Yes, $54.99 is definitely twice the price of what FS2004 will cost you in stores brand new.  This might make some people click their Back button on their browsers as opposed to clicking "add to cart", but as someone who just made the purchase I can add some insight ito it.

The main thing people had a problem with in PMDG's 737NG was that it was too difficult to learn.  I know I myself got annoyed when I would try and fly it and not programming the FMC left me lost and annoyed.

I cannot say the same for this product.

I loaded it up, and fly a few circuits at Seattle Tacoma and it was just wild.  I will even go as far as saying that the sounds alone make this product worth 55 dollars.  I have never experienced such an exciting takeoff roll as I did, sitting in the amazing virtual cockpit (which has about 10 or 11 interactive goodies including shades for the sun and moving seats & yoke).  My point with this is that you could fly this product just like you would a POSKY 747 if you wish, with a sweet virtual cockpit included.

If you have active camera, fire it up and take a walk around the aircraft when it is at the gate.  The detail is significant.  I have never seen such detail on the exterior of the plane.  As far as interior, you can walk around the first class cabin much like MelJet's 777- again, the detail is insane!

I finished my "test" flight and decided to open up the operating manual pdf when it finally occurred to me just how much work went into this baby.  A number of real pilots contributed to this package, as well as the Boeing company itself.  The manual has 383 pages of graphs, charts, tables, etc., making all of the Queen of the Skies features very understandable.  It also makes you feel like you are preparing to actually fly a 747 yourself and as an aspiring commercial pilot and aviation entusiast (much like many of you) I know that's what we all look for in our flight simulator experience.  The handbook clearly states that PMDG seeks to use FS2004s technology to it's advantage while making up for its disadvantages using the most experienced programmers around.

I can honestly say that PMDG lives up to its mission statement with every release and I'm sure our $54.99 will go right into the next product, their Trijet, and beyond.

So, if you are weary of the high price be assured that it's worth it.  If you cannot see how $54.99 is worth it, ok, that's your call but think about the fact that they will surely put that money to work with every subsequent release and that could only amount to more improvement, more amazing visuals, and more surprised for us that make us say "wow, i didn't know that could ever be done in FS2004".

I hope this was of use to some people and I'd like to write more, but I am off to fly a little more in my new toy that makes me feel like I am truly living my dream of flying heavies for a major airliner.

Good night!

One other thing that I feel is worth pointing out.

For such a massively complicated flight model, physical model and VC. I get no big drop in frame rates or pauses while it re-textures things. My machine is NOT cutting edge and I've not had the luck of getting a reply from FS-GS either!!

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See, I am the opposite.  She gives me zero frame rate hits-- her textures instantly load, and nothing slows down for me w/ her!  It's really quite funny.

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What!!! it doesn't work??? I want my money back 

I was impressed by the moving soda cans in the VC though

$55 is a pittance for what I think this addon is worth.

As for the framerate hit, Im not getting one or at least not one really noticable. If you are getting a framerate hit in the VC you can adjust it so you get better performance in frame rates

Second.

However I have the feeling that PMDG will release a patch containing the main deck for the VC, and I can only imagine what it will contain.