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'''Precision Manuals Development Group''' (often abbreviated as '''PMDG''') is a commercial add-on aircraft developer for the [[Microsoft Flight Simulator]],<ref>{{cite news|title=PMDG 737NGX (review)|url=http://www.pcpilot.net/view_issue.asp?ID=1029|access-date=September 15, 2013|newspaper=PC Pilot|date=November–December 2011 |issue=76}}</ref> [[Lockheed Martin Prepar3D]],<ref>{{cite web|title=PMDG 777-200LR/F|url=http://precisionmanuals.com/pages/product/P3D/777LRF.html|publisher=PMDG|access-date=February 7, 2015|archive-date=February 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209070840/http://www.precisionmanuals.com/pages/product/P3D/777LRF.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[X-Plane (simulator)|X-Plane]]<ref>{{cite news|title=PMDG DC-6 for X-Plane announcement|url=http://forum.avsim.net/topic/463714-03mar15-pmdgs-first-product-for-xplane/|access-date=March 4, 2015}}</ref> series. The company was founded by Robert S. Randazzo, who stated that his ultimate goal was to develop the software to the point where it could be used by airlines and manufacturers to supplement pilot training. The company is based out of Las Vegas, Nevada but has several employees in countries such as [[Belgium]], [[South Africa]], and [[Canada]].<ref name="WSJ">{{cite news |last=Ostrower |first=Jon |date=August 30, 2013 |title=Almost as Cool as the New Boeing 777: The New Flight Simulator |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/corporate-intelligence/2013/08/30/almost-as-cool-as-the-new-boeing-777-the-new-flight-simulator/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905090847/http://blogs.wsj.com/corporate-intelligence/2013/08/30/almost-as-cool-as-the-new-boeing-777-the-new-flight-simulator/?mg=blogs-wsj&url=http%253A%252F%252Fblogs.wsj.com%252Fcorporate-intelligence%252F2013%252F08%252F30%252Falmost-as-cool-as-the-new-boeing-777-the-new-flight-simulator |archive-date=2013-09-05 |access-date=September 15, 2013 |newspaper=Wall Street Journal}}</ref> It has eight employees as of 2018, with a collection of [[Software release life cycle#Beta|beta testers]] which include multiple aviation professionals.
 
==History==
==Company background==
{{Advert section|date=June 2024}}
Precision Manuals Development Group was founded by Robert S. Randazzo, Senior Developer, in January 1998. Originally conceived as a small technical publishing company, PMDG's first product, the 747-400PS1 User's Guide was released in February 1998, to assist non-pilots with mastering the aircraft. The 747-400PS1 User's Guide was a popular handbook in the PS1 community until it was removed from availability in early 2000.
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PMDG released the FLY! Airliner Series 757-200ER on December 18, 1999, and the product was an instant hit with simulator enthusiasts.  Designed to provide a complete airliner experience, the FLY! Airliner Series 757-200ER modelled approximately 90% of the systems, switches and functions in the cockpit of the 757-200, all in accurately modelled 3D space.  With hundreds of switches and dozens of complicated systems and procedures to learn, the FLY! Airliner Series 757-200ER included a 160 page operating manual, written in the now classic style of the 747-400 PS1 User's Guide.
 
The FLY! Airliner Series 767-200/300 was the second product in the FLY! Airliner Series product line, and became the last product in which PMDG used the default autopilot and flight systems display logic included in the stock version of FLY!
 
Recognizing that a higher level of fidelity could be realized with the appropriate skills, PMDG expanded the development staff to include an additional complement of highly skilled developers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 21, 2001 |title=Precision Manuals Development Group |url=http://4.21.248.90/NewHistory.html |access-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011021060411/http://4.21.248.90/NewHistory.html |archive-date=October 21, 2001 }}</ref>
 
On October 25, 2014, it was announced on PMDG's AVSIM forum, that the [[Boeing 777|Boeing 777-200LR]] base package will be available on the [[Prepar3D]] platform.<ref>{{cite news|title=First Glance at PMDG 777-200 for Prepar3D|url=http://forum.avsim.net/topic/454122-25oct14-first-glance-at-pmdg-777-200-for-prepar3d/}}</ref>
 
With employees and contractors working around the world, PMDG is headquartered in Northern Nevada. On April 6, 2012, PMDG announced that they would move back to Virginia, where the company was founded.
 
