I know I should be ashamed of myself....I've been simming since it began over 25 years ago.  I should have LEARNED how to use an FMS system on aircraft where it's available, but I haven't.  I have 2 Master's Degrees and have owned my own business (retired now), but something about taking the time to learn how to use an FMS system has eluded me.  Perhaps after the new year, I'll try again.  Some of the greatest available planes out there require you to use an FMS navigation system.

Question:  Will the new planes in MSFS 2020 have default (easy to use) navigation systems like the GPS?  

 

Stan

Don't worry, I am in the same boat as you in nearly all aspects.

I use FSFlightcontrol on a networked laptop as a GPS in P3D which is an excellent solution - until I want to fly in VR. In this case I need a built-in GPS. I have the F1 GTN 750 integrated into a few planes which workes pretty well. I miss a good GPS in AeroflyFS2 which is optimum adapted to VR, though.

I am sure, FSFlightcontrol will support MFS if it comes with a some Simconnect I/F. Anyway a good integrated GPS is paramount.

Kind regards, Michael

Some MSFS aircraft have a Garmin solution, like the Cub, the Cessna and the TBM, so you bet there will be some kind of default GPS.

From the pictures and movies they're there, in different Garmin models.

IRL I use it just as a moving map in my glider, not even a a flight computer which it has the potential to give me, but I would rather not use because that means losing concentration in VFR - very important when flying !!! specially in a glider...

The older GPS units are so awkward to operate and the new Garmins so flooded with graphical information and complex to go through that I really think they are not a good idea for GA, specially for schools, although the trend is to use them, although they're actually, IMHO, a lot let intuitive than the EICAS / ECAM / PFD / ND on modern airliners....

VFR navigation using pilotage and dead reckoning is still a very important skill to maintain in the real world. I’m excited that the visual world Asobo is showing us makes these navigation techniques truly feasible in the sim. But even under VFR, I’d rather have GPS available than not. 
 

For IFR, though, GPS opens up so many more options. In my area, I know of 4 VORs that are currently out of service or have significant service reductions. 1 that is being decommissioned for sure. GPS approaches have been established for many small airports that did not have approaches previously. I honestly would not want to go back to flying IFR without GPS. So I certainly hope a really great GPS implementation is available for all the default planes. 

All great news!  BUT, I still have to "bite the bullet" and give FMS learning a good try!   I will go through some tutorials and try to be patient!  (New Year's Resolution)

Stan

I've never used a GPS IRL or in any sim. (Presently) I have no idea or interest in finding out how to operate it.

VFR, dead reckoning and looking out of the windows, or when flying IFR, VOR/NDB, FMC.  

Concerning FMS/FMC/FMGS etc. there's unfortunately a big difference between the verions e.g. in the systems used by Boeing and Airbus.

You have to re-learn each one of them and e.g. the RW A320 FMGS manual has almost 1000 pages.

That said, you don't really need it to be able to fly. You can still simply start the engines and fly the old fashioned way, especially in the sim.

 

@FDEdev, NDBs?!? ...we are lucky to find one that is still operational these days. Do you still use a rotary dial telephone too?...or perhaps party line with a switchboard?!? ....I kid, I kid 😉 😄

I hope there are options to replace the navaids with aids appropriate to the era that the plane in question used back in during its heyday! A P51 with a GPS is a sorry sight to these eyes! I would never even consider buying it.

14 hours ago, spilok said:

All great news!  BUT, I still have to "bite the bullet" and give FMS learning a good try!   I will go through some tutorials and try to be patient!  (New Year's Resolution)

Stan

Stan, it’s not very hard at all and almost like using a menu driven computer screen. Personally I find an FMS easier in a way to learn than some of the more sophisticated GPS systems. After you watch a few tutorials and get the hang of it you’ll probably be kicking yourself for not doing it sooner.

Besides the fact that if a lot of teenage YouTubers can figure it out you’ll certainly have no problem.

16 hours ago, snglecoil said:

@FDEdev, NDBs?!? ...we are lucky to find one that is still operational these days. Do you still use a rotary dial telephone too?...or perhaps party line with a switchboard?!? ....I kid, I kid 😉 😄

Not many in the USA but thousands still in use worldwide.

8 hours ago, cmpbellsjc said:

Stan, it’s not very hard at all and almost like using a menu driven computer screen. Personally I find an FMS easier in a way to learn than some of the more sophisticated GPS systems. After you watch a few tutorials and get the hang of it you’ll probably be kicking yourself for not doing it sooner.

Besides the fact that if a lot of teenage YouTubers can figure it out you’ll certainly have no problem.

You're right!  It's just a matter of "doing it".  Do you recommend one tutorial over another?  If you have a favorite tutorial,  please direct me to it.

Stan

8 hours ago, spilok said:

You're right!  It's just a matter of "doing it".  Do you recommend one tutorial over another?  If you have a favorite tutorial,  please direct me to it.

Stan

To be honest I first learned how to operate an FMS in the PMDG 737 for FS9 and used the tutorial that came with it to learn how to program it. Don’t think YouTube was even around back then.

Then when I switched to FSX the only good airliner available at the time was the LDS767. The FMS was similar to the 737 but had a few differences but was able to work it out using a tutorial posted on the LDS forum.

I suppose it depends on if you prefer to watch someone teach it via a video or like to read. I can’t recommend any particular YouTube tutorials but I think Kyle from PMDG has some YouTube video tutorials that you could try. Depends on what plane your learning and also how the FMS works in conjunction with the autopilot system. The FMS systems in most Boeing’s are similar but have slight differences as well as slight differences in the way they command the autopilot.

What ever you decide to do, you’ll get the hang of it pretty quick with practice.

Even after a few months of weekly flights in the NGX, 777 or 747, after building a flight plan using a planner and exporting it, I can go from cold and dark, FMS programmed, to take off in no more than 10-15 minutes. Importing flight plans into the FMS cuts some of the time needed.

 

On 12/18/2019 at 5:51 AM, vortex681 said:

Not many in the USA but thousands still in use worldwide.

Yes I use a candlestick dial phone made in the 1920's. Works just fine on a landline or over voip adapter. It is so much cooler than the modern stuff. Carry the same type of phone you all do, but when not in a hurry its the old for me.

Looks just like this: (and the sound send and receive is very good too, just like the originals, limited freq response but flat curve).

 

@vortex681 @Fielder

I have a red GPO 706 from 1959 (refurbished 1973), and it still works fine without any electronic trickery, just popped a resistor in it and modern plug on the back. Although I never use it and it's really an ornament/curiosity, I do occasionally call it just to hear that iconic ring! On the downside you can't use it with call centre menus. On the plus side, watching people under the age of 30 trying to dial out on it is hilarious!

@snglecoil Still lots of NDBs about they're just not on charts, we call them AM broadcast radio! For example, my local VRP Trowel MSA has some antennas on its roof, not only will the ADI point to the VRP when you tune in but if you activate the audio (that's suppose to be for hearing the morse ident) you can listen to their music!