walfob

I acknowledge that it seems now to have been a straight 300. I was quoting from information on Flightaware and an early BBC new item that says EK521 was a 777-300ER. Thanks for clearing this up and very useful link provided.

Great information, Perry and thanks to David for asking. It's fantastic to get real world airline parameters for our hobby. I'm going to try these on my next Emirates flights to/from Dubai. On the recent incident at Dubai, I was interested in why Emirates would use a 777-300ER on such a short run from India (1800 miles). Wouldn't a 200 series or smaller jet be more efficient? It wasn't even a full flight only approx 280 passengers on board.

You can either click the auto pilot button on the rudder column; OR, (better for heads up) right click the screw on the MCP. Let the alarm sound for a second or two and then re-click either button. This will silence the alarm,as mentioned by captain_adf above. Make sure you leave autothrottle engaged and you can complete your descent manually by controlling with the rudder. I normally descend to within 100 or 200ft (or equivalent in meters, as you prefer), switch off my autopilot, and complete my descent manually.

Make sure your sound card, graphics cards and joystick are Windows 10 compatible. Windows 10 downloaded on my machine and one of the many problems was that I had no sound. I eventually found that my Creative Soundblaster SD Audigy 7.1 sound card wasn't Windows 10 compatible and I couldn't download any updated drivers. I had to switch to on-board sound, or buy a new sound card. I've also not yet recovered my B777-200/300ER planes. I think it's also screwed up my Logitech USB camera. If you're installing on top of Windows 7 you're in for a lot of fun/grief. Good luck!!

I have experienced exactly the same issue as paulyg123. For the past 12-18 months I have resisted all attempts by Windows 10 pop-ups to offer me free downloads and convert my Windows 7 set up where I have my MSFS/PMDG flight simulator set up. Recently it has even told me that Windows 10 is ready to set up on my computer and arranged a date for download - I have resisted that. However, last week I got an ultimatum that Windows 10 would download with a countdown in 15 minutes. I thought that I had disabled this but No! Windows 10 downloaded onto my computer and completely screwed up my flight simulator and other apps I had on it. It has caused me no amount of grief and taken me virtually all of this weekend to try and sort out. I have partly sorted some of my flight simulator aircraft (PMDG MD11, 747-400/8i, 777-200/300ER) but I am still WITHOUT SOUND on my system and have tickets in with PMDG Support for assistance. I am finding new problems virtually as I go along, despite uninstalling and reinstalling some of my aircraft. Unless you are extremely lucky with a Windows 10 download, as some seem to be on this thread, - or you are a computer nerd with a vast amount of time to invest reconfiguring your system, my advice would be to AVOID WINDOWS 10 AT ALL COSTS!!! IT HASN'T WORKED FOR ME.

Thanks Kyle and Rondon for clearing this one up. Brilliant! With 3 engine types on up to 6 variants that's going to give an endless choice of flights to create!

Looking great, but even better with some real world liveries on her. Sorry if this has been asked before but how are you going to package V3. Will one package contain all (400F, BCF, 400M, 400D etc)? or will there be a base package with add-on products like the B777-200 and add-on 300ER?

Hello Kyle, Apologies if my enthusiasm for all things PMDG has strayed into mistaken assumptions, but I was under the impression - wrongly, obviously - that 747v2 was already in beta testing. The news that it isn't will give followers an indication of a likely timescale for roll-out in the absence of more definite information. Please don't hesitate to show things off and may PMDG keep on with it's excellent work at the forefront of FS technology. I'm as anxious as anyone to hear progress on the update to my favourite aircraft.