PMDG has regularly used [[Avsim.com|AVSIM]] forums for announcements and user support until they opened up their own website forums in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-03-03 |title=The PMDG Forums are now designated as User-to-User Support Forums |url=https://www.avsim.com/forums/topic/551220-the-pmdg-forums-are-now-designated-as-user-to-user-support-forums/ |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=The AVSIM Community |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-02-23 |title=[23FEB19] Some News for your Saturday |url=https://www.avsim.com/forums/topic/550848-23feb19-some-news-for-your-saturday/ |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=The AVSIM Community |language=en-US}}</ref> The AVSIM forum section still remains to this day although all activity has been moved to PMDG's website.
 
==Aircraft==
PMDG has created nine aircraft for [[Flight Simulator 2004]] and ten aircraft for [[Flight Simulator X]], two of which are extensions of the [[Boeing 747-400|747-400X]]. The 777-200LR and accompanying 777-300ER expansion were the first PMDG products for [[Lockheed Martin Prepar3D|Lockheed Martin's Prepar3D]] as well as Flight Simulator X.
 
On January 6, 2016, PMDG released the [[Douglas DC-6]] simulation, marking the first aircraft by the company for the X-Plane seriesflight ofsimulator flight simulatorsseries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.x-plane.com/2016/04/explore-3d-cockpit-pmdgs-douglas-dc-6/|title=Explore the 3D cockpit of PMDG's Douglas DC-6|date=April 21, 2016|website=X-Plane|language=en-US|access-date=September 11, 2019}}</ref> It's PMDG's first and only aircraft ever released for the X-Plane series.
 
On February 24, 2019, PMDG announced that they would developcease nocreating new products for 32-bit platforms (not precluding updates to existing products) which included FSX, FSX Steam Edition, and P3Dv3.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-02-23 |title=PMDG Cease Development for FSX/P3Dv3 – FSElite |url=https://fselite.net/news/pmdg-cease-development-for-fsx-p3dv3/ |access-date=2024-06-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107225643/https://fselite.net/news/pmdg-cease-development-for-fsx-p3dv3/ |archive-date=November 7, 2020 }}</ref> On November 8, 2019, the PMDG NGXu was released. It is an improved version of their previous Boeing 737 product for the Prepar3D platform and offers the BCF, BDSF, BBJ1, and BBJ2 variants as expansions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Randazzo |first=Robert |date=2019-10-08 |title=Announcing PMDG 737NGXu for Prepar3D v4 |url=https://forum.pmdg.com/forum/main-forum/general-discussion-news-and-announcements/25766-08nov19-announcing-pmdg-737ngxu-for-prepar3d-v4 }}</ref> PMDG had announced the previous day that all development for the X-Plane platform as well as all 32-bit platforms would be cancelled.<ref>{{cite news |last1=John |first1=Alex |title=PMDG Announces End to X-Plane Development {{!}} Threshold |url=https://www.thresholdx.net/news/pmdgxd |access-date=November 12, 2019 |work=www.thresholdx.net |date=November 7, 2019}}</ref> On October 20, 2020, PMDG announced the development of the [[Boeing 777X|777X]] family of airliners was in an early stage.<ref>{{Cite web|title=[20NOV20] Various Project News Updates, 777-200ER Beta and P3D Hotfix notes|url=https://forum.pmdg.com/forum/main-forum/general-discussion-news-and-announcements/93737-20nov20-various-project-news-updates-777-200er-beta-and-p3d-hotfix-notes|access-date=November 30, 2020|website=PMDG Simulations|language=en}}</ref> In mid-June 2021, all products for X-Plane and FSX were retired ahead of the release of their first product for the new Microsoft Flight Simulator. On August 24, 2023, the PMDG 737-800 was released for Microsoft Flight Simulator.
 
