Here it is as promised:
Overview - the flight (LSGG-LSZH) will be conducted with the PMDG 738, using PP, on IVAO, and FS2Crew.
FS2Crew Review:The C172 is loaded, and shut down correctly. Then you switch to the B738. This is to correctly configure the aircraft both for PP and for FS2Crew.
FS2Crew is started and a few parameters added, such as the time that the flight attendants will take to prepare the cabin.
You board the aircraft, conduct a few preliminary items, and then beging your receiving flow. A flow is a set of items, eg changing switches, that are performed by the CA and FO to allow operation of the A/C by the SOPs. In the receiving flow are things such as checking the oxygen.
The FO then boards the aircraft having completed his walkaround. He informs you of any problems on board the aircraft. In this case the aircraft was OK. The FO then begins his receiving flow.
The Lead Flight Attendant enters and you brief her for the flight. The FO tells you he is ready for checklist, he reads the check, while you check each item and respond via a red or green button.
Then you brief the FO for departure.
The FA will lock the cockpit door. You then make the before start flow and checklist, communicating with the ground crew, who had a French accent as we were in Switzerland.
The engines are started according to the checklist. The FO will make the callouts, such as Oil Pressure Rising, and manipulate the starter switches. It is the CAs job to switch on the Cutoffs when the N2 is about 20-22%.
You then run after start lists. The FO performs an aileron check. You make the PA for the taxi, complete taxi lists, before takeoff lists 'to the line'.
On this flight the temperature was -2 so we made a trip to the de-icing station. The ground crew are modelled. Proper takeoff contamination checks are performed.
You can act as PF for the takeoff, and the FO will make the callouts, or vice versa. The FO retracts the flaps and gear on your command.
By now you get the idea of FS2Crew - a fully simulated FO and ground crew. I can't be bothered to write any more :p. It is very good, simulating many situations fully with maximum realism. In really bad weather, real-world procedures such as monitored dual-channel ILSs are available.
http://www.fs2crew.comPMDG 738 review:I have owned the base product for a while now. I bought the upgrade to the 8/900 models so I could use it on EHM routes. I thought it was really good, simulating the majority of the aircraft systems in a great level of detail. FS2Crew just adds a whole load more realism though, so I got that as well.
Highly recommended product.
http://www.precisionmanuals.comScreenshots of the Flight:[img=1024x768]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c377/iainfs/PMDG%20and%20FS2Crew/Screenshot-2006-mar-13-002.jpg[/IMG]
The excellent EHM repaint of the superb PMDG B738.
[img=1024x768]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c377/iainfs/PMDG%20and%20FS2Crew/Screenshot-2006-mar-13-003.jpg[/IMG]
This shows the amount of work that has gone in to the product - the photoreal overhead panel.
[img=1024x768]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c377/iainfs/PMDG%20and%20FS2Crew/Screenshot-2006-mar-13-004.jpg[/IMG]
The upgrade's FMC adds several features to the base packages FMC, such as Above and Below ALT constraints and ACARS.
[img=1024x768]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c377/iainfs/PMDG%20and%20FS2Crew/Screenshot-2006-mar-13-005.jpg[/IMG]
The aircraft has been woken up. Configuring the FS2Crew (top right) for the receiving checklist.
[img=1024x768]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c377/iainfs/PMDG%20and%20FS2Crew/Screenshot-2006-mar-13-006.jpg[/IMG]
A guy next to me at Geneva.
[img=1024x768]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c377/iainfs/PMDG%20and%20FS2Crew/Screenshot-2006-mar-13-007.jpg[/IMG]
Taxiing - there was no ATC. Just completed the taxi PA and just about to start the taxi check/flow.
[img=1024x768]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c377/iainfs/PMDG%20and%20FS2Crew/Screenshot-2006-mar-13-008.jpg[/IMG]
After takeoff. The FO has retracted the flaps and is in the process of reading the after takeoff check. The PMDGs excellent VNAV and LNAV work well together.
[img=1024x768]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c377/iainfs/PMDG%20and%20FS2Crew/Screenshot-2006-mar-13-010.jpg[/IMG]
In the climb.
[img=1024x768]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c377/iainfs/PMDG%20and%20FS2Crew/Screenshot-2006-mar-13-011.jpg[/IMG]
One thing I don't like is that after turning off the panel lights after sunrise there is a marked change in panel colour (not subtle enough).
[img=1024x768]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c377/iainfs/PMDG%20and%20FS2Crew/Screenshot-2006-mar-13-013.jpg[/IMG]
You can see the exactly calculated ToC on the NAV display.
[img=1024x768]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c377/iainfs/PMDG%20and%20FS2Crew/Screenshot-2006-mar-13-014.jpg[/IMG]
Cruisin'
[img=1024x768]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c377/iainfs/PMDG%20and%20FS2Crew/Screenshot-2006-mar-13-016.jpg[/IMG]
There is a huge range of miscellaneous PA announcements. Here I have just completed the in range check and am waiting for the right moment for the approach check.
[img=1024x768]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c377/iainfs/PMDG%20and%20FS2Crew/Screenshot-2006-mar-13-020.jpg[/IMG]
Full dual channel autoland - now you won't find that on any default plane - with callouts from the FO. The autoland stays centered on the ILS even with gusting 10kt crosswinds.
[img=1024x768]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c377/iainfs/PMDG%20and%20FS2Crew/Screenshot-2006-mar-13-022.jpg[/IMG]
After landing check is read silently by the FO.
[img=1024x768]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c377/iainfs/PMDG%20and%20FS2Crew/Screenshot-2006-mar-13-024.jpg[/IMG]
The aircraft on the blocks, cold and dark, following the parking and termination checks.
Ratings:PMDG B738/9 upgrade: 91/100 - An excellent all round simulation with only a few visual bugs and sadly necessary compromises due to FS coding. E.g you have to set the MCP ALT to an altitude below the lowest constraint in your descent before VNAV will start the descent. Also a few minor visual issues.
FS2Crew: 93/100 - Well worth the money. Adds a lot of realism, lots of procedures, and best of all, a FO. Downsides are a clucnky interface and the fact that by design it can only function on one aircraft.
Conclusion:By now you're probably bored stiff. I hope what I have written is of some use.
Only bad thing that happened on this flight was me getting a penalty. In VNAV, even in CLB-2 (most reduced thrust climb mode) we still marginally exceeded the 4500fpm limit. Real planes do this - why should we get PP pens for doing it? I think that the fpm limit should depend on the a/c - 1500 for a C172 - 6000fpm for a B752 etc.
Overall, a nice flight and nice addon software - I can recommend these to you without doubt. I believe you can mail Bruno and get a discount of FS2Crew (which I only found out about after I bought it)
Sorry for the really long essay, and happy flying,
