How do I switch between kg and lb in a PMDG aircraft?

Change the setting inside the PMDG aircraft, not only in the simulator. On most PMDG models, open the CDU’s PMDG SETUP pages, choose AIRCRAFT and EQUIPMENT, then set WEIGHT UNITS to KGS or LBS. Tablet-equipped models may put the same choice under aircraft or unit settings; save or reload if requested.

The interface varies among PMDG products for MSFS, FSX and Prepar3D. CDU-equipped Boeing aircraft generally use the PMDG configuration pages, while newer releases may expose some options through the Universal Flight Tablet.

How do I change PMDG weight units in the CDU?

On CDU-equipped PMDG aircraft, the weight-unit selector is normally in the PMDG setup pages rather than the operational FMC pages.

1. Power the CDU and press its MENU key.
2. Select PMDG SETUP. If it is not visible, return from the route, legs or performance pages to the main CDU menu.
3. Open AIRCRAFT and EQUIPMENT, then use the next- and previous-page keys until you find WEIGHT UNITS.
4. Select KGS or LBS with the adjacent line-select key. The change normally affects the PMDG fuel, payload and FMC weight displays.
5. Verify the result on the fuel or payload page and the FMC performance-initialisation page. Save the aircraft configuration if that PMDG product provides a save command.

If the aircraft does not provide PMDG SETUP through the CDU, open its PMDG tablet and check the aircraft-setup or unit settings. Menu wording differs between aircraft families, so look for a weight or mass unit rather than a general language or regional setting.

Why does PMDG still show pounds after I selected kilograms?

A persistent PMDG unit mismatch usually means that the simulator, aircraft and planning tool are using separate settings.

• The simulator setting is separate: changing the MSFS measurement system may alter the Fuel and Payload screen without changing the PMDG cockpit. Our explanation of how MSFS controls fuel and payload units shows where that second setting applies.
• The option may be airframe-specific: some PMDG configurations are stored per livery, registration or airframe. Switching liveries can therefore restore the previous unit.
• The setting may not have been retained: apply any available save command and reload the aircraft on the ground if the displays do not update or the selection reverts.
• Your planning source may use another unit: an operational flight plan or external load figure does not automatically follow the PMDG selector. Check its unit before copying any value.

Does switching KGS and LBS change the loaded fuel?

No. Switching units should change how the existing mass is displayed, not physically add or remove fuel or payload. For example, 10,000 kg becomes approximately 22,046 lb; that larger number represents the same mass.

Set the desired unit before loading the aircraft or entering figures. If a value was accepted while the wrong unit was active, correct it through the PMDG fuel or payload page rather than merely changing the display. Our fuel-planning conversion reference covers the kilogram-to-pound calculation.

Which unit should I use for PMDG FMC entries?

Use the unit printed on your operational flight plan and keep that unit consistent for zero-fuel weight, reserves, planned fuel and gross weight. There is no performance advantage to either system; consistency prevents bad calculations and misleading fuel warnings.

PMDG Boeing FMC weight fields commonly express mass in thousands of the selected unit. In KGS mode, an entry of 60.0 represents 60,000 kg; in LBS mode, 132.3 represents 132,300 lb. Do not enter the full raw number when the field expects thousands.

We recommend confirming the unit legend before completing performance data. The 737 FMC weight-entry workflow explains where zero-fuel weight and related figures belong.