A330 Driver, who is a member of the PMDG tech team and used to be a Boeing 737 pilot has showcased the highly anticipated update for the PMDG 737 series. He showed the new features in a 17-minute long video on his YouTube channel.
He starts by saying that the 737 is now using the new navigation data format, and the airac data can now be updated via the PMDG’s Universal Flight Tablet, just like in the PMDG’s 777-300ER. The navigation database that has been added to the aircraft offers a wider variety of leg types for the aircraft to fly. This includes RF legs and successive legs that do not have any defined geographical position.
A330 Driver has flown the 737 out of and to Corfu Airport, which also has a DME ARC approach, which he has also showcased in the video. He mentions that the previous database format had some issues drawing this type of approach. The aircraft also includes a weather radar. Even though it’s fairly limited as in the 777, it was a highly requested feature, so the PMDG team added it, despite the limitations of the default MSFS weather radar.
Moreover, the PMDG 737’s Universal Flight Tablet finally received the Ground Operations app. This means that the ground services are no longer needed to be operated via the FMC. There is still the option to do so. However, the options are more intuitive via the tablet. As in the Boeing 777, you can manage doors, ground service vehicles and connections through this application, as well as maintain your aircraft via the Ground Maintenance page.
The PMDG team also overhauled the behaviour of engines on the aircraft. Essentially, the response times and exhaust gas temperature were adjusted to reflect the real aircraft a little bit better. The overhaul has been made to the flight model as well, but this includes only minor adjustments, according to A330 Driver. This includes flare mechanics, which should be the most notable change in the flight model for basically any end user.
During the approach, he showed us the new feature of the 737, which enables automatic arming of LNAV on missed approach. The 737 can now have two armed modes at the same time during approaches, and this includes VOR LOC and LNAV upon missed approach. LNAV will thus show twice on the PFD’s Flight Mode Annunciator (FMA)
So far, no further information has been shared about this update for the Boeing 737. However, it might be released soon, and you can read more about PMDG’s development in our coverage of one of their development updates here.
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