Dear PMDG,

 

I really like the auto time compression feature. I don't know if this is possible or whether there would be demand for it, but would it be possible to have the sim play a "ding-dong" (like the "Cabin Ready" one) when within about 10 NM of a waypoint? The reason I ask is because I like to log fuel and time over each waypoint on my simbrief plan. However, on 5+ hour flights, I just have to use time compression. My current work around is to set a timer on my phone for the time until my next waypoint divided by the time compression value. However, this isn't exactly accurate since the sim may slow compression for wind shifts, temp changes, turbulence, etc.

 

Of course, this would be an "option" in the TC options menu (maybe even with selectable distance to waypoint???) so those who don't want it wouldn't need it.

 

I know it's not realistic, but then again, neither is the time compression to begin with.

Anyone else think this is a good idea? I can totally see everyone thinking I'm crazy here....

haha - I was going to reply, but I thought better of it since I'm not a user of time compression.

 

It's not too far off the wall, but in my opinion, I'd put it this way:

Take the realism, or take the shortcuts; not both.

 

Just my opinion, though.

I do not think you are crazy. I do not use time compression so I do not know is that a good idea or not.

During auto-cruise I personally would drop the fuel log stuff. I would continue it only after my auto-cruise phase.

Fair enough. Good answer Kyle. Same with Ollli...

 

Although I probably will continue to take the shortcut and the realism and continue to use my iPhone timer to "alert" me when the next waypoint should be near by. I just thought it would be a good idea if there is anyone else like me out there who likes to keep track of fuel burned vs. planned but also needs to use time compression due to time constraints and would possibly like to know when the next reporting point is arriving.

 

I don't know what it is...but I get a real kick out of logging the fuel and time at each waypoint like I saw in the Air Canada 777 DVD by justplanes and seeing how the simbrief numbers compare so well to the PMDG ones.

Hi,

 

Don't see the point of a "bip" here, nobody will use that except you.

 

I can't understand how people DON'T use time compression knowing how boring cruise might be for line pilots themselves, I also especialy wonder what they do in their freetime, but anyway...

 

I don't have time to fly much, but I try to do one long haul flight a week since the T7 is out. And I have a precise windows of 2 hours per flight per week to do it. So the answer to your question is in fact very easy, should you use time compression you can stay in front of your computer during the whole flight, and watch for failures and monitor flight at 16x level. That's what I do, work great, and I also check fuel prediction passing waypoint, check wind against predicted weather on PFPX flight plan and so on.

 

Basically the magic of time compression, especially at 16x, is that you CAN monitor from A to Z a complete long haul flight of 8-10 hours, even without leaving your desk once. 1 hour is less than 4 minutes in 16x, think about the time you gain. You can also revert to 1x passing each waypoint, going through your waypoint crossing checklist (fuel, track, weather, divert update, ETOPS, etc) and go to 16x when done till next.

 

I also noticed that Auto Cruise was a bit too conservative and reverting too easy to normal time. I found it one of the best feature of T7 but progressively reverting to "manual" 16x time with complete monitoring of flight, if it goes weird i can revert to 1x, correct track and go on 16x.

 

I heard some people takeoff, go to sleep and land the next morning in real time. I'm sorry guys, WHERE THE HELL IS REALISM in here ?! I mean, shoul youd you have a failure a 3:00 AM when you're just dreaming of your next holidays, what is going to happen to your flight ?

 

I had a complete engine failure in cruise on a flight. I was monitoring, at 16x, but monitoring, I was able to react immediately and had great fun going through abnormal CL and finding a divert.

 

So real time long hauler do not use failure I guess.

 

Accelerate time and monitor your flight from takeoff to landing, you have my answer here.

Win fun, win TIME, win realism, total winner, and you also get that beautiful scenic sunrise / sunset over the ocean leaving or arriving your destination.

 

Jerome Tarere