cliffardus

Mike forgive me for not responding more promptly but I've been away and have only now read your helpful note. Thank to so much! Regards, Cliff

Really helpful suggestions to try. I suspect that they're spot on and I thank you both. With my regards, Cliff

Thank you. Just what I needed to know. Cliff

Before buying FS Crew can I start using it after I've completed my FMC input on the runway prior to take off? Cliff

I pause my approach into Heathrow then save with the FSX Save Flight Menu . I go into the PMDG Setup Menu, press STATE SAVE and give it a name. I then receive a message that it’s being saved………….and that’s as far as I get. Additionally at that stage there’s no way to exit Pause and I’m therefore forced to end the flight. Perhaps I should also mention that a green border sometimes appears and surrounds the area used for writing the name. When I load that saved flight I’m at the correct height and position BUT the aircraft is “cold and dark” I’d appreciate any comments. Cliff

My thanks to you all.....I'll stick with what I've got....... Cliff

I currently use FSX (in the Bootcamp partition of my iMac), Orbx Scenery, PfPx Flight Planner and PMDG aircraft As my knowledge of using FSX in STEAM is negligible I’d appreciate comments on: 1. Would I get improved performance in STEAM? 2. Would I be able to use my current software? Or would I have to start from scratch and buy them again from STEAM? Cliff

I couldn't have hoped for better answers. It all makes sense. Thank you all. Cliff

I’m under the impression that the ILS approach and landing is superior to other systems. If that’s the case why don’t all those that cater to “heavies” offer that facility? On several occasions I’ve built PfPx Flight Plans based on STARS that I later learn (when entering landing information into the FMC at the Top Of Descent) don’t offer ILS runways. Cliff

I am grateful for all your responses and I offer my special thanks to "Calvonister" for having "gone ahead and made the change for you. Simply add this AFCAD to your addon scenery/ scenery folder. " I hope that one day I'll have sufficient knowledge to help other Members. Cliff

Sometimes I cannot land as the LOC and APP buttons aren't active. And example is approaching Dublin's (EIDW) Runway 28 using the STAR PIPG1X Thinking that I may have outdated data I installed the latest Navigraph AIRAC cycle 1603 and tried again after choosing STAR VATR1X with PfPx. But again with no success. Where could I be going wrong please? Cliff

1."The 777 does not adjust your speed for you like the NG does. It's a simple notional value" I've probably phrased my question wrongly as I'm aware of that Tutorial information. What I'm curious about is why that should be the case. Why not either show a blank or reflect the relevant flap speed plus 5 knots? 2."Check your axis assignments and/or key assignments." As I activate the Speed brake by Mouse clicking near the throttle handles why should axis assignments and/or key assignments have relevance to the the clicks I've been using? Cliff

1.Why does LEGS speed show 170 knots when the Approach Ref speed for flaps 30 usually shows a lower figure.? (Depending on weight) 2. Why do I frequently receive the message "Speed brake extended" despite it having been retracted? Cliff

I too would be interested to know how to use the FMC to make this setting Cliff

Page 85 of the tutorial reads ..."we will set the landing minimums by clicking the outer EFIS control panel MINS knob to it's radio setting" Okay. That's easy. It continues..."clicking the RST (reset) button in the centre of the inner knob and then turning and holding the inner knob to the left to select 50 feet radio altitude- you'll see the number in the lower right corner of the PFD." I find it difficult and fiddly to get to the required setting and am wondering if there's an easier way to reach the required setting? Cliff

"......provided you're already below the glideslope, you can go directly to APP without first hitting LOC." I didn't know that. Thanks. May I ask question that puzzles me but has nothing to do with this string? The LEGS speed for final approach is higher than the 30 degree flaps speed. And the latter is the one used in the tutorial. Why aren't they the same? Cliff

Eureka.....I solved it! I read and reread the descent section of Tutorial flight . I flew the same Plan several times and eventually the light dawned. I'd omitted to press the APP button after the pressing the LOC button....... So my thanks to you all! Cliff

After a flawless flight from Alicante to Heathrow all went smoothly until levelling off and remaining at 50 ft above the runway. The speed setting was 5 knots over the flap 30 recommended speed. The altitude was set to zero. The glide path was perfect all the way down the slope The only he only thing I can think of is my not understanding, and therefore correctly implementing, the Tutorial instructions on page 85 which read: “…set the landing minimums by clicking the outer EFIS control panel MINS knob to it’s radio setting (which I did), clicking the RST button in the centre of the inner knob (which I did ) and then turning and holding the inner knob to the left to select 50 ft radio altitude (I couldn’t see how to select a height and therefore wasn't able to complete the instruction) - you’ll see the number in the lower right corner of the PFD. (which, of course, I didn’t see)” If my misunderstanding that instruction isn't relevant where could the problem lie?? Cliff

"experiment intelligently & learn by discovery" I've copied it and pasted onto the cover of my file of 777 notes ...... Thanks! Cliff

Quite apart from the knowledge I'm picking up from the helpfulness on Members (like those of you in this string) and from "learning on the job" the last tips on where to find answers will I suspect probably prove mightily useful. I hadn't realised what a wealth of information those Manuals offer. So....as they say here in Spain...muchas gracias amigos! With my Regards, Cliff

To both of you...my thanks. You're spot-on pointing out that the answers are there for the taking. I know it's not really a valid excuse but being in my latish eighties I'm beginning to realise that "the old grey mare she aint what she used to be!". Never-the-less I get a kick out of the learning curve of this sophisticated "baby" and I'm not going to give up easily. Currently I'm at the stage of creating Flight Plans with PfPx and flying them with fewer mistakes every time I complete a new flight. And, of course, the more I learn the more I realise how little I know. But it's satisfying. Mastering the FMC and taking over from it in the descent phase. Handling bad weather, dealing with emergencies, learning about scenery add-ons, starting from cold and dark......I could go on listing the endless relevant subjects of which I'm so ignorant. With my regards, Cliff

What are: ALT Gear Extend Nose/Body? Altn Flaps? Cliff

Kyle.......that's just the answer I needed. It's Interesting and informative and I thank you. You guys really earn your living. Quite apart from living away from home for extended periods the responsibility must be formidable. I reckon the rest of us just don't know what stress is compared to what you must face when things go wrong. Thanks again for taking the trouble to deal with your answer as you did. With my regards, Cliff

My apologies to Henry Higgins for the Topic Title...... Why does the FMC sometimes need a pilot to land an aircraft? Surely it has all the relevant information that the pilot has when making an approach and landing? So why should it sometimes be necessary for a human to bring the aircraft to a safe landing? With computer science now so sophisticated I find it difficult to think of an explanation. Cliff

My thanks to you all! Much to try and much to think about. Cliff