I've been looking at getting a tubeliner for X-Plane, as I miss the NGX on FSX. I recently bought the Saab 340A, which is a fantastic plane, but can only be used for VOR-VOR flights, and is great for small hops.

 

I can't ask over at the org unfortunately since I'm blocked. Could somebody who owns the B757 let me know their experiences with it, and whether it's worth getting, specifically I'm looking at the following:

 

1) What's the documentation like? Does it come with decent tutorials and manuals, like the NGX does.

2) How hard is it to adjust the dials and knobs without using the mouse-wheel (In the Saab it's a nightmare). I only have a basic yoke, and do really want to invest in additional controllers or displays as I'm limited on space at home.

3) What does it do to your frame-rate?

 

Also any other feedback you could give would be much appreciated

1) The documentation consists of original, only slightly edited Boeing material. Very comprehensive, but not so easy to use if you are a beginner. There is no PDF tutorial, but some parts of the startup process are shown as interactive tutorials in-sim (i.e. some kind of checklists where a red circle shows you which button you have to press next.) Compared to the Saab's documentation, the 757's docs are worse.

 

2) Many switches you simply click. Some others you need to drag. In other words: The common mixture of classic click spots and manipulators. For me, it was easy to use. Be sure to set up good camera perspectives

 

3) The frame rate on my weak system is okay, much better than the Saab.

 

I am very happy that the 757 exists, because for me it is the first real good Boeing plane available for X-Plane (I say "for me", because I don't like the 777 -- not the FF addon, but the real 777. It's an ugly, big ... The FF 777 is surely great.)

I'm really looking forward to get this one too.

 

I use their 777, and the PMDG 777 in FSX ( no jokes please, no need to beat a dead horse... or is it a dead Hipo?... ) There are aspects of the implementation / simulation I prefer in the PMDG version, while others in the FF. In the FF I had to use Art Stab to get closer to the Boeing "Electronic Flight Control System" (aka Boeing FBW) because it's not modelled in the FF 777, but since the 757 had no such system, it'll easily be a lot closer to reality when hand-flying...

 

There are already a few nice tutorial at youtube for the 757, and one can use them to get a better idea of the implementation. Comment from a real world 757 driver at the .ORG forum are also very encouraging and positive!

I really love it, super highly recommend it! It is known to be the most detailed tubeliner in XPX, and I believe Froogle said it was better than PMDG. That sure tells you something

Yes there are a few things that need to be ironed out a little. Every question or bug report has been replied to by either Ramzzess or Philip, it's great to have the devs interacting so closely with their customers.

Thanks for the tips guys. If I'm familiar with PMDG's 737, how similar is this plane in terms of systems and the FMC. I'm not too bothered about lack of a tutorial if the knowledge I have is transferrable?

if the knowledge I have is transferrable?

 

It is, somehow, but there are still some good differences between the older 752 and the NGX ...  Not so easy as transferring between modern Airbus models....

 

Also in their 777 FF didn't go as deep as to model the Boeing FBW, so, when you read the FCTM of the 777-200LR and compare it to the way the FF model reacts to your inputs you get a bit disappointed... Sure, Art Satb can turn things a lot better, but I'd rather prefer to see the implementing the "Electronic Flight Control System" in a future update for the 777!  The 757 being an "old" model doesn't have those fancy systems, so I believe it's a lot closer to the real thing when tallented designers are in the project, and FF is certainly made up of some of the most tallented X-Plane 3pds....

On the other hand, while I had to really re-adjust when learning the A320neo, I could easily jump into the 757's cockpit and felt at home very soon

The NEO has a very good implementation of the Airbus Normal Law FBW. Very good indeed, making it a bit different to "hand-fly" then other airliners ( specially the older ones... ).

 

Also, getting the aircraft ready for taxi in an Airbus is a lot easier than in a 752, I believe... Thanksfully there are those precious checklists in the FF model :-)

 

 

I really love it, super highly recommend it! It is known to be the most detailed tubeliner in XPX, and I believe Froogle said it was better than PMDG. That sure tells you something

 

..and Froogle be wrong in this case! I already posted on the External Flap animation problem, and graphic issues in the VC. In addition it appears the FMC is missing the Flap setting on the Takeoff page. Without that, the FMC will not be able to accurately calculate the V-Speeds, as they are not the same at different flap configuration.

 

 

In the FF I had to use Art Stab to get closer to the Boeing "Electronic Flight Control System" (aka Boeing FBW)

Hi J.C., could you post me a PM on how you did this?  Thx

 

Back to the topic, I have not gotten the 757 yet.  The LDS 767 in FSX used to be my favorite, so I will be getting this one in the near future.

..and Froogle be wrong in this case! I already posted on the External Flap animation problem, and graphic issues in the VC. In addition it appears the FMC is missing the Flap setting on the Takeoff page. Without that, the FMC will not be able to accurately calculate the V-Speeds, as they are not the same at different flap configuration.

Really?  Can someone confirm that?  You cannot claim comprehensive modelling and missing those pages in the FMC.

..and Froogle be wrong in this case! I already posted on the External Flap animation problem, and graphic issues in the VC. In addition it appears the FMC is missing the Flap setting on the Takeoff page. Without that, the FMC will not be able to accurately calculate the V-Speeds, as they are not the same at different flap configuration.

sorry but FROOGLE was right, you're wrong.  The devs have modeled the old 757.

 

http://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?showtopic=71743

 

from dev:

"The real one cannot even calculate VSPEEDS.

I made you a shortcut for calculating flaps 15 VSPEEDS because I'm nice . On the real plane, this ALL has to be done by the book, the old fashioned way.

We provided you with plenty of reading material and the tables to calculate it. For a qiuck-and-dirty flaps 15 takeoff, use the "cheat" of the FMC and place the STAB trim in the middle of the green band and you are good to go."

 

as for graphic issues in VC....I have none with my settings and Nvidia card.

Hi J.C., could you post me a PM on how you did this?  Thx

 

Back to the topic, I have not gotten the 757 yet.  The LDS 767 in FSX used to be my favorite, so I will be getting this one in the near future.

Really?  Can someone confirm that?  You cannot claim comprehensive modelling and missing those pages in the FMC.

http://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?showtopic=71743

Really? Can someone confirm that? You cannot claim comprehensive modelling and missing those pages in the FMC.

 

Actually I was wrong on that. Yes it doesn't allow a flap setting entry, but it appears, it's still prototypical. First, sorry to hear about your diving accident, hope everything is ok now!  Up until now I have never seen a manual either from the sim or Boeing FCOMs that showed this variant of the FMC. I just found one and it confirms there is one. Don't see how the V-Speeds could be accurate though. Actually just read a pilots forum on this, and more and more it seems pilots are getting away from using FMC calculated V-Speeds, in lieu of EFB's!! Sorry Froogle, but I stand by my assertion it's not as good as PMDG, for the VC Graphic and Flap animation issues!!

 

 

as for graphic issues in VC....I have none with my settings and Nvidia card.

 

The problems in the model, an example look at the center pillar on the windshield, then compare it with real world cockpit. You'll see it's too narrow. Then look at the Flap animation from  the rear. you'll see there's a rather big gap in the flap fairing as it pulls away from the wing. The fairings  should overlap so you shouldn't see a gap, especially from the top. (You could see a small one though from the front and from the bottom).

+1 Mario.

 

is it worth getting?

 

I think the FlightFactor 757 is a must have if you like airliners and X-Plane. B) I also think it's the new reference for X-Plane aircraft add-ons.

 

 

I also think it's the new reference for X-Plane aircraft add-ons.

 

Until IXEG release their 737 Classic series.