Captain Sims B-777

[Ian Warren]

Flight model:
- Climb rate - fixed
- No flare on autoland - fixed
- Aircraft holding the ILS and/or GS - improved
- Unusually high breakaway thrust and high thrust setting while taxing - fixed

FMC and MCP:
- V1 Vr V2 Vref calculation - improved
- ILS approaches can't be selected properly in the FMC - fixed
- VNAV takeoff/descent issues - improved
- CDU VNAV indicated default speed - fixed
- CDU calculation of VNAV ALT/MAX ALT for fuel economy and performance - fixed.
- CLB1 and CLB2 thrust modes - improved
- D-TO thrust mode - fixed
- Selected climb derate modes goes back to standard climb thrust after take-off - fixed
- FLCH mode engagement after VNAV issue - fixed
- MCP IAS/Mach switching - fixed
- LNAV and VNAV not armed before takeoff and not active after AP button is pressed - fixed
- Autothrottle disconnect message when AP is disengaged fixed
- EFIS mode for the ND is forced to APPR when ILS signal is received - fixed
- When the A/P Disengage bar is lowered, black and amber stripes should be visible - fixed
- A/T right click on MCP panel engages TO/GA thrust - added
- Autothrottle issue when activating the Autothrottle for takeoff - fixed
- Heading select button pressed using the scroll-wheel - fixed
- Flight Director leveling out during LNAV turns - fixed

PFD and MFD:
- The Speed Bug is not following the speed setting when VNAV is active - fixed
- Several bugs on the PFD's speedtape missing - fixed
- PFD autopilot mode drawing - fixed
- The speeds for the flaps slower than speeds displayed on the forward panel - fixed
- Modified route RW drawing - fixed
- ND Mode Selectors minor issues - fixed

Systems:
- Checklist issues - fixed
- Odd GPWS callouts on final - fixed
- Master Warning/Caution Reset Switch - fixed
- Turning one pack off sounds an aural warning message - fixed
- Outflow valve set to manual mode doesn't trigger an EICAS advisory - fixed
- Retracting spoilers after touchdown doesn't disarm autobrakes - fixed
- Several EICAS messages missing - fixed
- Green N1 numbers floating with N1 issue - fixed
- Issue with autospoiler not stowing when throttles are moved forward after being deployed during landing - fixed
- Issue with speedbrake lever not DOWN when either engine's thrust is in the takeoff range on the ground - fixed
- One should not be able to engage CON CLB on the ground - fixed
- Thrust issues and indication issues - fixed

MISC:
- Range lines always visible on the MAP when the TCAS is turned to TA or TA/RA - fixed
- Middle mouse click removed
- Engage/disengage the autopilot button on the yoke - added
- Default altitude setting when F/D is on - fixed
- Auto throttle issue with proper speed adjustment after an overspeed or buffer - fixed
- FPS improved
- Automatically check for update caused CTD when FSX started - fixed

[deeknow]

Cheers Ian. I saw this posted a few other places today and despite having essentially given up on this product, and Captain-Sim as a vendor, I thought I'd give the 777 one last chance before mortgaging the house to buy from PMDG

In previous releases I'd experience ridiculous cockpit panel behaviours/responses, start-up sequences that were just random, climb-outs that were comical, LNAV and VNAV tracking that was diabolical, FMC/CDU and MCP weirdness and a whole bunch of other highly irritating stuff. This was despite following published procedures for de-installing/re-installing between releases and initialising the aircraft by placing at CS recommended starting airports and states otherwise the damned thing would lose the plot.

So you could say I wasn't holding out much hope. Imagine my delight when after a cold-n-dark start-up and IFR leg from Hamilton to Wellington (yes I know, hardly typical) the ruddy thing behaved FLAWLESSLY !!!
Well... close enough...

