Crew Manager

The 727 is operated by a crew of three: two pilots and a flight engineer. In modern airliners, there is no longer a flight engineer, as the systems are now so automated that it is no longer necessary. However, the 727 comes from an era when most systems had to be operated manually. The flight engineer has a dedicated panel on the side of the cockpit where all important systems such as electrical, hydraulic, fuel, and pressurization are controlled.

We have extensively implemented all of this in our addon. This presents certain challenges, as you theoretically have to perform the work of all three people in the cockpit - often simultaneously. To ease your workload, we have created a system to assist you: the Crew Manager.

Access

You can open the crew manager by clicking on the black smartphone left next to the captains seat. To store it again you can click on the black area at the top front of the screen.

Procedure Flow

In this section you can trigger automatic workflows to be executed by the virtual flight crew. Start on the top left by clicking the Preflight Flow. It will automatically do all preflight checks and workflows such as starting the APU and connecting power. Proceed with the other flows according to the table below.

Indications

Red = not started yet

Yellow = currently in progress

Green = finished

You can trigger a flow a second time even if it's illuminated in green if you click on it a second time.

All flows will be reset automatically 1 minute after finishing the secure cockpit flow.

Usage

Flow
Execute

Preflight Check

On apron to power up the aircraft.

Before Start

When ready for pushback/startup.

After Start

After all (required) engines are on and idle.

Taxi

When starting taxiing.

Before Takeoff

When entering the departure runway.

After Takeoff

When passing 3000ft AFE or flaps retracted.

Approach

When passing transition level.

Landing

When in final landing configuration.

After Landing

After vacating the runway.

Secure Cockpit

After engine shutdown.

Automatic Monitoring

The flight engineer must continuously monitor his systems. Depending on the conditions, systems must be switched on or off. This happens during the entire flight and even on the ground. To relieve you of this work, we have installed automatic monitoring.

This feature is optional and settings will be saved persistently accross all liveries.

Fuel Heat

The temperature of the fuel has to be monitored continuously. Enabling this option will automate the required normal procedures during taxi and cruise/descend.

Packs Temperature

The packs temperature has to be controlled manually during flight by opening and closing left and right cooling doors. Enabling this option will set the cooling doors automatically to achieve the required temperatures.

Airspeed Bug

This option will automatically set your white bugs on the airspeed indicator according to the climb and descend profile.

EPR Limits

This option will automaticall set the EPR limit bugs for each engine depending on the flight phase and aircraft configuration according to the performance charts.

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