PMDG Releases the 777-300ER for Microsoft Flight Simulator (2024)

MSFS

The most hotly anticipated aircraft this year has been released for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The PMDG 777-300ER for MSFS is now available to download and install. Now you will be able to fly one of the largest modern aircraft in MSFS and conduct a range of long-haul flights.

The 777-300ER is the largest of the currently flying Boeing aircraft in the 777 family (the 777X doesn’t count…yet) and serves airlines around the world. You can perform shorter intercontinental flights or ultra long hauls in the twin-engine jet. It uses modern technology including fly-by-wire functionality and plenty of automation to make the flying experience for passengers and pilots a joy.

The feature list for this aircraft is absolutely massive. Beginning with the modelling, you will find a highly detailed rendition of the 777-300ER, complete with physics-based wing flex for a realistic look. Textures are high quality, with attention given to all areas of the co*ckpit, external model and even the passenger cabin. co*ckpit lighting is also highly realistic and provides an ambience.

All avionics and system management for the 777 have been modelled, including accurate display, screen mapping, data presence and more. The air conditioning, hydraulics and electrical systems are all custom made, react realistically to situations and all dynamic to your flight. The fly-by-wire functions of the plane are also fully modelled and present.

Engine data has also been correctly applied in both normal and abnormal circ*mstances. This also includes a custom and realistic autothrottle function that behaves according to real-world spec.

Failures are also modelled with the plane, meaning you can give yourself the ultimate test. They will either work randomly, activate on a fixed time, or be the result of mishandling or based on approximately realistic rates of failures in normal flying.

PMDG has also included its own range of features add additional functionality to simmers. The PMDG universal tablet is included on day-one of the release, and is able to be positioned in a number of places in your aircraft (or ‘in hand’). The Universal Flight Tablet allows you to link to SimBrief and Navigraph, do performance calculations or call up the ground service vehicles for your aircraft. A new turnaround mode also syncs with GSX to work seamlessly. Time compression returns, meaning you can do long-haul flights in just a fraction of the time.

One area that is brand new is the Datalink services. For example, you will be able to request departure clearance, grab Oceanic clearance, get the latest ATIS information, and much more. This requires the HOPPIE network, but functionality can and will be expanded even more in the future.

There is much more, but you can read it all in the feature list down below.

You can buy the PMDG 777-300ER right now from the PMDG store for $77.73. It will come to Marketplace in the near future for PC and Xbox.

Features

Avionics & Flight Deck:

• Advanced simulation of all avionics and system management operations of the 777 flight deck, including system states, sensor management, data bus communications, system state monitoring, message suppression and nuisance indication suppression logic.
• Full simulation of the 777 Master Caution and Warning System, including transient alert suppression for all systems and sensors to match the actual airplane.
• Accurately simulated display drawing process, to include color draw phasing, screen mapping, and data presence/loss display.
• Full electronic checklist with open loop and closed loop sensing, normal and non-normal procedures, as well as annunciated and unannunciated procedures for trouble shooting complex problems in flight.
• PMDG Universal Flight Tablet, with full simBrief integration and Navigraph support for users with charting subscriptions, as well as PMDG feature controls, performance tools, weather support and other useful flying tools.
• Crew Alertness Monitoring (which can be made optional for convenience!)
• Numerous flight deck features are animated with some items such as the tablet and sunshades moveable around the flight deck for convenience at different phases of flight.
• Fully featured co*ckpit lighting, including the unique master dimming system, moveable map and reading lights, panel back lighting and screen dimming.

Air Conditioning System:

• Cabin temperature will stabilize normally depending on the volume of air being pushed through the cabin by the environmental system, outside temperatures, and whether the aircraft is subjected to solar heating.
• Full simulation of cabin conditioning, including bringing ground air through the mix manifold to provide conditioned air during ground turns without the APU running.
• Cabin Air Conditioning follows the scheduled temperature management programmatically, warming and cooling the cabin based on the flight phase to ensure the passengers’ physiological steadiness, or it can be controlled manually from the flight deck.
• Automatic and manual temperature control is modeled in full.

