At least they didn’t have an efb in there then take it out after you bought it which is what happened to Xbox users with regard to the dc-6 liveries.
The fact remains that PMDG did use mention of an EFB as a marketing tool in order to boost sales. There are a significant number of users that enjoy using an EFB as part of their casual simming and they are looking forward to PMDG delivering on what was promised.
Above all, we must not forget that we all have our own opinions and desires. We are all free to feel frustrated without having to have our frustrations validated by other users. We are a community and it is important to recognize that what bothers me, may not bother you and vice versa. Passive aggressive attacks on each other for expression of opinion is not very productive for a healthy community.
PMDG started all of this by using the EFB as a tool to boost sales. “Coming soon” means a huge variety of timeframes in our world and if some users want it yesterday, that’s just the way it goes. Over all, simple, honest, and timely communication goes a long way towards placating the emotions of customers and making them feel happy about doing business with your company.
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So we don’t get the right to “complain” about a missing feature that was supposed to be provided back in Oct because we aren’t worthy enough?
If I decided I’m only going to fly the 737NG upside down, does that mean I no longer get a say regarding what promised features I want to see in a product I purchased?
I also see the good Captain Rob finally came back on the grid with a long-winded saga about how the update he said would be out a couple of weeks ago is still not available. Amazing how in 2023, an airline pilot can be completely cut off from the internet for such an extended time period, even to the point that he apparently couldn’t call one of his workers and ask them to post a quick message on the status of that overdue update.
Sounds like a classic case of “the dog ate my homework”.
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An EFB with minimal functionality would still be fulfilling that “promise”, since they didn’t go into any detail of what the EFB would contain. They could release it without a Runway Analysis/V1 Calculator or a Loadout Manager if they really wanted to.
So maybe, just maybe, one shouldn’t hang their hopes on throwaway statements regarding future projects (especially when you don’t know what you’ll actually be getting in said product).
Software development is a volatile industry and many future projects that are “promised” don’t ever get past the drawing board. This product very much sold itself and is currently one of the most polished and regularly-updated add-ons in the sim.
That might be a bit unfair. I’ve been to many parts of the world and had no internet connection, at least not a decent bandwidth. I’ve also sometimes been without phone connection too. God send if the wife’s angry with me…
“So we don’t get the right to “complain” about a missing feature that was supposed to be provided back in Oct because we aren’t worthy enough?”
Of course you get the right to complain and I would think your concerns will be addressed in due course. I hear what you’re saying and you have a good point and I’m pretty confident the folks at PMDG will deliver. It does get a bit frustrating when we have to wait for this fix or that update but I have no reason to not believe it won’t be sorted.
There’s obviously been some technical issues and I thought the response from PMDG was actually quite encouraging.
By the way I used to use the ‘dog ate my homework’ excuse a lot back in the day😁 Never worked, not once…
I’m looking forward to the EFB, too. But not because I’m missing it (not at all, except TO performance calculations) but because these tiring and repeating discussions will be finally over 
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You can complain but it’s pointless and childish. The thing is in development. It’s taking longer than expected because every time they release a beta with an EFB included, the beta testers fill up the system with bug and request tickets. They solve those tickets and issue a new beta. And so on and so forth until both the testers and PMDG consider that there’s a version that can benefit from open public testing. That’s the way software development has worked since the dinosaurs. Let’s not forget GTA VI will have been in development a full decade without an open early release.
So you can choose which option you prefer:
-No announcement and no EFB-less release with secret beta-testing program (like GTA6)
-Announcement and release of a fully working product that you can enjoy while new functionality is added.
I think most of us prefer the latter.
Right now PMDG are playing ping pong with the BETA team. This means there’s a version of the airplane that has a WORKING EFB (and it’s goooood). Be patient. Learn to calculate your performances with the FPPM (google it) and then when the EFB is out, you’ll know exactly how it’s doing the calculations. If my IRL EFB stopped working, it’d take me a while but I’d be able to calculate full take off performance. If you love aviation so much, why don’t you teach yourself how to do that?
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And there you have it and the reason why every irl pilot should be capable of doing the calculations to understand what’s going on.
