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distortions.net

I'm Ryan M. Tech geek. Avgeek. California Native plant gardener. All photos on this blog, unless stated otherwise, are mine. Cameras: Fujifilm X-T5 and X100V. Views are my own.

Aviation

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    Short Flight Factor 777-2 v. 2 for X-Plane 12 Review

    I took the X-Plane 12 platform’s Flight Factor (FF) 777-2 v. 2 for an extended spin from San Francisco International to Frankfurt Airport. I’ve been using the FF 777-2 since they first released it in early 2024 while in alpha and beta development phases. I’ve become familiar with the software (minus crew interaction functions) and so will now write some of my thoughts on this particular KSFO to EDDF flight. I had hoped for a solid, error free flight, but that didn’t happen. 

    On preparation for the flight, the EFB was a chore to use for simply closing the hatches and arming the doors. There’s unneeded user interface flourishes and, I think, hard coded lag time between user clicks and removing ground services and closing doors. Sometimes it’s not clear why doors or cargo hatches won’t close. I assume because I have crew interactions turned off, things a bit off kilter. Weight and balance was a chore with a lot of clicks between the fuel, passenger, and cargo screens. There can definitely be improvements to that loading workflow.

    The FF 777-2 FMS navigation database is, after all this time, completely at odds with X-Plane 12’s AIRAC navigation database. FF’s 777-2 does not use X-Plane 12’s nav database. It uses AIRAC 2105 while X-Plane 12 has AIRAC 2510. FF’s built-in database is four years old! SIDs, STARs, airways, and waypoints have changed quite a bit since 2021. The only way to make them the same is to buy the navigation database from Navigraph and load their latest data into X-Plane 12 and the 777-2. This means, without forking over a 30-Euro subscription fee, if you want the load a flight plan .FMS file that might work the first time, the open source Little NavMap flight planning software needs to export STARs and even airways as waypoints. But since 2021, even waypoints have changed a decent amount in European airspace. So I had to scrap a bunch of waypoints and load in Flight Factor’s 2021 STARs and ILS procedures. I could have used custom waypoints using coordinates.

    The FF 777-2 performed well enough for takeoff, climb, and cruise. It did perform step-climbs automatically while I was asleep (not an aircraft feature, but meant for unattended long-haul flights). The approach is where things fell apart. FF’s FMS had a bizarrely constructed VNAV PATH that would have caused a lot of passenger discomfort with high descent rates… especially when turning to final. There’s no way the aircraft would have a stable approach. So I used the MCP to fly the aircraft for a bit. I captured the ILS localizer and glide slope, and when I disconnected the autopilot, the aural alarm & light would not extinguish. The aircraft flew steady and true on approach, and I had a nice landing. But upon leaving the runway, the speed brakes were stuck up and could not be disarmed. The AP aural alarm was still going. Replay did not work and eventually X-Plane 12 crashed. I assume I was supposed to set up Flight Factor’s own replay since they simulate nearly everything using plugins instead of using XP12’s very capable programming. So that means they’d have to build their own replay software.

    I think that, as Toliss can use most of X-Plane 12’s built-in functionality (and its Nav database!) to simulate complicated Airbus Aircraft, so too can Flight Factor for Boeing aircraft. But I have a feeling they’ve sunk too many resources into simulating outside X-Plane 12. That's a shame.

    For airliners, I think I’ll stick with the Zibo 737-8 and Toliss Airbus for a while, since flying the FF 777 does not bring me much joy. The Toliss and Zibo aircraft are solid and extremely predictable, plus they mostly use X-Plane 12’s functionality for simulation and navigation. Replay then works great. Bottom line, with aircraft that use X-Plane 12’s core simulation software, there are no surprises.

    #Aviation #XPlane12 #FlightSim

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    May 2, 2025: Lufthansa B747-8 (D-ABYM) SFO-FRA (Frankfurt, Germany)
    #HumpDay #B747 #Aviation #AvGeek #PlaneSpotting #FujifilmA Boeing 747, owned and operated by Lufthansa, taxies at SFO to 28L. Its at an angle, but the sun is fully illuminating its right side. It is set against buildings and brown hills of South San Francisco. The bay in front is a bit choppy and the photo was taken somewhere above powerlines, as they are visible at the bottom edge of the photo.

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    December 14, 2025: Emirates A380-8 (A6-EUF), SFO-DXB (Dubai), using 28R  #ThickTailTuesday #A6EUF #A380 #PlaneSpotting #AvGeek #Aviation #Fujifilm

    An Airbus 380 is nose-on to the camera, showings its clearly thick tail reaching high above the ground. Its nose gear is turning so it is about to leave the taxiway for a runway. The sky is hazy yet still tinted blue. The bay in front of the runways is calm.