Auto-flight System:

• Full simulation of the Boeing 777 autoflight director and autopilot systems, including all mode switching, phase of flight changes and appropriately tuned gains for phase of flight.
• The entire 777 C*U fly by wire system is modeled, including Normal and Direct modes, along with all supporting data structures and system control and monitoring.
• Fully simulated path and speed management for manual flight, as well as buffet protection, flight envelope protection and artificial feel to enhance pilot awareness of the trim and energy condition of the airplane.
• Entirely customized fly-by-wire logic accepts control inputs to the simulator, then manages control outputs to yield appropriate results within the MSFS atmospheric model.
• Flight Management System uses Navigraph data and is capable of depicting and flying all real world derived and ground based procedures that are appropriate to the 777 aircraft type.

Brakes and Tires:

• Full autobrake and anti-skid system modeled, including all probes and sensors, data logic and internal testing systems.
• Brake wear modeled per real world specifications and will affect utilization of brake pads based upon braking and taxi habits.
• Dynamic modeling of tire wear based upon landing behaviors, brake selection, taxi distance and RTO events.
• Brake pin indicators and other landing gear preflight features modeled, including accumulation of brake dust as brakes wear.
• Maintenance features allow for replacement of tire/wheel assemblies, as well as brake units that have worn to limits. (When new tire/wheel assemblies are installed, brake dust no longer shows on the assembly that was changed.)
• Wear and loss of rubber surface on tires is visible during preflight.
• Brakes are subject to Brake Temperature Soak. After heavy brake use, the brake temperature will climb for some time.
• When the brake disks are very hot, they glow, with color accurately indicating the temperature of the brake assembly (lighter/brighter is hotter).
• Brake cooling depends on many factors, from ambient temperature to airflow. When you taxi, you will see the front brakes cool faster than the two aft brakes.
• The anti-skid system is active in all braking modes and assists with touchdown skids and hydroplaning. Each wheel is monitored and controlled independently.
• The complete anti-skid system, from wheel speed sensors to regulating valves and control logic, is modeled.
• Modulated braking system accurately simulated to distribute brake wear that accumulates from taxiing the airplane.
• Tire wear will accumulate based on taxi distances, the number of takeoff and landing cycles, and heavy braking, whether manual or under auto brake all based upon tire manufacturer’s data.

Cabin:

• Fully detailed cabin, with four seating zones reflecting a common, modern layout with lay-flat seats up front and business class, premium economy and economy seating.
• Seats have installed IFE, which is correctly power sourced and includes appropriate boot up sequences and airline screens.
• The complete arming process of the doors is animated including the locking mechanisms and indicators.
• The cabin emergency lighting works and can be tested during preflight. Will illuminate for a loss of power.
• Full cabin and galley lighting can be manually or automatically controlled. Automatic control simulates the lighting environment for a normal flight with higher illumination during meal and prep/cleanup times, and phased color lighting to reflect sunrise and sunset phases during cruise flight.

Datalink (Currently limited to Hopie Network for ATC services, but more coming!):

• Clearance Request
• Emergency Report
• Free Text Message
• Level Request
• Position Report
• Route Request
• Speed Request
• Voice Request
• When Can We…
• Departure Clearance Request
• Expected TaxiRequest
• Oceanic ClearanceRequest
• PushbackRequest
• TWIP Request
• ATIS Request
• Documentation
• Instead of a flat PDF, all documentation comes in an interactive e-learning system that is fully usable on smartphones, tablets, and PCs. It contains audio and video.

Doors:

• Normal and abnormal operation of the doors, including nuisance sensor warnings that can be cleared by following reset procedures.
• Simulated flight attendants will manage the doors automatically or manually on your command wishes.
• Full operation of all doors and servicing will take place automatically when using PMDG Ground Operations.M
• The arming system of the doors is animated, and the arming indicators at the bottom of the doors.

