747 Classic
 

I am looking for information on the 747 Classics, particularly the -200 and -300 freighter models.

Are there any web sites with general information including comments from current pilots operating the aircraft?

Yep, there's a few of us here, just ask.
I haven't flown a freighter version yet, only -146's, -246, 267, and 238's.

I'm not a professional pilot but I do have a great deal of information on the 747 including operating and maintenance manuals.

If there's anything I can answer, just email me.

You can also see my web page at:
www.747cockpit.com

Regards,
Steve S.

Thanks for offer of help 18wheeler.

I saw a picture recently of a 742 with an FMC. This was a BA a/c, is this mod now common in many Classics?

Where could I get a copy of a 743F flight manual ?

763 4 me,

Are you sure that it was a FMC and not a PMS?

Mutt

Mutt, no I am not hence my querie.

I am looking at moving on to the Classic, presently on a 767-300. I am just trying to convince myself that I can do without the EADI, EHSI, FMC's etc.

Any thoughts from people who have converted from glass back to analogue ?

As long as you know your three time table, no worries!

Sorry for taking a while to reply - Had some problems for some reason when trying to log on ... Anyway, thanks to Danny Fyne it seems to be solved.
Note that I had to change my user name a little; I added a '-', but it's still me. ;)

AFAIK, no Classics have FMS, you've probably seen the PMS mentioned above. The simplist way to explain it is that it's a (very) poor mans FMS. They've got INS nav ability, and also VNAV as well, though they need a little bit more help along the way than an FMS does.

Can't help with the manual, though if you're in Aus I can lend you a Northwest airlines one that you an copy.

And as Olivasnooze said, the most important thing is to remember your three times table for the drop. ;)
Just occasionally the PMS will fall over and so you have to go to steam-driven mode. In any case you really should back up what the automatics are doing with some mental arithmatic anyway.

You'll love the plane, it's a big pussy-cat, though of course you have to keep an eye on the inertia.

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Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast

Thanks 18-Wheeler, any more comments welcome.

Would anyone care to comment on their experiences converting from a "glass" flightdeck to an "analogue" flightdeck (I know it is usually the other way around).

[This message has been edited by 763 4 me (edited 16 June 2001).]

I'm not a classic driver, but..... BA 747 classics got some sort of upgrade a while back where, a map display was installed in the centre console in front of the thrust levers, and yup, got a proper FMC too.

CCCccoooo..ugh

763:

I know the Classic quite well and doing the reverse of your program: Going from the classic to the 767.
(Man, do I miss the 747 now....)

Having flow classics for 3 different companies over the last 12 years, I have yet to see an FMC. As mentioned above, probably a PMS, but aye, ya don't need it.

Get used to pushing buttons to program the INS boxes. Especially the 9 way-point ones.
The Litton 92s are better, but not quite up to the modern magic boxes.

The classic drives like a big Caddilac, and seem slow because of the size, but it ain't.
Be careful taxi'ing, lots of wingtips and wheels out there.

Enjoy.


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Men, this is no drill...

You did see FMS on BA classic Jumbos. It was not PMS. I know this because I have to fix the damn thing. I am not aware of FMS on anyone else's classics. The system was under continual development and even in recent years has only started to achive some of the original targets. The FMS was partially developed on these planes.

Just converted to the Classic from 8 years of FBW, hard work but ultimately satisfying. Apart from working out where you are all the time, 3 crew flight deck is the other big difference; 3rd pair of eyes really nice.

Towerdog are you heading the Air Japan way ? You appear to have the same positive experience re the 747 as most everyone else, nice to hear. What is your 747 highlight then ?

Reeboot, I saw the photo in a magazine at WH Smith, Airliner World or something ? There was an article on the 742 of BA. It did look distinctly like the FMC I sit beside most days. Is that a map/weather radar in the centre forward console as well ?

Citadel did you move from an Airbus or Boeing by any chance ? Interesting comment about situational awareness by somebody earlier, the EHSI map/plan modes on the 763 are VERY useful and will be missed IF I move to the Classic shortly. What did you find was the greatest difference ? Surely a buzz to fly the queen of the skies either way ?

[This message has been edited by 763 4 me (edited 18 June 2001).]

763:

No, I ain't heading the Jap way:

I flew skipper on the classic for Tower Air
for 4 years (And F/O for Evergreen and Kuwait Airways Classics before that)

Also been to Japan and spent most of my gray hair in that program...

As for the highlights? The Classic is a really nice bird. Do enjoy it while ya can.
Screw the glass planes. There ain't nothing there...Just computers and politically correct profiles.

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Men, this is no drill...

763 4 me / 18 Wheeler,

While FMC’s are not common in B747’s they do exist. A combined program team of Honeywell / BAE Systems and Canard Aerospace are offering a unit called the CMA-900. This combines the Honeywell ADIRS from 737NG and 757 with the CMA-900 GPS/FMS.

• The system will replace the triple LTN-72 INS with triple ADIRS.
• Add triple CMS-900 FMS/GPS
• Retain electromagnetic flight instruments
• Retain Flight Deck Transfer switches
• Remove PMS CDU
• Relocate MIDU to Flight Engineer Panel
• Provide FMS data to FDAU
• Add wiring provisions for ACARS.

So I guess that the answer is, if it looked like a FMC it probably was.

Enjoy.

Mutt.


[This message has been edited by mutt (edited 18 June 2001).]

"... replace the Litton 72's ..."
The magic words!!!
I like it already. ;)

Thanks for that, good to know. Puts life in the old 747's again.

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Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast

Excellent, thanks mutt so there is hope for me after all. I wonder if any of the 743F conversions that Boeing conduct will include the "FMC mod" ? Hope so.

BA's -136's (RIP) & -236's were retrofitted over 10 yrs ago with pukka honeywell FMS's as fitted to 757s at the time.

Reason was to give them cruise autothrottle (PMS not fitted) but once fitted the green godess became an integral part of the operation. Later on, the ND from MD11 was fitted ahead of the thrust levers. In the end quite a sophisticated set up, and years ahead of all the mods detailed above.

Makes you wonder why these extremely capable -200s are being ditched half way through their lives? Answers on a postcard.......

PS: getting back to the topic -

I converted from 763 to 747-100/200 some years ago and, while I liked the 76, I wish I'd done it sooner.

The Classic, with one exception, is by far the most rewarding and interesting commercial bird I've flown.

I miss it.

If you're a pilot in your bones you will love it, 'cos it's a great big, honest, reliable, trustworthy, predictable, friendly tool.

As others have said, polish your three times table and make full use of the years of experience sat behind you and you'll have no problem and lots of fun/satisfaction.

Queen of the skies!