Well, I've only ever heard of PDF tutorials included with payware planes. What other way would there be? That being said, you can find some really well done Youtube tutorials for most of the more popular add ons like PMDG.

 

I guess the question wasn't too clear. I want NO to minimal pdf manual reading. Only in game hands on tutorials/missions/lessons to learn a new complex plane. You know, like the Learning Center lessons included with FSX.

 

Edit: And yes this is lazy but it's really more of a time thing. Real life gets in the way too often.

I guess the question wasn't too clear. I want NO to minimal pdf manual reading. Only in game hands on tutorials/missions/lessons to learn a new complex plane. You know, like the Learning Center lessons included with FSX.

 

Edit: And yes this is lazy but it's really more of a time thing. Real life gets in the way too often.

 

I hear you. I wish developers would include this type of tutorial myself, because I am a "learn by doing" type of gal. But I think 99% of developers just stick with the PDF document method. Printing them out to follow them via a hard copy works much better for me then trying to read them in a separate window/PC/etc.

You bring up a good point and makes me think of an immediate question: what complex payware plane includes the best, most comprehensive tutorials/missions to learn the plane hands on with minimal pdf manual reading?

 

That doesn't exist as far as I know. if it wasn't complex, then you wouldn't need to read B)

Well, I got it to land itself B). Its really annoying that it landed itself better than I did manually so need to work on that. Really fun to see the little details in the cockpit though like the PPG logo's on the windscreen with serial numbers and all. Very nice.

I was afraid of the FMS at first but I can quickly program it in about 2 minutes. (the lengthy part is entering your route - which can take more like 5-10 minutes)

 

Get yourself FSBuild, or if you want to wait a bit longer until it's released, PFPX.

Either program has the ability to save a flightplan in PMDG's custom plan format, and you can call up any city pair in the CO ROUTE section of the CDU.

 

I never type my full routes anymore, CO ROUTE does it for me. I also like it from a realism standpoint, because iirc in RL the route is downloaded through ACARS and imported into the CDU.

FSBuild is my own personal ACARS...sorta. :P

Get yourself FSBuild, or if you want to wait a bit longer until it's released, PFPX.

Either program has the ability to save a flightplan in PMDG's custom plan format, and you can call up any city pair in the CO ROUTE section of the CDU.

 

Hello,

 

What will the difference be between PFPX and tools like AivlaSoft EFB?

I was browsing through the liveries on PMDG's website and was pleasantly surprised to find one for what used to be Jamaica's flag carrier :P. Air Jamaica is transitioning out of an all Airbus fleet to Boeing 737's. Its rumored that they may also lease a 777 at some point. Would be nice to have a livery for PMDG's 777 when its released.

I then went through the 1st of the tutorials (London Gatwick to Amsterdam) and realised just how in-depth the systems are modeled on this add-on. I also realised that there is really nothing in FSX at this time that compares with the NGX on the shear amount of work you need to do to set up the FMS and get it flying.

 

There is, actually, and itn has existed for years already: The Leonardo Maddog. It's amazing how people keep forgetting this plane. Its visuals aren't the best around town, it being a rather old development by now, but in the systems department it's as good as the PMDG 737NGX, and it has you run around all the cockpit panels much more than the PMDG 737NGX purely because of the nature of the MD-80, which simply needs much more manual interaction than the 737 does.

 

That said, I agree of course that the PMDG 737NGX is a wonderful aircraft. It's just not the only aircraft with great system detail.

First impressions of the exterior is that its not very impressive, at least not to the level of the hype surrounding it.

 

Curious as to what you feel is not very impressive about the exterior or what the exterior is missing that make it not live up to your expectations?

 

BTW, if you want more detailed bump maps and specs, Chris Hicks uploaded an enhancement pack that give a slightly more exaggerated appearance for the 700 and 800. The can be found here:

 

http://library.avsim.net/download.php?DLID=166924

 

http://library.avsim.net/download.php?DLID=166978

However, that would defeat the purpose of the NGX in my opinion. Learning the systems and using them to fly it as a real pilot would is, I think, what its all about with this add-on.

 

Absolutely agree. That's why I'm into FSX in the first place; to learn a thing or two. It's just that I guess I'm like you... "impaitient simmer". :-)

 

Yes but you almost need to fly the tutorial flight. I was afraid of the FMS at first but I can quickly program it in about 2 minutes. (the lengthy part is entering your route - which can take more like 5-10 minutes)

I never realized there was a tutorial flight included with this aircraft until Stiggie mentioned it in his OP. Great! An added bonus.

There is, actually, and itn has existed for years already: The Leonardo Maddog. It's amazing how people keep forgetting this plane.

Haha, I hear your, Benjamin. Fully agreed on the NGX being a great plane after SP1, but it really looks like the (Avsim) statements on detailed stuff default to 'NGX' whereas the old Maddog, the Concorde or the MD-11 easily set up a huge task for users, being in the same or even higher category.

 

Well, that's just from looking how many folks blow up the Maddog engines or crash land the Concorde, mix up something on the INS and so on. The MD-11 automation, a separate chapter. When looking at the age of the Maddog, it gets even more amazing since you can pull the circuit breakers on that one since years, not to mention the extras like shared cockpit, the random failures and fuel/flight planner.

 

And there's some freeware around, namely the Project Tupolev Tu-154, which will also make some heads explode due to the system detail involved. Compared to that, the later FMC planes are an easy bunch which sounds reasonable since the real ones may also be designed to be rather easy/automated when compared.

 

On the 737NG stuff, the now feature packed iFly will present some details too. In fact, details which most users may only relate to other devs.

 

Well, that's just to add to your 'don't forget about other stuff' tenor. Fully agreed. :smile: There's more than one sportscar around and naming Porsche all the time forgets about the fun a Lotus Elise may give you.

I agree it's a truly amazing product. I also agree that the exterior is rather lackluster. Why couldn't they make the exterior textures like those of the J41? Also the VC seems a little narrow or it's competitors is too wide. The download livery process is changed and is now a annoying and tricky. It was a 1-click-deal before.....not amymore!

 

If you have ever had the chance to look in a real world NG cockpit, you'll see that it is exceptionally tight for 2 people. I would say PMDG has got the view and dimensions right there. Perhaps the competitors' versions appear too wide...

 

A

Well thanks for your "initial impressions"!, you do know its been out for around a year and talked about a lot....a hell of lot within the last year.

 

Anyway Glad you like it and make sure to get FS2Crew addon for it.

Well, that's just from looking how many folks blow up the Maddog engines or crash land the Concorde, mix up something on the INS and so on. The MD-11 automation, a separate chapter.

 

The problem with at least the first version of the Maddog was that you never knew if something went haywire because you didn't manage the aircraft properly or because of a bug! I had my fair share of hot starts and blowing engines during take-off! :D It didn't make it any easier that the developer had absolutely nada support for the product. Still the Maddog 2008 is one of the best add-ons ever released for MSFS.

You bring up a good point and makes me think of an immediate question: what complex payware plane includes the best, most comprehensive tutorials/missions to learn the plane hands on with minimal pdf manual reading?

 

DCS A-10C, yeah I know it's not FSX, but it's quality and it's amazing, and the tutorials are in-game (not PDF), and it's less than $40. The same with the Mustang.

I don't mind a bit of PDF myself, but I can only take so much too.