Which bit Randy?Anyway, as far as the 747 goes, I've got no issues with it all - apart from maybe being to stupid to use the radios. In fact, this is the first aircraft that I've actually used the FMC in, thanks to being able to talk to Steve Park via Skype one evening - thanks Steve :-)The point I was making is that a small beta team is likely to not experience as many issues as a larger team. No commenting on what is right or wrong, just what is fact.http://www.dreamfleet2000.com/gfx/images/F...BANNER_PAUL.jpg

Remember the five star rating is now reserved for products that set new standards in features or whatever. It may have a few niggles, but the systems management as well as the interactive VC are themselves enough to earn a five star rating in my opinion.I too have had no problems with it. Granted, I am not real 747 captain so I wouldn't know if something was wrong. I also have not tried every function, but what I have used, has worked really well and sets a new standard.The LDS767 also got a five star award, and I think rightfully so. My understanding is LDS is still working on a second patch, so everything is still not perfect with that bird, even months after release. But it still is one of the best modern airliners out there, even in its current version, and raised the bar itself. Tony=http://www.flightsim-bevs.com]

BrucebI am sick and tired of people giving the PMDG B744 a hard time!Loads of the problems people had, were because no one bothered to read the manual!I agree it is a comprehensive book to read, but no wonder people had strange fuel imbalance and control problems when they didn't even know what the OVRD fuel pumps where and what the EICAS meant with Tank to engine!I suggest you buy the mother, if you like Boeing, BUY IT!If you have a hard time learning it, read the manual! If you have a hard time after that, you should, cuz this is as real as it can get!Boaz...

I agree with Randy:"it is simply because beta are builds leading up the the final product, and such each new build with it's build fixes and editions etcf have the real chance of creating newer issues."This is so true. Fixing a bug can lead to unforseen problems. If a product is close to release and has a few minor issues, it would be silly to fix them and go through a full test procedure again to see what the "fixing" might have broken. The company loses and the customers lose because they have to wait. Better to release it and then follow up with a patch that fixes the known minor problems and the issues that arise when thousands of users put it through its paces, issues that could never be expected to be found in a normal testing process because you can't simulate thousands of different users with different systems etc. etc. This is especially true when your market is internet savvy and can download the patch effortlessly.So, 5 Stars? Sure, I'd give it 5 stars. Yet another bar in FS9.Just my thoughts...billg

I have had nothing but problems with my Queen, but I know it will be the best airplane out there once all the issues are hammered out.But people who question whether a bug was missed or why was a patch issued very quickly need to go out in the real world and buy any piece of software, preferably a computer game. Then you will see giant developers releasing patches even the day of a release.I use to work in that industry, and the biggest problems were not the beta testers who found virtually every issue, the problem was the producer and the marketing team already having release dates set in stone to coincide with advertising campaigns, programmers not wanting to radically change code at the last minute, etc. So this is what's going to happen with more complicated software is there are going to be more complicated bugs. Either get use to it and accept it, or find another hobby.

The only problem I have with it is that I am having difficulty with the manual. Before the old forum disappeared there was a thread in there that promised a 'dummies guide' to flying the Queen to get people started. So where is it? Time was found to get a manual of several hundred pages out - wouldn't it have been sensible to get the starter kit guide out at the same time?Timothy Metzinger and Fred Clausen - where are you when your talents for concise explanations are needed.Bill

Well, I can't judge this aircraft simply because it's unflyable on my system due to some specific configuration that has not been pinpointed yet, so I won't say whether I agree with the reviewer's score.What I can say, is that the reviewer left a remark that said, "great customer support." I'm going to have to disagree there. While I received a prompt reply to my support email, it didn't offer any suggestions to my issue (many others have the same issue I am having) and PMDG will not acknowledge that this particular problem exists, nor have they commented on the issue. Unfortunately, I will have to get a "different" not a "newer" system to use this aircraft. Not a big deal as far as money goes, but a big deal to put a new one together and get all my stuff on it. Unacceptable, really. This would easily solved if they offered refunds, like another payware developer, very very good ethics as far as I'm concerned.Jeff"Constructive" criticism always welcomed

If the truth be known, the 'world' is Microsoft's beta testers, and there are still real bugs with their releases. To suggest that our hobby's addon developers should get things 100% right on day one is just nonsense.The real issue is surely that the likes of PMDG put things right as quickly as possible, and continue to develop the product long after release in a 'search for utopia' which as we all recognise is pretty well impossible to achieve.But at least they try, and in the main succeed. And that's more than some other developers do, so let's all stop moaning and enjoy the #### thing!Toni.

1. The PMDG 747 is one of the best aircraft simulations on a PC platform. (It's level of complexity is on par with the Aerowinx 747 Precision simulator a very well known 747 CBT which costs $200)2. The PMDG beta team consist of a variety of people from real world 747 world pilots, technicians, engineers to average pc users, software programmers etc.4. No such thing as a 100% bug free software. Microsoft has got an outstanding number of people beta testing their products (look how many patches windows requires)5. You can have 1000s of different system configurations. Its impossible to program something to work 100% correct on every possible configuration there is.6. Issues that have been brought up by customers will be fixed. A quick fix was released to eliminate most user problems. And patches are being worked on.7. Real world 747 pilots who are not part of the PMDG team have recommened the PMDG 747. If real world 747 professionals are satisfied who am I to complain.8. No matter how good something is you can never please everyone.

>In fact there is not one "game" on my hard drive that does not>have many patches to run. Randy I think that you are missing my point -- or perhaps , you have really proved my point.I am not knocking the PMDG 747 - in fact, I know nothing about it. And you are correct that some complaints from people about software will be either something dependent on their system or their own fault.BUT - the fact is that a patch is to be released so very close after the initial release of the software and as you point out, this is very common-- my question is and was -- WHY IS THIS SO?? Barry

>As I understand the timings, PMSDG released its 747 on 2>August and the patch on 13 August, 11 days later. >>Were none of these known before the model was released on 2>August? If so I'm surprised that some were not picked up>during testing- Hallelujah!! Somebody has finally picked up on the point I was trying to make -- and PMDG are not alone in this. It seeems to me that this is very common amongst many payware authors.Barry

>I do know of one complex add-on that released without the need>for a quick fix patch ;-)>>(Sorry, just couldn't resist)I'm sorry Paul -- I'm a bit ignorant of these matters - could you please tell me what that is? :)Barry

Just follow the standard procedures section in the manual to get you up and running. And if you want FMC help you can probably use the NG guide for that since they are similar systems

Bill,Check out this link. I think it will help. Note he also has a downloadable PDF.http://smithplanet.com/fs2004/pmdg/Tony=http://www.flightsim-bevs.com]

Very well said sir.RegardsTim