I know I'm going to be made to think I'm a dumb simmer here, but here goes.  I've been simming for over 16 years, and I'm embarrassed to bring this up again.  I wrote about it years ago, and vowed I would correct this inadequacy, but alas, I have not!   What am I embarrassed about?   I only use planes or buy planes that use the default GPS gauge.   I STILL do not know how to use an FMS.  Like you, I probably have thousands of dollars invested in this hobby over the years, and I fly every single day, and I enjoy it immensely.  But when a great plane becomes available with an FMS and no default navigation gauge, I don't get it.

 

What's the best way to get this monkey off my back and learn this navigation necessity.  Stars and Sids seem to have me a little confused, and I try to follow discussion here on AVSIM when some of you talk about it.

 

I vow that this time....perhaps this very weekend coming up, that I will try to start a simple flight with an FMS.  Please give me the best suggestions for getting started.  I am tired of being a simmer veteran and not using this realistic way to navigate.

 

Thanks.

 

Stan

I know I'm going to be made to think I'm a dumb simmer here, but here goes.  I've been simming for over 16 years, and I'm embarrassed to bring this up again.  I wrote about it years ago, and vowed I would correct this inadequacy, but alas, I have not!   What am I embarrassed about?   I only use planes or buy planes that use the default GPS gauge.   I STILL do not know how to use an FMS.  Like you, I probably have thousands of dollars invested in this hobby over the years, and I fly every single day, and I enjoy it immensely.  But when a great plane becomes available with an FMS and no default navigation gauge, I don't get it.

 

What's the best way to get this monkey off my back and learn this navigation necessity.  Stars and Sids seem to have me a little confused, and I try to follow discussion here on AVSIM when some of you talk about it.

 

I vow that this time....perhaps this very weekend coming up, that I will try to start a simple flight with an FMS.  Please give me the best suggestions for getting started.  I am tired of being a simmer veteran and not using this realistic way to navigate.

 

Thanks.

 

Stan

 

No worries boss. Here are two people that taught me quite a bit:

 

https://www.youtube.com/user/frooglesim

 

https://www.youtube.com/user/BelynzHD

I know I'm going to be made

 

With some practice you will be up and running first off need to know if you are thinking Boeing or airbus 

Stan, what kind of airplane?

 

For an airliner, yes, FMS...

 

For a GA aircraft,  GTN750...

QW757 is an inexpensive airplane and good intro to FMC

 

They did a nice tutorial video here: https://youtu.be/8eWYysu-IR4

 

And also videos on the panels:

https://youtu.be/Pruni1IsYWA

https://youtu.be/n7PomGq3WAs

I also would like to know more about the black magic boxes with buttons. 

Airliners and BizJets.   Thanks for the suggestions.  You can bet I will follow up on those ideas.  Want to know Airbus AND Boeing.

 

Stan

Airliners and BizJets.   Thanks for the suggestions.  You can bet I will follow up on those ideas.  Want to know Airbus AND Boeing.

 

Stan

 

I have cheat sheet screenshots to get you up and running pretty fast if interested for aerosoft airbuses - let me know

I may never learn to use an FMS.  Used moving map GPS for real life navigation since 1993 (to 2011). I just don't fly airliners.  Never liked flying VOR to VOR, once those moving map GPSs became available.  GPS just works much better for mountain country, where VORs are line of sight.  

 

 

Stan, what kind of airplane?
 
For an airliner, yes, FMS...
 
For a GA aircraft,  GTN750...

 

+2. But move forward to GPS technology even if it is default FSX. Do you use a GPS in your automobile?

I used to use roadmaps. Heck! As a summer and holiday-vacation worker I worked at Hoosier Motor Club, an American Auto Assoc affiliate, and marked routes on road maps and "Trip Tics" for thousands of members. But times have changed and its time to move on............

Boeing, for me at least is much more intuitive.   I must admit, though, I'm not up to custom waypoints and offsets and things like that, yet.

 

I can use the airbus, but I still have a bit of trouble on descents and approaches.

For biz jets get (I can't believe I am gonna say this) Carenado Hawker BUT ONLY with the Flight1 GTN750 and Berts mod. Super joy to fly and its intuitive touch control will get you up and running fast.

 

For airliners I say PMDG NGX or 777 (777 it's actually much easier to get rolling and has better FPS).

In 777 you can download flightplans and weather for the FMC (from Simbrief for example) so you just load it up and it's all set up including CG, takeoff speeds, cruise alt, step climb, TOD mark etc. Much easier to deconstruct and learn plus sooooo immersive. Can't praise the PMDG 777 enough.

Watch all 3 parts from Froogle 777 and you will fall in love. He is showing the 777-3 but the base 777-2 has all the same features minus the fps murdering camera.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhjNac0vfq8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMY3a_zvcWg

No need to be embarrassed about your preferred way of flying. It's the sim for a reason and it mainly serves an entertaining and relaxing purpose for most of us. Have to applaud to the folks giving tips and links, that's what a community is about. :smile:

 

Have fun flying, Stan. With or without the FMC's help, it will most likely be fun. And if you would ever get bored following the coloured lines, you can always pick an old school airliner and check how VORs and ADF work out.

With engines running you can have the777  FMC done and and on your way half way accross the world in under 15 mins. Its only the first flight plan that's a bit tough.

 

Do the tutorials but take your time, maybe allow a few days and be persistent

FMS can look intimidating at first but keep in mind that all they basically do is fly the plane along a list of waypoints just like the gps units. most of the extra complexity is specific to each plane and basically is entering useful data for the computer like making sure it knows your weights, intended cruise altitude, things like that. it's really an interesting challenge to learn but not nearly as complex as it looks at first glance!

 

i would recommend the pmdg ones either 737 or 777 as they have very comprehensive tutorials included, and there are tons of other resources and tutorials, videos etc out there on the web, probably more than any other specific model. 

 

cheers

-andy crosby