Ok i have a few questions that need answered i'm using PFPX with 737 ngx. Today i use it for the first time with the FMC and the PFPXs SID waypoints don't match that off the SID in the 737s FMC so i just left the PFPX SID out for that portion of the plan. found out i need to update AIRAC and spend more money!

 

Next PFPXs TOC is just about the same as the FMC but the TOD is way later than the FMCs TOD, don't why these are off? Greeeeat addon lol

Oh and also 41000ft from edinburgh to gatwick? Is this right because i've looked at other plans and there way under? Just feel PFPX doesn't match up to the FMCs database what can i do?

 

Also had a major problem with the built in fuel planner i ran a flight from edinburgh to gatwick with the 737 NGX short flight and i almost ran out of fuel had about 1000kg to spare do i have to add more fuel in the fuel options?

 

If anyone uses PFPX with 737 ngx whats your settings plus any tips that could help me

 

Also thinking about Vroute is this much easier to use etc and is it a good planner?

Hello Driver, 

 

I am an NGX Captain and I use PFPX as well, maybe I can answer some of your questions. 

 

First off, if you go the PFPX SIDs, but you have not updated the AIRAC database, your data will always be off, PFPX comes with data that was updated up to when the product came out, I believe September 2013, after that, you have to update the AIRAC on a monthly basis. 

 

As for the T/D point, if the SID you are using is based on AIRAC that is different from the NGX AIRAC cycle, your numbers will never match, as the two products ( PFPX and NGX ) are looking at different numbers. Moreover, PFPX uses weather data from their servers, if you use the FSX default weather engine, or ASN, REX, the wind components may and will be different, so the two T/D points likely won't match, it can't be, if you think about it. I am just saying, maybe you use the same weather engine on both. 

 

Next, your cruising level: 41,000 ft. Well, I have seen real flight plans for that route flown at FL330, as well as 41,000, so to answer your question: 41,000 ft may be realistic, it all depends on the zero fuel weight and the load of the aircraft. At the end, anyway, it is your FMC that in the PERF INIT page, if I remember correctly, LS1R, will suggest the best cruising level, based on the weight and the wind component. And, anyway, you might not be able to reach that level, if ATC does not let you for traffic reasons. 

 

Last, but not least: the fuel load. The default fuel setting that comes with PFPX is a little "stingy" on that side...lol...what you have to do is change the % numbers for the different phases of the flight. Right now I am running 110%, 115%, 115% for climb, cruise, descent, respectively, and the last flight I the numbers seemed ok, not perfect, but ok. One more thing: the average fuel consumption for taxiing is 400 lbs, but if you are departing from a large airport such as EHAM, the taxiing can take its toll, and you may burn 600 or sometimes 700 lbs of fuel, and that can be set in PFPX as well. Also, do you know what Cost Index is set in PFPX and the C/I you input in the FMC?

 

Try this other planning software out: www.simbrief.com, as that is to my experience more accurate for fuel planning, at least for short to medium routes, I have not tried it yet on long hauls, but on average Simbrief is more accurate than PFPX at stock values, which you cannot change anyway, at least not yet, maybe in a future release. But do not forget: even Simbrief will require updated AIRACS, and you have to pay for them, but, come on, it's like 20 something bucks a year, I use the ones from Navigraph, and they are spot on with the latest charts. 

 

I hope my explanation helps, 

 

Enrico 

Brilliant honest clears alot up i'll play about with it the info you gave me later and report back

 

well i did only load up 100 pax and 3000kg of cargo maybe that explains the high altitude what i'll do is max it out do the same route and see what altitude i get?

 

One other thing...do you change the boxes in the fuel options like tanker fuel ballast fuel etc? Extra fuel how do you work that one out any tips etc

Also thinking about Vroute is this much easier to use etc and is it a good planner?

I almost forgot: VROUTE. I have never used it, so I can't say, But by reading the specs from their website, they are more for US and Australia, I do not think the RAD compliance is even considered in VROUTE, of course I stand to be corrected on this. 

 

After some using of PFPX, I have the feeling I could do without it as well, I know how to plan and make valid routes, have been doing it for quite sometime, I was honestly expecting more, sometimes before you build a valid plan, you have to try different things, like a trial and error process, until you finally get that right...but it is my two cents...

 

Enrico

Brilliant honest clears alot up i'll play about with it the info you gave me later and report back

 

well i did only load up 100 pax and 3000kg of cargo maybe that explains the high altitude what i'll do is max it out do the same route and see what altitude i get?

 

One other thing...do you change the boxes in the fuel options like tanker fuel ballast fuel etc? Extra fuel how do you work that one out any tips etc

Well, 100 pax and about 6,500 lbs of cargo is really less than 25% load of the aircraft, no wonder you get that cruising level, it seems correct, you likely reach 116k/117k lbs ZFW, so you are very light. I myself never load the aircraft over 117/118k lbs ZFW, as I like to climb high or even step climb, nothing wrong with that, you make the call, Captain!

 

The boxes in the fuel option: I increased the taxi fuel to 600 lbs, as that seems a good average based on different airports, if I fly into a crowded airport, say there is a flight event at EHAM over IVAO, and I expect some holding time, I might add 1,000 pounds or more, in the Extra Fuel box. But what you have to do is play around with the 737 NGX template, and adjust the numbers as I suggested in the previous reply, until you come up with accurate numbers,

 

Enrico

I have set the CI in both to 30 for now! Just signed up on sim brief and i'll update my AIRAC today.

All this info is just what i'm looking for

Awesome Driver, have fun and enjoy the NGX and PFPX, both great software products!

 

Enrico  :wink:

hi i've installed both airac into both products! but with PFPX its highlighted alot of routes in yellowy orange highlight with caution signs?

and my 737 didn't update :(

done it hehe 1404 but fmc stills says out of date?

i just deleted all of them it was the old 1302 routes

 

well i increased the cargo and pax it gave me a fl of 370 this time

 

 

done it hehe 1404 but fmc stills says out of date?

 

FMC looks at the date set in the simulator, not at the actual date - check that...

Its all good now