* pre-flight, FMC setup etc all went fine (although this was ok for me previously too)
* start-up sequence went well, I dig the panel, it's nicely done, good level of detail, interactions seem to be subtlety improved
* taxi and handling are great, the thing looks good and feels big but seems to move accordingly on the tarmac
* take-off roll and climb-out were fine, I was running a light load so was pretty sporty but not stupidly supersonic like previous releases have been for me
* LNAV and VNAV tracking were bang on, this has been weak in the past in my experience
* on approach to Wellington the TOD and general descent profile behaviour was bang on, really pleased with that
* LOC capture was smooth without any wild redirection to align and GS capture and tracking went well all the way to finals
* AP and AT off and hand flying to touch-down felt very good, responsive but still felt like a heavy aircraft as I guess it should
* touch-down, reverser's, spoilers, auto-brake, roll-out, and taxi-to-gate all went swimmingly

The few niggles I had weren't show stoppers...
* at start-up Cranking right starter resulting in left-engine start
* C-N-D default is still to have all controls hydraulic valves isolated, you have to use the pesky guarded switches right at the back of the overhead to enable Yoke/Pedals (is this realistic? does PMDG do the same?)
* De-selected one of the Generator drive switches and no combination of selections would re-enable it, the whole flight was fed from the other generator

Overall I'm a happy camper. After a few more legs I'm sure I'd be at the point where I could recommended this for the budget concious amongst us

[omitchell]

QUOTE (deeknow @ Jun 21 2014,7:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

* De-selected one of the Generator drive switches and no combination of selections would re-enable it, the whole flight was fed from the other generator

Our maintenance guys have assessed the result of this and have asked me to pass this on... Your fired

[Sombrero]

Just saw that there is now a P3D v2 version of the CS 777-200 available, it is cheaper than the FSX version!

Haven't pulled the trigger yet though..

[Ian Warren]

I still have not had a chance to check the the update, PC got home and still sick, was given the option to see if I could find the cause , I maybe a good choice if the PMDG 777 is a little steep or PC is pushing it to run.

[cowpatz]

QUOTE (deeknow @ Jun 21 2014,7:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

* De-selected one of the Generator drive switches and no combination of selections would re-enable it, the whole flight was fed from the other generator

If you press the Generator drive switch it will disconnect the IDG (Integrated Drive Generator) drive unit. It physically disconnects the drive shaft from the engine gearbox and can only be reset by engineers on the ground. It is usually disconnected due to High oil temp or low oil pressure in the drive unit.

How well does the VNAV work in descent? For example when you have an at or above constraint at a waypoint (say 4000A) and the profile is calculated to be higher at that point (4000ft) will VNAV cross at the higher altitude or will it just treat a 4000A constrant as a requirement to cross it at 4000ft and ignore the at or above bit? The LevelD 767 is like the later and it is quite frustrating.

[deeknow]

QUOTE (cowpatz)

How well does the VNAV work in descent? For example when you have an at or above constraint at a waypoint (say 4000A) and the profile is calculated to be higher at that point (4000ft) will VNAV cross at the higher altitude or will it just treat a 4000A constrant as a requirement to cross it at 4000ft and ignore the at or above bit?

Dang, don't recall sorry. Have just done a trans-tasman return leg (AA-BN-AA) and there are some at-or-aboves on that ARADI arrival, I'll pay attention next time and let ya know. Those two legs also wen't very well, not a single niggle. Looking very promising.

[AlisterC]

All the above sounds very appealing! Thanks for the trip reports. Something to watch out for perhaps at the next Capt Sim sale

[deeknow]

QUOTE (AlisterC @ Jun 22 2014,10:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

All the above sounds very appealing! Thanks for the trip reports. Something to watch out for perhaps at the next Capt Sim sale

Yeah it is encouraging huh Alister. I got in on the early pre-release thing and got so frustrated with the intermediate releases I just plain gave up. If it keeps performing ok I'm actually gonna splash out on the Freighter add-on which is only 10-euro.

[Ian Warren]

I don't recall if we have a new scheme/livery yet but following on you test pilots looks I have something to look forward , the great I really like the model is being able to incorporate charts and have them displayed in cockpit on the thigh monitors .