I took the plunge and purchased this aircraft a few days ago. I've been flying it quite a bit and am quite pleased with it. I'm just about to head back to Halifax from Heathrow in a few minutes. I haven't opened up a manual at all and have had no trouble using the fms or any of the sytems. If you are familiar with Boeing systems (Leveld 767 or 737) this one is quite easy to get used to. Is it worth the price? Jury is still out on that one.

Cheers Bill

PS: I needed it like a "hole in the head".

I have had it since it came out for FS9, and also got the FSX Version your going to love it.
I also bought the MD-11 and still trying to figure it out, It's quite a different beast, FMS is easy but the rest........

Interesting... I've been avoiding this plane because I figured with PMDG and that 350 page manual I'd never have the patience to learn it and go through the start up procedures. How is it for engine startup? Will Ctrl-E do it? I don't mind pushing a few buttons, but not a detailed checklist. I have their J-41 and it still sits because I'm to lazy to go through the procedure.

Barry: I have not even tried a startup. I've had the engines running when it loads. I'll go try a few starts and report. Maybe Cal can give a report? He's had it for awhile.

Cheers Bill

The LDS is different in that respect? I tried to learn the start up procedure of that a/c once, and gave up. It's the one big shortcut I take on all a/c. I'm sure it would be fun to learn, but time doesn't permit.

Do you start up ANY a/c from cold and dark, Barry?

I usually do start for cold and dark, but haven't on this one.

I have to do/learn some start up because another VA uses an ACARS that requires the engines to be off when you start (or it will shut them down). So I have the LDS and the PIC 737 set up to begin with the APU running. Not a complete cold and dark but it's enough to satisfy that ACARS. On the Embraers I turn on the APU and let the ACARS shut off the engines-then a ctrl-E starts em back up. The two Boeings are not hard to start from the 'APU running' point-just a few switches. So I'm wondering if that 747 can be set for something similar. I'm too lazy to do everything/every switch. I keep flying different planes and I'd end up getting the manual out every time I wanted to fly if the procedure is too tedious.

Control-E does it, Barry. I'm using fs9, I assume that the fsx version does the same. Now to see if I can get them up and running the old fashion way.

Cheers Bill

Just did a few cold starts. A bit of a pain in the butt. Now that I'm familiar with the procedure, I doubt that I'll be doing it very much. The real guys don't have a choice but to manually start and wait half an hour for the fms to align - us simmers do! why not take advantage of it?

cheers Bill

Are you sure there isn't a quickie FMS startup in the PMDG like we have in the LDS?

Yes there is, Robert. I'm using it. I'll take this "as real as it is" so far.

Cheers Bill

Oh, I misunderstood your post. I thought "you simmers had to wait".

Gotta renew these glasses, of course it might help if I wore them.