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.

 

 

There are no automatic climbs in an IFR ATC-controlled flight but ... so what?

 

If a "cheat" like this helps one group of simmers without increasing the cost of the product nor delaying the release date, so why not? We have "cheats" for speed controls in A/C which, in the real world, don't even have an A/T. In a PMDG Boeing A/C you can change your fuel level (and even your equipment!) "on the fly".

 

If it comes at no extra cost - just put it in!

If a "cheat" like this helps one group of simmers without increasing the cost of the product nor delaying the release date, so why not?

The additional programming, optimization, and testing required probably will delay the release. Perhaps one who relies on "cheats" instead of compromising by performing short-haul flights (if he or she can not realistically manage long-haul flights) should consider aircraft by other developers.

 

We have "cheats" for speed controls in A/C which, in the real world, don't even have an A/T.

Not really relevant to PMDG aircraft, though.

 

In a PMDG Boeing A/C you can change your fuel level (and even your equipment!) "on the fly".

The feature is a practical, simple substitute of the ground crews that load fuel in real life.

 

In any case, I do not want PMDG to take time developing an unnecessary and unrealistic feature.

 

 

There are no automatic climbs in an IFR ATC-controlled flight but ... so what?

 

If a "cheat" like this helps one group of simmers without increasing the cost of the product nor delaying the release date, so why not? We have "cheats" for speed controls in A/C which, in the real world, don't even have an A/T. In a PMDG Boeing A/C you can change your fuel level (and even your equipment!) "on the fly".

 

If it comes at no extra cost - just put it in!

It won't come at no extra cost. Writing and testing software takes time.

 

PMDG has options to let you change from one realistic set up to another. Adding unrealistic options isn't the same. Also, it would have to be added so those who want the simulation kept real won't see it in normal use.

 

There are all kinds of things which could be nice to add, but if they aren't realistic they don't belong in a PMDG sim.

Flying an aircraft such as a 777 without a first officer/required support crew isn't realistic either. If you want 'true' realisim you could only fly those planes certified for single pilot operations. That shouldn't stop you from enjoying these big planes, since it is a simulator with no FAA/CAA to regulate you. If I fly the MD-11F from Munich to Area 51 so ET can have bratwurst and beer...no one to stop me, it is as realistic as I choose it to be.

 

Cheers

TJ

The feature is a practical, simple substitute of the ground crews that load fuel in real life.

This sounds like it came from a spokesman inside the Beltway. Spin!

 

Michael Cubine

Flying an aircraft such as a 777 without a first officer/required support crew isn't realistic either. If you want 'true' realisim you could only fly those planes certified for single pilot operations. That shouldn't stop you from enjoying these big planes, since it is a simulator with no FAA/CAA to regulate you. If I fly the MD-11F from Munich to Area 51 so ET can have bratwurst and beer...no one to stop me, it is as realistic as I choose it to be.

 

Cheers

TJ

Adding an enhanced VNAV so some people can let the sim fly step climbs by itself with no crew for long periods is therefore even less realistic.

The only issue i can see with an automated step climb would be online flying, if you have left the flight deck (to sleep etc) and you have an automated step climb in RVSM airspace, someone could be heading towards you when you suddenly step climb, without advising on UNICOM or ATC to control you, I wouldn't be best pleased if i had spent time planning a flight and half way through some random aircraft approaching suddenly step climbs in front of me. Obviously if it wasn't an online flight, then why not eh.

 

Just my opp :rolleyes:

The only issue i can see with an automated step climb would be online flying, if you have left the flight deck (to sleep etc)

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't VATSIM have a no more that 30 mins away from cockpit rule?

 

I think it would be good to have a "virtual cruise capatin" as some have suggested, maybe if PMDG doesn't implement it, FS2Crew can put something like this into their PMDG777 product, where you tell FS2crew at what point to step climb, and it would execute it for you.

I think Vatsim has a "never leave the cockpit"-policy, but you will not be banned or excluded if you get in contact with the controller or supervisor that tries to call on you within 30 minutes.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't VATSIM have a no more that 30 mins away from cockpit rule?

 

Correct, so does IVAO, but that's broken quite a lot im afraid, a lot of sandbaggers out there, especially on long hauls, and who would go to sleep for 29 mins to be back in the 30 min rule?

Adding an enhanced VNAV so some people can let the sim fly step climbs by itself with no crew for long periods is therefore even less realistic.

 

Don't call it auto vnav, call it auto-relief crew or somthing. Simulating a relief crew would be much more 'realistic' than a single pilot flying these long haul routes.

Or you could just not do step climbs when you aren't at the controls. It isn't realistic because the 777 doesn't have the feature in its FMC. I don't think it's something you could use in reality an MD-11 either, but PMDG include it because it's in the aircraft.

 

Maybe you could try asking Bryan York if he would add a relief crew function to FS2Crew.

maybe not part of the internal FMC per say as to the real 777 but part of the aircraft command system that is operated through the FMC..ala doors, cabin lights and so on...be able to toggle 'virtual relief crew' or somthing. That would seperate it from the FMC's actual simulated function from the simulation of a virtual relief crew.

This sounds like it came from a spokesman inside the Beltway. Spin!

Sorry—I don't get it. Is it a bad thing?

Could PMDG make it an option for the FMC to perform automatic step climbs (like the MD-11)? On longer flights, when I am often away from the computer, I can get incorrect fuel predictions if I do not initiate the step climb at the optimum time. This is especially important in the T7, when flights can be up to 18 hours!

 

 

Fred Miller-

 

Believe it or not, we actually already had this idea internally - there's going to be an "FO performs step climbs" option because we realize people aren't going to be sitting at the computer for as long as the 200LR can go for. In real life it is not fully automated, you have to roll the MCP alt up to the new altitude and press the knob to initiate a CRZ CLB, just like on the NG.

 

All you guys saying we'd never do this - you're wrong.