I am looking at the TOPCAT site and based on what I have seen in the PMDG forums am considering the purchase. I saw in the FAQ that they claim frequent updates but the last version is a year old. Anything to worry about with support or is the product fool proof (me being the fool)? Guess I am looking for a thumbs up or down since it looks like there are a lot of users here.Thanks

Hi,Yep its a fantastic tool ! the thing is the soft needs more data: but this task is very time consuming. If you want to have a small glimpse of the soft capabilities, you can watch the NGX flight prep video in my sig. Let me know if you need more infos.

Phill, for the last year or so, there have been no updates because of work on PFPX.

Phill, for the last year or so, there have been no updates because of work on PFPX.

Thanks, didn't know that they were connected. PFPX looks good as well. I will; watch the video and probably purchase this weekend. I need to hire a dispatcher to take care of all of my pre-flight work.

TOPCAT is a good program but for the 600/900 series of NGX its lacking. there is a shortage of aircraft that it works with which is a shame. I guess they are working hard on the new flight planner they are creating (Which I will buy) but its sad to see TOPCAT lacking.

Also, be aware that TOPCAT does not (at the moment) support calculations for -600. Also, it does not support variuos enginge ratings for 7/800 models.I owne it myself, and could not fly withtou it, because it is the only Performance tool available for FS. My guess is, that once PFPX is out and hotfixed/servicepacked, the update of TOPCAT will continue. The dev is a RW pilot and therefor has a daytime job to take care of on the side.Thumbs up from me.

It's great, however the developer is devoting all his time to PFPX and lacks the communication skills to explain this.

It's great, however the developer is devoting all his time to PFPX and lacks the communication skills to explain this.

Actually, he's said it multiple times that he's been devoting all of his (and his partner's) time to working on PFPX. The only thing "lacking" in his communication is that he doesn't repeat it every time someone asks because they were too lazy to look.

TOPCAT is a good program but for the 600/900 series of NGX its lacking. there is a shortage of aircraft that it works with which is a shame. I guess they are working hard on the new flight planner they are creating (Which I will buy) but its sad to see TOPCAT lacking.

Just like Andrew said!The program itself is complete, doesn't need any fixing and is easy to use yet powerful. BUT unfortunately it does not (yet???) support all of our beloved toys...

Thanks for all of the feedback. I will purchase with the known limitations and assume that updates will follow after the planner is released. I fly the pmdg 800 exclusively for now so will make do.

Loooove Topcat! :(

Maybe it's me..... Can someone please explain to me what TOPCAT does or provides that the NGX FMS doesn't?? The PMDG CDU already caluclates the necessary V-speeds for takeoff and after reading through Tutorial #2 (great job BTW) I am still at a loss to figure out exactly what value TOPCAT provides for the NGX..... Feel free to enlighten me...Thanks!Phil

Actually, he's said it multiple times that he's been devoting all of his (and his partner's) time to working on PFPX. The only thing "lacking" in his communication is that he doesn't repeat it every time someone asks because they were too lazy to look.

Good one

Maybe it's me..... Can someone please explain to me what TOPCAT does or provides that the NGX FMS doesn't?? The PMDG CDU already caluclates the necessary V-speeds for takeoff and after reading through Tutorial #2 (great job BTW) I am still at a loss to figure out exactly what value TOPCAT provides for the NGX.....

It simply calculates the required thrust for takeoff and shows you how much you can derate your engines. It also has other functions as alternative airport finder, basic fuel calculation, obstacles near the runway and so on...

Regarding V-speeds, it does take more variables into account than the FMC does, so they too should be more precise. However I found that NGX FMC in particular is much closer to TOPCAT values than other add-on FMC tend to be.