PMDG has shared another work-in-progress look at its upcoming Boeing 747 for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, offering a fresh glimpse at the aircraft while development continues behind the scenes.
The latest image turns the spotlight back towards the 747’s wing, an area PMDG has placed considerable emphasis on throughout development. Although the preview does not reveal a new system or feature, it provides another look at a project that is intended to become far more than a recreation of a single Jumbo Jet variant.
Building an Entire 747 Family
PMDG has ambitious plans for its new 747 product line.
The first aircraft planned are the 747-100 and 747-400, with passenger and cargo configurations expected for both. The -400 is also set to include all three engine options associated with the aircraft.
Development is then expected to expand into the 747-200 and 747SP, followed later by the 747-300 and 747-8. PMDG’s long-term aim is therefore to represent much of the 747 family, spanning the early classics through to the final generation of Boeing’s iconic widebody.
That scope is one reason development previews have covered such a wide range of areas. Earlier images have shown everything from landing gear structures and the flight engineer’s station to individual components within the wing.
The Wing Remains a Major Focus
The latest screenshot follows previous work shown by PMDG on one of the 747’s most visually distinctive areas.
During earlier development updates, the developer highlighted detailed modelling of the flap mechanisms, variable-camber leading-edge devices and nacelle internals. PMDG is also working to reproduce the movement and flex of the wing structure rather than treating it as a largely static exterior model.
Those earlier images came directly from modelling software, whereas development has since progressed substantially further. PMDG has described the aircraft as being built from the ground up with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 in mind and expects it to become its most visually detailed product to date.
The company has also taken an unusually open approach to the project, sharing unfinished work throughout development rather than waiting until the aircraft is close to release.
737 and 777 Work Takes Some Attention Away
PMDG acknowledged in its latest briefing that recent work on the 737 and 777 fleets has taken development resources away from the 747.
Following Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024’s Sim Update 6, the team opted to rebuild its 737 and 777 packages using an SU6-compatible SDK. Recent work has concentrated heavily on stability, including WASM-related crashes and navigation-data installation issues.
That additional workload has temporarily affected the pace of 747 development, but PMDG has given no indication of a change to the project itself.
Earlier in August, Robert Randazzo said the team was working towards getting its new 747 ready for beta testing, following its progression through alpha development. No beta date or release window has been announced, however.
Built for MSFS 2024
Unlike PMDG aircraft originally developed for earlier versions of Microsoft Flight Simulator, the new 747 family is being created specifically for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.
PMDG previously described the project as a long-term undertaking intended eventually to cover the broader history of the 747 family.
For now, the latest wing preview offers another small look at that considerably larger project. With the 747 already being prepared for its eventual move into beta, attention will increasingly turn towards when PMDG is ready to show the aircraft operating as a complete package.
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