Will there be the MAX-version of 737?http://www.newairplane.com/737/737Max/#/characteristicscheers

Not sure. But perhaps the MAX is gonna have an entirely different cockpit like the 787. (Correct me if I'm wrong). And the overhead panel is quite aged also. It's been used since the first 737 with only minor changes.

They have not even built the 737-MAX production plant yet. So there are no specs and no pilots with flight experience to consult with, making it impossible to design an accurate 737-MAX simulation. With the engines being completely different and who knows what else has changed in the cockpit your probably talking about a complete redesign of the plane and probably a seperate PMDG Product not an addon option.By the time Boeing delivers the first 737-MAX to an Airline the 777 will probably be out and everyone will be flying that.

Edited January 27, 201214 yr by UAL115

The 737 MAX is supposed to save the airlines much money (fuel etc.). So I think the cockpit will stay with only minor changes. Why? Because if they really want the airlines to save money, then they will leave the cockpit as it is, otherwise the pilots will need a new type rating, and type ratings are not really cheap. I know that myself, because my total education for my ATPL and Type Rating for the 737 NG (No Classics, just the NG) will cost around 70.000€ in one of the best flightschools in Germany, while there are even acceptable prices such as 90.000€ for ATPL+Type Rating.Not sure how much the type rating alone costs, but as I said, the airlines would save a lot of money if they just buy the aircraft without paying their pilots a new TR. That's why I THINK the cockpit won't change that much. It could though..

Isn't the MAX supposed to enter service near 2017? Seems to be a bit early to speculate...

Isn't the MAX supposed to enter service near 2017? Seems to be a bit early to speculate...

+1. Even Boeing doesn't know how it'll be. How could PMDG start developing something that doesn't exists?

the boeing 737 MAX will be amazing !

+1. Even Boeing doesn't know how it'll be. How could PMDG start developing something that doesn't exists?

+1

For those interested:http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-aims-to-minimise-737-max-changes-361440/

Albaugh also said Boeing plans no changes to the 737 Max's flight deck: "The one thing we do want to make sure we have with this airplane is compatibility with the NG, compatibility with airplanes we've already delivered. What customers have told us is don't touch the cockpit, and our plans are not to do that."

And the overhead panel is quite aged also. It's been used since the first 737 with only minor changes.

Isnt it cool how Boeing got it so perfect right from day 1

Isnt it cool how Boeing got it so perfect right from day 1

I don't really know if that is a true statement. As they want to maintain commonality with all 737's I don't think they had a choice but to keep it. On aircraft developed since the launch of the 737 the layout is different.

I don't really know if that is a true statement. As they want to maintain commonality with all 737's I don't think they had a choice but to keep it. On aircraft developed since the launch of the 737 the layout is different.

Pretty sure that over the more than 40 years of development Boeing could have drastically decided to change the entire layout of the cockpit. The 737 is a clear sign that literally since day 1 - nothing has had to change. Of course since the launch of the 737, other aircraft have different layouts - Boeing will always experiment with new aircraft and cockpit designs. But not 1 plane they have made has kept such a design to its most basic and first launch. I think its quite remarkable and show how farsighted Boeing can be.

Pretty sure that over the more than 40 years of development Boeing could have drastically decided to change the entire layout of the cockpit. The 737 is a clear sign that literally since day 1 - nothing has had to change. Of course since the launch of the 737, other aircraft have different layouts - Boeing will always experiment with new aircraft and cockpit designs. But not 1 plane they have made has kept such a design to its most basic and first launch. I think its quite remarkable and show how farsighted Boeing can be.

I am really not convinced. By the time Boeing developed the NG, the 737 Classic had a huge customer base. Airlines like Southwest wanted commonality (or as close as they could get), Boeing could not afford to really throw out the current cockpit layout and start from scratch. It really was not foresight but more like we are stuck with it.

I am really not convinced. By the time Boeing developed the NG, the 737 Classic had a huge customer base. Airlines like Southwest wanted commonality (or as close as they could get), Boeing could not afford to really throw out the current cockpit layout and start from scratch. It really was not foresight but more like we are stuck with it.

I do see your point, I mean that does make sense. Although in this day and age, and after such an extensive amount of years researching crashes and the way people think and work in the cockpit, im pretty certain that if a big drastic change needed to be made, to improve functionality, or interface for the pilots and crew, it would have been done. The airlines would have just had to adapt. I think its a bit of the opposite of what you say. The airlines have to deal with what they get, because airlines are not plane builders. And Boeing and Airbus and all other manufacturers will sell what they think is the best and the safest.

I do see your point, I mean that does make sense. Although in this day and age, and after such an extensive amount of years researching crashes and the way people think and work in the cockpit, im pretty certain that if a big drastic change needed to be made, to improve functionality, or interface for the pilots and crew, it would have been done. The airlines would have just had to adapt. I think its a bit of the opposite of what you say. The airlines have to deal with what they get, because airlines are not plane builders. And Boeing and Airbus and all other manufacturers will sell what they think is the best and the safest.

It's not that simple of just accepting it. Airlines tell Boeing and Airbus what they want. Why? Because if an airline doesn't like a $100 million aircraft, they are not going to spend the money buy it. So it is in Boeing and Airbus's best interest to listen to airlines so they can make money and move their product and stay in business. Simple economics. It's not economical to design and manufacture an aircraft the way they (Boeing, Airbus, et al) want it their way and not have an airline buy it.

Edited January 28, 201214 yr by Kenny