It’s actually quite easy. Have the ILS freq programmed into NAV1 on both pilot & copilot side, runway course set on both pilot & copilot side, use VLOC/APP to get initially locked on to ILS then engage AP on Co-pilot side as well as pilot side (CMD 1&2). It auto lands.
Video here-
Well there IS difference between the two… obviously the concept but also from a pilot POV. The 737 can be flown completely manually and this is considered normal operation. I know some 737 operators are actively trying to push away people from being a pilot to be a system administrator… but IMO they chose the wrong type for that. (I remember well a few years ago we had to retrain a lot of - even experienced - guys coming from another big 737 operator because they had no idea how to FLY the aircraft…but they were very good with pushing buttons…) But enough politics…
This is a big Cessna! And that means if you over-bank it nothing will happen, if you push 30 degrees nose down nothing will happen… and by nothing I mean no system is there to prevent you doing these things. Yes it’s going to yell at you but that’s it. Try it with the Airbus !!! Of course you CAN get rid of all the automation and protection there too but that is far from normal operation. If you turn off the A/P and the A/T on the 737 (2 buttons as you said) it flies as any other (smaller) aircraft with mechanical flight controls and direct thrust control.
To all fairness I haven’t flown the 320 (not IRL at least) but I know a few guys who jumped on the Airbus after flying the 737 … it’s a different world. Also saw a lot of guys rediscovering their flying skills coming from the 320 to the 737… haha
The 737 (MAX including) is I think the last airliner where your airmanship and (hand)flying skills actually matter…
Having said all that… I am not considering any of them less safe or so… as long as the 320 is flown with the Airbus philosophy and the 737 is flown with the (old) Boeing philosophy…
True, but wouldn’t you agree that when you engage that autopilot until the moment you switch it off, you’re still pushing buttons like any other pilot out there? Things start to change when things get out of the ordinary, and during those last few minutes of flight.
In my company (Europe’s favorite airline) manual flight is encouraged (F/D must remain on though) and in the previous company on the 757 (also in Europe) I was flying manually without FD when it was reasonable to do so. I don’t fly manually as much now because I can’t be bothered. I force myself to do it every now and then.
There’s one FO here on the 737 who came from the a320 and it took a while for her to re-adapt mostly because of the auto-thrust (same thing would happen to a 777 pilot).
We’re digressing. In both types you need to know your systems and you need to know how to fly the airplane through automation. You need to manage your energy and you need to respect the limitations. Yes, you can bank a Boeing beyond 66º or whatever the angle is and nothing will happen other than some warnings, but do you experience that as a pilot in your daily operation? Not really. What you experience at work is almost identical. During your recurrent sim that’s a whole different story. More things have to go wrong in an airbus for you to start flying manually, that’s true. In a Boeing, the slightest problem results in manual flight at least briefly. A few weeks ago flying to Torp we had a shear in cruise so bad that the autopilot gave up on me and handed me the airplane 15º nose up with the speed plummeting. Textbook severe turbulence. It’s not the first time for me that the autopilot gets disconnected in turbulence. On another occasion it happened while turning to avoid CBs on arrival. I got a “bank angle” warning and the autopilot gave up UPRT style. I don’t think that’d happen in an Airbus.
Boeing pilots get less startled when the autopilot gives up. I think we’re more “ready” to grab the airplane and fly it, but shortly after we will try to get the autopilot back on, wouldn’t we?.
There are several on YouTube, including BR933.
I have found I need to be pointed straight at the middle line of the runway, [or pretty close], to get the GS & LOC capture, I haven’t had much success flying into the “Feathers” at an angle.
& I have also had GS/LOC capture failures if the aircraft is at 3,000’ above ground, mine seems to need to be under 2,500’ to get a clean capture. It may have to do with the airport LOC set up, not sure.
TG
Yes I am aware which airline you’re referring- I’m not a big fan but I have my reasons.
But I think we are getting off-trail a little bit here… my point is the 737 is still fun to FLY (if the company allows it…haha). In the Airbus when you “handfly” it’s like the CWS in the 737… or alcohol-free beer, or a joy-doll… it’s almost like the real thing but not really…
Happy flying!
The Drzewiecki Designs KRNT scenery has a full 3D exterior model of their MAX sitting out on the ramp in PMDG livery, and Robert has stated that the MAX is on their development roadmap. After the 737-900 this fall, the 777 is next, followed by the 747, with the MAX coming at some point after that, along with a yet-to-be-revealed mystery project. A lot of folks think that will be a 757.
I can’t deal with that. Could be years…
Autumn 2029 to be exactly.
I’m not able to get into the PMDG forum (@ PMDG) when logged in to my user account. I can read all the messages as long as I’m not logged in. I have tried to send numerous messages to the site admin without getting as much as an answer. Anyone know what to do ?
There is a video on the settings you have to change on your Bravo throttle to get the gear lever to work properly.
A very wrong summary of Airbus.
You can not engage Auto Thrust, and the levers will work the same as a boeing i.e. you have to move them, (but it was not designed to be flown like that normally) and set flaps 1 and take off.
The are both great planes, but make no mistake, both are Programmed, both are flown 99% of the flight on AP.
If you were a real pilot flying 4 legs every day - I bet you would change your mind in less than a week. I have flown 5000 hrs on the 737 and I would never change back from the 320 - but to each their own.
Everybody loves the 737.
…Except those of us who have to work in it.
Good Day to all, I recently purchased the PMDG 737-700 package and I must say absolutely loving flying this aircraft. I am definitely hooked. But recently (over the last couple of days) all the display switches have been of a pink resolution. See attached photo. Has anyone else had the same issue and is there a fix for this.
@EmeraldPrawn41
There was another post on this exact problem that I saw within the past couple of days but I’m not sure it it was here or over on the PMDG forums and I’m sorry but I don’t know what the solution is/was.
You may want to scan through this ginormous thread and also take a look over on the PMDG site. But at least I can confirm that you’re not alone.
Edit: Found it over there.
https://forum.pmdg.com/search?q=pink&searchJSON={"keywords"%3A"pink"}
Reinstall the aircraft and it should work again.
Is the B737 more fun to fly than an A320? Yes.
Would you rather work in a B737 than an A320? No.
B737 does not feel as smooth and the cockpit isn‘t that compfy.
There may be pilots seeing it differently, but thats what I hear often.
That said, love the PMDG 737. What I miss the most, would probably be: The EFB, integration of non pmdg ground services, access to the value of reverser lever position and when MSFS allows, proper windshear simulation coupled with the WX radar.
Maybe this is not the right thread, but if you could only purchase one, which one would it be?
The 146 professional?
PMDG 737?
Fenix A320?
hmmmmm…
Youtube is your best bet to help you decide. Watch in-depth videos about the systems, the cockpit etc. Turn up the volume or use headphones while watching.
And then decide which one is right for you and see yourself immersed in the most.
PMDG B737 is a must have. If you don’t buy it today you WILL buy it in the future.
For years the community waited for a properly simulated a320. Many tried but only 1 reached the level of realism that PMDG are known for. It looks like the Fenix is to the a320 what PMDG is to Boeing airplanes. I wouldn’t doubt buying it.
146 Professional… meh
So it’s just a matter of which one you’ll buy first between the Fenix and the B737. Keep in mind PMDG will release bigger Boeings. So you could buy the a320 and then wait for PMDG to release the 747 or the 777 and let one of those be your Boeing airplane.
