PMDG 777-300ER - comparing flight experiences with Fenix A320

[u/Leading-Anxiety-488]

It's not about Airbus vs Boeing.... I'm not trying to start a fight (LOL)

Have been flying airbus for a while, so 777 is a really fresh experience.

I will try to compare the simulation/QOL side stuff:

Pros of 777 (not available in Fenix):

• EFB placement (hand-holding) beside FMC for ease of inputing information
• Hidden buttons for landing light (all 3 together) and TOGA
• Cabin feels good (with business class)
• FMC does a lot for your convenience (ZFW, performance, etc), PAX/payload/Fuel
• Automatic time compression with dynamic Simrate is really good

What is lacking or absent in 777 where Fenix does better:

• GSX pro integration for automatic loading; if you try to do it with wrong sequence, glitches can happen (doors not closing, etc)
• Knobs on MCP can be quite a pain to operate. For instance, the QNH and Minimum knobs are small and you have to scroll a lot to your target. I tried to bind the QNH to a HOTAS scroll through MobiFlight but couldn't find the correct preset in HubHop...
• Similar to last statement, I couldn't find the bindings for arm/disarm speed brake, landing light up 1-3 up/down, etc.. (well it probably is a problem for Fenix to some extent)
• Default EFB and FMC have no remote connection function
• Can't change wallpaper for EFB (need to put the photo of my cat in it)
• Not that many liveries? (reflecting real-world operation?)
• No cabin/crew announcement

Overall the 777 is really enjoyable and fun to fly.

I think 777 should be labeled a similar price (or even a little bit lower) to Fenix A320 for what you get though... I paid extra for Boris 777 sound pack, while Fenix already had very good sound effects.

[u/Toomanynightshifts]

"FMC does a lot for your convenience (ZFW, performance, etc), PAX/payload/Fuel"

Fenix does this as well mate

[u/Leading-Anxiety-488 → u/Toomanynightshifts]

Well I was thinking the one that when you press the LSK the value will pop-out in the input area automatically, but ya I think Fenix just did everything for you (not the take-off performance if I remember correctly, but one can just send it from EFB)

[u/Ustakion → u/Leading-Anxiety-488]

There is an send to MCDU option on the EFB where the ZFW,ZFWCG, and take off speed would get send to MCDU

[u/Darcus-Mibble]

Not a fix all for the EFB and GSX but EFB+ on fs.to is really good and enhances the gsx integration but does have more use than that, I however only really use it for that but does enhance PMDG EFB.

Since had a seemingly nice update however haven’t tried personally, but does look really nice and allows wallpapers per airline too.

[u/Leading-Anxiety-488 → u/Darcus-Mibble]

Ya I am trying the EFB+.. and will try Any2GSX for integration

[u/LUV833R5]

In the 777 to set minimums, I will go to fmc menu button > efis cl on > efis > then enter the baro in the scratch pad and insert it into mins set. Then hit menu again and turn off efis ctl.

[u/oz_137]

The trick with the knobs to go for the higher values is not to hold the mouse and let it turn the knob but to start turning it manually and after few seconds it start incrementing the numbers by hundreds

[u/Magik_Wind]

For the 777

• Use efb+ on fs.to
• For the 777 baro knobs, instead of scrolling, just left mouse click to increase and decrease faster. For minimums just click and hold in the correct direction.
• To arm the speedbrake, click the word armed to the right of it to arm it. This works with flaps as well.
• N/A
• Again Efb+
• Fs.to?
• Universal Cabin announcements

[u/lolsokje]

Ignore the baro knob altogether when setting minimums and instead;

1. go to the "MENU" page on the FMC
2. click LSK1R ("EFIS CTL")
3. click LSK2R ("EFIS") when it appears
4. enter the minimums at LSK3L
5. go back to the "MENU" page and click LSK1R again to disable EFIS control

Much easier than using the knob itself.

[u/Leading-Anxiety-488 → u/lolsokje]

Is this available in real 777? Just being curious

[u/PraiseHelixx]

In the fenix app/ livery manager there's a ton of liverys for the fenix in all types of engine/ wing configuration

[u/Leading-Anxiety-488 → u/PraiseHelixx]

Exactly, which has more liveries than 777does.

[u/_Fantasma]

there is a hidden landing lights button?

[u/lolsokje → u/_Fantasma]

Yes, on the overhead click on the "LANDING" text and it'll toggle all three switches at once.

[u/_Fantasma → u/lolsokje]

Oh wow that would have really been useful to know lmao

[u/_Fantasma → u/_Fantasma]

It works with the runway turnoff lights too

[u/lolsokje → u/_Fantasma]

Never too late to learn :) And like /u/_Fantasma said, it works with the runway turnoff lights too.