Dear PMDG,I just need to know two questions.First Q: Do you expect to get the B744 ready before the fall is starting???Second Q: This is more a suggestion...could you post some pics of the IRS system with the main panel aswell???

1. We can't answer that. We will be working on this one until every little part functions the way it does on the real thing, which is time consuming but in the end, very much worth it. But you'll notice when we get closer to release, in addition to the beta status which will be announced.2. A preliminary version of the main panel should be ready for preview within the next two weeks. There isn't really much that can be previewed for the IRS system. The three switches that control it are already visible on one of the screenshots on the product page. Other parts of it would be the FMC, which isn't ready for preview yet.But you can look forward to sitting at the gate waiting for alignment... ;)

Hi !As i don't know that much about the IRS System it would be nice, if someone could explain the function to me.Thanks a lot.Marcello

Inertial Reference SystemThe inertial reference system (IRS) calculates airplane position, acceleration, track, vertical speed, ground speed, true and magnetic heading, wind speed anddirection, and attitude data for the displays, flight management system, flight controls, engine controls, and other systems. The IRS consists of three inertial reference units (IRUs) and the IRS mode selector panel.IRS AlignmentFull AlignmentRotating the IRS mode selector from OFF to NAV begins IRS alignment. Alignment requires approximately ten minutes. Present position (latitude and longitude) must be entered on the CDU position initialization page to complete alignment. Alignment can be accomplished only when the airplane is parked. Alignment stops if an IRU detects motion during alignment. Alignment continues and completes in approximately ten minutes after motion stops. The IRS is aligned when all IRUs enter the navigation mode. Latitude and longitude entries then blank on the SET IRS POS line on the CDU position initialization page. Alignment is lost if the selector is moved out of the NAV position.A full alignment, accomplished by rotating the IRS mode selector to OFF and back to NAV, must be accomplished when the time from the last full alignment to the next expected arrival time exceeds 18 hours, if GPS is inop.Fast AlignmentFollowing operation in the navigation mode and with the airplane parked,performing a fast alignment removes accumulated track, ground speed, and attitude errors, re levels the system, and updates present position. This is accomplished by positioning selectors to ALIGN, entering present position, and repositioning selectors to NAV. Fast alignment completes in approximately 30 seconds.Fast alignment can be accomplished without entering present position. However, greater navigational accuracy is attained by entering present position.IRS AttitudeIf alignment is lost in flight, the navigation mode is inoperative for the remainder of the flight. Attitude information can be obtained by moving the selector to ATT. The IRU enters align mode for 30 seconds. This re levels the system and provides attitude displays on the PFD. For best accuracy, the airplane must be in straight and level flight. Some attitude errors may occur during acceleration. After acceleration, errors are slowly removed.The attitude mode can also provide heading information. A magnetic headinginput is required to initialize the IRU while in attitude mode. This heading is available for backup if all three IRUs fail. Heading information displayed on the PFD and ND is from an IRU operating in the navigation mode. This information is independent of the IRS source selector position if an operating FMC is selected by the navigation source selector.IRS PowerThe IRS can operate on AC or DC power. The center IRU operates on DC power for five minutes, then shuts down. If an IRU loses both AC and DC power, alignment is lost.

>But you can look forward to sitting at the gate waiting for>alignment... ;)>>>>>Thanks Mark,Thats very good news and I realy enjoy the Reality of the IRS system, I already used it with the PIC767, so it's not new for me but it just gives me the feeling of reality. ;) :( :)

while talking about 744, realism and so on.... will we have a windmilling start possibility in the 744? :) I know it's not that much important... but it would be nice to know that we are even nearer to that "real thing" :) Thanks, Luca

with all this realism promised (-400, -400D, -400M, -400F, RR, PW, GE, all the antena configs, noVC, VC, VC+VCAB) just how many different models can we expect?

The -400M and -400F are not included in the base product.

So you decided to make a seperate package for that one???It's ok by me!! :)Then I have one last question for you.Did you also decided to make CRT switching, for example: PFD on the inner display and etc?It would be nice to have, not that it is inportant!!

Same concept as the 737NG?First a panel without all functionality?

Not at all Floris :)

>The -400M and -400F are not included in the base product.>>:-grr

Haha yes... it will be another award-winning panel without functionality.What else to expect from us.

Sorry, my English is not very good. I meant that de 600/700 base pack has less functionlity than the complete 600-900. I hope that the 747-400 Base package (Full pax/Domestic) has all the functionlity and that we do not have to buy another package to get more working systems :)

Yup - you can expect full functionality with the base pack.