11 hours ago, Stearmandriver said:

Do you think so?  I don't, really.  I guess you could say a 15 or 20 degree bank instead of 30?  But yeah, the PMDG aircraft... Wander.  They just don't feel like they exhibit the inherent stability of a transport platform.  They strike me the same as most of the Xplane flight model: like the dev went too far in trying to prove his aircraft don't fly like they're "on rails", as the community used to complain.  The problem with that is, when you're talking about a stable platform like an airliner in smooth air, it *should* be closer to "on rails".

My only real experience of manual flight is after disengaging the autopilot and autothrottle at around 1500 feet on final approach. However, my 737-600 is very stable when I do this, and I could virtually let it fly itself down to the runway (with only minimal adjustments required based on any offset). The wind speeds that I use are only 0.5-1.0 metre per second, so it is a quiet environment

12 hours ago, Stearmandriver said:

Do you think so?  I don't, really.  I guess you could say a 15 or 20 degree bank instead of 30?  But yeah, the PMDG aircraft... Wander.  They just don't feel like they exhibit the inherent stability of a transport platform.  They strike me the same as most of the Xplane flight model: like the dev went too far in trying to prove his aircraft don't fly like they're "on rails", as the community used to complain.  The problem with that is, when you're talking about a stable platform like an airliner in smooth air, it *should* be closer to "on rails".

Thanks for this summary. I remember I was watching your stream once, and you explained why you didn't like the XP flight dynamics.  This summary puts it more into perspective, with respect to what you mentioned on the stream that day.

Edited August 14, 2025Aug 14 by abrams_tank

I find the iFly much nicer to hand fly than the PMDG birds, which as pointed out feel unstable even in fairly still air and trimmed out. For this reason the only jet I hand fly much at all is the Fenix, because it doesn’t wander all over the sky. 
 

A desktop sim is never going to be great at replicating hand flying in a large airliner so I usually hit the AP as soon as possible and only punch it out when I’m fully established on the landing. GA is a slightly different ball game but as I can fly a real PA38 I’ve not much interest in doing it in the sim. 

15 hours ago, UrgentSiesta said:

TBH this is exactly why I generally fly freighters or BBJ/ACJ jet if available (and I’ve spent faaar too much time in pax cabins to have any positive associations). I tell that little voice in my head that they can go anywhere at any time. 😁

I bought the 777 freighter in PMDG's recent sale for this exact reason. I'm using DHL Leipzig to East Midlands route while I'm learning how to fly it 🙂

They just posted this on their discord:

 

First, we would like to thank everyone who has participated in this product. This includes customers, moderators, testers, developers, consultants, and anyone else not mentioned. You have really helped the iFly MAX simulation evolve into what we believe is an amazing product! We think that it would be good to give an official update on the development status of the iFly MAX. This will help answer some recurring questions, and also let our users know what plans are going forward. Important disclaimer: These are current plans, and they are not being advertised as current or future sales features. The information here is subject to change. Also, none of this is in beta testing. We cannot say when SP1 or follow on products will be released, except we are quite certain it will not be within the next 3 months (release will be some time after that). Development Items for SP1 (Service Pack 1)

1. All new tablet style EFB (Electronic Flight Bag). See the attached image.,
2. CPDLC via the Hoppie API for services such as VATSIM or IVAO; (BATC and SayIntentions are also being looked into as they utilize the Hoppie API).,
3. Cabin voice announcements (with and without GSX).,
4. MAX8-200 model with additional functioning emergency exits, which are also reflected on the overhead panel.,
5. Visual APU model.,
6. Main wheel well model expansion.,
7. Updated fuselage exterior model with new details, such as added rivets and additional details.,
8. Redrawn cabin material, with additional details,
9. Multiple cabin layouts (166, 178, 189, 197 seats),
10. Updated cockpit materials: more details to differentiate between different material types (see the attached image).,
11. Redrawn landing gear material - closer to the real aircraft.,
12. General bug fixes including LNAV adjustments in some scenarios.,
13. Other tweaks and bug fixes not listed here that may arise prior to SP1.,

Again, we would like to reiterate that the above list of items is not yet in beta testing. However, the items on the list have been in active or pre-development for some time. A further note regarding the iFly MAX product line down the road: SP1 will be the last product development with support for MSFS 2020. The structural differences between MSFS 2020 and 2024 are too vast and extremely time and labor consuming to develop for both. Therefore, the decision has been made to only continue with MSFS 2024 development once SP1 has been released (this does not mean that there might not be small patch updates for the current MAX8 product version after SP1). iFly’s current plan after SP1 in regards to future MAX products:

1. To focus on MSFS 2024 native development only, taking advantage of all new technologies included in MSFS 2024 at that time.,
2. Development of the MAX 9 (MSFS 2024).,
3. Consideration of the MAX 10 and MAX 7 (only upon official certification and placement into service of these types).,

We cannot offer any answers to questions about this announcement at this time, or even consider discussion of upgrades or pricing on future products. SP1 is the key focus right now and we believe that will make iFly MAX virtual pilots quite happy. Sincerely, iFly and Flight1

Yep i stand corrected, they will do the MAX 9. Happy to be wrong in this case 🙂

1 hour ago, Fiorentoni said:

Yep i stand corrected, they will do the MAX 9. Happy to be wrong in this case 🙂

WOW, I was not expecting this announcement.  So happy to hear it!

 A tad disappointing that future development will be for FS2024 only but that is how the world turns.  I own both but currently fly in FS2020 more since its built up and I keep FS2024 in that novelty stage.  Hopefully Asobo gets the few lingering bugs in it worked out.  I actually took a stroll in FS2024 the other day since it had been a while and its looking and working good.  None of those micro stutters on touchdown that has plagued FS2020 from the beginning and I have only been able to iron them out with limited success.  In the Fall or Winter I am planning a new system build and will likely just go with FS2024 at that point.  Like it or not FS2024 is the future!

I am also curious about the PMDG Max project?  My gut is telling me the only thing keeping that project alive was the fact that iFly was only doing the Max 8 variant.  Now that iFly has announced the 9 and the others if they are built it puts more pressure on PMDG to either release soon or not release it at all.  Its my understanding the PMDG Max project has been off and on since P3D.