Hi, it's me, the newly promoted captain of a Delta 777-200LR, filing my flight report for my first proper long haul.  After a relatively brief familiarization route as Delta Flight 110 from KATL to KLAX, it was time to see what this big bird is capable of, and so I decided to attempt one of the longest Delta flights out there, Flight 8 from Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport (KATL) to Dubai International Airport (OMDB) in the UAE.   As one of the fastest growing hubs, this airport is opening the Middle East as a serious competitor to Europe as a stopover for flights from North America to Asia or Australia, and Qantas now uses the airport as the main stopover point for flights to Europe.

 

With PFPX by my side, I diligently prepared for the flight by making sure I calculated the proper amount of fuel to carry for the estimated 13 hour 33 minute trip, which was the duration of the flight for my real world counterpart.   The longer the flight, the more critical it is to have the right amount of fuel because just the slightest change in weather can spell trouble if you don't plan correctly.  In planning the fuel load for this long trip, I used the US International fuel policy in PFPX, 30 minutes holding at two destination alternates, and the enroute winds present on the route 2 hours ahead of flight departure.  Cost index was 60, and multiple step climbs are a given. 

 

Comfortable with the fuel figure given to me by my dispatch team at PFPX, I boarded the aircraft about 1 hour 45 minutes ahead of the 10:22pm departure to attend to the cockpit setup tasks, FMC initialization, and everything else expected of the captain AND copilot.  Yes, without FS2crew, I am all alone in this new environment and will have to juggle the workload of two people, something I'm not accustomed to.  But it's a great way to learn about the 777's systems, as there is less incentive to figure out what switches do what when you have the FS2crew copilot doing a lot of the work for you.

 

PFPX planned time for my flight is 13 hours 38 minutes, and the ETA for departure is 10:22pm, with arrival to Dubai expected at 8:08pm.  Initial flight level is FL310, with progressive climbs to FL370, and I should have an average 17kt tailwind to help me along the route.   With dispatch paperwork in hand, it's time to board the big behemoth.

 

At KATL Gate E28, I find the aircraft in the "long" turnaround state.  I ask the fuel crew to upload 243,633 lbs of jet fuel. 

 

After an on time push back and 12 minute taxi, I line up and wait at runway 27R.  If you look closely, you may just about make out the Air France Cargo 747F Freighter accelerating on runway 27L.  He was given priority to takeoff, so I must hold position for 3 minutes. 

 

Parking brake finally released, I push the throttle to 55% N1, press the TO/GA button on the throttle, and the 2 massive GE-90 engines roar to life.   The Delta 767-400 behind me in Susan G Komen "Pink for the Cure" colors is now given permission to line up and wait. 

 

I rotate, surprisingly sooner than I expected.   Even with a full load of passengers and 16 hours worth of fuel, I use only a little over half of the 11876ft runway.  I guess a full thrust takeoff will do that!   This is why a TOPCAT profile is needed for this aircraft so that we can easily calculate engine derates to save wear and tear on the engine, as the 777 has plenty of power to spare even when fully loaded!

 

Obligatory wing view, with a look at the AirTran terminal. 

 

A tight turn to the right as I climb out on the SUMMT6 SID, with downtown Atlanta in focus.  From here on out, the immediate path over the U.S. will take me over Knoxville TN, Charleston WV, Altoona PA, and Albany NY.

Sunrise somewhere over the North Atlantic, almost 5 hours into the flight. 

 

Crossing over the northern tip of Denmark.


Over the Baltic Sea, I watch a 767 pass 1000 feet beneath me heading westward in the RVSM airspace.   There were many TCAS alerts in the busy skies of Northern Europe.

 

Admiring the view of the Tigris River near Baghdad.  Never in a million years did I expect to be flying over Iraq in FSX! 

 

The sun is going one way, I'm going the other way.  It was nice to have some sunlight for the few hours our paths met on this crazy long journey across multiple timezones.

 

The inevitable sunset, as I depart the Kuwaiti airspace.

 

Darkness falls, but at least the moon is watching over me.

 

Well into the arrival on the DESDI6D STAR into OMDB runway 30R, I am currently in the shallow "geometric VNAV descent" at 230kts, due to slow down to 210kts for the rest of the downwind leg, followed by a 180kt base leg, and a request to maintain 160kts on finals until 4 DME ILS30R.

 

Overhead abeam of OMDB, this shot encapsulates the grandeur of Dubai.  There is no mistaking the Burj Khalifa for any other skyscraper in the world, as it holds the title of being the tallest man made structure at 2,722ft.  Quite a few properties in Dubai hold the title of being the grandest or the most expensive.  An excess of oil wealth will have that effect on a country.

 

Having passed the 4 DME mark, I can drop the rest of the flaps and slow down to the VAPP of 142kts. 

 

The main gear settles down and I have made contact with terra firma!  The time is 8:23pm local Dubai time.

 

Exiting the runway at taxiway M6, I go through the after landing checklist.  Flaps and speedbrake retracted, landing and turnoff lights extinguished, and the APU is started.

 

Making my way to the waiting gate at Terminal 1, I am asked to hold at Taxiway K to give way for a departing Oman Air 737-800W. 

