There are few modern aeroplanes that evoke a visceral interest and emotion from me. Any 744, especially the 747-436 and more especially G-CIVX fall into that category. Another such modern aircraft is G-VIIR. She is the aeroplane that took my Beloved and I to Gatwick on our Honeymoon. She is also the aeroplane that brought us back. I have fond memories of her, and this flight is very real in my memory. Come along, won’t you…
The return journey started at the Gatwick Hilton, it was early. Typical London Fog was still heavy on the windows and as I peered out, I could just make out a Singapore 777 clawing for the sky. We made a cuppa, I jumped in the shower, and then whilst the Trolly Dolly spent the better part of an hour, fluffing and glazing, I stayed glued to the window. Gatwick Delivery must have been busy that morning.
Then it was down to the concourse and on the Gatwick Train towards the North Terminal and one last proper English Breakfast, before setting sail for the Colonies. Eggs, and Rashers, Beans and Toast and a Kipper to boot, and we were properly fortified for the journey. We made our way to Pier 5 and IIR was just pulling on stand. After Cleaning and Catering had a crack at her, we boarded. Here’s where THIS story takes a twist… you see IRL I was sat in the back, but today I made the left from 2L and walked to the pointy end. That’s where this story really begins.
I have gotten used to a set of flows that I have plagiarized from BA, and loosely adapted to my needs, so initially I start up GFO and check out an airplane. Obviously, today I picked up IIR which happened to sit at Stand 562 (what a happy coincidence). I cannot delve deeply into the GFO process, as that bit is still firmly in Beta. Anyway, I started up P3D (I’m still on v4.5) and while that was loading up, I started up PFPX. A few moments later, I was ready to load the GFO flight in P3D and export the flight-plan from the PFPX software. Then it was time type. I started up ASP3D for the Wx and logged on to Vatsim for ATC.
I loaded the flight in Navigraph and took a good look at both ends whilst creating my Chart Clip. I ran through the PREFLIGHT Checklist before contacting Delivery. I verified the departure and while doing that I initialized the AIRDU and entered the present GPS POS. After this, I loaded my fuel and ZFW and initialized weights, fuel, CI, FL and other PERF sundries. About then, it was time to log on to ACARS and go into the EFB to calculate performance. Today we could take a 59 degree Assumed Temperature Derate. Once the numbers were all in the box it was time for the PRE START and to call Ground for the Push. I SELF DROVE as GSX will need a few days for the update (Umberto, are you reading this?) and then it was the After Starts and a taxy from QA, L, Q, all the way down Juliet to J1. We had plenty of time for the secondary self-brief, load the winds and while reviewing the SID, I nostalgically remembered sitting in the back, prattling on about how exciting it was to see in person, something that was so already familiar… and I remembered the bemused look on my Trolly Dolly’s face (BTW, I still see that often).
It was a lovely taxi out, with a left on L allowing for a cliched LGW photo op.
We lined up on 08R, took one final look around the VC as we straightened out the turn, and then it was throttles to 55%, stable and TOGA.
For all those accustomed to the current iteration of the 777, forget what you know. She looks, SOUNDS and FLIES completely differently. The visuals, sounds and especially FBW have gotten a bit of a scrape and white wash, and she is a totally upgraded aeroplane. For those getting the free upgrade- this is unheralded in the annals of Flight Simulation and is something that could easily have been a purchase. For those who will be getting the 200ER expansion, you won’t regret it. It adds the EFB and SO MUCH MORE to the 777, and brings you 3 engine variants which you can spend the better part of 2021 fully exploring! In the climb for instance, there is a secondary thrum of large high bypass fan blades that asserts itself over the sharper whine of the hot section. Goose bump inducing!
The return journey started at the Gatwick Hilton, it was early. Typical London Fog was still heavy on the windows and as I peered out, I could just make out a Singapore 777 clawing for the sky. We made a cuppa, I jumped in the shower, and then whilst the Trolly Dolly spent the better part of an hour, fluffing and glazing, I stayed glued to the window. Gatwick Delivery must have been busy that morning.
Then it was down to the concourse and on the Gatwick Train towards the North Terminal and one last proper English Breakfast, before setting sail for the Colonies. Eggs, and Rashers, Beans and Toast and a Kipper to boot, and we were properly fortified for the journey. We made our way to Pier 5 and IIR was just pulling on stand. After Cleaning and Catering had a crack at her, we boarded. Here’s where THIS story takes a twist… you see IRL I was sat in the back, but today I made the left from 2L and walked to the pointy end. That’s where this story really begins.
I have gotten used to a set of flows that I have plagiarized from BA, and loosely adapted to my needs, so initially I start up GFO and check out an airplane. Obviously, today I picked up IIR which happened to sit at Stand 562 (what a happy coincidence). I cannot delve deeply into the GFO process, as that bit is still firmly in Beta. Anyway, I started up P3D (I’m still on v4.5) and while that was loading up, I started up PFPX. A few moments later, I was ready to load the GFO flight in P3D and export the flight-plan from the PFPX software. Then it was time type. I started up ASP3D for the Wx and logged on to Vatsim for ATC.
I loaded the flight in Navigraph and took a good look at both ends whilst creating my Chart Clip. I ran through the PREFLIGHT Checklist before contacting Delivery. I verified the departure and while doing that I initialized the AIRDU and entered the present GPS POS. After this, I loaded my fuel and ZFW and initialized weights, fuel, CI, FL and other PERF sundries. About then, it was time to log on to ACARS and go into the EFB to calculate performance. Today we could take a 59 degree Assumed Temperature Derate. Once the numbers were all in the box it was time for the PRE START and to call Ground for the Push. I SELF DROVE as GSX will need a few days for the update (Umberto, are you reading this?) and then it was the After Starts and a taxy from QA, L, Q, all the way down Juliet to J1. We had plenty of time for the secondary self-brief, load the winds and while reviewing the SID, I nostalgically remembered sitting in the back, prattling on about how exciting it was to see in person, something that was so already familiar… and I remembered the bemused look on my Trolly Dolly’s face (BTW, I still see that often).
It was a lovely taxi out, with a left on L allowing for a cliched LGW photo op.
We lined up on 08R, took one final look around the VC as we straightened out the turn, and then it was throttles to 55%, stable and TOGA.
For all those accustomed to the current iteration of the 777, forget what you know. She looks, SOUNDS and FLIES completely differently. The visuals, sounds and especially FBW have gotten a bit of a scrape and white wash, and she is a totally upgraded aeroplane. For those getting the free upgrade- this is unheralded in the annals of Flight Simulation and is something that could easily have been a purchase. For those who will be getting the 200ER expansion, you won’t regret it. It adds the EFB and SO MUCH MORE to the 777, and brings you 3 engine variants which you can spend the better part of 2021 fully exploring! In the climb for instance, there is a secondary thrum of large high bypass fan blades that asserts itself over the sharper whine of the hot section. Goose bump inducing!
, thanks for sharing 
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