I like to have assistance to make my life easier in the form of a EFB or computer but I would never solely rely on it. Part of the fun of MSFS for me is doing the calculations to work out how to fly the aircraft and get it up and down in a safe manner. That’s where the fun is at for me anyway.
Even when I have modern systems at my disposal, i don’t always use them. I also pull fuses, disable systems, and test myself to see if I can get down in one piece.
Of course not everyone enjoys the maths or complexity and each to their own I say.
If Iam correct your are a real world airline pilot.
I can imagine you know all the inside outs of the 737, and can precisely point out where the shortcomings are and where optimisation is necessary.
As you probably know, the majority of this forum and I think its safe to say the users of MSFS and PMDG products will never touch the real life controls of a 737. Let alone understand or even have a clue or time to dive into the complexity of aviation and real world 737 SOP’s and manuals.
If it would be that easy, i think the education to become a real world 737 pilot wouldn’t be a fulltime multiyear $100K+ quest.
So in my opinion its unrealistic to ask people at this forum to dive into complex matters as performance calculations, emergency SOP’s, hydraulics, celestial navigation etc. Some just dont have the time for that or dont care and only want to have a near passenger experience. Which is all understandable.
To get to another GTA6 example, I think nobody will be complaining about the recoil of the rifles, tirewear of the cars and unrealistic bloodspattern in the game. While this could bother someone who is a professional shooting instructor, works in a cardealer, or at a crime scene investigation department.
But luckily they have the privilege to do this as a living in the real world, and cant be bothered with these minor details because they know its for entertainment purpose only.
I know flightsimmers are a special breed and can be demanding sometimes because they would like it study level or as real as it gets. I also see on forums that (here we go again) the majority dont have a clue what a real 737 is all about behind the cockpits creens (integration between systems and technic)
But just want to have a “real world” experience or have a kick to know they just landed a 737 that could be compared with a real life one. Its just a psychological thing (boys with toys like my wife used to say)
The timeline they set for EFB was “soon”, I hope you can understand that gives even more anxiety if a tester like you is already waiting for “more than a decade” at his new NAVDATA format.
Everybody has their wishes and I know its unrealistic to demand an EFB immediatly with this kind of complexity.
Patience is a virtue, that sometimes lacks a bit with overexcited and overhyped users. For me its only an awesome sign how many people are worried and looking forward to every bit of release. PMDG couldnt wish for a better compliment and PR. You can easily see that this kind of concerns is lacking with many other products.
And yes it might be annoying sometimes, but as long as people care, they still have a potent market and product.
For me, the 737 is my favourite aircraft and i love to take it for a spin as much as i can (or are allowed at home lol). I dont have clue about all the technics and SOP’s, I dont fly on VATSIM, but I like to stream some of my flights to let others enjoy the eyecandy and beauty of this piece of development.
This can be super frustrating to watch for a professional but in the meantime I enjoy it a lot together with who ever might bumb in for a small chat. And I think that is what matters most.
I like to watch youtubers who are actual 737 pilots and explain things about he systems and SOP’s. To be honest, if they weren’t there, i still would be on the ramp with a cold and dark 737, but with the seatbelt sign on (could find that on my own lol)
An EFB could make things more easier, but for me it has no extra value at the moment because I can do my flights and manage to go from A to B without to much of an issue.
So lets be all a bit more patient because Iam sure PMDG will come with nice extra features in the future. When…, we all dont know but lets keep it in the meantime a friendly place here with understanding for each others wishes and knowledge level and enjoy the thing we all have in common:
Flightsimming
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You make some great points here PHJ but if you don’t want complexity then why drop money on a PMDG aircraft? The fidelity is their selling point, that’s why I buy them.
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Why is that unrealistic? That’s exactly my point of sim flying and I’m sure that I’m not alone, pretending that I’m a real 737 pilot and I’m trying to get as much knowledge of the aircraft and its systems as I can and trying to fly it the proper way, closest to the real world SOP. I even try to replicate real world flights gate to gate exactly as they happened. And this product is capable of that to a great extent. I agree with most of your post though.
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Some posts removed. A reminder to keep this topic on-topic. If you want to continue participating, avoid posts aimed at other users or group of users and focus solely on the discussion.
From the Code of Conduct - SOP:
- The Skies are Open for All - Everyone is welcome to Microsoft Flight Simulator regardless of age, gender, race, sexuality, or creed.
