Aircraft Review : Boeing 767-400ER by FlightFactor Aero

[Stephen]

 

 

Aircraft Review : Boeing 767-400ER by FlightFactor Aero/SteptoSky

 

Here is another variant and upgrade package from FlightFactor for their Boeing 767 product line. FlightFactor produce both 767/757 Twins in a load of variants and avionics packages, here the focus this time is on the Boeing 767, which is currently available in -200ER and -300ER/F variants.

This significant new variant is a very minor series version in the Boeing 767-400ER (Extended Range), as only 37 767-400ERs were delivered to the variant's only two airline customers, Continental Airlines (now merged with United Airlines) and Delta Air Lines.

 

The -400 type features a 21.1-foot (6.43-metre) stretch over the 767-300, for a total length of 201.25 feet (61.3 m). The wingspan is also increased by 14.3 feet (4.36 m) through with the the addition of raked wingtips. The 767-400ER has a range of 5,625 nautical miles (10,418 km), just slightly less than previous extended-range 767s at 5,980 nmi (11,070 km), because of restraints of the fuel capacity.

 

The exit configuration uses six main cabin doors and two smaller exit doors behind the wings, similar to certain 767-300ERs. Other differences include an updated cockpit, redesigned landing gear, and 777-style Signature Interior. Power is provided by the uprated General Electric CF6 engines. Most in service use the FAA granted approval to operate 180-minute ETOPS flights and even used for transatlantic services, for which the aircraft is ideal. The size difference of the -300 to the larger -400 is highly noticeable, it feels a far more bulky aircraft

 

 

As we can see the aircraft is a bit of a "Frankenstein" in design, and not a major part of current airline fleets. The benefit of course is the far higher payload for the same operating range, but the biggest attraction is in the cockpit...  First is what we currently have.

 

FlightFactor in the 767 Series have created two cockpit EFIS variations, the "Standard"...  basically the original B767 cockpit layout.

 

 

Second variation is the "FPDS" or "Flat Panel Display System" or commonly known as a glass cockpit conversion.

 

 

This FPDS was a conversion of the avionics to the IS&S - Innovative Solutions & Support’s display units, this layout is very similar to the ProLine 21 system and in the Boeing 737-800 but with four displays covering both pilots PFD and MAP/NAV. A full review of the FPDS system can be read here: Aircraft Upgrade : Boeing 767 Pro Avionics FPDS by FlightFactor/SteptoSky

 

The Boeing 767-400ER is however far more unique because the aircraft has the modern avionics of the Boeing 777. In other words the cockpit is a retro fitted layout of the Boeing 777 in a Boeing 767. And very, very nice it is.

 

 

Although it feels like a Boeing 767 cockpit FlightFactor style, there still the look and feel of a more modern textures and the more updated modeling, so it feels fresher and looks to the future of FlightFactor design, notable was that FlightFactor were always a little heavy-handed in their designs and modeling. So it will be interesting to see the fresher new designs of the coming Boeing 787 and Boeing 777 in this aspect.

 

 

There is no doubt the 777 avionics brings a far more modern feel, and the feeling of space and less clutter to the instrument panel. It is a six panel display. PFD (Primary Flight Displays) each end, MAP/NAV displays inner, Engine and Crew Alert Displays (upper) and MFD (Multifunctional Display) (lower). All screens have adjustable glow and dirt effects, like on the other FlightFactor B767s. 

 

 

You can switch easily from a B777 to this B767 hybrid, but notable is that a lot of the functions available on the B777 facia are blanked out here, mostly on the upper/lower central monitoring displays, in fact on the lower MFD there are only five selections; ENG, STAT, GEAR, FCTL and NAV.

 

 

And displays are switchable.

 

 

Through the EFB (Electronic Flight Bag), you now also access Navigraph charts. Access is via selecting Charts, then the OPTIONS (lower left pop-out box) then filling out your Navigraph login and password details, then a confirmation from Navigraph, will allow you to access your account and use the charts...  very nice.

 

 

Cabin in textures and design are exactly the same as the -300, now only longer to match the new layout of 40 Seats. 28 Seats. 178 Seats for each class, there are no suites here. It is actually a very, very nice cabin, and the lighting (adjustable) has been thankfully toned down. But still the EXIT lights don't work?

