The classic PMDG 777 has (since itsrelease back in 2013), proven to be a fan favourite with the flightsimming community, and rightly so. However, myself and many othereager fans felt as if the product was starting to age, and as suchwondered if it could benefit from some of the newer features found onPMDG's latest products. Well, it seems like our prayers were answered,as this major update and expansion pack brings together a whole hostof improvements and new features to this airframe which shouldultimately improve the users experience.

It is important to add, that the update and expansion were releasedat the same time and are only available for P3DV4 and V5 users.

The -200ER Expansion

The much anticipated 777-200ER expansion has brought theextended-range variant of the 777-200 into P3D. First entering servicein 1997 with British Airways, the aircraft offers an additional 1825nm range as compared to the standard -200 variants. PMDG has alsomodelled the aircraft with three different engines, and these are theTrent 800, PW 4070, and General Electric GE 90.

Each of the engines has been modelled accurately and each has itsown respectable sound set included. All three-engines sound terrificand include accurate 3D audio and precise variations both internallyand externally. PMDG has also paid close attention to detail into howeach engine affects the aircraft, for example when using the Trentengines, PMDG have realistically added EPR gauges to the enginedisplays, a standard feature found with Rolls-Royce engines.

Another feature with the expansion pack is the inclusion of an EFB,which comes with both a takeoff and landing calculator tool. Thisfeature was highly welcomed as it meant that I no longer had toeyeball my derate and landing configuration figures. The result being,I was able to takeoff and land the plane more accurately.

Update Features

It would be an understatement to say that PMDG has simply updatedtheir 777, as there are so many things which have been completelyoverhauled. For starters, one of the most anticipated features hasbeen the inclusion of PBR modelling to the exterior of theairframe. This has seriously improved the visual quality and gives themodel a far more authentic look overall. PBR has been added to thefuselage, wings, undercarriage, engine, and trailing edgecomponents. When it comes to the interior of the aircraft, you nowhave higher resolution displays for all the cockpit screens as well assome new equipment options, all of which look and work great. PMDGhave also upgraded the fly-by-wire mechanics and this is certainlynoticeable from a handling perspective, as the 777 feels a lot morelike a fly-by-wire aircraft than before.

Users will also be excited to hear that the entire line of PMDG 777products are now compatible with P3D V5. As well as this, PMDG havealso included their ground animations feature. This is a nicealternative to GSX as it offers animations for ground vehicles such ascargo loaders, fuel trucks, water, and lavatory service vehicles.

Issues

On the topic of GSX... this brings me onto the subject of issues. Ihave recently noticed that PMDG has stopped adding GSX profiles totheir aircraft and this is something I find quite annoying as I hatehaving to make them myself. Doing so is quite time consuming, andoften mine are far from perfect. Regrettably, the -200ER has thisissue and my frustration has been shared by many others within thecommunity. However, one silver lining is that I was able to copy thedata for the base 200LR model and port it over to the 200ER, with theresult that, whilst not perfect, it now works somewhat. Hopefully,over time I have no doubt that others in the community will releaseprofiles, but with the amount of money I paid, I would have expectedto see a profile included as standard.

Conclusion

The update alone is worthy of a lot of praise, as it has added somuch to the airframe. If that was not enough, PMDG have stated thatthey are also working on a cockpit overhaul, so this is something Icannot wait to see. Compared with the previous flying experience, theupdate has really given new life to the model and adds even greaterrealism and authenticity.

The expansion brings even more immersion to the 777 by adding thelast remaining variants of the product line. With fantastic attentionto detail, great sound, and lots of features, it certainly does liveup to the high expectations and high quality we expect from PMDG.

Alex Dickinson

PMDG 777 Base Package

PMDG 777-200er Expansion