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    I'm not a fan of business or private jets but I like this photo of one taking off from SFO on December 14, 2025. It's a Bombardier Challenger 300 flying to Van Nuys. #Aviation #PlaneSpotting #Fujifilm #SOoCA private or business jet taking off from SFO 28R, showing its belly, with its gears up and a bit of wispy clouds behind it. Its flaps are still slightly down.

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    In Vancouver today, the sun came out and provided some great morning light at the waterfront

    #Vancouver #Aviation #Seaplanes #Fujifilm #SOoC

    A seaplane descends above the harbor, with the sun reflecting off its body. A large industrial facility with series of tall tanks looms in the background . The hills behind it all are forested with a few wispy clouds.

    A seaplane flies a few feet about harbor waters as it lands, its airframe reflects in the harbor waters. The morning sun lights up a background of ships, port facilities, trees, and buildings built up a gentle hill.

    A float plane descends in front of fluffy light orange clouds and unlit mountains below

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    Yesterday evening: Seaplanes at Vancouver Harbor #Seaplanes #Aviation #Vancouver #NightPhotography #Fujifilm #SOoC

    A night view of two single prop seaplanes, opposite sides of the photo, at their own warmly lit docks. A windsock is flying at a slight angle toward the ground. There’s a strange cloud shrouded light above the horizon. Across the harbor are hills and lights. Just beyond the docks to the left, there’s a floating chevron gas station.

    A nighttime photo of five brightly lit single prop seaplanes all lined up in a column along their brightly lit dock. A bright red beacon is at the end of the dock on the right. In the distance, across the harbor, are hills surrounded by artificial lights. A short span of suspension cable lights (including one tower) of the Lions Gate bridge is visible.

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    Today (12/14/2025)! Look at those slats! And the condensation. United 777-2 (N796UA) taking off runway 28L for Munich from SFO

    #B772 #N796UA #SFO #PlaneSpotting #Aviation #Fujifilm #SOoC

    A United 777-200 taking off, gear already up, with slats down and flaps slightly visibly down. The slats are shadowed as the sun is behind the aircraft (though out of frame but causing a lot of glare). Wing condensation is visible above and behind the rear wing edge. There’s also visible condensation in the left engine. The aircraft fills the whole photo.

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    December 15, 2023: at Frankfurt Airport, Germany, a human for scale is behind a United 777-300 (N2243U). Hard stands are the best.

    #B773 #EDDF #FRA #Aviation #AvGeek #PlaneSpotting #Fujifilm

    The belly of a United 777-300 (N2243U), looming over the tarmac. The main 12-wheel landing gear are front and center, with a human in front of one of the wheels. The wheels cover more than half of their body. The red beacon, which is off, and an antennae is visible above the gear. Some cargo is visible behind the plane.

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    January 20, 2023: Delta 757-200 (N723TW) taxiing to depart on 28L to JFK with the Berkeley hills in the background

    #B752 #SFO #Aviation #AvGeek #PlaneSpotting #Fujifilm

    Delta 757-200 (N723TW) is taxiing under clear, yet somewhat hazy, skies. The Berkeley hills are very clearly visible, along with the skyline of Berkeley and Oakland. Sandpipers are lounging in the bay in front of the SFO runway landfill. Sunlight is refleting off the Delta's red arrow tail. The 757 doesn't look so goofy here as part of its gear wheels are obscured by the landfill's riprap.

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    May 3, 2025: United 737 Max 8 (N37348) landing at SFO from Kona, Hawaii

    #B38M #SFO #Aviation #AvGeek #PlaneSpotting #Fujifilm

    A Boeing 737 is on approach to SFO, with its gear down, under very overcast skies. Its red beacon lights are visible. Some moisture vortices can be seen streaming off its flaps and under its elevators.

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    Qatar A350-1000 (A7-ANQ) landing at SFO from Doha and a United 787-9 (N17963) starting its takeoff roll to Papeete.

    #A7ANQ #N17963 #B789 #A35K #SFO #Aviation #AvGeek #PlaneSpotting #Fujifilm

    A Qatar A350-1000 lands on SFO's 28R as a United 7879 starts its take-off roll on 28L. The bay is just visible in front of the airport's runway landfill. The A350-1000 has its characteristic expanded uncarriage with six total wheels, while the 787-9 looks sad, feeling left out with only four wheels per main landing gear.

