JaneRachel

Very nice to see! What is the sound like external and internal?

 

Could you perhaps tell something about the step climb? Is it possible to enter (pre flight) certain points where a higher alt is required. This is entered in the LEGS as FL340S (example)

 

Thank you in advance

 

RGS,

yes that step climb feature is fully modelled.

Me being a bit of a techy, this feature really excites me for various ungodly reasons  :rolleyes:

 

If you go to the Atln page, you'll see the FMC automatically picks Alternate airports - these are also viewable on the ND with AIRPORTS selected and have an 'A' around the airport donut. However, you can add your own alternates and get very precise fuel and time calculations. But that isn't what gets me ticking - it's the fact if you're heading within a 180 (thereabouts) degree radius of x-airport, they'll appear with arrows to airport with the ICAO and Nautical Miles. 

 

PMDG_777_Beta_Altn_Demo.png

 

:wub:

I find it can be really useful to put your ND in to full compass rose mode on ETOPS flights when checking alternates, then you get an arrow for the alternate in front of you and an arrow and distance for the airport behind you. This way you can always monitor when you are beyond the halfway point between both alternates should you need to divert. In the normal NAV arc mode, it lists alternates ahead of the aircraft as demonstrated so well here by Luke, in full compass rose mode you get forward and back.

So is there a click spot to engage toga like on the 737 or is this a whole different ballgame?

Its still there Alex, using the PMDG trademark technique of the bottom left screw on the MCP You can right click that same spot for dis-engaging the autopilot or click with the mouse centre button to disengage the A/T

an added bit of interest for those of you who, like me, use the FIX pages regularly

The 777 comes as standard with 2 FIX pages and a range of 511nm for your FIX rings. However, for an extra cost to the airline this can be extended to 9999 miles range in fixes and 4 FIX pages.

You guessed it, the 777 gives you those extra two pages and considerably enhanced range for your fixes!

Thanks for spending the extra cash on that upgrade RSR

Hi Jane,

 

Just been catching up with all the comments in your thread, since I was last here the other day.

 

Love the screen shots your doing, this really does seem to be the most amazing aircraft, and the details your showing us is great work, thankyou. 

 

I noticed from your descriptions of how the overhead panel works some similarities with the automation found on the MD11 panel. Wondering if that is why Boeing bought Mcdonnell Douglas, just to get their hands on the later's wonderful automated overhead, lol.

 

So if you get a 737 and put it on steroid's, mix in some cockpit screens from a 747-400, then add the automation from the MD11, do you end up with a 777?........................I jest it looks like PMDG have really pulled out all the stops on this one! 

 

How long does Beta- testing usually last? Hopefully if it's as good as you say, then not long, lol.

 

Hope someone releases a video soon, I would love to see the 777 in action.

Dave, that sums it up pretty nicely!

I honestly can't say how long the beta will last as a) I don't know b) I couldn't tell you if I did and most importantly c) these guys keep on plugging away until they have things exactly right! It is a dogged perfectionism that you don't really see from many developers!

Hi jane,

 

 

YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU FOR SHARING SO MUCH ABOUT THIS AIRCRAFT!!!,you made my day.1 req is that you upload tutorial of you doing full flight...(ofc dont film  6+ hours straight)but please provide us with a video!.

Thanks,

 

Daniel

thanks for the kind words Daniel, unfortunately I cant upload a video easily (there is no broadband where I live!), but there are some great videos from the other testers, which are way better than anything I could make!

Jane,

 

Does the PMDG 777 have any new virtual copilot callouts?

 

How accurately does she fly the descent profile and Stars?

 

Ed

Ed, there are a whole army of virtual co-pilot callouts I haven't tried them all yet, but when I land later today I will grab screenshots of the options pages for you.

