The
Computer Designed Airliner Returns To The Format It Was
Born In
Back in
March 2006, I arrived at London Heathrow, ready to board
a flight to Newark Airport, in New York. I checked in,
and wandered along to my gate to find a beautiful
777-200ER sitting waiting to spend another 8 hours in
the air. When it took off, it joined many other ‘Triple
7’s’ that were flying around. It is no wonder then that
acclaimed developers, Phoenix Simulation Software (PSS)
chose to model this popular aircraft.
Unfortunately, it PSS chose only to model the 200LR, a
record breaking airliner, its (Un-built) freight
variant, the -200LRF, and the -300ER, an aircraft that
is coming into service and proving very useful for the
airlines using her. Why they chose only these 3 is
unclear, although liveries are included that are
actually airlines that operate -200’s, -200ER’s and
-300’s. The actual differences between the -200 models
and the -200LR would not be seen form some angles, and
certainly not by anyone who isn’t interested in
aviation. Same is true for the -300ER.
The ANZ livery is actually installed into the
-300ER model, incorrectly. I changed it to the
-200LR model with no faults.
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BA
recently announced an order for new 777’s, not
mentioning variant. This model comes with BA
schemes for both the -300ER and -200LR models. |
With this
in mind, I installed the Just Flight CD Version of the
product, and then its update with no pain at all. I
easily selected the variants I wanted and didn’t want,
and loaded FS.
The first
thing was get to grips with operating her. With .pdf
manuals becoming more and more popular Just Flight have
adopted a policy of printing nice big manuals. This one
included a tutorial, although this was showing more what
to press, that what you were pressing does. And even
when doing that it misses some things that I rectified
through conversations of the PSS and Just Flight forums.
On top of that there are numerous errors through out the
manual; although the full version is available as a .pdf
from the PSS website for free if you do not understand
anything.
Track IR
users, will have no dismay here, as all switches that
can be flicked in the 2D panels, can be flicked in the
VC. PSS say that there is actually more functionality
here, but apart from the neat movable chairs, armrests,
pedals, sunblind’s and other ‘Easter eggs’ I fail to
find the differences. When actually sitting in the VC
though, it feels quite good. Although they could
certainly benefit from a better, photo real, set of
textures.
The gauges in the VC are clear and easy to read,
a fact that will please TrackIR users. |
But, as
with all VC’s, it is one of those options that almost
instantly gets removed by any user running this bird on
a slow system. Better not have a hat switch though,
because looking sideways shows no 2D side views, and so
you may feel like you’re falling out.
Despite
the frame rates in the VC being slow, surprisingly my
worst frame rates could be found behind the 2D panel.
However, that is not to say the problem cannot be fixed.
They are still flyable frame rates, and a useful popup
provides options to change many of the panel features,
including the gauge refresh rate. Be warned however the
recommended settings are recommended for a reason. Go
higher, and you will get smooth gauges, but woeful frame
rates. When at the recommended, they are slightly jerky,
but don’t spoil flying the aircraft. On my system, panel
FR’s were around 9-12, with the VC pulling 10-14 and the
external views pulling 12-25, all depending on the phase
of flight and surroundings.
Included
alongside the gauge refresh rate selector are options
for ADIRU (Air Data Inertial Reference Unit) align time,
fuel loading, ground commands, and start-up options. I
would have liked to have seen the start-up options be
available in an exterior utility, as although it is
simple to change, it then requires restarting the flight
before the change takes place.
The Overhead panel, crisp and clear. Each switch
is a pleasure to press. It is also an accurate
recreation of the real thing. |
The VC from the pilots PoV. A commanding
position to be in. |
Both the
Upper EICAS, Lower EICAS and Left and Right Inboard
displays are MFD’s, or Multifunctional Displays. These
can be changed to show many different items of data from
various parts of the aircraft. On the real 777, you can
also view external cameras if the aircraft is equipped,
and communication information; however in FS9 this is
not possible. The MFD’s however do allow for a checklist
to be displayed. As a simmer flying many different
types, I would have found a full checklist useful.
Despite
this being an incredibly complex airliner there are
several buttons and switches that PSS chose not to
model. I would have like to have seen some of them as at
least dummies that don’t do anything.
It is not
hard to go on and on about how good or bad the panel is.
I enjoy sitting behind it, and looking at its pin sharp
graphics, same goes for the Virtual cockpit. But as with
all add-ons, the major selling point is how it looks
from the outside, in.
I can
happily tell you that what has been created is a very
authentic shape, true to the real aircraft. Although
it’s not ground breaking, and still has trademark PSS
looks, like the engine fan blades, and the horrible cut
out windows, it pulls together to form a good looking
aircraft. PSS put work in progress screenshots of the
aircraft from were from day one, giving Joe Public the
chance to criticize it, and tell PSS to tweak it. They
did that and produced a smooth visual.
And to sit
on the outside of this model are quite a few liveries.
