Is the 777 easy to fly?

[Alpha Floor 237]

I've been flying the Level-D 767 for years, and now that I've transitioned to the 777 I've acknowledged that this is an easier aircraft to fly, don't you agree?

 

From pure "stick and rudder" terms, both the 767 and the 777 have excellent handling qualities, but I'd say the 777 is even easier to fly due to the FBW. It's bigger and weighs more, but its huge wings make it really controllable.

 

In terms of "button-pushing", the 777 is so simple compared to the 767. On the 767 you have to go through all systems on the overhead before every flight and do a lot of "button pushing", not on the 777. Normally before a flight you only touch the fuel and the hydraulic pumps, nothing else. Everything has an "auto" position and handles itself automatically, making it very easy. Sometimes I find myself looking at the overhead for a couple seconds thinking "that's it? don't I have to do anything else? I sure am missing something". The cockpit is also simpler and cleaner than any other Boeing (except maybe the 787).

 

Just my thoughts,

 

PS: I absolutely love the 777 and I'm not implying that "the more button pushing" the better, not at all, actually the simpler you keep it the safer it is and the less you distract the pilots from the real deal: flying the bird. Just an appreciation of how technology has advanced in so little time. (767 introduced in 1982, the 777 only 13 years later).

[James Bennett 52]

Regarding your last point there, what I find amazing is that the 777 still looks and feels new and modern despite being over two decades old design wise.

 

About it being easy to fly. Button pushing wise it is simpler and cleaner, but there are some things that are procedurally more complex like things in the FMC that weren't around during the 767's days. If you're flying the LR then yeah there isn't much warmup of the systems to do but if you're flying the freighter then you'd be more likely to be starting it from cold and dark.

[Alpha Floor 237]

Regarding your last point there, what I find amazing is that the 777 still looks and feels new and modern despite being over two decades old design wise.

 

About it being easy to fly. Button pushing wise it is simpler and cleaner, but there are some things that are procedurally more complex like things in the FMC that weren't around during the 767's days. If you're flying the LR then yeah there isn't much warmup of the systems to do but if you're flying the freighter then you'd be more likely to be starting it from cold and dark.

 

Haha yes, to me the 777 is still today a new aircraft. Hasn't aged at all.

 

For example, on the 767 you have the IRS panel which has its little keyboard, its display, its selectors etc. All that was replaced on the 777 by a single button (!!!), so clean and simple.

[FLEX1978 373]

It's kinda funny how peoples view on technology can change over the years.  When Gulf air started phasing out the 767 my father looked all over the place for a job flying the classic 747.   He thought the 767 was too modern! and wanted to get back to 'real' flying   previously he flew the 737 Jurassic

 

In the end he got a command on the 744 & absolutely loved the aircraft.  Now he's on the 777 and enjoying the tech & automation.  

 

I Agree with your comment about the overhead and flows, I always keep thinking I should be doing more. 

[scandinavian13 5,192]

 

 

previously he flew the 737 Jurassic

 

hahahahaha - that made my morning.

 

I flew on a couple of those as a kid.  I'm kinda lucky to have flown on some of the aircraft I got to, honestly: DC10, B732, F100, MD87, B742, J41.  I miss seeing them around.  Then again, in another decade I'll probably be saying the same about some of the aircraft that are pretty common now, too...

[FLEX1978 373]

hahahahaha - that made my morning.

 

I flew on a couple of those as a kid.  I'm kinda lucky to have flown on some of the aircraft I got to, honestly: DC10, B732, F100, MD87, B742, J41.  I miss seeing them around.  Then again, in another decade I'll probably be saying the same about some of the aircraft that are pretty common now, too...

 I used to Jumpseat around Africa on Nigerian airways 737 Jurassic's  when I was kid  (back then the A300 was cutting edge tech!) Some crazy stories, runway lights going out on final approach, losing comms, ending up in thunderstorms..   

 

My mother still reminds me about it when I see her!

 

Wish I had a chance to fly on the DC10.  I jump seated on the Tristar a lot, and had access to a simulator through a friend back in the 90's

[ajpongress 467]

The 777 is like Pharrell Williams...it just doesn't age.

 

[scandinavian13 5,192]

The 777 is like Pharrell Williams...it just doesn't age.

 

[image]

 

To beat CPT_Morgan before he gets here, and blatantly steal his line:

 

"Dat hat, doe!!!"

[JRBarrett 3,049]

I used to Jumpseat around Africa on Nigerian airways 737 Jurassic's when I was kid (back then the A300 was cutting edge tech!) Some crazy stories, runway lights going out on final approach, losing comms, ending up in thunderstorms

I spent a few months in 2009 riding as a flight mechanic on a GIV based in Abuja. The intermittent electric grid and flaky ATC is as bad as ever. Abuja ATC wasn't half bad, but Kano control was another story. [emoji45]I doubt that will ever change...

[777 340]

 

The FBW systems make flying her a dream...

[Vincent_Vega 6]

Regarding your last point there, what I find amazing is that the 777 still looks and feels new and modern despite being over two decades old design wise.

 

About it being easy to fly. Button pushing wise it is simpler and cleaner, but there are some things that are procedurally more complex like things in the FMC that weren't around during the 767's days. If you're flying the LR then yeah there isn't much warmup of the systems to do but if you're flying the freighter then you'd be more likely to be starting it from cold and dark.

The 737's FMC can do more than the 777s.

 

Nate Guarasci

[bjratchf 80]

I find the 767 easier to fly than the Q400!

[777simmer 117]

The FBW systems make flying her a dream...

Oh my....

[777 340]

Oh my....

Care to Elaborate???

[777simmer 117]

Care to Elaborate???

Were you talking about the real 777 or the PMDG777?