PMDG 744S Bonus Update for FS9

[Jim Harnes 13]

Haven't found a firm list of what actually is updated in FS9 with the PMDG 744X release. Seems to be some confusion about the details :).Anyone care to post what is really improved?Jim Harnes

[kdfw__ 542]

looks like performance tweaks--would love to get them...read #6 wasn't working.from their forum:CHANGE LIST FOR FS9 VERSION:============================*NOTE: The primary purpose for this update is to give bring some of the fixes and efficiency updatesthat are native to the FSX 747-400 version. Some of the FSX specific behaviors, such as animations,special effects and certain lighting effects are not present in the FS9 version because they are notnative to the FS9 environment. The list below has been modified from the FSX version to include onlythose updates and behaviors that should reasonably appear within FS9. We have provided this updateas a service to those loyal customers who have purchased both products, as we wish you to have themost enjoyment of the PMDG 747-400 product line on both platforms! Thank you for your support!1) Allowed user selectiable optimization to show/hide VC F/O display gauges depending upon user preference.2) Improved takeoff trim display gauge clarity3) Change in Lower EICAS ENG page automatic display logic (only when fuel set to CUTOFF in flight)4) Correction in Spoiler handle position detection logic to improve response and correct control.5) GPWS code to allow disabling of specific altitudes depending on configuration6) "Approaching Minimums" callout added7) Fuel add/remove logic improved to allow user to directly type entry of fuel quantity in PMDG Options menu.8) EICAS Target N1 / Ref N1 indications removed when in REV mode9) Reversers logic altered to prevent REV lockout when NAI active.10) Modified Cost Index Equation: The equation is a differential equation solved by succesive iterations.This is a very CPU intensive operation. The element of the numerical procedure has been optimised,yielding a factor of 5 speed up with minimal effect on result accuracy, thus reducing the requiredload on the CPU for the mathematics involved.11) CDU Legs page - predicted Alt Improvements: Above / Below type (e.g. 6000A8000B) soft constraint bothvertical flight path prediction and VNAV mode bug corrections and predictive improvements. Also UNABLE NEXT ALT message will appear in all cases refering to soft altitude constraints. 12) CDU N1 page - flight phase improvements: Regular thrust limit page (instead of TO limit page) will appearnow below flap retraction altitude.13) CDU Fix page - changes to RAD/DIS to be BRG/DIS14) CDU Cruise page - change in step alt code: At 2R the last step altitude target would not appear when stepclimb was not apossible. It does now above the NONE header.15) FMC: Various small and large behavior corrections.16) GA thrust limit will automatically be set now only if ToD is sequenced and flaps are out (or GS is captured as before)17) Retuned the entire pitch channel of the autopilot specifically to enhance behavior.This includes all related pitch modes (VS, FLCH etc). The main target was to improve mode stabilityeven at high simrates and in connection to idiosynchratic FS9 "real" weather handling. The pitch channel in some places was enhanced with a secondary control routine to improve effectivenessin pitch sensitive roles such as glideslope tracking.18) Various cosmetic changes to CDU display and text handling.19) Adaptive refresh rate control for CRTs / LCDs based on target and actual frame rate (order is PFD, ND, EICAS, sby instruments)20) Numerous performance optimizations of display and computational code to reduce processor load on FS9.21) Various other assorted minor fixes along the way.22) Improved wing flex and wing flight path distortion modeling.

[Jim Harnes 13]

Thanks. Thought I read at the PMDG support forum that they made a copy/paste error when the FS9 info was released.Jim Harnes

[Subs 0]

When Chris (I think it was) questioned them on an item that wasn't working, PMDG's response was that single item was a copy/paste error. So I asked if there is a followup list that is corrected, but doesn't look like PMDG will respond to it...Like everyone, I'm dissapointed too at the whole FS9/FSX release issues. Oh well, live another day to tell the tale I s'ppose.Subin

[Subs 0]

Just to clarrify, it was Carl (not Chris). Thought I'd post his comment from the PMDG form today:"Most of the visula enhancements and items listed above are not available in the update."Which makes it more confusing :-hmmmSubin

[Brian Doney 127]

CHANGE LIST FOR FS9 VERSION:============================*NOTE: The primary purpose for this update is to give bring some of the fixes and efficiency updates that are native to the FSX 747-400 version. Some of the FSX specific behaviors, such as animations, special effects and certain lighting effects are not present in the FS9 version because they are not native to the FS9 environment. The list below has been modified from the FSX version to include only those updates and behaviors that should reasonably appear within FS9. We have provided this update as a service to those loyal customers who have purchased both products, as we wish you to have the most enjoyment of the PMDG 747-400 product line on both platforms! Thank you for your support!1) Improved takeoff trim display gauge clarity2) Change in Lower EICAS ENG page automatic display logic (only when fuel set to CUTOFF in flight)3) Correction in Spoiler handle position detection logic to improve response and correct control.4) EICAS Target N1 / Ref N1 indications removed when in REV mode5) Reversers logic altered to prevent REV lockout when NAI active.6) Modified Cost Index Equation: The equation is a differential equation solved by successive iterations.7) This is a very CPU intensive operation. The element of the numerical procedure has been optimized, yielding a factor of 5 speed up with minimal effect on result accuracy, thus reducing the required load on the CPU for the mathematics involved.8) CDU Legs page - predicted Alt Improvements: Above / Below type (e.g. 6000A8000B) soft constraint both vertical flight path prediction and VNAV mode bug corrections and predictive improvements. Also UNABLE NEXT ALT message will appear in all cases referring to soft altitude constraints.9) CDU N1 page - flight phase improvements: Regular thrust limit page (instead of TO limit page) will appear now below flap retraction altitude.10) CDU Fix page - changes to RAD/DIS to be BRG/DIS11) CDU Cruise page - change in step alt code: At 2R the last step altitude target would not appear when step climb was not possible. It does now above the NONE header.12) FMC: Various small and large behavior corrections.13) GA thrust limit will automatically be set now only if ToD is sequenced and flaps are out (or GS is captured as before)14) Retuned the entire pitch channel of the autopilot specifically to enhance behavior.15) This includes all related pitch modes (VS, FLCH etc). The main target was to improve mode stability even at high simrates and in connection to idiosyncratic FS9 "real" weather handling. The pitch channel in some places was enhanced with a secondary control routine to improve effectiveness in pitch sensitive roles such as glide slope tracking.16) Various cosmetic changes to CDU display and text handling.17) Adaptive refresh rate control for CRTs / LCDs based on target and actual frame rate (order is PFD, ND, EICAS, standby instruments)18) Numerous performance optimizations of display and computational code to reduce processor load on FS9.19) Various other assorted minor fixes along the way.20) Improved wing flex and wing flight path distortion modeling.