1 hour ago, ryanbatc said:

Airbus appears to be all about efficiency.  Boeing probably is too but I've found that the Airbus is mostly just like programming stuff to make it fly where you want.  The Boeing seems a little more hands on.

I've heard people make this kind of comment before, and I'm never quite clear on what they're referring to, so I'd be genuinely interested if you could elaborate.

I've flown both the 737 and the A320 pretty extensively in the sim, and it always seemed to me that the level of automation in the FMS, in terms of "programming stuff to make it fly where you want", is pretty similar in the two aircraft. The presentation is different, to be sure - when I first got into Airbus many years ago, it seemed very alien coming from the Boeings I was used to. But the actual functionality seems very similar. Is there anything particular in terms of flight guidance that you're thinking of that's more automated in the Airbus?

Given that you're talking about "programming stuff", I assume that you're not referring to the overhead? The 737 does of course have more switch flipping there (pneumatics panel, I'm looking at you).

But in the end, flying both aircraft feels pretty similar to me: Program the FMS and hit go. Curious to hear your take!

8 minutes ago, martinboehme said:

I've heard people make this kind of comment before, and I'm never quite clear on what they're referring to, so I'd be genuinely interested if you could elaborate.

I've flown both the 737 and the A320 pretty extensively in the sim,

Did you practice emergencies in both? How many ECAMS message you get in Airbus and how many EICAS in Boeing?

I ended up picking up the FS2024 PMDG 737-800 for the upgrade price of $30 the other day despite not really wanting to do it.  I attempted to port my FS2020 into FS2024 with mixed results but no matter what I did it was pretty unstable.  Really wanting to do some real world 737 routes and pretty much 100% now in FS2024 plus being bored over the holidays I decided to give it a shot.  The $30 upgrade price is more than I think they should be charging but my real issue is not so much the upgrade fee but the lack of anything that makes me want it really bad.  Everyone has different desires but I would have jumped on it in a hot minute of PMDG would have simply included a non winglet model and real brow windows or not.  It would have made me feel really good that its a complete 737NG product but its pretty obvious PMDG can't be bothered to do it (and this is the problem)!

I only did one flight in the 737-800 from SEA to CUN and my results are mixed.  The cockpit textures and detail seemed a few levels higher it detail and I welcomed the change but its not exactly what some others are now doing these days.  You have to look pretty hard but the exterior textures especially the wings look a lot better and the slats now have a deep chrome looking look that I think is improved.  As for everything else like programming a flight into the FMC its pretty much 100% the same as it was before.  I tend to be your "lazy man" flight simulator enthusiast and I don't mind the simplicity and it all worked well for me.  Flight model seems a little improved and it felt a little heavier than the FS2020 model as far as movement.  Interestingly despite being right at MTOW with a full load of people it climbed to altitude better and I think more realistic than the FS2020 model.  For some reason my PMDG 737-800 in FS2020 was the most gutless of the bunch.  Even the 900 non ER felt like it had more power than the FS2020 737-800.  PMDG must have selected the weakest engines for the FS2020 model.

One thing that really bothered me is the failures in FS2024.  Some people like this kind of stuff but for me I just assume turn it off.  I think I might have turned it off but I am not 100% sure and will find out next flying opportunity?  It would not be so bad if it was realistic but in my brief experience its everything but realistic.  When I took off out of SEA despite having a normal takeoff and climb out roll it indicated that I had a tire failure and landing gear failure.  I was like "OKAY" whatever and continued my flight.  When on final into CUN and lowered my landing gear it popped up and said I had a landing gear failure even though I had 3 green.  I touched down and rolled out normally but I quickly learned that I could not steer the airplane.  At this time I would not bother having such an annoying feature if it can't be implemented properly.  If I had something like a random landing gear failure and one of the gears refused to retract than I have a real emergency but I don't think this is yet possible in the sim. 

Overall I feel $30 was a bit steep for the upgrade and I can careless for the extra bling in the cabin area.  I do believe PMDG will continue to work on it and make it better but I just wish they would listen to the community.  I hate to sound like a broken record but this no "non winglet" model thing is very annoying.  I don't think any other developer is doing that with the exception of FSS and its hushkit only nozzles on the 727-200 but they have acknowledged that at some point the non hushkit model will be back so they say!  

Also I wish PMDG would just be more realistic and honest with its MAX plans.  I personally don't think we will ever see the MAX from them.  Maybe it was possible a few years ago when it was said that it was basically done and supposed to drop during the 777 cycle but I bet the model they have now is so outdated it won't be released because of that.  Latest mention is the MAX will come when the 747's are done but that is a long ways away.  By then they will have moved on to a much bigger development idea.         

              

My PMDG experience so far has nothing of the OP's listed items. All of it is great. They have been a solid product since FS9 for me. I never communicate with the company. I never need to. Nor do I care about any of the customer bed-wetting leading up to the release of this product in 2024.

1 hour ago, sd_flyer said:

Did you practice emergencies in both? How many ECAMS message you get in Airbus and how many EICAS in Boeing?

I realize emergencies work differently in the two aircraft, but when @ryanbatc writes "programming stuff to make it fly where you want", that doesn't sound to me as if it's referring to emergencies. That sounds as if it's about "the FMS bits", hence my question.

I bought it and other than the couple of annoying sounds its good. My go to plane. People keep comparing it to the Fenix but many of us don't own that because the FBW is good enough for our needs. People complain about the price but buy the plane anyway so the price was just right.

5 hours ago, Pilot53 said:

nd you still cant even set the fuel or pax load with it on the 737.

What are you talking about? Of course you can!

2 hours ago, Farlis said:

What are you talking about? Of course you can!

Not through the tablet which is what i was referring to 

14 minutes ago, Pilot53 said:

Not through the tablet which is what i was referring to 

You can under weight and balance 

10 hours ago, ryanbatc said:

I still prefer the 737 FMS... it seems to make more sense to me.

Hi Ryan:

Now that you are bit of an airliner fan....🙂..., have you looked into the FMS (and CDU) of the A350 e.g. in the (available) iniBuilds version of it...? It will change your perspective that we, simmers, have come to know of the FMS in our (virtual) Boeing and Airbus jets...

Quite a different presentation style than the conventional LSK/RSK based input system. I found it so refreshing and novel...things are changing for sure in these ultra-modern airliners of today...

32 minutes ago, carlanthony24 said:

You can under weight and balance 

on the tablet? Does it also set it in the aircraft?

  

 

Edited January 2Jan 2 by Tuskin38

12 minutes ago, Tuskin38 said:

on the tablet? Does it also set it in the aircraft?

Yes, I'm currently using it because GSX doesn't load the 2024 aircraft when boarding (unless I'm doing something wrong).

You can load manually or 'Import from Simbrief'

13 minutes ago, flyingscampi said:

Yes, I'm currently using it because GSX doesn't load the 2024 aircraft when boarding

I believe PMDG dropped GSX support.

I don't have the 2024 737 (yet), but I recall that being mentioned on the forums as something they were doing.

Edited January 2Jan 2 by Tuskin38

12 minutes ago, Tuskin38 said:

I believe PMDG dropped GSX support.

That will explain it.

You can still get GSX to animate the boarding of PAX and baggage (not fuel), but you have to set the payload manually via FMC or tablet.

It's a shame because the FSL A321 adds immersion with its tight GSX integration.

What they don´t solve it is the always gears out in their all online models, after 4 years..., like no other "study level" or not, developer.

Edited January 2Jan 2 by peloto