Find aircraft background, systems descriptions and manuals for the aircraft you are researching. Each note keeps its source and version context close by.
Simulator manuals describe the developer’s implementation. Aircraft background is research-based; pilot accounts describe an individual’s experience. Coverage here is limited to the selected notes and linked resources, not the full contents of every manual.
747-400 Global Super Tanker · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2024
The firefighting 747 has a separate guide
The SuperTanker manual documents a liquid-drop interface with coverage level, a multiplier and a choice of left, right or both tanks. Flow calculations can use GPS groundspeed or a value entered by the user. These controls describe the simulated firefighting equipment and are separate from the ordinary airliner cockpit workflow.
Working Title · first edition, November 2024 · PDF p.12
747-400 Global Super Tanker · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2024
Selecting a drop and reviewing its result
The interface provides timed, fractional-volume and pilot-controlled termination choices. Its tank-level display shows the remaining load, while the drop-statistics page reports the last quantity released and achieved coverage. The manual also describes automatic termination when the selected tanks empty.
Working Title · first edition, November 2024 · PDF pp.12–13
747-400 LCF Dreamlifter · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2024
The Dreamlifter differs behind the enlarged fuselage
The guide explains that the Dreamlifter has no APU because of its swing-tail arrangement. Ground preparation instead depends on external electrical power and an air-start cart. In this implementation, the cart is enabled through MENU → SETTINGS on the CDU, giving the specialised freighter a distinct departure workflow.
Working Title · first edition, November 2024 · PDF p.7
747-400 LCF Dreamlifter · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2024
An illustrative flight for learning the cockpit
The tutorial uses Chicago O’Hare to Washington Dulles to introduce the aircraft. It separately describes the Dreamlifter’s industrial role carrying 787 components between production locations; the tutorial route is an instructional scenario rather than a claim about that factory transport network.
Working Title · first edition, November 2024 · PDF pp.5–6
747-8 Intercontinental · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2020
The AAU2 avionics and systems update
Microsoft’s MSFS 2020 release notes document a substantial 747-8i update: independent navigation and CDU displays, expanded flight-plan support including holds and missed approaches, and performance-based VNAV with wind forecasts and idle descent. The published changes also include autopilot landing modes, revised fuel and electrical logic, and functional GPS and inertial navigation. This identifies the June 2023 software update; it does not establish an add-on’s runtime accuracy.
Microsoft Flight Simulator · AAU2 version 1.33.8.0, 22 June 2023 · 747-8i / 787-10 section
Boeing 747-400 and 747-100 · Laminar Research · X-Plane 11
The bundled 747 has separate documentation
The archived 747-400 guide describes independent captain and first-officer EFIS controls. The navigation display offers approach, VOR, map and flight-plan views, with separate selections for weather, navigation aids, waypoints and airports. This material belongs to the documented 747-400 panel and does not establish identical equipment in the separately listed 747-100.
Laminar Research · archived 747-400 pilot operating manual; no edition date established · PDF pp.35–37
Boeing 747-400 and 747-100 · Laminar Research · X-Plane 11
Reading the guide’s simulation limits
The manual cautions that not every overhead-panel function is fully simulated. Its EFIS description also marks DATA, POS and TERR selections as unsupported. Those are limitations stated in this archived guide, rather than a fresh test of every X-Plane version.
Laminar Research · archived 747-400 pilot operating manual; no edition date established · PDF pp.19,37
Boeing 747 family · Felis · Felis · X-Plane 11 · X-Plane 12
A classic three-crew 747 simulation
Felis's 747-200 documentation describes custom autopilot and autoland systems, a separate autothrottle and extensive aircraft systems. The classic cockpit's analogue instruments and navigation equipment provide a different experience from the later 747-8. Release notes also distinguish handling changes for X-Plane 11 and 12, which matters when matching a report to an installed version.
747-200 Classic passenger; XP11 and XP12 listed · Systems; Requirements; Version history
Boeing 747 family
The 747 first flew in 1969 and entered airline service in 1970. Its broad main deck transformed the scale of passenger flying, while the elevated cockpit also suited a freighter with a nose-loading door. Passenger and cargo developments remained important throughout the programme.
The flight deck changed dramatically between classic three-crew 747s and later two-pilot aircraft. The 747-8 also brought a further wing and engine development. This page brings those generations together without treating the systems of a classic 747-200 as those of a modern 747-8.
Aircraft / family
Gerhard Westerdijk on flying the 747 into Kai Tak
Lieneke Koornstra interview · 17 December 2022
747 Memories: Captain Tony Osborne
Tony Osborne recollection · archive page dated 23 October 2024; recollection predates that page date
Delivering the final 747s for our customers
Tailwinds · 24 October 2022 · captain Tom Vize
