On Mar 3, 5:15*am, Ibby wrote:

First priority is NOT talking to ATC but retaining control of the
aircraft. *If it is decending rapidly the FIRST button I would engage
is Altitude Hold which will start the aircraft to level out. *This can
be easily reached without moving the Pilot or FO. *The pilots can be
moved in a moment and ATC can be contacted once you have 'control'.

Again, don't forget that human part. I have no clue where the
altitude hold is. You may know from the hours and hours of sim
experiences, but in the real world, you expect me to find a button
that will automatically level the plane. There are billions of
buttons to look at.

The radios are more than likely already tuned to the nearest
controller. *The major part of the FMC will now be 'unimportant' as
you will no longer be required to continue on your planned route. *The
Mode Control Panel (the buttons and dials on the glareshield) take
precedence over the FMC. *For the FMC to control the flight director
two buttons require engaging - LNAV (Lateral Navigation) which

I drive a single engine land airplane. You think I have any clue what
you are talking about? You are in a jetliner plane about to buy the
farm. No common Joe, or even a pilot like myself will be there to
"save the day" All the simulation in the world won't take away the
vast array of gauges and dials, and buttons for me to find the
altitude hold button in a reasonable time. Imagine yourself over the
radio talking to someone and saying find the altitude hold button and
guiding them to the right place? Oh yeah we talk in a walkie talkie
world, which slows down communications. Only one person talks at one
time. You think John Q public knows this? IF THEY EVEN find the PTT
button!


I agree and stated before the majority of us would literally be
crapping ourselves. *The sim DOES help however in understanding the
'digitised' controls and knobs. *When I took my first flying lesson in
a Cessna 152 (yes basic in comparision) but it was exactly the same as
the payware aircraft I bought for the sim. *

It doesn't for me when I am in an emergency situation trying to save
my skin in a plane I never sat in the front seat.. Too many buttons,
remember for me to find that right button you want me to push, pull or
twist? I fly a Sundowner, which has a vast array of buttons to a non
pilot. Could / would they know where my autopilot is by description.
I seriously doubt it!

As stated before the majority of the FMC is obsolete and the aircraft
can be controlled via the MCP and the autopilot. *ATC will quite often
vector a pilot with differing headings, speed restrictions and
altitude constraints to that on the FMC flightplan but in most cases
the PIC will use the MCP to make these temporary changes. *

Uhh, I am in a plane totally unfamiliar. You will instruct me to use
the MCP. I have no clue what that is. I have fear for my life, you
think you would be able to walk me through which panel is the MCP? I
doubt it. Remember, the audience you are talking to is a non pilot in
the emergency situation we are talking about. You wouldn't say push a
button on the MCP. You would say it in plain English and describe it
in plain English.

When APP is pressed all 3 autopilots are engaged and thus the autoland
is armed. ATC can instruct you to reduce your airspeed via the control
knob and extend the flaps, landing gear can be lowered and landing
lights and strobes switched on prior to Flaps 20 with continual
slowing using the autothrottle system and further extension of the
flaps.

ATC seperates traffic. Remember, I am descending through 10000 feet,
time is not on my side. I don't think they will know what control
knob for me to push, pull or push, and even if they did, they just
can't point to it, they would need to be able to describe it precisely
within the 1000's of other knobs that sit in front of me.

That's how the simulator can help. *They have 'big' knobs and 'little'
knobs as per the real aircraft

But remember the vast array of buttons and knobs. You have to find
the component first! I never been in a 747.

Let me give you a real deal example of how something electronic can
draw a brain fart, and I posted my experiences. I was in a plane with
a Garmin 330 transponder. Transponder was not sending the right
altitude. I did not know how to stop Mode C. Something very simple
became a major traffic hazard around me.

On my transponder, I have a on setting where it will transmit Mode A,
not C. Easy enough for me to do. Now, I tell you stop my mode C by
twisting the knob from alt to on. Would you be able to figure that
out in the vast array of gauges, buttons and knobs? You have never
been in my plane and all your vast knowlege of a 747 is now tossed out
the window. I would suspect, eventually you will find it from your
simulation knowlege, but the average non pilot will have no clue what
or where the transponder is much less turn a knob from alt to on.

As I have posted many, many times, and I have used MSFS X. *

Did you use payware aircraft or the default as there can be a world of
difference depending on the vendor

You are missing my point. All the simulation in the world doesn't
help me when the rubber meets the road. Simulation is great for
learning procedures. It will not save my skin in a 747. As stated
earlier, the plane in the approach phase probably has not been
configured for autoland. I doubt anybody would be able to tell John Q
public which panel to look at to set it up for autoland in the short
time before the farm is bought..

*I'm
NOT a qualified pilot and have never flown yet in IMC conditions. *I
agree hand flying an aircraft in the simulator in IMC can be difficult
as you have zero sensation of movement.

You have it backwards..... It's the sensation of movement that will
make you a lawn dart and learning to ignore that sensation of movement
is the key.

MSFS makes simulated IMC a walk in the park on my computer. I have
never gotten the leans from MSFS.

Again, talk to a pilot that is instrument rated. Until you do so, you
have no clue what flying is all about just on what you say above..