Indications are that the iFly 737 Max8 for MSFS 2020 is a worthy, and some may opine, a likely better alternative or competition to PMDG's 737s. It looks like it has details not present in PMDG versions. For example, the nosewheel steering pin simulation, better HGS simulation.  and meticulously modeled cabin (eg. dynamic lighting, toilet). Both are also currently priced the same as far as I know.

Questions:

1. Does it have a moving map enroute that doesn't require a monthly subscription to Navigraph?
2. Will there be a charge for upgrading to MSFS 2024?
3. How does the default sound in the iFly compare to the the PMDG 737 with Boris Soundworks?
4. Will add-ons such as FSRealistic, FSI Panel and Beyond ATC work with the iFly 737 Max?
5. Does the plug-in automatically un-install after each MSFS session?
6. Does the iFly have interchangeable cockpit instrumentation?
7. Does it or does it plan to offer variants eg. biz jetsand freighter?
8. How does ground operations features compare to PMDG?

1. There's no moving map. Use navigraph or little navmap

2. I have no clue about 2024 version, and don't care

3. IFly has some of the best sounds of any airliner. This can be checked on YouTube 

4. Those add-ons should all be fine with IFly 737, can't see why not

5. Plugin does not automatically uninstall 

6. I don't know of any changeable cockpit instrumentation

7. Not sure of future plans for other variants

8. Ground ops work fine, including with toolbar pushback add-on

I have flown this bird a lot everywhere. Highly recommend. 

But for some reason the toggle landing lights and strobes don't work, so have to manually click it. I wouldn't mind some extra features in the EFB. Including a custom moving map as you asked.

I am a bit time poor so won't go line by line, but I can say that I loved this in MSFS2020.  The sounds, feel and modelling of the aircraft really is 5 star.  You'll really enjoy it.

With MSFS2024 really rocking now with some amazing new airliners, great SU1 Beta Updates, I can't wait to see the Max make it to the new platform.

Jase

1.  It does have a moving map in the EFB ( I assume this is the question, since obviously it has the NDs in the panel.). I assume this comes from Navigraph, but I'm not actually sure.

2.  No, will be free for 24.

3.  Boris also did the sounds for iFly.  They are amazingly good.  The sound change of the nose wheel rolling across the runway grooves as you line up and the angle to the grooves changes is ridiculously good.  I wouldn't change a thing.

4.  I would stay away from FS Realistic.  There have been reports of it not playing well with the iFly custom flight modeling (which, when left to its own devices, does not require any add-ons or tweaking as it's about the best out there for an airliner in the sim.  The other add-ons work great.

5.  It doesn't uninstall but it closes until the next time you load the plane.

6.  There are many panel options, but maybe less than you're thinking of because there are less significant variations in Max cockpits.  There is for instance no option for the round dial flight instruments or the mechanical standby instruments etc, because they aren't options on the Max.  The cockpit is more standardized than the NG.  Lots of equipment options though, and iFly models them 

7.  There's chatter of work on other variants so I'd say eventually yes but I do not know details or timeline. 

8.  I actually don't know as I've used GSX for pushback for all my testing.  I do think there are included options for ground equipment but again, don't know the details.

Looks to me an excellent model from iFly. I purchased it several weeks ago and made its first install and setup, but in the meantime I've been flying the e-Jets (FSS) just to complete a kind of training with a bunch of flights in different places, and I'm now ready to move to start using the MAX.

Just one question: Can it be run wth DX11?. In the manual it says it was developed using DX12 and running it in DX11 could cause issues. Which kind of issues?. 

Edited March 2, 20251 yr by edpatino

Thanks for this thread! I have some more questions if it's okay?

How good is LNAV and VNAV and how good is it doing curved RNP segments? Are they smooth and steady (like Fenix). Or are they more like PMDG?

Can a separate tiller axis be assigned and is the logic rudder/tiller/nose wheel correctly modeled (unlike PMDG)?

4 hours ago, edpatino said:

Looks to me an excellent model from iFly. I purchased it several weeks ago and made its first install and setup, but in the meantime I've been flying the e-Jets (FSS) just to complete a kind of training with a bunch of flights in different places, and I'm now ready to move to start using the MAX.

Just one question: Can it be run wth DX11?. In the manual it says it was developed using DX12 and running it in DX11 could cause issues. Which kind of issues?. 

I run DX11 and haven't noticed issues, but since I've never used the iFly with DX12 I have no frame of reference. Since installing the iFly I've only flown the PMDG 737 twice, and only because it was to simulate  SWA IRL routes flown with a -700 - other than that I haven't flown PMDG in well over a month.

1 hour ago, NovemberUniform said:

Thanks for this thread! I have some more questions if it's okay?

How good is LNAV and VNAV and how good is it doing curved RNP segments? Are they smooth and steady (like Fenix). Or are they more like PMDG?

Can a separate tiller axis be assigned and is the logic rudder/tiller/nose wheel correctly modeled (unlike PMDG)?

