Another weekend came by and Robert Randazzo from PMDG shared a new development update regarding their upcoming Boeing 777-200ER for Microsoft Flight Simulator and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. This development update is not only about the 777 series but also about the DC-6 and 747 previews.
PMDG 777 Series for MSFS
The 200ER is currently in testing, and this week has been mostly about the performance validation process of the engines. This had to be done more times, as each engine variant coming with the 777-200ER is behaving differently.
This aircraft has also appeared in internal testing for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, and this version should be pushed to the beta team next week. Robert Randazzo mentioned that the team expects simultaneous release for both MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024. This will give the community a flexible option to use whichever platform from a single purchase.
Speaking of the 777-300ER and the 777 Freighter, the two products will be updated when the 777-200ER is released. This update will include some fixes to the aircraft series, including an improved sound environment of the aircraft.
Robert also mentioned that those who already own the PMDG 777 series for Microsoft Flight Simulator will get the MSFS 2024 version as a free addition to their 777 purchase.
Lastly, the PMDG team has a fixed date for the release in the calendar, but, that is not a piece of public information yet.
PMDG 747 for MSFS
Robert says that the 747 series is progressing along nicely, and system integration of the flight engineer’s panel has begun. With how rare the 747 Classic is at this point, they were lucky enough to get access to a real-world counterpart for sound sourcing.
Since the 747 Classic is going to be very complicated to pilot for a single person, the PMDG team is taking all the precautions and developing behaviours for a flight engineer and a copilot, so that all flight simulator enthusiasts can enjoy a smooth flying experience.
While the 747 Classic is functionally similar to the 747-400 and 747-800, both Classic and modern variants are in development at the moment. This is more of a race, as the Classic variant is progressing fast, and it is uncertain which variant will be released first, as the 747-400 systems are currently well ahead in development, and the 747-100 is progressing fast.
Speaking of release, the 747-100 and 747-400 will be released first, and later on, the 747-200 and 747-800 should come. The 747-300 is also planned in the future by the PMDG team.
Robert Randazzo has also shown a few images of the 747 landing gear. The images are only a 3D render so far, but we can already see a lot of details.
PMDG DC-6 for MSFS
The previously mentioned issues with PMDG DC-6 that resulted in stuttery animations and poor performance have been resolved, and the team has picked up the pace to bring this aircraft to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. These adjustments involve lighting, illumination and other visual improvements to bring it on par with the simulator’s visual engine.
Status on the 737
The 737 is still in the early stages of being ported over to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, and it is found a bit behind compared to the 777, which the team puts the most focus on at the moment, but the new cabin model is being incorporated. The sound environment will also get updated when the time comes.
Speaking of the PMDG 737 MAX Series, that development is still halted due to the PMDG team working on an enterprise-level project that will run on PMDG’s simulation technology. When this is completed, PMDG will resume the development of this aircraft series.
You can also read more about PMDG and their work in our coverage of their previous development update here.
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