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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