No doubt about it that PMDG’s three product lines (the DC-6, 737NG and 777) are well regarded and have attracted plenty of attention from Microsoft Flight Simulator fans and so any news about these products for the 2020 edition of the sim as well as MSFS 2024 are going to be scrutinized closely. We have a new status update from PMDG’s Robert S. Randazzo on projects currently in the works and a few teases on future.

Near term updates

Robert’s update breaks things down into a before MSFS 2024 and after MSFS 2024 pattern. One of the big updates coming soon is some updates for the 737NG line with tablet functionality from the 777 coming over to the 737s. They will also be inheriting the nav data format developed for the 777. One of the benefits will be the ability to update nav data via the tablet like you can in the 777. This update is aiming to release during the back half of October.

Also coming later in October is the 777F and a larger update for the 777-300ER. The former will be the release of the freighter variant of the 777 while the later will be an update aimed at fixes for already released airliner. For Xbox users, a Marketplace package with some additional liveries is in the process of being added too.

After MSFS 2024

The big question mark hanging over everything right now is how our favourite aircraft (and scenery for that matter) make the jump to the new sim. While Asobo maintains that nearly everything should translate over to the new sim without trouble (something reiterated this week), I know many of us are still a little anxious to see that actually happen.

PMDG report that they aren’t yet setup on the new platform, however, they anticipate that they may need to make updates to their three product lines.

Once MSFS24 and the associated SDK is in our hands, this work will begin in earnest- as we want you to be flying within the sim with your favorite aircraft just as quickly as possible.

They also attempt to offer an answer on what will be needed to add some of the new gameplay functionality such as walk around inspections of aircraft or aircraft integration with career mode. The report is that they will need to get access first and then see what it will take to add these features in.

I know some of my readers are most anxious to know what PMDG’s policy will be regarding updates. Are we going to have to purchase aircraft in full again? Or a smaller upgrade price? I don’t think that’s the direction they are going but I don’t think they’ve said either way so we just don’t know yet.

Future products are in the works from the company as well. The nearest term release appears to be the 777-200LR with a projected release date for the end of 2024. The 200LR may be affected by needs to upgrade their other products to 2024 standard so I think they may be hedging bets a bit here. They also intend to offer the 777-200ER which is further out and affected similarly by the need to upgrade their other aircraft.

Further into the future plus product teases

We also get a rare look at some future development priorities. Let’s start with the 747 which we’ve known about for quite some time. It’s been in development since January and reportedly the model is benefiting from modern scanning methods (using drones no less) to get the shapes of the aircraft just right.

They say that they hope to have the 747 (I think we’re presuming this is a 747-400 right now) flying in development soon. The release for it will be considerably further on down the line but its still good to see development progress.

The 737MAX project got a mention with a lengthy set of reasons why the product has now been delayed further. They report that their Enterprise Division is working on a product right now for a company and they need to move resources to that. One wonders too if they are reevaluating launching into the market with this aircraft when both Asobo themselves are offering a 737MAX as part of MSFS 2024 and iFly look set to launch their MAX 8 soon (Stormbirds reporting coming soon!).

There’s also a tease on another product in development with just the altimeter to go by. I and several others were wondering if PMDG might be doing the Beechcraft 1900 (something the team did a long time ago) but this altimeter is apparently one commonly found on the classic 747-200. We’ll have to wait and see.

One last tease talks about how success in their Enterprise Division may have potential for a “BIG X FACTOR” in a project they want to do after the 747. Most are guessing this is a 777X.

I think that’s the summary but if you want to read the full thing here you can too!