Well spotted by Geoff, for those seeking an update on 747v2. I'm surprised Robert or Kyle have not picked up on this. Maybe they hope nobody has noticed this embarrassing piece of news!! Bernard Walford

When I lived in Hong Kong in the 1980's and was regularly travelling the HK - London route on either Cathay Pacific or BA 747's I always asked the stewardess in flight if my children could visit the cockpit. I also asked if I might accompany them also. The kids weren't interested but it was me I was really asking for! I must have visited the cockpit a dozen or so times and I can't ever recall being refused. In fact I even recall you had to await your turn whilst a queue of children/fathers finished their visits! The flight crews were always most accommodating and happy to greet you and explain a few of the workings; and the views from the cockpit at sunrise/sunset were stunning. I had a rudimentary understanding in those days of the cockpit layout, but it's those visits that made the PMDG 747-400 my go to aircraft in flight simulation. Since 9/11 all that changed but what I did try later was to ask the stewardess if she could get the flight crew to take a few seconds of video on my camera - I'm not sure if that is even allowed now. Bernard Walford

All this discussion and waiting for 747v2 got me to leave my T7's and MD-11's in the hangar and take a few flights in my first love the original PMDG Queen of the Sky's 747-400/F and 8i/F, and remind myself what a great plane it is! I've clocked up 100's of hours flying this round the world. EGLL/OMDB/OTHH/VHHH/TNCM being favourites. OK, the virtual cockpit could do with a bit of sharpening up, but the external model couldn't be improved. How much better is the v2 going to be, and is it going to be worth shelling out for a whole new plane with just a few fancy bits added? I'll bet that if the virtual cockpit could be improved on the original there wouldn't be much difference with the new version. Unless I'm truly convinced I'm going to stick with the original. One of the many things I really like about the original 747 over the T7's is that I can have both the Captain and First Officer's FMC in view when flying in virtual cockpit. I leave the Captains FMC on the LEGS page and PROG on the First Officer's. Everything I need really when flying. I don't have a signature banner partly because I can't figure quite how to load it - the discussion on instruction is quite confusing - and if I did it would be the 747 banner and I might have to change it if I do change my mind when v2 comes out. Until then I'm more than happy with my original. Regards Bernard

Thanks Capt. Robert and PMDG. Just got in from Dubai Al Maktoum (OMDW) to get this update. I have no OOM issues but installed it anyway. I followed all the instructions carefully and it worked fine. Can't wait to start my next flight - but not from Al Maktoum, it's not yet in FSX scenery. Looking forward to 747 v2. Bernard

Hi, Hamad International (ICAO: OTHH) is also missing. It was opened in April 2014 intending to replace the existing Doha International (ICAO: OTBD). The details for both airports are in the PMDG SIDSTARS data. You can't load departure/destination using OTHH in the ASN Flight plan. It comes up with an error saying 'invalid departure/destination selected'. Bernard Walford

I ended up doing an 'uninstall' and then 'reinstall' with my CD. I didn't see a Repair or Remove option on the CD on auto-run. The only hassle was removing and reinstalling all my liveries. Anyway it's all done now, so thanks for the advice. Bernard

Stefan, I've recently developed exactly the same font problem. Where is the repair option of the installer located? I purchased the CD version of my MD-11 and when I reinsert the disc it just gives me the option to 'install'. There doesn't appear to be a repair option. I'd prefer not to do an 'uninstall' and 'reinstall'if there's a way round it. In all other respects the plane appears to be normal. Bernard

I've finally sorted the issues with my corrupted dll.xml file, bit it's taken a week of effort, and the assistance of Ryan at PMDG, to sort this. My message would be that if you are unaware such issues exist, and, if PMDG aircraft are your main interests, then steer clear of add-ons - unless, of course, you're a computer expert and know what you're doing.Thanks for assistance.Bernard

Leffe, No I didn't but I will do so shortly. I didn't recognise the description in the troubleshooting information for downloading Notepad++ would apply to the message I was getting. Thanks again, Bernard

Thanks to you both for the links to the DLL.XML troubleshooting information in the PMDG support library. I've located the DLL.XML file in the directory, but when I try to open it I get the message: 'XML page cannot be displayed. Cannot view XML input using XSL style sheet. Please correct the error and then click on Refresh or try again later'. I assume that if I try to fix the issue myself, or pass via a ticket to Ryan, I need to display the page correctly. Do you know how I might do this? Thanks once again, Bernard PS. The addon causing my problems is the Razbam A7 Vought Corsair Vol 1. from Flightsimstore. Wish I'd never bothered. I don't think i'll be getting Vols 2 and 3.

