accurately, the FMS itself).

Hi Benjamin,

TOPCAT has got a specific profile for the (former) pmdg 737-800 so it's work very well for the NGX it has also a profile for the 737-700 . FSBUILD has a profile for the B737-800 and if I well remember I've downloaded and updated to a customized profile specific for the (former) PMDG 737-800 so they're work very well. Naturally you've the responsability to choose reserves es. 200 kg taxi, 300 kg route reserve (short range), 1200 final reserve (holding 30 min) 1200 kg Altres (reserve for going to the alternate ) ecc.

Best Regards

Andrea