Flightsim Phil

When you are on the Doors page of the FMC, hit the "Next Page" button. The cargo doors are on Page 2....Phil

I don't use the iFly 737, so please don't start with the flaming responses, but I noticed this online and I must admit I thought it was pretty cool.....http://www.flight1.com/products.asp?product=FL1-IFE-001A special edition of the software geared for home cockpit builders.... I suspect that once the SDK comes out for the PMDG NGX, there will be alot more hardware compatibilty, but I would love to see PMDG do something like this too... I think the 737 is the most popular choice for home cockpit builders and I believe that PMDG's product is the premier version for the FSX. From what I saw, the iFly "Pro" edition makes it really easy to set up multiple windows on networked computers and to interface with most of the popular hardware options (VRInsight, Engravity, etc...).Food for thought PMDG....Phil

PMDG swag!!! Bring it on!! That is an excellent suggestion.....I know alot of companies use Cafepress for this kinda stuff....Put me down for a t-shirt and a coffee mug!!!Phil

If you can build me a Flightdeck Solutions overhead panel that will work with the NGX for less than the cost of the VR Insight unit, I will wire you the money this afternoon!!!Phil

Has anybody seen this yet???http://www.simw.com/hardware/v737-overhead.htmlLooks awesome!!! Could be the belated Christmas present I need to buy myself! Need that SDK though PMDG!! Let's hope the lawyers work this out soon....Phil

I guess I'm a little late to the party here, but thanks again to Robert for an excellent, well written, and totally depressing assessment of what we all feared would be the case with MS Flight. Makes sense given the reasons they dropped Flightsim from further development a few years ago. Business is business and they make tons of $$ from console games..... While I anxiously await the arrival of the PMDG 777, its pains me to know that we are really pushing the limits of what is possible given the software limitations of FSX..... Maybe the entire add-on software community will ultimately choose to port their products to something else, whether it's XPlane or something similar so that we can finally take advantage of the numerous hardware upgrades in CPU's and video cards that are available today.Phil

+1

I have no interest in debating the validity of my "claims" since I don't think that is what this venue is for. While I agree with you that personal attacks are easy (and often enjoyable), the point I was hoping to make was that, as stated previously in this thread, anyone with a bad word or a word in anger about PMDG seems to be labelled a "whiner". I bought the product, I use it and I enjoy it. I agree with you... the SDK will come out eventually once it's out of legal limbo. Enough said....Phil"The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers." -William ShakespeareHenry VI (Part 2) - Act IV Scene II

Trevor:The posts in this forum which promised what I have referenced are long since gone.... since this isn't a "legal level" conversation (sorry, no fees on this one counselor) I wasn't planning on having to provide exhibits. That said, we know what was promised. That's why the ######ing and moaning exists. People are asking for what was promised, not simply making things up for no good reason. Can't you just feel the love in this forum???? :)Phil

Excellent response.....As many people as there are that are upset over the "SDK" issue, there are as many if not more &@($*-kissing sycophants. As a response to the gentlemen above who indicated that PMDG's only responsibility was to deliver the NGX, I think you need to re-take the bar exam. PMDG stated many times in many pre-release items that the NGX would specifically allow third party developers and home cockpit builders to make use of this package and that it would intereface with most "popular" hardware out today. That requires the release of an SDK. I don't want to get into a debate about how many purchasers that may be an issue for.... the point is that it was promised as part of the purchase many times.I do believe the SDK will be released. I'm not pleased with the wait but I know it's in PMDG's best interest to get it out there.... it would only serve to increase sales for them.My problem is with the lack of communication. How about an New Years update from Robert?Phil

I think that's a very valid point.... I suspect there may in fact be a number of people who have put off purchasing the NGX until the SDK is out and there are drivers available for the various hardware configurations that they may have or software that they wish to use in conjunction with the NGX. I do believe it is in PMDG's interest to release the SDK as that certainly would create an opportunity for additional sales. I do find it odd that it has taken this long.... I don't recall this being an issue with other PMDG products.What was it again that Shakespeare said about lawyers??? I don't recall that it was very complimentary...Phil

Paul:Do you mind letting us know exactly where you took the sim ride?? I travel down to southern Florida quite a bit on business and might be interested in taking a Level D ride one of these trips!!Thanks,Phil

"This weekend I will update this post with a list of items that we have currently corrected in SP1. It is around 150+ specific items and another 50 or so that are non-specific fixes. (I'll explain what I mean by that in the update.)" Did I miss that or are we still waiting on that?? Phil

Tick..... tick..... tick..... tick....... Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? Anyone?

