Hi PMDG pilots, here is some very basic questions regarding the FMC on this bird; I read quite a few reviews, which answered pretty much all my question, but one: the A/P and FMC. I understand the VNAV function is not simulated (don't know whether it is a J4100 characteristic, or a PMDG choice). If what I said is correct, how do you fly the aircraft? Can you leave it to the A/P and the FMC, or the FMC is just to be used as a reference?

 

Last one: can you enter waypoints that you create in the FMC? Is it compatible with Navigraph?

 

Thanks and pardon my questions, hope you can help me out

 

Enrico :smile:

I understand the VNAV function is not simulated (don't know whether it is a J4100 characteristic, or a PMDG choice). If what I said is correct, how do you fly the aircraft?

Remember, VNAV is only vertical path information. While at cruise you're not going to be changing altitude, so the plane can perfectly well fly itself without VNAV. The only difference is that you have to take care of climbs and descents yourself.

 

Can you leave it to the A/P and the FMC, or the FMC is just to be used as a reference?

See above for most of it, but the FMC does give you guidance for what V/S you should use to meet crossing restrictions (that are included in the nav data - see below - or hand-entered).

 

Last one: can you enter waypoints that you create in the FMC?

Yes

 

Is it compatible with Navigraph?

Yes

 

This should give you an idea of what to expect with the FMC:

http://library.avsim.net/download.php?DLID=156113

I understand the VNAV function is not simulated (don't know whether it is a J4100 characteristic, or a PMDG choice). If what I said is correct, how do you fly the aircraft?

VNAV IS simulated, there is section in the FMS for it; it will calculate required descent rates and vertical deviation. However, the VNAV is basic and not coupled to the autopilot (like in a CRJ or ERJ) or EFIS, so it is reference only. LNAV is coupled to the EFIS/AP.

 

I usually use IAS hold and adjust power to obtain my desired climb/descent rate (180 kias for climb, and about 225 kias for descent. There is no autothrust, again like a CRJ or ERJ).

 

Is it compatible with Navigraph?

The FMS uses the standard PMDG database, same one that underpins the NGX, 747X etc. Navigraph and also Aerosoft (I think) supply AIRAC data for it.

Understood, this is clear now. Let me have a look at the FMC guide, many thanks to both of you,

 

Enrico :wink:

Welcome! Let me know if anything is unclear in the guide.

I find that if you can hit the top of descent calculated by the FMC at 190 knotts, you can pull the engines to idel and set the autopilot to IAS hold. Usually if winds co-operate, she will stay within a few hundred feet of the calculated path without any issues and when you get to the bottom, you won't be struggling to slow down.

Kyle, read through your FMS guide the other day, thanks, great addition to the tutorial.<br /><br />I have now 6 complete flights with this great plane and I love it. I find that using the FMS V/S recommendation is quite effective, last flight I reached TOD, pulled back a bit, set ALT SEL and V/S and adjusted power to get 245 IAS as I was going down, all the way to 10nm before IAF. Slowed down with no problem.<br /><br />Setting 190 and an IAS controlled descent from the top would take more time I would think.<br /><br />Only one thing I would love to fix, I cannot find what keys to map for the increase/decrease of the "thumbwheel" for the adjustment of V/S or IAS. Would like to map it through FSUIPC to one of the leverbuttons on my Saitek yoke.<br /><br />Cheers,

 

Kyle, read through your FMS guide the other day, thanks, great addition to the tutorial.

 

Thanks Morten!

 

This should give you an idea of what to expect with the FMC:
http://library.avsim.net/download.php?DLID=156113

 

Kyle, I just read your FMC guide. What a job! Very good for those who are familiar with the NGX/MD-11 and now gets lost in J41. Already saved in my iPad. Thank you very very much.

Kyle, I just read your FMC guide. What a job! Very good for those who are familiar with the NGX/MD-11 and now gets lost in J41. Already saved in my iPad. Thank you very very much.

Thanks Cristiano.  If you can think of any way it could be improved, let me know!

Does anybody know how to enter offset wayponts in FMC ? There is an explanation in the manual, but there are no examples how It should look like ?

1.
An offset waypoint is a set of coordinates determined by a selected radial and distance from a previously defined or database waypoint. An “*“ following the parent waypoint denotes an offset waypoint. More than one offset waypoint is allowed from one parent using ~ ~ ~ etc., as identifying notation.
2.
The entries required to establish an offset waypoint are the radial from the parent waypoint in degrees and tenths of degrees, along which the offset is established and the distance from the parent waypoint to the offset waypoint.

 

Cant get link to work ....is it still active ??

Cant get link to work ....is it still active ??

 

To the FMC guide?  It should still be up there.  If the link isn't working, you can always go to the library advanced search and search my name in the author field.  After that, sort by date.  I think it was the last thing I uploaded (sadly).

 

EDIT: Yep.  If you sort by date, it'll be the first thing you see.

Many thanks Kyle

Welcome!  Let me know if you have any questions, or if you have any recommendations to add to it.  Heck, it's 2 years old now, so it could probably use an update.