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As Jan says, the engine model is a major factor. We have a completely custom engine model that models the CFM56-3 performance in all aspects of flight, different altitudes, temperatures and Mach and offcourse N1. Also the drag is modeled (like in idle descent). We also have "flight idle" and "ground idle". Austin never really had any good high-bypass engine data and therefore the XP default engine is far from realistic. But we have the data. The good news for developers is that they can now check out our CFM56-3 engine model just by outputting the data they need to screen Another factor is offcourse the aerodynamics, lift and drag, if they are off that will also have a strong impact on climb performance. A heavy loaded B733 (63T) will climb at less than 500 fpm the last bit up to FL370

As Jan says, very simply put, the -B2 just has a higher N1 limit (lower EGT margin) which reduces engine lifespan and increases maintenance costs. So you can actually simulate a -B2 takeoff accurately yourself by setting the TO thrust manually (no A/T). I'll see if I can dig up the exact numbers one day.

Regarding making an -NG, there are other huge differences that many don't really think about. As I see it, the technical part of aircraft simulation basically consists of 3 main platforms that are closely linked together; 1. The systems and avionics simulation 2. Aerodynamics/flightmodel 3. The engine model If any of these are off, the two others fall apart as well. This is why we have put huge efforts into all 3 of these areas. Like, you might not have thought of this yet, but when getting this aircraft you will actually also get your very own accurate CFM56-3 engine simulator that performs just like the real one! Not to mention the aerodynamics which have been refined for years. The NG has a different engine and a new wing. So making an NG is a "bit" more than just swapping the main panel and doing some exterior 3D when making aircraft at this ambition level

Click pic for high res.

Had some Photoshop fun this morning and made a panoramic/fisheye view of the cockpit It was made up by 14 screenshots stitched together. It gives you a good view of the cockpit from above and shows many detals and layout of the cockpit you don't really see on "normal" shots or videos. (like if you need to extend the gear manually, note the hatch below the fire extinguisher with the handles inside) Click pic for higher res.

Couple of new pics in the gallery http://www.ixeg.net/gallery M

Couple of more, click on pic for higher resolution A bit higher res.

Current livery list is below. More will be made and we also will provide a paint kit so you easily can make your own favorite. But at the moment first priority on getting the aircraft ready for release. Air France Air Italy America West British Airways Condor Delta (retro) Iberia Linjeflyg Lufthansa Lufthansa (retro) Norwegian SAS Scandinavian Transaero United US Air Varig IXEG

A quick search on Flightradar24 shows 80 B733s in the air over the US and 60 in Europe at the moment. And thats only the -300.. (not -4 and -500)

There are loads of 737 classics still in operation. Here are some.. http://www.planespotters.net/Production_List/Boeing/737/737-300/operator.php?p=1

For those interested, we set up a FAQ blog on the website. http://ixeg.net/blog/item/39-faq M

All these kinds of "cool to have" things we will discuss and consider after v1.0 is out. Untill then all options are open With regard to performance/flightmodel related stuff as this looks to be, developers of 3rd party apps/plugins can just use the real B733 aircraft data since the flightmodel is extremely accurate. So you don't really need us to do it M

Work continues in the following areas; - FMC - Cockpit lighting, sounds and reflections - Texturing - Overhead panel switches now in "standard" configuration. M

Our main and overall focus is make the aircraft as realistic as possible. Then release a basic fully functional v1.0 as soon as possible and in a good state so that you all can enjoy it from day one. Then, we will start adding more "gaming" features, consider other variants/options and so on. In many ways we think like the real Boeing does. There are many good reasons why they don't introduce alot of new variants of the same aircraft at the same time. It has to do with quality assurance, production capacity, and so on. M

In retro mode (click on pic for higher res)

Javier, Making assumptions about the flightmodel of an aircraft you havnt even tried by looking at another one you know very little about in a sim you also know little about is - well - very little scientific to put it that way . - Have you verified and documented that the 727 has the correct spring constants which is the key factor here (not inertia)? I don't know if it has, - but I can guarantee you that ours does. - That you can't make tight turns in XP is a well documented groundmodel flaw in XP that I documented years ago. Therefore we have made our own friction model which is much more accurate If you are interested in the topic, it can be found here http://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?showtopic=31137&hl=%2Bground+%2Bmodel M

And where exactly did you notice that and what facts do you base these assumptions on?

Ok guy's, have fun CANARSIE VOR approach to RWY 13L at JFK http://de.flightaware.com/resources/airport/JFK/IAP/VOR+OR+GPS+RWY+13L_R/pdf

And if you missed the previous parts, they are here; http://www.ixeg.net/blog/item/33-from-cold-and-dark-to M

Ok, here we go, part 3, Initial decent down to 10.000'. We are at FL250 doing the CAMRN FOUR arrival to KARRS http://de.flightaware.com/resources/airport/JFK/STAR/CAMRN+FOUR/pdf Then vectors for the CANARSIE VOR approach to RWY 13L at JFK (Part 4) http://de.flightaware.com/resources/airport/JFK/IAP/VOR+OR+GPS+RWY+13L_R/pdf

A few more high res pics also added to the gallery. http://www.ixeg.net/gallery M

This should get you close..

Maybe, but anyway we strongly recommend you study the video's by Jan. More will follow. They teach you all you need to know to get started and more. We want you to get flying day 1. If you are unfamiliar with the 737 or heavies in general, we recommend first watching the video's, then, when we release the manual/aircraft, start by doing our collection of sample flights tutorials, that start very basic, once you get the hang of the first one, step on to the next one which will take you one step further in learning, and so on. The philosophy is that you learn best by doing and knowing WHY you are doing it. Last, if you are a systems geek, very experienced simmer or pilot, continue with the systems and real manuals, failure scenarios etc. The real manual is available for free on the net. W

Sounds, cockpit back wall 3D and texturing, flightmodel, FMC amongst other things.