We have another reader question which I feel is fitting to turn into a blog post. Let’s go!
Hi Jerry, I read your recent blog post “Where Are Thou PMDG 777” and had the same opinion that we would surely see the release of the PMDG 777 before CTP on April 20. With the announced delay of the MSFS SU15 package, do you think this will cause the release of the 777 to be pushed back? Looking forward to your opinions on the matter. Thanks for keeping us all in the loop. Jon
Hello Jon, and Hello to all my wonderful readers. Jon brings up a very valid question and a concern we all need to be aware of. When I wrote that blog piece almost a month ago, the release of the SU15 update did play a major part in my overall prediction that we could see the PMDG 777 release before the annual VATSIM Cross The Pond event which takes place on 20 April. However, I have read in the past few days where PMDG has stated that the release of the Boeing 777 will not be reliant on the SU15 update.
Again, when I wrote that above mentioned article PMDG had not stated which 777 variant would be the first out of the hangar. We now know that the first PMDG 777 variant we’ll have access to purchase is the Boeing 777-300ER or 77W. While I actually prefer the 777-200 as it’s the only version of the 777 that I’ve flown on in real life, the 77W will be a day one purchase for me and I’ll happily fly it until and even after I purchase the 772.
Finally, also way back in early March….we also didn’t know what PMDG’s release strategy was regarding the also highly anticipated Boeing 737MAX. PMDG have stated that the 737MAX will release in between the other 777 variants. So it’s highly probable that not only will we have a brand new 777-300ER for MSFS in the very near future, sometime soon after that we’ll also see the first 737MAX. But let’s not jump too far ahead of things. After all, the question at hand is whether or not we’ll have the PMDG Boeing 777-300ER before CTP on 20 April.
PMDG did provide an update yesterday on 1 April which you can read here. This update from Robert says “The end of the wait is nearly upon us- I promise.” So yes, I still believe it’s possible we’ll see the PMDG 777-300ER before 20 April.
In a perfect world, PMDG would release the 77W a few days or even more before the CTP event. This would give everyone time to get familiar with the 777 in MSFS before this major event. This is especially important considering the large number of new VATSIM members since the release of MSFS 2020 and many of these would not have flown this aircraft in P3D or FSX.
In closing, again….I believe we’ll have the PMDG 777-300ER very soon and certainly before the VATSIM CTP event.
Thanks for reading!
Until next time…
Happy Flying!!!
Jerry