Bill Bulfer books

The Bill Bulfer Books

When I got back into flight simulation in October 2014, I was told by a friend about the fantastic PDMG 737 NGX add-on aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator X (FSX) and quickly snapped it up. While it is a truly accurate representation of the Boeing 737, I quickly realized I had so much to learn to pilot this plane correctly.

I started by reading all ~3,100 pages of PMDG’s Flight Crew Operations Manuals (FCOM), Flight Crew Training Manual (FCTM), and Quick Reference Handbook (QRH). This helped immensely, but I wanted more.

I then discovered a digital app for the iPad called the B737 Cockpit Companion by the developer fss.aero and Robert Dorsett. I made the purchase and give it a good look over.

fss.aero created the B737 Cockpit Companion in digital format for the Apple iPad.
fss.aero & Bill Bulfer created the B737 Cockpit Companion in digital format for the Apple iPad.

This app is amazing on a tablet! You can drill down into every panel in the cockpit, see detailed descriptions, operations, schematics, diagrams, ATA codes, errors, indications, and condition states. It also includes a version of the QRH called the Quick Reference Guide (QRG) to research failures and emergencies.

There is even a setting to select carrier specific information (such as from Southwest, RyanAir, American, United, and others). I spent countless hours digging into this tool and still refer back to it often.

NOTE: As of this writing, the digital Cockpit Companion is not available for Android yet.

Well, it turns out that all of the actual 737 content for this app came from the renown Bill Bulfer, a major airline Captain turned author. He took it over from Bruce Sprague in 1998 and continues the tradition. His books are often used by real world pilots around the globe and can be purchased at his site, Leading Edge Publishing.

I decided to pick up the physical copies of the 737NG Cockpit Companion and 737NG FMC User’s Guide. I chose to have the Cockpit Companion bound in a 7-ring cover to match the FMC User’s Guide as well. It only took a few days for them to arrive and Bill even threw in a FMC Quick Setup Pocket Guide and a couple small schematic wall posters.

Bill Bulfer's FMC Quick Start Guide and a couple color schematics.
Bill Bulfer’s FMC Quick Start Guide and a couple color schematics.

737NG COCKPIT COMPANION

While the digital iPad version of the Cockpit Companion contains most of what you will find in the physical copy, the physical book does contain more intricate information. The 737NG version covers the Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft, including the 737-600, -700, -800, -900, and both BBJs.

It includes extensive details on all of the cockpit sections:

  • Aft Overhead Panel (P5)
  • Forward Overhead Panel (P5)
  • Main Center Panel – MCP (P7)
  • Captain’s Panel (P1)
  • Center Panel (P2)
  • First Officer Panel (P3)
  • Control Stand – Throttle Quadrant (P10)
  • Aft Electronics Panel – Pedestal (P8)
  • Circuit Breakers
  • Block Diagrams – Schematics

Here are a few example pages from the actual 737 Cockpit Companion:

Excerpt from 737 Cockpit Companion detailing the bleed air system operation.
Excerpt from 737 Cockpit Companion detailing the bleed air system operation.
Excerpt from 737 Cockpit Companion detailing some of the upper DU engine indication operations.
Excerpt from 737 Cockpit Companion detailing some of the upper DU engine indication operations.

Each section delves into that panel’s operation, layout, annunciators, systems, and much more. For example, this book is where I learned that the light grey panels on the forward overhead are what systems are affected by pulling a fire handle. It has that level of comprehensive depth.

Excerpt from 737 Cockpit Companion detailing the wheel braking system.
Excerpt from 737 Cockpit Companion detailing the wheel braking system.
Excerpt from 737 Cockpit Companion detailing some of the throttle quadrant operations.
Excerpt from 737 Cockpit Companion detailing some of the throttle quadrant operations.

The B737NG Cockpit Companion is not a procedural guide, but an expansive look into all of the systems and panels aboard a Boeing 737NG. For those building a home cockpit, this book is almost mandatory. Every switch, function, light, and condition is described in length. I frequently turn to it when configuring my simulator as it is invaluable as a technical reference.

B737NG FMC USER’S GUIDE

The 737 Flight Management Computers (FMC) are managed using the Control Display Units (CDU) on either side of the lower Display Unit (DU) screen in the cockpit. In the flight simulation world, it seems the FMC is probably the most misunderstood component in the entire simulator. It is complex, cryptic, and has a ridiculous amount of configurations. This is where the B737NG FMC User’s Guide comes to the rescue!

