Operational questions — MJC8 Q400 forums

Alt Sel and VNAV not working

justin48 — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 02:44:25 +0000

Looking for help with Alt Select in Q400 Pro. Clicking on the knob just produces a jumpy series of random altitudes but it ultimately goes back to 100 feet. Never had this problem before, and I have been happily flying this bird since it was first introduced. any ideas?

Failure activation

JeanMeslier — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 09:21:31 +0000

Hi,
I now own the Q400 for almost two years: tons of hours, tons of fun. But a question that has only recently come up in my mind after reading the very packed abnormal and emergency manual is: Are all these failures , down to really astonishing possibilities like wiper failure (and the implementation of an alternate wiper) triggerable by default or does one have to write a script for it? If yes, does anyone have experience with such "oddball" failure scripts? For reference, I am using the TRAINING edition, so the full range of features is available

Clock Question

airernie — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 11:55:12 +0000

This may sound simplistic and I may be missing it, but from what little information I can find it appears that the clock on the Q400 only functions as a stopwatch and not elapsed time as is the case on many other aircraft. Am I wrong?

The ET button, only appears to toggle the ET digits between 00 and blank. The CHR starts the clock, but when you press it, it blanks the digits under ET. You then have to press the ET button to get the digits to display and when you do you have to press ET again to view the minutes that have passed.

BTW, What does ET, CHR and CHT stand for and what are the digits under ET and CHT supposed to represent? The clock seems to be a big mystery. The information I could find came from Google AI and not from any publication I could find.

Thank you..

Deice Message

airernie — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 18:48:35 +0000

In my never ending quest to learn this bird; The last couple of times I've flow it's been in icing conditions. The last one I had messages to that effect, this flight not. Anyway, I did the deice on the ground and both took off and flew well, but in both instances when I opened Services there was a message under Deice Request that read 'STOP THE PLANE'. Is that an indication I need to land because I'm not getting any message.
Thanks,
Ernie

Propeller Ground Range

airernie — Sun, 09 Feb 2025 22:11:38 +0000

When starting to taxi the propeller ground range reading will sometimes display '12'. What does that indicate? The cockpit certainly gets less loud when I move past it.

FMS SID/STAR logic?

dave_paige — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 15:12:07 +0000

First, I want to say what a great addon the Q400 is. I am thoroughly enjoying it. Great job.

My question is about the FMC logic regarding SIDs and STARs. By way of background I was planning a flight from KLAS to KPSP. The typical routing is BOACH8 TNP SBONO1. The BOACH8 departure as both a runway specific portion and a transition specific portion. In the Majestic Q400 the FMS seems incapable of selecting both portions. When I select DEPART from the MENU and then select runway 26R, then BOACH8, at that point I am only able to select runway 26R as the transition. If I do not select a departure runway and go directly to the BOACH8 SID then I can select the TNP transition, but at that point the routing goes directly to the RIKII intersection from the runway and there is no way to add the runway 26L specific routing, other than to add it manually, waypoint by waypoint. If, on the otherhand I select the runway, 26R, and the SID, BOACH8, I get the specific routing from the runway to the BOACH intersection but I then can not select the TNP transition and I get none of the waypoints after BOACH. It is clear that all of the date is in the navigation database.

I know this has been long and I apologize. If someone can confirm that this is the case in the real airplane then I will be fine with that and will enter the needed waypoints manually. I'm just guessing that, in the real airplane, this is possible. Looking forward to some input on this. Thank you.

CPAN and crazy systems

Floren — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 18:22:34 +0000

I've the lates version of plane.
But when I turn yoke to the Left, the airplane turn to de Right
Same with throttle, If I push full, airplane shows Iddle, and if I push to Iddle airplane moves to full
Brakes shows not equal position.
Also, I do not know how rich CPAN panel in order to try to repair.
I have uninstalled and back reinstall several times, but problems persist
Many tks in advance.

EZCA 3 has a huge bump in cockpit view at landing touchdown

jjb — Sat, 25 Feb 2023 16:59:29 +0000

P3D 4.5
bump is massive. I have turned off all EZCA effects both in the air and on the ground but still get it.
None of my other aircraft have this issue.
Has anyone else seen this or could help please ?

Thanx in advance
Jeff

During descent/approach, when to set PROP RPM to max again? When to switch on AUX FUEL PUMPS?

VoldeNuit — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 22:23:51 +0000

I think the question says it all... at what altitude/point in the descent/approach should I set the PROP RPM to max again, when should I switch on AUX FUEL PUMPS?

