Quick Start Tutorial for Ramzzess Boeing 777 Automatic Flight
Quick Start Tutorial
for
Ramzzess Boeing 777
Automatic Flight
Version 1.0
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Quick Start Tutorial for Ramzzess Boeing 777 Automatic Flight
I recently created and posted a file called “B777 Automatic Flight Tutorial.zip” in the downloads section of XPlane.org containing very detailed tutorial on this subject called “Automatic Flight Tutorial for the Ramzzess
Aviation Boeing 777 Worldliner Professional for X-Plan 10”. Since then it has become apparent to me that a
shorter, simpler tutorial was needed that would be easy to follow with minimum graphics and screen shots and
that would feature a short, easy route allowing for quick flights for practicing. This quick start tutorial is the
result. The information here is presented in the detailed step-by-step required but theory and many minor
details of data entry, etc. are left out. I also use only the automatic lateral and vertical navigation modes on
the autopilot and not the other descent modes. You can always refer to the full tutorial version if more detail is
required.
Throughout this document, A/P = autopilot and A/T = auto-throttle.
X-Plane Setup
I have discovered that things go a little easier if you include the following in your X-Plane configuration:
1. Assign a button to activate the autopilot (Buttons: Adv = autopilot/servos_on or
autopilot/servos_toggle)
2. Assign a button to disconnect the autopilot (Buttons:Adv = 777/ap_disc)
3. Assign a button to set takeoff trim (Buttons: Basic = Pitch trim takeoff)
4. Assign an unused axis (propeller pitch or mixture control, for example) to speedbrakes. You may have
to check the Reverse checkbox because the speedbrake control is activated by pulling back to extend
the speedbrakes and pushing forward to retract the brakes.
5. Assign another unused axis to reverse. This will activate the thrust reverser and set the engine reverse
thrust.
A note about the autopilot on and disconnect functions. The default X-Plane A/P uses autopilot/servos_toggle
to turn the A/P on and off. This will NOT work for the 777. When the 777 autopilot servos are turned off
(disconnected), the A/P will turn off and a truly dreadful alarm will sound. The alarm is cleared when the A/P
disconnect is pushed a second time. This function is not supported by the default X-Plane A/P controls. If you
assign a button to 777/ap_disc, then the A/P can be turned off by pushing this button twice. Of course, you
can always click on the A/P Disconnect button on the A/P panel if you want.
Assigning a button to 777/ap_disc is accomplished using the Joystick and Equipment selection under the
Settings menu. Go to the Button:Adv tab. At the top of screen to the right is a field for custom commands
from plugins. Click on the button you wish to assign to ap_disc and then click on the box to the left of the
custom commands area. The resulting screen will show a list of folders containing the custom and aircraftspecific commands. Click on the 777 folder to display the custom commands for the Boeing 777. Ap_disc
should be listed as the first command. Click on it to assign it to the button.
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Quick Start Tutorial for Ramzzess Boeing 777 Automatic Flight
Overview of Tutorial Flight
The tutorial uses a short, simple flight that starts at Bellingham, WA (KBLI) and terminates at Snohomish
County airport, WA (KPAE). The flight is approximately 55 nautical miles and takes a half hour more or less
including preflight prep. The route consists of 3 waypoints as listed below:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
KBLI, runway 16
TUBTY
WEBVE
JUGBA
KPAE, ILS runway 16 (109.30)
The flight will be fully automatic in the LNAV and VNAV autopilot modes with an automatic, ILS approach and
auto-landing. This is the flight that I use extensively for practicing landings. In the 777, you can disable the
autopilot on final approach and try hand-flying the landing. A nice feature of the 777 is that the auto-throttle
will remain active after the autopilot is disengaged so that you can hand-fly the landing without worrying about
the power setting.
