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FMC\'s - do you use them?

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EHM-1465 Dominic:
I'm interested to know how many of you use any kind of FMC (Flight Management Computer/Flight Management System - lots of different names out there for the same thing !) when you are flying.

If you do, please indicate why you use it, like it etc as well as any problems you have... Say if it is part of the aircraft you normally use (eg PMDG 737NG) or an addon system.

If you don't use one, please say why - too complex / I use GPS instead / don't have payware planes etc

I'd like to build up a picture of how many pilots use these systems, whether they are well understood or not and whether there is any desire for tutorials about them.

I'm posting this after using vasFMC for the first time today - a fantastic, free full featured FMC suite which can be added to any aircraft. There is a new beta test version available which includes lots of the features you'd expect from payware but at ZERO cost!! You can even configure it to display the PFD, ND etc in Airbus OR Boeing style according to your preference! Definitely worth a look if you haven't tried it...

So, please let us know your thoughts about FMC's in general and if you would like help or tutorials on them we'll look at creating something as they can be quite complex at first ;)

Thanks!

EHM-1465 Dominic:
So, I'll start off with my own experiences:-

I often do use an FMC when flying aircraft like the PMDG 737, PSS and Wilco Airbusses etc and I enjoy the real world feel this brings to the flight. I've learned a lot about them from the ITVV series of cockpit videos and Mike Ray's series of Pilots' Guides so I feel comfortable programming and using them.

On the other hand, sometimes I just like to hand fly the plane myself especially if I'm short on time!

I sometimes wish I could use an FMC with some of the planes I fly rarely, like the EuroBiz TU-204 or the Fokker 70/100 and this is why I am pleased to have found out about vasFMC (see above).

It took me a while to get used to how these systems work but now that I know they are very easy to program and it only takes 5 minutes to set up.

Ok guys, over to you...

EHM-0654 Murray:
My 2p worth; as I'm building (oh so very slowly) a B738 SimPit, I use my Project Magenta software and FDS hardware whenever I fly the bigger stuff (esp. Boeing), and as such I get a fair approximation of the 737 FMC/MCP/PFD etc.

While the PM flight planning is usually very wrong (the 738 not being a 777 for instance) I get a fairly close approximation on all the Boeing birds, and timings tend to be not so far off as most everything flies at much the same speeds (M0.80 is M0.80 at a given altitude, no matter what plane it actually is)

EHM-1944 Jaap:
Most of the time I fly the LevelD 767 and I always use the FMC.
So now and than I fly the PMDG 737 and will use the FMC too.If you are used to the first one it is very easy to use the other one.
So in fact I hardly fly an other plane because there is no FMC in it.
So thanks for your remark about the vasFMC,I will surely test it.;)
Cheers,
Jaap

EHM-1821 Javier:
I don't use FMCs, downloaded the Ifly 747 but always had problems, still using good old GPS though i fly the SIDs and STARs without the use of GPS. For cruise, i have no choice but to use the GPS :]

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