Passenger loading of PMDG 747 (follow up to other previous post)

[BAW0735]

To determine fuel needed one must know the zfw of the aircraft. The only way to obtain that is either a best guess(based on data we won't have in a
sim like tickets purchased) or start FSP and then load on the passengers and cargo/luggage. The follow up question which the other chap did mention
comes down to does FSP have an issue if one gets the ZFW from its program and then computes fuel and loads it via the PMDG fuel loader. Issue
meaning will FSP fuel input(which one did not touch while loading passengers/cargo) override anything you put in via the PMDG fuel loader after
loading the passengers/cargo or will the PMDG override properly the FSP fuel loader?

Geez, hope that came off clearly.

PS: Appreciate the forum moderator giving the proper use of exterior lights on another post. Though I thought the logo lights were always kept on
just like the nav lights.



Post Edited ( 08-23-05 16:27 )

[SWAFO]

BAW0735 wrote:
PS: Appreciate the forum moderator giving the proper use of exterior lights on another post. Though I thought the logo lights were
always kept on
just like the nav lights.

Nope! At least not with my airline (keep in mind I fly 737's for a living). We only turn the Logo lights on between dusk and dawn. Some
airlines might do it differently, however from what I've seen (taxiing around numerous airports, looking at planes) no one keeps their logo
lights on during the day.

About your fuel questions:

I believe that the FSP fuel setting can override the PMDG fuel setting, or vice versa. It simply matters which one is done LAST. I don't
have the PMDG 744, so I can't verify any of this, however I know that if I load fuel with the FS9 fuel loading deal, then switch over to load
fuel with FSP, FSP will override it. It simply matters which one is done last (I'm not sure if fuel can be adjusted once FSP is running).
Unfortunately, the way the FSP fuel system is currently modeled is not very good at all (doesn't allow individual tank loading), and I don't
know of anyone using it. Fortunately, it's being upgraded in the next update. Luckily, I'm flying the PMDG 737, and I don't really have to
worry about ZFW affecting fuel needed. It seems that I can use the fuel planning utility I downloaded from PMDG, enter my flight
altitude/distance/distance to alternate, etc. and the fuel information it spits out will work with any ZFW. Of course, this isn't very realistic,
but it works for me! I'm aware that with the 747 being a MUCH heavier aircraft, and having weights that can vary drastically, ZFW and fuel
may become an issue.

I'm not sure what you could do regarding fuel loading until the new version of FSP is released (more accurate, allowing for individual tank
adjustment). It looks like you'll have to set fuel using the PMDG or FS9 menus for the time being. Perhaps, you could come up with a
ZFW you'd like to use, compute the fuel for that number, then adjust the PAX/cargo amount so that you're at the ZFW you planned for (and
have the fuel for that amount loaded prior to starting FSP). Do you understand what I'm saying? It shouldn't be that hard to do.

Hope this helps.

[BAW0735]

Thanks for the response.

I do indeed know what you are saying on a pre-established ZFW. I did that for quite awhile until I starting using FSP and letting it determine a
random ZFW.

I fly, in the sim world only, A320's for British Airways Virtual.(needless trivial data there ^_^ )


Have a great day,
Steve

[SWAFO]

Determining a ZFW isn't really "random" in FSP. You can set the PAX and cargo in the aircraft yourself, and thus you have COMPLETE
and TOTAL control over the ZFW. Why not do it like that?

[BAW0735]

Hi,

Sorry if I used the wrong term in applying the word "random" to the loading capabilities of the ZFW. The random aspect I was referring to was the
passengers weight. It doesn't vary much when I fully load my A320 but the weight of the passengers do vary from load to load even if the same
percent of passengers getting aboard is the same. I truly understand what you were referring to earlier. Just loading enough passengers and cargo
to achieve the ZFW I want for the flight.

Didn't mean to leave you with a feeling I was missing your point. Thank you again for your response and if I may say..........Your service to our
country.

Have a great day,
Steve

[SWAFO]

Steve,

I gotcha now! You're still able to set the amount of PAX (even though it may vary from flight to flight to get the same ZFW values), so
that you can fine tune the ZFW to your liking. Many times, I'll pick a ZFW before the flight, and mess with it until I get it right. Not too hard.

Enjoy the program!