So I guess my question is this: Should I buy the iFly 747 instead of the PMDG version? The fact that I like simplicity, would the cheaper 747 cater for my needs to the same level that the Aerosoft bus can? in other words if Flight Sim Labs is to PMDG, is it fair to say Aerosoft is to iFly?

 

Also, is the iFly 747 reliable? Is it at the same level as the Aerosoft bus? I'm happy enough to cut immersion factor in favour of price to the same level as Aerosoft, but not if it's full of bugs and horrible to fly. 

 

 

As far as complexity goes, the iFly is far more comparable to PMDG than to Aerosoft. iFly still has accurate systems, failures, and so on.

Dave, will the upcoming A330 have shared cockpit as well?

Dave, will the upcoming A330 have shared cockpit as well?

 

Two answers from a quick search on the Aerosoft forums:

 

First answer

Second answer

As for the OP's question: if you are sticking with normal procedures, you won't use many of the features that PMDG and FSL planes offer. However, it may still be worth it because these planes tend to work almost flawlessly. I don't know the iFly 747, but I could imagine that it will go on aggressive sale once the PMDG 747 has been released. I would wait and decide later.

 

Peter

Yeah I'm definitely taking that into consideration. My 777 and NGX always worked to perfection. Never had any problems and usually get decent framerates. I don't want to fix something thats not broken.

 

That's a good point you make about the iFly version possibly going on sale when PMDG release their version. I might just wait until then, regardless of which one I buy.

Not into big aircraft, in fact I have gone from the Q400 and 737 NGX to A2A Cherokees and Cessnas. The idea of multi hour flights staring at an FMC with the AP doing all the flying after 400 ft  AGL, and the ground from 7 miles up, has lost all interest for me. I know airline pilots in real life  that love getting in SEL aircraft and gliders , and say that to them it is like "really flying".  

I understand your point. I have the A2A Skylane and it's absolutely perfect, and it really feels like you're flying.

 

As for the long haul thing, you can still do short flights with wide-body aircraft. I mean just because you have a smartphone, doesn't mean you HAVE to use it for Twitter and Facebook? Wide-body aircraft are used for short hops in the far east all the time.

Hey Neal!

 

You and me both my friend!

 

I'm currently flying the CRJ, I think you'll really like it!  But I'm a Shared Cockpit guy (along with the other OVPA guys) so we're really looking forward to the A330.  Also, the free Aerosoft A318 coming out shortly will be shared cockpit capable, so that's a boon!  Oh, and Aerosoft is going to TRY and make the CRJ Shared Cockpit capable, but it will be some time well after release (please, nobody as me, I don't know).

 

It's REALLY difficult not to love with Mathijs and the Aerosoft team does for us, and that they make every effort to keep the prices where everyone can afford excellent aircraft.

 

CAVEAT:  I'm part of the Aerosoft Team, but only as an advisor, moderator and tester.  I don't have any insight whatsoever to release dates.

Mathijs is easily the coolest of all the developers I've seen on any forum. I love his "informality" for want of a better word, and treating every customer like he personally knows them. He also has this ability to remain calm even after being asked a thousand times "when's it going to be released". Personally I'd punch someone . Probably just as well I'm not a software developer. And of course, Aerosoft's policy of not having to pay for the same product twice, AND keeping the cost low seals the deal.

 

I don't use shared cockpit so that won't really affect me, but the announcement of the A318 yesterday was very surprising, and to be released at the end of the month was even more surprising. And....FREE....to all customers. Really looking forward to that.

 

Anyway, today is Friday. Stefan should be posting some porn in the A330 preview thread  . Just gonna pop over there now and see what he has in store.

Dave, will the upcoming A330 have shared cockpit as well?

Basically it will have everything the A318/319/320/321 has.

 

So yes it will

I bought the PMDG 777 the day it came out, then the expansion both for FSX.  But, like many of you gave up FSX, installed P3D and never looked back.

 

The problem is, for me I don't sim as much as I used to.  I don't know why, but I do enjoy flying but have given up with the constant tweaking, out of memory errors and low frame rates.  You can spend hours tweaking for a one hour flight!!  I don't even have any AI traffic add-on installed.

 

I decided to rebuy the 737 for P3D because that was affordable, which I love.  It is a fun plane, and my plane of choice as well as the Aerosoft airbus.   I decided not to buy the 777 as simply was too expensive, and i don't have the time for 14 hour legs.  I am saving up for the 747 which I know won't be cheap (have a savings plan now).

 

I am interested in the other A320 once it gets released, but we will see.

Thanks everyone for all the info. I've learned a lot about the iFly 747. It seems it's far more advanced than I ever thought it was. I was under the assumption that it was less advanced than Aerosoft standards. I'm definitely leaning more toward it at this point. Does it come with a step by step tutorial?

 

I only have one concern. A couple of people mention that their frame rates have taken a bit more of a hit, compared with other payware aircraft. Not only is this a concern, but it could be a potential deal breaker for me. I don't have the best system for running P3D. I can usually manage about 20-30 FPS (depending on may factors obviously) but I wouldn't want to see it drop much lower than that.

 

 

As for the long haul thing, you can still do short flights with wide-body aircraft.

Quite right. Earlier this year I was on a real life trip from CYYZ to CYOW. This is a 45 minute flight, and Air Canada used a 767 for it.

 

Peter

 

 

First of all: I don't care at all what airline pilots love or say in this regard. Who gives a ######. I don't need an airline pilot to justify what I am doing. I fly whatever I like to fly because I like to do it. Period.

 

HUH??????   

The main problem with the 747 these days is that fewer and fewer airlines are flying them and the ones that continue to fly are getting rid of them fast and replacing with 777 or 787.  I will buy but only if the Cargo version is bundled with the initial release as it is still a cargo workhorse and cargo gives you many shorter routes to fly.

The ifly 744 v2 is a good product to be sure but the pmdg is a notch higher.

Really, the only thing negative I've heard about the iFly is performance.  They released a service pack to help but I'm under the impression that it's still pretty tough on frames...might be wrong.

Really, the only thing negative I've heard about the iFly is performance.  They released a service pack to help but I'm under the impression that it's still pretty tough on frames...might be wrong.

 

I have heard this as well, but without access to their support forums there is no way to check.

Thanks everyone for all the info. I've learned a lot about the iFly 747. It seems it's far more advanced than I ever thought it was. I was under the assumption that it was less advanced than Aerosoft standards. I'm definitely leaning more toward it at this point. Does it come with a step by step tutorial?

 

I only have one concern. A couple of people mention that their frame rates have taken a bit more of a hit, compared with other payware aircraft. Not only is this a concern, but it could be a potential deal breaker for me. I don't have the best system for running P3D. I can usually manage about 20-30 FPS (depending on may factors obviously) but I wouldn't want to see it drop much lower than that.

 

It does come with a tutorial and it also with a Load Manager and configurator.

You can setup your CDU to be either CRT or LCD as well as the PFD and ND.

I have only the 3D cockpit selected and no Captain nor First Officer seats to save on VAS.

http://imgur.com/a/j27g8

Thanks for that.

 

I think I'll just go for it. I usually allow myself 1 addon per month lol, so I don't ened up spending a fortune. I'm planning on Aerosofts CRJ and the A330 also. I just need to figure out the best order to buy them. I could go for the iFly now, but knowing my luck they'll put it on sale when PMDG releases their 747.