Yeah I agree it would be cool to have builtin support for Online-Tcas.What about making it possible to change the squawkmode in SquawkBox from the panel too? Like beeing able to squawk standby from the panel..Fredrik

Liam-TCAS is planned for the NG product line- but will most likely appear at the time we release the 800/900.This is due in part because we only want to develop TCAS a single time- thus it is important to ensure it is ready for FS2002 and FS2004..... We need both packages out and the NG completed before we can complete that properly...

Fredrik that indeed would be a nice option by would of course require PMDG to communicate with SB Developers.Makes sense Robert anyway what you say and probally the best option. Thanks for the rapid replyRegardsLiam

i'm sorry i'm confused. Does this mean that there will be no TCAS with the base package (with that i mean the boeing 600/700)?I will need to buy the 800/900 to get TCAS, causs that is how i read it??William

The -800 sounds like its going to be far superior to the -700 in terms of new added features. Not to mention the feedback they'll get from customers on how it can be improved. I'm looking forward to flying her.Paul ;-)

no offense, but is this an answer to my question, causs i still don't get it??William

yes maybe i can explain: As i understand it, the TCAS, is hopefully going to be implemented in the 800/900 package. That is going to be an addon for the base package, the 600/700 series which is out now. The product coming out first, the base package, will be a 737-600 and 737-700, that WILL NOT have TCAS. If you are looking for TCAS you would need to purchase the 800/900 Add on pack which will be relased after the base pack. So, in brief, the TCAS is not in what is coming out really soon, it is in an addon pack coming out later, I don't know the timeframe on that maybe a pmDG person could help!

William-It gets confusing to refer to our NG product in terms of "packages."What we are producing is a product "line."The first phase of the product line is the 600/700. This will have the entire 600/700 airplane/cockpit functionality modeled with the exception of a few minor items.Next out will come the 800/900. In order to use the 800/900 you will need to already own the 600/700, as this is where most of the functionality comes from. With the 800/900 comes a significant amount of new functionality... TCAS and selectable display options, to name a few.The functionality that we add will be usable in all 4 airplanes, regardless of whether or not it was released in the 600/700 or the 800/800 phase of the product line.So no- the 800/900 will not be "significantly better than" the 600/700. They are all the same when we are finished.

Thank you, it's perfectly clear now!:)I will need to buy both, that's for sure! :DWilliam

Ummm... I would expect a TCAS as STANDARD when it comes to releasing a package these days, I certainly wouldn't expect to not only wait for this "extra functionality" but also to pay extra for it.A poor decision in my opinion. From what I understand, a TCAS really isnt that hard to implement...My two centsJohnhttp://www.bavirtual.co.uk 710Hours ;)P 2.53 GHZ512 RAMWINXPGFORCE 4 128MB Ti4600http://vatsim.pilotmedia.fi/statusindicato...tor=OD1&a=a.jpg

John->A poor decision in my opinion. From what I understand, a TCAS>really isnt that hard to implement...Unfortunately, John- you weren't around to consult with at the time we were making decisions- so we needed to move on without your input. :-roll There are a plethora of issues related to the interface between FS2002/2004 and online flying that we want to fully explore. Sure- we can produce a display that shows you the location of other airplanes- but John- that isn't TCAS.TCAS is a highly sophisticated, integrated predictive software suite that took years to design in the real world.At PMDG, we prefer to take our time with such issues and do them correctly so that folks like you can see how we use them in the real environment of airliner operations. We aren't making an airplane game- we are making a simulator that will entertain you while teaching you about the real world airline operations environment.

John,You are aware that true TCAS requires that the simulated "TCAS Computer" must know where all the A/C in your simulated world (within a certain range depending on altitude) are. It must also be able to determine there Airspeed, Altitude and V/S and also being able to send Resolution and Traffic advisories to ensure that you don't end with 2 a/c performing the same evasive manuevers, I really don't think TRUE TCAS is quite as simple as you may thinkJust my 2 centsPaul GollnickTechnical Operations/Customer Operational SupportPrecision Manuals Development Group[www.precisionmanuals.com]

Robert and Paul,Have you guys talked to Joel DeYoung about integrating the NG with Squawkbox 3's online traffic tables? Someone asked about it regarding another plane and I believe he said to just have the developers contact him and he'd help them do it... that would be incredibly cool if this were a fully VATSIM enabled airliner!Ryan

Ryan-I spend so much time pushing pixels that I'm afraid I'm not sure exactly what you mean. Can you provide me with an education? Then I can work through the details from here...(For example: What is a VATSIM enabled airliner?)DISCLAIMER: if it requires adding new code at this stage- it would need to wait for the 800/900 phase.

Dear Robert,You could not have said it better !!As far as i am concerned, I think if you feel you "need" to buy the 800/900 only because it has TCAS which is missing NOW on the 600/700, and not because they are a totally different package with different cockpit displays, liveries, not to mention that the 2 aircraft are quite different in performance, handling etc from each other, although they belong to the same "NG" family, then I think some people have their "needs" all mixed up.Sorry, just my 2 cents worth....Lol PMDG and keep up the fabulous progress achieved.Dinshaw.