This question is not necessarily specific to the NGX...... I typically use FSBuild or Fltplan.com to plan flights and I fly almost exclusively in the continental US. The approach to many US airports (MCO, DFW, ATL etc...) have variations such as crossing restrictions, speed, etc. depending on which runway you are landing on (e.g. north vs. south landing). My experience with FSX is that I typically pick up the ATIS anywhere from 60-80 miles from the airport. This distance is way too close to program the correct approach procedure into the FMC. Many times I end up with the message "DESCENT PATH UNABLE" because I am way too high for the approach once I enter the runway in use based on the ATIS. In the real world pilots know which runway to expect hundreds of miles out (unless winds change at the last minute) so it is easy for them to program the approach and ILS in advance and have no VNAV or descent-related issues. Any suggestions/advice would be appreciated. I'm tired of having to enter a holding pattern in order to reduce altitude on approach.... Phil

Great job Tom!! Looking forward to the next segment. Phil

I've been flying the 737 NGX for about a week now using only the 2D panels (which I prefer). I have a couple of questions that I have not been able to figure out: How do you activate/view the F/O CDU in 2D?? Can you only view it with the v/c? Similar issue.... can you access the F/O panel in 2D or only with the v/c? Thanks!! Phil

I think alot of posters to this thread are missing the point..... this is not a debate about VC vs. 2D panels and which is better or the "way of the future"....... it's about representations and promises. It was represented by PMDG that this product would have a fully functional set of 2D panels. In my mind (and apparently the mind of most 2D panel users) that would include a 2D throttle panel or at a minimum a panel that included access to the parking brake, trim and engine start functions. Is it a big deal to set up a VC view of the throttle quadrant to access those functions?? Not really.... BUT THAT IS NOT THE POINT! PMDG did not not state that this product would include a fully functional set of 2D panels "except the throttle quadrant".... for those who fly with the 2D panels and bought this product on the assumption that a 2D throttle panel like the one included in the previous 737 product would be available, it's my opinion that PMDG messed up. Robert's comment earlier in this thread that 2D panels may not be included at all in the future is not an appropriate answer for this issue..... and the excuse that animation issues were at the core of why a 2D throttle panel wasn't created comes across (to me) as a lame excuse. We all waited a long time for this product. PMDG was able to create a very usable 2D throttle panel many years ago when they released the previous 737 product. I would have been happy to wait longer for this product if it included a complete set of 2D panels.... as promised by the developers. This is a great, great product. It is obvious to any user how much work went into the details of it's construction. Postings that discuss purchasing IR Tracker and other hardware or software clearly miss the point here. We are just asking for what was promised...... nothing more. If PMDG wants to develop future products that are strictly based on VC cockpits and they represent the product as such, it will be up to us individually to decide if we want to buy it. Phil

Can anyone from PMDG comment on whether or not the new 737 NGX software will be compatible with the new VR Insight MCP Combo II??http://www.vrinsight.com/public_html/index.php?module=Board&action=SiteBoard_1&iBrdNo=30&sMode=SELECT_FORMThanks!Phil

I predict September-October release..... any thoughts?PhilBTW, notice I didn't indicate a year! (JK...... easy guys!)

Gentlemen:I currently use the PMDG MD-11 and 747, both under FS-X, and I am planning on purchasing a new video card for my Windows 7 PC. My choices are an nVidia GTX285 or ATI Radeon HD5870 card and I was hoping that some of you out there could share your thoughts on one verus the other as these two seem to be the flavors of the moment...Thanks!Phil

I purchased a copy of the MD-11 for FS-2004 when it came out. I recently built a new PC with FS-X and I would like to upgrade the MD-11 to the FS-X version.... is there an upgrade path or do I have to purchase the full retail FS-X version?Phil R.

Jay:Finally completed the EGLL-KLAX flight late last night... again, no problems at all. I used the "instant replay" feature quite a bit at the end and alot of "ALT-TAB" and I could not reproduce any of the previous problems. Tonight's assignment is: install and configure nHancer and another flight (probably KLAX-KJFK) and see how it goes...You da man!!Phil

Thanks again Jay for your diligence in coming up with this solution in the first place. If things work out (based on some add'l testing) I plan on buying the MD-11 for FS-X too.... B) BTW, which version of nHancer are you using with the 182.50 drivers??Phil R.

Jay:I re-installed 747-X and haven't installed nHancer yet.... I enabled AA & AF in FS-X. After taking off from Heathrow on my way to KLAX, I am halfway across the ocean and I'm happy to report everything is going great!! I've been "alt-tab"-ing every few minutes, changing views (spot, flyby, vc, etc...) and going in and out of the FS menu with absolutely no problems. I have frame rates set to 26 and it is as smooth as can be.... no stuttering, missing textures, corrupt display.... Assuming I can complete the flight with no problems, I will probably attempt to install nHancer, configure it per NickN's instructions, and go at it again. So the big change for me so far has been: 1) go back to the 182.50 drivers 2) reduce sound quality to 16 bit/8000hz 3) configure AF & AA through FS-X, not nHancer. The result so far has been smooth flying, no graphics issues, and no real difference in sound quality (then again I did listen to alot of loud music over the past 20 years and my hearing isn't the best!).I will report if anything changes....Phil R.