You will actually find that the aircraft flies the profile better than the NGX. This is not a PMDG thing, the NGX was spot-on, but the autoflight system is much more sophisticated than an NG. You will find turns and VNAV to be much smoother in operation, including an intelligent thrust system whereby she works out the required thrust for small steps rather than immediately selecting climb power or idle. That makes the whole autoflight process much smoother than what you see on most other Boeings. In terms of actual accuracy over waypoints, hitting altitude restrictions that has translated in to really nailing those restrictions. So, yes you have VNAV and LNAV buttons like an NG or other Boeing, but the software behind those buttons is much cleverer than what you see on many other aircraft. PMDG have modelled that enhanced quality perfectly!

certainly all of the other testers I have talked to including myself (yes I talk to myself, bad habit I know ), have seen significantly better framerates on their machines than the NGX.

It doesn't mean everyone will see that, PC hardware is such a minefield of variability, but it certainly bodes well!

just a shot of the freighter in the setting sun...

Hey Luke ,nice pictures and hope the flight is going well.

 

Just one question, have PMDG  accurately modeled the sound sound of the flaps retracting from the wing view , I really enjoy listening to the whining of the hydraulics in the real bird and hoping its replicated well in the product.

 

Thanks

I will answer for Luke here, whilst he is off cruising at high altitude. The short answer is yes, everything from the motors to the actual metallic noises of the flaps sliding around! It is quite amazing to listen to!

Fantastic thread Luke!

Hi Jane,

 

Does the custom waypoint function correctly in the 777? If my memory serves me right, the NGX couldn't create custom waypoints from the FIX page etc and only PBD PD waypoints from fixes on your actual route?.

 

Thanks

 

Gavin

Hey Gavin,

You had me curious, so I just created some custom waypoints copied to the scratchpad from FIX page entries, no problem at all. Worked like a charm.

It is better than that though, the 777 has further info on the fix page, with the PRED ETA-ALT field. With this field you can enter either an altitude or time and the FMC will give you info on how far down the route you are.

For example, entering FL320 in the ETA-ALT field will give you the distance in nautical miles from take-off where you will achieve that height, based on current flight plan parameters. Alternatively, enter a time and you will such as 1215Z and the aircraft will work out where you will be on the track at that time and even put a handy marker on the navigation display for you!

Awesome tread so far, looking forward to more!

 

 

Jane you mentioned that the ability to show range rings, radials etc on the ND using the "FIX" page is once again modelled, have you experienced any reduction in frame rates and/or smoothness when using this option? I find it difficult to display more than one or two things in my NGX due to the reduction in FPS which is a shame because it's such a usefull feature to have.

no problems at all on my machine, seems to make no difference to my frame rates at all. Everything seems a lot more optimised than the NGX

as requested, here are the preset camera views from the inspection portholes in the freighter model

It's implemented in the PSS 777 - I'd be surprised to see Alex let PMDG fall behind that!   :lol:

 

Ooops: Confirmation is implicit in Jane's latest reply to Ró. See #121 above.

all of the fix pages of the FMC are present, so you can track 4 fixes simultaneously. In fact, I haven't found anything missing from the FMC yet, even obscure little things that hardly ever get used are there!

Is the ETP (Equi Time Point) for ETOPS operations simulated in the FMC?

 

Regard,

Ró.

as far as I recall, the 777 FMC doesn't plot an ETP. Its rather like the 747 in that you have to do DIY range rings. I know that your shiny A330 does ETP for you though

Any info on how the exhaust cone soot buildup is simulated Jane or is it just a variation in paints between the bare metal model with the bluing agent and the painted "777X" model.  I was going off off the external preview that RSR released back in May. Just wondering

 

FDX706

I have spoken to Pete, there is no soot buildup in realtime, its just a painted-in effect.

Would someone please answer this? Would this work in three monitor setup without that rotating curose thingi robbing us the fps unnecessarily.  Remember other airafts of PMDG, there is a panel.cfg that fixes this issue via support.

Manny, none of us testers have any involvement who is or is not involved with Beta. You would need to contact the dev team.

