777 VNAV is almost the same VNAV we have on the 737NG.

 

777 VNAV CRZ PAGE:

737 VNAV CRZ PAGE:

 

 

787 VNAV CRZ Page (don't know how to resize the picture)

 

Any idea why the 777 and the 787 both have opt at FL330 and recmd at FL370?

Any idea why the 777 and the 787 both have opt at FL330 and recmd at FL370?

 

Just example graphics. I wouldn't read too much into it.

Great to hear a 'virtual' FO aspect is being considered, especially for the long hauls. Sounds like it will be optional and can be turned off for the hardcore folks. In the massive virtual world of FSX, it is about whatever makes you happy. If sitting in front of the computer by yourself for 14hrs turns your crank...more power to you!

If sitting in front of the computer by yourself for 14hrs turns your crank...more power to you!

 

That's just the thing, though...it's not 14 hours. I can guarantee most people who use the 744 walk off for the hours in between the steps, step the aircraft up, and then walk off for another several hours.

 

I mostly agree with the rest, though.

You don't have to fly step climbs. You don't have to make the steps at exactly the position the FMC says you should either. In real life you would be at the whim of ATC or your oceanic clearance. The FMC may well say STEP NOW, but that doesn't mean it's mandatory. Any virtual fuel you save won't be credited back to you. For me, step climbs are something to plan for and something to do during a long cruise, as I will be present (off and on) through it. But if you don't plan to be at the controls for most of the cruise, you haven't lost anything by not doing the step climbs.

 

I certainly wouldn't sit at the controls the whole of a long flight, but as my VA requires an hourly report via ACARS I will be there on a regular basis, at which time I can trigger a step climb if one is due. Having flown long hauls this way, I do find I get more satisfaction from them by doing so. I feel more involved in the flight than I would be if I ignored the cruise phase and let the FMC and AP take care of that.

You don't have to fly step climbs. You don't have to make the steps at exactly the position the FMC says you should either. In real life you would be at the whim of ATC or your oceanic clearance. The FMC may well say STEP NOW, but that doesn't mean it's mandatory. Any virtual fuel you save won't be credited back to you. For me, step climbs are something to plan for and something to do during a long cruise, as I will be present (off and on) through it. But if you don't plan to be at the controls for most of the cruise, you haven't lost anything by not doing the step climbs.

 

I certainly wouldn't sit at the controls the whole of a long flight, but as my VA requires an hourly report via ACARS I will be there on a regular basis, at which time I can trigger a step climb if one is due. Having flown long hauls this way, I do find I get more satisfaction from them by doing so. I feel more involved in the flight than I would be if I ignored the cruise phase and let the FMC and AP take care of that.

 

Exactly!

As long as these features are not forced upon the hardcore people then they have no leg to stand in regards to complaining. How someone else flies their 777 will have no bearing on how I enjoy my jet.

You don't have to fly step climbs. You don't have to make the steps at exactly the position the FMC says you should either. In real life you would be at the whim of ATC or your oceanic clearance. The FMC may well say STEP NOW, but that doesn't mean it's mandatory. Any virtual fuel you save won't be credited back to you. For me, step climbs are something to plan for and something to do during a long cruise, as I will be present (off and on) through it. But if you don't plan to be at the controls for most of the cruise, you haven't lost anything by not doing the step climbs.

 

I certainly wouldn't sit at the controls the whole of a long flight, but as my VA requires an hourly report via ACARS I will be there on a regular basis, at which time I can trigger a step climb if one is due. Having flown long hauls this way, I do find I get more satisfaction from them by doing so. I feel more involved in the flight than I would be if I ignored the cruise phase and let the FMC and AP take care of that.

As long as these features are not forced upon the hardcore people then they have no leg to stand in regards to complaining. How someone else flies their 777 will have no bearing on how I enjoy my jet.

 

I could not agree more! This sounds like how I am going to enjoy it! ^_^

Sounds like some people take this personally and are offended that PMDG is considering this. What's the big deal?

I can't believe this thread is still going.

As long as these features are not forced upon the hardcore people then they have no leg to stand in regards to complaining. How someone else flies their 777 will have no bearing on how I enjoy my jet.

No complaints from me as long as that's the case. If they implement it as an automatic F/O input, as Ryan said, then there's no reason why it will be intrusive. Step size is already available from the CDU. It would be a problem if it was done as an MD-11 style multiple cruise altitude input.

Sounds like some people take this personally and are offended that PMDG is considering this. What's the big deal?

I can't believe this thread is still going.

I don't think anyone is taking this personally against PMDG. The "big deal" remains how it will look to those who don't want it appearing on the FMC CDU pages. As long as the FMC pages are realistic with the feature turned off everyone will be happy. The "auto-F/O" idea Ryan mentioned is a good way to achieve this. It might do other stuff as well, as on the LDS-767.

That's the big plus to Boeing aircraft. They are designed to have pilots in full control. The aircraft will not deviate from the altitude set in the Mode Control Panel unless it's changed. Typically in cruise, vertical speed in an option as well as remaining in VNAV and after the MCP altitude is changed, the new altitude will pop up into the scratchpad in the MCDU (FMS). Copying that new altitude into the altitude box on the cruise page will initiate a FLCH climb in VNAV.

That's the big plus to Boeing aircraft. They are designed to have pilots in full control. The aircraft will not deviate from the altitude set in the Mode Control Panel unless it's changed. Typically in cruise, vertical speed in an option as well as remaining in VNAV and after the MCP altitude is changed, the new altitude will pop up into the scratchpad in the MCDU (FMS). Copying that new altitude into the altitude box on the cruise page will initiate a FLCH climb in VNAV.

 

that is a feature found in the B-767 series, but it does not work that way in the B-777.

 

There is no altitude pop up into the scratchpad, you just set the new altitude on the MCP and then when you want to initiate the climb or descent push the altitude selector and that action transfer the altitude value set on the MCP window to the FMS and initiate the CRZ climb or descent...

That's the big plus to Boeing aircraft. They are designed to have pilots in full control. The aircraft will not deviate from the altitude set in the Mode Control Panel unless it's changed. Typically in cruise, vertical speed in an option as well as remaining in VNAV and after the MCP altitude is changed, the new altitude will pop up into the scratchpad in the MCDU (FMS). Copying that new altitude into the altitude box on the cruise page will initiate a FLCH climb in VNAV.

It's not just Boeing, so it isn't a big plus. No aircraft will automatically deviate from the altitude set in the MCP window, except during a G/S capture of course.