Thanks

HUD Font Problem

SimObject — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 23:01:56 +0000

I followed the process step by step to install the airplane, and after entering the game, I found that the font displayed on the head up was abnormal (as shown in the picture). This font looks very strange. I am using a Windows 11 system, P3dv5.4. How to solve this font situation

AP disengages when switching from HDG to NAV mode [CLOSED]

Emile — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 07:18:09 +0000

I'm finally learning to fly the Q400 after spending a lot of time in groundschool. Discovering new things all the time which is great. One thing I came across today that has me stumped sofar :
Flying on autopilot in HDG mode to intercept a set VOR inbound. When OBI needle came alive, switched to NAV mode to initiate intercept - and AP promptly disengaged. Searched docs and this forum for reason why, but no luck. Can anyone advise me what I did wrong ? Yes I could simply fly LNAV, but that's not the point

Radio frequency increment

jens — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 06:32:35 +0000

Hi. Yesterday I had my first flight on VATSIM with the q400, and they asked me to tune to a frequency that ended in .070 or similar. Is this frequency impossible to tune in this aircraft? I couldn't find information elsewhere on this topic.

I can't switch to ILS mode

jfri — Sat, 30 Sep 2023 15:32:56 +0000

I try to follow a tutorial called Simulated Delivery and Advanced Tutorial Flight
CYZD – KEWR. According to instructions
I have set the ILS frequency on both NAV1 and NAV2 to 108.7 and also the blue needle to 219. Then I am supposed to switch NAV Source to blue needle by clicking on the NAV source knob. But it does not work. The plane continue to follow waypoints and no switch to ILS.

How to transition between LNAV and ILS ?

CMBAviator — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 11:05:23 +0000

Hi,

I was wondering how to transition between enroute LNAV and an ILS approach.

i don't have this issue when flying on Vatsim when controllers are vectoring me as i'm on HDG and i just have to change the source to the ILS frequency and press APPR. However sometimes thje controller can clear you direct to the FAF and via FAF, cleared for the ILS rwy XX. This time i'm on LNAV, so i press arm apporach then tune approach, then APPR the FMA display LNAV APPR which seem to perform an RNAV approach. The only solution i've found so far is when the Q400 is turning toward the FAF, i change the source : FMS1 to ILS 1: it goes from LNAV to Wing Hold and I then press APPR and it intercepts the LOC and GS.

But i don't think that this is the correct procedure.

CMB

Simbrief DH8D Fuel Consumption wrong ?

CMBAviator — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 11:57:19 +0000

Hello,

I've noticed that simbrief over estimate the fuel consumption for the DH8D around 40%. Is the profile very wrong or the majestic Q400 that consumes way less than the real one. I think it's more an issue on simbrief side.

What fuel ratio should i put on sdimbrief for flight below 30 min and flights above 30min ?

Very very slow Elevator trim

DCLAN — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 15:53:47 +0000

Hello dear colleagues

I have a small problem and that is that when I turn off the autopilot before landing the trim moves very very slowly.I have programmed a button on the joystick for the trim but if I press this permanently, the trim moves only very very slowly backwards into the white drawn area. This leads in extreme cases to the fact that I can try to increase the pitch to plus 5 ° before Touch down, but have to use so much force, that the entire table moves with it, or i have unrealisic touch down rates of 600 ft and more. This does not happen on every flight but so far I have not been able to find out which mechanisms are behind it? Even tried it with different load settings but ...Does anyone have a clue/ Idea what the problem is about?

Cheers
Ingo 😃

How do I set up failures in the Majestic Dash 8 Q400 PRO version

Yakpropjock — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 22:43:24 +0000

Hi guys. I just bought the PRO version so that I could use the failures functionality. I can't work out how to set up the failures. I am not an expert on programming etc but it appears that I need to do something more than just set them up in the MSFS X standard failures panel. Please help

Systems and failures question

rsvit — Fri, 23 Dec 2022 17:24:00 +0000

Hi, I have a pro version.
I am trying to fail ADC via systems panel. Don't see any changes in the cockpit, altitude/airspeed are fine. Any sequence I have to follow to make it fail?

Also there is DG button on each side. Do I understand right it would switch to using gyro only and there would be drift? I've tried to fly for an hour, but don't see any differences? What does it do and is it implemented?

If you get TAWS/TCAS alert, ND changes range. Is it an option or it happens on all Dash 8?

Sound Volume Control FSX PRO Win10

hifly — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 16:02:39 +0000

I am a recent purchaser of pro version Q400 and am in the learning process. The sound of the engines are too loud in cockpit and FSX sound menu sliders seem to be ineffective. If I turn down my speaker volume to an endurable level, I am unable to hear the ATC or GSX broadcasts. The control panel seems only to address the choice of speakers for output but nothing for volume. I have turned up the VF1 volume to max but still too quiet if I turn down my speaker volume on my system. There must be a way to adjust the proportion of engine vs. environment vs. voice volume in the simulation. How can it be done?

Craig

ADF1

imcp3137 — Sun, 09 Sep 2018 06:52:15 +0000

How do I get the ADF1 indicator to show on either the ND or the MFD? The rotary on the glareshield shows FMS 1 & 2, and VOR1 & 2, but not either of the ADF. My instruments show ADF2 in violet on the right side but no indicator. On the left FMS1 is shown and I presume the broken needle refers to that.

