Similarities/differences between flying 777 and 747

[Gregg_Seipp 568]

Hi all,

 

Since I lost all my heavy metal when I moved from FSX to P3D I'm pondering getting one...just haven't decided which.  (I fly heavy metal from time to time...not hard core by any means.)  Both the 777 and 747 are long haul aircraft and I know that some of you guys have multiple long haulers and, probably, both.  What are the significant differences when flying and operating them?  If you had to pick one, which would it be?

 

Gregg

[jcomm 5,929]

Maybe starting with Peter's videos, recorded in Aerowinx PSX, will give you a great guide :-)

 

http://aerowinx.com/board/index.php?topic=2583.0

 

The absence of a "FBW" system in the good old Queen of the Skies will, among other many details, show why pilots disengage the A/T early in a visual or coupled approach - the effects of the pitch / power couple, very noticeable in the 744, and perfectly ironed out in the 777...  Watch the approach video on the above series...

[Gregg_Seipp 568]

 

 

Maybe starting with Peter's videos, recorded in Aerowinx PSX, will give you a great guide :-)

http://aerowinx.com/...hp?topic=2583.0

 

Wow, those are interesting challenges and extremely useful!  Thanks! 

[jcomm 5,929]

At 06:30 on, in video 10) - Landing, you'll be able to see how sensitive the real 744 is to power changes... It's a big difference from the 777 which automatically compensates for it ...

[Alpha Floor 237]

The most obvious difference is that the 777 is a FBW aircraft and the 744 is not. As José pointed out, this poses some differences in handling characteristics. For the interested reader, see here.

 

In general, the 777 is a much more modern airplane. You just feel it is much "newer". There's more automation to take care of several systems.

 

"Big" new things on the 777: Electronic Flight Bag, Interactive Checklist and QRH...

 

The 744 is really a modernised version of a 60's aircraft. The 777 was designed from scratch in the late 80's/early 90's, there's a 30-year gap between them and it shows.

 

If I had to pick one for our FSX/P3D, as of now, I like the PMDG 777. It's definitely better than their previous 747 (10 years old). I didn't try the iFy 747 so I can't say, but I've heard very good comments from that one.

 

In real life, the 777 is a more advanced machine. But the 747 is the 747... and what's the price on being able to say, at dinner parties "I fly a 747 for a living" "Woooow" vs. "I fly a 777 for a living" "Ok, and how does that compare to a 747 again?"

 

Just joking of course, hahaha. I think I would love to have a taste of both if I were a real pilot.

[JYW 2,980]

I the real world, I prefer the "classic" approach of the 747's operational usage.  But in the sim, given currently availability, I'd rate the PMDG 777 quite far ahead of the iFly 747 (both of which I own and enjoy).

 

Of course, when PMDG release their "Queen of the Skies II" all that will probably change. :smile:

 

But for now, the PMDG 777 is the best all round airliner for any of the sims, IMHO.  Stunning quality in terms of functions, visuals, sounds, FDE, and immersion.

 

As well stated above, in the real world operations, the main differences are around the FBW and greater systems automation of the 777.

[Avwriter 85]

Maybe starting with Peter's videos, recorded in Aerowinx PSX, will give you a great guide :-)

 

http://aerowinx.com/board/index.php?topic=2583.0

 

The absence of a "FBW" system in the good old Queen of the Skies will, among other many details, show why pilots disengage the A/T early in a visual or coupled approach - the effects of the pitch / power couple, very noticeable in the 744, and perfectly ironed out in the 777...  Watch the approach video on the above series...

 

Likewise, I am excited and curious to see how the feel will change between PMDG's 744 and their 748, once released.  I know that they say that the 748's FBW is tuned to handle as closely as possible to the 744, but I presume that we will also see differences in behavior along the lines described above with the 777.  After all the 748 is very similar systems-wise to the 777.

[Gregg_Seipp 568]

Thanks guys.  Interesting stuff.

[rondon9898 84]

Gregg if you've got the funds, I would get the 777 now and enjoy it and then wait for the new 747 later on and get that too. It is bound to be excellent and you can compare the two for yourself. The 747 still isn't in beta yet so there's still a little while to go, so in the meantime you can get started with the 777, which is without doubt one of the best simulation products ever made and you'd be missing out if you didn't get it. As the others have said, the level of automation in the 777 will provide an interesting contrast to the 744, particularly when it comes to system malfunctions. When there's an incoming alert in the 777 with random/service based failures, there's very often a nice EICAS checklist to summon and work through, and many of the items on those checklists automatically detect their completion. Whereas in the 744, you have a problem, you gotta get into your PMDG folder and dig into the QRH.

[Gregg_Seipp 568]

 

 

Gregg if you've got the funds, I would get the 777 now and enjoy it and then wait for the new 747 later on and get that too. It is bound to be excellent and you can compare the two for yourself. The 747 still isn't in beta yet so there's still a little while to go, so in the meantime you can get started with the 777, which is without doubt one of the best simulation products ever made and you'd be missing out if you didn't get it. As the others have said, the level of automation in the 777 will provide an interesting contrast to the 744, particularly when it comes to system malfunctions. When there's an incoming alert in the 777 with random/service based failures, there's very often a nice EICAS checklist to summon and work through, and many of the items on those checklists automatically detect their completion. Whereas in the 744, you have a problem, you gotta get into your PMDG folder and dig into the QRH.

 

That ended up being my decision.  I could end up with 'the other' 747...I'm not a hard core heavy metal guy...I like GA quite a bit...depends on the price and the inevitable comparisons.  So, we'll see how it goes.  But I've always, always wanted a 747...just something amazing about it.  In the mean time I'll learn more about the global airports these planes fly into, pick up some airports on sale (Narita...Incheon...London)

[elmucki 32]

i will always pick the 747 over the 777. Maybe because its love for the original long haul queen. The way she handles in full manual is just spot on and a joy to fly. the 777 is great too dont get me wrong. But the feeling is just not the same.

[Gregg_Seipp 568]

 

 

i will always pick the 747 over the 777. Maybe because its love for the original long haul queen. The way she handles in full manual is just spot on and a joy to fly. the 777 is great too dont get me wrong. But the feeling is just not the same.

 

Notice how patient I'm being, getting the 777 first for the learning.   

[elmucki 32]

PMDG 777 is fantastic, i am curious thou when the 747 releases. i am really looking forward to the other models they may release (BCF, -400M, and the 400D and of course the "more") http://prntscr.com/b3fev9

[jtsjc1 3]

The 777 is a fantastic plane and PMDG modeled it beautifully. That being said the 747 was always my favorite plane. It was a completely different design than anything before and I've always had a sweet spot for it since I was a kid.  Not having the new 747 I can only compare the original but energy management in the 777 seems to require more attention than the 747. If you let it, the 777 will bust constraints very easily due to the power of its engines and the fact that it seems very "slippery" Enjoy the 777!

[jcomm 5,929]

Tha 744 can be slippery as well, if one does not properly the descent phase...  I've learned that thanks to PSX ...