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Luis Hernandez

PMDG 747 for FS9

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Hello everyone. After hearing about some heavily discounted classic addons at Aerosoft (danke schön, Sascha!), the old PMDG 747 for FS9 caught my attention. I have some questions, before pressing the Confirm Order button:

 

1) I understand it's still being hailed as the best of the best, only surpassed by very few (2 or 3) planes for FS9. Is this right?

2) Now in 2017, how is it performance-wise? Can it run easily in a laptop such as mine (see specs)?

3) I understand PMDG no longer supports FS9, so I'll ask here: has anybody been able to run it (the pax version, I'm not into cargo ops) in Windows 10 with no issues?

4) How does it behave at 8x (the maximum supported by PMDG)? Is it stable (like any default FS9 based autopilot), or it tends to drift from course (such as iFly)?

 

Now, before someone asks "why not the iFly 744?": well, I purchased it on Day 2, enjoyed it a lot (consider it fully paid for, I even released a repaint for this bird), but:

- My laptop can't stand the performance hit, specially when flying to KJFK, EGLL or even SKBO!

- Intelligent Cruise is not as stable as I wish (flying at 8x, with all the pauses, would result in an actual 4x averaged. Flying at 8x without Intelligent Cruise results in 2000 ft over the selected cruise altitude).

- Since the visual model is overdetailed (for my laptop), I tried merging the 2D panel and FDE with the Posky models, but the lights do not behave as expected.

 

This is why I'm willing to give up some visual detail (and €30+taxes, shipping included) for performance.


Best regards,
Luis Hernández 20px-Flag_of_Colombia.svg.png20px-Flag_of_Argentina.svg.png

Main rig: self built, AMD Ryzen 5 5600X with PBO enabled (but default settings, CO -15 mV, and SMT ON), 2x16 GB DDR4-3200 RAM, Nvidia RTX3060 Ti 8GB, 256 GB M.2 SSD (OS+apps) + 2x1 TB SATA III SSD (sims) + 1 TB 7200 rpm HDD (storage), Viewsonic VX2458-MHD 1920x1080@23-144 Hz (locked at 120 Hz, FreeSync ON), Windows 10 Pro. Runing FSX-SE, MSFS and P3D v5.4.

Mobile rig: ASUS Zenbook UM425QA (AMD Ryzen 7 5800H APU @3.2 GHz and boost disabled, 1 TB M.2 SSD, 16 GB RAM, Windows 11 Pro). Running FS9 there... sometimes on just battery! FSX-SE also installed, just in case. 

VKB Gladiator NXT Premium Left + GNX THQ as primary controllers. Xbox Series X|S wireless controller as standby/travel.

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Now, before someone asks "why not the iFly 744?" (...) My laptop can't stand the performance hit

 

Luis, take it into account that the initial relase version of iFly was a performance killer, hardly flyable.

But some time after they released a much improved product which cured the problem and now it performs great.

I am saying it from my FSX experience, but I am almost sure the same goes for the FS2004 version.

You can get it again from Flight1, see if your performance improved seriously and if it didn't - return the product.

 

I am writing it since I believe while the FS2004 PMDG 747 was very nice while it was released, iFly came much later and is a much better product (no freighter version though).

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You can get it again from Flight1

 

Thanks a lot, Rafal. I forgot to say: I never used the refund option for the iFly. I downloaded a fresh installer when I installed Win10 six months ago, and I can acknowledge the performance improvements since Day 2. It's very clear that refund is not an option for me, but I don't care: I enjoyed the plane more hours than what I had to work for paying it :wink:

 

While I understand iFly is vastly improved over PMDG (there were 9 years between both releases IIRC), the improvements in the VC were too much for my laptop. I don't care, since I prefer 2D for heavies. While you give me your feedback, I'll try removing the VC to see if performance improve a bit more (a trick I had to do back in 2005-2006 with my old P4-1.6) and ends up usable in my laptop. Maybe it's the other chance iFly deserves hehehe...


Best regards,
Luis Hernández 20px-Flag_of_Colombia.svg.png20px-Flag_of_Argentina.svg.png

Main rig: self built, AMD Ryzen 5 5600X with PBO enabled (but default settings, CO -15 mV, and SMT ON), 2x16 GB DDR4-3200 RAM, Nvidia RTX3060 Ti 8GB, 256 GB M.2 SSD (OS+apps) + 2x1 TB SATA III SSD (sims) + 1 TB 7200 rpm HDD (storage), Viewsonic VX2458-MHD 1920x1080@23-144 Hz (locked at 120 Hz, FreeSync ON), Windows 10 Pro. Runing FSX-SE, MSFS and P3D v5.4.

Mobile rig: ASUS Zenbook UM425QA (AMD Ryzen 7 5800H APU @3.2 GHz and boost disabled, 1 TB M.2 SSD, 16 GB RAM, Windows 11 Pro). Running FS9 there... sometimes on just battery! FSX-SE also installed, just in case. 

VKB Gladiator NXT Premium Left + GNX THQ as primary controllers. Xbox Series X|S wireless controller as standby/travel.

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I'll try removing the VC to see if performance improve a bit more

 

Rafal, you convinced me, looks like I'll stay with iFly for the time being: performance has returned to acceptable levels: 100% AI, flying between RJAA and WSSS, no stutters at all. With VC I had a big stutter while lining up and waiting at RJAA 34L.

 

iFly should offer a 2D-only option for the FS9 744, such as the option offered for FSX/P3D...