 

 

Externally the Boeing 767-400 the modeling and textures has been revised, it looks certainly far better, but not that much different in retrospect as it still has that Boeing 767 feel.

 

 

On the -400, Boeing had to upgrade the undercarriage to carry and take the extra forces of the extra weight and payload. So the gear is significantly different, and here also FlightFactor have redesigned it from scratch, and they have done an excellent job. Note the fine nosewheel tyre detail.

 

 

Detail, Wear and Tear as shown here is impeccable. All the gear components are highly visible and expertly modeled, impressed...

 

The aircraft comes with only the uprated General Electric CF6-80C2B7F1 with an output of 62,100lb (276.2kN). The design and fit of the GE CF6s on the airframe is excellent, they are well and beautifully modeled and look simply brilliant.

 

 

The raked winglets are unusual as well, they include creating additional wing span, so you get better and increased takeoff weight capability. They work by increasing the effective wing aspect ratio and diminish wingtip vortices, decreasing lift-induced drag. In testing by Boeing and NASA, they reduce drag by as much as 5.5%, compared to 3.5% to 4.5% for conventional winglets. The new 777X has the same theory.

 

 

Liveries

There are seven -400 liveries as part of the standalone and upgrade packages. In; Air Canada, China Eastern, China Southern,Delta, FlightFactor House, Turkish Airlines and United.

 

 

In the air

You basically have the best of two worlds. One is the Study aspect of a fully system aircraft directly from the Boeing specifications (the aircraft is officially licensed by the Boeing © Corporation). Two it is actually quite easy to fly when you know the aircraft and it's systems. The beauty is you can swap 767 versions and variants and feel right at home in everyone of them. The slightly different 777 layout was also very easy to adopt to.

 

A quick flight from KATL (Atlanta) to KIAD (Washington DC), and I was right at home from the moment of throttles up. Instantly long routes beckoned, and the routing over the Atlantic suddenly became a "Must do".

 

 

"ER" stands for "Extended Range", so why not, as you feel very comfortable in this environment, and the aircraft performs well. The -400 is a very interesting size, should the aircraft have been far more successful that it is? it is a big question as it fills in an important niche in the market, my guess is that 2nd hand -400 aircraft will be very popular.

 

Sounds are again a professional sound pack by BSS Studios, with several hundred custom sounds,  including In flight cabin announcements.

and Interactive communication with the cabin crew.

 

 

Landing at Dulles is trouble free and easy, should it be like that, yes when everything comes together and works this well.

 

 

To note that this B767-400ER release is a "Public Beta", so you are buying an aircraft that is in development and so bugs are in there, and also you will get aircraft changes as the beta progresses.

 

FlightFactor do have a complicated packages system, but basically it works like this, a Standard package of the aircraft, and then the addon Avionics or Variant versions, and there is also the choice to buy an all in one "Global" package. This order will now separate the 767-family into two base packages with the 767-300ER and 767-400ER respectively, which can be upgraded into a joined "pair", or to any combination of 3 possible upgrades.

 

Like with the FPDS upgrade, the 767-400ER, will be offered not only as a standalone package, but also as an upgrade to any previously bought 767 package. The 767-400ER standalone package which is on sale at US$69.00 for the period until XP12 is released (then it goes up to US$79.00).

And the "400" upgrade package will be available for US$30.00 as an addition to any previously bought package of the 767-family. If you want all three, ORIGINAL, FPDS and 400ER then that is called the "global PLUS".

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Summary

Here is another FlightFactor extension package for the FlightFactor 767 Series. Already there is the Boeing -200ER, -300ER and F-Freighter variants, and this new aircraft is the larger 767-400ER variant. It comes with a larger payload, a 21.1-foot (6.43-metre) stretch, but with the same range.

 

Besides the longer length, there is also the unique fitting of a Boeing 777 style six panel EFIS into the -400 aircraft, so it has the more modern avionics than the other 767s. Also a remodeled landing gear, raked winglets and remodeled CF6-80C2B7F1 engines. FlightFactor have also redone the fuselage modeling, and updated the texture quality. Navigraph charts are available on the EFB, systems and features are also as high a quality as before.

