Ifly 747-400

[EHM-1821 Javier]

I just downloaded it again today, tried to make a short hop from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, when i tried to start my engines, it wouldnt start (followed the manual) and the avionics wont come on even though i dont recall turning them off :s

anyone kind enough to give me a tutorial? the manual is hundreds of pages long and is giving me a headache reading through it :]

[EHM-1465 Dominic]

Javier,

Have you installed Service Pack 3? This fixes issues from the original release, although this still woudn't lead to the problems you're having...

How is your FS default flight set up? When you load a flight does it start with engines on or off? Avionics on/off?

If you load a simple aircraft like the default 737 and start engines in it then change planes to the iFly 747, do the systems work ok?

Let me know how this goes as the 747, although a complex panel, has never caused me any issues like the ones you describe so it may require some troubleshooting.

BTW, where did you download it (just in case you have a corrupted version...)

[EHM-1821 Javier]

I downloaded from avsim, got service pack 3

I started the flight, normal FS engines on, avionics on, but when i turn off power (battery and shut down engines), and when i on back the battery, i cant get back the avionics.

most likely just be me not knowing how to use this panel :]

thanks

[EHM-0654 Murray]

*If* it's a "real reality" type of panel, you'll need APU/External power before you'll be able to light up the avionics.

Don't have my 747 ops manual here, but the rule of thumb in all Boeing's is battery power, ADIRU align (as it takes 30 mins), APU start, then everything else... The BATT BUS isn't designed to power very much at all, that's what the APU/ENG GEN BUSses are for.

You might want to grab the PMDG QoS type assignment course for a "rapid intro" to the 747 systems... Parts 1 (and I think 2) would get you to a take-off ready position.

[EHM-1821 Javier]

APU was on, dont think so for external power :S

whats ADIRU? :%

[EHM-0654 Murray]

Air Data Inertial Reference Unit (the systems that tell the navigation systems where you are in the world)

PMDG QoS rating course downloads EDIT: Looks like part one should have everything you need to get yourself from cold/dark to taxi...

[EHM-1821 Javier]

ok, downloaded part one, does it work for Ifly too?

[EHM-0654 Murray]

Depends how close to "real" iFly has made their panel/systems... doesn't hurt to have a reference though

[EHM-1821 Javier]

just followed the I-fly manual reeeeaaallllyyyy closely with a cold and dark panel, managed to get the avionics back, i guess i shouldnt start from default FS mode :]

[EHM-0654 Murray]

Yay! Well done mate, now commit that to memory

(BTW, that there is one of the reasons I'm holding off getting PMSystems... I'm not looking forward to having to commit the PMS 737 startup procedure to memory )

[EHM-1821 Javier]

my brain needs a new harddrive :]

i managed to do the entire engine start procedure but no time for a test flight, i started at around 8pm and now its 12:30am

[EHM-1821 Javier]

i just tried the same flight just now, the IRS wouldnt align totally, the time remaining to align it wouldnt change :s

everytime i enter the V-speeds into the FMC, after i switch to another page, it would disappear, i have to re-enter it

i cant enter gross weight or empty weight, no idea why

after T/o, i try to turn on LNAV and VNAV but both wont come on :s

[EHM-0654 Murray]

LNAV/VNAV not coming on I've seen in PM... Can't for the life of me remember what "fixes" it though; I think you need to have a fully programmed FMC/MCP for them to engage (trouble being, 737 and 747 have totally different but strangely similar auto-flight mechanisms)

My personal "preflight" on the 737 (assuming ADIRU ALIGN completed) is:-

1. INIT REF and POS.
2. ROUTE - set start and end fields, intermediate save, enter route, intermediate save, set departure (assuming dep rwy known), complete route save.
3. PERF - set weights, reserve, econ, cruise alt, cruise winds and cruise temp.
4. TAKEOFF - select take-off and climb thrust profiles (TO and CLM-2 in most cases), set T/R ALT.
5. Final page whose name I can't remember or find - set T/O flaps (5deg usually), run down the V speed LSKs to calculate and set them.

Pre-flight complete, set rwy heading as MCP heading, set first altitude limit as MCP ALT, turn on both FDs and arm AT, set autobrake REJECT, engage LNAV, taxi to active, engage TOGA, fly...

[EHM-1001 Robert]

Well,

I can tell you in PMDG, that is a perfect check if your FMC program is bug-free, to turn on F/D+LNAV+VNAV on ground, and see if they goes ON...if not, check your flightplan in the FMC.

I do not know the iFly INS, but on the PMDG one:
1. Turn them OFF
2. Rotate them to ALIGN
3. Wait until FMC asks for INS position
4. Enter position (copy with LSK keys) into FMC
5. Rotate INS knobs to ON
6. Wait for the cake :]

During that, you can start FMC programming. Occasionally check if the counter is counting back. If not, then repeat the procedure. For an unknown reason, sometimes my PMDG requires to do it twice, but for 2nd try it aligns immediately

And do not worry Javier. For the first time, I was reading 3 days before sitting into the cockpit. Then tried a guided step by step tour, that took around 4 hours. Now I am only clicking for 1-2 minutes on the panel, looking like an idiot, and finally everything goes fine

[EHM-1821 Javier]

Thanks guys, gonna try that later on.

Im thinking that the reason i cant get LNAVV and VNAV is because of the INS not being aligned? it never aligned fully before i took off :]

[EHM-1883 Matt]

haha, I promised myself that I would learn all the procedures for the PMDG 737 by the end of the summer holiday.

I've managed to do a whole flight with proper procedures (I never started in cold and dark cockpit), but I deserve a PHD if I can remember it!

[EHM-0654 Murray]

The *big secret* with all complex multi-engine aircraft (especially jet aircraft) is to use a checklist and procedures flow, always use them, and expect things to go wrong.