Electrical System:

• Boeing 777 ELMS (Electrical Load Management System) fully simulated to control all AC and DC generation and distribution systems throughout the airplane.
• All electrical bus systems are modeled, along with correct voltage and amperage loads.
• Accurate simulation of the manner in which the 777 powers up and powers down.
• Using PMDG failures, you can fail any bus on the aircraft and suffer the appropriate penalties as equipment powered by that bus falls offline.
• Load-shedding behavior for a loss of electrical generation will vary depending on what systems are consuming power when load-shedding occurs.
• All electrical system self-tests are modeled, along with system protection logic and reconfiguration controls.
• Electrical protection of critical aircraft systems during autoland operations is fully modeled.
• The Electric Load Management System (ELMS) and its reconfiguration and electrical protection processes are fully modeled.
• Dependency of all systems to their appropriate AC and DC electrical systems is accurately modeled.

Engines:

• Numerous engine abnormal conditions are modeled, along with consequences for mishandling of the event or failure to follow checklist procedures.
• Accurate engine performance in all phases of flight, using an entirely customized engine simulation model that results in highly accurate fuel flow behaviors during flight.
• Flexing of engine pylons under accelerated loads is visible from cabin windows and on the exterior model.
• Entirely custom autothrottle model for accurate and realistic control of engine thrust.

Failures:

• Hundreds of mechanical failures are modeled, many with downstream consequences for mishandling or ignoring the failure in flight.
• Fully dynamic failures model based upon real-world Mean Time Before Failure data for hundreds of components onboard the airplane, resulting in approximately realistic rates of failures in normal flying.
• Fully manual failures can be triggered at random intervals, scheduled intervals, or upon specific flight driven-events, such as V1 engine failures.
• PMDG Ground Maintenance can be used to repair all failures whether in flight or on ground.

Flight Controls and Flight Surfaces:

• Trim control functions modeled accurately to reflect the proper input speeds based upon flight control system logic.
• Fly-By-Wire inputs to flight control systems are accurately modeled, including aileron pitch changes, flaperon bypass and flight path augmentation modes.
• Flight control normal, secondary and alternate modes modeled, along with their commensurate impact on flight control effectiveness.
• Aerodynamic forces moderate rudder control inputs using an accurately modeled Q-System to facilitate yaw stability.
• TAC system modeled to make takeoff engine failures easier to manage appropriately.
• Accurately modeled trim neutral point shift at Mach 0.615.
• The VOR roll mode and appropriate sub-modes are all modeled.
• Inboard flaperons on each wing and their primary and secondary control law functions are fully modeled.
• The ailerons on the 777 are “floating ailerons” in that they change position based on the phase of flight and configuration of the wing flaps. This improves aileron effectiveness and reduces wing flexing during various phases of flight.
• Overspeed protection logic for wing flaps is fully modeled.
• The correct primary, secondary, and reversionary control characteristics of the 777 flight control systems are fully modeled, along with the different feel of the controls as they degrade to lower modes.
• All flight control modes fully model the air and ground spoiler logic.
• The entire AFDS system is modeled in detail, including the C*U logic that allows the fly-by-wire system to closely mimic the feel of a conventional airplane while washing out the bad habits of older-generation airliners, such as pitch-coupling related to thrust changes. This system makes the 777 such a marvelously stable platform to fly, as the fly-by-wire logic helps improve both speed and pitch stability while retaining the conventional pilot input-response mechanism common to nearly all other aircraft that a pilot may have flown.
• The ground spoilers only deploy partially until the aircraft deck angle is reduced, at which point they are allowed to deploy fully. You can see this behavior in many YouTube videos and on your PMDG 777.
• The horizontal stabilizer flexes with air disturbance due to engine exhaust and when spoilers are extended in flight or on the ground.
• The rudder moves in windy conditions when hydraulic power is off.

Fly By Wire System:

• The PMDG 777 comes with a complete Fly-By-Wire system that includes Mode Degradation. For more information, see the special chapter on FBW.

Fuel System:

• Global fuel density model is included with the airplane. When using automatic ground operations, the fuel boarded will reflect average density for the geographic area in which fueling is taking place.
• Fuel slosh effect is modeled in the center wing tank, along with the various caution and advisory systems related to fuel management from the center tank during steeper climbs.
• Pitch effect on fuel value sensing is modeled.
• Flow rate and pressure for all fuel pumps is accurately modeled for all normal fuel pumps as well as override jettison pumps.
• Accurate model of fuel tank interconnection, all related valves and fuel flow processes within the fuel system.
• Fuel leaks of varying types are simulated and can be identified through accurate use of the electronic checklist for Suspect Fuel Leak.

