Wilco 737 Pilot in Command now FSX compatible

by mark.avey on June 13, 2007

737 Pilot in Command Wilco’s 737 Pilot in Command is now compatible with Flight Simulator X. The upgrade policy seems a little odd, but then maybe I’m just missing something:

If you own a 737 -300 version : no FSX update available. FS9 installer only.
If you own a 737 -300 plus a 400/500 upgrade : The FSX version is automatically added to your download account.
If you own a 737 -300/400/500 (Full) : The FSX version is automatically added to your download account.

To check if you’re eligible for the upgrade, log-on to your account here.

There’s also an interesting little teaser on the Wilco site is a banner with the text “A new simulator is coming… GET READY FOR IT!”, but there’s no other info there

Technorati tags: wilco 737 pic, flight simulator x

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StumbleUpon » Your page is now on StumbleUpon!: 06.13.07 at 4:49 am
Wilco 737 PIC now FSX compatible - Simradar.com: 06.14.07 at 10:39 am

{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Ken S. Campbell 06.13.07 at 7:36 am: Geez!!! I can’t seem to keep up! All this good stuff coming out for FSX fast and furious! I can tell you this about Wilco, I have their new Citation X, Legacy X, 777, and Deluxe Airbus Series Volume One FSX. All these aircraft are of the highest quality, Fly great, and are very close to the real thing with many options and liveries. I have no doubt 737 PIC will be of the same high standards set by Wilco. I also have no doubt that it will soon be in my collection!! I love it!! Every time I get a new aircraft it’s like getting a new car! Time to get in, look around, and take ‘er for a test flight!
2 Ken S. Campbell 06.13.07 at 7:50 am: P.S. Do yourself a treat and go look at the screenshots. Fantastic!! Leaves me drooling and trying to figure out a way to come up with the bucks now!
3 mark.avey 06.13.07 at 8:16 am: You’ve hit the nail on the head. For me, part of the fun of flight simulation is getting my hands on all the new add-ons. It’s like Christmas every day! It certainly brings out the kid in me

Mark - FlightSimX
4 Airbap 06.15.07 at 9:14 am: Hey folks,

I purchased and flew the Wilcopub 737PIC yesterday and I figured I would share a little info on my experience for those considering buying it. Obviously it’s not cheap, the Euro exchange rate worked out to roughly $45.00 US. Downloading was straightforward, 82MB file, took about 2 minutes to down load with a high-speed connection.

Installation was simple, they have a self installer utility and with a few clicks, I had the aircraft installed. They include a user’s manual with the software as well as configuration utilities. Two very cool things I found in the configuration utility, one option allows you to configure how the aircraft enters the game. If you like cold and dark, that’s one option, another is ready for engine start and the last is engines running. Another cool feature is the auto pause. By selecting this option, the aircraft will automatically self pause 20nm from top of descent. If you arrive early on a long haul, you have no worries about over flying your destination. You get the 200/300/500 versions of the aircraft. At this time no skins are available (they have a large selection; they have not converted them to FSX yet). If you fly for a VA, your company skins will not work with the aircraft.

I decided to fly from KCLT to KIAD (I’m with Tri-Star VA on FS-MP.com) and I started at the gate ready for engine start. The detail of the airplane is stunning. I selected the 737-500 model. The control surface, the lines, the engines, all of the detail is sharper than the default FSX version. The turbofan engines even look like they spool normally. The 3-D cockpit would not work for me (glitch number one), and I spoke with another player who was having the same issue. I emailed this to tech support. The 2-D cockpit was decent. The flight management gauges seemed a little lackluster to me, but they provided full parameters of the aircraft performance and a far greater amount of info than the default FSX 737. One feature while at the gate is the ability to request ground power. I pressed the ground call for power and while there was no visual, the power available light illuminated within a minute or so.

Next step, I started the APU. Using the instruction page, I followed the steps, bleed air adjustments, shutting down the cabin air, etc. In about all I think it was 7-8 steps. You can hear a real sounding apu spool up when you light it and once online, you have to switch a series of buses to bring the power online. I disconnected the ground power and pushed back. Engine start is the real deal. Again, shutdown of non essential bleed air systems, redirecting to the engines and spooling them up. At the correct N1 settings you throw the fuel control levers much like normal. The auto start option is also available if you don’t want all the work. By the way, all of the above describe actions were accomplished via the extensive overhead panel that this aircraft has. In short, virtually all the systems on this aircraft actually work.

