Recommend a 77W Training Device

[Ken.Pascoe 1]

Howdy All

 

I would appreciate the benefit of the wisdom and experience, particularly those of you who are across various sim platforms - FSX, P3D, XP10 etc with 777 configurations.

 

My background is extensive 777 experience with Emirates and Virgin Australia. I train in the aircraft, develop training and standards manuals and other content for my airline. Behind this I have a degree in Computer Science and 35 years of building and tinkering with computers. I ran MS Flt Sim when it was first released and it was the definitive test of a new PC. However I really haven't sim'd on my PC for 15 years or more (I get to play with bigger simulators these days) but recent events have driven me back to it. My airline currently has a full motion 777-300ER simulator but no fixed base procedural type training devices, and I'm casting my eyes around to see what I can recommend to students and young pilots transferring into the 777 to learn the procedures and systems to smooth their progress through full flight sim.

 

Accordingly I recently upgraded my home PC (I've been on a laptop for several years), bought FSX/Accel and PMDG 772/773 packs, based on a recommendation from a friend. At this point I have to say I'm stunned at the fidelity of the simulation. It's awesome. I've run three flights from push to park so far, thrown in some failures and other scenarios from the lesson plans we use in full flight, and I'm actually being appreciative when I say that what stands out most for me is the few things that differ from the aircraft I fly all the time. PMDG have done an amazing job.

 

At this point, I'm looking for the answer to two questions.

 

If you were to recommend a platform and installation to suit my purposes - would it be FSX/PMDG 777, or one of other solutions. I'm not so much after the external graphics, nor the "feel" of being able to fly the simulator (although they are a bonus) - I'm after the fidelity of the flight deck, the ability to switch and change things, run checklists, program and respond to non-normals, etc. I bought a copy of X-Plane 10 (but haven't installed it yet) and I'm starting to look at P3D after reading the forums. But it seems like FSX/PMDG have the edge in terms of the 777 at the moment?

 

Also, I'm also after the ability to change the configuration of the aircraft model itself. While not a show stopper - there are small configuration changes in the flight deck and a few of the systems (such as ECL) I'd like to see if I can make to get the simulation closer to the Virgin Australia B777-300ER I fly and teach. I've barely started to research how configurable the PMDG solution is, so I apologise for not having done my homework on this yet ...

 

In terms of aircraft options - how flexible are the PMDG (and other) solutions to modifying things such as EICAS messages, ECL checklist contents, etc?

 

Also - I've noticed a few anomalies in the aircraft that don't match my aircraft, or any 777 I've flown, and I suspect they're actually flaws in the simulation. Is there a mechanism to have these looked at, and how responsive are PMDG (and the other developers) to such suggestions?

 

Thanks in advance for any assistance. Meanwhile if anyone has any 777 questions that I may be able to assist with, please send them my way, and I'll do my best.

 

Regards, Ken Pascoe

www.infinidim.org

[downscc 1,327]

PMDG products are currently released only for the FSX platform.

 

Also, check the EULA closely for it is pretty specific on exclusions for commercial applications, such as airline training, without first contacting PMDG. Specifically:

 

b) This software is for use only with the retail version of Microsoft Flight Simulator X.  You may not use this software on any platform other than Microsoft Flight Simulator X.
c) You may use the Software for private entertainment purposes only.
d) You may not use this software to conduct or receive training, aircraft familiarization or other training scenarios without first obtaining a commercial support license from PMDG Simulations, LLC. 

 

Email is not a vaild method of contact, you can go to support.precisionmanuals.com, create a support account and create a ticket with your inquiry and PMDG will contact you.

 

Having said all that, PMDG simulations are specifically designed for study simulation, which is right up your alley. I suggest you take the time to open a dialog with them.

[Driverab330 74]

Hi Ken,

 

I used the PMDG to aid my real world flying as well. However when I did my conversion I still rely heavily on the IPT ( Integrated Procedural Trainjng Device from CAE ) because it gave me some tactile feedback on the buttons and the rough position of knobs and switched. The other thing is the autopilot behavior on the PMDG777 is not quite the same as the IPT is some area closely resembles the sim and the real airplane. Let alone the FM database is never 100% coded the way as in the IPT, which is supposed to be the same as the simulator and the real airplane.

 

Having said that, the PMDG 777 did give me a good familiarization as to what to expect in the sim and the actual airplane. And I still use it now with caution to practice my hand flying skill. What I think the PMDG 777 is good at use for trainees is during the initiate familiarization stage (self study stage) of the conversion course just before everything starts. I personally reckon it would be better for the airline to buy an IPT and to allow people to use it at their free time to practice some common emergency drills ie ENG OUT in CRZ, rapid decent etc.

 

Just out of curious, does VA allow pilots to use the sim without switching on Motion whenever the sim is not used for Training?

 

Happy flying

[Ken.Pascoe 1]

Howdy

 

We've moved the sim to BNE near the airport. Part of doing this meant losing access to CAE's Simfinity, hence my casting around for a recommendation to our pilots who want to find something to use at home. I plan to setup my own installation as closely as possible to our aircraft, build a library of flight plans, failure profiles, etc - and provide the suppport files for the installations of other crew. No official training, and I don't believe the company will see it's way anytime soon to providing an IPT.

 

Regards Ken

[Mark_A 31]

Ken,

 

Start with a copy of Lockheed Martin Prepar3D, the PMDG 777 will be released on Prepar3D before the end of year. At this point in time, Prepar3D is the way forward with flight simulation. You'll need some time setting up P3D anyway, as you would with FSX.

 

http://forum.avsim.net/topic/454122-25oct14-first-glance-at-pmdg-777-200-for-prepar3d/

 

The PMDG 777 weather radar requires Active Sky Next to function, I would recommend you run this for correct weather depiction anyway.

[Ken.Pascoe 1]

 

 

Just out of curious, does VA allow pilots to use the sim without switching on Motion whenever the sim is not used for Training?

 

Not at present. We have quite a few single crew member sessions and maintain a list of crew who are interested in additional sim exposure, but that's about it.