On OctoberNovember 218, 20232019, the PMDG announcedNGXu thewas releasereleased. ofIt's thean [[Electronicimproved flightversion bag|EFB]]of updatetheir for theirprevious Boeing 737 product for Microsoftthe FlightPrepar3D Simulator.platform Inand aoffers forumthe postBCF, Robert S. Randazzo stated that the free update would be released on October 30BDSF, 2023BBJ1, and wouldBBJ2 featurevariants Navigraph/SimBriefas integrationexpansions.<ref>{{Cite andweb performance|last=Randazzo calculations.|first=Robert The|date=2019-10-08 update|title=Announcing wasPMDG notable737NGXu for releasing muchPrepar3D laterv4 than anticipated|url=https://forum.pmdg.com/forum/main-forum/general-discussion-news-and-announcements/25766-08nov19-announcing-pmdg-737ngxu-for-prepar3d-v4}}</ref> PMDG had initiallyannounced quotedthe aprevious sixday monththat timeline, and Randazzo later stated they expected theall development to last for "a couple of months". However, the updateX-Plane wasplatform ultimatelyas releasedwell oneas yearall and32-bit threeplatforms monthswould afterbe thecancelled initialin versionfavor of theP3Dv4 737.and Randazzopreparation attributed this delay to issues withfor the simulator'srelease interface between the tablet component and the custom aircraftof logicMSFS2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Randazzo |first=Robert |date=20222019-0411-1907 |title=[07NOV19] PMDG 737Product DevelopmentTrajectory UpdateAlignment: Let'sWhat talkto aboutexpect Earlyin Adopterthe andcoming Continuedweeks, Maintenancemonths, phaseshours, etc. |url=https://forum.pmdg.com/forum/main-forum/general-discussion-news-and-announcements/16984625608-19apr2207nov19-pmdg-737product-developmenttrajectory-updatealignment-letwhat-sto-talkexpect-aboutin-earlythe-adoptercoming-andweeks-continuedmonths-maintenancehours-phasesetc |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=PMDG Simulations |language=en}}</ref> On October 20, 2020, PMDG announced the development of the [[Boeing 777X|777X]] family of airliners was in an early stage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=randazzo |first=Robert |date=October 21, 2023 |title=[21OCT2320NOV20] IntroducingVarious theProject UniversalNews FlightUpdates, Tablet777-200ER forBeta PMDG's Microsoft Flight Simulatorand AirlinerP3D FleetHotfix notes|url=https://forum.pmdg.com/forum/main-forum/general-discussion-news-and-announcements/26816593737-21oct2320nov20-introducingvarious-theproject-universalnews-flightupdates-tablet777-for200er-pmdgbeta-sand-microsoftp3d-flighthotfix-simulatornotes|access-airliner-fleetdate=November 30, 2020|website=PMDG Simulations|language=en}}</ref> In mid-June 2021, all products for X-Plane and FSX were retired ahead of the release of their first product for the new Microsoft Flight Simulator.
 
In years past, PMDG required users to buy addons which were bundled with two or more variants of the aircraft family. For example: The Boeing 737-800 and -900 were included as one separate installer and acted as a "base pack", meaning if users wanted to fly the -600 or -700 variants, they would need to purchase the base pack (-800 and -900) and purchase the -600 and -700 pack (sold as an "expansion pack"). The same went for their 777 and 747 product lines. That changed with the advent of MSFS2020 which saw PMDG shift their business model to allow users to purchase specific variants they desired. Meaning that each variant could be purchased as its own separate pack without the need to purchase a base pack or expansion pack (i.e. users could buy the 737-800 only if they desired).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-08 |title=[08APR22] PMDG 737 for MSFS Developer Update - Entering the Home Stretch |url=https://forum.pmdg.com/forum/main-forum/general-discussion-news-and-announcements/167111-08apr22-pmdg-737-for-msfs-developer-update-entering-the-home-stretch |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=PMDG Simulations |language=en}}</ref> Each variant included special configurations like the freighter and BBJ models. This would be the business model PMDG would use moving forward.
 
PMDG's first FS2020 product was the Douglas DC-6 which released on June 18, 2021. The next year saw the release of the Boeing 737-700 on May 9th, 2022, and the eventual release of the other variants in the 737NG series starting with the -600, -800, and then the -900. PMDG previously stated they were developing the [[Boeing 737 MAX|737 MAX]] however, the project was halted in favor of prioritizing development for the 747.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-03 |title=[04OCT24] So What Is Going at PMDG? |url=https://forum.pmdg.com/forum/main-forum/general-discussion-news-and-announcements/330077-04oct24-so-what-is-going-at-pmdg |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=PMDG Simulations |language=en}}</ref>
 
PMDG then shifted to their first widebody aircraft, the Boeing 777-300ER, which was released on June 25, 2024. This was followed by the release of the 777F a few months later on December 6th. The -200ER and LR are expected to follow respectively. The Boeing 747 has been in development with plans to include the classic variants alongside the (-400 and -8) exclusively for [[Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-01 |title=[01MAR25] Progress Update on 777-200ER and PMDG's products in MSFS 2024 |url=https://forum.pmdg.com/forum/main-forum/general-discussion-news-and-announcements/347897-01mar25-progress-update-on-777-200er-and-pmdg-s-products-in-msfs-2024 |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=PMDG Simulations |language=en}}</ref>
 
