I just got the PMDG 737 and though I haven't had the time to read the manual (and I've never used an FMS before today), I was easily able to get it to autoland on IFR approaches.

 

My question is, would it be possible to automate the entire flight? Landing this plane is pretty automatic - the plane flares and touches down by itself and autobrakes and armed spoilers stop it without pilot intervention.

 

So here are my specific questions:

 

1. Is there a way to automate takeoff? On stock FSX planes you can just set the autothrottle and engage the altitude hold and the plane will rotate and take off (without stalling if you're lucky). Is there a way to get the PMDG to auto rotate at Vr for example? So far my understanding is that the AP in this plane can't be activated until airborne...

 

2. I noticed a VNAV button. Before I dive into the 130-page manual, can someone tell me whether this is capable of transitioning from climb to cruise to descent to touchdown without pilot intervention?

 

3. Last question - can all these be chained together wihout pilot input? For example, imagine there's a pressurisation failure and both pilots lose consciousness during the climb stage. Can the plane be set up in such a way (before the incident) that the plane continues the rest of the flight completely on its own and safely touches down and stops at the planned destination airport? (assuming traffic gets out of the way and ILS freq and crs heading were already set up and approach already programmed, and autobrakes on and spoilers armed)

I don't think it's possible... for altitude changes the FMS won't go higher or lower than what is set in the MCP... that's basically what ATC assigns you... So you'd have to be present to change that altitude limit.

#1 - No, the plane can not auto-rotate. I don't know of any that do IRL. The a/p usually isn't activated until at least 400 above ground level (if memory serves me correct!)

 

#2 - Also no. As Ryan said above, you must set the altitude in the MCP prior to any altitude changes. For example, if you're cruising at FL400 and it's time to begin your decent, you have to change the MCP to the value assigned by ATC or constraints of the STAR. Otherwise it will stay at that attitude indefinitely.

 

#3 - Sorry, another no ^_^ I hope you're enjoying the NGX as much as we all do. It really is an incredible piece of software, the guys at PMDG did a superior job. She's still my favorite add-on to fly, at least until they release the 777.

My question is, would it be possible to automate the entire flight?

 

As pointed out, you can't automate the entire fly, but then again why would you want to?

 

This plane handles so nice, it's really a joy to hand fly as much as possible in my opinion. Although I wouldn't want to go for hours with no autopilot during the cruise phase.

This plane handles so nice, it's really a joy to hand fly as much as possible in my opinion. Although I wouldn't want to go for hours with no autopilot during the cruise phase

 

Totally agree with you! I routinely hand fly all my departures and approaches. It just flies so smoothly.

can someone tell me whether this is capable of transitioning from climb to cruise to descent to touchdown without pilot intervention?

 

It sounds like you want the MD-11.

 

I don't know why you want it 100% automatic unless you're visually impaired (then I would recommend voice software), but the MD-11 can do so much for you if and when you want it. Yet you can take control any time you want.

 

It will tune the nav radios for you, it will turn on and off anti-icing on decent at pre-specified altitudes.

 

You do need to be there at a couple of points in the flight:

1. Pre-flight and takeoff, then set the altitude to the highest cruise step-climb. It will step up as required all the way to the destination.

2. After TOC, but before TOD, set the altitude down to the ILS intercept, then you can leave it alone again until intercept. You still need to setup the FMS for descent etc though so it actually knows what to do.

3. Gear and Flaps deployment, plus ILS intercept, you must engage Approach mode. Radio is tuned based upon FMS, just switch it over to approach.

4. Taxi to gate. The normal ILS landing is automatic, all the way down to rollout.

 

Now if you come to your senses and want to play with the plane a bit more than automate it, you might be more interested in the "Pause at top of descent" feature. After takeoff let it climb and cruise, and after the boring bit is over come back for the descent

1. Is there a way to automate takeoff? On stock FSX planes

 

Does a real 737 autorotate or auto-take off? No...

 

2. I noticed a VNAV button. Before I dive into the 130-page manual, can someone tell me whether this is capable of transitioning from climb to cruise to descent to touchdown without pilot intervention?

