Virtual_Captain wrote on Jul 8^th, 2011 at 8:36pm:

Apparently the reload requirement is not only necessary for the sounds to work, but also required in order to properly restore the saved cockpit status. i.e. switch positions Here's a quick test to prove it: -start a new flight and turn OFF all of the hydraulic switches on the overhead panel. -Save flight and exit fsx -start fsx and load flight...switches will be back in the ON position. -re-load saved flight....now switches will be in the OFF position as you had saved them. I wonder what other variables are not properly restored upon the first load.....

Like CoolP, I have not saved mid-flight, or at any point after first loading the 727, lately, to see if it does that.
But if that's what gets it back to a saved panel state, it's better than nothing. ;)