New to Cross the Pond! Need help!

[Dominik Trybuchowicz 11337]

Hi everyone!

 

I hope that this is the right place to start this topic.

Recently, I have heard about Cross The Pond event and I booked my slot, because I wanted to participate in this event for the first time. However, since I am new to Transatlantic flights, I have a couple of things, that I need help with:

1. How does SELCAL work in FSInn?

I mean, how will it be signalized to me, is it a sound signal, or is it something being displayed on the screen?

2. Time coordination for FSX?

Does FSRealTime add-on synchronize the time every time after unpausing the FSX (For example, I might need to quickly go to library scenery and adjust some settings before requesting IFR clearance but after all the system are set up). Also, how does it affect PMDG MD-11's FMC? Does the estimate time over next waypoint update as well?

 

Also I am quite new to PMDG MD-11 and I find it a bit complicated. I have a few issues here as well:

1. Not getting to cruising level

Aircraft is in NAV, PROF modes with AUTOFLIGHT engaged. After reaching for example FL170(just an example), the vertical speed goes down a lot and the aircraft is climbing to to cruise level at about 100 feet/minute or sometimes not even climbing at all (the vertical speed stays very low)

2. Losing speed during cruise

Sometimes, when cruising, after some time, the aircraft's speed get down to about 250-290 knots (there is no speed restriction at this level). I tried clicking FMC Speed button, but it doesn't help at all. Also, above the speed tape, the speed and the word THRUST are flashing(Is it something to do with Cost index?).

3. 'CRZ FL ABOVE MAX FL' message

After putting for example FL240 as cruise level I get this message in FMC.

 

Sorry if some of these questions are very silly and have obvious answers, but I really do need help.

 

Any help appreciated

 

Thanks in advance

 

Dominik

[tom van der elst]

1 : SELCAL is a soundsignal it wil give distinct tones,

to read about it google selcal wikipedia.

You can set it in the FSInn options and the how is in the manual.

 

2 : I think it might, as it keeps FS and PC time synchronized.

 

PMDG Md 11:

 

1 :I would check the weight first of all, and then check you have indicated airspeed set in your FSX options.

 

2 : That is probably because you are too heavy for the altitude you are flying at as

 

3 : that message says that you cannot cruise at your entered cruisealtitude because the aircraft cannot reach it.

 

4 : I recommend a lot of studying of the PMDG MD11 manual minimum

but if I'm honest I'd say you gotta practice some more

before flying CTP 2011, and I would suggest an aircraft you dó know how to operate.

 

cheers

 

Tom.

[Ernesto Alvarez 818262]

FSINN doesnt handle SELCAL realistically. youll hear the selcal tone like everyone else, but you wont hear the additional horn that follows letting you know that it is indeed you who they are calling. squawkbox has this feature. in FSINN youll just hear the tone go over the frequency, which also means youll need to know how yours sounds like, cause you will hear others over the frequency aswell.

 

to set selcal in FSINN, itll be in the FSINN settings, set your SELCAL code, test it so you hear how it sounds.

 

then when you file your flightplan, youll need to note your selcal code in the remarls "SEL/ABCD"

 

dont forget to ask for a selcal check when entering oceanic, or before it

[Darrol Larrok 1140797]

FSINN doesnt handle SELCAL realistically. youll hear the selcal tone like everyone else, but you wont hear the additional horn that follows letting you know that it is indeed you who they are calling. squawkbox has this feature. in FSINN youll just hear the tone go over the frequency, which also means youll need to know how yours sounds like, cause you will hear others over the frequency aswell.

 

Actually, you only hear your own tone.

[Ernesto Alvarez 818262]

nope. i hear everyone elses plus mine everytime (not at the same time). just did a crossing the other day, a few of us got selcal checks, heard them all

[Darrol Larrok 1140797]

During the last CTP I only heard mine, but if I looked in the text channel I could see many calls being made to others. The only tone I heard though was mine.

[Dominik Trybuchowicz 11337]

@Tom

You are saying that the aircraft might be too heavy for higher altitude. But, does that mean, that with fully loaded aircraft(p[Mod - Happy Thoughts]engers and enough fuel to get to North America) I won't be able to fly on my cruising level until enough fuel is burned, so the aircraft is lighter?

[tom van der elst]

@Tom

You are saying that the aircraft might be too heavy for higher altitude. But, does that mean, that with fully loaded aircraft(p[Mod - Happy Thoughts]engers and enough fuel to get to North America) I won't be able to fly on my cruising level until enough fuel is burned, so the aircraft is lighter?

 

Yes.

Most if not all aircraft have a certain altitude limit with regards to different weights.

For instance, a fully loaded 737-700 won't get to FL410 even though that is its maximum service ceiling.

 

For the PMDG MD11 I would think that is true as well.

I do not own that aircraft but I would think somewhere in its extensive manuals you

would find optimum altitudes for given weights, and don't be surprised if the manual says

you have to stay low if the aircraft is at it's max takeoff weight.

 

Hopefully one of the PMDG MD11 experts will advise though, as I know they are here.

[Darrol Larrok 1140797]

A couple days ago some posted a useful chart on the PMDG forum:

 

http://forum.avsim.net/topic/329833-optimal-flight-evel-without-fms/

 

A few replies down

 

It seems pretty accurate and should help you.

[Dominik Trybuchowicz 11337]

@Tom

Thanks very much for a good explanation. I will try to go deeper into the PMDG MD-11 manual.

 

@Darrol

A lot of useful information and attached files there. Thanks a lot

[Darrol Larrok 1140797]

Dominik, note that you won't find optimum weight information or other performance data like it in the manual, as apparently Boeing prohibited PMDG from publishing it.