- One World, One Community - No matter how you play – regardless of platform, experience level, or reason – we are one community of aviation lovers.
- Follow Your Checklist - Adhere to the set of rules from each community space. Skipping a checklist item can ground a flight quickly.
- A Pilot is a Pilot - Treat everyone in the community with respect, and seek to have positive experiences with your fellow pilots.
- A Pilot is a Pilot - Treat everyone in the community with respect, and seek to have positive experiences with your fellow pilots.
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Lets be clear on one thing: I do like the complexity!
I just dont have a clue about the complex systems of a (real) 737 right now.
Thats because i dont have the time to dive into these matters and dont feel like to become a real 737 pilot myself.
For me its just a journey that will last a long time and I will enjoy every bit of it.
The poet Cavafy wrote a great poem based on Homers (not from the Simpsons) Odyssey called: Ithaca. If you want to have a nice audio experience, listen to this poem told by sir Sean Connery on Youtube.
When I was flying gliders real life, my instructor told me that in aviation you always keep learning. The moment you think you know it all, is the moment accidents will start to happen.
So according this philosophy, as long as I dont know everything no accidents lol.
Just serious… for now I just fly straight forward flights and learn bit by bit the complexity because of dedicated real life pilots who are willing to sacrifice their precious time teach people like me.
But hey thats just me.
I can imagine people just want to have the most expensive and complex thing just for the sake of having it, like people have with racecars, the latest smartphone or expensive watches (just be honest how many of the people who wear a Breitling navitimer, do actually know how to use that watch slide rule or even use these functions in daily life)
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Keep enjoying it and remember it’s baby steps to learn something complex. Have fun and enjoy your sim👍
Oh and thanks for the poetry recommendation too.
It’s not perfect but we’re all here for a reason and that is that complex aircraft interest us. We don’t have to nail it today or tomorrow but eventually you’ll get there as I will.
PMDG have given us some great aircraft and I for one enjoy flying them.
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I admire your dedication of mastering the 737!
Its only the fact that nobody can expect that from anybody to do as well.
We all have our own reasons to get this product and enjoy it in our own way.
I think thats the beauty of this sim and should be cherished instead of being judged.
When I go to flightsim events and see people build their own 737 1:1 scale cockpit with children gazing around it, and them telling enthusiastic about their project, that is just amazing.
But that wont be me, just because of the sake that my wife wont let me tear down the kitchen put there a 737 cockpit instead and eat the rest of our life microwaved food and an ordered pizza once in a while Although… i might suggest it one time during a romantic candlelight dinner and a big bouquet of flours
That doesnt mean I dont appreciate all the effort the devs put in their software.
And even maybe more important the users mastering and (sometimes even more important to increase the simcommunity) teach others the proper way.
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I feel your pain PHJ 
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What little word those from pmdg have, even without the EFB in mid-May.
And the DC-6 we are still waiting for the smoke from the start of the engines promised by Mr. Rober rsrandazzo. on 23Jun2021, 21:13
I paste what I say:23Jun2021, 21:13
Gents,
A more accurate answer: We received an SDK update that makes these possible, but we received that update in so close to release that it was not possible to properly explore the new particle generator appropriately in time for release.
Once we have the product stable post-release we will shift attention back to that, as it is a key characteristic of radial engines.
[Startup engine smoke - PMDG Simulations](https://forum.pmdg.com/forum/main-forum/pmdg-dc-6-clouLots of talk but no action.dmaster-forum/133526-startup-engine-smoke)
“is a key feature of radial engines.”
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Sometimes I wonder if it only is sir Randazzo working at PMDG? I really don’t understand why basically everything has to take that long for a developer who I think has the best selling addon for flightsim for years now or close to best selling addon(s)
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the day that is missing for one thing or another that day nothing is done, if on top of that he has the job of pilot. Turn off the light and let’s go.
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As much as I hate it (and I do),
I’m glad that Robert doesn’t say anything. I don’t need that kind of MSFS stress in my life. (LOL)
I’m dealing with Frame Rates VR
He knows that one drop of blood in the water, and the sharks will come. The Sim community can go crazy with add-ons.
(Including myself)
Move quietly with a big stick.
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