Hi! Did they model a cabin at all? or just the VC? Thanks!

one of the guys posted cabin shots on the forum yesterday, showing both business and economy layouts. It has to be said though, in all honesty, this aircraft is really not about nicely rendered cabins, but getting your hands on the controls

Without these aux tanks, the aircraft can carry 47,890 US Gallons and 53,515 US Gallons WITH these aux tanks. I think it´s possible to activate these tanks in the settings?! 

Maurice, you are quite right, there are a number of fuel tank options in the settings, including the full three auxiliary tanks for maximum range, so you have no worries at all!

another nice feature of the 777 FMC is automatically suggested alternates. Of course you can override with an alternate of your own choice, but it is a nice feeling to always have a constantly updated list of the nearest airports with a runway long enough for landing.

The FMC generated alternates will appear on your navigation display with the legend A circled in blue! You can also ask the FMC to calculate a direct course there if you feel the need to divert!

another nice feature is the manual or automatic control of all the cabin lights

I wonder why is that feature in the PMDG777? Maybe for some guys having issue with Monitor Color calibration? I know I will never deviate from the Standard Boeing Colors.

It is because Boeing do offer the option of colour changes now for airlines. Not sure how many of them have taken Boeing up on the offer though!

PS on my above image, notice how the APU is taking fuel from the left tanks due to the centre being empty (hence the X). When sufficient fuel hit my centre tank, hey presto, the APU automatically changed to a centre tank feed!

and how about terrain and TCAS ?

terrain and TCAS modelling are fully and accurately implemented, here is a terrain shot from on the ground In Reno

beautifully written Carl and I agree with every word and sentiment!

Excuse me guys, i havent fully understood the mechanism of this feature?

 

Does, after i right click on the chrono, the acceleration start automatically or do i have to manually accelerate time via FSX top menu?

And is it possible to alter the max amount of acceleration? Some weather engines do not like time acceleration

 

thanks for clarifying! what a tremendous idea that is!

 

 

Dominik

its all automatic Dominik, when you press the chrono. You never have to touch an FSX menu. There is no need to as the actual acceleration rate is not fixed and changes quite a lot during the flight to keep everything on an even keel!

Do I see an option for the FMC to load the fuel in for you?! See, with the NGX, I just guessed the amount of fuel (don't kill me!), so, if I were to select "medium" range, it would load a suitable amount of fuel in?

Or, with the NGX and this, am I thinking of something different, was the fuel done auto in the NGX, too?

 

Andy, you raise a really important and another exciting point!

Yes, you can load in fuel through the FMC, either a pilot specificied value or the presets such as medium and long range,but that is scraping the surface only.

Wouldn't it be great if there were proper ground operations modelled? say with a known turnaround time. During that time the aircraft can be loaded with passengers and baggage and you could ask for the aircraft to be refuelled, all in real-time. Everyone on the ground would ensure that the aircraft was ready to go when the turnaround time was complete.

Well, I can reveal another well kept secret (sorry RSR!), PMDG Ground Operations is now an integral part of the aircraft.

You can see on this page (I have zoomed the CDU up manually, so don't worry about the aspect ratio - it is me doing this with my mouse!)

Ta Da queue drum roll - Ground Operations

You can see the turnaround time I have chosen. You can use presets or select your own turnaround time at the gate.

I have requested 50,000lbs of fuel. I had 9999 already in the tanks, so I need an uplift of 41,000lbs from the fuel truck. The fuelling guy has given me an estimate of how long that fuel will take to fill. You can monitor fuel entering the tanks with the fuel synoptic too!

I know how long I have left at the gate and how much of that gate time is going to be taken up with the refuelling etc! The refuelling might not start straight away, but the ground guys will get to you with plenty of time to spare before your agreed pushback time!

I see that the external power is also still connected but obviously not supplying power since the APU and engines have priority, that is neat considering that you have to manually connect busses on the 737.

Alex, well spotted!

