Well, I will probably never get into it this deep. I am, at least up until now, a *Control E* guy. I am not really interested in systems much more detailed than the default ones. I may at some point attempt the cold/dark start, but that's iffy. I'm 72 and don't want to freeze to death at the gate in a cold/dark computer cockpit!

Bruce, there is nothing wrong with Ctrl-E and go. This is supposed to be fun!

It would be hard to figure out all the workings of the systems without some help. The 727 is a 3 pilot aircraft with the F/E position working most of the aircraft systems. When the 2 pilot aircraft came along most of the systems became automated. Still, you had to know how the systems worked, but you did not have to fuss with them as much. On the 777 and 787 almost everything is automated even the rudder is automatic in the event of an engine failure.

I am satisfied that the auto pilot on the CS 727 works pretty much as it should and I can figure out how to use it, but now my questions are:

1.) Can you use the FSX Flight planner and import the flight plan into the CS 727 and will the CS AP follow the plan? I have never used just the NAV radios or DME or ADF to navigate. I either fly GPS direct using the AP, or just let ATC guide me IFR.

This function of FSX is something I have never tried. However the 727-100 we flew had no computer to feed the autopilot. All flying was VOR to VOR or radar vectors. It's easy to fly VOR to VOR by using the NAV-LOC or Heading Select function of the autopilot. You can find the VOR frequencies on the map pull-down in FSX and make a manual flight plan to fly anywhere. Later, some of the 727's got GPS installed and you could connect the GPS to the autopilot and fly a route that you input into the GPS.

2.) Do you/can you use the FSX fuel and load planner? I saw the CS load planner, but didn't notice a fuel planner.

I have used the FSX payload pull-down to control the fuel, it works OK.

3. For someone fairly competent with the FSX default systems how difficult is it to learn the CS 727? What's the learning curve here?

The manual shows you every switch, knob and gauge (overwhelming for someone with no formal training) and has all the check lists, but doesn't tell you anything about how to fly the airplane. Nor do I see any Tutorials mentioned anywhere. The CS website/manuals tell you what all the features are, but nothing about how it interfaces with FSX.

The manual to show & explain all the systems would be very big. Remember, this is a game although a very complex game. The tutorial on flying the jets in FSX should get you started, but I am amazed how simmers are into the detail of the systems. For me, that is part of the fun as it must be for them too. If you are a pilot even of light planes, much of what you know can be translated to other aircraft. The complexity of the larger planes means you'll have to learn some new things, but that's part of the fun.

I bought the PMDG737NG for FS9 and after 2 days of trying to figure it out using their tutorial & manual (which I thought was lacking probably because of language differences) I gave up. I don't want that to happen again.

If you have no systems knowledge, that is a lot to learn without some help.  I hope this helps. I'm happy to answer questions on aircraft systems or hints on how to fly the 727. The bottom line is to have fun while learning!

Bruce