These are not as good as they could be. As the textures
make up over half of what the final model looks like, it
would have been nice to see some more time be spent on
them. It seems that PSS painter, Ben Jones has taken
this fact into account whilst he works on the next
model, the 757. I cannot criticize the selection. There
are a wide range of textures available, many fictional,
but most reflecting real world users of the -200 and
-300 variants, albeit not necessarily the LR, LRF and
300ER models.
The cargo model departs from Washington.
None are in service yet, but lots of
airlines schemes are painted, including UPS,
DHL and FedEx. |
With the
version 1 release PSS did not model the greatest flight
dynamics. The aircraft was not nice to fly by hand, and
this is always disappointing, it also left simmers
constantly asking for the ILS runway, and even that came
with its interception hazards. Thankfully, with SP1 came
an entirely new FDE. Although you still have to be very
gentle, especially when following the Flight Director,
it is an easy airplane to manoeuvre, and I have found
myself deactivating the autopilot quite a long distance
before touch down. Even in the worst weather, you can
safely fly through by hand.
Fortunately you will not need to fly through bad weather
as the sim also comes with full recreation of the 777’s
weather radar. The manual for this is not printed, and
there are no lessons for correct operation, so I
struggled to learn to use it properly. Of course that is
not the only data shown on the nav display, you will
also see the TCAS working away with audible callouts.
However there are no callouts for things that you would
expect in a modern airliner add-on, the most obvious of
these being the ‘V1, Rotate, V2’ and landing callouts.
You would
expect to find some spectacular sounds to come with the
PSS package. When you push the throttles forward to
stabilise, and then hit the TO/GA switch the sound
pulsates around your head and you scream forward.
Whether you be sitting on the outside, or the inside the
sound of the 2 engines is something incredible, and PSS
captured it perfectly.
Which
makes me ask why it was only that that they captured? On
starting cold and dark the aircraft is completely
silent. As I have not been in a Triple 7 flight deck for
real, I accept that it could be that quiet. However the
same cannot be said for outside. There are no APU sounds
from the exterior either. Although I have learnt to
accept this, and don’t visit the exterior view during
pre-flight, it is something that could be fixed.
All the doors open at once, a fact that could
have, and should have been changed. |
Some of the panel pop-ups, including (bottom
left) the setup menu. |
Looking on
forums it is ‘what’s wrong’ that people like to point
out. PSS have fixed many bugs in SP1 and then in SP2;
however users are still report them. I have spotted a
few, but none that I have been able to recreate with a
100% success rate. I hope that these bugs are sorted.
There are some other little factors that do spoil
realism, however as such I have found none that keep me
on the ground.
Summing up
this aircraft is difficult. It is not a package I would
instantly recommend, but it is not a package that any
person who buys it will be disappointed with. I have
other PSS products in my hanger, including the A340 Pro,
and Vulcan. Neither are aircraft I fly very often, but
flew a lot when they first arrived on my computer. I
find the 777 different though. It is an aircraft I
enjoy, and I think anyone who fly’s her should think
similar.
If not a
major leap forward in aircraft add-ons, it is a major
leap forward for PSS. It shows they are keeping up with
the current, high, standard. Despite being underdogs,
PSS are showing that they have still got it, and this
aircraft is showing exactly that.
Mulletman's 777 Professional Photo Gallery - Click on thumbnail
for full size picture |
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The ANZ livery is actually installed into the
-300ER model, incorrectly. I changed it to the
-200LR model with no faults. |
BA
recently announced an order for new 777’s, not
mentioning variant. This model comes with BA
schemes for both the -300ER and -200LR models. |
The model comes with full night lighting,
although the tail lights remain on all the time. |
Air France have actually put the -300ER into
service, flying from CDG. |
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The gauges in the VC are clear and easy to read,
a fact that will please TrackIR users. |
All the doors open at once, a fact that could
have, and should have been changed. |
Some of the panel pop-ups, including (bottom
left) the setup menu. |
Liveries are included for airlines from all
around the globe. |
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The Overhead panel, crisp and clear. Each switch
is a pleasure to press. It is also an accurate
recreation of the real thing. |
The AF Cargo model again, showing its normal
cargo doors open. |
The VC. Notice the window blinds, armrests,
pedals, and seat positions, all of which can be
adjusted using the mouse. |
The configuration utilities, Load editor (left)
and Fuel planner (right) |
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Making a turn near the Alps. Hand flying this
aircraft is easy, and I often find myself
following the FD for a long time after takeoff. |
Emirates are another operator of the -300ER.
Their livery is included. |
There are a few visual errors, including missing
textures in the cargo holds. Note the extended
Ram Air Turbine and flaps in this picture. |
This livery was not available, but after a few
emails to PSS and Just Flight, it was added as a free download. |
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Radio Stack and zoomed glass panel displays. |
The VC from the pilots PoV. A commanding
position to be in. |
The cargo model departs from Washington. None
are in service yet, but lots of airlines schemes
are painted, including UPS, DHL and FedEx. |
Links:
http://www.phoenix-simulation.co.uk/
http://www.justflight.com/product.asp?pid=120 © Fred
Clark 2007 |