With all this maintenance work going on and an update to the PMDG operations center, we knew that the release of the 747 Queen of the Skies II would be very soon. After all, RSR did give us a 2 week warning. However, we are now in RELEASE WEEK! This is release week for FSX, FSX:SE and P3d 3.x for the 747 Queen of the Skies.
RSR said that everything is on track for a release this week, with just a few small items to patch out before releasing. Whilst there’s still no update on pricing, the team did give us a HUGE insight into what we can expect from the 747 when it is released.
So first, what’s included on release day. As previously mentioned, the complete 747-400 family will be included. This means you can fly around in the 747-400, 747-400BCF, 747-400D, 747-400ER, 747-400ERF, 747-400F and the 747-400M. As of today, there’s currently 62 liveries available for download through the Operations Center, as well as a paint kit AND a SDK for people who wish for their products to interact with the product (looking at your FS2Crew!).
As said, there was some huge insight into what you can expect from the product upon release. I’ve highlighted some of the standout points for me. But please, make sure you check out the thread for the full scope. There’s 3 sections that RSR was keen to point out. 1) Stuff the development team wanted to point out. 2) The sound engine for the aircraft. 3) The newly designed physics engine.
Before I move onto the list, PMDG have made a massive effort to ensure that VAS has been used effectively and impacts minimally onto the user.
As you read through, again, I want to highlight that I’ve picked some of my favourite bits from the list RSR gave. Like he says, this will just scratch the surface of what’s available. We cannot wait, as the immersion sounds incredible.
I’ve added the list after the jump as it’s MASSIVE!
Don’t forget, you can WIN a free copy thanks to FSElite.
1 – So some of the stuff the development team wanted to point out:
– Unique performance models for each available engine type.
– Some airframes have multiple engine types to choose from.
– Improved exterior light splash effects
– Accurate landing light bright/dim animation based upon gear handle position.
– Highly detailed exterior model with 3D modeled Leading Edge Device actuators and flap mechanisms that work like the real aircraft.
– Windmilling engine fans that will turn while parked on the ramp on a breezy day.
– APU and Engine exhaust “efflux” effects.
– 400D has significantly restricted operating weights to preserve airframe cycle life.
– Numerous new interactions between cockpit and ground crew, to help you manage the pre-departure process.
– Accurate refueling during Ground Operations (real-time refueling.)
– Accurate fuel temperature based upon aircraft wing skin heat transfer characteristics
– Accurate fuel density/temperature effects during real time refueling. (including volume limitations in the event of low density levels.)
– Fuel density during refueling adjusted for expected fuel temperature during fueling.
– Accurate modeling of fluid flow dynamics through system, including the potential for leaks, standpipe protections and hydraulic overheat.
– It is possible to have AC powered equipment become uncontrollable due to DC power faults in panel . (Will you know what that looks like? hmmm)
– Accurate fire detection systems modeled for all aircraft types.
– multiple fire detection/suppression system manufacturers modeled and user selectable.
– accurately modeled test methods for fire suppression
– physics based fire simulation for all simulated fires. When operating with real time failures, some fires may not be extinguished or may flash back to life in hot/protected spaces as oxygen levels return to normal after suppression/descent.
– Polar operations
– correct operation of all external doors, including power sources for nose/main deck cargo doors. (this will trip some folks up, mark m words!)
– Catering, fueling, ground handling, lavatory services, maintenance, cabin service and cargo loaders all respond in sync with Ground Operations for realistic traffic and servicing around the airplane during ground turns.
– Customized reflective surfaces such as windows, crt and lcd surfaces
– random delamination artifacts in the cockpit windscreens.
2) The sound engine for the aircraft
– Fully customized sound production model that allows us to enhance the cockpit sound experience to accurately match that you would have if you were sitting on the flight deck of a 747-400 in flight. This includes accurate implementation of fan noise, slipstream, cockpit environmental sounds, engine sound fading with speed and/or altitude, shaking, vibration and other environmental sounds you experience during the operation of the flight.
– Fully customized sound cones and projection models created using movie studio quality engineering equipment and software to reproduce the internal and external engine sounds for all engine types.This implementation includes multiple bass layers, seamless blending, customized sound cone stitching to eliminate distortion and reproduce the unique sound signature of each engine type.
– Significant support for sub-woofer use.
– Did we mention a fully customized sound engine with enhanced memory management to that allows us to provide an incredibly feature rich sound environment without negatively impacting VAS.
3) The newly designed physics engine
– Realistic ground interface between the surface of the airplane tires and the ground surface.
– Accurate rolling resistance model between the aircraft tires and the ground surface. (variation between surface types is right around the corner, too!)
– accurate thermal energy transfer model for autobrake and manual brake use, including thermal soaking of brake/tire/landing gear elements.
– wing flex model based upon accurate rigidity, stiffness and oscillation model of the 747-400 wing structure.
– accurate thrust and energy model simulation for all engine types.
– engine pylon shaking based upon turbulence induced acceleration moment, wing motion and rotational inertia of engine components.
– cockpit viewpoint shaking based upon the airplane’s physical interaction with the world, including taxi ground roll, takeoff, touch down, engine excessive vibration transmitted through the airframe, turbulence, stall conditions disrupting airflow, high speed buffet, speedbrake use, excessive G force, and more.
– transfer of heat between fluids (fuel mixing, hydraulic fluid returning to reservoirs, etc.)
– transfer of heat through heat exchangers in the bleed system, fuel and hydraulic systems.
– accurate modeling of fuel temperature based upon the thermal exchange of heat through the wing surface, radiant heating by the sun, etc.
– accurate modeling of cabin temperatures based upon a complete airflow model.
– cabin temperature modeling based upon electrical equipment operation, internal lighting operation, supplementary heating sources (foot/shoulder/windshield air use) the number of passengers onboard and their relative distribution throughout the cabin, solar heating of areas such as windows and exposure to direct or indirect sunlight, the state of cabin doors.
