Why PMDG has not done a 737 NG porting for fsx like 747 ? I think that many people it'd buy it and that there would be less controversy over the date of release for the NGX

The original NG was released 7 years ago and it's extremely old technology now as far as PMDG is concerned. It was ported once already from FS2002 to FS9.The 747 was not a simple "port" to FSX - the entire innards of the systems were rewritten to use FSX's SimConnect rather than FSUIPC and the visual model and sounds were entirely redone in the FSX native formats. The 747 was the first FSX native airliner in fact and it was the first one to use the FSX 3D soundcone technology.We decided a very long time ago that the old NG wasn't worth porting to FSX and that we'd rebuild it from the ground up. There's really quite a lot that's incorrectly modeled with the first one - it was our very first MSFS product coming from Fly! II, the PMDG company was only like 4 or 5 people at that point etc... Had it failed PMDG likely never would have ceased to exist back then and you'd have never heard of us - we realize how important the original NG was to our initial growth, but it's an old and outdated product at this point - our energy is MUCH better spent making the new version and then moving on to other aircraft than it would be coding the old one into FSX.

I can't see how they are going to outdo the MD-11.....I'm still learning new things about the systems and redundant features of this A/C everyday....I just can't believe that it will come anywhere close to the MD-11 and it's current avionics. The MD is and remains a 'masterpiece'...Of course I may be wrong, and I hope that I am, but I don't think so.Regards,jack noulet

This is just my personal opinion of course (and what do I know ), but I think it already exceeds the MD-11 right now... it's a stunning airplane and believe me we want to get it done and in everyone's hands MORE than you guys want it even.

The original NG was released 7 years ago and it's extremely old technology now as far as PMDG is concerned. It was ported once already from FS2002 to FS9.The 747 was not a simple "port" to FSX - the entire innards of the systems were rewritten to use FSX's SimConnect rather than FSUIPC and the visual model and sounds were entirely redone in the FSX native formats. The 747 was the first FSX native airliner in fact and it was the first one to use the FSX 3D soundcone technology.We decided a very long time ago that the old NG wasn't worth porting to FSX and that we'd rebuild it from the ground up. There's really quite a lot that's incorrectly modeled with the first one - it was our very first MSFS product coming from Fly! II, the PMDG company was only like 4 or 5 people at that point etc... Had it failed PMDG likely never would have ceased to exist back then and you'd have never heard of us - we realize how important the original NG was to our initial growth, but it's an old and outdated product at this point - our energy is MUCH better spent making the new version and then moving on to other aircraft than it would be coding the old one into FSX.This is just my personal opinion of course (and what do I know ), but I think it already exceeds the MD-11 right now... it's a stunning airplane and believe me we want to get it done and in everyone's hands MORE than you guys want it even.

Hi Ryanwhilst I know you guys don't like to talk time frames would you talk rough percentage of completion? Would you say you are more than 90% through the production of this plane or more like 70%? The answer will probably help us all understand what expectations we should have as right now there is a lot of speculation but really we are all in the dark about where it's at.Regards mike Kendall

You are far from the first to sing these high praises of the MD-11. I have long refused to buy this plane, not because I think it to be a bad simulation, but rather I have a very negative bias grounded in real life on the DC-10/MD-11 aircraft, but with so many people saying how great a sim it is, I may yet have to bit the bullet and buy the thing.

For a few months now I too own the MD11 and have been flying noting else since I got it. You won't regret it! Last weekend I decided to take the 744 for a spin again and noticed how much better the MD11 has been programmed. Its really worth the money.

Hi Ryanwhilst I know you guys don't like to talk time frames would you talk rough percentage of completion? Would you say you are more than 90% through the production of this plane or more like 70%? The answer will probably help us all understand what expectations we should have as right now there is a lot of speculation but really we are all in the dark about where it's at.Regards mike Kendall

I'm not going to comment past saying that the airplane is in internal alpha testing.

I'm not going to comment past saying that the airplane is in internal alpha testing.

OK thats something right there. Better than "hope to be in internal alpha by Q4" :( Ingolfur

OK thats something right there. Better than "hope to be in internal alpha by Q4" :( Ingolfur

Heck Yes!I interpret "internal alpha" as the delevopers are putting the plane together and will soon(maybe a month) be out for beta testing.

For a few months now I too own the MD11 and have been flying noting else since I got it. You won't regret it! Last weekend I decided to take the 744 for a spin again and noticed how much better the MD11 has been programmed. Its really worth the money.