LNAV/VNAV/RNP

I would say its in between. Room for improvements but its really still only 1.0.2 version which in itself is quite amazing .

Tiller i just used my PMDG setup for seperation and it works nicely.

Michael Moe 

1 hour ago, somiller said:

I run DX11 and haven't noticed issues, but since I've never used the iFly with DX12 I have no frame of reference. Since installing the iFly I've only flown the PMDG 737 twice, and only because it was to simulate  SWA IRL routes flown with a -700 - other than that I haven't flown PMDG in well over a month.

Thanks so much for your kind answer. I've never used DX12 before and wanted to know if I needed to change from DX11 to DX12 just for flying the Max 8. Thanks again!.

7 hours ago, NovemberUniform said:

Thanks for this thread! I have some more questions if it's okay?

How good is LNAV and VNAV and how good is it doing curved RNP segments? Are they smooth and steady (like Fenix). Or are they more like PMDG?

Can a separate tiller axis be assigned and is the logic rudder/tiller/nose wheel correctly modeled (unlike PMDG)?

The iFly does handle RNP RF segments pretty well...not perfectly, but better than PMDG - I don't own the Fenix so I can't offer a comparison. There is a setting on the iFly tablet for tiller axis so it can work exactly like the PMDG - tiller can be separately assigned, or combined with rudder. I use the separate tiller setting and have the tiller axis assigned to the twist (Rz) axis on my MS Force Feedback stick.

21 hours ago, somiller said:

There is a setting on the iFly tablet for tiller axis so it can work exactly like the PMDG - tiller can be separately assigned, or combined with rudder.

Thanks for your reply. If it works exactly like the PMDG, I'm afraid I'm not interested.

PMDG isn't modeling nose wheel steering with rudder pedals correctly. This is true for the 737 and 777 (I have both). After a very tiny amount of rudder input you already get the full 7 degrees of nose wheel deflection. The 7 degrees should be spread across the whole rudder deflection. This is problematic, especially on takeoffs and landings, but it already feels kind of awkward during taxi (at least for me).

I've sent in a support ticket and they acknowledged but blame it on the sim. Although they said they may investigate further. I told their support other add-ons work correctly, which is true (Fenix).

Can anyone confirm ifly does this correctly?

28 minutes ago, NovemberUniform said:

Thanks for your reply. If it works exactly like the PMDG, I'm afraid I'm not interested.

PMDG isn't modeling nose wheel steering with rudder pedals correctly. This is true for the 737 and 777 (I have both). After a very tiny amount of rudder input you already get the full 7 degrees of nose wheel deflection. The 7 degrees should be spread across the whole rudder deflection. This is problematic, especially on takeoffs and landings, but it already feels kind of awkward during taxi (at least for me).

I've sent in a support ticket and they acknowledged but blame it on the sim. Although they said they may investigate further. I told their support other add-ons work correctly, which is true (Fenix).

Can anyone confirm ifly does this correctly?

Hmmm, I don't see that issue with my Pendular rudders or my dedicated steering tiller.  Both spread the physical wheel angle across my physical input.  

What are your rudders and sensitivity settings? 

52 minutes ago, psolk said:

Both spread the physical wheel angle across my physical input.

I have a very hard time believing that. It's an issue confirmed by PMDG themselves.

Tiller is working good, no complaints here. But with rudder pedals, you will have the same behavior, I'm sure. You just haven't noticed it yet. Go in outside view and look at the nose wheel while applying rudder. You will notice that the nose wheel will stop turning after only very little rudder pedal input. That's the problem I'm talking about. There are multiple threads in the PMDG forums, as well.

On 3/2/2025 at 1:37 AM, Stearmandriver said:

1.  It does have a moving map in the EFB ( I assume this is the question, since obviously it has the NDs in the panel.). I assume this comes from Navigraph, but I'm not actually sure.

I'm still new to airliners and will still need (and also find it very convenient) to use a moving map on the EFB similar to the screen cap shown below. The moving map helps me fly around. It'll also help me learn how to fly holds, missed approaches, flying in bad weather, night flying, etc. I don't know the source of the map on the EFB in the PMDG 737 (the EFB apparently has a bug in it which only show a spinning circle sometimes).  I know it's not payware since I don't have a subscription to Navigraph or in other chart services. I'm hoping there's something similar for the iFly. Is there something similar in the Max8?

 

On 3/2/2025 at 1:37 AM, Stearmandriver said:

8.  I actually don't know as I've used GSX for pushback for all my testing.  I do think there are included options for ground equipment but again, don't know the details.

When not flying, part of the fun is watching other planes move around the airport and seeing ground activity around the aircraft. It never ceases to amaze this newbie watching PMDG's ground services vehicles and others do their thing before taxi and take-off.  Does anyone know if the iFly have similar options?

Version 1.0.2.6 of the iFly Manager has been released. It is a required update. It has several bug fixes and enhancements, as well as being ready for the next MAX8 update. Just open the iFly Manager or go to https://manager.flight1.net to update.