Could someone share full flight plans for PMDG 777

[captain420 3,099]

Simbrief is better than PFPX? I spent a lot of money on PFPX, so I would like to use it rather than simbrief.

[ErichB 3,642]

Simbrief is better than PFPX? I spent a lot of money on PFPX, so I would like to use it rather than simbrief.

 

PFPX will give you everything you need. based on your selection of landing and departing runway, PFPX will also give you a suggested SID and STAR.

 

For the most part, the assigned routing is fairly good. PFPX will also tell you if there are routing or rule violations once your initial plan has been completed. If you are not particularly interested in flying by the book and with 100% accuracy - as you have mentioned - then there really is no need for other applications, although they are interesting and useful for reference.

 

If you learn to use PFPX properly, you have everything you need (and more) for the price you paid.

[Airline2Sim 489]

Simbrief is better than PFPX? I spent a lot of money on PFPX, so I would like to use it rather than simbrief.

Personally I prefer it as it's quicker. Real crews just print off (or request by ACARS) a flight plan and just go. PFPX has many more features so consequently I find it needs more input to achieve satisfactory results. Simbrief is more 'realistic' in the sense that you can punch in a route, press go and print it off.

[ErichB 3,642]

Simbrief is more 'realistic' in the sense that you can punch in a route, press go and print it off.

But the point of 'flight planning' is to plan - and learn. I certainly think it's easier just to punch in something random, but I wouldn't suggest it's more realistic. Flightsimmers play two roles. Dispatcher (planner) and pilot.

[Airline2Sim 489]

But the point of 'flight planning' is to plan - and learn. I certainly think it's easier just to punch in something random, but I wouldn't suggest it's more realistic. Flightsimmers actually play two roles. Dispatcher (planner) and pilot.

Agree, but flight planning is a ferociously complex subject and not one that personally interests me. I just want to get going with the minimum fuss - different strokes for different folks etc.

[captain420 3,099]

Agreed some people like me don't care to fly by the book or do things by following real world procedures, everyone is different. Not all of us are hardcore flight simmers. Like I stated before, I'm more of a casual flyer. I want the entire process to be as automated as possible. Just have an app make me a flight plan, load it up into the CDU, and have the plane fly and land the entire route without much fuss on my end. That's my true enjoyment of flight simming for me.

[ErichB 3,642]

Agreed some people like me don't care to fly by the book or do things by following real world procedures, everyone is different. Not all of us are hardcore flight simmers. Like I stated before, I'm more of a casual flyer. I want the entire process to be as automated as possible. Just have an app make me a flight plan, load it up into the CDU, and have the plane fly and land the entire route without much fuss on my end. That's my true enjoyment of flight simming for me.

PFPX allows for that too. It literally takes less than minutes with no fuss at all. It does all the hard work for you. That's what it's designed to do. One click through all the sections of your plan, get T/O and Landing performance figures, save, export, done.

 

 

Agree, but flight planning is a ferociously complex subject and not one that personally interests me. I just want to get going with the minimum fuss - different strokes for different folks et

 

I'm with you on that too.  I guess that's one of the great things about flightsim.  It can be as complex or simple as you want it to be.  

[JRBarrett 3,070]

Agreed some people like me don't care to fly by the book or do things by following real world procedures, everyone is different. Not all of us are hardcore flight simmers. Like I stated before, I'm more of a casual flyer. I want the entire process to be as automated as possible. Just have an app make me a flight plan, load it up into the CDU, and have the plane fly and land the entire route without much fuss on my end. That's my true enjoyment of flight simming for me.

Many r/w STARS do not lead you directly to the airport's approach, and will require at least some action on your part, at least in the final phase of your flight. This is true no matter which flight planning tool you use.

 

The STARS into KSFO which you mentioned are one example. The one you mentioned terminates at the fix MENLO. In a real world flight, the aircraft would be vectored from that waypoint by ATC to intercept the localizer for 28L or 28R (typically).

 

The LENDY star into KJFK is another classic ATC vector STAR. Real flights arriving via LENDY are vectored to the various approaches on a long, somewhat complex path involving many heading changes and descent segments. If you are not using online ATC (VATSIM), or the built in ATC, you would have to self-vector using HDG select, and controlling your own descent via V/S or FLCH.