Very, very true. I remember how impressed I was with Queen and how many years I flew nothing but. Then I got the MD-11 and at 1st, was put off a little by it's Automatic systems (I wanted everything manual), but soon after I started seeing that as a huge plus. I flew nothing but the MD-11 and only loaded the 747x to answer questions here and there. When I did do a flight with her again, I hate to say it since I loves the queen, but I couldn't believe I could ever be content with it. There were huge improvements with the MD-11 and if there are only a couple improvements with the NGX over the MD-11 I will be more than satisfied. My favorite AC will always be the queen and hope PMDG someday revisit the fat girl and bring her to the new standards they keep creating.Ryan, Years ago I was a beta tester for some gaming companies. We were also privy to the Alpha testing. It was explained to us that Alpha testing was merely the concepts and ideas being passed around, story creation (if needed) and sketches only. This was the same with a couple of games (the only ones I saw the Alpha stage). What again, is Alpha testing to you? You mentioned it a while back but I don't remember,,, I just know it wasn't the same.

The ngx to me appears to be in the later stages of it's development, I have a feeling we won't have to wait too much longer, these updates I think are a clue to that.

before you go assuming anything about the people that comment on here you should know that I have worked as a project manager on CRMs (customer relation management) systems. Complex systems with a team of programmers. I for one completely understand that from time to time things don't go as planned but we also believed in keeping end users up to date on progress delayed or not. We are not asking that they rush this plane through we are simply stating that an update on progress would be appreciated. If we are a month away great, 3 months ok, 6 months disappointing. If you are irratated by people commenting on this topic then what are you here for? Would you prefer pictures of dirt? Pictures of bunnies? Blah blah blah about which plane is the loudest? Or idiots who ask questions that were answered several times earlier like will it work with fs2004? or maybe you like reading the same comments over and over again like 'this is going to be so awesome, PMDG you are the best'. Because 85% of this forum as been these things and 15% (that's been generous) has been useful, constructive information. Point is we are all here for one reason....to talk about our thoughts on this upcomming beauty and hopefully learn more about it so if you don't like what people are thinking, go fly a planemike Kendall

PMDG has historically given great updates on theirs products. There is an obvious reason why they can't right now. Just let them finish already. And your question IS one of the questions that people ask repetitively. Oh and BTW I just got back from flying a plane. Got some days off now but thanks for the concern.Jack C

Years ago I was a beta tester for some gaming companies. We were also privy to the Alpha testing. It was explained to us that Alpha testing was merely the concepts and ideas being passed around, story creation (if needed) and sketches only. This was the same with a couple of games (the only ones I saw the Alpha stage). What again, is Alpha testing to you? You mentioned it a while back but I don't remember,,, I just know it wasn't the same.

Alpha = features still under development/being added. Beta = product is feature complete, just testing and fixing bugs. A lot of other FS developers consider what we call alpha their beta. We have a tech team of actual pilots, engineers, maintenance people and so on who get access to the alpha for feedback on actually implementing the systems and whatnot.When the MD-11 beta started, it was in better condition bug-wise than a lot of retail releases are - we try not to send out a first beta that's bug ridden or missing functionality. When you see us announce beta testing, you probably don't have long to wait.

Lucky guy. I wish we were just a few months away from the start of summer....stupid winter :(

I prefer winter, it may be freezing but gives me a good excuse to go on fs for ages, summer in Melbourne is way too hot for my comfort and there is a high risk of fires. also my fs computer is in a poorly insulated upstairs room that reaches over 50 degc with no cooling, and on the really hot days there's often no power. On the other hand, there's many fine days to go real life flying which is nice ;). My fav seasons ate spring and autum. Best of both worlds.

Ryan that sounds fair, however I don't know what is better - the PMDG "secrecy" over the project, or constant update with a lot of full size images like other devs are doing...Honestly I will buy the product in the first 10 minutes it comes out. But while waithing I would love to see some more information, maybe manuals, something to warm my soul up on more regular basis...Anyway, the covered up operation is your decision. We shall accept it and continue looking forward for the release.Cheers

Not in the southern hemisphere! Summer starts in december!

You live in Manchester in the UK, not AUS next you will be naming the placers where there is no Christmas :( PMDG are not based in (A) a country in the southern hemisphere (.B.) a country where "Christmas" is baned.

I'm not going to comment past saying that the airplane is in internal alpha testing.

So alpha.....then at least a month in beta.....Nov/Dec at best then, looking more and more like its not coming this year, or is it

I'm not going to comment past saying that the airplane is in internal alpha testing.

Well a small glimmer of light, a whisper from the mount, maybe just maybe white smoke from the chimney? We shall see.