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
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| [[Boeing 737 Next Generation|Boeing 737-600/700 NG]]
| style="text-align: center;" | 2003
|
|
|▼
|
|
|
|
| style="text-align: center;" | Retired
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| style="padding-left: 25px;" | [[Boeing 737 Next Generation|Boeing 737-800/900 NG Expansion]]
| style="text-align: center;" | 2003
|
|
▲|
|
|
|
|
| style="text-align: center;" | Retired
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| [[Beechcraft 1900#1900D|Beechcraft 1900D]]
| style="text-align: center;" | 2004
|
|
▲|
|
|
|
|
| style="text-align: center;" | Retired
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| [[Beechcraft 1900#1900C|Beechcraft 1900C]]
| style="text-align: center;" | 2004
|
|
▲|
|
|
|
|
| style="text-align: center;" | Retired
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| [[Boeing 747-400|Boeing 747-400 Queen of the Skies (QOTS)]]
| style="text-align: center;" | 2005
|
|
▲|
|
|
|
|
| style="text-align: center;" | Retired
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| style="padding-left: 25px;" | Boeing 747-400F QOTS Expansion
| style="text-align: center;" | 2006
|
|
▲|
|
|
|
|
| style="text-align: center;" | Retired
|-
| Boeing 747-400v2 Queen of the Skies (QOTS)
|
| style="text-align: center;" | October 30, 2007
|
▲|
|
|
|
|
| style="text-align: center;" | Retired
|-
| style="padding-left: 25px;" | [[Boeing 747-8|Boeing 747-8i/F QOTS Expansion]]
|
| style="text-align: center;" | July 29, 2010
|
▲|
|
|
|
|
| style="text-align: center;" | Retired, Visual model only
|-
| style="padding-left: 25px;" | [[Boeing Dreamlifter|Boeing 747LCF QOTS Expansion]]
|
| style="text-align: center;" | September 26, 2010
|
▲|
|
|
|
|
| style="text-align: center;" | Retired, Visual model only
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| style="text-align: center;" | October 14, 2008
| style="text-align: center;" | October 14, 2008
|
▲|
|
|
|
|
| style="text-align: center;" | Retired
|-
| [[British Aerospace Jetstream 41|Jetstream 4100]]
|
| style="text-align: center;" | September 9, 2009
| style="text-align: center;" | ''In Development''
▲|
|
|
|
|
| style="text-align: center;" | Retired
|-
| Boeing 737-800/900 NGX
|
| style="text-align: center;" | August 4, 2011
| style="text-align: center;" | March 6, 2015
|
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|-
| style="padding-left: 25px;" | Boeing 737-600/700 NGX Expansion
|
| style="text-align: center;" | October 29, 2011
| style="text-align: center;" | March 6, 2015
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|-
| [[Boeing 777#777-200LR|Boeing 777-200LR/F]]
|
| style="text-align: center;" | September 5, 2013
| style="text-align: center;" |
| style="text-align: center;" | February 7, 2015
| style="text-align: center;" | February 26, 2021
|
|
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|-
| style="padding-left: 25px;" | [[Boeing 777#777-300ER|Boeing 777-300ER Expansion]]
|
| style="text-align: center;" | July 18, 2014
| style="text-align: center;" |
| style="text-align: center;" | February 7, 2015
| style="text-align: center;" | February 26, 2021
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| style="text-align: center;" | February 26, 2021
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|-
| [[Douglas DC-6]]
|
| style="text-align: center;" | July 20, 2017
| style="text-align: center;" |
| style="text-align: center;" | July 20, 2017
|
| style="text-align: center;" | June 1, 2016
| style="text-align: center;" | June 18, 2021<ref>{{cite news |title=PMDG DC-6 for MSFS Release Date Announced – FSElite |url=https://fselite.net/news/msfs-news/pmdg-dc-6-for-msfs-release-date-announced/ |access-date=June 17, 2021 |work=fselite.net |agency=FSElite |date=June 16, 2021 |archive-date=June 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616220418/https://fselite.net/news/msfs-news/pmdg-dc-6-for-msfs-release-date-announced/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| style="text-align: center;" | Retired except MSFS
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|-
| Boeing 747-400V3 QoTS II
|
| style="text-align: center;" | January 31, 2017
| style="text-align: center;" |
| style="text-align: center;" | January 31, 2017
| style="text-align: center;" | May 8, 2020
|
|
| style="text-align: center;" | Retired
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|-
| style="padding-left: 25px;" | Boeing 747-8i/F Expansion
|
| style="text-align: center;" | September 22, 2018
| style="text-align: center;" |
| style="text-align: center;" | September 22, 2018
| style="text-align: center;" | May 8, 2020
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| style="text-align: center;" |
|
| style="text-align: center;" | November 8, 2019
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| style="text-align: center;" |
|
| style="text-align: center;" | February 5, 2020
