777 automatic step climbs

[por930 51]

As a "long time lurker and poster" on this forum, CALEBRW you crossed over the line with the personal attack on Kyle Rodgers. Kyle expressed his opinion,which is what the forum is for. A poster asks a question, in this case regarding automatic step climbs, seeking other forum users views. You make mention Kyle used is correct name. Rules on this forum require posters to use their real names,which makes dialog between posters much more "polite and civil". It is people like Kyle that make the forum work as well as it does. You might agree or disagree with his and other opinions, but that is what the forum is for, a balanced approach. You have the right to express your views about the subject. NOT to launch into an attack at the author. Otherwise, welcome to the forum, and please use your real name when signing off please.

 

My view is the PMDG automatic step climbs, and pause at top of descent are an aid for us people with busy lives with jobs, kids, a wife, sport etc etc to manage long flights. Obviously in real life, step climbs are always controlled and you can not simply change altitude because it is more economical for your aircraft unless you have approval.

I live in Australia, so all of my flights start with a first leg of approx 8-12 hours to get 'anywhere'. In my case, right now I am on a flight (PMDG 747 of course) from SAEZ - YSSY. (QFA18) Some head winds mean the flight is approx.13.49 hours long. There will be 3 step climbs. I was not planning on going anywhere, but a client just called to say they had some issues at one of their sites and would I go there. This can happen any time...it is my job....( I am a contract programmer) Now I have the choice of: 1. Killing the flight. 2. Pausing the flight as per FSX and wait until I return, or as in the case of the 747, accept I can't step climb as no automatic option,which means fuel will be more critical, and use the pause at top of descent feature. I have chosen this option, otherwise I lose 6 hours of flight. This flight is VH-OEJ 747-438ER (in real life) TOW 374.8 planned landing weight 229.9 Flight Time 13:49. ( I actually did this real flight last year). I will have to mid flight carry out a partial re-fuel. Can't wait until the 777ER and the new 747ER? arrives. For us Aussies, we need long distance birds.

I think the ideal aid by PMDG is for the 747, MD11 and 777, Pause at top of descent, and automatic step climbs. The 737, Pause at top of descent.

 

Regards

[Paul_Smith 92]

...Long time lurker, first time poster...

Who just happened to create an account specifically to lambast someone? Very likely...

 

Anyway, the reference you were struggling for was Palookaville, not "poduckville".

[Budbud 227]

Well as someone said earlier in that topic, PMDG won't likely implement the automatic step climb on the T7 as it is not on the real aircraft.

 

I'm just a bit surprised how far we are now from the original question of that topic which was:

 

Will the pmdg 777 automatically perform step climbs like the MD-11, or do you have to press the altitude intervention button to initiate a step climb?

 

Do we really need to turn a simple question into a battle field?

 

Finally, as another one said, it is up to PMDG to choose whether they want to implement that option or not and up to any user to use it or not...

 

I don't see the point in discussing this any longer.

Sorry to be so aggressive, but reading that whole topic just disappointed me a lot...

[kevinh 409]

The MD set up tells the FMC you plan to use these levels during the flight, so it can generate an accurate vertical profile, and thus a more accurate fuel prediction. I don't think the logic was intended to be used as a fully automated step climb facility, any more than Boeing FMCs are meant to have an automatic descent at TOD if you select a lower altitude in the MCP as soon as you reach your cruise level. In both cases preselecting the altitude will allow climb or descent without further intervention.

 

Airbus, like Boeing, only allows for one step climb at a time.

[scandinavian13 5,192]

Kyle expressed his opinion,which is what the forum is for.

 

Geoff,

Thanks for backing me up, despite the difference in opinion. You know, I never considered the fact that flight legs almost anywhere out of OZ would require a decent amount of time. How typically American of me to not think about the rest of the world...oops. Haha.

 

In light of the opinions that have been coherently expressed, I stand with a changed opinion. An option to be able to have the aircraft automatically step climb would be useful.

[cappinsuruje2 1]

There are several apps for android and apple smartphones flying around that allows one to control FSX remotely via wifi. There is even one right here in the avsim library that is geared toward the NGX FMC; though it does have its limitations andd has not worked as it should for me. Perhaps the developer of that app, PMDG, or some other technologically savvy person out there can create a more viable an app that allows us to initiate the step climb from our smartphones while we are out piloting other areas of our lives.

 

Gideon Ward

[FLEX1978 373]

I was thinking the exact same thing Gideon, plenty of virtual desktop apps exists that allow you to view your PC screen on your iPad/iPhone or whatever.

 

 

[Paul Deemer 13]

I suggest if your not gonna fly the plane per real world procedures and your planning on sleeping that you fly offline. VATSIM is a real world procedures type of network and they have zero tolerance for people sleeping in the cockpit.

[Airbusman330 300]

Well if you want to be super realistic you would have a relief pilot just like in the real world.

[por930 51]

Well if you want to be super realistic you would have a relief pilot just like in the real world.

 

I thought exactly the same when we talk about "realistic". I think a balance has to be found with the aircraft designed by PMDG, 'as real as it gets' and they sure seem to make your feel there. With short haul aircraft like the 737NG, there is less requirement for additional aids than long distance aircraft. But I think if PMDG built in some non standard additions to help with the flight to cater for long flights for those users who are unable to have the time to be there for 8-16 hours straight. Interestingly, my wife said if I taught her, she would climb aboard and step climb the big girl(747), though she did draw the line at descent........Maybe this is my answer to online vatsim flights.

 

Regards

[froggy 21]

 

 

Geoff,

Thanks for backing me up, despite the difference in opinion. You know, I never considered the fact that flight legs almost anywhere out of OZ would require a decent amount of time. How typically American of me to not think about the rest of the world...oops. Haha.

 

 

 

Yep Kyle, we have some loooong distances here

 

East coast Australia runs aren't bad, 99% of them are under 3 hours.

 

But, say, if I need to fly from my home in Perth (west coast) to the east, it's a 4-5 hour run, most likely on an A330

 

Intra-state flying, well, consider if everything west of the American Rockies was one state, with the population of 2.5 million. Fly for 1:30 on a 738, and not cross any borders..........

 

Hence why I'm a 4x NQQB..........

 

[CaptCraig 226]

The ONLY option I would be upset about if it didn't have is the nifty memory the NGX seems to have when FSX has it's dreaded CTDs. FSUIPC somehow saves the state of the PANEL including FMC data and weight etc and all is well again after one of those horrible crashes. Not sure if this is a PMDG thing or FSUIPC thing because none of my other payware planes can do this.

[EGLL77W 1,508]

The ONLY option I would be upset about if it didn't have is the nifty memory the NGX seems to have when FSX has it's dreaded CTDs. FSUIPC somehow saves the state of the PANEL including FMC data and weight etc and all is well again after one of those horrible crashes. Not sure if this is a PMDG thing or FSUIPC thing because none of my other payware planes can do this.

 

No that's the NGX. I save manually and it saves panel states too just fine! I couldn't fly without!

[pilottj 198]

Just don't call it 'auto-step' call it Auto relief crew or somthing. I like overnighters in the MD-11, its great, take off, set up cruise, then go to sleep, wake up, decend, land...great. It is semi realistic, being that the FAA wouldn't allow me to fly for 12hrs straight anyway.

[CaptCraig 226]

The only reason I posted is to tell you, Kyle, that you are the most arrogant, insufferable and intolerant person I have had the please to come across on the internet

 

You sound just like the bunch over at the Aerosoft extended forum. Bitter, old, grumpy, and hostile.

 

I hate it when the people accusing someone of hostile activity is in fact one of the worst human beings on the planet. But it's always the case.