This training route is useful for any aircraft equipped for ILS landings. When learning a new aircraft, I fly this
route using the autopilot until about 1000 feet above the runway during landing. I disengage the autopilot at
that point and hand-fly the landing. Using the autopilot to establish the aircraft on final approach let's you see
the proper cockpit view when on the correct approach angle to the runway. When the autopilot disengages,
the aircraft will be properly trimmed and at the correct landing speed so all you have to do is practice lining up
the runway, flare and touchdown. You can constantly refer to the glideslope indicator on the PFD to make sure
that you are descending at the proper rate.
Pre-Flight Setup
Start X-Plane
•
•
•
•
Select 777 Worldliner Professional
Position aircraft at runway 16 at KBLI – Bellingham
Set current view to 3D cockpit
Disable custom failures on the Ramzzess B777 menu. The menu is accessed by hitting shift-F11
on your keyboard. Uncheck the Custom Failures checkbox. It's really annoying that it defaults to
on. I had many initial flights screwed up with fuel leaks and A/P disconnects just before
touchdown.
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Quick Start Tutorial for Ramzzess Boeing 777 Automatic Flight
Program FMC
Ok this is where all the action is. I've not included detailed instructions on the mechanics of entering
the data but it's fairly easy. The FMS walks you through the setup screens in order starting with the
IDENT page. The following flowchart is taken from the B777 documentation and shows the basic
steps that need to be followed:
Entering FMS Data. The FMS has a display screen with a column of 6 buttons along each side. I will
refer to these buttons as L1 – L6 (left hand side) and R1 – R6 (right hand side) with buttons L1 and R1
being on the top. Data is typed in using the FMS keypad. The very bottom row of the screen is the
FMS scratchpad. All data typed on the keypad is displayed in this area. The data is then moved into
the appropriate area of the screen by clicking on one of the right hand or left hand buttons. This
scratchpad area is also used by the FMS to display information or warning messages. You cannot enter
new data unless the scratchpad area is empty. You must hit the CLR button on the keypad to clear any
old data or messages in the scratchpad area before typing in new data.
In the cockpit, move the viewpoint down and to the right in order to see the FMS on the console
forward of the throttles. Click on the display screen of the FMS and a large, easy to read replica of the
FMS will appear on the left side of the computer screen. Use this for data entry.
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Quick Start Tutorial for Ramzzess Boeing 777 Automatic Flight
Enter the data into the FMS from the following table in the order listed. If no data is listed, just click on the
button next to the designated field. Pages may refer to screen pages or buttons on the FMS keypad. FMS
keypad buttons are referred to as “FMS button-name” in the following tables. Remember to enter the data
into the scratchpad first and then click on the field button to enter the data into the field.
PAGE
FIELD, BUTTON
MCDU MENU
FMS1, L1
IDENT
POS INIT, R6
DATA
FMS CLR
POS INIT
CURRENT POS, R4
(copies position to scratchpad)
POS INIT
POS DATA FIELD, R5
(Note: clicking on R5 appears to have no
effect. This is normal and you can continue)
POS INIT
ROUTE, R6
FMS CLR as necessary to clear position data
from scratchpad
Perform the following if entering the route for the first time
ROUTE, Page 1
ORIGIN, L1
KBLI
ROUTE, Page 1
RUNWAY, L2
16
ROUTE, Page 1
DEST, R1
KPAE
ROUTE, Page 2 (FMS NEXT PAGE)
TO, R2
TUBTY
ROUTE, Page 2
TO, R3
WEBVE
ROUTE, Page 2
TO, R4
JUGBA
ROUTE, Page 1
ACTIVATE, R6
FMS EXEC
ROUTE, Page 1
SAVE, L4
Route name of your choice
FMS CLR
ROUTE, Page 1
PERF INIT, R6