 

No. Not without complete intervention. You have to set MCP altitudes. Otherwise you can program the FMC completely.

 

Can the plane be set up in such a way (before the incident) that the plane continues the rest of the flight completely on its own and safely touches down and stops at the planned destination airport?

 

A definite no. At least some minimal input is required, same as above, setting altitudes, setting radios, ILS frequency, VOR/LOC capture, G/S capture... you can cheat a little, but some input is required.

 

Why would you want all that, beats me, you could as well fly a flying brick which does that. Maybe someone programmed that...

There is no commercial airplane that takes off by itself. That would be a huge safety risk as taking off is the most dangerous sector of a flight

 

A 747 is probably the most automated but user friendly airplane as you can arm the lateral and vertical navigation while still on the ground and once you are wheels up you can engage the auto pilot. From there on out you can just adjust the altitude all the way to touchdown. It even auto tunes the ils and navigation radios on the fly

Actually I do know an aircraft that will take off all by itself, it will even cruise and come down all on it's own if you leave it for long enough

 

Dan, LOL. Took me couple of seconds to figure out what it is, I was only staring at the helmet at first, LOL.

It sounds like you want the MD-11.

 

 

You mean the MD-11 has automation features the 737 doesn't have? Could you elaborate a bit?

 

I don't know why you want it 100% automatic unless you're visually impaired (then I would recommend voice software), but the MD-11 can do so much for you if and when you want it. Yet you can take control any time you want.

 

Now if you come to your senses and want to play with the plane a bit more than automate it, you might be more interested in the "Pause at top of descent" feature. After takeoff let it climb and cruise, and after the boring bit is over come back for the descent

 

In reply to all the threads saying that, I should clarify that these questions were just out of curiosity. I was so impressed with the auto-land it got me thinking whether the plane could do everything else... I normally fly small GA aircraft (since most of my real-world flying experience is on microlights) - in fact my favourites to date are the RealAir Lancair Legacy and the RealAir turbine duke.

 

However the PMDG 737 does have a nice feel for hand-flying. My only complaint so far is that the panel has quite a bit of dirt and wear modelled into it, so I'd have liked the option to turn off dirt (like RealAir provide with their aircraft) to get that "new plane" feel

MD-11 has some really fancy automation, totally automated flight, but there is still need for pilot input.

You mean the MD-11 has automation features the 737 doesn't have? Could you elaborate a bit?

 

Lots of things, you need to read the manuals and enjoy learning these aircraft to fully understand it. But in general, on the MD-11 many things are just "optional" for the pilot to do. For example:

* To control altitude, leave it in profile mode and it's automatic. In climb the FCP altitude is the maximum allowed, the computer will decide which altitude to fly but it won't go over. Same in descent. But on the 737 even if the altitude differs it will not descend, you need to give it further request to descend by Alt Intv or in the FMC.

* Systems (hydraulic, electric, air etc) you can have them on auto mode and not think about them if you don't want to. But if you want to control them manually you can too. On the 737 you need to do this yourself.

* Auto tuning nav radios

* Monitoring and system displays

* Descending you really need to check the speeds in the FMC, smooth them out and ensure you will be slow enough to land in the 737. The MD-11 seems to calculate speeds better and gets you slow enough every time without fail.

The list goes on..

 

Really they are totally different types of aircraft, the 737 being short/medium haul is even less automated than other Boeings e.g. EICAS, Auto tune etc. Fly the 737 for some fun action packed flights, and fly the MD-11 for some more relaxing freight journeys, followed by a happy ending (the fun landing). I just had a happy ending in Hong Kong For some reason landing a heavy beast that makes a big noise when it comes down is more thrilling.

fly the MD-11 for some more relaxing freight journeys, followed by a happy ending (the fun landing). I just had a happy ending in Hong Kong

Stay out of those parlours! Dirty old man! :Shame On You: :LMAO:

Actually I do know an aircraft that will take off all by itself, it will even cruise and come down all on it's own if you leave it for long enough

 

 

Not a good sign (for education): people who mistake the Belgian flag for the German one.