 

Notably this release is a "Public Beta", so there are still a few bugs and issues to be covered, but FlightFactor are reacting quickly and v1.5.1 is now released and the minimum version you should use. All updates and downloads of the 767 aircraft is via the X-Updater application. Personally I would like, a Global "Save" option, complicated aircraft require better saving features.

 

Your choice of a quality Boeing approved 767 has just got larger, well a lot larger with the -400 variant, and the rest of the quality from FlightFactor is still all here, and even improved.

 

I like the FlightFactor 767s, and yes this one is their best yet, and went straight to the top of my fleet usage list, it fills in a great category, and it is nice big aircraft, but a quality twin as well, and I love big heavy aircraft. It is really not hard to like and I totally recommend the aircraft, as a standalone, or as an $30 addon to your existing FlightFactor 767 fleet...   nice one FlightFactor!

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Yes! the Boeing 767-400ER Professional by FlightFactor/StepToSky is NOW! Available from the X-Plane.Org Store here :

 

Boeing 767-400 ER Professional

Price is US$69.00 (will increase to US$79.00 on the release of X-Plane12)

 

Boeing 767-400 UPGRADE

Existing 767 customers will automatically get the US$30 upgrade at checkout.

 

Boeing 767 Global Plus+

Price is US$145.00

The Global Plus Package Includes:

• 767-200ER (PW+GE)
• 767-300ER (PW+RR+GE)
• 767-300F (PW+GE+RR)
• 767-200SF (Cargo)
• 767 FPDS Variant
• 767-400ER

Free Updates to X-Plane 12 (when available). This means you get 2 versions: XP11 version now and XP12 version later.

 

More B767 version details are available here; Aircraft Update : Boeing 767 Professional/Extended v1.2.7 by FlightFactor/StepToSky/VMax

 

Requirements

X-Plane 11, Will be compatible with X-Plane 12 for free.

Windows 7+, Mac OS 10.10+ or Linux 14.04 LTS or compatible,

64 bit mode 8Gb RAM / 3Gb VRAM Minimum,

16-24Gb+ RAM / 6Gb+ VRAM Recommended

Current version: 1.5.1 (14/06/2022)

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Review by Stephen Dutton

14th July 2022

Copyright©2022: X-PlaneReviews

 

(Disclaimer. All images and text in this review are the work and property of X-PlaneReviews, no sharing or copy of the content is allowed without consent from the author as per copyright conditions)

 

Review System Specifications: 

Computer System: Windows  -S1700 Core i7 12700K 12 Core 3.60 GHz CPU / 64bit -32 Gb single 1067 Mhz DDR4 2133 - ASUS GeForce GTX 1080 8Gb - Samsung Evo M2 2TB SSD - Sound : Yamaha Speakers YST-M200SP

Software:   - Windows 10 - X-Plane 11.55

Plugins: Global SFD plugin US$30.00 : RK Apps XPRealistic v2 - US$34.99 : Environment Engine by xEnviro US$69.90

Scenery or Aircraft

- KATL - Atlanta International UHD v2 by Nimbus (X-Plane.OrgStore) - US$28.95

- KIAD - Washington Dulles International Airport by Nimbus (X-Plane.OrgStore) - US$29.95 (Scenery Review : KIAD - Washington Dulles)

 

(Disclaimer. All images and text in this review are the work and property of X-PlaneReviews, no sharing or copy of the content is allowed without consent from the author as per copyright conditions) All Rights Reserved

 

[BruinBravo]

Being a Beta, is it premature to expect connectivity to Honeycomb Bravo/Alpha plugins?

[LustigerLachs]

On 7/15/2022 at 10:12 AM, BruinBravo said:

Being a Beta, is it premature to expect connectivity to Honeycomb Bravo/Alpha plugins?

Given there is no stable release, what should owners do? Just not use it? Lets not fool ourselfes, the 400ER is mostly a 3D and Panel update, nothing more, nothing less. No reason that the MCP shouldn´t interact with Honeycomb Bravo

[Stephen]

it's a bit of a stretch to say the -400 is just a  3D and panel update? There is a lot more in there than that, more so in that it is a very nice aircraft thank you very much...