Just a question: How do you delete a waypoint in the FMC?  That has really puzzled me!

Sweet!  You are the CS 757 FMC supergod!

Another problem with SIDS:  I loaded a flight plan I got off Flightaware.com into the FMC.  I chose the same SID and route as in the flightplan.  It all showed up perfect in the Legs page, but once airborne, it showed a route discontinuity between the finishing of the SID and the next waypint.  I did what you suggested and in the VIA section of the RTE page to the point where I got off.  It showed a DISCONTINUTY!  Do you recommend me getting the new AIRAC cycle from Navigraph?  I just did a fresh reinstall, and I will report back to you when I next have a chance to try a flight (tomorrow).

Please don't take this as gloating, but encouragement.  I put the girl through her paces and she performed beautifully.  Was in a L turn holding pattern with 15 nm legs at RIPPI for a half hour, then exited and flew to TD, at which she automatically descended solidly under VNAV.  Just before 10,000 she adjusted speed, then continued on down.  Fully automated landing -296 vs, a little hard, but not flat in the least.  I think nailing your vref speed is helps on the flare issue; she's a little picky about that.

I now no longer have any concerns about automated flight, and I expect it only to get better as I spend more time flying this one.  Delta flies the 757 on short hops like the Miami to Atlanta one I just did, and just opened a 757 route between Pittsburg and Paris.  I may never fly another airplane.  (Well, except the 727, and one of two lovely MD-80s who are feeling neglected.)

For any skeptics, I took a bunch of screen shots as proof.  PM me and I'll send you a link.

Sorry if you took anything as sarcasm. �I consider it less than polite to address strangers by their last name only. �I was actually trying to be nice, because I certainly have no reason to treat you rudely.

Actually, I did use VNAV tonight. �For beginners, though, when used with FS ATC or even a better add-on product, I think it can be confusing and it is better to learn how to use the other more hands-on descent methods. �Following published procedures and canned ATC is kind of an either-or thing for me. �I find it frustrating to try to mix them.

Let's take a look at your bug list.

Bug 1: destination airport and last waypoint disappear on LEGS page. �I haven't noticed this with the flightplans I have been using, which come from the collection I have noted before. �I'll watch for this in the future. �As I usually like / need to tweak once loaded anyway I haven't been particularly looking for this one. �I like the way FS flightplans are implemented and find it easier than some I have used in the past. �If this were the case every time I imported an FS flight plan, it probably still wouldn't bother me much, since I expect to mess around with the FMC.

I may be missing a lot of bugs in the FMC simply because I have not operated one in real life and don't know any better. �Perhaps I am unconsciously working around issues that a real pilot would catch in a heartbeat. �There is also such a thing as confirmation bias, and that works both ways.

I would be concerned if my saved company routes were screwy, though. �Those are what I consider to be the "gold standard" for my loadable routes, and I appreciate how straighforward and trouble-free plan-handling in general is with this product.

Bug 2: �I have either accepted vectors or gone with the planned runway. �Since I don't fly VATSIM, I tend to work around canned ATC (Radar Contact) in a way that is enjoyable for me. �Given the limitations of even good canned ATC, and considering absorbing the workload of two crew members, these concessions don't bother me. �After I get more comfortable with this airplane, I may see what happens when I change runways.

Bug 3: I don't have speed management issues. �I have no idea how effective speed brakes are in real life. �In some add-ons it is like hitting a wall. �You can definitely hear them flying commerical. �The effect is more subtle here. �Could they have a little more bite? �Maybe. �All I know is that I was worried I would bust 250 at 10,000 and she dropped speed surprisingly quickly to avoid that.

Bug 4: VNAV met my altitude markers between TD and IAF. �If you mean you have an altitude restriction at SEXXY do not descend past 4000 feet and VNAV ignores that, I don't know. �I'll have to check that.

Bug 5: I have not seen speed excursions. �Really don't know what else to say about that, except I'll look for them.

I did notice one thing. �I had a hold set for a speed of 200 kts, and the airplane did not slow down. �Maybe this is the same thing. �I just set the speed in the window and hit the speed button. �I think it is amazing that I can easily make holds and watch the airplane go around the racetrack on its own. �I don't really know how real pilots do that. �My method works for me. �I have never flown anything bigger than a Cessna 172, and I don't think holding patterns was something we covered in ground school

Perhaps we have different expectations and play with it differently. �I will say that the more I learn, the better performance I get, such as what I learned with autolanding. �For the way I fly, which is realistic enough to keep me busy planning flights and executing them care, I'm happy. �Maybe how I sim would be ridiculous to you, that's okay. �If you represent a sector of the community for which these bugs are serious problems, then you have every right to address them in the forum.

If opinion came to rest on these bugs, then I would say opinion has come a long way from "it's unflyable," and "can't autoland," and "8 fps" and "VNAV goes from 500 to 2500 vs" and all the other complaints that seem to have gained currency. �And I'm sure all of them are true for particular systems, usage, whatever.

I paid 42 bucks for this. �I have 20 logged hours flying this so far, so I'm already paying about two bucks an hour for for my enjoyment, and that isn't counting all the collateral non-flying stuff.

In the end, I'm sure we both want people who have this product to get the maximum enjoyment out of it. �You probably have a more sensitive bug detector than I do. �I hope you can find a way to make this product meet your expectations.

Tim

P.S. We both have kick-ass sig banners, so that's cool.

I appreciate all of your guys help.  I am sure I will have more questions as I learn.  So here is one:  Is there a way to find the route of a flight that flies outside of the United States? ie: Heathrow-Madrid

FSXHD wrote on Jun 9^th, 2009 at 2:38pm:


Sure.  You can always let FS create your flight plan and go from there.  Or you can try http://www.simroutes.com, although good luck getting a loadable FSX plan.  Still, you can get the route written with airways, and copy it down so you could program it directly onto your RTE page.  I get mine from my virtual airline, or the trip package I've mentioned before.  It has lots of foreign routes, and since there are 100 of 'em it will keep you busy for awhile!

You can find real world flights all over the place e.g.  www.amadeus.net but then you still have to make or obtain your actual flight plan.  I like to fly real flights, though.

Hih, Jim,

It is actually pretty easy. �Hit the HOLD button and a little fill-in-the-boxes line appears. �Pick a waypoint with your LSK and it should fill in the hold. �Then you have to set it up. �Your FMC will want to know if it is a right-handed turn or a left, the initial direction, and how long it is, measured in either minutes or nautical miles. �

For example, on my SINCA FIVE arrival at KATL, there are all sorts of holds. �(Atlanta has the world's no. 1 busiest airport, so it needs them.) �I looked at RIPPI and see it is a left hand turn with 314 degrees inbound, and 15 nautical miles. �(That's a pretty big hold.) �You just plug that in: "314/L" and "15" in the miles option below time (it mght default to 1.5 minutes, not sure if I remember for certain.) �It will get put into your LEGS page.

You should see the racetrack on your lateral navigation display.

Your airplane will automagically execute the hold. �Be sure to switch from VNAV to SPEED and dial down to 200 kts. to keep your turns tight and save fuel. �(That's the speed I use; there might be a different realistic standard speed.) �When you get bored (or start to get low fuel) just select the next waypoint as you're heading toward it and you'll exit the hold.

Switch back to VNAV and it will resume control of your speed according to your original entered data. �Holds are fun, and great opportunites for dramatic screenshots, because you can catch the right illumination and bank angle.

You can check out my screenshots here (choose slideshow option if you want). Feel free to leave comments on my home page for your favorites

http://cid-68da1e23ad1ea160.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/Captain%20Sim%20757