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The 787 does have extra features such as dropping ailerons, automatic spoiler, and a few more, but the HGS system is pretty clse to the NGX I believe. Nevertheless, the 787 is almost a definite thing, seeing as the 747-8 simulation's GEnx-2b's are SO close to the GEnx-1B on the 787.

For the record I wasn't complaining; the 747 is my favorite too, and it pains me flying the -400X after having the NGX and 777X and seeing how old and un-state-of-the-art it is. I'm looking forward to flying it all over no doubt, but I was making an argument in favor of the 757/767...

Its funny that a major factor in not making a 757/767 is that they claim these planes are being retired from service and will be gone soon when if anything the 747-400 is the plane that's being let go of rapidly. The 757/767 will be around a lot longer than the 747-400 I reckon . Most airlines are dumping the -400, with JAL and ANA having dumped theirs, Air France's will be gone in 2016, United and Delta likely by 2019, Qantas this year (save the ER till '18), Cathay Pacific this year, Asiana this year, and Air New Zealand this year. If the schedule for the 747v2 is the same as the NGX and 777 (Aug 2011, Aug 2013) and we see it in August 2015, very few airlines will still have them in service, and the -8 will be limited to 4 carriers: Lufthansa, Korean, Arik, and Transaero.

I agree. I do hope they make a very nice simulation, at least as good as the PMDG MD-11.

Here is Boeing's latest video about the MAX, showing the development of their pre-production simulator. You can see some GUI renditions of the new flight deck, looks very 787 like. Its now gone to the small gear switch. http://www.boeing.com/boeing/Features/2014/06/bca_737max_ecab_06_25_14.page

Its a fuselage + hump stretch, all-new wings, GEnx-2b engines, updated avionics, some fly-by-wire things, increased range.

My concern is the next generation of the 787 Dreamliner, what is it going to be? They skipped -100,-200,-300,-400,-500,-600, and -700, is it going to be a -11? Same goes for the third generation 777, which I am predicting right now. It seems as though aviation is really obsessed with the letter X right now. Boeing 777X, Boeing 737 MAX, Airbus A350 XWB, Dassault Falcon 7X, back in the day there was an MD-11X, the 747-X which included the -500, -600, and the -700 (which would have killed the A380). They'll outgrow that letter soon.

I think there are two main reasons that Boeing built the 747-8. One is that they have the extra cash from their 777 success to negate any losses incurred, and thus building it and hoping they get more than 120 orders might have been worth it. The other reason, and perhaps most important, is for the Air Force One contract. The Air Force is going to replace the VC-25s (which are essentially 747-200B's), and the 747 is the most majestic plane for any head of state to have. With this contract, and the possibility of replacing the Boeing E-4 doomsday' fleet, it was smarter to bring the project forward to have a fully designed and tested platform for the President, and incur less of a loss than if the 747-8 was specifically designed and built in the single digits for said contract. I think the President's planes will be the last 747s ever built.

Seeing as once the 777-300ER comes out, the 747-400v2 is the next all-new product that we'll be getting from PMDG, unless the DC-6 busts out ahead. I've been wondering if PMDG will model the Domestic -400D, the combi -400M, and the Qantas -400ER models along with the standard -400 and the -8. Any thoughts?

Don't assume that the C-17 doesn't carry passengers either, here's paratroopers. It also does movements of personnel between stations of deployment. [DISCLAIMER: I don't want PMDG to make a C-17 because I want airliners which are of use to us so don't get mad at me for stirring up the pot. Its all in good spirit!]

Don't forget, other nations use the C-17, such as the RAF, India, Qatar, Canada, UAE, so I don't think the United States DoD is too wary of performance figures getting out, since they're already out. That being said, PMDG aren't going to do it, but if you wanted to assemble a group of programmers and had some free evenings...

I like flying the 737 around domestic routes in the United States, usually in Orbx scenery regions because you know, default scenery sucks. I fly the 777 across country and to Hawaii, but I surprisingly haven't done an international 777 flight, although I have planned to on many occasions. I like the long distance flight in the A2A Stratocruiser as well, although it discourages me with a 12-hour block of time where I can't use the computer for anything else. Lately, I've been hopping back and forth across the Atlantic in the Concorde, mainly because its both an international transoceanic flight, and it only takes 3 hours 20 minutes.