Boeing 737 CDU-FMC
Boeing 737 CDU-FMC. Courtesy of PilotAndyS @ flickr.

Bulfer’s guide covers the Smith FMC found in the Boeing 737NGs from start to finish. This is where I learned a TON of new stuff. From accurate fuel predictions in all phases of flight, to holds, to step climbs, to offset paths, this book covers it all. I am pretty sure my current avionics suite, ProSim737, doesn’t even support everything the real FMC can actually do. As of the latest 2008 printing, it covers FMC software version U10.8a.

Here are a couple example pages from the actual FMC User’s Guide:

Excerpt from FMC User's Guide detailing fix distance and bearing entries.
Excerpt from FMC User’s Guide detailing fix distance and bearing entries.
Excerpt from FMC User's Guide detailing holding at a distant waypoint.
Excerpt from FMC User’s Guide detailing holding at a distant waypoint.

Every page and field you find in the FMC is explained in great detail. Usage steps are laid out with graphical and textual examples. Everything from using conditional waypoints to performance calculations, from forecasting to engine out procedures, this book describes it all. When appropriate, aeronautical charts and cockpit displays are depicted to demonstrate the various FMC operations.

SUMMARY

Both of these books are now in my cockpit library and are within reach of the pilot for quick access. I just wanted to put up a quick post about these two books and their wealth of information. For anyone aspiring to do it as thoroughly as I am trying to do, Bill Bulfer’s products are likely a valuable resource to achieve that goal.

737 Cockpit Companion/FMC User’s Guide imagery by Leading Edge Publishing and used with permission of the author. my737NG.com is not affiliated with, maintained, authorized, endorsed, or sponsored by Leading Edge Publishing. 

14 thoughts on “The Bill Bulfer Books”

  1. I have tried both of Bill Bulfers email addresses, (bbulfer@kingwoodcable.com) this address won’t go through, and (bbulfer@fmcguide.com) goes through but no response from him. Also tried his FAX and get no response from this either. If there is another address or phone number out there for him please let me know.

    1. I do have another email address for Bill, but I won’t share it without his permission. I have emailed him your details to get the ball rolling.

  2. I, too, have tried to obtain these books but they are not available on Amazon any longer although they once were. Where can I lay my hands on them?

    1. Hi , I have the 737 cockpit companion ,
      I also have the 737 NG cockpit companion and the FMC users guide all by Bill Bulfer if you are interested in purchasing please contact me .

  3. I require the supporting data (FMC Guide) for U13.0 software update. In particular, as it relates to the B737 models: NG, MAX7, and MAX8.

    1. You should reach out to Bill at his site. He is usually pretty good about adding data, his Cockpit Companion app does have MAX data in it now.

  4. Customer Service
    I bought the 737 cockpit companion a few years back and recently bought a new iPad! Unfortunately I could download my old one and it’s saying I have to BB pay! Please help! I used this a bunch at Continental and United.
    Sincerelky
    Gerald Boeckmann

  5. I purchased the 737 cockpit companion and now I’ve had to change my company iPad and I cannot get the app to download on my new iPad. I have followed the instructions from the app on my old iPad. For some reason it’s not coming up in purchases. Anything you can do to help would be greatly appreciated

    1. Unfortunately, I think Bill (or the company that helped him create it) pulled it from the App Store. Possibly as it was not being updated any longer. I do not know if it possible to move apps between Apple devices, perhaps with iCloud backup?

  6. Just ran across this thread. The app is alive and well, and we’re adding a lot of features to it this year.

    The key to transferring is to make sure you’re using the same iCloud account on the new device as the old one. If you do, you just need to go to the App Store and download it again. If you see a price, and not a download icon, it’s not the same account. Unfortunately, the process for replacement iPads leads a lot of people to create new iCloud accounts, so this leads to confusion.

    We had a bug this summer where support requests were entering the bitbucket. It was disguised by the fact that the Quizzer had its own feedback mechanism which worked, and that gave us the impression everything was working. Apologies if any support inquiries were unanswered. All should be working normally now.

    Thanks for the positive comments, and don’t hesitate to send Bill anything you would like to see covered. He does a lot of original research and likes to flesh out the nice to know, not just the need to know.

    Bill moved from Houston to California a few years ago, so that’s why the old email and fax numbers don’t work anymore. He can be reached at n2267g@icloud.com and via voice at ‭(209) 233-1440‬. He self-publishes and distributes his books direct to the customer.

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