Well thats the whole point, I hate how the default airplanes fly and thus I try to find addons with a VC that are realistic and good looking. Unfortunately I've purchased the md-11 from perfect flight and was extremely disappointed in the quality (VC not aligned with the model for starters).I fly the default 747 with the flight dynamics upgrade by Pedro. I really enjoy it, but am disappointed by the lack of repaints (makes sense since M$ made it so hard to repaint the heavy).I love flying cargo, and the cargo repaints are slim to none for the default b747. Ready for Pushback V1 has the cargo liveries I want, and V2 will have them too supposedly, plus the updated VC and better textures overall.

First of all the RFP 747 doesn't have an FMC...Second the two videos aren't even 5 minutes long...What your telling me is you don't have 15 minutes to learn how to turn the engines on and how to operate the autopilot...You could spend more time running to the store getting a case of pop... :-hmmm Who said you had to follow the checklist of any aircraft. You just want to get this thing up in the air and fly, right. Using a checklist is not going to make or break this effort. As far as fuel is concerned, just make sure you've got enough to get there. Once again there's a video on that...

I would like to say also that I don't think the RFP is time consuming. Here's my usual start for a flight with the RFP. I load the plane at whatever gate at an airport. Use the quick fuel option and my plane is loaded. Push the buttons for A/T and taxi for the runway. I don't start with the engines off and it seems to work fine for me. The only other thing I have to do is remember to do the tank-to-engine switch while enroute if required. I really think that people is making this plane harder than is necessary...the beauty is that you can make this more or less real according to your wish. It might not be true to life, but it allows me to fly this beautiful plane.-Mikkel

I was talking about the PMDG airplane with the FMC and no GPS allowed, and the RFP and it reqiring you to start the engines, change the fuel weight multiple times during flight, etc.and I don't fly with an autopilot, whats the fun in having the computer do it? So I can sit there and watch? Sorry I find that extremely pointless.And again, that 15-20 mins is almost a quarter of my total flight time. All I'm asking is that some of us who have jobs and little free time have the option to purchase a wonderful add-on and not spend half the time programming. I want to taxi to the runway, take off, decide where I want to land, and then land and taxi to the cargo ramp. Is this too much to ask?

I thought you had to constantly change the fuel to balance it out? And you can start it with engines running?

Alex it sounds like you need a good GA aircraft. Even the Flight1 Cessna 421 has a learning curve but from what your telling me, you should be happy with it.Flying an airliner without using the autopilot is very unrealistic and most designers don't model their planes to be hand flown from start to finish. That's bush or GA operations. The autopilot was designed for passenger comfort because it can handle the many changes in high altitude flight better than a human can. Although you can fly Flight Simulator in any forum you'd like, just bare in mind what your asking for is not what most designers are shooting for (freeware/payware), and that's hand flying a 747. Like Lou said, fly any way you'd like in Flight Simulator. The sim is yours to have fun with but don't expect developers other than 'Perfect Flight' to give you what your asking for here.DreamFleet has a wonderful Cessna 177 or 310 and Flight1 has a wonderful 152. These planes are wonderful for low altitude hand flying...Have Fun... :-cool

OK So I am thinking about purchasing the V2 tomorrow after work and enjoy a nice flight over the weekend after I read up on it, I probably have some time this weekend. As long as it takes me only a few mins, less that 5, to get it going and flying, I have no problems. I just thought it was a 10-15 min ordeal just to get the heavy in the sky!OK So heres my questions:How is the cockpit height in the VC? Does it look like youre sitting way above the ground like in the default 747?How is the lighting in the VC? Can you see the gauges?How about the viewpoint, is it good enough to fly strickly from the VC? Thanks!

I start my flights docked at the gate with engines running no problem at all. Plus the only time I touch the fuel panel is basically only twice during a longer flight. Once when I shut the fuel pump off for the two outer tanks and the secong time is when I'm doing the tank to engine. Well I turn on the scavenge pump also, but I rarely fly that far so I need to fill the main tank...like you I don't have too much time. This is, like you said, not rocket science and it gives me just enough realism to make it fun.