Leffe, Many thanks for your prompt reply. I'm no computer expert but I'll give the troubleshooting information a 'go'. Why can't the addon suppliers give this warning in their product information? Thanks Bernard Walford

I've recently downloaded an addon plane to my FSX stable which seems to have corrupted my PMDG B747-400(Passenger and Cargo) and MD11 aircraft. When I try to download a B747-4 saved flight, or set up a new flight I get the following error messages in turn; PMDG_74700_Main.DLL cannot find PMDGOptions.DLL PMDG_74700_ACS.DLL cannot find PMDGOptions.DLL PMDG_74700_Overhead.DLL cannot find PMDGoptions.DLL When I try to download an MD-11 saved flight, or try to set up a new flight I simply get the standard message 'Microsoft FSX has encountered a problem and needs to close down'. This is causing me no amount of frustration as I predominantly fly the PMDG 747 and MD11 the whole time. Does any one know what a fix might be? If,as I suspect, it may be to download the PMDG software again, then I've got the MD11 on disc, but my B747-400 was downloaded from the PMDG server and my download period may have expired. Any help would be gratefully received. Regards Bernard PS. There are no other planes in my stable which are affected - only my PMDG aircraft.

Jen,You should find it in the SimObjects file - Program Files/Microsoft Games/FSX/SimObjects.Bernard Walford

In the 'Select Aircraft Menu' on the Free Flight at FSX start up make sure you have ticked the box - 'Show all Variations'.You should find it there.Bernard Walford

Harry,This is the TNCM - EHAM flight which I obtained from the IVAO Pilot Database:TNCM SID n/a End EHAM STAR n/a Altitude High altitudes Type High Alternate n/a Route PJM 2000N 2800N 3300N 3600N 4000N 4600N OMOKO UN486 GUNSO UN492 GAPLI UR8 MID UR123 CLN UL620 REDFA Comments OPERATOR/KLM EQUIPMENT/MD11 Operated by KLM Addressees None Created 08/02/2005 Updated 08/02/2005 By 100796Admittedly it looks a bit out of date, but it doesn't appear to indicate a short haul stop-over en route. I thought it represented a direct flight. There are no westerly co-ordinates to the fixes, so I modified them by using the co-ordinates of a flight from EHAM to TNCB using the closest fit. It worked fine. RegardsBernard

Great video John; and excellent discussion all round on this topic. I've learnt a lot. The video looks like the BOPAT2 SID (Transition JUICE)from TNCM which I've just used to complete a KLM passenger flight to Schipol. I did cheat a little by loading 30,000kg fuel for take off and adding extra fuel on route. I found that 75,000kg total fuel was sufficient for the flight with about 17.03 EFOB on landing. I'm afraid life's too short to spend too much time carrying out fuel calculations. I prefer flying. I used to do the calculations for the 747-400 as it came with the fuel calculator, but the MD11 doesn't have this facility. With experience of calculating fuel for a variety of distances and loadings I began to choose my fuels loads by inspection - pro rata'ing for different distances. I know this wouldn't do for the commercial airlines, but it's worked perfectly well enough for me with both models over the years.The REDF1A STAR to 18R at Schipol worked perfect. I'm now going to have a go at the UPS flight from TNCM - EHAM with Rob's data.RegardsBernard WalfordUK.

Thanks all for your prompt and very useful responses. I did wonder if a short hop was made to a nearby location in order to tank up for the long haul to EHAM from a longer runway, but the routes available from Flightaware and/or IVAO seem to indicate direct flights, similar to those shown to other european destinations from TNCM. I used 1/3 passengers and no extra cargo simply to see if it was possible to lift off from 7150 feet after unsuccessfully trying a heavier aircraft of 2/3 passengers and adding more cargo. I have tended to use the parameters from the MD11 tutorial - Flex 54, Flaps 22 degrees. With 109,000kg fuel ZfW was 147.75 and STAB Trim 6.5. V2 was 176. I used an OAT of 25C. I'll try Topcatsim for a different approach. RegardsBernard Walford