PS1 models the entire EFIS flight instrumentation of the 744. With the flexibility having both traditional and modern indication methods selectable, PS1 is an ideal trainer for all kinds of Instrument Flight techniques. Its large-scale instrument displays in conjunction with the accurate simulation of aerodynamic configuration changes and engine spool up/down timings give a very realistic feel. Lateral and vertical navigation can exactly be performed "by the numbers", or by the typical "thumb rules", just like on the real aircraft.
The flight may be paused at any time. When paused, the instruments stay alive and the navaid receivers intact for demonstration purposes. Situations can easily be saved and reloaded from the hard disk. The airplane can be positioned at any point on the earth at any speed, heading and altitude. Instructors can also create training videos for their students. Plotters are available on the Instructor's Page to analyze the flown track.

This navigational part of PS1 offers many opportunities:

- Pilots converting from "steam gauges" to EFIS: Aside from being a comprehensive "free-play" simulation for the 744 in particular, PS1 can also serve as a basic introduction for pilots who plan converting to EFIS in general. Understand the "glass philosophy", see what you need to include and what to neglect when scanning the "glass". Relevant information is automatically displayed, irrelevant information is automatically removed, depending on the present flight conditions. Understand the color concept, the "floating" indications of the airspeed buffets, the various dynamic "trend" indications (IAS trend, altitude arc, heading & position trend), and so on.

- Experienced glass cockpit crews: Refresh your skills and fly conventional IFR techniques on raw data from time to time. Think ahead - the "Moving Map" can fail. Simulate, for instance, a teardrop entry into a holding pattern over Chicago in significant crosswind conditions while having a DUAL FMC failure...

- All pilots: Make yourself familiar with unknown, complicated departure and approach procedures (PS1 itself already acted as an assistant to help designing official routings in real life).

- IFR students: Learn to scan and interpret the flight instruments and practise the basics for a solid Instrument Flight. Although the 744 HSI and RMIs are displayed on large CRTs (Cathode Ray Tubes) rather than on mechanical gauges, the functions are exactly the same.

The 744 is equipped with 3 IRUs (Moving Map), 2 ADFs, 2 VORs, 2 DMEs and one ILS/DME reference (3 ILS receivers) which can also be used for an MLS with a variable azimuth (Microwave Landing System - see Anchorage or Boise).
Various display combinations may be selected with conventional HSI, dynamic or static map display, selectable VOR/ADF RMI pointers, expanded or centered compass roses, WXR radar overlay, TCAS overlay and much more. Thunderstorms/lightning can be simulated that jam the ADF receivers now and then. Instrument failures can be simulated by disconnecting the respective electrical bus (intentionally or random).

Limitations in version 1.3: The EIU source selector is not displayed on the screen. The simulation considers the selector positioned to AUTO (EIU L, C or R is automatically selected depending on which EIU is operative). The tilt of the simulated WXR radar is fixed at +1. The MAG/TRU reference switch is not displayed (always positioned to NORM, i. e. the heading reference automatically changes to “True” when entering polar regions).

Sample screen shots: Navigation Display modes

The ND mode “APP” (approach) is selected with the compass rose centered (CTR switch pushed). The “APP” display mode refers to the tuned ILS or MLS. The above scenario is an MLS approach into Anchorage with the azimuth set to 065°. Frequency is 538 MHz. The raw signal has been decoded as “MTGN”.

The “APP” display mode is selected with the compass rose expanded. If the compass rose is expanded, TCAS symbols and weather radar returns can be overlayed. Different display ranges may be selected. Whether the white range arcs are displayed or removed depends on the airline configuration selected on the Instructor’s Page.

The ND mode “VOR” is selected with the compass rose centered (CTR switch pushed). The “VOR” display mode is another HSI, but instead refering to the tuned ILS it refers to the tuned VOR (Captain’s ND: left VOR; F/O’s ND: right VOR). There is no conventional navaid tuning panel on the 744. The tuning is done via the FMC NAV RADIO page. This page provides helpful tuning functions. For instance, it is possible to set another VOR frequency and course simultaneously, with just two key strokes: In the above example, the line “ATH/139” has been transfered from the “Preselect” line to the top left line (139 is the associated course). The FMC automatically searches its data base for the respective frequency in the present 200 NM radius. The Morse identifier from the raw radio signal is automatically decoded for visual confirmation.

The “VOR” display mode is selected, now with the compass rose expanded. TCAS and weather radar overlays can now be added.

The “MAP” display mode is selected, with the compass rose centered. In MAP mode, the TCAS and weather radar overlays can always be added, whether the compass rose is centered or not. Off route VHF stations, waypoints and airports can be displayed (blue) as well as Fix Info circles/bearings (dashed green), the active route (magenta), raw data radials (solid green) and many other features. The three white stars represent the three IRS positions relative to the FMC position (which is the tip of the white triangle).

This is the “MAP” display mode with the compass rose expanded. To name a few features: The green arc in the upper half of the ND indicates where the selected altitude will be reached (6000 ft in this situation) based upon the current ground speed and vertical speed. The white “worm” on the tip of the white triangle is the “Trend Vector”. The magenta diamond on the white vertical scale on the right side indicates the deviation from the planned VNAV descent path. Independant of the planned VNAV path along the FMC route is the “Offpath Descent” feature direct to a specific waypoint, indicated using the so-called “Energy Management circles” (Dashed blue: clean circle; Dashed white: drag circle with speedbrakes fully extended).

The “PLAN” display mode is selected (compass rose always expanded). The upper portion of the ND is similar to the MAP mode. The lower portion, however, is static, refering to True North. The entire route can be reviewed in this mode.

The Track Plotter on the Instructor’s Page. The plottings are saved on the hard disk and will not be erased after quitting the simulator. The recorder is able to store up to 20 hours of flight. The range of the map width is selectable from 20 NM to 9999 NM.

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