Al, it isn't too much to ask, but I really don't think that this particular bird is what you are looking for. My suggestion is don't do it until you have really looked through the manuals ( free download) and have made an informed decision. I am concerned that you will not be happy if all you are going to fly for is an hour or so. This isn't what RFP is about.Please take your time and be certain that you know what you are getting before you buy it. My personal opinion is that you and RFP are not a good "match" and I mean you no offense by that.Ed GreenKCLThttp://www.panelshop.com/DEV.jpg

VC height puts you up in the air a bit. I think you'll love the VC as long as your computer can handle the graphics (you at least need a P4 2.6gig machine with the equivalent of a Radeon 9800 video card)...Lighting in the VC is great although at night it could use some work. A patch is in the works to resolve this so hold on if you decide to purchase it...All switches work in the VC so it's perfectly capable if being flown strictly from the VC...I agree with Ed below based on what you've stated in this thread about how you would like to fly this bird, I don't think this 747 would be a match for you (sorry). :-roll What is your system specs??? :-cool

I am not a GA pilot, I fly cargo jumbo jets, props go way too slow for my taste. I enjoy the 747, must have been a pilot for it in my previous life...But I am going to give RFP a try tomorrow and see. Now that I was told you don't have to touch the fuel panel and can load the aircraft up with engines already running I think I'm going to be in love. Plus they have freighter and cargo versions, AWESOME! Now if only Northwest Cargo was a livery!

its my roomates computer that I built for him, 3.2 p4, 1gb ddr ram, 250 gig drive, gf fx5950 ultra, sb audigy 2... etcI know it can handle the VC and I'm looking forward to flying it... I thank you all and hopefully nobody took anything personally! I don't mean it as an insult to the RFP team or people who enjoy flying with checklists and the autopilot. Like I said above, if I wanted to fly it exactly like real life, I'd go out and be a pilot. Instead I enjoy the challenge of flying airplanes by hand using simple VOR navigation and sometimes I'll put in an ILS freq to help me guide it in... but thats it.there is no thrill and little challenge in sitting there while the autopilot does everything, I get a thrill out of flying a beast in by hand, taking off, and cruising, sometimes I'll use the AP when I want to fly level for a long period of time... but I've rarely touched it and don't understand why the 747 can't be flown without it?My idea of a pilot is somebody who flies the thing themself, not a person who presses a few buttons and sits there and watches. Sure in real life you are forced to because of passenger comfort, cheaper economics, etc. but this isn't real life!!

>I am not a GA pilot, I fly cargo jumbo jets, props go way too>slow for my taste. I enjoy the 747, must have been a pilot for>it in my previous life...>>But I am going to give RFP a try tomorrow and see. Now that I>was told you don't have to touch the fuel panel and can load>the aircraft up with engines already running I think I'm going>to be in love. Plus they have freighter and cargo versions,>AWESOME! Now if only Northwest Cargo was a livery!Hi Alex, I agree with Ed Green somewhat. Please consider to take his recommendation; on looking at the manuals before hand. Also, dillions ideas reagrding the videos are super as well. You can d/l those and view them at your leisure to see the extent of the procedures involved. Finally, keep in mind; as you use RFP or any complex plane with a learning curve; gaining more experience on the plane/procedures, you'll eventually get a flow down due to repetion..and the checklist will just become a backup to your flow. When I first flying the 737(real life) it took a little while to get up to speed on flows nad checklists. But, once you do; your comfort level is high...and everything just falls into place Given enough time on the RFP; you'll be doing the same. I know time wise you just want to jump in and go; but after you get into it....you may find half the enjoyment is following the procedures. Just take it little steps at a time.Just my .02Best,Dave

Was the insulting tone of this post really necessary?

Maybe you should keep reading down the thread... I think we've more than gotten past those comments... :-roll Maybe you can offer a constructive suggestion instead of critical observation...