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.
Boeing 737 family
The first 737 flew in 1967. Boeing retained the six-abreast fuselage width familiar from its earlier jets while placing two engines under the wing. The aircraft subsequently developed through the Original, Classic, Next Generation and MAX generations.
Engines, displays and systems differ between the early 737-200, the 737-800 and the 737 MAX. Simulator products add another layer of variation, from bundled aircraft to specialist implementations with their own failures, options and documentation.
Aircraft / family
Max delivers on its promise
Peter A. Bedell · 2 November 2022
From Air Force F-15s to airline 737s
Jamie Hunter interview with Bill Wooten · 10 November 2022
Boeing 737 Initial Operating Experience: My First Trip
AAFO4Ever · syndicated first-person account; publication date not established
747-8i (-8F) · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2024
Passenger and freighter equipment are documented together
The MSFS 2024 guide explains an important fuel-system difference: the passenger 747-8i has a stabiliser tank, while the 8F does not. Its fuel feeds into the centre tank. The manual then follows the changing pump and crossfeed configuration as centre and main-tank fuel is consumed, making fuel management part of the documented long-haul workflow.
Working Title · first edition, November 2024 · PDF pp.45–51
747-8i (-8F) · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2024
Acknowledging an autopilot disconnect
The guide recommends separate AUTOPILOT ON and AUTOPILOT OFF bindings. A further OFF command acknowledges the AUTOPILOT DISC warning; the master-warning control does not clear it. Using a toggle instead can engage the autopilot again. These are the manual’s simulator binding labels.
Working Title · first edition, November 2024 · PDF p.6
747-8i (-8F) · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2024
Engine covers affect a cold start
The cold-and-dark notes warn that fitted engine covers prevent a sustained start even though an engine may initially appear to spool up. The aircraft’s exterior equipment state therefore matters during preparation.
Working Title · first edition, November 2024 · PDF p.6
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 a practice scenario.
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. These changes belong to the June 2023 MSFS 2020 update.
Microsoft Flight Simulator · AAU2 version 1.33.8.0, 22 June 2023 · 747-8i / 787-10 section
