I have noticed when taking off with a 747 in FS2004, even the longest runway seems almost to short. Taking off today from Denver International, it seemed I had to use every foot of a 12,000 ft runway to get off the ground. I did not to seem to have this problem with FS2002. Anyone have any pointers? Also does anyone know why you have to run disc 4 when you are flying in FS2004? Thanks.Andy

Have you adjusted the trim settings for takeoff? Are you at 100% fuel load? Lots of things could enter in here, but most likely it's the trim settings.You only need disc 4 to get the sim started, unless you've only done a minimum install. If that is the case, the sim is looking for the necessary scenery/etc., files so that it can function.Darrell

Trim wouldn't lengthen your takeoff roll. And the info on Disc 4 that it always needs is for anti-piracy purposes.----------------------------------------------------------------John S. MorganReal World: KGEG, UND Aerospace Spokane Satillite, Private 130+ hrs.Virtual: MSFS 2004"There is a feeling about an airport that no other piece of ground can have. No matter what the name of the country on whose land it lies, an airport is a place you can see and touch that leads to a reality that can only be thought and felt." - The Bridge Across Forever: A Love Story by Richard Bach

<>Actually, it would if you have it screwed extremely far nose down. If so, you would be forcing the nose to stay down and take off would require a much greater airspeed to accomplish.Regards

The only thing I have set prior to takeoff, is the flaps to 5, other than that I just use the default settings when I pick the 747.Andy

Andy -Here are some guidelines that I've found to be helpful with any 747-400. I picked them up from a golfing buddy who, before retirement, flew United 747's for many years. These data assume that the aircraft is fully loaded (880,000lbs), the temperature is a sunny 80 degrees F. and the runway is at sealevel. (Takeoff speeds vary from 128 to 170 knots depending on the altitude, temperature, and aircraft weight. And runway length needed is also variable - from 5000' with a light load at sealevel to over 10,000' fully loaded at a 10,000' elevation. So it's not surprising that you need most of the KDEN runway depending on the total weight.) Before starting the takeoff roll, remember that the 747-400 won't fly itself off the runway - you have to do all the flying. When rotation (takeoff) speed is reached, you have apply enough backpressure to get the nose up and hold it there. The nose should come up at a rate of about 3 degrees per second until an initial nose-up attitude of 9 degrees is obtained. And the takeoff configuration of the aircraft is critical - if the flaps and/or trim aren't right it will never leave the ground - ever.The takeoff flap setting should be 20 degrees under clean and dry runway conditions so set Flaps20 . Increase the elevator trim to a couple of notches above neutral to start with (this may take a bit of experimentation to get right depending on which aircraft flight model you're using.) Apply full power and watch the airspeed. (The actual takeoff power should be 106% but it won't hurt to use all you have as long as it never exceeds 117%).When the airspeed reaches 170 knots pull back on the yoke (or stick) and try to get the nose pointing up at 9-10 degrees in about 3 seconds. Don't do this too quickly though - if the flight model is right, the tail should start to scrape the ground at 11 degrees with the wheels still on the concrete. Once you're off the ground, you want the airspeed to be 195 knots KIAS until 1500' and increasing the pitch angle (nose up) to 15-18 degrees should get you to this speed without touching the throttles. As you pass through 1500' decrease the pitch angle (drop the nose) to around 6-7 degrees to start accelerating in the climb.The minimum clean (flaps, wheels, and stuff all retracted) airspeed for this aircraft configuration is 270 knots, so contact ATC and let them know you'll be going above the 250 KIAS limit. The target climb speed is 300 knots and the flaps should be retracted to 10 degrees at 210 knots, 5 degrees at 230 knots, 1 degree at 250 knots, and fully retracted at 270 knots.Other than that, it's just practice, practice, and more practice. It may help to reduce the fuel load on the practice flights. The 747 is much easier to fly with less than a full fuel load.Doug

Well said.

That is a great response

Thanks so much for the info Doug. In 2002 I did not seem to have to do much to get the 747 off the ground. But I will start practising! Again thanks.Andy

<<(Takeoff speeds vary from 128 to 170 knots depending on the altitude, temperature, and aircraft weight.>>Of those factors, only weight would require any variation in take off airspeed. Hot air and/or high field elevation cause the air to be less dense and therefore, it has less of an impact on the airspeed indication system. That results in a greater GROUND SPEED for a given indicated airspeed.thanks for your tips. Very helpful.Regards,Jim

Hi there.This reply may be blocked- but you could always create a virtual CD Drive for Disc 4 and then you won't damage it. That's what I did and it works ok. I get to play. my CD stays clean.

Agreed - I have done the same ( since FS2000) using VirtualCD - which is in itself a payware prog.As far as I can see- this is not a breach of copyright as the CD image file produced and used can not be successfully(and useably) recopied to a CD.Dave

Besides all that was said, you took off from DENVER (KDEN?) If so, its a hight altitude airport, that by itself degrades any AC performance, so a full loaded jumbo will have a run at its engines...

Performance in a jet shouldn't be very degraded if at all. A jet-engine's performance improves with altitude.----------------------------------------------------------------John S. MorganReal World: KGEG, UND Aerospace Spokane Satillite, Private 130+ hrs.Virtual: MSFS 2004"There is a feeling about an airport that no other piece of ground can have. No matter what the name of the country on whose land it lies, an airport is a place you can see and touch that leads to a reality that can only be thought and felt." - The Bridge Across Forever: A Love Story by Richard Bach