Best regards,
Luis Hernández 20px-Flag_of_Colombia.svg.png20px-Flag_of_Argentina.svg.png

Main rig: self built, AMD Ryzen 5 5600X with PBO enabled (but default settings, CO -15 mV, and SMT ON), 2x16 GB DDR4-3200 RAM, Nvidia RTX3060 Ti 8GB, 256 GB M.2 SSD (OS+apps) + 2x1 TB SATA III SSD (sims) + 1 TB 7200 rpm HDD (storage), Viewsonic VX2458-MHD 1920x1080@23-144 Hz (locked at 120 Hz, FreeSync ON), Windows 10 Pro. Runing FSX-SE, MSFS and P3D v5.4.

Mobile rig: ASUS Zenbook UM425QA (AMD Ryzen 7 5800H APU @3.2 GHz and boost disabled, 1 TB M.2 SSD, 16 GB RAM, Windows 11 Pro). Running FS9 there... sometimes on just battery! FSX-SE also installed, just in case. 

VKB Gladiator NXT Premium Left + GNX THQ as primary controllers. Xbox Series X|S wireless controller as standby/travel.

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I own the iFly 747.

Never fly it.

Visually it's great if not perfect. But manual flying and AP are very poor (IMHO).

Ghiom

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I would stay with the PMDG, since it behaves very stable, flying and software alike.

Very complete and bugfree. A winner, and good on the frames in the VC.

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Thanks, Johan. However, I have already the iFly, and I'm considering purchasing the PMDG bird.


Best regards,
Luis Hernández 20px-Flag_of_Colombia.svg.png20px-Flag_of_Argentina.svg.png

Main rig: self built, AMD Ryzen 5 5600X with PBO enabled (but default settings, CO -15 mV, and SMT ON), 2x16 GB DDR4-3200 RAM, Nvidia RTX3060 Ti 8GB, 256 GB M.2 SSD (OS+apps) + 2x1 TB SATA III SSD (sims) + 1 TB 7200 rpm HDD (storage), Viewsonic VX2458-MHD 1920x1080@23-144 Hz (locked at 120 Hz, FreeSync ON), Windows 10 Pro. Runing FSX-SE, MSFS and P3D v5.4.

Mobile rig: ASUS Zenbook UM425QA (AMD Ryzen 7 5800H APU @3.2 GHz and boost disabled, 1 TB M.2 SSD, 16 GB RAM, Windows 11 Pro). Running FS9 there... sometimes on just battery! FSX-SE also installed, just in case. 

VKB Gladiator NXT Premium Left + GNX THQ as primary controllers. Xbox Series X|S wireless controller as standby/travel.

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Thanks, Johan. However, I have already the iFly, and I'm considering purchasing the PMDG bird.

 

As this is a thread about FS9...you can't purchase the PMDG 747 for FS9 anymore nor a few more aircraft.  You only option is the iFly 747 if you do not currently own one.


Brian Thibodeaux | B747-400/8, C-130 Flight Engineer, CFI, Type Rated: BE190, DC-9 (MD-80), B747-400

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My Liveries

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As this is a thread about FS9...you can't purchase the PMDG 747 for FS9 anymore nor a few more aircraft.  You only option is the iFly 747 if you do not currently own one.

 

The CD versions of the 747 PAX ; 737-600/700 ; 737-800/900 and MD-11 are still for sale on Aerosoft's site for one.


Peter Schluter

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The CD versions of the 747 PAX ; 737-600/700 ; 737-800/900 and MD-11 are still for sale on Aerosoft's site for one.

Why in earth would you go backwards anyway with the PMDG? It's seriously not in the same class as the iFly.

And when the new PMDG 747 comes along, that and the iFly 747 will be the two best options easily for all sims.

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Why in earth would you go backwards anyway with the PMDG? It's seriously not in the same class as the iFly.

And when the new PMDG 747 comes along, that and the iFly 747 will be the two best options easily for all sims.

 

Did you actually read my post? I was correcting the poster who said they were not available.

 

I fly the ifly 737 and no longer use the PMDG 737 version. The 747 I still use PMDG. But I am not suggesting anyone "goes backwards".


Peter Schluter

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Generally speaking, it's becoming more and more common nowadays that going backwards is going forwards. Eyes straight ahead only and you probably aren't using the best there is to offer.


Mark Daniels

 

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Answering the original question:

1. - I personally really like the PMDG 747-400 Freight a lot (but I don't use the passenger version at all, I don't like the shape of the upper deck), it definitely is one of the best airliners, flies well, exterior model good with planty of excellent paints available, VC also very good) , it is surpassed however by the PMDG MD-11 which you should get if you can!

2. - on my old PC it runs just fine, one of the reasons I love it!

3. - I still use Vista to avoid any compatibility issues. Just reinstalled Wilco PIC 737-300/400/500 (which IMO opinion is more fun than the IFly 737-600/700/800 which I almost never use. Although it is very well modelled indeed, something about the VC turns me off - it seems just to spacious to me :), so I in fact prefer the older PMDG 737 version of that series.

4. - 747 follows route on 8x acceleration in LNAV, I assume pax version will work just as well. On 16x though it tends to drift from course and altitude, which actually all my planes do, so it might be something to do with having a slow computer. PMDG also sometimes crashes after acceleration which is why I never use it, just doing shorter flights eg Frankfurt/Dubai in one go or on long flights I move the plane closer to the destination through the map and so only do departure and arrivals.


 

 


And when the new PMDG 747 comes along, that and the iFly 747 will be the two best options easily for all sims.

I think the new PMDG 747 will not be available for FS9.

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