Hi. I have managed to get that 2nd engine started but am stuck on the intruductory flight. On the takeoff section in the manual it says....'Check the settings on MCP. The speed should be set to v2 + 10kts. HDG should be 237 and ALT set to 10000.'first question.Do i have to get in touch with ATC via the ' key and number commands? If so where do i go? East, West, Depart straight out, Remain in pattern?2nd question.Do i have to punch the headings, altitude etc for takeoff into the MCP like i would if i werent using the mod? And where would i find or how would i set speed v2 + 10 kts.Sorry guys but this is all new to me and im just learning the ropes.Regards,Chris

Hello Chris, "I have managed to get that 2nd engine started but am stuck on the intruductory flight. On the takeoff section in the manual it says....'Check the settings on MCP. The speed should be set to v2 + 10kts. HDG should be 237 and ALT set to 10000.'" This is incorrect, in fact pay no attention to this information in regard to the MCP set TO speed. The MCP speed window is always set to V2 only, the flight director accounts for 20 knots for it's pitch command automatically. So the F/D's pitch is V2 plus 20 which you will manually follow. If you engage an Autopilot in Takeoff mode, the default pitch mode will be in LVL CHG. If you move the MCP altitude window's speed dial it will automatically jump 20 knots with only one click of the dial. In this situation you need to reach flap retraction altitude then set MCP speed to flaps up maneuvering speed and then you can engage VNAV."Do i have to get in touch with ATC via the ' key and number commands? If so where do i go? East, West, Depart straight out, Remain in pattern?" I don't use default ATC and don't believe it accounts for procedures (SIDS - STARS) unlike Radar Contact. I don't know what flight you are talking about, I suppose something you downloaded off the library? Maybe ask the person who wrote the flight plan."Do i have to punch the headings, altitude etc for takeoff into the MCP like i would if i werent using the mod? And where would i find or how would i set speed v2 + 10 kts." You will set the MCP altitude window depending, if you have a restriction set it to that, say departing KSJC one must hold @ 5000' until a certain point, if you don't have any restrictions set the altitude to your Criuse Altitude. After you enter all required information into the FMC (All BOXES need to be inputted), choose your flap setting, weights and departure runway simply click on the Right line select keys (LSKs) adjacent to the VSPEEDS on the TAKEOFF REF page. Note the V2 speed and place this into the MCP altitude window. For takeoff, select either flaps 1 or 5, set N1 to about 40% then push a TOGA button....Best Wishes,[h4]Randy J. Smith[/h4][h3]P M D G's 747-400[/h3][h4]coming to a runway near you[/h4][/font color]Caution! Not a real pilot, but do play one on TV ;-)AMD 64 3200+ | ASUS KV8 DELUXE | GFORCE 5700 ULTRA @535/1000 | Maxtor 6Y080M0 SATA 80 GIG | 512 DDR 400 | Windows Xp Pro | Windows Xp Pro 64 |

I think he's talking about the tutorial flight from a tutorial...don't know which though?...you might want to post this in the PMDG forum, maybe someone there can help you also.-Mikkel

Thanks for your help guys but im really really puzzled.before this i had only been using the original fs2002 AP controls but this is very advanced what with FMC (new to me) instead of good ol' GPS.I have no idea what to do when i become airborne. Seems whatever i do the plane wont follow the directions i gave it in FMC???? It wont climb steadily and when i turn 'speed', 'alt hold', 'hdg sel' still does nothing.Plesase could some of you help or Is there a step by step guide somewhere that cuts out all the jargon so its easy for casual flight-simmers to understand?Regards,Chris

Did you download the tutorial from the library here at avsim? I think it's available at the PMDG site also. Otherwise try and do a search for pmdg and tutorial in the library and see what it comes up with.-Mikkel

Chris, You might like to try pmdg_flight_tutorial_v2.zip in the Avsim library or search on either Fred Clausen or Tim Metzinger both of whom have produced excellent tutorials. Trying to get started straight from the manual is very difficult.David.