Yes, I deliberately left both ground connections in place so you can see how the electrical system is automatically configuring according to priority. Ground power is superseded by APU, which in turn is superseded by engines

Incidentally, you can have a 1 or 2 plug ground connection. I was at ESSA Stockholm and had access to a ground cart with both plugs. Here is the ground power connected for those who are interested

Here is a view from the rear, notice the APU inlet is open. I have also deployed the flaps as someone was asking for a flaps shot (yes I know I am parked, but it is illustrative )

A couple of interesting things I cannot share with you easily are the sounds. When you start the APU you will hear the startup in exquisite detail from outside of the aircraft, being louder if you position your camera near the tail, but audible from the complete fuselage. From startup to operation you will hear every sound.

If you want something really clever, you might even hear the APU sound change slightly if she is under heavy load!

Those flaps make sound too. The sound of which can vary depending on conditions. You will always hear the flaps motors actuating, but you will also hear the metal surfaces themselves sliding around in to position, not always making the same noise every time!

Hi Jane,

Many thanks for this input, while I have become addicted to Flight Models since the NGX, I have also paid more attention to sounds, to hear this news is fantastic as I dwell on sound setting on occasion just to see if I can tweak/balance just a bit more, This will be really cool to fly and Hear also without too much trouble at all, So much work has gone into the Magnificent PMDG777  I can even wait an extra coupla day's for the server demand to  slow down after release, why, because good things are worth waiting for,   thanks again for your input.

 

Regards

 

Guss.

great to hear from you, I always enjoy your letters to the mag and hearing from you!

The sounds are simply phenomenal. I have never seen any aircraft with sounds done this way before. Sure you can get custom sound controllers now that extend the number of sounds available way above the default FSX. However, I have never heard an aircraft without canned sounds before. For example, press a switch on the overhead four times in a row and you might get a different sound for that same switch each time you press, depending on where you pressed or the pressure of your mouse simulating the pressure of your finger! So the very same switch can sound completely differently based on how YOU pressed it. That translates across the entire aircraft!

Here is the electrical synoptic after starting the right engine. You can see the right hand side buses are now powered by the engine generator (the backup is available but not powering anything, its a green box with no flow lines)

The left engine has not started, so the APU is still powering the left side buses as you can see the flow line from the APU. After engine start, both generators will be on the electrical buses and the APU will be disconnected (fully automatically without pilot intervention!!)

Guys,

Did I tell you how sophisticated this bird is at engine start?

Now in the NGX we have to start the APU, make sure the APU is delivering bleed air for start, set up the APU for the electrics, turn off the PACKS, turn on the engine starter and then monitoring for 25% N2 before bringing in the fuel. Then you need to remember to disconnect APU air bleed, put the PACKS back on and well... you get the idea of all the switching around.

This is a whole different setup with the 777.

Start your APU - it will automatically provide electrical if the engines are off and the APU GEN switch is on

Rotate the engine start switch

immediately bring in the fuel

That is it, complete, finito, done!

The intelligent systems will automatically switch off the PACKS for you, apply APU bleed air, let the fuel in to the engines at the appropriate time etc etc

When your engines are started just switch off your APU, the PACKS are automatically restored to using engine bleed air, the electrical buses are automatically connected to the engine generators, fuel pumps are configured for you. The whole overhead just configures itself like magic!

Now you are going to ask me, what if something goes wrong - say a hot or hung start or bleed air failure or some other gremlin in the works. Well, the automatic start system has complex monitoring and sequencing and can detect any issues that you might have and respond accordingly. It even knows to retry the start a couple of times if the internal logic thinks that could help matters!

There are a huge set of complicated diagnostics and "what ifs" going on behind the scenes for every engine start. PMDG have modelled that whole intelligent diagnostic system down to the last detail! Here you see again how the 777 is way more technically complex than the NGX, but that complexity translates to helping the pilot.

Honestly, the NGX is like a cheap Ford compared to the Rolls Royce of the 777LR!!!

As a systems fan, I do enjoy watching all the animated system synoptics during these processes. In the shot below you can see that I have just started the no2 engine and the system is waiting for appropriate spin up before letting fuel in to the number 1 engine. You can see the green flow line does not yet reach the engine. It will shortly and completely automatically when the autostart sequencer is satisfied that the time is right!