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|
| style="text-align: center;" | August 16, 2020
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|
| style="text-align: center;" | October 23, 2020
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|-
| Boeing 737 NG3
|
| style="text-align: center;" |
| style="text-align: center;" |
▲|
|
|
|
| style="text-align: center;" |737-700 - May 9, 2022<ref>{{cite web |title=PMDG releasing the 737 for msfs on may 9th |url=https://fselite.net/content/pmdg-releasing-the-737-for-msfs-on-may-9th/ |website=FsElite.net |date=May 7, 2022 |access-date=January 21, 2023 |language=en}}</ref><nowiki> || 737-600 - July 29, 2022</nowiki><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-29 |title=[29JUL22] PMDG 737-600 is released! (and some other news bits, too!) |url=https://forum.pmdg.com/forum/main-forum/general-discussion-news-and-announcements/206425-29jul22-pmdg-737-600-is-released-and-some-other-news-bits-too |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=PMDG Simulations |language=en}}</ref><nowiki> || </nowiki>737-800 - August 25, 2022<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-24 |title=[24AUG22] PMDG Announces Release of PMDG 737-800 for Microsoft Flight Simulator |url=https://forum.pmdg.com/forum/main-forum/general-discussion-news-and-announcements/212560-24aug22-pmdg-announces-release-of-pmdg-737-800-for-microsoft-flight-simulator |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=PMDG Simulations |language=en}}</ref> 737-900 - February 7, 2023<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-07 |title=[07FEB23] PMDG 737-900 for Microsoft Flight Simulator is released |url=https://forum.pmdg.com/forum/main-forum/general-discussion-news-and-announcements/238681-07feb23-pmdg-737-900-for-microsoft-flight-simulator-is-released#post238681 |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=PMDG Simulations |language=en}}</ref>
| style="text-align: center;" | 737-700 includes BBJ1 and BDSF,
737-800 includes BBJ2, BDSF and BCF,
737-900 includes BBJ3 and ER version
|-
|Boeing 777-300ER
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|
|
| style="text-align: center;" | June 25th, 2024<ref>{{Cite web |title=[16JUN24] PMDG 777-300ER Has a Release Date on the Calendar! |url=https://forum.pmdg.com/forum/main-forum/general-discussion-news-and-announcements/300728-16jun24-pmdg-777-300er-has-a-release-date-on-the-calendar |website=PMDG Forums}}</ref>
|
|-
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|
|
| style="text-align: center;" | December 6th, 2024<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-27 |title=PMDG 777F for MSFS 2020 is released |url=https://forum.pmdg.com/forum/main-forum/general-discussion-news-and-announcements/338709-06dec24-pmdg-777f-for-msfs-2020-is-released-upgrade-path-details-for-msfs-2024 |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=fselite.net |language=en-US}}</ref>
|
|-
Line 354 ⟶ 361:
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|
| style="text-align: center;" | ''In Development''
|
|-
Line 364 ⟶ 371:
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|
| style="text-align: center;" | ''In Development''
|
|-
Line 374 ⟶ 381:
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|
| style="text-align: center;" | ''In Development''
▲|
|Early development stage, no platforms announced (likely MSFS2024)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Randazzo |first=Robert |title=[20NOV20] Various Project News Updates, 777-200ER Beta and P3D Hotfix notes |url=https://forum.pmdg.com/forum/main-forum/general-discussion-news-and-announcements/93737-20nov20-various-project-news-updates-777-200er-beta-and-p3d-hotfix-notes/page2}}</ref>
|-
Line 384 ⟶ 391:
|
|
| style="text-align: center;" | ''In Development''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-26 |title=PMDG Shares New 747 Previews; Updates Us on MSFS 2024 Compatibility - FSElite |url=https://fselite.net/content/pmdg-shares-new-747-previews-updates-us-on-msfs-2024-compatibility/#:~:text=PMDG%20747%20Classic%20Previews&text=The%20747-400%20is%20progressing,modelling%20software%20the%20team%20uses. |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=fselite.net |language=en-US}}</ref>
|(Likely to be released for MSFS2024), 747-100, 747SP, 747-200, 747-300, 747-300, 747-400, 747-8 (Including special versions such as [[Boeing VC-25|VC-25]] or [[City of Everett (aircraft)|RA-001]])<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-31 |title=[31OCT24] PMDG 737 Updated via Operations Center, 777F Schedule Discussion and a 747 Preview! |url=https://forum.pmdg.com/forum/main-forum/general-discussion-news-and-announcements/334413-31oct24-pmdg-737-updated-via-operations-center-777f-schedule-discussion-and-a-747-preview |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=PMDG Simulations |language=en}}</ref>
|}
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