This may be a yawner for those of you who had the good sense to purchase the Dream Fleet 727 from Flight1 long ago. But for anyone, like me, who was tempted but didn't take the plunge, let me tell you, it is fantastic! Perfect frame rates unlike almost every add-on I have purchased in the last year, totally immersive, all 727 versions (and real "versions" - significant differences between them) and a huge collection of liveries. For a model that has been released for about five years, it is still totally cutting-edge IMHO.Having obtained the old CS 727 in FS2002 days, I was reasonably satisfied with the FS9 portover and stuck with it. I kept looking at the DF 727 but couldn't persuade myself that the improvements over the CS version justified spending the extra money. WAS I EVER WRONG!!!! :( If you have any interest at all in flying heavy metal without all the glass stuff, FMC, Autoland etc. then this is a must-buy! I am having way too much fun with this. So bye for now, I'm off to haul some freight in my new (old) 727...

You're quite right; this is the best 727 produced and IMHO one of the very best FS9 payware planes done by anyone. PG did a great job on this one!DJ

Agreed,I held of reasonably long as well but it's a great simulationof one of the nicest planes ever imho, so I finally bit the bullet a year or two agoand I'm glad I did to this day.I just love handflying that thing,the flightmodel is rocksolid.Throw in an INS or an FMC and you can even fly the complex stuff if desired.It's truly a masterpiece.JP.

What ever happed to Paul Golding? Was he planning on an upgrade for FSX...or is this a dead topic. I still frequently use my 727 for classroom scenarios regarding weight and balance and performance, since this is what the FAA still uses for Aircraft Dispatcher certification. As the good saying goes "Paul put his FOOT in it!" :( :(

Throw in an INS or an FMC and you can even fly the complex stuff if desired.

I discussed the author "meatwater" in another thread, but it was actually this thread that got me thinking about him. He developed a slick package to add Ernie Alston's GNS (from the integrated sim avionics package) to the DF 727's VC, thus giving the DF 727 a typical, modern "freighter" navigation update. Here's the file: integrated.simavionics.-.flight1.boeing.727.v1.0.zipAre there any other FMC updates to the VC out there? The problem with the meatwater mod is you have to buy Alston's entire integrated sim avionics suite for just one gauge. I've currently have the DF 727 hangered because I just don't feel like dealing with the rudimentary navigation (including the add-on INS package).

INS? GNS? FMC? Shame on ya'll! :( I'm sure you're right about avionics upgrades and maybe at some point I'll try something, but at the moment I am having too much fun flying as it was "back in the good old days!" I got some time in the Air New Zealand 737-200 way back, and from what I can remember, it wasn't all that different to this old girl. I don't think I have ever seen an FS9 Flight Director that was as realistic and responsive as this one. I am kicking myself for not buying this ages ago - I could have saved myself a lot of money buying inferior add-ons that lasted in my hangar for a few weeks. This thing is awesome! I keep waiting to find something that isn't perfect but so far, nada!It was a real heart-breaker when Dream Fleet decided not to upgrade their FS2002 737-400 for FS9. Seeing how good this is makes that decision even stranger and sadder.

I couldn't agree more, this 727 is close to my favourite all time Aircraft in FS. I have had it for a long time now, and still prefer it in FS2004 to many of the newer FSX aircraft. My FS2004 will never be removed as long as I need it for this aircraft (and a couple of others). Paul has been posting regularly at the Aerosoft Forum (Airbus X) and says he is still hoping to update the 727 to FSX. If he ever does, it will be a sure fire winner. :( :(

INS? GNS? FMC? Shame on ya'll! :(

Yep, I bought it when it first came out, I put mega hours into flying it by hand (awesome flight model) and vor to vor. Highly recommend it, great product. I'm just looking around for some new upgrades!

Although IMO the VC gauge refresh rate is rather low... :(

Although IMO the VC gauge refresh rate is rather low... :(

Yes it is! But with the kind of flying I do in this thing it's never been an issue.

Still my favorite AC to fly, purchased a Piedmont Airlines 727 Operations Manual and the DF 727 pretty much flies by the numbers. They did an awesome job on this one!

Paul did an outstanding job with the 727. It runs my sim except for the Probst engine gauges.

Awesome 727 flight deck you've got there Skunkworks. That setup is a true masterpiece. You have done the folks at DF727 proud with that creation. If I may ask, what interface software are you using for your controls and instrument panels ?Tony

Interesting. It's one of those products I've always meant to buy, but never have. I wonder. Should I or shouldn't I?

Awesome 727 flight deck you've got there Skunkworks. That setup is a true masterpiece. You have done the folks at DF727 proud with that creation. If I may ask, what interface software are you using for your controls and instrument panels ?Tony

Thanks.Just FSUIPC and FS Panel Studio. WidevieW gets me the multiple views. Five systems are running the sim.I still have some encoders I want to add for setting the altitude alert and the Collsman window.