Hi: I was acustom to use the FS 04 flight planner and later see that programed flight on the GPS screen ( on the 737 that comes with FS04)I have recently bought the PMDG 737 (I love it) and noticed that it comes with the FMC and no GPS screen and I believe the FS flight planner is no longer useful(?)Is there a way I can have the GPS on this airplane?...or should I learn to use the FMC. Being 70 years old its time to use and have a nice moment with what I have already learned. Its some how dificult to incorporate new techs. Understand???Thanks and regards.Flacs.

Hi Flacs,I suggest you use the FMC, trust me, the PMDG NG is extremely fun! I strongly suggest you get the 800-900 for improvements as well.I don't know how it's done but it is possible to install the default Garmin in the panel, expert hands here might tell you how to do it. However, I doubt it will guide the aircraft as in other add-ons. You may only use it's visual properties.Hey, there is no age for learning anyway :( , just give the manuals a good read, watch a few tutorials on youtube and you'll be flying the NG in no time!Regards

Don't know how easy this would be, as the PMDG doesn't use the default navigation system, so doesn't have the default GPS/Nav switch or Nav button. The PMDG FMS is a lot of fun, once you get used to it.;)

You can use a flight planner to export to the PMDG FMCs and simultaneously FS9 or FSX. This syncs up working with ATC.I use the payware FSBuild. It has a bit if a learning curve but play with it and check the (slightly) outdated tutorials on fsbuild.com. If you have the Active Sky 6.5 weather application it will integrate the 737 profiles with weather for fuel planning. Active Sky 6.5 will give you the winds aloft as well for the 737 performance page. FSBuild frequently has free AIRACs to download for updating its database. FS Build also has a route box that you can paste the route in from flightaware.com which has real world filed plans for the FAA airport you select. This way all you have to do is enter your departure and destination codes. FSBuild has a automatic router. You can save routes in FSB for later use. I learned it when I was 68, now 71 :)There is a freeware flight planner called Super Flight Planner that has some similar features. It has an auto-router as well and I believe the FMC exporting features. It is described here:http://www.cpinf.com/products/super-flight...er-4/index.htmlOnce you export to the FMC on the FMC you simply go to Init RFef/Index/Nav Data. You'll get a list of available plans you can scroll through with prev and next. LSK the plan you want which puts it in the scratchpad. Go to RTE page 1 and LSK CO_Route and the plan will load for Activate and Execute.To learn the Boeing type FMCs on top of the manuals furnished I highly suggest this book written for simmers by retired UAL Captain Mike Ray "700 Flying the BOEING 700 Series Flight Simulators". There are practical steps in here and he takes you through different steps of difficulty in fliying the 700 series aircraft. You can get the description here:http://www.utem.com/manuals.htmlLook for the manual with the RED PC SIMULATOR line, not the checkride manuals. It made my 737 learning experience much easier with his exploded drawing and explanations, and his cartoons used for emphasis lightened things up. It is $30 US and is there or from Amazon and from some simulator shops. You can view some sample pages at either location. This manual eased the learning curve for me even though I was experienced in sim aircraft as well as being a former general aviation commercial rated pilot many years ago.I agree with the other reply to upgrade to the 800/900. It adds features to the 600/700 FMC like a working TCAS and also corrects a few bugs.Once you make these investments you are set for short, medium, and medium-long hauls (up to five hours) with aircraft favored by many airlines. The 700 and 800 are my dominant sim aircraft emulating AirTran, Southwest, Air Berlin for Europe, and others.

You can use a flight planner to export to the PMDG FMCs and simultaneously FS9 or FSX. This syncs up working with ATC.I use the payware FSBuild. It has a bit if a learning curve but play with it and check the (slightly) outdated tutorials on fsbuild.com. If you have the Active Sky 6.5 weather application it will integrate the 737 profiles with weather for fuel planning. Active Sky 6.5 will give you the winds aloft as well for the 737 performance page. FSBuild frequently has free AIRACs to download for updating its database. FS Build also has a route box that you can paste the route in from flightaware.com which has real world filed plans for the FAA airport you select. This way all you have to do is enter your departure and destination codes. FSBuild has a automatic router. You can save routes in FSB for later use. I learned it when I was 68, now 71 :)There is a freeware flight planner called Super Flight Planner that has some similar features. It has an auto-router as well and I believe the FMC exporting features. It is described here:http://www.cpinf.com/products/super-flight...er-4/index.htmlOnce you export to the FMC on the FMC you simply go to Init RFef/Index/Nav Data. You'll get a list of available plans you can scroll through with prev and next. LSK the plan you want which puts it in the scratchpad. Go to RTE page 1 and LSK CO_Route and the plan will load for Activate and Execute.To learn the Boeing type FMCs on top of the manuals furnished I highly suggest this book written for simmers by retired UAL Captain Mike Ray "700 Flying the BOEING 700 Series Flight Simulators". There are practical steps in here and he takes you through different steps of difficulty in fliying the 700 series aircraft. You can get the description here:http://www.utem.com/manuals.htmlLook for the manual with the RED PC SIMULATOR line, not the checkride manuals. It made my 737 learning experience much easier with his exploded drawing and explanations, and his cartoons used for emphasis lightened things up. It is $30 US and is there or from Amazon and from some simulator shops. You can view some sample pages at either location. This manual eased the learning curve for me even though I was experienced in sim aircraft as well as being a former general aviation commercial rated pilot many years ago.I agree with the other reply to upgrade to the 800/900. It adds features to the 600/700 FMC like a working TCAS and also corrects a few bugs.Once you make these investments you are set for short, medium, and medium-long hauls (up to five hours) with aircraft favored by many airlines. The 700 and 800 are my dominant sim aircraft emulating AirTran, Southwest, Air Berlin for Europe, and others.

Thanks guys: I belive Ill try de FSBuild and see. Any other sugestion?Regards, Flacs

Again, it is not perfect but very good. You can still try the freeware Super Flight Planner but years ago I tried it with FS 8 and I could never get its database built correctly.I still strongly suggest the Mike Ray PC Sim 700 series manual. Even with imported nav routes there are other things to consider to successfully complete a flight. I also think there are tutorials on the precisionmanuals.com wiki that might help you in the aircraft management. It is a complex aircraft and systems settings in the FMC can not be ignored. Check the PMDG support forum here on AVSIM for links.

Thanks guys: I belive Ill try de FSBuild and see. Any other sugestion?Regards, Flacs