The (PMDG) Boeing 737-900 variant (the native MSFS2024 version) was released a week ago, and PMDG followed suit quickly enough to make this 739 also available in the Marketplace, within a week of the initial release, for the Xbox kids...🙂...After been away for a few days, I returned today to Chicago to a bright and sunny day, topped by a clear, cloudless, and blue sky overhead. The temperatures hovered around mid 40s, but I noticed that all the snow that had persisted on the ground for several weeks, due to the bitter cold temperatures, have now completely disappeared. Still, many suburban (and local) lakes and ponds seem to have ice on them, partially frozen over on the surface. Anyway, it feels like the winter is (hopefully) coming to an end...🙂...

To celebrate the welcome change in the weather outlook, I picked up this 737-900 from the Marketplace today, and put it to use right away, for a cross-country test flight, from Chicago/KORD to Los Angeles/KLAX. The a/c felt a bit novel because I have not flown the 737-900 variant since my FSX (PMDG/iFly) days. 

The 737-900 and 737-900ER are the longest aircraft in the 737 (NG) family. While both share same fuselage length, the 737-900ER is considered the higher-capacity, more capable version with extra exits doors. The 737-900ER comes with a high-density configuration option that is designed to maximize passenger capacity, typically accommodating up to 215 to 220 passengers in a single-class layout (see shot #2, below). In addition, an auxiliary (Aux) tank can be configured on the B737-900ER as an optional, removable fuel tank, installed in the aft lower cargo compartment to increase the aircraft's range. 

I've chosen here the 900-ER high-density variant for my flight.

On this Test Flight (KORD->KLAX), I am flying cross-country, westward, across the midwestern plains (see EFB Map), then up and over the snow-laden mountains of the Rockies, to finally land on the ILS Runway (06R) of Los Angeles Airport. In the cruise phase, I've tested 4x sim rate which worked well. In summary, except for just one transient "memory" degradation pop-up message after touchdown (that didn't persist nor caused any issue), the entire flight was a flawless experience from takeoff to touchdown... (at least, within the domain of my knowledge). This 739 is indeed a nice a/c to fly.

Hope you enjoy this collection of images of the 737-900ER, in the colors of Delta Airlines, that is a major operator of the -900ER variant, with nearly 160 units in active service.

Thanks for viewing and happy flying...!

Fine set, seems now slowly 2024 gets more and more working Developer planes and thats a good sign..

Is this with the new SU5 beta ?

cheers 😉

Edited February 14Feb 14 by pmplayer

Great shots! I just bought the 737 800 flying from Seattle to Anchorage right now in Alaska livery. 

Darn I got within an hour of Anchorage and was told to lower to 5,000 ft. I hit the vertical speed button and got a crash to desktop. I also noticed pauses when near the ground while panning around the cockpit I might have to lower my settings when I fly this plane.

9 hours ago, pmplayer said:

Fine set, seems now slowly 2024 gets more and more working Developer planes and thats a good sign..

Is this with the new SU5 beta ?

cheers 😉

Thank you.

No, pmplayer, this is just SU4 (not with SU5 beta).

Even though I'm on Xbox, I know I can participate in the SU5 beta, but, generally, I do not wish to stress out my (humble) Xbox with new things that are not stable nor field-tested already...🙂...

3 hours ago, Todd2 said:

Great shots! I just bought the 737 800 flying from Seattle to Anchorage right now in Alaska livery. 

Thanks, Todd.

Glad you liked the images of this 737-900, and also for going ahead and buying the 738, which is the most universally known 737 NG.

1 hour ago, Todd2 said:

Darn I got within an hour of Anchorage and was told to lower to 5,000 ft. I hit the vertical speed button and got a crash to desktop. I also noticed pauses when near the ground while panning around the cockpit I might have to lower my settings when I fly this plane.

Oh...that's a bummer...

BTW, there are (lately) a couple of incidences and reports of crashes with the 738, in the MSFS2024 Forum, by members here. There is also a discussion in the PMDG Forum about it, I understand.

Did your avionics freeze with no response, or you got the (dreaded) orange WASM screens?

2 hours ago, Todd2 said:

Darn I got within an hour of Anchorage and was told to lower to 5,000 ft. I hit the vertical speed button and got a crash to desktop. I also noticed pauses when near the ground while panning around the cockpit I might have to lower my settings when I fly this plane.

I don`t belive this has to do with lower your settings, i assume something other was the culperit, are you on the new beta, ( SU5 ) if it is so maybe that causes this Issue ?

Normaly PMDG Planes are not that heavy in performance, at least on my PC System..

cheers 😉

Edited February 14Feb 14 by pmplayer

6 minutes ago, pmplayer said:

Normaly PMDG Planes are not that heavy in performance, at least on my PC System..

Yes, absolutely, I would tend to agree with this assertion. I've been flying the PMDG 737 and the 777 on my Xbox for a few years now, and they are amazingly smooth and fluid even on my Xbox system. Quite remarkable, actually, if you ask me...

I'm not sure if on the PC, you're automatically enrolled into the beta or not. I thought you've to specifically click and select something somewhere to join.

In the Xbox, I know I need to do a couple of extra steps to join beta.

12 minutes ago, P_7878 said:

Yes, absolutely, I would tend to agree with this assertion. I've been flying the PMDG 737 and the 777 on my Xbox for a few years now, and they are amazingly smooth and fluid even on my Xbox system. Quite remarkable, actually, if you ask me...

I'm not sure if on the PC, you're automatically enrolled into the beta or not. I thought you've to specifically click and select something somewhere to join.

In the Xbox, I know I need to do a couple of extra steps to join beta.

Just for clear, i am only asking for the beta but i never would voluntarily go on a beta - i dont like that, sorry 🫢

cheers 😉

54 minutes ago, pmplayer said:

Just for clear, i am only asking for the beta but i never would voluntarily go on a beta - i dont like that, sorry 🫢

cheers 😉

Understood.

Let’s see if Todd has opted to join in the SU5 beta, hopefully not…

Nice flight with the 737-900, that is a long corridor! 😄

Yes Im on the beta. Started it again and the system crashed when I was at the gate. I'm going to try lowering settings a little first. 

I see…Can you test the 738 with SU4, Todd?

I have been flying the 736, the 777, and now the 739, all in SU4 on Xbox; not a single crash or/and WASM error, encountered so far…

Knock on wood…🙂…

54 minutes ago, fscabral said:

Nice flight with the 737-900, that is a long corridor! 😄

Yes, that’s what it is…a long corridor…

Gives new meaning to flying in the Sardine class…🙂…