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    United B777-222 (N223UA) SYD-SFO, on approach to SFO, May 3, 2025 #B772 #N223UA #PlaneSpotting #AvGeek #AviationOn a 100% foggy day, a blue engined United 777, facing left, takes up most of the frame with its tail just out of the photo. Its landing gear are out and there's a light visible from the nose gear.

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    Goodyear Blimp reg. N3A just passed by. They’re headed to a college football game at Eugene, OR from Livermore, CA. If you’re in Redding, I think it’s heading your way… #GoodyearBlimp #N3A #Aviation #AvGeek

    FlightRadar24 screen shot showing the Good Year blimp about to pass Orland, CA at 2400 ft and 44 knots A heavily cropped photo of the Goodyear Blimp passing far in the distance. Its cylinder shape can be made out but otherwise there’s no detail. The foreground is a residential area with lawns, power lines and trees.

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    I was watching fire tanker aircraft land at San Bernardino (KSBD) on runway 24, which has no standard approach probably due to big mountains being in the way. So I flew the BAe-146 (Neptune tanker livery) and made the approach in the sim. I landed a bit off center but otherwise stable. #XPlane12 #BAe146 #FlightSim #Aviation

    Aerial view of a landscape with scattered houses and roads, seen from a flying BAe-146 with four jet engines and down landing gear prominently sticking out from the sides below the high wings. It’s a classic red Neptune fire tanker livery. The San Bernardino Airport is visible behind and to the left of the aircraft.A BAe-146 with four engines has its speed brakes and lift brakes deployed after landing on a runway, with mountains visible in the background. A weird aircraft with Virgin livery is parked in the background.An actual approach flight path of a BAe-146 tanker (N470NA) at KSBD. It’s a very short final to avoid the mountains to the east.

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    If you’re an AvGeek, here’s some freshly available self-care thanks to Cockpit Casual (YouTube) #AvGeek #Aviation #CockpitCasual

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    Day 3 of the Micro.blog June Photo Challenge: Shadow

    L-188 Electra, operated by AirSpray, at Chico, CA (KCIC)

    #MBJune #Aviation #AvGeek

    A medium four propeller fire tanker airplane with a red nose is parked on an airfield under a partly cloudy sky, with the sun shining brightly.
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    Day 2: Curve

    Lufthansa 747-800 (D-ABYH) at SFO, departing for Frankfurt

    #MBJune #B748 #DABYH #Aviation #AvGeek #PlaneSpotting #Fujifilm #SOoC A 747-8 on a taxiway, holding short of the runway, near water, viewed from behind, with four engines visible under its wings against a clear blue sky.

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    October 2023 at Chico Municipal Airport: BAE 146-200s, Reg. C-GRNT and N908AS. Owned by AirSpray. I assume these are to be converted to wildfire tankers

    #PlaneSpotting #CGRNT #N908AS #B462 #KCIC #AvGeek #Aviation #Fujifilm #SOoC

    Two BAE-146 airplanes parked on an airport tarmac. The plane on the left is white with black and orange accents, while the plane on the right is white with partially scraped off blue accents. Three orange-red CalFire aircraft with numbers painted on their tails are partially visible.

    A parked four engine BAE-146 on an airport tarmac with engine covers on. The aircraft with poorly scraped off blue accents has a high-wing design and a distinctive T-tail. Its door is taped off with red tape. The background has a blurred hazy flat landscape with trees.

    Two parked BAE-146 on a tarmac, noses facing the photographer obliquely, with protective orange covers over their engines.

    A profile view of a parked BAE-146 on an airport tarmac with four engines, distinctive red engine covers, and a T-tail design. The fuselage is white with black and gold accents. A second BAE-146 is behind the first one and is barely visible.

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    Iberia A330-2 & ITA A330-9

    An Iberia A330 twin engine aircraft is landing over a runway with a blue ITA A330-9 plane positioned in the foreground, lined up and ready for takeoff. The background is a hazy sky. The foreground has calm San Francisco bay waters.

    #WidebodyWednesday #PlaneSpotting #Aviation #AvGeek #SFO #ECMLB #A332 #EIHPA #A339

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    Preparing for takeoff May 1, 2025: Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 flying SFO-FRA and United Boeing 777-2 flying SFO-AMS

    A Lufthansa Boeing 747 and a United Airlines aircraft taxiing obliquely, tails together, across a fetch of San Francisco Bay water. The Lufthansa tail is blue with an orange circle and a stylized flying stick. The United tail has a dark blue to light blue gradient with a globe of meridians and parallels in its lower right corner.

    #TailTuesday #PlaneSpotting #AvGeek #Aviation #D-ABYH #N788UA #B748 #B772 #Fujifilm #SOoC

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