Updated Nav Data Not Showing in Plane [USER RESOLVED]

dagrovem — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 15:54:42 +0000

I have the MJC8 Q400 Pilot edition installed in FSX:SE. I have a Navigraph subscription, and used the Navigraph Data Updater to load the latest nav data to the airplane. The Navigraph data seems to be installed in the correct folder, but when I open the airplane, the FMS always has the default 2017 data and I can't figure out how to change it. Any help appreciated.

FMS not giving VPATH

cooldude2369 — Wed, 11 May 2022 20:55:41 +0000

Hi Folks,

I'm new to this group. When doing an RNAV approach programed in the FMS on the Q400, when I am on the inbound and at the FAF, the VNAV portion does not appear. I have tried various RNAV approaches with the same results. Could someone please advise what I need to do to get this to work correctly.
Thankyou.

Also,,,If I have the Training software is there any place that should show this? When I first start the program it shows "Professional" and that's it! Thanks in advance for any help. Happy Flying,

[p3dv5.3/mjc8-400Training1_024x64] Copy PLT RTE without origin behind 1 leads to p3d CTD

19pecker67 — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 11:30:40 +0000

Hi folks,
if I don't type in an origin airport code behind 1 in the FPL page,
but push the Copy PLT RTE RSK3, p3d immediately suffers a CTD.
Not nice...
Even having stored a dummy RTE from e.g. from 1 ELLX to 2 EDDF with no name,
creates a ".fpr" file in ..\mjc8q400\nav\routes,
however, this does not prevent the crash, if you hit too early Copy PLT RTE...

Feature canditate to prevent the CTD?
Thx,
P

[p3dv5.3/mjc8-400Training1_024x64] Auto Feather Test: No Visual Representation in autoside view?

19pecker67 — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 07:52:00 +0000

Hello folks,
in my understanding the Auto Feather Test runs the props through the full range of tilting, does it not?
Watching the props after pushing Auto Feather Test I cannot see any movement.
P

[p3dv5.3/mjc8-400Training1_024x64] FMS Flight plan: DIST on PERF page too high

19pecker67 — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 10:04:05 +0000

Hi folks,

am I mistaken, or is the calculated distance DIST on the PERF page too high?
On a flight GCXO-GVAC it seems about 150NM to high.

Thanks,
Pecker

[p3dv5.3/mjc8-400Training1_024x64] FMS Flight plan not shown anymore on MFD

19pecker67 — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 15:56:05 +0000

Hi folks,

I am a happy new MJC Q400 customer and make myself familiar with the new bird.

As the title implies, I don't see the FMS entered flight path anymore on the MFD.
After my previous flight a delete the old flightplan, enter the new one but to no avail:
The path remains invisible. Also NAV and APT remain blank toogling through DATA.
However, the plane can fly the path:

The lower part of the PFD shows with NAV source = FMS1 (and FMS2 on the right hand side),
only the path is not visible.

In such a nice, sofisticated aircraft a assume PICNIC = Problem in chair, not in computer.
So, do I miss something or do I have to reload the aircraft e.g. cold & dark anew to reset something?
Thanks in advance.

Pecker.

Stream Deck and P3DV4.5

Tex9999 — Sun, 05 Dec 2021 20:12:56 +0000

Anyone have any success with this?
I have tried S.N and they have no P3D or MJC Lvars and AAO can't send an Lvar to the sim from SD?
I have manage to get the APU working correctly (with AAO and Olivers help) but I can't get a simple switch to work.
I feel like a mentally handicapped person talking to Stephen Hawking.
Jon

Gear level won't move to retract (NOT THE GEAR PINS ISSUE)

AndrewH — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 17:33:20 +0000

Been flying this great plane for a while, having my first issue. Upon take off, I can't get the gear level to even move to retract the gear. This is not the gear pins issue (pins are stowed and verified). Even if it was, the gear lever itself would still move. I tried remapping it on my flight stick and keyboard, but nothing works.

Any ideas?

Landing Gear not raising

drayton_k — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 10:23:16 +0000

I have started a flight from C&D and cannot raise the gear after take off The Gear Pins are stowed behind me for sure, and I double checked the FMS
Can anyone help please
Thanks

Keith

Traffic patterns & flight profiles in general

Sholay — Wed, 07 Oct 2020 07:18:11 +0000

I was wondering if anyone has traffic pattern profile for Q400?
There is a whole lot of documentation for A320, do we have any good resource other than Smartcockpit available?

I am looking for a diagrams showing flight profiles (aka flight patterns) similar to the one referenced below for various stages of flight?

Thanks
&

smartcockpit.com/aircraft-ressources/Airbus_A320-Visual_Approach.html