Perform the following if the route has already been entered
ROUTE, Page 1
REQUEST, L3
AVAILABLE CO ROUTE
Select route using left buttons
ROUTE, Page 1
ACTIVATE, R6
FMS EXEC
FMS CLR
ROUTE, Page 1
PERF INIT, R6
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Quick Start Tutorial for Ramzzess Boeing 777 Automatic Flight
PAGE
FIELD, BUTTON
DATA
PERF INIT
RESERVES, L4
5
PERF INIT
REQUEST, L5
PERF INIT
CRZ ALT, R1
6000
PERF INIT
COST INDEX, R2
9999
PERF INIT
THRUST LIM, R6
THRUST LIM
SEL, L1
THRUST LIM
TAKEOFF, R6
TAKEOFF
FLAPS, L1
TAKEOFF
REQUEST, L5
TAKEOFF
V1 SPEED, R1
TAKEOFF
VR SPEED, R2
TAKEOFF
V2 SPEED, R3
FMS NAV RAD
ILS-MLS, L4
FMS LEGS
Verify first leg is TUBTY and is active (displayed in magenta)
25
5
109.30
Setup Autopilot
•
•
•
•
•
•
Turn on Flight Director (FD)
Set altitude = 6000 feet
Arm A/T
Select LNAV
Select VNAV
Set map range to 20 using the TFC knob on the panel immediately to the left of the A/P
Set Aircraft Configuration
•
•
Set flaps to 5
Set takeoff pitch trim
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Quick Start Tutorial for Ramzzess Boeing 777 Automatic Flight
Flying the Route
Takeoff
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Release brakes
Advance throttles to at least 55% N1. If you don't advance the throttles far enough, the A/T will
NOT engage. Don't worry about advancing the throttles too far.
Click on the A/P TOGA button when rolling but before reaching 50 knots – verify that the A/T is
activated.
Rotate at Vr
Retract landing gear once positive climb established. This will take a few seconds. If you try to
retract the landing gear too soon they won't retract.
Engage autopilot.
Retract flaps. Refer to the green numbers on the right-hand side of the PFD speed strip – these
indicate the minimum flap maneuvering speeds. Set flaps to 1 after the IAS exceeds the “1”
minimum flap speed then set the flaps to 0 after the IAS exceeds the “UP” minimum flap speed.
Cruise
•
•
After the aircraft reaches the top of climb point (indicated by the symbol T/C on the map
display) and aircraft altitude is steady at 6000 feet, set the A/P altitude to 3000 feet.
Move throttles to idle.
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Quick Start Tutorial for Ramzzess Boeing 777 Automatic Flight
Descent, Approach and Landing
•
•
Near the top of descent (T/D on the map display), the aircraft will slow down and start to
descend.
Set the reference landing speeds for flaps = 25 on the FMS as shown below: The displayed
reference speed will vary with aircraft weight and fuel load. In this example, Vref is 153 kts. Your
displayed speed may be different.
PAGE
FIELD, BUTTON
DATA
FMS INIT REF
Flaps 25, speed 153, R2
(copies flap, speed data to scratchpad)
INIT REF
Flaps, Speed, R4
(enters scratchpad data)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
5 miles from WEBVE, click on the A/P speed setting knob to display the speed setting. It should
read 240 kts. Change the speed to 225 kts.
Set flaps to 5.
On turn to JUGBA, do the following
a. Click on the A/P APP button (this will engage the ILS intercept function).
b. Lower landing gear
c. Set A/P speed to 200 kts.
d. Set flaps to 20
After the aircraft intercepts the glide slope (the A/P pitch mode will change from ALT to GS), set
the A/P speed to 170 kts.
After IAS drops below 180 kts., set flaps to 25.
After flaps are fully deployed at 25 and altitude is 2500 feet (at approximately JUGBA), set A/P
speed to Vref + 5, which is 158 kts. in this example.
Final approach
a. A/P goes to Land3 at 1500 feet radio altitude
b. Rollout and flare armed
Touch down
a. Prepare to steer with pedals
b. Wait for nose wheel to settle on runway
c. Activate thrust reversers and/or brakes
d. Apply gentle steering as necessary
e. De-activate thrust reversers before speed drops below 50 knots
f. Apply brakes
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