In order to fully understand and make use of the Fuel Management System, I have done a series of tests. Specifically these tests have allowed me to determine which valves work with which tank and/or engine, and which switches are required to allow starting a given engine from any given tank.

In performing these tests, I ran into a few issues which I suggest Captain Sim could easily fix up in the manual, with issue V1.1 of the software. Following are these suggestions:

1.      There is one more tank (AFTY BODY) in the fuel panel than there is in the FSX fuel loading tool. By trial and error, I have found that the FSX Center 3 tank fills both the MID BODY and the AFT BODY tanks equally. However, I assume that the fuel in the AFT BODY tank is not really available, since both tanks empty together. Suggest an explanation in the manual.

2.      The total Fuel Quantity Indicator provides an erroneous reading.

3.      Fuel Panel STR WING tank should read CTR WING.

4.      On the aircraft panel, there is a number next to each fuel management switch, and in the manual, there are also numbers in red for most of these switches. I suggest changing the numbers in the manual to match the numbers on the panel.

5.      Some switches have only one or no line going into/out of them. These are Nos. 9, 10, 11, 14, 12, 16 (these are the numbers on the panel, not in the manual). I suggest adding the missing lines.

6.      The panel number corresponding to switch No. 29 in the manual is partly hidden by the switch itself; suggest moving the number up slightly to make it visible (I think it is 29 since that is the only number not used, but please confirm).

7.      Switch No. 13 in the manual does not have a number on the panel; believe it is 15. Suggest adding the number on the panel.

8.      Switch 14 on the panel has “AFT BODY” written next to it, but the AFT BODY Tank is really controlled by switch 29 (manual number). I believe the “AFT BODY” text on the panel really refers to the gauge below it. Suggest adding a note to this effect in the manual.

9.      There are 4 switches (23, 26, 37, 40) that are listed immediately below the figure in page 23, but there is no explanatory text below, as there is for the other switches. Suggest adding appropriate text.

10.      Four switches (Nos. 9, 10, 11 and 12 on the panel) are not numbered in the manual and no text task about them. I also noticed that these 4 switches have no apparent functions. Possibly their real-life effect is not modeled in the B-52 Driver. Suggest a note to that effect in the manual.

11.      There are surprising requirements to start certain engines from certain tanks. For example, to start Engines 1 & 2 from Main Tank 2, valves 20 and 13 must be open. I can understand # 20, but why 13 instead of 19? 19 would appear to me more logical to me. Suggest a table showing the association between valves, tanks and engines. In a short flight requiring less than all tanks to be filled, or in a long flight when various tanks become empty, it would be useful to know which valves should be closed and which must be open.