HIer wat nieuws van PMDG B737 700 en 800/900:
Captains-
Now that we have officially moved the PMDG 737-800/900 into beta testing, I thought I'd give you an overview of a few topics that are of interest!
First- the normal words of caution regarding the fact that our beta team is showing you BETA IMAGES. We have many many fixes underway so please do not waste your time pulling your hair out over minor color variations etc. I'm about half way through yet another 2D panel artwork update- so what you are seeing now is not what you'll be getting anyway.
Following is a non-conclusive list of items we've put into this airplane:
MODELS:
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1) 3 new external models: 737-800, 737-800 with winglets, and 737-900
2) 2 new models with appropriate Virtual Cabins (for those with Active Camera)
3) VC streamlined: Less texture overhead and nearly 12000 fewer polygons for improved Frame rates.
4) Clickable Overhead Panel in VC of 8/900
5) throttles, flap handle, gear handle are now "grabbable"
5) VC now shows rain on the windshield
6) enhanced 3D model of airplane. many model/texture improvements
7) Added a "DOME LIGHT" to VC to prevent MSFS induced gray out from poor ambient lighting (must turn it on tho!)

Improved night lighting capability in VC to model no lights, panel backlights and dome lighting.
SYSTEMS:
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1) implemented 800/900 specific aircraft systems such as pneumatics differences.
2) Tweaked and improved aircraft systems to improve some performance a bit.
3) Dramatically improved loading of panel.cfgs to add stability/improve FPS.
4) Fixed/Update various minor systems inaccuracies.
MANUALS:
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1) New version includes 8/900 data and differences, as well as updated FMC procedures.
MENUS:
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1) Significant changes to PMDG/STYLES menu to make it easier to use.
2) Added many new features and options to enhance customization of airplane.
3) Added Airline Style selection menu to allow users to select cockpit style of their favorite airline.
DISPLAYS/GAUGES:
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1) Added TCAS2 (In collaboration with Lee Hetherington: See notes below!)
2) Added optional EFIS/MAP modes for gauges display.
3) Added lower Display Unit capability and SYS/ENG functionality
4) Optimized many routines to improve performance in 2D and VC modes.
5) Replaced radio console with more airplane appropriate version.
6) Added Audio Panel functionality to radio console.
7) Added realistic "selection switch" to radio console

Updated overhead panel to make it "undockable" for users of multiple monitors.
9) Added pushback capability/compatibility
FMC/CDU:
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1) Added Soft Constraints.
2) Offset routes
3) departure arrivals
4) opt max alt calculations for realistic altitude predictions.
5) cost index functionality based upon actual airplane.
6) new cdu with annunciators (Offset/Message, etc.)
7) was impossible to select a fix if a navaid with same id exists...now fixed.

thrust mode annunciation when engaging AP
9) possible to set speed constraint as low as runway speed on faf
10) Enhanced Great Circle Route operation/display
11) Improved display of megenta line/aircraft position.
12) Removed "black border" around FMC.CDU popup.
13) Enhanced route prediction/AFDS tracking to eliminate "gap" between airplane/predicted route.
14) Speed/Altitude Intervention added to MCP
ART:
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1) Replaced Main Panel artwork to enhance depth of image and add photo-based textures to 2D panels
2) Updated 2D panel night lighting to reduce "orange glow" in favor of more realistic/useful lighting
This list is not conclusive by any means- as there are easily a few dozen other fixes that we have made along the way just to generally improve the simulation of the 737.
A few items of interest that we want you to be aware of:
INERTIAL REFERENCE SYSTEM:
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We are aware that a core group of you are interested in seeing IRS functionality added to the airplane. We are VERY interested in adding this functionality. We have run into some hurdles with it's development that have brought into question whether or not we will complete and install an IRS for this version. I am not able to go into details on the topic other than to say the following: We're trying and we'll keep you posted. If we can: We Will. If we can't: We'll try really hard before giving in.
ACARS:
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I saw a post stating that ACARS is not something that can be realistically modeled in the sim world. Stay tuned. As many of you know, one of our primary goals is to help sim users learn how we operate airliners in the real world and ACARS/AFIS is a big part of that process. Expect a big announcement on this topic in the future.
RADAR/GROUND MAPPING:
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We do not currently have the programming assets to add weather radar/ground mapping modes to the present workload. These two items are certainly not near term additions to any PMDG product- although they are certainly points of interest for us.
FS2002:
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A few months ago we found that our efforts to ensure FS2002 compatibility with the PMDG 747-400 were going to hinder development singificantly. For that reason, the decision was made to develope the 747 for Flight Simulator 9 ONLY.
As we have begun the process of integrating the 8/900, we are finding that more and more of the high end functionality we are adding to the airplane simply will not work within FS2002 without also "watering down" the functionality of the FS9 version. As an example, some of the new features added to the Virtual Cockpit make the visual models completely incompatible with FS2002. Many of the new routines that we are using to power the logic systems in the airplane will only work within FS2002 if we diminish their capabilities in FS9 or write extremely complicated routines to eliminate functionality when running under FS2002.
As we began working through solutions it became clear that we could not find solutions for these problems without seriously impacting product quality for BOTH FS9 and FS2002 users.
For this reason, the PMDG 737-800/900 will be released as a Flight Simulator 9 product and compatibility with Flight Simulator 2002 is not anticipated.
PRICING:
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Pricing for the PMDG 737-800/900 has not been finalized.
To use the PMDG 737-800/900 you will be required to have a purchased/identifiable version of the PMDG 737-600/700 installed in your Flight Simulator 9 setup.
As promised back in August, we will release the product under a special pricing program for PMDG customers! Under this program, you will be able to purchase the PMDG 737-800/900 for a discounted price for a LIMITED period of 14 days from it's initial release. Upon expiration of the 14 days, we will return the pricing to it's normal level. (So don't wander off! We will make NO exceptions to the 14 day rule!)
We do not anticipate discounts for bundled purchase of the 737-600/700 and the 800/900.
RELEASE DATES:
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As all know by now, PMDG does not predict release dates for products currently in development. We do, however, tell you what stage of development the product is in. Currently we are preparing our beta cycle for yet another round to include some major/minor updates that we have made since putting the airplane into initial beta testing last week. This is a very mature beta test process, as we had a very long Alpha process internally so we are looking forward to a shorter beta test period than some other products we have brought to market!
Thanks for your attention!
Robert S. Randazzo
Precision Manuals Development Group
www.precisionmanuals.com