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 the autopilot has 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)

 

Edit: I meant to post this to the FSX forum. Can it be moved there please?

I don't own the PMDG NGX (though I do have the iFly 737 which is about the closest in quality but not quite up to PMDG), but no, the plane can't automatically take off. VNAV/LNAV and such could automate climb, cruise, and descent, (which of course you'd have to engage after T/O), and for an autoland you'd have to activate the APP and CMD B when intercepting the localizer/GS, and after touchdown you'd have to still engage/disengage the reversers and slow to a stop on your own.

 

These are just assumptions though; someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Btw, I think you're in the wrong forum.

Unfortunately I just saw this post. I'm going to assume you've already posted this in the FSX forum. If I don't hear anything from you in the next day or so, I'll delete this post.