MSFS | PMDG 737 Tutorial Episode 1: Cold & Dark to Engine Start - including Route Input!

When I first got behind the controls of the wonderful new PMDG 737-700 for Microsoft Flight Simulator I have to admit, I spent a little while scratching my head wondering where to begin!

Around 10 video's later I'd began to understand how to turn the bring power to the aircraft, configure various settings and prepare a nice flight plan and figured I would consolidate that into a selection of videos to help YOU do the same - confidently get from A to B and enjoy every second whilst flying the PMDG 737 in MSFS. Lots of operators have their own slightly different flows covering everything required so I've used one for this video.

This first video, Episode 1 if you will, begins on stand in Prague LKPR and we are Cold and Dark. We'll get everything configured and set up for a lovely flight down to Skiathos (LGSK) and I'll share everything I've learnt so far with you here.

Don't miss my Simbrief Route Import tutorial too to help speed up the route input part of this tutorial (unless you like to add it all in manually too!)

Of course, there is always lots to learn, and company's also differ in their flows but if you have any tips/tricks then be sure to share them in the comments below!

Routing Used for this video series:
LKPR - Runway 06 - VOZ3E VOZ DCT LANUX DCT PESAT DCT BABIT DCT OLOTA DCT MAKED UL617 TSL TSL1C - Runway 01 NDB / LGSK

The aim for these tutorials are to help, upon release, to get you from 0hrs (as I did!) up in the air and completing a flight as simply as possible with confidence - I hope you enjoy the series!

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As always, these tutorials are for Flight Simulation purposes only and are not for use in the real world.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
02:00 Power On!
06:48 Overhead Panel Checks
11:17 APU Start
13:09 FMC Data Input
25:32 Prep for Push & Start
27:40 Engine Start
32:26 Outro

[kevintran]

Honestly the PMDG 737 is such an intimidating plane to me as a casual aviation enthusiast, but your tutorials make it very simple!

[LuLeBe]

I think the panels on the A320 are SO much more intuitive. In the 737 you have to figure out which switch position is currently set by judging the switch angle or looking at a light somewhere around the switch if there is one, while on the A320 the switch itself has the light and immediately tells you its position.
Honestly gives me a lot of appreciation for that cockpit layout.

[hammerdown_]

I love it. Everything up until 6:18 you could tell that BAG was proficient and had spent many hours in the cockpit of the PMDG 737. Almost to the point of being complacent of it’s beauty. Then at 6:18 it hits him again, a small giggle of excitement and a nod to this phenomenal product from PMDG. This plane is incredible. Happens to me every flight in it at some point.

[cubingwithcarl]

Notes to self:


STARTUP
Battery
GRD Power
IRS Nav
Fuel Truck


MCDU POS


Preperation
Logo Lights
Yaw damper
Seatbelts and no smoking
Brightness


09:00 - 09:25
Window Heat On (Except middle)
Elec on

APU Bleed On (10:40)

11:25 - 11:46
Left Fuel Pump
APU Start

--- Wait till finished and APU GEN Blue Light ---

12:40 - 13:00
Two middle APU-gen On
GRD Power Off

- MCDU MOST (13:09 - 22:35) -

ILS Frequency
ATC Frequency
Ta/Ra
QNH

- MCDU LAST (25:35 - 25:50) -

(26:10 - 26:45)
Fuel pumps
Anti Collision Light
AUTOPILOT


PUSHBACK **27:50** **30:25**
Engine GRD
Engine 25 = Fuel Cutoff UP
Repeat ENG 1

Outer Gen 1 and 2 ON


LAST **30:30** **31:47**
Packs AUTO
Probe Heat ON
Anti Ice NES
Isolation Valve AUTO
Apu Bleed OFF
Apu OFF
Both Engine CONT
Flaps
Elevator trim

[KevinRowe-vh]

Thank you so much for your brilliant tutorials. They are so clear and concise. Don’t know how I would get on without them. Thanks 👍

[leseur]

Thank you for your work on these 737 PMDG videos, can't wait to put them to use as and when. all the best LeSeur.

[kiekiek]

Thanks! Can not wait for the release. I mainly fly the F16 and some other fighter jets in DCS. This is quite a bit different. Looking forward to it.

[bambameron]

Thanks for taking the time to break this down--you're truly appreciated.

[CanadaSouthern]

Great vid! I've read thru the PMDG tutorial flight, but watching the video brings things all into visual context! Thanks!

[WH-ED]

Great vid!
I've watched loads of other people(credit to their effort/time) but you do everything in one video so this is amazing helpful as I spent most my summer saving up.

[BAboymr]

Bit of info, the 3 green lights on the right of the fire handled are test lights for the engine fire and APU fire bottle squibs

[speedbrake]

I really want to see this in VR. Thanks for the tutorials, good to refresh and expand that old rusty Zibo knowledge!

[ChaosHamsterG]

Hey! You may not remember me, but I took a few month break from MSFS. I remember subbing to you at 400 subscribers and I am back from my break and Fabio mentioned you so I was seeing how you were doing, you have grown so much and I’m really proud of you bro. Keep growing and making amazing videos

[tgmjrtgmjr]

You can also monitor the APU EGT and RPMs on the lower EICAS display.

[neddycz]

I see you are a man of culture when choosing LKPR as departure location

[Yogi]

Thank you, very helpful as I never flown a Boeing. Also your checklist and simbrief tutorial with the airframe are superb.

[goranlinder]

Perfect tutorial as always. Thank you so much for your efforts. Can't wait for the release. Maby I'll wait for the 800...

[JenniferinIllinois]

Saving your tutorials for when I finally get my hands on this. 👍 Definitely going to help me the first time I try to start it up.

[krozareq]

Very nice plane. It's a good first release. Still missing some things but they'll likely be coming down the road

[muratyagmur]

nice video and nice tutorial explanation mate... PMDG is always da best...waitin' to release impatiently...