Ground Service Vehicles:

• PMDG Ground Services vehicles can be arrayed around the aircraft for an accurate servicing appearance by users without a dedicated ground services product like GSX.
• PMDG Ground Operations will simulate the entire ground servicing process for the 777 from door open to door close, and everything in-between, adding a realistic flavor to your preflight preparations.
• Vehicles that are possible to display are as follows:
• Ground power, air conditioning, and air start units
• Galley service & cabin cleaning trucks
• Mobile air stairs
• Cargo belts & Cargo loaders
• Fuel pump truck
• Lavatory, potable water, and maintenance vehicles.
• All these are fully integrated into the aircraft (doors/cargo bays will open in time, fuel truck will connect to under-wing refuel panel, etc.) and will become alive under the Automatic Ground Operations feature, or you can call any individual vehicle/service manually whenever needed.
• GSX profile included for GSX Pro.
• General integration of GSX connectivity is provided.

Hydraulic System:

• Full and complete simulation of the hydraulic system, along with associated logical systems for control and operation.
• Complete hydraulic fluid simulation with realistic times for pumps to come online and drop offline.
• Violating pump operating limitations will cause the case drain fluid to overheat, resulting in an OVERHEAT warning.
• Engine drive, air driven and electrically driven pumps are all accurately modeled, along with correct volume flow and pressure increase/decrease rates based upon manufacturers data.
• Accurate implementation of pressure and temperature sensing units throughout the system, along with correctly configured operational blocking logic due to overheat conditions.
• Hydraulic Quantity indication is affected by gear/flap/spoiler/flight control position and thermal shrinking. You will notice changes in hydraulic quantity indicated during flight as you change the aircraft’s configuration, set the parking brake, etc.
• The hydraulic quantity is accurately measured by sensors, with temperature compensation to account for fluid expansion/shrink based upon temperature.

Landing Gear:

• Accurate animation of landing gear operation in all phases of flight.
• Fully simulated alternate gear extension for the 777.
• Dynamic aerodynamic sounds based upon whether gear doors are open or closed and the speed of the aircraft.
• Steerable aft wheels on the main landing gear provide advantage when making large turns at slow speeds. and minimize stress on tires and pavement.
• The 777-300’s unique cantilever landing gear function is accurately modeled to improve tail clearance during rotation of this extremely long airliner.
• Fully functioning tail strike prevention and detection system with animated tail skid.
• Brake and tire wear fully modeled, along with brake overheat indications.

Lighting Systems:

• Accurately timed strobe light configurations for the 777-300.
• All external lighting is modeled, including the loading platform work lights for lower deck cargo loading and unloading.
• Cabin and external emergency lighting systems are fully modeled, including their limited battery life in emergency operation.
• Fully controllable cabin lighting which can also be controlled automatically using the PMDG Sky Interior system to simulate cabin lighting during all phases of flight, including during sunrise and sunset.
• Full exterior lighting effects.

Navigation Data:

• The PMDG 777 uses the latest Navigraph navdata system that makes RNAV and other procedures possible using real world data.

Physics-based Flexing:

• The wing utilizes a fully physics-based wing flex model and will bend and twist appropriately in flight.
• Engine pylons flex and bend appropriately due to acceleration loading in turbulence and during taxi.
• The aircraft’s tail-plane reacts to thrust, turbulence, and ground roll with a visible vibration.
• Various items in the co*ckpit, such as sun visors will respond to turbulence in flight.

Pneumatic System:

• A full featured pneumatic bleed system is modeled, including location and pressure of service taps from the engines, cooling expansion and flow controls.
• The bleed pressure produced by each engine is modeled dynamically.
• All ducting, sensors, valves and pressure regulating shut off valves are modeled.
• Various forms of bleed pressure leaks can be simulated and identified using the electronic checklist for suspected bleed leak.

Simulator Features:

• Advanced time compression that makes oceanic flights possible. London-New York in two hours or 2,5 if you want to do the climb and descent in real-time. 4X (8X over the ocean) will be rock steady on most machines.

Read More in MSFS