I have long dreamed of full GSX integration with the PMDG 737s
a la the Leonardo Maddog's integration. Meaning: I call GSX services, the GSX services come, and load the plane progressively.
The key word here is progressive -- there is much to be said about having the passenger and baggage weight being added slowly over time as loading progresses, and watching the fuel gauges tick upwards as the fuel is pumped onboard. That builds immersion. It forces you to start thinking about timing, sequencing, etc. You've started a process and you have to wait for it to finish. Nothing has ever built immersion more than the GSX integration in the FSLabs Airbii.
The new PMDG 737 GSX integration as implemented by GSX is an appreciated gesture in that direction, but the implementation of it is also kind of the opposite of what I was hoping for. If I wanted to load the plane instantaneously and use the GSX services for animations sake, I could already do that, and the integration only saves me a few keystrokes but adds no immersion.
As it stands currently, I'd much prefer to use it the way I was using it: call GSX boarding combined with the native PMDG passenger boarding so you get progressive loading, and use the PMDG services to load bags and fuel.
Umberto, two questions:
- Is there any way GSX can tie into the PMDG via an API to use GSX services to actually progressively load the passenger, bags, and fuel, without having to resort to instant loading?
- If not, we already know that GSX can push buttons in the PMDG FMC. Why not have GSX push buttons in the FMC to use the PMDG functions to progressively load the plane, optionally? Have GSX enter the passenger count, fuel, baggage weights, call the services and start them, and dismiss them?
- Failing either of the above, can you please give an option to disable the integration so people can optionally go back to using the PMDG the way it was before, please?
Thanks!