PMDG has recently published a new development update concerning the status of their product lines for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024, including further information on the upcoming 777-200ER and the 747 Classic project.

The upcoming 777-200ER’s beta testing phase has finally started. The plane will feature all three engine variants (GE, RR, and PW) with their correct performance figures, indications, and sounds. 

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While there is no timeline for the beta testing phase to end, Randazzo suspects they will have a better feel for the qualitative state of the product in the next 7-10 days.

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Like the 777F, the 777-200ER will be available for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 first, with a 2024 version to be released later.

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PMDG has also announced a new Operations Center (3.0), which is currently under beta testing as well and will eventually replace their current Operations Center, sporting a fresh new look, the ability to manage all product installations from within it, update management, rollbacks, and multiple channels (stable, experimental, beta, streamer builds). It will also handle activation and install rights and significantly improve PMDG’s ability to diagnose and resolve any problems that might occur with their products at hand. 

Furthermore, the new Operations Center will eliminate the need for installers, which used to be one of their biggest choke points during product releases.

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It’s scheduled to roll out soon and coexist with 2.0 until they are wholly comfortable with the new methods.

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Regarding the status of the 777’s conversion to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, PMDG has managed to build its lineup inside the new platform with great success, but some stability issues were found that would ultimately break the experience. 

Despite the slightly underwhelming results, PMDG remains optimistic that their “relationship” with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will improve as Asobo updates the platform.

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On the other hand, the DC–6— which they assumed would be an easy conversion—has proven to be one of the trickiest, with numerous problems with the animations (including cockpit controls, levers, buttons, and other items). They have been unable to determine what is causing the problem so far.

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They have reported the issue in Asobo’s dev community forums, but it appears to have not caught their attention yet, and no other developer has encountered anything similar. In light of this, PMDG has provided no ETA for its eventual conversion to the new platform.

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737NG-wise, they have not yet evaluated it in the new platform, as they are using the 777 as a testbed to learn the ropes.

As for the upgrade pricing, PMDG’s position remains the same: while they ideally do not want to charge, they might have to charge depending on the amount of work required (they haven’t fully gauged how much effort will be necessary yet).

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Work on the 747 fleet has been accelerating while everything else remains relatively stagnant due to the compatibility stalemate. Randazzo reiterates that things are still moving, though slowly. 

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While the 747-400 doesn’t have any images yet, they have shared two pictures of the flight deck work on the 747-100, showcasing the newly started labeling work, custom weathering, etc. 

Coding is also progressing nicely, with PMDG taking full advantage of the “stalemate” to move developers on and off the 747.

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PMDG’s product lineup is available on their official website, with prices ranging from $34.99 to $74.99

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