The A2A Simulations Community

A2A

Is there any plans to update the AccuSim for the B377 with an interactive crew? I love this airplane; but the lack of a crew to manage the aircraft systems is unrealistic. On a multi crew airplane like the B377, the pilot should be concentrating on flying the airplane with the aid of the copilot and the flight engineer should be managing the engines, props, fuel, electrics, air conditioning, pressurization, hydraulics, auxiliary power unit, anti/de-icing systems, etc. If the crew is doing there jobs, the pilot should never have to get up out of his/her seat and go back to the flight engineer panel to take care of the engine oil temps, cylinder head temps, etc. I find chasing these problems as a pilot takes some of the fun and realism out of flying the B377. I love what you did with the B-17. All of your future multi crew airplanes should embrace the B-17 type of AccuSim!

Keep the shiny side up and the dirty side down!

Ret SMSgt Cliff Lord - C-130 Flight Engineer

My first post here, having joined after recently buying the Strat. Cliff, I don't have the B-17, but I assume from what you are saying that the flight engineer on that aircraft is autonomous and gets on with the job while the pilot flies it, yes ?

Thats right check out Youtube on the B-17 A2A simulations 5 part Video

I second that, it would be nice.
I only fly online over IVAO, and it is often difficult to perform all crew tasks while flying, reading charts and speaking with ATC.

Hi,

It can get busy doing the tasks of 4 crew, but if you've flown Concorde much then you soon get used to it.

I find the hardest part is the nav as you need to be aware of the time to the next waypoint. If you can stay on top of that the rest is fairly easy.

I agree though - an updated B377 to the standard of the B-17 (or better! ) would be great.

Best regards,
Robin.

Paul K

Yes, the Flight Engineer manages most of the aircraft systems on the multi crew airplanes that carry a Flight Engineer. Most moden aircraft do not use Flight Engineers any longer, as the aircraft systems are now automated and take care of themselves. I have been a FAA certified Flight Engineer since 1975 and it is my job to manage the engines, propellers, hydraulics (flight controls, brakes, landing gear etc.), pneumatics (anti-deicing, pressurization, air conditioning, etc.), electrics etc. I also preflight the airplane, accomplish the takeoff/landing data, refuel/defuel when needed, and I also perform maintenance on the airplane when needed. I am the aircraft systems expert on the airplane and the pilots rely on me to do my job. The pilots have enough to do just flying the airplane; they don't need to be distracted with aircraft systems because I'm not doing my job! Unless of course I died at my panel!

Keep the shiny side up and the dirty side down!

Ret SMSgt Cliff Lord - C-130 Flight Engineer

I would like to second that as well. It would be really cool to have the extras they packed into the b-17 included on the b377. I would even be willing to pay for it.

hi,

I've found a way to manage everything from the pilot's seat. I've assigned two of my yoke buttons for zooming in and zooming out. Very handy.

My main problem is not system management, but navigation. Without DME, it is tough. When computing distance with IAS/TAS/Wind/GS/time, I get approximative distances and determining where I am is not easy. I wish there was a DME and a stopwatch. I am always surprised that aircraft developpers forget the stopwatch which is a basic instrument in an aircraft.
How do you locate yourself when flying high?