 

SOME STARS do lead you directly to an approach. The RIVVR STAR at KLAX is one which puts you directly on the ILS 25L approach. You can fly the whole STAR and approach automatically in VNAV, but those are generally the exception, not the rule.

[vololiberista 205]

Youcould also try http://onlineflightplanner.org/

This uses routfinder which always uses the latest airac and it's free.

[captain420 3,099]

Jim, thanks for your explanation. Now I understand. No wondering why I am having such a difficult time getting to my arrival destination. I'm always left confused on what to do.

 

For example, you mentioned that most STARS will end at a waypoint that needs you to vector yourself to capture the LOC/GS.... but the thing is, what if I'm not flying online or not flying with ATC. How do I know where to set my HDG selector to in order to take my plane down to the runway? I'm assuming once I can self vector myself to catch the LOC/GS, then it's all up to the plane to keep me lined up with the runway and will automatically take me down, right?

 

BTW, what ATC program is fully compatible with P3D 3.3.5 and can assign me the proper SID/STAR and can also provide me with vectors?

[ErichB 3,642]

How do I know where to set my HDG selector to in order to take my plane down to the runway? I'm assuming once I can self vector myself to catch the LOC/GS, then it's all up to the plane to keep me lined up with the runway and will automatically take me down, right?

You can self-vector however you like to establish with the ILS, and select APP which LOC and GS are active. On the NGX you have to tune the ILS freq and select the course manually. The 777 will auto-tune both, provided that you have selected the approach in the FMC

[vololiberista 205]

BTW, what ATC program is fully compatible with P3D 3.3.5 and can assign me the proper SID/STAR and can also provide me with vectors?

PF3 is fully compatible with P3D.

[captain420 3,099]

What's PF3?

[vololiberista 205]

What's PF3?

A fully functioning, comprehensive and highly flexible ATC programme. FAA and ICAO compliant. VFR and IFR, vectoring and SID STAR management. Supports voice control as well.

http://www.oncourse-software.co.uk/pf3_details.htm

[Mike777 163]

 

 

For example, you mentioned that most STARS will end at a waypoint that needs you to vector yourself to capture the LOC/GS.... but the thing is, what if I'm not flying online or not flying with ATC. How do I know where to set my HDG selector to in order to take my plane down to the runway? I'm assuming once I can self vector myself to catch the LOC/GS, then it's all up to the plane to keep me lined up with the runway and will automatically take me down, right?

 

Hi, Aaron,

 

Often you can see the endpoint of the STAR and the entire final approach on your Navigation Display (ND) in Map mode.  You need to have entered the final approach on the FMC approach page, as well as the STAR (it's better to enter the final approach first, right side of FMC Approach window, as some STARs have different versions depending upon the runway you choose.  Then select the STAR - left side of FMC Approach window).  Since you want the simplest landing possible, be sure to choose an ILS final approach.  If you can't see everything, choose a greater map range - e.g. 40 miles instead of 20.   Also, using a centered view of the ND may be necessary.

 

Where there are vectors between the end of the STAR and the beginning of the final approach, the last STAR waypoint will be "VECTORS".  You will keep flying in a straight line after that point unless you intervene.  Turn the heading selector until the magenta heading line is pointing to the first waypoint on the final approach.  Engage heading select.

 

BUT: If the heading line is making a sharp angle with the final approach path -- too sharp a turn onto final -- it's better to fly parallel to the approach path but in the opposite direction.  Once you have passed the first waypoint on the final approach, slow down to @ 180 and then adjust the heading selector to move heading line on the Map on the ND so the path is toward the first waypoint on the final approach.

 

In either case, arm Approach on the MCP.  You should see LOC and GS in white on the FMA (top of PFD).  This means they are armed.  When you get close to the final approach path, LOC and then GS will turn green, indicating that the aircraft has captured the localizer (horizontal path) and glideslope (vertical path). 

 

I haven't covered the proper altitude to be at, but usually the first waypoint of the final approach will show the proper altitude on the LEGS page of the FMC.

 

You still need to control the speed and set flaps manually.  Also don't forget to lower the gear, arm the spoiler and autobrake!

 

Hope this helps.

 

Mike

 

 

This uses routfinder which always uses the latest airac and it's free.

 

Thanks for this!  Looks extremely useful.

 

Mike