The sounds are fantastic and add a great degree of realism. Engines sound like a 737. Cockpit bells and horns sound like the real deal, although I have no actual time in a 737. I taxied out and the first thing I noticed is the aircraft taxi’s far easier and nicer than the default 737. The thrust response is considerably different and in my opinion far more manageable. Once at the hold short point, I realized I still need to program the TCAS (the flight management computer). There is no GPS direct on these aircraft. If you want to fly without the TCAS, you’ll need to use the VOR. The TCAS section of the manual is about 12 pages. I followed the step by step instructions and I only ran into a few setting I had to “figure out” because I felt the instructions were not 100% clear. It took me 45-50 minutes to program the thing. It calculates fuel, gross weight, route, everything. It looks like you can also program any sid or star into it as well. There’s a hold feature that is nice too. Anyway, it became very apparent to me that once engaged, this computer is capable of flying a precise flight up to and including a landing! I rolled out on the runway, take of roll was nice, Tcas data marks your V speeds on the airspeed indicator so you can gauge where you at. The aircraft had been configured (by me) with roughly 55% fuel load. It leapt of the deck at rotation speed and climbed nicely. During my climb and most of my flight, I noticed a popping sound in the background (more like a compressor stall sound although there was none). It pretty much remained the whole flight and it was only audible while in the 2-d cockpit view. I have no idea what caused it, but it did go away briefly when I changed the cabin pressure (oh, yeah, you run this too).

I don’t know what I did wrong, but I spent the next portion of the flight trying to get the flight computer system to fly the plane. This was a disappointment given how proud I was to actually get it programmed correctly. The auto pilot worked and my climb and airspeed worked normally, but I could not get the aircraft to track my route of flight. There are four different autopilot settings so I’m assuming it was my error. Anyway, I selected a “Dulles dead reckoning” Heading and arrive no problems. The HID displays map, traffic, standard compass/ILS needle and functional weather radar! Simple selector knob on the radio panel. You can also adjust the distance out that you view. The map function was awesome, it displayed all the naviads and airports, but could be configured to show as much or as little info as the pilot wishes. The approach was different. This aircraft has very realistic flight characteristics. I made an ok landing, but the nose angle was much higher on approach than the default 737. I’m sure I need to learn more. On the landing role, I went to the external view, the slats deployed and the engine cowls opened on the thrust reverse. I touched down at roughly 138 knots, the landing role seemed longer to me then the default 737. After recovering the aircraft, I taxied to the gate and connected ground power. I shut the aircraft down and there was a fan sound on all the time (much like the sound you hear when using the default fsx 747.

Anyway, this concluded my first flight. I’m sure there is much I still need to learn, but the bottom line is I was able to fly this complex aircraft successfully although it was not always pretty.

Noted Problem Summary:

1. No 3-D cockpit
2. Possible problem with TCAS link to A/P (most likely me)
3. Thumping noise in the cockpit during flight.
4. Text chat typing problem during multiplayer (certain keys will not work and only function to activate/deactivate certain aircraft systems).
5. Cannot get into the rear cabin walk through mode.
6. No Skins
7. Background fan noise even when aircraft is cold and dark

Rating Summary (1-10):

Aircraft design and appearance: 10

Sound: 10

2-D Cockpit: 7

Flight Characteristics: 9

Aircraft Systems functionality: 9

Realism: 10+

Nav System: 8 (will likely go up when I figure it out).

Final Notes:

If you are a hardcore flightsim pilot, or you want a crack at flying an aircraft that is as close to a real 737 as I’ve seen, this is worth the money. You will need to be prepared and patient to learn how everything works (unless you’re type rated in a 737 already). If you like to be in the air 2 minutes after you sign in, this is not your bird, save the money. Perhaps my favorite thing about this package is the sounds. I love realistic sounds.

Anyway, I know some of you were waiting for this aircraft to be released, so I wanted to help out with some impressions. BTW I had no lag or system issues relating to FSX compatibility during my flight. Frame rate was as good as my flights in the standard fsx 737.

Lastly a disclaimer: Please remember, the above review is what I encountered and your experience may vary.

Thanks,

Bruce (Airbap)
5 mark.avey 06.16.07 at 2:27 am: Thanks for the very detailed review

Have you contacted them about the issues you found? I’d be interested to hear their responses.

I’m with you on your overall score. For “Systems” add-ons, Wilco’s PIC products are amongst the very best.

Mark - FlightSimX
6 PieEater 06.21.07 at 10:45 pm: Brilliant review Airbap. When I was looking for an intro to heavies back in the FS9 days the PMDG 737 seemed to just pip the Wilco 737 in the reviews but it doesn’t look like the PMDG is ready for FSX at the moment leaving the Wilco ahead of the field. Shame about the Virtual Cockpit (3d) though, this would certainly put me off as that’s my preferred view when flying.
7 Ken S. Campbell 07.10.07 at 12:16 pm: Nice review Airbap. After reading it I(we), can only hope you can offer more reviews on aircraft you own. It really helps in the decision making process when purchasing a new aircraft!
8 mark.avey 07.10.07 at 6:54 pm: Yes, I second that, Ken.

If anyone else has any reviews they would like posted on the site, please be sure to contact me.

Mark - FlightSimX
9 tim 12.24.08 at 9:14 pm: first of all its not called the tcas - The tcas is the traffic avoidance system that i cant find in the plane or make work. you were meaning the FMC or CDU.
10 mark.avey 12.26.08 at 12:13 pm: Sorry, I’m not quite sure what you mean. There’s no mention of TCAS in this post.

Mark

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