Anything is possible, but not plausible. Flight Sim Labs, who did the Concorde X, which is an excellent simulation, are nearing completion of their A320-X for FSX. From what I understand, the owner once was a PMDG guy, until forming his own operation. Their product will likely be a PMDG quality Airbus simulation. If their Concorde, which came out 4+ years ago, is any indication of the quality they will provide, then it will be a great product. Plus, their forum lists the A320 under 'A3XX master Series', which suggests that they intend to extend into the other Airbus family members. https://www.facebook.com/flightsimlabs

Perhaps you're right. In the real world, somebody could make an STC for split scimitar of their own design and put it on somebody's product. It seems so long as the customer bought the 737 from PMDG, this add-on isn't illegal.. However, the EULA might forbid this action, this is where its legality likely comes into question. I know everybody is supposed to read it before clicking 'yes', but I'm pretty certain not many people actually read these things that we always 'agree' with. I have, however, read the Apple T&C ... it was the middle of the night, in Mexico, no internet, there was a donkey that wouldn't shut up, it was my only form of entertainment...

You know cuz screw logic

Delta's CEO Richard Anderson called the Airbus A380 an uneconomical plane, something only state-run and funded airlines can afford to utilize. The customers of the A380 are, for the most part, such airlines who buy the plane to make less runs, or for the prestige thing. No airline (realistically) would buy a fleet of 120 Airbus A380s like Emirates if they weren't state-run and funded. The Airbus A380 would not have been built if it had not been for both government subsidies for Airbus, and these deep-pocket oil-rich companies like Emirates. The biggest airlines in the world, United, American, Delta, they don't buy the thing because they worry about the economics of operations (so too do ANA and most operators). As such, the Boeing 747-8, although technologically advanced and really cool, has no place with many airlines. It was built in part due to cargo demand, some passenger demand, but most of all because Boeing has the cash to do it from the 777's success. The advantage of two engines versus four is huge, and the 777X meets the requirements of such high capacities (the 777-9X approaching 747-400 capacity). With the simplicity, fleet integration, new ETOPS standards, and efficiency of such a design, the 777X and A350 too are the future. Those airlines searching for the big prestige plane buy the A380 because their governments subsidize it (as do governments to Airbus). The cold, hard fact is that these massive, double-deck airliners are 95% a thing of the past. The mainline operators could use the 747-400 for a lot longer (NW/DL's DC-9-50 last 30-40+ years!), but the cost of the 'D' inspections means once they reach that, they will be retired to either freight service, special ops, museum, or scrap. The A380 will remain for a few decades (albeit a likely unprofitable venture), but the days of the double-decker are few. I'm not happy with this, but its the reality. One more thing, I think another reason Boeing did the 747-8I is for the Air Force One contract. When the VC-25's are retired, I think the last two 747s ever built may very well likely be those of the President of the United States.

Final Round guys, A380 v. 787, lets see what the community thinks... http://public.bracketeers.com/matchup.php?id=2964#

The A380 is definitely ugly. If PMDG were to make any Airbus, I'd like it to be the A340, the best looking of any Airbus IMHO.

There's no reason to post multiple topics. This problem happens with other people too, I'm not B.S.ing you.

Definitely only clicked post once

Alright guys, the third round is online! http://public.bracketeers.com/matchup.php?id=2964#

Alright guys, the third round is online! http://public.bracketeers.com/matchup.php?id=2964#

Alright guys, the third round is online! http://public.bracketeers.com/matchup.php?id=2964#

PMDG already said (somewhere) they wouldn't do the Airbus A320, as FlightSim Labs are currently developing one following their Concorde, and since Lefeteris (insert greek last name) used to be a PMDG guy, its level of accuracy will be pretty high.

Hey everybody, round 2 is now live for the airliner bracket. Some interesting match-ups. http://public.bracketeers.com/matchup.php?id=2964