PMDG 747-400

The Boeing 747 is a long-range, wide body commercial passenger jet aircraft. The Boeing 747-400 was launched in 1985 and entered service in 1989. The -400 version introduced improvements like winglets, tail fuel tanks, new more powerful and fuel efficient engines, new interior, and new glass cockpit with six large CRT displays. The stretched upper deck that was introduced with the -300 version was standard for the passenger and combi variants, while the new cargo version kept the smaller upper deck, which was useless in freighter configuration as no cargo is placed on this deck.

Always wanted to fly a real Boeing 747? Well, since the release of the PMDG 747-400, there is only a small difference between simulation and the real thing. From a highly detailed exterior to a beautiful and fully functional virtual cockpit, this is one of the most realistic packages ever developed for FS.

The 2d panel looks very realistic and so does the virtual cockpit. There are no separate vc/non-vc models, but you can just enable or disable the virtual cockpit in the PMDG menu while you're flying. Many systems are simulated: IRS, TCAS, FMC, fuel system, electrical system, and many more. It's possible to program or load flight plans into the FMC and perform a cat3 ILS auto landing. You can access those systems on the 2d panel or in the virtual cockpit. Besides pushing buttons and moving handles, there are many other animations in the virtual cockpit, like move seats forward/back and raise/lower armrests. In both 2d panel mode and virtual cockpit mode, the CDU's (the displays) can be magnified by clicking on them. Even the steering wheel of the nose gear is moving along with rudder input when you're taxiing. Approaching the airport in the captain seat looks and feels just like you're really there.

The exterior model looks exactly like its real world counterpart. Many animations are programmed, down to the smallest detail. The wings are not only moving up and down depending on lift, but also moving for a little while taxiing. It is clearly visible how much fuel is on board, the wings bend down deeply with full fuel. The flaps are moving exactly like the real 747 flaps are moving, which is quite slow (usually, the flaps of FS aircraft are moving unrealistically fast). The spoilers are moving independently from each other while rolling out. The landing gear is very detailed and behaves very realistic. Many other animations are programmed, too much to mention. Many details and animations usually translate to bad performance as in low frame rate. But it seems that PDMG did a great job once again, the frame rate is still quite good on an average system.

The flight dynamics are excellent and operate within a narrow margin of Boeing's specifications. All three engine variants are modeled, each of them with its own flight dynamics. A cargo version of the Boeing 747-400, the 747-400F is available as an expansion model. With the failures module you can set failures at random intervals or target specific systems with variable and progressive damage factors. The abnormal procedures manual (which is part of the operation manual with hundreds of pages) comes in handy in that case. The package contains only the PMDG house livery, but many high quality liveries can be downloaded for free from the PMDG website. More free liveries are available on websites like AVSIM.

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