Reviewed: April 7, 2001
Reviewed by: Mark Smith

Publisher
Wilco Publishing

Developer
Wilco Publishing

Released: February 21, 2001
Genre: Simulation
Players: 1
ESRB: Everyone

8
9
8
7
8.3

System Requirements

767 Pilot in Command is the latest add-on for Microsoft's Flight Simulator 2000 and is probably the most detailed flight-simulator you can currently buy. 767 thrusts you into the captain's chair for a series of nerve-wracking training missions where you have to learn how to cope with emergencies just like real pilots do. Adhering to Murphy's Law, just about everything that could go wrong will in this game including; electronic failure, tire blowouts, locked landing gear, engine trouble, wind shear, and cabin depressurization. The only thing Wilco hasn't thrown in is a terrorist-hijacking scenario.

When you sit down to fly your first flight you will undoubtedly be overwhelmed with the sheer scope and magnitude of the display in front of you. Now you know how all those stewardesses (excuse me; flight attendants) felt in all those Airplane disaster movies when they had to land the plane.

Designed by active 767 co-pilot Eric Ernst and co-developed with Wade Chafe and Laurent Crenier, 767 features a complete and very authentic instrument display recreating the cockpit of an actual 767 to near perfection. This is probably as close to sitting in the captain's chair as many of us will ever see. Here are just a few of the new and innovative instrumentation features:

• The most realistic aircraft panel developed by a B767 active co-pilot
• Realistic 3D effects including dimensional buttons and shadows
• Operational inside views : front panel, overhead panel, pedestal, etc.
• Complete GPWS (Ground Proximity Warning System) with inhibitory switches
• Complete simulation of the systems : electrical (APU, electrical bus, L/R generator, ground power unit...), hydraulic, pneumatic, engine (fuel pumps, engine fires and engine overspeed...)
• Completely accurate FMC (Flight Management Computer) that has every major function of the aircrafts real FMC accurately programmed. The sim pilot can program and operate the FMC exactly as a real airline pilot
• For beginners, the panel can be made easier to manage via a new "REALISM" menu
• For advanced users, random or indicidual failures for every system can be created (almost 75 !)
• The EHSI (Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator) has range selection and 6 different modes implemented. In MAP and PLAN views, the EHSI displays the data from the FMC (including track, waypoints, route, navigation data, top of climb, top of descent, climb prediction arc, VDI, etc.)
• Complete EICAS with upper & lower screens and selectable status screen
• More than 120 real warnings, caution and advisories are implemented. Realistic Cancel & Recall switches, master switch alarms and dispatch messages
• Navigation radios can be used in "Manual" or "Auto" mode ( in the "AUTO" case they are automatically tuned by the FMC). Programmable malfunctions include either AUTO mode or NAV1 receiver failures
• Completely accurate AFDS (autopilot) system with every function available in the real aircraft including FL CH, LNAV, VNAV, Go-around, F/D (flight director) modes, multiple channels operations for Autoland and more. Programmable AFDS malfunctions include one or several A/Ps failures, autoland failure, F/D pitch and bank failures, radar altimeter failure
• Autothrottle coupled with a TRP (Thrust Rating Panel) allowing TO, derated TO, climb, derated climbs and cruize power modes. Programmable malfunctions include autothrottle and TRP failures
• Realistic simulation of flight controls including hydraulic drive of ailerons, rudder and elevator, implementation of both electric and manual stab trims (and Stab Trim cutoff switches), primary and alternate gear and flaps circuits, primary, alternate & reserve brake circuits. Programmable failures include flight surfaces locks, gear lock, flap lock, brake circuit leaks, etc.
• Fully implemented Inertial Reference Units which are driving all the navigation instruments. Alignment procedures, IRS drifts and "EHSI map shifts" are simulated. Programmable malfunctions include abnormal IRU drifts and one or several IRUs failure
• New FS2000-style popup menu : failures, ground requests, etc.

• Highly detailed Boeing 767-300
• Perfect external visual model - so accurate that it looks like the real aircraft
• Multiple liveries: Air Canada, Air France, Alitalia, British Airways, Delta, Iberia, JAL, KLM, TWA, United Airlines, LTU, Qantas, Wilco Publishing.
• 3D Gear bays, animated gear and flaps sequences, moving nose wheel gear
• Nav lights, landing lights, etc.
• 3D Pilots
• Multiple high resolution day and night textures

Failure scenarios are the "meat" of 767 and will test the limits of your training as you cope with all sorts of random malfunctions, which tend to crop up at the most inopportune times. Learning how to deal with these malfunctions is handled through even more training missions. Every problem you can think of has already been anticipated and there is a corresponding checklist to learn that will ideally resolve the situation. These are the same checklists and training scenarios that real pilots must learn to get their license.

I should also mention the excellent documentation that comes with this game. A complete flight training manual, developed by an active co-pilot provides detailed checklists and emergency procedures for all of the situations you will encounter in the game.

Something new to the flight-sim genre is the dynamically changing scenario. You may be making the New York to LAX flight when Engine #2 catches on fire. After going through your Engine Fire checklist and successfully extinguishing the blaze you will probably have to put down for an unscheduled emergency landing at the nearest airport. These unscripted events add a sense of realism to the entire game.

Of course if danger isn't your game then you can always opt for the trouble-free flight mode where you are assured a safe and pleasant flight, assuming YOU don't make any mistakes.

No matter, as you have a spectacular array of instruments, lights and buttons to keep you amused. The cockpit of the actual 767 has been brought to your desktop in exacting detail including all the systems necessary to warn you of over 70 malfunctions that can (and often will) crop up when you least expect it.

There isn't a lot of sound effects but what is offered is excellent and I commend Wilco for have the lessons delivered verbally rather than forcing you to read huge manuals and pages of online text.