I would like to ask the forum for a recommendation designed for MSFS 2024 that has this qualifier. I fly Hondajet a lot and the Cirrus Vision because I love using the GARMIN in those planes for navigation. Why? Well, I never really learned how to program the FMS systems in either Boeing or Airbus. I'm actually ashamed to say that. I have 2 Master's Degrees, am highly educated, and have been using flight simulation for over 30 years.

I got spoiled in FSX and P3d because I could easily fly the big jets using the default Garmin. So, I did. Now, I am very disappointed because I can't fly those beautiful jets in MSFS 20204. OK. I would love to ask you for a recommendation site for me to learn how to program the FMS so that I can use the autopilot, insert waypoints, and fly from A to B. I think having to figure weight, fuel, etc. is what turns me off. Is there a way to just program origin, waypoints, destination and fly the big jets like I fly the business jets and regional jets that use the Garmin?

If I could start there and be successful in that, then perhaps I could get into the programming even more eventually.

Here I am...a grown man, flight enthusiast, and an avid flight simulator pilot for over 30 years, and I'm making this confession.

If you have an idea for me, please let me know.

Thanks

Hi Spilok. Confession is good for the soul. Nobody needs to learn how to program an FMS, unless they want to and that seems to be where you are at right now. It’s ok. As an Avid simmer of 40+ years it took me at least 25 years before I chose to tackle the “Airline Pilot Stuff”. It only took a short while to be honest and it’s never been easier with the default platform having not one, but two study level grade airliners, Airbus and Boeing and a plethora of capable enthusiasts who enjoy helping others put on their Captain’s Hats. I’ve placed a couple below to get you started and from there you can springboard to other videos and before you know it..It will be just like walking or riding a bike. Stuff you don’t or won’t forget. Best of luck and Blue skies,

-B

Edited Saturday at 07:25 PM1 day by btacon

Ground school time!

When learning these systems I would 'sit' in the aircraft and practice. Systems powered up, parking brakes on and flight plan in 'hand' and just go through the steps outlined in the many videos about 'programming' the MCDU/FMS.

Once you get the hang of it, it's quite eazy.

The key thing is that, for almost all airliner flying, we use the site Simbrief. That automatically calculates 90% of the things you were worrying about (fuel, weights, etc). Even better, most of the complex airliners have a facility to import all of that data into the aircraft's FMC with just the press of a button.

There is still a lot to learn but it's absolutely achievable for you.

I've retired from airliner flying in the sim now, but I'm sure someone will chime in with whichever is the best option for simbrief integration simplicity.

PMDG 737-700 for MSFS - Tutorial Introduction

Fenix A320 Tutorials - YouTube

Thank you so much for this wonderful information...ALL of you! You've inspired me to tackle this terrible affliction I have with my mind. I will start tomorrow and assume a "determined attitude" for this. I have all the time in the world since I recently retired.

Thank you again. I knew I could count on you for this much needed inspiration.

Stan

32 minutes ago, spilok said:

Thank you so much for this wonderful information...ALL of you! You've inspired me to tackle this terrible affliction I have with my mind. I will start tomorrow and assume a "determined attitude" for this. I have all the time in the world since I recently retired.

Thank you again. I knew I could count on you for this much needed inspiration.

Stan

First of all Stan, A big Congratulations to you on your retirement! I retired at the end of May, and had the very same goal as you, re-learn my PMDG 737 and re-kindle my passion for flying that I had left behind for three years due to work related matters.

I did the same thing you are going to do, videos on the plane, the FMC, and a re-visit of basic Navigation with SIDS and STARS. I even made index cards that contain the Process flows of the plane from Startup to Shutdown.

I’m having more fun than I ever remembered having now that I can plan and fly at any time it works for me.

Remember, you do not need to know everything all at once, just make a mental note of any questions or issues you had and maybe use AI to research the questions as part of an after-flight debriefing.

Congratulations again! You will love retirement!

Frank

Already good advice.

What planes are you interested in or have.

That would help narrow down the better videos for you

The great news is they are all more or less the same. So once you figure out one the others take little time to learn

Don't let this intimidate you. It's not really going to be a course of study, just something you have to do a couple times and then you'll have it. There are plenty of graduate-level tricks and techniques that can be applied to these FMCs, but they also absolutely aren't necessary to use the aircraft on a normal flight. Most real life new-hires on one of these airplanes don't know all that either; they tend to learn it over their first months on the line. When they first get released from training, they only know the very basic workflow too.

Pretty much every add on airliner comes with a tutorial that walks you through a flight, to include the setup and use of the FMC. It's not programming, it's just a workflow. Do it a couple times and you'll have it wired. Honestly, it's more user-friendly than the Garmin devices.

I don't speak Airbus, but all you need to know for pre-departure setup on a Boeing is "follow the six-right road". Do it once and that'll make sense 😉.

Depending on you're learning style, I found this channel/Youtuber to be very clear, shown examples with the his full setup simulator and links those examples to real world applications and tips. Not too many videos in total, he's not a streamer, but I watched every one of them. Very interesting inside tips, like the whole Cost Index thing for IRL airliners to manage fuel. I dont fly Airliners yet, but I found this was a great way to jump into the topic