 

Engines shutdown at Gate F4, the weary passengers and their heavy baggage are unloaded as this long journey has finally ended.  Yes, that is my evil twin parked next to me.  I forgot to tell Ultimate Traffic 2 to cancel this flight! :angry:

 

Well there you have it folks, my first long haul in the new PMDG 777-200LR is complete.  Clocking in at 13 hours and 39 minutes, I just about matched the PFPX predicted trip time of 13 hours 38 minutes.  Real life flight was 13 hours 33 minutes, but this is pretty close considering all the variables in FSX that are not a complete match for conditions in real life.   One of the most important metrics with long hauls is fuel burned, and during preflight preparations the PFPX OFP release estimated I would land with 29,056lbs fuel remaining.   Actual fuel remaining on gate arrival was 24,200lbs.  So I burned 17% more fuel than PFPX thought I would.  Again, there are many reasons why the two figures will not match, not the least being that the PFPX data is modeled on the real aircraft and there are other variables such as weather and FSX limitations to consider.  A more refined PFPX aircraft profile accounting for adjustments made for the flight sim model should help in the future.  But I did notice the FMC instructed me to make step climbs at about the same time as the real flight did as I analyzed the altitude graph on Flightaware, and the route was almost perfectly matched as well.   In case you are curious, the real flight record can be found at http://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL8/history/20130908/0222Z/KATL/OMDB

 

After examining my logbook, I found out this was my second longest flight of all time.  The winner being my flight in a Qantas liveried PMDG 747-400 between KLAX and YMML back in November 2010, 15 hours and 2 minutes.

 

I'm pretty proud of this flight, as I had plenty of time during cruise to read up on the 777's features.  I am really in love with this addon, and I know it's cliche, but PMDG really is the best and has way over exceeded my most wildest expectations.  I only hope that Bryan York at FS2crew will release his companion addon sometime soon, as the preflight and flying workload is very high for one person to handle.  But I applaud PMDG for offering a few new features to make the experience a more manageable and rewarding one, namely, a simulated ground/cabin crew to automatically open/close doors and load the fuel realistically, and a much needed shortcut to copy and paste reams of waypoint wind data from my weather program, AS2012, to the 777 FMC.   I can't believe the data entry nightmare I used to face with older addons on routes this long, and I was pleasantly surprised to learn this feature I have suggested in the past has been implemented successfully. 

 

Next trip will be the return flight to KATL, and with headwinds all but guaranteed, this should be an even longer flight, estimated about 14 hours 16 minutes.  I have some more reading to do on the 777 and practice takeoffs and landings to work on, so it may be awhile before I tackle that trip.  I may even do a two part post, as I find just 20 photos cannot do these long hauls justice.  But rest assured I will make every effort to make the experience as real as possible. 

 

As always, thanks for putting up with my wall of text, as there are not enough words to express how satisfying this addon is.  We are going through a renassiance period in FSX, and I am still overwhelmed with excitement over the recent release of ground breaking addons like PFPX and the PMDG 777.  Sharing these memories is almost as fun as the actual flights!

 

Until next time, have a great weekend!

These are stunning shots!  B)  I wish I had the time to do a 14 hour flight.......  Longest I've done so far is 6 hours. Which scenery are you using for KATL?

 

 

 

I am really in love with this addon, and I know it's cliche,

Haha don't worry – you're not the only one!

Amazing - but I'm going to miss your Alaska Airlines flights

 

These are stunning shots!  B)  I wish I had the time to do a 14 hour flight.......  Longest I've done so far is 6 hours. Which scenery are you using for KATL?

KATL is from Imaginesim.

 

Amazing - but I'm going to miss your Alaska Airlines flights

Yeah I know, I was just getting warmed up too, learning about RNP and those many challenging spots to get into in AK.  My vacation in India cut that short, and when I returned the T7 was in the final innings of being released.   I'm keeping the Alaska NGX on standby, as I'm sure I'll need a break from the long hauls eventually. 

KATL is from Imaginesim.

 

Yeah I know, I was just getting warmed up too, learning about RNP and those many challenging spots to get into in AK.  My vacation in India cut that short, and when I returned the T7 was in the final innings of being released.   I'm keeping the Alaska NGX on standby, as I'm sure I'll need a break from the long hauls eventually. 

 

I still hope to see your flight from KSEA - KDCA, would love to see that river visual approach from one of the best! 

 

I am purchasing a new system as we speak with an i7-4770 so I'm really excited for it to arrive and get back into FSX again - my old PC (still under my profile!) crashed yesterday!!!

 

EDIT: It has been ordered - but now I have to suffer two weeks of agony and misery waiting for FSX to come back to me. At least it will be ready for Fall break!

I think KSEA to KDCA is very doable.  I'd love to tackle that scenic approach in Alaska colors. 

Great set! :Applause:

Nice set.

 

nebojsa

Outstanding narrative complementing a great set of images.  Thanks AJ.

After a restful break in Dubai, it was time to return to the cockpit for the return flight to Atlanta.   I'm currently at FL300 over Iraq, and have a long ways to go in this 15 hour flight, but here's a quick shot of the big bird at the gate at Terminal 1 OMDB.

 

 

Dubai will be my next scenery purchase! Shots look wonderful. 

 

Thanks for sharing.

 

Cheers,

 

 

This is why a TOPCAT profile is needed for this aircraft so that we can easily calculate engine derates to save wear and tear on the engine, as the 777 has plenty of power to spare even when fully loaded!

 

Agreed.  Any word on when or if this will come?

Agreed.  Any word on when or if this will come?

No idea.  I know that these profiles are very difficult to produce.  But they have to be working on one, as this and the NGX are probably the highest selling addon aircraft of all time.  They can't afford to not make one, with all the attention PFPX has generated they have a huge lead to take advantage of in acquiring new TOPCAT customers.  

Concurr, hope they hurry with it.

This is really great from start to finish. I've yet to take this bird on a longhaul flight. :wub: